So, your agency is growing—clients are coming in, projects are piling up, and your team is busier than ever. It’s a great problem to have, but it’s also a tipping point. The next hire you make could be the difference between smoothly scaling your operations or watching things start to unravel. The big question is: Who should you hire next?
This is a question that every agency owner grapples with at some stage. Hire too early, and you risk adding unnecessary costs. Hire too late, and you might miss out on crucial opportunities or overburden your team. Hiring the wrong person? That can be an expensive mistake. So, let’s break down the process and help you determine exactly who your next hire should be.
Start with a Clear Understanding of Your Agency’s Needs
Before you even think about drafting a job description, take a step back and assess your agency’s current situation. What are the biggest challenges you’re facing? Where are the bottlenecks? What tasks are falling through the cracks, and what roles are overextended?
Here’s a simple exercise: Make a list of all the tasks that are crucial to your agency’s success but aren’t getting the attention they deserve. Next, categorize these tasks by role—are they administrative, creative, managerial, or client-facing? This will give you a clearer picture of where the gaps are and help you prioritize the type of role that needs filling.
Consider the Impact: Revenue-Generating vs. Support Roles
When you’re deciding who to hire next, it’s essential to think about the impact that role will have on your agency’s bottom line. Generally, there are two types of roles to consider: revenue-generating and support roles.
Revenue-Generating Roles: These are the people who will directly contribute to bringing in new business or increasing the value of your current clients. This could be a sales executive, a business development manager, or even a highly skilled creative who can elevate the quality of your work and attract bigger clients.
Support Roles: These roles don’t directly bring in revenue, but they’re crucial for keeping your operations running smoothly. This might include project managers, operations managers, or administrative assistants. These hires can free up your existing team to focus on their core tasks, ultimately leading to greater efficiency and profitability.
The key is to find a balance. In the early stages of growth, it might be tempting to focus solely on revenue-generating roles, but without the right support, your agency could become overburdened, leading to burnout and decreased productivity.
The Importance of Strategic Hires
Not all hires are created equal. A strategic hire is someone who not only fills a current gap but also helps your agency move closer to its long-term goals. For instance, if you’re planning to expand into new markets, hiring someone with experience in that area can give you the insights and connections needed to succeed.
Strategic hires are often more expensive, but they’re worth the investment if they can help you achieve your growth objectives. Before making a decision, ask yourself: Will this hire help my agency get to where we want to be in the next 12-18 months?
Look at Your Current Team: Could Internal Growth Be the Answer?
Sometimes, the answer to your hiring question isn’t bringing in someone new, but promoting from within. Your current team already understands your agency’s culture, processes, and clients, which can make them a safer bet than an external hire. Plus, promoting internally can boost morale and loyalty, as it shows your team that there are growth opportunities within the agency.
Consider whether any of your current employees are ready to step into a leadership role or take on more responsibility. With the right training and support, an internal promotion can be just as effective, if not more so, than hiring externally.
Outsourcing vs. In-House: What’s the Right Move?
Another factor to consider is whether your next hire needs to be a full-time, in-house employee or if you can outsource the role. In today’s gig economy, there are many talented freelancers and contractors who can fill specific roles without the commitment of a full-time hire.
Outsourcing can be a cost-effective solution, especially for specialized tasks like graphic design, content writing, or even project management. However, if the role requires a deep understanding of your agency’s culture and long-term commitment, an in-house hire might be the better choice.
Culture Fit: Don’t Underestimate It
Skills and experience are important, but cultural fit is just as crucial. A new hire who aligns with your agency’s values and work ethic will integrate more smoothly into your team and contribute to a positive work environment. On the other hand, even the most skilled professional can disrupt your team dynamic if they don’t mesh well with your agency’s culture.
During the interview process, take the time to assess how well candidates fit with your agency’s values, communication style, and overall vibe. It might take a little longer to find the right fit, but it’s worth it in the long run.
When to Hire: Timing Is Everything
So, you’ve identified the role you need to fill—now, when should you make the hire? Timing is crucial. Hire too soon, and you might find yourself with an unnecessary expense. Hire too late, and you risk burning out your current team or missing out on growth opportunities.
A good rule of thumb is to hire when the demand for the role is clear and immediate, but before your team starts feeling the strain. This way, your new hire can hit the ground running without the pressure of playing catch-up from day one.
Let’s Talk About Your Next Strategic Hire
Deciding who to hire next is a critical decision that can shape the future of your agency. If you’re feeling uncertain or need some guidance on making the right choice, we’re here to help. At Agency Authority, we specialize in helping agencies like yours navigate growth with strategic hires that align with your long-term goals.
Let’s chat about your agency’s current challenges and how we can help you make the next hire that will propel your business forward. Schedule a call with us today, and let’s start planning your next step toward sustainable growth.