With the end of the pandemic now closer than ever and client projects starting to gain more momentum, it’s a good idea to think about ways to increase the efficiency of your creative team.

While going about this might not be an exact science, there are a few bankable factors that will make a real difference. From being well structured to making the most of the latest creative agency software, this article covers some of the best ways to nurture a winning team.

Your creative team should have these qualities

There are a couple of general qualities that help lay the foundation for high levels of productivity in a creative team, no matter the size of a campaign.

1) Well structured right from the start

A winning creative team is one that is highly organised and well structured. There are three specific team dynamics that are popular in the modern workplace, namely centralised, cross-functional and flexible creative teams:

• Centralised creative teams start with defining each individual role clearly, alongside a commitment for everyone to work in the same physical location. This has some perks, but may also lead to the formation of silos.
• Cross-functional creative teams are made up of people from different departments in the organisation. Creatives don’t always end up working side-by-side here, and although this dynamic may increase interdepartmental trust, communication that should be developed may dwindle from time to time.
• Flexible creative teams are a mix of the other two, and structured according to the specific demands of the project at hand. Problem solving is top of the list, but without a productive work management software from companies like Scoro, things can quickly get very disorganised.

2) Equipped with the best productivity tools

While on the topic of work management software, it’s worth mentioning that the right digital productivity tools can do more than just keep things organised. They can make project management a breeze for leaders like yourself.

The right software will make monitoring and reporting an automated process that pulls information from a central location. It also helps you to make data-driven decisions, which makes a big difference during complex campaigns.

3) Exceptional project leadership

When things go wrong in an organisation, problems typically stem from the top of the organogram, slowly trickling down to its various departments over time. For this reason, effective leadership is essential when it comes to leading any team, creative or otherwise.

Exceptional leaders are approachable, humble, and flexible. They aren’t afraid to explore different leadership styles in order to find the best fit. Their primary role in an agency setting is to create a safe environment that encourages creativity and out-of-the-box thinking. Good leadership also factors in workplace satisfaction, along with a push to find ways to strengthen the team.

4) Diverse skills across multiple roles

A well structured team is equipped to start a new project off on the right foot, but ensuring that all the different skills available are being utilized in the best way possible can be a great way to build momentum and improve on overall project efficiency.

For example, some people have stronger soft skills than others. Tasking the most personable member in the team with communicating directly with the client is one way to truly diversify the skills at your disposal.

5) Operating in a creatively inspiring work environment

Creative people struggle to perform at their best in an office environment that stifles inspiration and motivation. Even just the right workplace design can have a dramatic effect on the quality of work that is produced.

The pandemic also reminded business leaders that division and isolation (on top of extremely tight turnarounds) don’t exactly leave creatives in the best space to execute high level work. Designing a creatively inspiring work environment — even for people working remotely — requires you to ask each team member what they need, and try to make those requests a reality.

Any of the wide range of factors mentioned will encourage creative teams to work in a more inspired way, leading to more successful campaigns down the line. These teams are only as good as the way they are managed, and your role as project lead is to give each person the best chance to reach their full professional potential. Forget about focusing squarely on the bottom line — nurture your team, encourage innovation, and watch clients come back for more time and time again.