How can you identify core competencies and delegate tasks for media production?

Once you've defined your core competencies, LEAN IN to them. Ours is storytelling and crafting from 0. Once we have the story then its about bringing it to life through audio. In media production, tasks often require highly specialized skills that may not be within the primary competencies of the original team. For instance, sound engineering, mixing, and mastering are specialties that can greatly benefit from delegation. To do this effectively, we assess our projects against our core competencies and bring in experts whose proficiency complements our in-house capabilities. It’s not just about filling a gap; it’s about elevating the project's quality by aligning every task with the best available skill set.

Identify Core Competencies: a. Assess Team Members: Evaluate the skills and expertise of your team members. Identify their strengths, weaknesses, and areas of interest related to media production. b. Understand the Project: Clearly define the objectives and scope of the media production project. Determine the specific skills and expertise required for different aspects of the project. c. Identify Key Areas: Break down the production process into key areas such as scripting, filming, editing, sound design, graphics, and marketing. Determine the core competencies needed for each area. d. Consider Experience: Consider the team members’ past experience in similar projects. Prioritize individuals who have a proven track record in specific tasks.

In order to identify your core competencies for media production in my experience, the saying, 'team work makes the dream work' best sums up where I would start. Experience has shown that a great project leader is essential to delivery. If project management is not your core competency then make sure to appoint an individual with proven people management skills. Believe it or not this will ensure the right skills and abilities are employed in the correct fashion and at the right time. It is also a great way of ensuring that what you bring to the project is beneficial and fits well with the projects objective. Working with a well led and motivated team is always a good way to develop your core competencies.

Communication is one of the hardest skills that people don’t know that they miss. For example when you work with someone you can’t just tell him “hey i have a project that will require x days and will pay y” you should talk more about the project itself in details, why are you working on this project, try to find something in the project that will motivate them as well. And then go further jnto details about the project timeline and milestones. One mistake that happens alot that people give only the information that are relevant to the person involved, because they think that he doesn’t deserve to know more or because they feel more safe when they are the only one to have the full picture.

The art of 'giving the right brief' while delegating a particular component of media production has to get more spotlight than it does. Here are a few thoughts to keep in mind while delegating: 1. Pick the right talent. Either you are hiring in-house or outsourcing to an agency, ensure to have a checklist of skills you expect for a specific gap you are addressing 2. Get to know the tools they use and make suggestions if required. Support them with the necessary tools in terms of budget 3. Perform an attitude check where the talent is pro-learning, flexible and collaborative to make the outputs effective. Finally, work on your briefing skills and stay open-minded with the feedback process.

Delegating tasks outside one's core competencies is a strategic move that not only optimizes resources but elevates the overall quality and efficiency of media production. Planning and communication are indeed paramount. Clear expectations, coupled with regular feedback, ensure alignment with project goals. This approach has been instrumental in my experience as Head of Media Production, fostering collaboration with specialized platforms and individuals.

Effective delegation in media production hinges on a clear understanding of our core competencies, informed by passion, skill, and strategic goals. At our company, this has translated into a refined approach where we leverage our strengths in storytelling and high production value, while partnering with specialized talent to complement our in-house expertise. It's not always about delegating "least important" tasks but also delegating tasks you aren't a master in yet. In order to achieve the highest quality, we enroll high performing individuals into our success. The result is a synergy that elevates our content and consistently meets the high expectations of our discerning audience.

I also want to stress the importance of communication. Effective communication in delegation is twofold: First, it ensures that each team member understands their role and responsibilities, creating a harmonious and efficient workflow. For instance, when assigning tasks related to sound engineering or voice acting, clear and concise briefs can significantly influence the quality of the finished product. Second, it involves actively listening to qualitative feedback and insights from both team members and our audience, which can enhance the quality of the content and the efficacy of the collaboration. We ensure everyone understands the 'why' behind their tasks, thus driving purpose and coherence in our collaborative efforts.

The success of delegated tasks hinges on selecting the right collaborators. Matching skills and resources with the task at hand is a strategic move. It's not just about the task; it's about the people or platforms you entrust it to. By aligning goals, setting clear expectations, and maintaining consistent communication, we ensure a seamless workflow. Remember, the strength of your team determines the height of your success!