How Can Upskilling Transform Your Marketing Agency’s Capabilities?

• October 17, 2024

As a business owner, you already know that your team is one of your greatest assets. But what if the key to unlocking even more potential lies not in hiring more people or chasing the next big idea, but in developing the talent you already have? By investing in your team’s growth and helping them build new skills, you can create a stronger, more adaptable workforce ready to tackle whatever challenges come your way. At WorkBetterNow, we’ve seen how upskilling can turn a good team into a great one, boosting productivity and opening up new possibilities.

What Is Upskilling?

Upskilling refers to enhancing your current or incoming employees' abilities to handle more advanced and high-value tasks. Instead of constantly hunting for that unicorn candidate who fits every requirement perfectly, you invest in your existing talent, developing their skills to meet your business’s evolving needs. It’s a proactive approach that prepares your team for the future and helps you stay ahead of the competition.

Boosting Engagement and Retention

One of the biggest challenges SMBs, specifically marketing agencies, face today is retaining talent. Employees want more than just a paycheck—they want growth, learning opportunities, and a sense of purpose. Upskilling your team shows that you are invested in their personal and professional development. This approach not only enhances job satisfaction but also fosters loyalty, reducing turnover rates. Employees who feel valued and see a future within the company are more likely to stay, saving you the costs and disruption associated with constant hiring.

Upskilling Across Departments: A Key to Internal Mobility

Upskilling doesn’t have to be confined to a single department. In fact, some of the most impactful development opportunities arise when employees transition between roles or departments. This adaptability is especially important in marketing agencies, where roles and strategies evolve quickly. For example, an employee starting in an administrative role may develop the skills to take on marketing, HR, or operations tasks, contributing to the company in new and unexpected ways.

Take the example of BC Design Haus, a creative agency based in California. Initially, they hired Katya, a remote professional, as an executive assistant. However, her drive to learn and grow led the company to invest in her development. They sent her to UCLA for courses in HR and operations, enabling her to take on a more critical role within the business. This investment not only transformed Katya’s career but also benefited BC Design Haus, which gained a highly skilled HR and Operations Specialist without the need for a lengthy hiring process. By filling Katya’s original role with another remote professional, the company continued to scale while fostering loyalty and engagement.

Shaping Your Marketing Team Through Upskilling

As your agency evolves, so should your team. When thinking about upskilling your employees, it’s important to understand the different types of marketers you have on your team—like the T-shaped and V-shaped marketers.

A T-shaped marketer has broad knowledge across multiple areas of marketing but goes deep in one particular skill or specialty. This makes them versatile while still being an expert in their field. On the other hand, a V-shaped marketer is someone who has strong expertise in two or more areas, making them capable of leading cross-functional projects and providing strategic direction.

It’s essential to identify who is who and help them develop in the direction they want to grow. Upskilling should be part of your long-term internal mobility strategy, allowing marketers to deepen their expertise or broaden their knowledge base based on their strengths and aspirations.

Regular conversations about career goals and development are crucial in this process. When employees see a clear path for growth, supported by upskilling opportunities, they’re more likely to stay with your company and contribute in more meaningful ways. By helping your team achieve the shape they want to be, you’re building a marketing team that can thrive and scale as your business grows.

Why Upskilling Should Be a Priority for Your Business

For marketing agencies, upskilling offers a way to maximize the potential of their current workforce, stay agile in a constantly changing environment, and build a loyal, engaged team. At WorkBetterNow, we’ve seen how upskilling can make a profound difference in our clients’ businesses. We call it a “triple win” because upskilling benefits everyone involved. It’s not just the employees who gain new skills and career growth opportunities—it’s also the business, which becomes more versatile and capable of tackling various challenges. This creates a ripple effect that benefits clients as well, as they receive higher-quality service and more innovative solutions.

If you’re looking to take your company to the next level, consider investing in your greatest asset: your people. The rewards are substantial, and the impact can be transformative.

WorkBetterNow (WBN) provides outstanding remote talent to small and midsize businesses. WBN’s highly skilled and pre-vetted Latin American professionals are hand-matched for each client’s unique needs. Hundreds of growing businesses turn to WBN to unleash their potential through our exceptional talent, ease of hiring, and ongoing support. Request a consult today!