Flexibility is the key to success

Having worked in London agencies, inhouse and owned a consultancy back in the 1990s, I decided to relaunch The Knight Partnership earlier this year. Like many markets, the marketing consultancy sector has evolved - many clients still appreciate the independent expertise available through an agency or consultancy but don’t necessarily want to commit to long term contracts.

A potential client recently said to me: “Flexibility is really important otherwise I would employ someone inhouse!”. I could have spent some time extolling the virtues of an independent, specialist resource that doesn’t get ‘side-tracked’ by inhouse minutiae and politics but didn’t! I simply agreed that flexibility is a given! I am realising that there is a significant opportunity for a marketing consultancy that recognises that one of the key selling points is the client’s ability to ‘tap’ into the expertise when they need it without having the burden of overhead costs and employment liabilities.

Being prepared to offer a very flexible resource has its responsibilities in terms of revenue potential. Proven performance and return-on-investment are vital if clients are going to re-engage, time and time again.

The Knight Partnership takes its own medicine! We call it a ‘mission possible’ approach – we have built relationships with many like-minded people in associated disciplines so we can draw upon their expertise according to client requirements.

Throughout my career, I have seen that managing overhead costs is vitally important. Most companies only thrive if they are able to adapt their costs according to revenue.

Having taken the bold step to relaunch The Knight Partnership, I am delighted that we are able to win work through commercial understanding – flexibility is the key to success!

Joanna Knight
Senior Partner
The Knight Partnership