In the world of digital marketing, it’s easy to get caught up in the numbers—revenue, profit margins, ROI. But here’s the truth: none of that matters if you don’t have the right people on your team. You can’t run an agency, drive growth, or hit those ambitious targets without the talent behind the scenes making it all happen. Yet, so many agencies forget this simple fact.
I’ve been around the block a few times, and I’ve seen it all. Agencies that treat their people as just another number on the balance sheet. Leaders who believe that employees are easily replaceable. But I’m here to tell you, that mindset is a surefire way to tank your agency in the long run.
The Problem with the "Profit-First" Mentality
“Employees leave their managers, not their companies.” It’s a cliché because it’s true. According to a Gallup study, 70% of team engagement is determined solely by the manager. And here’s the kicker: when your people feel undervalued or mistreated, they’ll walk—taking their skills, knowledge, and passion with them. And you’re left with a revolving door of new hires who never seem to stick around long enough to make a real impact.
I’ve worked at agencies where people didn’t matter. It was all about the bottom line. Raises were laughable, turnover was high, and morale was in the gutter. Clients noticed the constant churn, and it wasn’t long before the agency’s reputation took a hit. The lesson? Focusing solely on profits at the expense of your people is a losing game.
The Right Mindset for Long-Term Success
So, how do you flip the script? It starts with a mindset shift. You’ve got to put your people first. It’s not about company culture buzzwords or superficial perks. It’s about genuinely caring for the well-being, growth, and happiness of your team.
Take Mark Bealin, founder of SearchLab, for example. Mark isn’t your typical agency owner. He’s built an agency around the idea that if you take care of your people, the profits will follow. It’s a simple yet revolutionary concept: happy employees do better work, which leads to happier clients and, ultimately, a more successful agency.
Practical Tactics for a People-First Agency
1. Real Work-Life Balance
It’s not just about saying you offer work-life balance—you’ve got to mean it. At SearchLab, we don’t just encourage a healthy work-life balance; we enforce it. No one works more than 35 hours a week, and weekend work is a big no-no. We close the entire office from Christmas to New Year’s because everyone deserves a break.
2. Unlimited Time Off, Done Right
Unlimited time off sounds great in theory, but if your team isn’t taking it, what’s the point? We noticed people were hesitant to take time off, so we’re building a system to monitor it and ensure everyone is taking the breaks they need.
3. Hiring the Right People for the Right Roles
We use a system called Culture Index to hire people who are hardwired for success in their specific roles. It’s not just about skills; it’s about finding the right fit for the job and the team.
4. Competitive Compensation
We’re not afraid to pay more to get the right people—and to keep them. We offer aggressive raises to reward excellence, and we share profits with the team. When the agency does well, everyone benefits.
5. Fostering Connection in a Remote World
Remote work can be isolating, so we’ve put effort into creating opportunities for connection. We host weekly “Zappy Hours,” team meetings, and one-on-one check-ins to maintain a sense of community and ensure everyone feels supported.
6. Investing in Mental Health
Mental health shouldn’t be a taboo topic. We’ve created an environment where our team feels comfortable discussing their struggles, and we offer support when they need it. It’s about being human, not just another cog in the machine.
The Bottom Line: People First, Profits Second
When you prioritize your people, everything else falls into place. You get better work, happier clients, and a more profitable agency. It’s not about the short-term gain; it’s about building something sustainable, something that lasts.
In a digital world where visibility is everything, GMB Fox ensures your business isn’t just online—it’s the first choice customers make. Let us handle the complexities of digital marketing, so you can focus on what truly matters: growing your business.
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