It was my first “actual” trip since the pandemic. On the morning of day three, I obtained a textual content from the CMO of a consumer of mine for the previous 13 years. My solely consumer, in reality. I managed a group of 120 individuals who had been the model’s digital AOR.
“Can u speak tomorrow morning?”
The decision got here, and it was swift. The small print are unimportant, save for the truth that the model was consolidating all its companies beneath a single holding firm, one to which we didn’t belong. 13 years of partnership terminated, accompanied by six months’ discover and a transition interval.
I saved asking myself: How might they do that? They love us! Our work is so, so good. I’ve identified a few of our purchasers for over a decade. I’ve been to their properties, I’ve met their kids. We had been companions! Not the everyday consumer/company relationship. It was like a divorce between two individuals who nonetheless liked one another.
After the preliminary shock and denial interval, I needed to shift into the acceptance part and create a plan to maneuver ahead. In the event you’re going by the identical factor proper now, I encourage you to not beat your self up and to do the next 5 issues.
Be as trustworthy as attainable along with your group
Everybody may have tons of questions and also you gained’t have all of the solutions, and that’s okay. However the extra trustworthy you’re, the extra you may be trusted to do what’s proper. Contemplate weekly standing conferences with the group, in addition to weekly replace emails to your administration and finance folks. Everybody will (or they need to) recognize it.
Mourn the loss
It’s alright to cry. However take into account placing a while boundaries across the pity occasion—it shouldn’t go on for months.
Transition with dignity
Transition in essentially the most skilled, thorough and honorable approach attainable. Insist that your group combination all needed supplies, doc every little thing and deal with everybody on the brand new group with respect, even when they don’t present you a similar.
Have a senior-level undertaking supervisor oversee the whole transition operation, because it requires extra rigor than chances are you’ll assume. You owe all of this to your purchasers, your group, the work and everybody’s popularity. It gained’t be enjoyable however simply do it.