Internal Management
As All Points Marketing continued to grow within Financial Independence Group, the need for an internal workflow restructure became apparent. I was part of a task force responsible for researching and implementing an efficient internal process aimed at boosting productivity.
Type:
Austin, TX
Date:
2020
After several weeks of monitoring project completion and meeting with each team member to gather suggestions and identify pain points, the task force undertook a detailed review of the current workflow. We dissected the existing process, expanded on its steps, and developed clear, step-by-step instructions across multiple documents, which were then integrated into our training program.
One key issue we identified was the lack of effective communication between marketing strategists and their teammates, particularly when it came to passing down information necessary to complete projects accurately. The previous process involved condensing a 14-page document to extract relevant information, which often left gaps in understanding what was truly needed by each team member—especially for roles like graphic designers or digital video content creators.
To address this, we collaborated to streamline the information and designed a concise, fillable two-page PDF, or "creative brief," tailored for each team member involved in a project. This brief includes essential questions and drop-down menus that outline the products we offer, along with critical details like required sizes, product placement, and other project-specific information.
As the company continues to grow and the volume of business interactions increases, this creative brief has played a crucial role in preventing information from slipping through the cracks. Over the course of a year and a half, it has significantly reduced the back-and-forth communication between teammates and clients, resulting in a more efficient and timely project completion process.
Goals
• Provide an all-inclusive option for
• Prewritten relevant content for
• Quicker tuner around for inhouse
• Cost efficient option for starter businesses
Skills acquired
Collaboration
Targeted Design
Financial Reaserch
Pricing Strategy
Tools & Softwares
OneNote
Content planning
and editing
Workfront
Task and Project Workspace
Adobe InDesign
Content and ayout alignemnt workspace
Adobe Illustrator
Illustration and design workspace
The Tasks
01.
Observe & Gather Feedback
Monitor project completion rates and meet with team members to gather suggestions and identify pain points in the current workflow.
02.
Analyze & Revise Workflow
Review the existing internal processes, break them down into detailed steps, and create step-by-step instructions in multiple documents.
03.
Identify & Address Communication Gaps
Focus on improving communication between marketing strategists and teammates, particularly around project requirements, to ensure better understanding of roles and tasks.
04.
Design & Implement the Creative Breif
Collaborate to create a concise, fillable two-page PDF (creative brief) with essential project details and drop-down options for specific team members. Integrate this into the workflow and training process.
05.
Monitor & Optimize Over Time
Track the effectiveness of the creative brief in reducing miscommunication and streamline the process further as the business grows. Adjust as necessary to continue enhancing productivity and communication.
The Results
Get to Know Us
After monitoring our new training and agile processes, we have seen eight new employees successfully grasp and grow after being trained. Over the past two years, we’ve observed a significant reduction in miscommunication between teammates and have successfully educated our strategists on the specific needs of each project. Our productivity has increased by 40%, contributing to both the growth and development of our department. Given the success of these agile methods and the new process, APM is well-positioned to continue expanding while maintaining high productivity, effective communication, and strong performance metrics.