What’s going to enable your business growth plan to be successful? Talent? Smart strategy? Better process? Access to capital? Any and all of those likely play a role, but one underlying attribute that may be undervalued is clarity.
On the latest episode of Thinc Ahead, Cindy Anderson and Karen Albritton spoke with RLF Communications Founder and CEO Monty Hagler on his approach to growing his communications firm. One common theme emerged. Clarity — around vision, philosophy, business model, even personal goals – has been a common thread in firm growth.
Clarity through Vision
Hagler credits clarity around vision with setting the firm up for success, something that we consistently see in our work with high impact leaders. He adopted a non-traditional vision when setting out to create a firm that is consistently Respected, Liked, and Feared. This vision inspired the firm name, RLF Communications. Other integral areas where the firm had clarity from the outset is its focus on public relations, even at a time when some communications firms were trying to be all things to all people. Clarity also applies to what you’re not going to do.
Clarity through Acquisition
Growth through acquisitions presents another opportunity for clarity. RLF capitalized on three acquisitions in recent years to deepen its talent and expand its client base. Acquisitions have enabled the firm to build a senior team with over 300 years of public relations experience. In every acquisition, clarity about shared philosophy guided decision-making and integration. This doesn’t mean that there isn’t room for differing opinions. Hagler notes that every acquisition provided an ability to bring on team members who helped “see the world differently” with different perspectives. They brought new ideas as well as input on process to help the firm scale.
Clarity through Driving Growth
Driving growth with clarity sometimes requires decisions that are not universally popular. One example of this is RLF’s hybrid remote/in-office work policy where employees work from home on Monday and Friday and are in one of their three North Carolina offices Tuesday through Thursday. Hagler acknowledges that some firms may succeed with a fully remote model, but he’s clear that the mentoring, training, and collaboration that his team achieves when working together is integral to the firm’s ability to deliver for clients.
Clarity through Purpose
When you’re a running a privately held business, it helps to have personal clarity on your goals for yourself and for your firm. Hagler shared that a month-long sabbatical in 2021 left him reenergized and completely clear on his desire to keep his firm on a growth trajectory. That clarity of purpose, growing RLF Communications, has kept Hagler focused on his current path, even when he’s approached with other opportunities.
Thinc-ing Ahead
When asked what he does to Thinc Ahead, Hagler was crystal clear. Twelve years ago, RLF joined a group of PR firms, WorldCom Public Relations Group. WorldCom is the oldest and largest group of independent PR firms, with 85 firms globally. Hagler credits the annual meetings, seminars, and personal relationships accessible through WorldCom with helping him see what’s ahead for his industry.
>>To hear more about how Hagler has leveraged clarity for firm success, listen to the Thinc Ahead podcast, found here, Thinc Ahead Podcast.
