Six Years Strong

smith & beta is now 6 years into our research of the capabilities and ways of working at agencies.

Our research started almost accidentally. We knew that we needed to understand how employees felt about their actual skills. Particularly in areas of digital – data, social, mobile and such. We also knew that leaders often have an inaccurate view of the capabilities of their company. But at first, we didn't know why.

So we decided to start asking employees to tell the truth (anonymously) about their skillsets and mindsets. They started sharing all we needed to know (and sometimes more than we needed to know). In addition to skills, we've collected opinions about agency culture, leadership, process (always the processes) and how to change the way their agency should work to produce the best ideas and win clients. Most leaders want to know the truth about capabilities, some do not.

The data in our 2018 State of Industry Talent and Digital Transformation means something. The results point to a deficiency but also an opportunity. It's time to shift our thinking about "training" and start investing in those who are running the business.

Share the results with your boss, co-worker, CEO and have a discussion about the actual capabilities of employees. And then call us so we can help you navigate, assess and map the skills of your organization.

https://www.adweek.com/agencies/agencies-need-to-invest-in-existing-talent-versus-recruiting-outsiders-study-finds/

Did you read these already?

The Quiet Collapse of “Training” (And What High-Performing Teams Do Instead)

Most organizations don’t have a skills problem. They have a transfer problem. Learning still lives outside the work, so it disappears the moment real pressure shows up. The teams that perform best design learning where decisions are made, managers coach in real time, and behavior change is the goal, not completion.

The Human Side of AI

There is an evolving partnership between humans and AI, exploring how our ancient, embodied brains navigate collaboration with technology built from human knowledge yet fundamentally nonhuman.

Where Does the Time Go?

We reflect on the passing of summer and encourage an inventory of one's use of time––go for joy and authenticity.

AI as Offense and Defense

The New York Times reports today on the weaponization of AI. While we often think of AI as an editor or a supercharged search engine, behind the scenes there’s a shadowy world of AI-vs-AI activity fit for a Netflix thriller.