Streamlining the Approval Process Will Always Achieve Better Results
Why you need a single point of contact and approval
A number of years ago, our team had the opportunity to work with a very large nonprofit organization on what we felt was an incredible project. We knew because of its size and scope, it would take months even to work out the schedule, the process, and the expectations. To ensure we were all on the same page from the start, we produced a short sample video for the client, sent the link, and waited for their approval.
And that’s when the trouble began.
We discovered that their approval process was a mind-numbing nightmare. First, they had four employees on their side leading the project, so that was four different opinions from the start. But for approvals, they added the nonprofit’s president, the marketing director, and, even more bizarre, the entire board of directors (10 people).
First, approval of even the smallest aspect of the video took weeks. By the time everyone could see it and make a decision, time was slipping away.
Second, most of them (especially the board) had never produced a media project like this, so they had no real experience, insight, or ideas to offer.
Third, but everyone wanted to contribute, so they felt they had to say something. And since they all had different ideas, we would receive a massive list of changes.
I talked to them about the benefits of streamlining the approval process, but the leader of the nonprofit felt compelled to include everyone in the mix.
So, even though the project represented a major budget and significant prestige, we finally decided that we would never be able to please everybody. And that’s when we stepped away from the project and encouraged them to find a production team that would be a better fit.
You may not have such a complex approval process for your projects, but whatever size it may be, streamline the approvals as much as possible. Certainly, you can show it to people on your team and get multiple opinions but have one person make the final decision on changes and then be your point person with the production team. Not just because that’s easier on the team, but like the old saying goes, too many cooks in the kitchen spoil the broth.
Creative projects do not benefit from multiple visions.
Photo by mari lezhava on Unsplash
Phil Cooke, PhD. has been called “one of the most innovative communicators of our generation.” As a media producer, writer, speaker, and consultant, his client list includes major film studios and TV networks as well as major Christian organizations like Voice of the Martyrs, The Museum of the Bible, The Salvation Army, and others. He’s also coached and consulted with many of the most influential churches and nonprofit organizations in the world, helping them use media to tell their story. You can hear his podcast here.
