Mike Turner (You Become): Hey Julia, it's great to have you here. Could you start by telling us a bit about yourself and your journey to where you are today?
Julia Linehan (The Digital Voice): Of course, Mike. It's funny how life works out. When I was 16, I had these dreams of being an actress, journalist, copywriter, and radio presenter. Fast forward to today, and I've managed to incorporate all of those aspects into my career at The Digital Voice.
Mike Turner (You Become): That's quite a journey! What inspired you to pursue this path?
Julia Linehan (The Digital Voice): Well, it all started in school when my head teacher saw potential in me for public speaking competitions. I embraced the opportunity and even became a county champion for public speaking. That experience made me realize I could make a career out of talking, and that's exactly what I've been doing for the past 30 years.
Mike Turner (You Become): Your passion for communication really shines through. Can you tell us more about your journey from starting in media sales to where you are today?
Julia Linehan (The Digital Voice): Absolutely. I started with a degree in classics but knew I wanted to work in media sales. I joined Dennis Publishing and eventually transitioned into the digital side of things. Over the years, I moved up the ladder, even becoming the head of digital at Mirror Newspapers. It was about 11 years ago when I got the title "The Voice" at Gem Media, and that's when the idea for The Digital Voice was born. I believe in the power of three, and it seemed like the right time to strike out on my own.
Mike Turner (You Become): So, The Digital Voice has been around for over a decade now?
Julia Linehan (The Digital Voice): Yes, exactly. I started The Digital Voice in June 2011. One of the driving factors was my desire to balance being a mother and a career woman. I've always been committed to my kids and worked three and a half days a week in various roles. Having my own business allowed me to have more control over my schedule.
Mike Turner (You Become): That's an impressive journey, Julia. What advice would you give to moms who are considering starting their own businesses or going freelance?
Julia Linehan (The Digital Voice): Based on my experiences, I'd say it's essential to find a balance and not try to do it all. You can't have it all at once. Be mindful of your energy levels, and if you're feeling burned out, take a step back. Also, consider outsourcing tasks like cleaning or grocery shopping to free up your time. And remember, it's essential to prioritize self-care.
Mike Turner (You Become): That's valuable advice. Now, let's talk about your unique approach to remote work at The Digital Voice. How do you keep your team focused and motivated while working remotely?
Julia Linehan (The Digital Voice): We've set up our remote work environment with a few key principles in mind. First, everyone on the team has at least two screens to enhance productivity. We use tools like Slack and Trello for communication and project management. But what sets us apart is our commitment to regular virtual meetings. We meet as a team on Mondays and Fridays, and all team members join in. We also have smaller team meetings and use video to maintain that personal connection.
Mike Turner (You Become): That sounds like a well-structured approach. How do you foster a sense of culture and teamwork in a virtual setting?
Julia Linehan (The Digital Voice): We create a sense of togetherness through daily rituals like saying good morning and checking in when we're going on lunch breaks. We also have dedicated channels for sharing successes and values. Additionally, we hold virtual events and social gatherings, and we've even created a virtual 3D office for fun interactions. It's all about finding creative ways to connect and collaborate.
Mike Turner (You Become): It's clear that remote work can be highly effective with the right systems in place. Your approach is impressive, Julia.
Mike Turner (You Become): Do you have virtual team meetings on Mondays and Fridays?
Julia Linehan (The Digital Voice): Yes, absolutely! We meet together virtually, much like this conversation. It's always framed with a purpose. Sometimes we do "3G's" - Goals, Gratitude, and Green, or we have vibe checks. In our Monday meetings, we share what we're proud of from the past week. It's a great way to kick off the week with positive energy. We also have mini team meetings throughout the day, where different departments collaborate.
Mike Turner (You Become): That sounds great! What about meetings with clients? Are those virtual too?
Julia Linehan (The Digital Voice): Yes, our client meetings are also virtual, and we keep them short, usually lasting no more than half an hour. We believe that you should be able to get everything done in that time frame. Another trick we use is setting meetings for 40 minutes max, to avoid people losing interest. And one more thing, we always have our cameras on during meetings. It helps maintain engagement and energy.
Mike Turner (You Become): Why do you insist on keeping cameras on?
Julia Linehan (The Digital Voice): It's all about energy. I encourage everyone to show up as they are, without worrying about what they're wearing, but with a lot of positive energy. I remind the team that clients and colleagues can see them, and if they look disinterested or lack energy, it reflects poorly. So, it's important to bring your energy to every meeting.
Mike Turner (You Become): That's a good point. By the way, I've got something to confess - I tend to slouch and prop my head on my fist during meetings sometimes.
Julia Linehan (The Digital Voice): Haha, I see you! I often tell my team that I can see them too. It's crucial to maintain a positive and engaged posture during virtual meetings. Clients and colleagues can pick up on your body language, and it's essential to look like you're fully present and engaged.
Mike Turner (You Become): I have another thing to mention. I sometimes feel like I'm doing this during virtual meetings.
Julia Linehan (The Digital Voice): Doing what?
Mike Turner (You Become): Popping up, like adding my thoughts abruptly.
Julia Linehan (The Digital Voice): Ah, I see. It's important not to dominate the conversation during virtual meetings. Everyone should have a chance to speak and contribute. It's a balance between being actively engaged and allowing others to share their ideas.
Mike Turner (You Become): So, can you summarize your team's meeting structure for me?
Julia Linehan (The Digital Voice): Sure, we have all-company meetings on Monday and Friday, where we start with positive vibes and celebrate achievements. We keep our client meetings to half an hour or less. We also have mini-team meetings during the day for collaboration. And remember, we always encourage everyone to bring their positive energy to the table.
Mike Turner (You Become): That sounds like a great approach to keep the team engaged and productive.
Julia Linehan (The Digital Voice): It definitely works for us. It's all about maintaining a high energy level and ensuring everyone is involved and motivated.
Mike Turner (You Become): By the way, what's your take on the current state of the agency world?
Julia Linehan (The Digital Voice): I think the agency world is changing rapidly, and one exciting aspect is that marketing has become more measurable than ever before. This allows agencies to prove their value and encourages creativity and innovation. However, there are also challenges with AI like chat GPT. It's essential to use AI wisely and not rely on it too heavily.
Mike Turner (You Become): Yeah, AI is a powerful tool, but it shouldn't replace the personal touch. Any final thoughts on agency leadership?
Julia Linehan (The Digital Voice): Absolutely. I believe in four key principles for agency leaders: Be kind, be bold, be brave, and be yourself. Your leadership style should reflect these principles, and it's crucial to create a positive and authentic leadership style.
Mike Turner (You Become): Thanks, Julia. Your insights have been valuable. And by the way, do you play golf?
Julia Linehan (The Digital Voice): I'm actually planning to give golf a shot and encourage more women to participate in the sport. It might be a bit intimidating at first, but I'm determined to be brave and try it out. I'll also be sharing this podcast with my network to spread the word about the Agency Benchmarker project.
Mike Turner (You Become): That's awesome. Best of luck with your golf adventures, Julia! Thanks again for the great conversation.
Julia Linehan (The Digital Voice): You're welcome, Mike. It was a pleasure talking with you. Goodbye!
Mike Turner (You Become): Goodbye, Julia!