Well, the proverbial April showers have passed, bringing those May flowers. And at the Bureau, we’ve been showering the members with gentle wisdom all month long through the weekly newsletter, with the hope that you’ll be enjoying the May flowers of business success.
If you aren’t on our mailing list for that, it’s not too late - just sign up here - but if you were hiding from the weather and your inbox, just read on to get the best of what we shared last month!
PM Burnout
No, I’m not talking about the mid-afternoon slump (though that’s definitely real), but rather the state of our project managers who often find themselves getting pulled into all kinds of tasks, from making sales calls to reviewing strategy. Before you know it, all those hats are causing a massive migraine. Honestly, the PM’s mental state is often the first warning sign that something is out of balance.
I’m not saying this is always leadership’s fault, but… well, you need to practice awareness if you want to prevent this from happening or deal with it when it does. That means taking a beat to assess whether you really can take on that new project, and make sure your roles really are well defined. If budgets are tight and hybrid roles are the reality, just set clear expectations and boundaries.
Signs of the Times
Unfortunately, everything seems to be political now, and that’s making for some tough decisions for our agency leaders. Some groups that have questionable stances on things are making those values known in contacts. But if those provisions go against your shop’s values, is it better to walk away or take the work anyway, so you can keep your head above water?
I can’t make the decision for you, but there are some good reasons to do what it takes to survive. For one thing, staying in business means you have a platform to keep promoting what’s important to you. You could also donate some of the funds to causes you care about. And as long as you focus on long-term goals, a short-term loss can be bearable. But whatever you do, make sure to communicate the reasons to your team, and let them know what you really believe.
(Net)Working
Connections make things work at every level, from your own career, to your agency, to society as a whole. For me, I’m just always talking to people wherever I find myself. But if you’re a little bit more low-key with your networking, there are a few other ways to grow your circle. If you’re sincere, you’ll see a difference.
For one thing, just ask questions that go beyond the everyday work stuff. Ask about people’s lives (tactfully), and remember those little things like their dog’s name. It makes a difference. And sometimes just being there consistently is as much of a statement as standing out, especially if you can offer someone a useful resource or share experiences that helped you. And make sure you’re generous with your praise, so other people can share your light.
The Latest in AI
It’s the topic that refuses to go away, but shops everywhere are still trying to make the most out of their AI investments. But while some aren’t getting anywhere, for other agencies AI is already putting them light years ahead of the competition. So if everyone is trying it, what’s the difference? We’ve identified a few things.
For one thing, it’s not about shortcuts. The real success lies in being smart about it. Instead of cutting your content team, use it to refine a product, or poke holes in your ideas. It can help eliminate the mundane busy work so your people can use their talents where it matters. AI can help you be more selective instead of doing it all. I’m also seeing the best groups experiment with all kinds of uses before bragging about it or trying to monetize everything. And they’re also making sure someone is doing quality control on whatever AI is creating.
I hope that was a refreshing sprinkle of all the great discussions we had in April. Remember, every week we cover a new topic in our newsletter. I hope you’ll join the crowd. Or just check back here next month for another downpour of useful information.