Why Mid-sized Creative Teams Can Punch Above Their Weight: How we outperform larger shops by being tighter, faster and more collaborative.

At Two by Four, our creative department is seven people strong. Seven brains, a ton of ideas and just the right amount of magic to make some pretty cool stuff happen every day.

We’re definitely not the biggest shop in town. But that doesn’t mean we can’t hang with the heavyweights. In fact, over the years I’ve seen how a mid-sized creative team can punch well above its weight. When you have the right mix of talent, process, and drive, size stops being a limitation and can even become an advantage.

We’re Built for Speed

Smaller teams move faster. There are fewer layers between idea and execution. When a writer has an idea, they’re sharing it with a creative director five minutes later. When something needs approval, the decision-maker is usually just a shout (or a slack) away. That proximity makes us nimble, and that speed makes a difference when a campaign needs to pivot or an opportunity pops up out of nowhere.

Collaboration is the Culture

When a small group of people share space, it’s inevitable that they’ll share ideas. When we work, the ideas go up on a wall. They’re discussed and debated. Refined and reworked. More often than not, an art director working on one team has a great idea for another team’s work. Yes, we’re all competitive, but we’re all working toward the same goal. And when you have an environment that encourages collaboration, ideas inevitably meld and ownership gets shared. And the work gets way better too.

Everyone has Skin in the Game

Let’s face it, when you’re a part of a small team, there’s nowhere to hide. You’re going to get the ball. And that’s a good thing. Seasoned and junior creatives alike dive into projects knowing that the work they’re doing is going to be presented. Their work matters, and they have to stand behind it. That sense of contribution fuels confidence and keeps the work fresh. It’s a kind of creative spirit that you just can’t fake with a layered staff that plays favorites or only shows work from senior teams.

The Big Benefits of Being Small

Having creative firepower doesn’t always mean being big. Smaller teams are forced to work more closely which leads to more collaborative thinking and better ideas. Fewer layers means things get done faster. And when everyone has a voice, the wins are more personal.

The best ideas don’t always come from the biggest teams. They come from the tightest ones.