Ad sales departments around the country are trying to come up with ways to at the very most improve business and at the very least keep it from falling off. Bill Imada of Advertising Age shared some sage advice from the perspective of the Chinese New Year traditions.
This is the year of the Ox and that means this year will be about renewal and realignment, Imada said. This is a great time to review staffing and account teams and make adjustments. If a team seems misaligned, it's a good time to shift roles, change client assignments and/or realign reporting relationships.
That doesn't necessarily mean layoffs, however. It would be better to assist employees in redirecting their talents. That could include more training, more direction. If someone is to be laid off, assist them in finding a new job, Imada said. Laying off people without assisting them with their next job is bad karma.
People born in the Year of the Ox (1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997 and 2009) are supposed to inspire others to become leaders, Imada said. This year, let others take the lead and support their leadership. Oxen are also considered patient. Try not to dismiss ideas that are raised by employees or clients. Even if it doesn't look good on first blush, give it a chance to manifest itself first.
