Post From the Elbo Room: To Thine Own Agency Be True

We were in Florida this week for a new client kickoff and had a very brief opportunity to actually see the beach. (Mmm, the beach.)

We took a seat in an establishment called The Elbo Room.

You will not don a suit and sip martinis at The Elbo Room.

You will, however, step off the beach, have a cold beer and hear some great music (if you’re so inclined).

The Elbo Room has apparently been in existence since 1938 and from what I understand, not a lot has changed with the place.  It is, and I say this in an entirely positive way, a dive bar of the highest order.

They embrace who they are with no pretension, warts and all.

But back to the new client I mentioned earlier, they have a very good problem-several areas of expertise and ability, but how best to succinctly express that from a new business angle.

As we help to create a comprehensive new business strategy for them, one overarching premise we laid out: be true to who you are as an agency.

Are you staying true to your agency core?

Like The Elbo Room, are you embracing that core?  And by extension are you going after the right type of clients?

I’ve seen agencies take on clients and work that they had no business taking. Either culturally or because they couldn’t deliver the type of work necessary with the level of quality that was needed.

If you find your own agency straying from its core, it’s time for some introspection.

Strategic growth and change are wonderful, necessary things, but there has to be that unwavering core in order to bring the passion necessary to match your talent.

Contemplate on this.

At the beach if possible.