The Directors' Centre

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Most agencies say they want “better clients.”But attracting dream clients isn’t luck... it’s strategy.Matt Essam talks u...
26/03/2026

Most agencies say they want “better clients.”

But attracting dream clients isn’t luck... it’s strategy.

Matt Essam talks us through how agencies can position themselves to attract clients who value their work, respect their expertise, and pay accordingly.

The conversation covers:
• Why many agencies struggle to attract the right clients
• How clarity of positioning changes the quality of opportunities
• The mindset shift needed to move from chasing work to attracting it

If you want clients who see you as a partner rather than a supplier, this episode is worth your time.

https://buff.ly/CkMpdM0essam.2025

Many agencies believe they’re being held back by the obvious problems - pricing, sales, hiring, or marketing.But often t...
24/03/2026

Many agencies believe they’re being held back by the obvious problems - pricing, sales, hiring, or marketing.

But often the real issue is more subtle.

Rob explores the pattern we see repeatedly across agencies: the behaviours and decisions that quietly limit growth long before leaders realise it.

It’s not usually a lack of ideas or ambition.
It’s the habits that keep agencies reactive, distracted, and stuck.

If you’re busy but not seeing the momentum you expected, this article may help you spot what’s really going on.

Read it here:
https://www.gyda.co/insights/the-hidden-trap-holding-your-agency-back

Delegation isn’t failing because your team isn’t capable.It’s failing because there’s no system behind it.Janusz unpacks...
19/03/2026

Delegation isn’t failing because your team isn’t capable.

It’s failing because there’s no system behind it.

Janusz unpacks the real reason agency leaders stay stuck in the weeds. Handing something off without a process, checklist or template isn’t delegation... it’s wishful thinking.

The result?
You step back in.
You “just fix it quickly.”
And the cycle repeats.

If you’re time poor, constantly firefighting and wondering why you can’t seem to free yourself from day-to-day delivery, this article breaks down a practical way forward.

Systematise first. Delegate second.

Read now:
https://buff.ly/GaMHmb7

Check your inbox for your invite...
17/03/2026

Check your inbox for your invite...

Watch David Blois of M&A Advisory cut through the uncertainty around agency exits and show why planning, process, and po...
12/03/2026

Watch David Blois of M&A Advisory cut through the uncertainty around agency exits and show why planning, process, and positioning matter long before you ever put a valuation on the table.

You’ll hear:
• What acquirers actually look for in an agency
• Why most agencies leave value on the table
• How to get your business in sellable shape today
• Practical steps founders can take now... whether you’re planning to sell or not

Whether an exit is six months or six years away, this conversation gives clarity and confidence around what’s really involved.

Selling your agency isn’t something you should wing... watch now.
https://buff.ly/nfvynQZ
David Blois &Aadvisory

Many agencies are still selling the way they did 10 or 20 years ago: Pitching. Competing on price. Trying to win work by...
10/03/2026

Many agencies are still selling the way they did 10 or 20 years ago: Pitching. Competing on price. Trying to win work by proving they’re the safest option.

But the market has changed. Blair Enns, founder of Win Without Pitching, explains why agencies need to rethink pricing, positioning and pitching... if they want to stay relevant.

The discussion explores:
- Why undifferentiated agencies get pushed into pitching and price pressure
- How strong positioning changes the sales dynamic
- The shift from “selling services” to selling expertise
- Why the way you sell determines the value you’re able to capture

Blair’s core idea is simple but powerful: when agencies position themselves as experts rather than vendors, they gain control over pricing, conversations and outcomes.

If you lead an agency and want to escape the cycle of endless pitching and margin pressure, this is a conversation worth hearing.

https://www.gyda.co/podcasts/pricing-positioning-amp-pitching-blair-enns-on-how-agencies-must-evolve

Want insight, guidance and analysis straight to your inbox? Sign up for our Sunday Supplement emails and we’ll send you ...
05/03/2026

Want insight, guidance and analysis straight to your inbox?

Sign up for our Sunday Supplement emails and we’ll send you unbiased, unfiltered content, weekly.

Here's some recent feedback from our readers:
'I don’t often respond to these emails. But this is brilliantly put. Couldn’t agree more with near on everything raised in your email.'
'Loving the Sunday emails. The content all chimes with us all.'

Subscribe here:
https://lnkd.in/eQsd95F2

Most agencies don’t need more strategy.They need clarity.The GYDA Agency Accelerator Canvas is a simple, single-page str...
03/03/2026

Most agencies don’t need more strategy.
They need clarity.

The GYDA Agency Accelerator Canvas is a simple, single-page strategy planning tool designed to help agency leaders cut through the noise and focus on what actually drives growth.

It helps you get clear on:
• Where your agency is really making (or losing) money
• What to prioritise next and what to stop doing
• Your value proposition, positioning and growth levers
• The strategic decisions that unlock momentum, not complexity

No long decks. No theory. Just a practical framework you can use in one sitting - on your own or with your leadership team.

If your strategy currently lives in your head (or keeps getting pushed to “later”), this is a no-brainer place to start.

Download the GYDA Resource here:
https://buff.ly/hZokz35

If you missed it, the GYDA State of the Nation 2026 presentation from Rob, offers a timely reality check for agency lead...
26/02/2026

If you missed it, the GYDA State of the Nation 2026 presentation from Rob, offers a timely reality check for agency leaders.

It covers:
• The current market climate for agencies
• How client expectations and buying behaviour are shifting
• What’s supporting growth right now - and what’s holding agencies back
• Practical implications for agency strategy in the year ahead

It’s a clear, grounded view of where agencies stand as we move into 2026.

Watch it here:
https://www.gyda.co/podcasts/gyda-state-of-the-nation-for-q1-2026-with-robert-craven

Janusz joins the Grakom lineup at Komm Dagen 2026: Leadership in Times of Change - From Challenges to Opportunities, tak...
24/02/2026

Janusz joins the Grakom lineup at Komm Dagen 2026: Leadership in Times of Change - From Challenges to Opportunities, taking place 12th March 2026 in Middelfart.

In an era of volatility and uncertainty, strategy alone isn’t enough. The real constraint facing agencies today isn’t tactics... it’s leadership psychology. Janusz will challenge agency owners to evolve from managers into true change makers.

Drawing on data from 400+ agencies, this session reveals the eight critical leadership behaviours that separate those who successfully drive change from those who fall behind. Expect sharp insights into resilience, decision-making frameworks, and the cultural shifts required to lead teams through what many are calling the “Agency Apocalypse.”

A must-attend session for agency leaders navigating disruption—and determined to turn change into opportunity.

Grab your tickets today:
https://buff.ly/qq8V2Eb

If you’ve ever wondered how to make LinkedIn actually work for your agency - not just as a broadcast channel, but as a g...
19/02/2026

If you’ve ever wondered how to make LinkedIn actually work for your agency - not just as a broadcast channel, but as a growth engine - this new GYDA Talks episode is worth your time.

In The LinkedIn Growth Blueprint: Branding, Engagement, and ROI for Agency Leaders, Sarah Clay breaks down what it really takes to succeed on LinkedIn as an agency leader... beyond occasional posts and hoping for clicks.

Sarah talks us through:
• Why LinkedIn is best approached like a networking party - consistent engagement beats sporadic posting.
• How to balance personal branding vs company presence, and why personal profiles often drive the most impact.
• A practical three-step process for visibility, engagement and measurable ROI.
• Smart strategies around posting frequency, meaningful comments and targeted engagement.

If you’re serious about using LinkedIn to build relationships, amplify your agency’s voice and drive real business outcomes, this episode has practical insight you can apply this week.

Watch now:
https://buff.ly/GkVCnXJclay.125

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