Titles

I recently interviewed at an ad agency, and spent almost three hours getting to know my interviewers, the culture of said agency, their client roster, and their grand plan. I wouldn't even call it an interview - it was more of a conversation, and it was one of the most genuine and thought-provoking ones I've had in ages. Kind of hated to leave.

If there's one thing that stood out during those three hours, it was how they structure their team. They only hire senior people, and therefore don't see a need for high-falutin' titles (their words, not mine).

This I like. Simple, to the point. I've seen businesses leaner than theirs get bogged down in ego-tripping title battles, such as "Sr. Director of Accounts" or "Sr. VP and Creative Director". Those monster titles ooze self-importance and seem so out of touch with the where the industry is headed.

A simple rule to follow: if you can count your employees using your fingers and toes and don't go over, why would you need the Sr.'s or Jr.'s or triple titles?

Another thing that really shined through during the conversation was how they stick to their business plan. They've been around for many years for this reason, and have adhered to some key rules:

1. Don't create a position to satisfy the next big thing in the industry if it doesn't fit within your overall plan, such as SEO Specialist or Social Media Coordinator. It may look good on paper, but if it's not producing revenue or satisfying client needs, let it go.

2. Partner with other agencies or individuals that offer a specialty you don't, so that you build trust with your clients. Let go of the idea that you can do anything, and be ready to offer solid alternatives that are somewhat within your control.

3. Hire people who are very accomplished in their chosen field, but who can also offer a variety of other skill sets that would compliment the business. An example would be a developer who might also be skilled at video production or social media strategy.

4. Don't act like a team. Be a team.

5. Don't be afraid to tell the client they're wrong. You are the expert, that's what they're paying you for, and if the partnership is strong, it will be appreciated.

6. Be accessible and be honest - to your coworkers, to your clients, to your staff, to your partners, to your vendors. Elitism and dishonesty have no business in this industry....any industry, really. Hey, let's go the distance and just say life in general.

I left my interview thinking that anyone would be lucky to be a part of that team.