Creative Ops Compass

In this solo episode, Jesse tackles a question that comes up constantly with in-house creative teams: should there be a mandate requiring stakeholders to work with you instead of external agencies? Jesse shares his honest perspective on why mandates often backfire, when they might actually make sense, and what it takes to build a team that stakeholders choose to work with rather than one they're forced to use.Key Topics DiscussedWhy mandates can signal weakness and create the perception that your team can't compete on meritThe backfire effect: getting compliance without enthusiasm, trust, or early strategic involvementThe benefits when stakeholders work with external vendors (exposure to new approaches and concrete case studies for your value)Three scenarios where limited, temporary mandates might be strategicConnect with JesseLearn more about Jesse's work at www.infocusconsulting.netConnect with Jesse on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessekrinsky/Have a creative ops challenge you're facing? Want to be a guest on the show? Reach out to Jesse at jesse@infocusconsulting.netSubscribe & ReviewIf you found value in this episode, please subscribe to Creative Ops Compass and leave a comment. Let Jesse know what creative ops challenges you're facing and what topics would help your team work better.

In this episode, Jesse speaks with Priya Shah, CEO and founder of Shah Squared Consulting, about one of the most frustrating challenges for in-house creative teams: getting process improvements to actually stick after implementation.Priya brings over 15 years of experience helping global companies, startups, and mission-driven organizations enhance their social media presence and operations. In this conversation, she shares hard-won insights about why implementations fail, how to get real stakeholder buy-in, and practical strategies for maintaining momentum long after consultants leave.About the GuestPriya Shah is the CEO and Founder of Shah Squared Consulting, a fractional communications firm that helps healthcare and B2B organizations enhance their digital presence through strategic comms and employee advocacy. With her proprietary Shah Squared Communications Model™, she connects authentic storytelling with measurable business results.Key Topics DiscussedWhy teams default back to old processes despite knowing better ways existOvercoming team members' fears about consultants and changeThe critical difference between one-to-many and one-to-one stakeholder communicationFinding and leveraging internal champions at all levels (not just leadership)Creating sustainable roadmaps that account for daily workload realitiesWhy cultural differences impact change adoption in global organizationsMain TakeawaysAddress the fear factor directlyTeam members often see consultants as "the Bobs" from Office Space. Counter this by showing how new processes free them up for more strategic, visible work rather than threatening their roles.Customize your message to each stakeholderAs Priya said, "If they care about numbers, come with numbers. If they care about visuals, come with visuals. Speaking their language is essential for buy-in."Think beyond the roadshow approachBig Zoom meetings where you announce "here's how you work with us now" often fail. Invest in one-to-one conversations where you can read verbal and nonverbal cues.Build in grace periodsImplementation isn't a light switch. Create manageable phases, and be okay with pausing during big campaigns or busy periods. Progress beats perfection.Look beyond senior leadership for championsPeer-to-peer influence can be more powerful than top-down mandates. Find your hand-raisers at every level.Resources MentionedLearn more about Jesse's work at www.infocusconsulting.netConnect with Jesse on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessekrinskyConnect with JesseHave a creative ops challenge you're facing? Want to be a guest on the show? Reach out to Jesse at jesse@infocusconsulting.netSubscribe & ReviewIf you found value in this episode, please subscribe to Creative Ops Compass and leave a review. Your feedback helps other creative leaders find the show and shapes future episode topics.

Jesse speaks with Joel Kaplan, founder of MK3 Creative, about how in-house creative teams can build stronger, more productive relationships with external agencies. Joel shares nearly 30 years of insights from the agency side, revealing what separates one-off projects from long-term partnerships and how better communication in the intake process saves both time and money for everyone involved.About the GuestJoel Kaplan is the founder of MK3 Creative, a Boston area creative agency with nearly three decades of experience working with clients ranging from small internal creative departments to major corporate teams. Joel brings a unique perspective on what makes agency relationships work, having seen firsthand the communication breakdowns, missing information, and stakeholder challenges that can derail even well-intentioned projects.Key Topics DiscussedThe critical elements of an effective creative briefHow to get stakeholders involved early without losing controlQuestions to ask that clarify creative direction and decision-making authorityManaging the line between helpful input and micromanagementWhat it takes to maintain long-term agency partnershipsMain Takeaways1. Start with a solid briefThe more information you provide upfront, the better the creative concepts and budgets you'll receive. A well-written brief saves time on both sides by preventing unnecessary rounds of revisions and proposals that miss the mark entirely.2. Talk about budget earlyWorking through concepts without budget guidance is ”like driving with your eyes closed”. Whether you provide an exact number or a range, give your agency partners enough information to propose ideas that actually fit what you're trying to accomplish. If you're unsure about budget, have a conversation about back-of-the-napkin ranges before formal proposals begin.3. Get stakeholders involved early in the processBuild time into your project timeline for key decision makers to weigh in before the end. Ask stakeholders what they've seen that they like, get their vision upfront, and include them in at least one early conversation with the agency. Otherwise, you're setting yourself up for scope changes, blown budgets, and starting over when someone at the top finally sees the work.4. Clarify creative direction and decision-making authorityBe clear about where the agency comes into the process. Do you need them to develop concepts from scratch, or do you have ideas you want them to execute and enhance? And be honest about who has final approval.5. Keep your eye on the ballWhen personalities, preferences, or shiny objects threaten to distract from the core goal, bring the conversation back to the fundamentals: who is the audience and what is the message? Every decision, from script writing to edit points, should serve those objectives..Connect with JesseLearn more about Jesse's work at www.infocusconsulting.netConnect with Jesse on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessekrinskyHave a creative ops challenge you're facing? Want to be a guest on the show? Reach out to Jesse at jesse@infocusconsulting.netSubscribe & ReviewIf you found value in this episode, please subscribe to Creative Ops Compass and leave a review. Your feedback helps other creative leaders find the show and shapes future episode topics.

Welcome to the Creative Ops Compass podcast!