How Creative Agencies Use SmartSuite for Client Projects, Workflows, Tasks, and Utilization Pt. 1
In the fast-paced world of creative agencies, managing clients, projects, and workflows efficiently is the key to success. In this two-part series, we dive into how these agencies are harnessing the power of SmartSuite to streamline their operations and unleash their creativity. In this first part, we'll explore how creative agencies utilize SmartSuite to manage clients, projects, and team workflows. From project dashboards to task management and utilization tracking, SmartSuite offers a comprehensive solution tailored to the unique needs of creative agencies.
Managing Clients and Projects
Creative agencies thrive on their ability to deliver exceptional work to clients. The SmartSuite project dashboard provides an overarching view of ongoing projects and client interactions. Users can monitor new project requests, track active projects, and even join marketing status meetings directly from the dashboard. This enables teams to stay aligned and informed about the latest developments.
One of the core functionalities is the Client Relationship Management (CRM) component, a light CRM embedded within the platform. Creative agencies can manage client information, track the status of client relationships, and link projects with client data to gain insights into project profitability and revenue generation.
Streamlining Workflows
SmartSuite takes project management to the next level by offering well-defined project workflows. Starting from project requests, these workflows guide projects through different stages such as discovery, contracts, design, and post-production. Automated tasks are generated at each stage, ensuring that nothing falls through the cracks. Whether it's managing a video production or a branding campaign, SmartSuite ensures that the right tasks are assigned to the right team members at the right time.
Efficient Task Management
The platform provides various views for task management, catering to different team preferences. Whether it's a visual Kanban board for dynamic task tracking, a grid view for comprehensive information, or a timeline view for understanding task allocation over time, SmartSuite adapts to the team's needs. Teams can easily collaborate on tasks, update statuses, and monitor progress.
Resource Utilization Tracking
Effective resource management is crucial for creative agencies. SmartSuite offers insightful utilization tracking to ensure that team members are optimally utilized without being overwhelmed. The system calculates and presents the actual time tracked, estimated hours, and expected hours for each team member. This data aids managers in assigning tasks appropriately, preventing overloading, and optimizing productivity. A graphical representation of utilization allows for quick visual assessment of team capacity.
Asset Library: Showcasing Creativity
Creative agencies thrive on their portfolio of work. The platform's asset library provides a centralized repository for all creative outputs. Agencies can link assets to specific projects, making it easy to showcase their work to potential clients. This feature serves as both an inspirational resource for future projects and a marketing tool for displaying the agency's capabilities.
Conclusion
SmartSuite transforms how creative agencies manage clients, projects, and workflows. From streamlining project workflows to optimizing resource utilization, the platform empowers agencies to operate efficiently and creatively. This blog post has only scratched the surface of what SmartSuite offers to the creative world. Stay tuned for the next part of this series, where we'll explore the financial aspects, including time tracking, billable hours, and revenue tracking. If you're looking to enhance your agency's operations and creativity, SmartSuite could be the game-changing solution you've been waiting for.
