You now know your results for 2024. You are not pleased with your progress and are at the point where you believe that you need some outside help to get back on track and ignite growth. You have looked at your team and have concluded that as hard working and talented as they are, staying the course will yield similar outcomes in 2025 if you do not hire an experienced, savvy brand strategy and packaging design agency.
This is not admitting defeat. This is recognizing that it is time for some fresh insights and new thinking. And that is often prudent, as doing the same (or similar) things likely will again be disappointing.
There are lots and lots of brand strategy and packaging design agencies out there. So how to choose? It is important to do your best to get this right.
Several criteria come into play here. Check each box and you have a much better chance of getting the kind of results that you want.
First, have a clear and fact-based assessment of your situation and the problem you are trying to solve. This will allow you to have more productive conversations with the agencies you are considering. And, you can then determine which agency has had recent experience and positive results with other clients in a similar situation.
Second, be clear about your goals and expectations. How will you measure your progress toward those goals? Aligning on the key metrics up front helps ensure that you both are on the same page. Are there critical milestones, or a deadline that you have in mind? This might be a new product launch or a brand refresh for the next key sales season. And be sure the agency’s fees are well documented and within your budget.
Third, ask about the process that the agency uses for the kind of problem you are facing. Many will say they have a proprietary approach. Be sure they can explain it, show it in action, and that it makes sense to you.
Fourth, review case studies and success stories from other clients so you can see the quality of the agency’s work and the results their clients achieved. The more similar the situation(s) to what you are facing, the better.
Fifth, get clarity about who will be working on your business for the duration of the assignment and meet them before you choose an agency. An initial meeting will allow you to observe their working style and thought process. Many agencies trot out their most senior and impressive people to win new business and then the client rarely sees them again, since more junior staffers actually do the work.
Sixth, and perhaps most important, assess fit with the agency principals. Having similar values and ways of thinking is extremely valuable in quickly building trust. This can open the door for good debate and dialog around the best path forward for your business. The closer together you can schedule meetings with the agencies you are considering the better, as your impressions will be fresher. And that will help you choose the agency that is best for you.
Our perspective
It does take some time and effort to go through these steps, but it is worth it. A good agency will complete the assignment on time and on budget. A great agency will ask probing questions, particularly early on, and then at each decision point will deliver the most inspired game plan that has the best potential to move the needle.
At Damen Jackson, we have helped clients make smart moves to inject new energy and reignite profitable growth. We have the benefit of over 25 years of working with almost 800 clients to help your brand get to the next level. Our experienced, hands-on team is there as an extension of your team, working with urgency and shared ownership.
We love challenges. Let’s talk!
Take the first step to a more successful business today.
- CLICK HERE to schedule a free 30-minute discussion. No pressure – we promise.
- We’ll provide real-world case studies showing the process in action.
- If we’re a fit, we finalize details and get started.