Creating a team: How to setup/structure?
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Thanks for the shout out tobyn - i would probably have never have found this otherwise. If anyone ever wants me to comment on something send me a PM.
Our business is probably not a good proxy for what you guys are talking about.
We have a lot of proprietary processes, but they are divided into a couple of different teams, such that no one team has enough information to really breakaway. We also have NDAs in effect that we have the resources to enforce. That is almost certainly not the case for you.
My PPC people rock at PPC, but would be dead in the water without the testing platform and analytics that are constantly updated by our IT team. The PPC analysts are not typically the ones coming up with the really great test ideas, nor do they have any concept of the business development relationship building or capital requirements they would need to start a business. Plus few of them have any real concept of how to scale - they mostly work on their individual projects rather than lots of different ones.
I would actually be shocked to see any of our guys leave to start their own firms, because I think they realize that they are one piece of a large organization.
Our methods and processes are so unique that we almost never hire those with any industry experience and rarely do we lose someone of value to a firm in this industry. Our primary criteria for these analysts is analytical thinkers with awesome excel skills - then we teach them the pieces they need to work in our industry. People with experience first need to be brainwashed to break all the bad habits they have - and that is never quick or easy.
At this stage - I am reluctant to even call ourselves affiliate marketers anymore. That was the birth of the company but we have evolved far from that. We are essentially a company that drives most of its customers from online marketing efforts - like an amazon or zappos.
That is one of the reasons I blog so little and post so infrequently on these boards - I dont think what I have to say is anything other than old war stories - "In my day we had to enter adgroups by carrier pigeons and bulk sheets." - It certainly is not relevant to the guy with a few thousand and a desire to make a name for himself - I would not have the first clue how to get started if I found myself in that position. In fact, I have often said that with Google's push to eliminate affiliates, that I would probably not even get into this business today - not terribly inspiring to those looking for inspiration.
Diorex
Our business is probably not a good proxy for what you guys are talking about.
We have a lot of proprietary processes, but they are divided into a couple of different teams, such that no one team has enough information to really breakaway. We also have NDAs in effect that we have the resources to enforce. That is almost certainly not the case for you.
My PPC people rock at PPC, but would be dead in the water without the testing platform and analytics that are constantly updated by our IT team. The PPC analysts are not typically the ones coming up with the really great test ideas, nor do they have any concept of the business development relationship building or capital requirements they would need to start a business. Plus few of them have any real concept of how to scale - they mostly work on their individual projects rather than lots of different ones.
I would actually be shocked to see any of our guys leave to start their own firms, because I think they realize that they are one piece of a large organization.
Our methods and processes are so unique that we almost never hire those with any industry experience and rarely do we lose someone of value to a firm in this industry. Our primary criteria for these analysts is analytical thinkers with awesome excel skills - then we teach them the pieces they need to work in our industry. People with experience first need to be brainwashed to break all the bad habits they have - and that is never quick or easy.
At this stage - I am reluctant to even call ourselves affiliate marketers anymore. That was the birth of the company but we have evolved far from that. We are essentially a company that drives most of its customers from online marketing efforts - like an amazon or zappos.
That is one of the reasons I blog so little and post so infrequently on these boards - I dont think what I have to say is anything other than old war stories - "In my day we had to enter adgroups by carrier pigeons and bulk sheets." - It certainly is not relevant to the guy with a few thousand and a desire to make a name for himself - I would not have the first clue how to get started if I found myself in that position. In fact, I have often said that with Google's push to eliminate affiliates, that I would probably not even get into this business today - not terribly inspiring to those looking for inspiration.
Diorex
With all due respect... WRONG!!! Of course those who take bigger risks, will reap bigger rewards. One needs to improve the odds of said rewards by lowering ppc costs (ppc skill), delivering exactly what the consumer needs (copy writing), and creating a facade of professionalism (design). Or maybe dickson's trying to get deep on us and say only the lucky make it big.
I myself used to work for a company with that philosophy and I can tell you that I decided to start my own company because they chose that paradigm. I am very happy that I did because if they had kept their word and paid me what they promised I might actually still be working for them!
Profit sharing is an amazing way to motivate staff and grow your business, it also makes people care about whats going on and gets them more involved. It allows people to take some ownership and if you put the right people in the right place they are solid gold. If employees start to feel like they are undervalued they will quit and in some cases become your competitor.
Thanks Diorex for posting here.
I think what you have done is similar to my plan.
I really do want to evolve from an affiliate into a full service internet marketing company focusing on performance through lead generation.
Affiliate marketing is going to make me the cash now that I need to start hiring and selling.
Thanks for your thoughts.
I think what you have done is similar to my plan.
I really do want to evolve from an affiliate into a full service internet marketing company focusing on performance through lead generation.
Affiliate marketing is going to make me the cash now that I need to start hiring and selling.
Thanks for your thoughts.
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