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Have you ever looked at a skyscraper and wondered how it got there? Have you ever watched a construction site develop over time?
It starts with a plot of land, and then months later, an entire building is in its place.
This kind of development doesn’t happen overnight. It takes dozens—even hundreds—of people working together in order to create a building from a flat plot of land. Plans need to be drawn, and processes need to be followed.
Building an agency is the same.
If you’re just starting out with developing your agency, you’re likely looking at a flat plot of land. You have ideas of what could go here, or what your agency could someday become, but you’re not quite sure how to get there.
You want results, and you want them quickly, but that isn’t always possible. Just like you can’t expect to build a sound skyscraper overnight, you can’t build a sustainable agency in the blink of an eye.
Instead, here’s how to build your agency as you’d build a skyscraper:
1. Draw out your plans.
This is the time to think big. Regardless of where you’re starting, imagine what you hope your agency will someday look like, just as architects and designers would draw plans for a new building.
Think big. Imagine the possibilities. Imagination is uniquely human, so use it! Don’t get too trapped in wondering what is possible at this time or what you can accomplish easily. The idea is to think outside your comfort zone to what you hope you will someday create.
These plans might not end up looking like the final product, but that’s OK. The point of this step is to get creative. You can always change your big-picture goals as you grow!
2. Focus on a solid foundation.
You can’t build a skyscraper with a shaky foundation, just like you can’t build a successful agency without laying the right groundwork. If you try to build too quickly in either case, you can quickly lose control of the project.
In the agency world, a solid foundation includes building strong relationships with customers, hiring the right team members and doing great work. Focus on connecting with the right individuals and delivering your best services each and every time.
Use tools and processes to ensure your foundation is as solid as possible. Project management tools, CRMs, communication apps and bookkeeping software are a great starting point for any agency.
3. Build, build, build.
When your plans are made and your foundation is set, it’s time to build. Whether you’re building an agency or building a skyscraper, you need to focus on the growth. This is where the hustle comes in.
However, to ensure that growth is sustainable and sound, you need to remember both the plans you made and the foundation you originally set. If you focus on growth alone and ignore your team, the processes and the goals you’d like to achieve, you can easily lose sight of the progress you’re making.
Build your agency around the things most important to your business: working with the right clients, having the strongest team and delivering the best services possible. Make sure these are always at the center of everything you do.
4. Revisit your blueprints.
As the needs within a building change, the architect is able to add new units, reconfigure floor plans or create expansions that ensure the building continues to meet the needs of its residents. The same is true for your agency.
When your initial growth goals are met, it’s time to look back at your blueprints and see what is missing. This might include adding new services to better meet your clients’ needs or switching things around to make a stronger impact with your audience.
It’s always a good idea to revisit your blueprints every once in a while. If your initial plans seem outdated, give yourself permission to make any appropriate changes.
Conclusion
Think of your agency as a construction site. You start with a flat plot of land, but with the right work, you end up with a beautiful building. Regardless of where you are in the growth process, imagine your team building the structure, adding the walls and finishing off with the doors and windows.
Imagine yourself as the architect of your agency, not just the owner. You’re in control of your agency’s direction—you just need to create the right plan, lay a solid foundation and focus on building.
