still waters run deep - Enhancing Client Relationships Through Process Effectiveness

Media agencies are in a period of transition. Traditional profit centres such as media buying are being squeezed by a shift in client expenditure from print, television and radio to new media that are much more price transparent. Agencies can no longer absorb the cost of changes or extras, and need to improve their cost control and billing to improve their profits and cash flow.
The response for many firms is to centralise systems for data processing and workflow; what has been described as "databases surrounded by shop fronts”. still waters run deep, like other boutique agencies, faced two challenges; how to afford the cost of designing, customising and migrating to new systems to remain competitive in the new media environment and how to ensure their new system would enhance their ability to deliver on their core philosophy "Bespoke stands the test of time and never fails to inspire".

Still Waters identified the following requirements:
• A single, consistent interface usability across project management, database management, new business development, creative processes and account management
• A single management information capability across all aspects of the business, delivering status and trends at the press of a button
• Client access to project information and status, plus the ability to order new services, amend existing service requests and raise problems and issues
• Productivity enhancements and that would free up staff time by reducing paper work and duplication, and leave more time for managers to strategic thinking/ideas/planning/taking the business forward
• Support for identifying and implementing process efficiencies that would enable smoother operations for their clients.

Above all, still waters run deep wanted to engage a single supplier who could deliver a one stop, co-ordinated approach to all systems/procedures, to reduce frustrations about the systems not working and not being kept up to date.
still waters run deep chose Deffinity to configure a bespoke solution based on their hosted service platform. Deffinity managed the entire process, including process redesign, migration of information from multiple systems and data sources, training for staff and ongoing support. The entire project was completed within 6 weeks, thanks to the configurability of the hosted Deffinity services platform and the ability of Deffinity to apply expert resources to each aspect of the design and delivery processes.

The new service is branded Springboard [http://www.stillwaters-rundeep.com/springboard.aspx] and has met all still waters run deep’s expectations for process efficiency, productivity and usability. As it is a hosted service, there were no servers or software licences to purchase - a simple "pay-as-you-go" model covers all the capabilities they need. Moreover, because Deffinity is a modern, integrated service platform, managers can combine data from anywhere in the system for analysis, reporting and trending.

Managing Director Anita Brightley-Hodges commented "Thanks to Deffinity we now have a modern client services platform that is competitive with any agency - irrespective of size. We can now see at a glance the profitability of any project and analyse revenues and costs across our business, whether traditional print, digital, exhibitions, or consultancy. We not only have more control but we also have access to information to help us with pricing, employee productivity, decision-making and strategic direction."

About Still Waters Run Deep

Still Waters Run Deep is an award winning, boutique design and communications agency based in Central London. We work across all mediums and offer a fully integrated service crafting bespoke and beautiful work that helps shape our clients' brands and businesses.

About Deffinity MSA

Deffinity MSA helps organisations improve the effectiveness of their customer-facing processes and activities. Using a combination of consulting, services and proprietary software, we tailor a unique solution for each organisation that is designed to adapt as its needs and capabilities evolve.

Deffinity
1A The Chandlery
50 Westminster Bridge Road
London
SE1 7QY

This release was published on openPR.