We get hired because clients need fresh ideas. How are you doing in that department?

When I was a kid, I had an active and vivid imagination. I would create whole worlds with a just handful of household items/props and could entertain myself for hours. A wooden spoon became a microphone. My bike became a roadster. My mom’s jewelry drawer became a store for pet collars and accruements (that did not go over well!)

I’m guessing you have similar memories. As kids we were creative on demand. Clearly most of us loved our creative streak — look at what we chose to do for a living! And yet for many in our industry, being able to be an innovative thinker on demand is no easy task.

It’s why you’re often tasked with coming up with the “big idea” for new business pitches or important client meetings. It’s also why you’re the bottleneck in your shop. With only one or two innovative thinkers on the team, the burden becomes unsustainable.

The question we should be asking ourselves isn’t is someone an innovative thinker. The question should be — what kind of innovative thinker are they?

The myth we’ve come to believe is that being an innovative thinker is a gift that most people just don’t possess. The truth is... we’re all innovative thinkers and even better for our agency — we are all different types of innovative thinkers!

I will admit that I love a good self assessment. (My spirit color is blue, btw and my lookalike dog is a German Shepard) So I loved the “what is your innovator archetype” self assessment on Carla Johnson’s website.

The assessment was insightful — not just about my own archetype (Provocateur) but also learning about the different types and how they work together.

The truth is — we can all be innovative. And we don’t have to be the only one in the shop who can generate big, fresh ideas on demand. But how do you wake up your team’s ability to be innovative? Sure... hosting wooden spoon karaoke is an option. Or...there might be a better way.

Last year, we asked Carla to create a two-day workshop specifically for agency folks, teaching them the Innovative thinking framework she uncovered when she was doing research for her book. In February of 2022 we held that workshop and it was killer! Attendees took what they learned back to their shop and taught it to everyone from the interns to the CFO to the creative director!

Rather than me telling you about it —?here’s Carla’s take.

It was so good we’ve decided to offer it again July 11-12 in Denver.?You can read more about the workshop or register today right here.

Are you ready to level up your entire team’s ability to think big? Perhaps even more important — are you clients hungry for fresh ideas that will give them a competitive advantage? If so, this workshop is custom built for you.

You know our deal — if you don’t love it and find the two days valuable in every way — we’ll refund your money. Grab a seat while we still have some to grab!

Drew McLellan, with Agency Management Institute, produces a weekly newsletter with updates, tips, and market information of value to marketing agencies, owners, and employees. If you'd like to receive the weekly newsletter, follow this link to subscribe.