Enabling Innovation

Challenge:

When I joined GTB the Analytics team was highlighted as one of the top 3 issues for clients. The team was demoralized, and many were looking to leave after yet another boss was let go.

Approach:

It became evident that they were overwhelmed by monotonous tasks, leaving little room for meaningful and value-driven work. To tackle this challenge, I adopted a transparent approach with clients, proposing a temporary halt on new requests and introducing a project evaluation framework. This empowered the team to automate repetitive tasks, freeing them to focus on areas they found more fulfilling and beneficial for both the team and the client. Furthermore, I initiated "Innovation Sessions" to enable the team to explore and apply advanced analytics solutions they had previously encountered only in theory. Collaborating with clients, we established a pilot structure to leverage ideas generated by the team as well as drive continuous improvement.

Outcome:

Within 4 months the team went from being one of the clients top 3 concerns to getting an accommodation from the clients Canadian marketing lead for delivering a report that had been promised for 5 years. The temporary pause on new projects enabled the team to automate crucial tasks, freeing up valuable time to focus on their desired areas and demonstrate their value to clients. The Innovation Sessions sparked a surge of innovative ideas, establishing the team as the agency's intrapreneurs.