Is flexibility the key to inclusivity?

Today’s candidates find flexible working scenarios very attractive, and it’s a deal breaker for a lot of parents too.

By offering things like core hours and a WFH policy, you can open yourself up to a whole new range of talent.

But not every agency is built to function without full-time, in-person staff – so what can you do about it?

Join in to discuss.

How do you make purpose a priority?

Good Innovation are pioneers in the purpose space – it lies at the heart of everything they do.

In this session, founders Kevin Waudby and Andrew Bathgate tell us how and why their impact-driven agency came to exist. Find out how to balance income with impact as they take us through how to keep purpose at the heart of your business, and why that’s so important to them.

B Corp: Is it worth the hype?

B Corp certification is looking more and more attractive to agencies in the UK, but do you really know what it takes to tread this path? And once you’ve got there, what opportunities are available to you that weren’t before?

We’ll hear from Climbing Trees’ Alex Holliman, GAS Brand Studio‘s Gail Hoban, and Futureproof’s James Skirrow about their experiences of obtaining B-Corp status, how it’s bettered their businesses, and the things they wish they’d done differently.

How responsible are you for your employees’ mental health?

What is the line between looking after your team, and creating a parent / child relationship? In this session we’ll talk about how liable you are for your team’s wellbeing, what kind of support you should be offering, and how to put the right boundaries in place to protect your business.

Is ‘doing good’ bad for business – or the other way round?

Many ‘purposeful’ agencies are afraid of asking this question for fear of being perceived as greedy. But at the end of the day, the business has to continue running. So, how do you make sure you can afford to keep on giving back, while also paying your team’s salaries? We’ll be picking on our ‘purpose-driven’ attendees to find out exactly how a business can give back to society, and still maintain commercial success.

Can a strong purpose help you retain your team?

Today’s candidates want their workplace to be contributing something positive to the world. Some agency leaders even say that their work around social impact and sustainability is what keeps staff around. In this breakout room session, we’ll discuss how strong brand values can impact recruitment and retention, and hear from leaders who have benefited from their purpose-driven culture.

Are consumers as interested in brand purpose as you think? 

Conscious consumption is the hottest new trend, but are consumers as interested in brand purpose as you might think? Turns out, people don’t want to be told how to live by their mayonnaise bottle or razor brand, because it doesn’t feel authentic. In this session, Chris Bullick shares the results from his report into what consumers really think of ‘purpose-led’ marketing, and the mistake brands are making by ‘preaching’ to their audience.

Do you only work with certain clients based on your ethics and beliefs?

Knowing which work to refuse isn’t always black and white, and a challenging economy can make it a much tougher decision. Should you stay aligned with your brand values and refuse the big contracts that could help grow your agency? Or can you still accept their business but encourage them to change?

Join this session to share your ‘red lines’ when it comes to new clients, and hear from other agency leaders who have already pledged to say no to less progressive clients.

What does the OG treehugger make of the state of sustainability right now?

It’s the topic on everyone’s lips now, but some people have been working on their sustainability measures since the scientists first rang the alarm bell. One of those people is Tom Greenwood, co-founder of Wholegrain Digital.

We’ll be talking to Tom about how the sustainability landscape has changed over the years, and dissecting some of the myths people believe about environmental sustainability and eco-friendly web design.

What is it really like to work with charities?

When it comes to working with ‘good’ clients, charities are at the top of many agencies’ lists.

But just because they’re a charity, does it mean they’re also a ‘good’ company? Will you still need to grapple with the same issues as you do with clients already on your books?

We’ll be dispelling all the common misconceptions – the good, the bad, and the ugly – of working within the charity sector with Matt Collins of Platypus.

Being a clearly purpose-led agency is the new trend – but do you really know what you stand for?

Does your team, or even more importantly, clients, know this too? While you might think your agency’s purpose is clear, it might be worth taking a step back and figure out how you’re articulating this, and if your purpose is as clear-cut as you think it is. In this breakout session, we’ll be discussing how you’re articulating your purpose, and how to do this without sounding as though you’re just jumping on the bandwagon.

Most agency leaders have an exit in their sights – do you?

But are you reluctant to sell to an outsider? What if the staff aren’t taken care of in the same way, or your culture starts to slip?

If this sounds like you, an employee-owned trust (EOT) could be the answer. We’ll be hearing from Ewan Hall at Baxendale, Olly Willans at Torchbox, and Luke Riordan and Lloyd Carter from Eyeful Presentations about how they’ve transitioned to an EOT, and why it was the perfect choice for their agencies.