Made agency implemented changes in 2017 to improve productivity, quality, and employee wellbeing after experiencing low efficiency, quality, and morale. The changes included adopting a "lagom" strategy of doing just the right amount, flattening the leadership structure, improving work-life balance through set working hours and breaks, creating a calm working environment, and focusing on marketing. The results included higher efficiency while working fewer hours, improved quality and motivation, and a happier team that is never too busy. The key is focusing on quality over quantity and challenging norms to create a different, happier way of working.

1. for productivity & wellbeing
Emily West
Business Development Manager
made agency

2. Background
BA(Hons) UEA
Employed & self-employed
Financial & creative sectors
Business development & sales
Started at made in Sept 2017

3. MADE in 2017
Low efficiency of projects
Quality too low and falling
Relatively low morale & mindset
No focus on external marketing
Less leadership involvement
People doing their own thing
Something needed to change

4. What we changed
Strategy
Operations – lean, systems thinking
Leadership – flattened structure
Organisational Culture – working hours, self managers
Marketing – website, social, networking
Environment – physical work space & colours
Service Marketing – consumer needs
Brand – “lagom”

5. “Not too much, not too
little…” - Lagom
Just the right amount
Flows through everything we do
Working hours
Project Operations
Customer interactions
Internal communications
Decision making

6. How we work
8:45 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 16:15
- Fika at 10:30 and 14:30
- One hour lunch break at 12:00
“Rigid flexibility”
Library rules
Short meetings
No slides, bars or pool tables
Calm working environment
No deadlines
Team events, lunches and charity days

7. The result
One team pulling together
Higher efficiency
As productive for 6 hours as 8
High motivation and innovation
Quality continuously improving
Never been busier
Easier recruitment
Happier, better rested team

8. Key take aways
A different and happier way of working
Quality over quantity
Attract good people and talent
Your culture is part of your brand
Would work for any company
Quiet, productive times are key
Everyone should be on board
Go with it
3 months to make it habitual
Think differently & challenge the norm!

9. Key Reading
It Doesn't Have to Be Crazy at Work
Heinemeier Hansson, D and Fried J (2018)
Drive
Pink,D (2011)
Lagom - The Swedish Art of Living a
Balanced, Happy Life
Niki Brantmark (2017)

10. Thank you
emily@madeagency.co.uk
01603 626436
“We think, mistakenly, that success is the result of
the amount of time we put in at work, instead of
the quality of time we put in.”
― Arianna Huffington