What does it really take to operate more strategically as an agency?
Manish Kapur returns to The Handbook to help agency ops leaders shift from firefighting mode to future-focused thinking. If you’ve ever struggled to carve out time for the big picture while juggling the day-to-day, this episode is your playbook.
Harv and Manish dig into how to run fast-paced, high-impact workshops that drive meaningful change – and how to keep momentum once priorities have been decided. They also explore how ops folks can step up as strategic leaders, driving these initiatives, especially as AI is forcing agencies to become more adaptable than ever.
Here’s what we get into:
- Why agencies that plan beyond month-to-month win long-term
- Manish’s 7-part workshop format that delivers clarity, alignment, and action
- How to navigate alignment across multiple offices and entities
- The role of ops in driving, not just supporting, AI strategy
- Why senior buy-in is the secret to getting big initiatives done
Whether you’re leading change or nudging it along, this conversation is packed with real-world tactics to keep your agency moving forward.
Key Takeaways:
- Workshops are a reset button for strategic direction. Manish sees them as rare, focused moments to step outside the day-to-day and realign the business around what matters most.
- A fast-paced format helps you get clarity and commitment in one day. Manish’s seven-part workshop structure helps leadership teams align on priorities and walk away with a clear plan.
- Having the most senior leader set the tone makes all the difference. When the CEO or chair sets the agenda, workshops get taken seriously, and time gets protected for follow-through.
- Goal-setting needs to be realistic, time-bound, and limited in number. Manish recommends defining short, medium, and long-term goals, and keeping the list focused so execution is manageable.
- Build in follow-up by default. Assign owners, set deadlines, and lock in check-ins before the workshop ends to give people clear ownership.
- Workshops often fizzle out because no one owns the follow-through. Manish points out that too many ideas die after the session unless someone drives the next steps. If ops folk take the lead, they can help progress initiatives forward by having a clear plan and following up with key stakeholders.
- Use the ‘red thread’ to link operational changes to strategic goals. This helps justify decisions (like new tools or hires) as essential enablers, not just nice-to-haves.
- Multi-entity alignment starts with involving the right people early. Manish shares how global studios stayed consistent by bringing senior leads into the workshop and aligning on tools and processes from the start.
- AI is an ops conversation waiting to happen. From tool choice to governance, Manish sees a clear opportunity for ops to shape how AI gets used across the agency.
Manish’s Workshop Playbook:
Additional Resources:
Follow Manish on LinkedIn
Follow Harv on LinkedIn
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