📣 Please note, these events are for Agency Hackers’ members only.

If your agency isn’t a member yet, get in touch with Anne.

Agency owners are usually told to focus on growth, success, and the next big win. But what happens when things don’t quite go to plan?

While it might seem like tempting fate, having a plan B, C, or even a plan D is an essential safety net for any agency leader. It’s the stability you need to stay afloat during challenging times.

Neil Adams, co-founder of Powerhouse, knows this more than most.

“I’ve been the world’s biggest optimist,” he says. “The thought of ever considering how really bad it could get – you just don’t go there. But I wish I had.”

The last few years have been tough, but now he’s thriving he wants to help prepare others for the ‘worst’. But the key thing? His approach isn’t negative.

For Neil, being proactive and planning for everything doesn’t need to be bleak – it’s just a practical measure that allows agency owners to sleep more soundly at night: “It’s about knowing that there’s always options, and that it’s never as bad as you think it could be.”

In this session with Neil, we’ll discuss:

• Knowing when to act. “Forewarned is forearmed,” he says, adding that many businesses wait too long before seeking guidance or support. “I’ve heard of businesses that wait and when they finally ask for advice they’ve only got two weeks of cash left in the bank. At that point, there’s very little that can be done.”
• Navigating tough decisions. It’s easy to avoid confronting the realities of running an agency, but you need to address difficult decisions as soon as possible. “You don’t want to make the tough choices until it gets really bad, and that actually hampers the business, hampers growth, and hampers you and your relationships.”
• Embracing learning opportunities. “All the talks we have are about growth – the assumption that everyone’s just going to grow. But actually, if you look at the stats, the amount of businesses that don’t sell for millions or achieve their plans is sobering.”
• Building resilience. “Once you’ve planned for all eventualities, you don’t have to focus on it 24/7. You’ve got the knowledge, and you will be better prepared when making future decisions.”

In this session, Neil will be talking candidly about his experiences as a leader, both positive and negative, and how they have made him a better leader and strategist, realising it’s best to plan for every outcome – all while maintaining an optimistic outlook on the future.