The Drum, Agency Acceleration Day -'Olympic-sized talent pool' - Diogo Freire

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© 2014 TBG © 2014 TBG Diogo Freire - TBG CFO & COO Olympic-sized talent pool To be ready for growth but still maintain profit, you need to have the right mix of staff and the right talent. Is there an ideal balance of junior, middle and senior places on your team?

Transcript of The Drum, Agency Acceleration Day -'Olympic-sized talent pool' - Diogo Freire

© 2014 TBG© 2014 TBG

Diogo Freire - TBGCFO & COO

Olympic-sized talent pool

To be ready for growth but still maintain profit, you need to have the right mix of staffand the right talent. Is there an ideal balance of junior, middle and senior places onyour team?

© 2014 TBG

Contents

1. Universal Objectives2. A Key Question3. Getting it wrong4. Skills Matrix5. Getting it right

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What’s the right mix of skills?

CFO

• 20% operating margin!

COO

• High quality work• Low Client churn• Low Staff churn• Growth• High staff utilisation• Etc.

Universal Objectives

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KEY QUESTION

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Who are we?

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Skills Imbalance Scenarios

• Clients are Happy• Utilisation 80%+• Low Profitability • High Staff Turnover

• Clients Unhappy• Utilisation 90% +• Profitability declining/ stagnant• Staff retention patchy

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Skills Matrix

Too Many Chiefs You’re a Star

Is this your Mission? Too many Indians

HIG

HLO

W

LOW HIGH

REVENUE/ HEAD

CH

IEFS

/ IN

DIA

NS

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REVENUE/HEAD: use with care

Brain Surgeons: $457,000

Efficiency geeks: $130,000

The Independents (2012): $179,000

Goliath (2012): $130,000

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KPI: Profitability per head

- Define your own

- It’s like a red wine

- Early warning signal

- Does not suffer fools

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Getting it right

Too Many Chiefs You’re a Star

Is this your Mission? Too many Indians

HIG

HLO

W

LOW HIGH

REVENUE/ HEAD

CH

IEFS

/ IN

DIA

NS

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LOW/LOW

Profitability: high

Type of work: repetitive, difficult to differentiate

USP: what?

Key to profitability: efficiency

Recruitment strategy: grads

Training: formulaic

Staff retention: culture but there is limits

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HIGH/HIGH

Profitability: high

Type of work: creative, defining, cutting edge

USP: high level of creativity, expertise

Key to profitability: high charge out rates

Recruitment strategy: seeking the best at all levels

Training: mentorship with Senior Staff

Staff retention: continued stream of interesting/ challenging work –growth!!

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The Yellow Brick Road and other Fairy Tales

Too Many Chiefs You’re a Star

Do all roads end here?

Too many Indians or a sweet spot?

HIG

HLO

W

LOW HIGH

REVENUE/ HEAD

CH

IEFS

/ IN

DIA

NS

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Dr Jekyll would been a great COO

Type of work: repetitive, difficult to differentiate

USP: pricing

Key to profitability: efficiency

Recruitment strategy: grads

Training: formulaic

Staff retention: culture but there are limits (and that is ok)

Type of work: creative, defining, cutting edge

USP: high level of creativity, expertise

Key to profitability: high charge out rates

Recruitment: seeking the best

Training: mentorship with Senior Staff

Staff retention: continued stream of interesting/ challenging work –growth!!

© 2014 TBG

Conclusion

Define who you are

Match your Skills Mix to your offering

Enjoy the ride but don’t indulge

Stars need growth to keep shining

Embrace change