Freelancers – Where to Find Work Full-timers – Indications of Job Security

Around 39% of CMOs reported that they are looking to reduce spending on labor this year, mostly by simplifying overlapping roles and reducing total headcount. (AdAge, 5/25)

Let’s call this what it is, one of the most uncertain times for finding and keeping work. But as they say, this is the time when great thinking cuts through, great thinking by you for clients and their business and for you, in terms of how you manage your own career.

If you’re freelancing, where is business likley to come from?
If you’re full-time, how can you understand your relative degree of job security and act accordingly.

Below is a list with some key areas to think about/get answers to, to clarify whether there’s work available and or/likely to remain so.

Are you in an organisation that invests in and sells what you do? Strategic Planning!
What are examples of strategy’s perceived value? Clients/Senior Management/ Creatives?
Is there a strategist represented in the CSuite?
Is the strategy lead known to value team/people/like mentoring? Is strategy lead someone that picks up a pen and creates work vs commenting on others work? Hands on working CSO or hands off CSO as reviewer?
People longevity – What’s the turnover of staff?
People longevity – How does the company handle mistakes and failure?
People longevity – Does the company value and reward doing what’s right for colleagues and clients or what’s easiest and politically popular?
Strategy Turnover – What’s the turnover of strategists?
Strategy Group – Size compared to agency personnel? 1/10 ratio is good
Strategy Team build or reduction – How fast is the team size changing?
Culture – Does the organization value fast reaction over strategic intent & purposeful action?
Culture – Is strategic planning client facing and leading or focused on making others look smart in the organization?
Culture – are you expected to present your own thinking or give that to others to present on your behalf?
Client Longevity – What is the longevity of clients
Client Longevity – Can you prove your value to clients in tangible commercial terms?
Client Longevity – Are you gaining more or less of the client’s business from competitive agencies?
Client Mix – What is the agency reliance. One big client or a mix?
Clients and Strategy – Are agency clients known to value strategy?
Client Type – Do clients rely on imports or exports in full or in part?
Client Business – Is the client’s business based in everyday consumables? Or business in growth areas? Or one that’s dominating its space or a ‘rising star?’