Since the start of the global pandemic our partner agencies have been meeting up every two weeks for virtual roundtable discussions. Moderated by the wonderful and whip-smart Nancy Hill, CEO of Media Sherpas and Former President/CEO of 4A's, these roundtables have allowed our agency partners to learn about the current situations in other regions, share tips for staying proactive and productive, and collaborate on brand initiatives.
These meetups have been instrumental in not only sharing knowledge and tips, but have provided some much needed solidarity for our partners, helping to show that no matter where in the world they might be holed up, no one is alone in this crisis.
We cover numerous topics during these roundtables, but perhaps the most popular one has been about keeping staff motivated and positive while sheltering in place. We wanted to share some of the useful tips and unique ideas our partners have employed.
Transparency from the Top
This crisis is affecting us all. No one is different. No one is exempt. There are physical challenges. There are emotional challenges. We’re all feeling them. You can show your respect for staff by treating them all the same, being transparent about agency challenges, and revealing some of your true emotions.
The Union’s Founder Ian McAteer has been sending daily email newsletters to the entire staff, and sharing personal thoughts and feelings on social channels. Stephen Brown, CEO with FUSE Marketing Group, shared a very honest and personal message with The Message Canada.
Make It Personal
The line between work and life is typically pretty thin for ad agencies. Sheltering in place has all but erased that line. We’re letting coworkers into our homes via video conferences calls. Sharing stories about spouses, significant others, kids and pets. Complaining about our parents who are still hanging out with others and simply will NOT follow safety protocols (oh, that’s just my parents?! figures.).
These personal details are imperative for ensuring staff feel cared for and teams feel connected. Make sure to check in on their emotional and physical health, inquire about family members, and ask what else they’re been doing to keep busy, besides work, and if they need any help.
Assign a Buddy System
Until about a month ago, social isolation was a serious concern for mental health. Today it’s a social imperative for physical health. Yet, we can’t neglect the mental health effects of social isolation, especially for those living alone.
Some of our partners have also realized just how many of their staff members live alone. They developed a buddy system to ensure they receive some extra care and attention while shut in one their own.
Break Into Smaller Groups
Similar to the buddy system, Proboston in Czech Republic has assigned each manager a group of five staff members to allow for more efficient communication and more personal discussions. These tight-knit groups may permit staff to be more forthcoming than they would if they only had all-agency meetings or communication channels.
Get Dressed for Meetings
It’s tempting to stay in your PJs all day when WFH, but that can blur the lines between work and home, resulting in decreased productivity and mental fatigue. To maintain these work-home boundaries, WE Marketing Group (China) asks their staff to get dressed each day for daily video check ins. Power blazers not required; just something a step above sweats and jammies.
Virtual Lunches & Happy Hours
The leadership team at Tombras (Tennessee, USA) hosts a virtual lunch with a handful of their staff each day. They keep the groups small at six participants for a more intimate setting, and ask staff to sign up so that it’s voluntary.
Tombras is also hosting three-times-per-week happy hours, rotating by department, to allow staff to connect and share a few cold ones together. The Union in Scotland, The Shipyard in Ohio, USA, and others are doing the same. Some have even used the happy hours to support local clients and businesses, as The Shipyard did last week.
Daily Staff Challenges
Every message coming from management can’t be serious; we need some lighthearted fun right now. Our partners have come up with some silly ways to keep staff motivated. For National Grilled Cheese day, FUSE Marketing Group (Toronto, Canada) challenged the entire agency to make their best grilled cheese for lunch and share photos.
Tombras also hosts a different challenge every day on a WFH Slack channel. Challenge topics have included: Who’s wearing their best sports team attire? Whose “coworkers” are the cutest? Whose home office has the best decorations? This playful banter is helping to keep spirits up and team members active.
Lean on the Unique Talents of Staff
R&R Partners (Nevada, USA) is leaning on the interests, talents and hobbies of their staff that don’t usually get featured during the work week. One of their more mindful staff members held a meditation hour. Their wine connoisseur hosted a virtual wine tasting. The comedians at the agency had a comedy night.
Leaning on these talents provides entertainment and education, and creates camaraderie among teams during the current situation. It can also highlight some of the unique skills sets and passions within the agency that could be used later in client projects.
Focus on the Fun & Feel-Good Projects
As brands across the globe are suffering financial loss, it’s inevitable that advertising and marketing agencies will be impacted. Rather than focusing on the negative, some of our agencies have found the time and space to work on those fun-but-likely-unprofitable back-burner projects or pick up some social good marketing projects. These fun and feel-good projects can help to reinvigorate and inspire staff.
What steps has your agency taken to keep your staff motivated and positive? Share your thoughts on our LinkedIn or Facebook pages.