Feedback—it's a word that often evokes a sense of apprehension. People tiptoe around it, fearing confrontation or awkwardness. Yet, within this discomfort lies an invaluable opportunity for growth and success. Embracing constructive feedback is not just beneficial; it's essential for personal and professional development.

In the world of content production (and many other sectors), it’s really important to recognise the transformative powers of feedback. Whether it's after a project sign-off or during ongoing collaborations, prioritise honest conversations with your teams and partners because that feedback can fuel improvement. Without it, you risk stagnation, continuing on the same trajectory without enhancing your services or processes.

Now, there are no set rules for what feedback might look like but it’s important to take proactive steps to establish strong working relationships from the outset. Through pre-production all the way to project sign off, it is crucial to have transparent conversations so that you can avoid any curveballs down the road. We tend to have a two rounds of amends rule for our partners which allows them to collaborate on a production every step of the way.

When discussing retainers, we don't dive headfirst into the deep end. Instead, we lay a solid foundation by starting with an initial project exclusive of the retainer. This allows us to iron out any teething problems before committing to a longer-term agreement. By addressing potential challenges early on and fostering mutual understanding, we can pave the way for successful long-term collaborations.

Feedback doesn’t stop with your partners, it’s also crucial to get feedback from everyone involved. This is by no means a one-way road but a chance for your team to take responsibility for bettering each other as well as themselves. There are so many ways in which you can navigate feedback with your team but if your company has strong values, why not provide feedback in line with your values so that your team can measure their performance more effectively. Or alternatively, encourage your team to ask for peer feedback so they can get a full 360 view on their work.

Now, let's address the elephant in the room: feedback can be intimidating. But here's the beauty of it—it's the route for overcoming obstacles and achieving shared goals. It's through open and honest communication that we can identify areas for improvement and work together to reach new heights. If you are a creative team who prioritise open and collaborative partnerships, you’ve come to the right place.