One of my favorite TV shows growing up was Star Trek. Their five-year mission: to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before always got me on the edge of my seat waiting to see what they would encounter -- and how they would get out of it. But the show really was about relationships; how the crew interacted, how they responded to situations and worked together to accomplish the mission.
If you are navigating the complexities of digital marketing today, you know that it is a whole new universe when compared to more traditional marketing methods of previous decades. You know where you want your company to go. It is just a matter of figuring out how to get there through virtually uncharted territory.
That is where Star Trek comes in. No, Star Trek is not about digital marketing. But there is a reason it is currently enjoying its 50th anniversary and remains a popular franchise. The show illuminates something about setting off on a new course - something from which you can draw some good lessons as a business owner and marketer.
While any Trekkie (or Trekker, depending on your personal preference) will tell you that Star Trek contains endless lessons on leadership and collaboration, for the sake of brevity, let's focus on just one relationship in the show, Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock.
Kirk and Spock: Partnership with a Purpose
At first glance, the relationship between Kirk and Spock may appear strange. First, there's Kirk, the quintessential heroic leader. He runs his ship like a boss. There is no hesitation in Kirk's leadership style. He knows his ultimate goal, and he works consistently toward it. He has no trouble thinking outside the box. In fact, it could be argued that he relishes being outside the box. He knows his ship and his crew intimately, understanding when to push and when to pull back to get the best out of his people. He goes, as the term is, with his gut.Then, there is Mr. Spock, a man devoted to using intelligence to solve problems. When Kirk needs an answer, Spock is the "logical" person to turn too. Spock looks at the data to identify patterns and provide his Captain with informed solutions. He never simply shoots from the hip. His actions are based on logic and a deep understanding of the environment in which he finds himself. He supports Captain Kirk, but he is no mere yes-man. Rather, he provides valuable, unbiased insight into any situation the Enterprise crew faces, allowing Kirk the advantage of using his expertise in the best possible way.
Their approaches to any given situation are quite different, but when the two combine their efforts, extraordinary things happen. Whether it is preventing galactic war with the Romulans or saving their crew from the effects of happy-making spores, Kirk and Spock are a virtually unstoppable combination.
You and Your Digital Agency, the Kirk and Spock of Digital Marketing
What do you have in common with Kirk? Probably a lot. Just as Kirk knows his ship and his crew, you know your business and your employees. You know what your mission is, and you have a passion and a drive to see that mission through.But, there is likely something else you have in common with Kirk. You may find that even though you are a great leader on your own, you can be even better with a partner like Mr. Spock. This is where a digital marketing agency comes in.
You see, Kirk does not have to worry about whether he will have the data he needs to make good decisions when the time comes because he has Spock in his corner. Similarly, a digital marketing agency exists to provide you with the data and the tools you need to achieve your marketing goals.
Digital marketing agencies are chock full of Spock-like experts for all the different types of digital marketing channels your company will use to get your brand message across to your target audience. Like Spock, a digital agency has ready answers to your questions and provides solutions to marketing issues you face. And, your company gets to take advantage of the vast experience already realized with other clients.
Like Kirk, you can leverage this expertise to drive your mission forward and achieve the results you need from your marketing efforts. Digital agencies, then, play a supporting role for your business, bolstering your brand message and providing wise counsel and insight when and where it is needed.
Such partnerships endure because they are mutually beneficial and lead to the success of both parties. When you are ready to channel your inner Captain Kirk and partner with a digital agency that supports you like Spock, contact us. It is our hope that our partnership will live long and prosper.
Written By: Doug Milnor