Welcome to episode 7 of Creative Collaboration: Conversations with Veronica and Jillian. Today, Veronica & Jillian talk about their own experiences with building teams as well as the challenges they face. Veronica mentions that she is currently in the process of making changes to her team structure. Jillian shares her experience of growing her agency organically but feeling overwhelmed when it reached a certain size. They both discuss the pros and cons of having contractors versus employees on their teams.
Today, Jillian Vorce discusses how she built client teams. She emphasizes the importance of having a diverse team that includes the client’s target audience as well as outside perspectives. Veronica Guguian agrees and acknowledges the challenges of pricing and finding backups for contractors. They both stress the need to pay everyone, including themselves, and discuss the difference between being a freelancer and running a business. Jillian explains how she negotiated rates with contractors based on guaranteed business opportunities. They also talk about the value of experience in understanding clients' needs and building personalized teams for each project.
Jillian Vorce discusses her approach to client relationships, explaining that she values finding the best solution for the client rather than maximizing profits. She also emphasizes the importance of building a core team and bringing in additional skills as needed. Jillian and Veronica Guguian discuss their approaches to learning and development within their companies, using internal projects as opportunities for growth. They touch on the topic of tools and mention some they have used or are currently testing. The conversation also explores personal preferences when it comes to digital tools versus traditional methods like pen and paper.
Jillian discusses the inefficiency of traditional note-taking and the benefits of working online with digital tools. She mentions using Teamwork for project management but is currently considering other options. Jillian also talks about using Airtable for content and workflow management. Veronica Guguian agrees on the importance of digital tools for efficiency but emphasizes the need for human connection and shared values within a team.
Finally, they both discuss the importance of saying goodbye to clients or team members when values no longer align. Additionally, Jillian highlights her practice of offering professional development opportunities to her contractors and freelancers as a way to expand their skills and benefit her business.
People & Resources Mentioned in This Episode
About Veronica Guguian
- Website: https://spinideas.nl/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronica-guguian
About Jillian Vorce
- Website: https://thejilliangroup.com/better
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillianvorce
Credits
- Music Composed by BeeLa Music
- Voiceover by Amanda Balagur