This blog post is primarily for people who run an agency, own an agency or are thinking about either of those things. Unless you have had the stars align and had the good fortune of a)learning how to run a business, b)have worked in good agencies and learned process and c)have a head for numbers, then you know the utter misery of running an agency and wondering what the hell you’re doing.

Last week I was invited to lunch by a woman who started a small agency about 3 years ago. She picked my brain about life as an agency owner. All the usual issues came up – human resources, new business, pricing, job management. I told her what I’ve learned over the past 14 years. And I told her about the Counselor’s Academy.

When I was 3 years into running Bailey Gardiner, I didn’t really have anyone to turn to and ask those kinds of questions. We were learning the hard way. When you’re an AE or a designer, no one teaches you how to run an agency.  And after a while you wonder…is everyone going through the same stuff I am?

About four years ago, I discovered Counselor’s Academy, a member group within PRSA comprised of small to mid-sized agency owners and managers. When I sat down at the first breakfast roundtable and listened to people who were having all the same issues I was with staff, clients, insurance and new biz it was so reassuring. And helpful. The amazing thing about this group is that everyone openly shares their best practices and learning.

The 2009 Counselors Academy Spring Conference, entitled Your Business Matters: Maximizing Profits, People, and Potential is going to be held at La Quinta Resort from May 31- June 2. Some of the topics planned include Managing to Profit; Negotiating the Best Agency Agreements with Your Clients; Driving Profit with Fewer Clients; Managing Three Generations; and Online Marketing Strategies for Business Growth. Don’t those look like subjects that might help you navigate more successfully through 2009?

The learning is beneficial, the networking is terrific and of course the weather will be lovely. Shouldn’t you be thinking about attending the ‘09 CA event?