As a recent addition to the Communiqué PR staff, I thought my first post here would be well-suited to cover the differences in PR agency culture when transitioning from a large agency to a boutique firm. I experienced a minor culture shock when making the switch, but I’m quickly assimilating and loving the change!
I’ve outlined five of the biggest differences below:
- Individualism versus conglomeration. My previous employers operated out of large, corporate buildings full of suits, jargon and nameless faces. I welcomed Communiqué PR’s fresh environment: a converted home on Queen Anne. The building is still filled with big thinking, smart solutions and creative ideas, but it has all the charm you’d expect from a historic piece of Seattle. I open a window and hear birds chirping and children laughing; I don’t hear a steady hum of traffic, bleating horns and sirens from emergency vehicles. Quick aside: The fact that I can even open a window, let alone hear a myriad of pleasant sounds, is quite a draw.
- Deep relationships and speedier integration. Because Communiqué PR is a small business, there’s an ability to make strong personal connections with your boss and coworkers from day one. When you work alongside more than 100 other people, it’s really challenging to even get on a first-name basis with people. Forging relationships early on helps you integrate seamlessly and quickly, allowing you to focus on what matters: doing quality work and delivering results for clients.
- Magnified strengths and weaknesses. In a smaller setting, your work tends to speak for itself. Your talents don’t get buried in a heap with everyone else’s and the people participating in decision-making about your growth have direct insight into your skills. However, this means they also see your weaknesses, so you can’t hide – you have to step up your game.
- Charting a path. In a setting like Communiqué PR, you have an ability to chart your growth, as well as the company’s, in a truly unique way. In partnership with the business owners, you can outline your interests, seek work on projects that speak to you and grow your skillset rapidly. You also have the opportunity to participate in pitching new business, help out on other accounts if you’re feeling a bit stale, or focus on agency culture (ice cream social, anyone?!).
- Wearer of many hats. At a large company, processes and roles tend to get specifically designed to increase efficiency but this also diminishes an employee’s chance to work on diverse activities. It also means that the large agency can’t be as flexible with clients’ needs. In a single workday at Communiqué PR, I may shift from tech support to story crafter to admin to communications plan writer. I love being able to challenge my brain on different projects or solve problems and Communiqué PR absolutely allows me to do that.
There are many things to love about both larger and smaller firms. In the end, you need to decide which aspects are most important to you and go from there. If Communiqué PR sounds like a fit for you, check out our careers page!