“For indie brands, it is essential to work paytm phone number data with clients who fully understand that this is a different business model”Buffagni: "I don't think the indie model is for everyone. For me, it's essential."
By Pablo Buffagni
Founder of BBQ Agency
BBQ agency started with this business model a decade ago. We are called BBQ because we bring to the table of each barbecue, or project, whoever is needed for the occasion. That is why we have a minimal fixed structure and achieve great competitive advantages.
I don't think it's a model for everyone. For me, it's essential:
-Knowing how to wear several hats and having the knowledge and training to do so; that is, taking on different roles beyond the one you have had in your career in a network, and ensuring that your entire team is prepared for the same. For this, collaboration with senior people who have never missed the train is key, together with new people and everyone gives feedback within the team.
-Being able to work alongside clients so that they place their trust in you and you become a partner rather than a supplier.
-Have extensive experience in various categories and media, and be able to work as a team with the strategic and data area, often provided by the client.
-Be prepared for sudden changes in the awarding of projects, because with the desired flexibility, clients are also looking to free themselves from long-term contracts.
-Working with clients who understand that this is a different business model. If they expect the same level of complexity and structure in a network, they won't get it, with the bad and the good that that represents for some.
-Clients must bet on something different and have the balls to defend their decision, since it is much easier within an "ecosystem" of suppliers where independent agencies often work together with networks, to blame the small fish. In addition, the aggressiveness with which networks come back after you won a project for a big brand is very strong. Independent agencies are often accused of "dumping" for charging less, but falling for a $15,000 dollar pitch with an entire regional structure, people from several offices and the top management of a network, just to recover a brand, is much worse and I have seen networks do things like that several times. Clients are the ones who suffer in the long term, because then they never see those who participated in the pitch meeting again.