As a product manager or marketing director, it is easy to get buried in work from a variety of tasks so it often becomes necessary to outsource. Having tips to lead the employees of your agency directly can be priceless. Choose the best agency right away because you expect top notch results. Select an agency that has clear lines of communication, experienced staff, and consistently delivers outstanding work.
Agencies are not part of your company, so communication is king. Modern technology has made this task easier than ever, but many product managers 
still find that it is difficult to reach members of agencies. Fostering positive communication begins with setting well defined goals and creating a plan to accomplish them. It is difficult to articulate exactly how you want work completed, especially if technology is used as opposed to a face-to-face discussion. Therefore, selecting an agency with clear, open lines of communication is crucial. It should be easy to speak with employees at your agency, and they should proactively reach out to you and keep you up to date on the project they are managing. This helps avoid errors, reduce stress for both parties, and allow for the timely completion of projects.
Perhaps the most difficult characteristic to find in agencies is experienced staff. Although it is impossible to find an agency with experience in every field, veteran staff will be able to adapt to your specific needs. This will help to produce high quality work and apply the feedback that you give them throughout the project. Additionally, veteran leadership will bring the best out in younger employees and will help you develop even stronger programs for your product.
One of the most appreciated characteristics of an organization is its ability to be consistent. Nothing is more frustrating than expecting a certain quality of work from an agency that underperforms. Agencies should take pride in everything that they release to their clients, and consistently perform at the highest standard of work. This shows that they are committed to their clients, and when an agency shows this commitment, it is much easier to trust them.
Having a strong relationship with your agency can really set your organization apart from your competition. Selecting an agency that is willing to sit down with your team and come up with concrete goals and a well-defined plan of action to achieve them is essential to the success of the relationship. It is also important to make sure that the agency has experienced staff that consistently delivers the results you expect. When all of these factors align, you’ll have a winning team that will exceed all of your company’s expectations.
