What Other Agencies Do - #12 - Show the Value of Your In-House Agency
In times like these, it makes sense for
businesses to utilize their in-house design studios for more of their
advertising efforts. The cost savings can be a huge incentive. Getting work
completed quicker, as well as a more intimate understanding of the brand and
its requirements are all key reasons for utilizing your in-house studio.
Yet many in-house studios are not at the top of the list as a marketing resource in their company. This does not have to be the case.
Successful in-house agencies have learned to prove their value to their companies. Instead of being seen as a fulfillment center and executing outside agencies creative concepts, in-house agencies that have shown their value is the first stop for the company’s marketing and advertising tools.
The easiest way to prove your value to your company, second to delivering stellar creative executions, is to prove your value to your company is to show the cost savings. Many in-house studios have charge-back systems in which they actually charge their departments for the work that is done. This requires tracking the amount of time that is spent on the jobs that you work on. Even if you are already doing this, you should also show the comparison of what it would have cost had an outside agency done the same work.
If you don’t already have a charge-back system in place, you should establish one. While you may not actually charge the departments for your work, you should at any time be able to show the value of the work that you have provided. I recently had an in-house studio call me because their company was considering eliminating their department. She wanted to know if there were any reports that could be pulled together to show what they had done for the company. Unfortunately, they had not tracked their time at all. This meant that their only proof of value was any cost savings they had been able to negotiate with vendors.
The first and foremost way to show your value is to implement a charge-back system. One you have this in place, you will be able to prove your worth and value to the company at a moment’s notice.
There are other ways to show your value to your company. Each month, one of our “What Other Agencies Do” tips will be devoted to our in-house studios. Check each week for new tips just for in-house studios.
Yet many in-house studios are not at the top of the list as a marketing resource in their company. This does not have to be the case.
Successful in-house agencies have learned to prove their value to their companies. Instead of being seen as a fulfillment center and executing outside agencies creative concepts, in-house agencies that have shown their value is the first stop for the company’s marketing and advertising tools.
The easiest way to prove your value to your company, second to delivering stellar creative executions, is to prove your value to your company is to show the cost savings. Many in-house studios have charge-back systems in which they actually charge their departments for the work that is done. This requires tracking the amount of time that is spent on the jobs that you work on. Even if you are already doing this, you should also show the comparison of what it would have cost had an outside agency done the same work.
If you don’t already have a charge-back system in place, you should establish one. While you may not actually charge the departments for your work, you should at any time be able to show the value of the work that you have provided. I recently had an in-house studio call me because their company was considering eliminating their department. She wanted to know if there were any reports that could be pulled together to show what they had done for the company. Unfortunately, they had not tracked their time at all. This meant that their only proof of value was any cost savings they had been able to negotiate with vendors.
The first and foremost way to show your value is to implement a charge-back system. One you have this in place, you will be able to prove your worth and value to the company at a moment’s notice.
There are other ways to show your value to your company. Each month, one of our “What Other Agencies Do” tips will be devoted to our in-house studios. Check each week for new tips just for in-house studios.
Posted by Agency ADvisor at 6/21/2011 9:02 AM 
Categories: What Other Agencies Do - Weekly Tips
Tags: Advertising Connie Burtcheard Efficiency Efficiency and Profitability Efficient InHouse Creative InHouse Studio Productivity productivity Value Added
Categories: What Other Agencies Do - Weekly Tips
Tags: Advertising Connie Burtcheard Efficiency Efficiency and Profitability Efficient InHouse Creative InHouse Studio Productivity productivity Value Added
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