Closing the 2023 Chapter
At Stillwell + Co, our commitment to serving our clients with excellence has always been at the forefront of our hearts, minds, and spirits. 2023 was a big year for our Indiana marketing agency, and we want to share some of the highs and lows with you. From expanding our team to exploring new industries and reevaluating our processes, 2023 has been a transformative chapter for us.
Team Expansion
We always want to do right by our clients, and in rural Indiana, that meant adding an Agriculture Social Media Expert to our team. This was a big step to better reach our rural small businesses that are focused on the more specialized areas of agriculture.
Sometimes, you just need someone with an innate knowledge of a subject to execute a unique marketing strategy. We are thankful for this next step for Stillwell + Co!
If it Ain’t Broke…
In 2023 we spent time, money, and effort trying to improve our processes. One of the things we tried was a customer management tool, a tool meant to bring better efficiency and collaboration to a team....and guess what happened?
It. Didn’t. Work.
Our clients didn’t like it. We didn’t like it, and so, we went back to our prior process. Just because there is a tool out there that seems to make sense for you, doesn't mean it is always a good fit.
Sometimes, it just doesn’t work the way you hoped. That is life. Don't attempt to fix what isn't broken just because something new or shiny presents itself!
Going Deep in Discovery
In 2023, we enhanced our discovery process. Our main driver for this change was this: we know that we can never ask enough questions. So, what questions do we need to ask to truly get to know the business and help them achieve their goals?
Bringing organization to our discovery and onboarding process has allowed us to know our clients even better, prepare more efficiently, and launch stronger.
When it comes to marketing, knowing your audience is crucial. As marketers, onboarding is the perfect time to get an in-depth look at our clients, their goals, and the people they serve.
Tried New Industries
This year, we practiced being brave.
We stepped into some new industries, like local government and healthcare. Even though we are advocates of ‘picking a lane’, we have no desire in being a single industry team.
We love the variety of working with small businesses of all shapes, sizes, and types. Lucky for us, we get to try new things on a regular basis. We love to show customers that the principles of practical marketing aren't limited to industry or size, we can apply them anywhere anytime!
Created Work-Life Balance
For the last few years, we’ve been on a ‘hot streak’, if you will. We’ve never had trouble with client acquisition, and are used to receiving frequent referrals. This year was different though. We had a slow-growth year, but despite what the numbers said, we were as busy as ever. Instead of chasing hypergrowth in the agency, we had no choice but to chase balance at work and home.
Here’s the truth about owning a business: it feels like a constant uphill climb. You are always chasing something.
At Stillwell+Co, all of us not only work for the good businessmen and women of Indiana, but we also balance other life demands like side hustles, board appointments, and family life. This year was a big lesson in balancing life and family to achieve a more optimal pace.
As we close out on the eventful journey that is 2023, we are standing here, as grateful as ever, to thank God for the invaluable experiences and lessons this year that have shaped us.
Thank you for being part of our story, and we look forward to the chapters yet to unfold. Here's to growth, resilience, and the pursuit of excellence in the years ahead!
