Why don't agencies sell problem-solving?

re: Why don't agencies sell problem-solving?

Rory Sutherland — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 12:43:58 GMT

Actually consulting firms make money by pretending that problem solving is much more laborious and time consuming than it actually is, thereby requiring vast numbers of people over months or even years. The problem agencies have is that we have failed to disguise the fact that we can solve problems quite rapidly. We therefore have to give away all our solutions for free in the hope that we'll get some production on the back of it. This is not a wholly bizarre approach to business - M&A investment bankers do the same thing when they conceive of mergers - they make the money on the back end.

re: Why don't agencies sell problem-solving?

mazafer iqbal — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 10:41:02 GMT

If agencies are not solving business problems then it is reasonable to assume that either they do not have the necessary skills, the desire or that they are not set up to make money from problem solving. As a consultant who come into digital marketing I find that the business model of consulting companies is set up around problem solving whereas the business model of marketing agencies is around production - creative production.

re: Why don't agencies sell problem-solving?

steve vaile — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 01:04:23 GMT

Look at Ascala in Dubai - 220% growth per month for exactly that -

re: Why don't agencies sell problem-solving?

Susan Imgrund — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 20:06:30 GMT

Absolutely. Giveaways, even a Brand Orgasm Tool (!), are rarely valued.

re: Why don't agencies sell problem-solving?

Gellan Watt — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 11:35:51 GMT

Agreed!!!

re: Why don't agencies sell problem-solving?

charlie robertson — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 09:56:50 GMT

Hear Hear!