
7. Lean and flat is the name of the game.
Design teams at tech companies are self-organized and efficient. By contrast, large agencies still suffer from organizational bloat: layers of account directors, creative directors, managing directors and dozens of other who-the-#@$!-cares directors. The modern agency needs to operate like a research and development lab rather than like the old ad shops. It needs to be lean and efficient: flat in hierarchy and fueled by smart generalists who can manage themselves, their work and others. People can use methodologies such as Agile, Kanban and Scrum to self-manage — it’s no surprise tha…