Unlocking Success in the Creative Industry: The Power of Strong HR
In the fast-paced and ever-evolving world of the creative industry, success goes beyond talent and imagination. It requires a strategic approach to human resources that understands the unique dynamics of the industry. Our work with Pink Squid and Creative Access has shown that with strong HR you can build a strong business operating in the creative industry.
In this blog, we will explore how effective HR in the creative industry influences important areas such as challenges during expansion, workplace culture, and recruitment.
Preserving Creativity Whilst Scaling Through Developing Leaders
As creative businesses grow, maintaining the same level of innovation and creativity can be a challenge but you can overcome it with expert HR support.
Over the course of our 7-year collaboration with Pink Squid, an award-winning creative agency, our role has been to support their long-term vision of sustainable growth. The Founding Directors were not just leaders but were also at the forefront of innovation, client relations, and cultivating a thriving creative culture. As the agency headcount grew, it was important to embed and support a wider management structure which would ensure the agency continued to deliver work aligned with their core values and high-quality standards.
We first supported the team in introducing a competency framework. This set clear definitions of the skills and experience required at each level for every department. While the teams themselves were the experts defining those competencies, our role was to ensure the framework was cohesive and followed a structure that would allow it to become a cornerstone for performance and career management for the team.
With the foundation of the competency framework in place, we developed a succession planning tool and training framework. This approach allowed the Pink Squid team to have objective conversations about team performance, using feedback to spot and bridge skill gaps. This paved the way for both current and aspiring leaders in the team.
In tandem, as new leaders began to play a more pivotal role in team management, we worked in partnership with them to design HR policies and procedures, ensuring they aligned with Pink Squid’s creative culture and positioned them as an employer of choice
Today, Pink Squid boasts robust, fit-for-purpose HR policies, a comprehensive competency framework, and well-established performance and development processes. The company has a resilient management team and a culture that champions growth and creativity. We are privileged to continue to support Pink Squid in all aspects of their HR needs.
Strong Workplace Cultures Are Underpinned By Strong Processes
A positive workplace culture is the heart of any thriving organisation, but it's especially crucial in the creative industry.
HR plays a key role in shaping the culture by promoting collaboration, celebrating diversity, and creating an environment that nurtures creativity. Transparent communication channels and recognition of creative contributions foster a sense of belonging and motivation among employees.
Imagine a marketing agency that fosters a culture of open feedback and idea exchange. By encouraging employees to contribute their unique perspectives, the agency taps into a wealth of creative solutions. This culture not only elevates the quality of work but also attracts top talent seeking a stimulating and inclusive work environment.
How do you build a diverse and inclusive culture? We explored this topic in this blog post where we discussed accessibility, open conversations and diversity training. An aspect we want to focus on in this blog is how a good workplace culture needs strong processes and policies to underpin it.
Part of having a strong culture means having strong HR processes and policies that ensure everyone is treated fairly. People Management Partners worked with Creative Access, a social enterprise providing career-long access, opportunities, support, and training for people from under-represented groups in the creative industries, to strengthen their HR process through our HR partnership. With our help, Creative Access were able to improve their onboarding processes, their approach to resolving HR issues and their team’s well-being and development as a result of working with a People Partner.
You cannot have a strong workplace culture without good processes and policies, which is why it is worth using in an expert to help you build them.
Expert HR Support Can Help You Diversify Your Recruitment
In an industry driven by creativity and innovation, having a diverse team can give your business the edge. There are lots of benefits to having a diverse workforce in the creative industry, from a broader range of thinking to an increase in adaptability. However, there are also a number of barriers to access in the creative industry that are impacting its diversity.
A study in 2021 by the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre supported by funding from the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, showed that only 16.2% of people working in creative jobs are from working-class backgrounds.
A benefit of a good workplace culture means you can attract top talent and with effective HR support for your job descriptions and outreach, you can cast a wider net with your talent acquisition and attract diverse talent.
If you are unsure about the best way to find your next hire, read our blog on five strategies for recruitment or get in touch about our Fixed Fee recruitment service.
To Summarise
The Creative industry thrives on innovation, collaboration, and creativity. Effective HR is critical in nurturing these qualities and turning them into business successes. From strategic recruitment to cultivating a vibrant workplace culture through strong policies, every aspect of HR contributes to the unique dynamics of the industry.
If this sounds like a lot of work, don’t worry because you don’t have to do it alone. With an HR Advisor by your side, you have a point of contact to provide remote support and help you navigate people management issues. Find out more about our HR Advisor service today.
As you finish this blog, remember business owners who prioritise strong HR position themselves for sustained growth, innovation, and a lasting impact on the creative landscape.