I’m not going to lie; in the advertising agency world, it can be very unpredictable. So, being adaptable and being able to control your stress is essential. There have been many times where I have felt stressed out. I have felt overwhelmed, my thoughts were racing as I tried to find a solution in an almost impossible timeframe. I once remember a job where I had to deliver 10,000 branded luggage tags for a large international campaign and the package was delayed as the parcel was stuck at customs a lot longer than I had planned for! I’ve had another job where the printer had printed 5,000 flyers with the wrong artwork and another instance where we had to animate and deliver multiple animated videos in less than 48 hours due to a tight timeframe. I can think of so many instances where I had to find a solution quickly and I was certainly feeling the pressure.
Controlling stress
But how do you look at controlling the stress and not allow yourself to become overwhelmed? Especially when you are juggling multiple projects on your plate and some of them don’t exactly go to plan. If you have ever considered becoming an account manager, you need to be prepared that this will happen a lot trust me!
I have worked in account management for over 6 years across multiple advertising agencies and if I could make one general statement regarding the advertising agency world – it would be that no two days are ever the same. You try your best to plan, to keep on top of your jobs, to speak with suppliers and to coordinate the team. Being able to master the art of working swiftly when a problem arises and staying calm and collected at all times is key to dealing with stressful situations.
Break it down
It’s easier said than done, but when a problem arises you can feel yourself becoming stressed out and unsure how to tackle the problem. First things first, break it down. Try to remove yourself from the situation and look at it from an outsider’s perspective. When I am dealing with stressful issues at work, I try to remove my emotional attachment to the project so I can look at the project in a more logical sense to troubleshoot solutions. I still very much value the client and the job that I am working on, but I look at each project as to what they are – a project which I need to find a solution for and make sure the client feels supported and is happy at the end.
Talk it out
I find speaking to others – in particular, my manager about a problem the second that it arises to be so valuable. It not only makes them aware of the issue, but it always provides a second opinion on how you can find solutions. Additionally, it helps assure you that you can sort the problem quickly. I will always speak to my CEO and let him know what has happened, then depending on what is required, I will make sure the client is always kept in the loop. If I do find myself feeling extremely overwhelmed, I will take a quick 5-10 minutes to go for a walk or simply talk it out to another team member. I know that my team will always help me work through issues if I need to raise my hand. Don’t try to handle everything yourself if you truly need the help. This can honestly add so much more stress!
Breathe
Breathe, now I know this sounds a bit cliché but try to remember to take a few deep breaths when you do feel stressed out to help you get your head in the game to act quickly. If you need a supplier to fix a printing error, get him on the phone straight away. If you need a designer to fix artwork that the client isn’t happy with – schedule a call with both of them as soon as possible and work through the feedback. If the courier has delivered the wrong parcel – call the client immediately and then call the courier. Always communicate with those around you and try your best not to allow yourself to become flustered by a situation that you can most certainly fix. Your ability to be adaptable and to work quickly whilst retaining a professional manner will ultimately make you a great account manager.
To sum it all up, the three main takeaways that I have found to keep me always in control of my jobs are; to remove your emotions from the situation and look at the project in a logical sense. Secondly to communicate with your team and always act swiftly with suppliers and team members. Lastly, just breathe, give yourself 5 minutes if you need to. Make sure the client is kept in the loop and never drop your professional game. You can work through anything that you set your mind to, and issues will only be temporary – but how you present yourself, communicate and fix the problems will be how the clients truly see you.
You can check out one of our other blogs here to find about about the secrets of customer service.
