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The First 100 Days
Sustainable change happens in focused phases, not chaotic marathons.
The Random Fix Trap
Most agency owners try changing everything simultaneously.
New CRM, new hire, new pricing—all in week one.
The result: Six months later, they're more scattered than when they started.
The fix: Four focused phases. Build momentum without burnout.
Week 1–2: Foundation Assessment
Know where you stand before deciding where to go.
Your Reality Audit:
List every client with monthly profit (not just revenue)
Track where you spend time for three full days
Calculate 90-day cash flow projection
Rate each service: profitability, skill level, enjoyment
Identify which clients energize vs. drain you
Week 1 priority: Create a simple spreadsheet—Client name, monthly revenue, monthly profit, energy level (1–10).
"You can't navigate without knowing your starting coordinates."
Week 3–6: Systems Setup
Build infrastructure that works without constant management.
Your System Priorities:
Move every project into one PM tool
Create templates for your three most common projects
Set communication response time standards
Build weekly cash flow tracking ritual
Establish quality control checklists
Week 3 goal: Get every active project into your chosen system.
"Project management tools don't solve problems—consistent habits do."
Week 7–10: Team Building
Develop people who develop your business.
Your Team Focus:
Assess each member's strengths and gaps
Start weekly one-on-ones with every team member
Document one recurring task to delegate
Create performance feedback loops
Define your agency's core working values
Week 7 action: Have honest conversations with each team member about their goals and challenges.
"Great teams aren't found—they're built through intentional development."
Week 11–14: Client Optimization
Transform relationships from good to exceptional.
Your Client Strategy:
Categorize clients: Ideal, Good, Tolerable, Problem
Map expansion opportunities within existing accounts
Set boundaries with your most challenging clients
Build referral requests into project completion
Schedule quarterly business reviews with top clients
Week 11 decision: Choose your top 3 clients to invest more in, bottom 2 to transition out.
"Client optimization isn't about serving everyone—it's about serving the right ones exceptionally."
Start Tomorrow
Day 1: Open a spreadsheet. List every client and their monthly value.
That's it.
100 days from now, you'll either have a systematically improving agency or another quarter of random fixes.
The next 100 days will pass anyway—use them intentionally.
Your move.
Note: Written with AI assistance, edited with human judgment, published with zero apologies.
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