The big conundrum…what comes first, the revenue to hire new people, or the new hires to fuel that growth?
Scaling an agency isn’t just about winning more clients. It’s about building a team that can grow with you, without compromising quality or your culture. As your client base expands, you need a team that can support it, efficiently and sustainably.
So, where do you start?
1. Identify Key Roles Early
Focus on what roles are critical for the next phase of growth. Specialists to deliver specific services, or generalists who can handle multiple tasks? Clearly define each role upfront so your team can grow without chaos or overlap.
2. Hire for Potential, Not Just the Now
The demands on your team will evolve, so look for people with adaptability, a growth mindset and values that align with yours. These qualities mean they’ll grow with your company, instead of outgrowing their roles too quickly.
3. Prioritise a Strong Onboarding Process
Scaling up comes with its challenges, but a solid onboarding system will smooth things out. New hires need to hit the ground running and a well-structured process ensures they integrate quickly and efficiently, keeping everything moving forward.
3 Tips for Building a Scalable Team
- Prioritise Cultural Fit
Make sure new hires align with your company’s values. A culturally aligned team adapts better to growth and nurtures a positive work environment. - Offer Flexible Work Options
Flexibility is a great draw for top talent. Offering remote or hybrid work expands your talent pool, reduces overhead and keeps the team connected through collaboration tools. - Utilise Freelancers for Flexibility
Freelancers or contractors can handle temporary workloads or specialised tasks, giving you the flexibility to scale up or down without committing to full-time hires, this can happen at a later stage.
“Marketing is what I love, marketing is what I do”
Rachel,
Founder/ Strategic Marketing & Business Consultant
Studio White Marketing Consultancy