Continued Learning At Figmints: AM 50

Figmints is all about finding better ways to support clients. With so many different clients, the company is always striving to improve the client experience. As part of this effort, Figmints launched an internal initiative this past quarter known as AM (Account Management) 50. This initiative focused on improving the ways Figmints can support client success through continued internal education and development.

The intensive eight-week course provided employees and account managers the opportunity to learn new methods of approaching account management for professional and personal growth.

 

AM 50 was launched through the online learning program Versal, which included a course syllabus, weekly learning objectives, and readings. At the end of each week, those involved in the program met to discuss that week’s topic and develop strategies and takeaways for Figmints as a company moving forward.

The topics ranged from Client Service Basics and Organization Strategies to Negotiations and Leadership. Each week included a mix of both books and articles, including both obscure and widely recognized publications. The course featured well known readings such as Dale Carnegie’s How to Win Friends & Influence People and guides from the Harvard Business Review, as well as timely news articles and Simon Sinek’s TED Talk “How great leaders inspire action” which focuses on the question “Why” to develop a model for inspirational leadership.

Some of my other favorites from the course included Atul Gawande’s The Checklist Manifesto, Olivia Fox Cabane’s The Charisma Myth and Robert Solomon’s The Art of Client Service. We had a great time comparing different styles and perspectives and considering which ones would fit for our clients. In addition, we studied the stories of companies such as 37signals and Amazon for different perspectives, and covered concepts including Parkinson’s Law, The Eisenhower Matrix, design thinking, and virtual meeting best practices to learn even more.

The course was collaborative in nature and participants took notes throughout the course that were shared to foster new ideas. As the course progressed, we kept a running list of actionable steps at Figmints for the future. We are excited to continue to work on these ideas which include systems to better update our clients, refinements to our creative process, additional activities for client meetings, and different project timelines to cater to varying client needs.

While companies are typically busy with meetings and production work, we found lasting value in blocking off time each week to enhance our company through continued learning. In addition to this course, Figmints employees are given the opportunity to attend conferences such as HubSpot’s Inbound Conference, along with timely online courses relevant to the industry.

AM 50 aligned with the company values of curiosity and innovation and our mission to “Always Be Helping.” We hope to have additional members of the team also complete the course.

Figmints is excited to take the learnings from AM 50 to better serve our clients in the future. We look forward to developing additional learning initiatives to support the company’s growth.