We have been able to pull together consistently accurate information for job reporting, which has resulted in far better control of both our time and resources.
How JBP gained better control of their time and resources using Synergist
JBP are a leading media, stakeholder and political communications and engagement specialist focusing on business/professional services, charity, education, energy, environmental, health and social care, property and regeneration, and public services.
With multiple services across a wide range of specialisms, it became clear to JBP that spreadsheets were no longer practical. They looked for a full agency management system and found one that fit their criteria: Synergist.
Agency type: Digital PR, public affairs and marketing
Services: Press and PR, digital communications, campaigns, strategic communications
Size: 30+ people
Location: Bristol, Cardiff, London, Manchester, Warwick, Nottingham
Liam Herbert
Former Managing Director at JBP
The problem
Time-consuming processes with increased complexity
With a wide diversity of specialisms, from reputation management, parliamentary affairs and planning to B2B, stakeholder communication and consumer PR, JBP needed a management system to ensure accuracy, work tracking, scheduling, campaign progress and reporting for the business and its many clients.
“When we started the business it was reasonably practical to rely on spreadsheet-based reporting for time management and accounting."
“However, this soon proved to be both time-consuming and complex to operate, with a great deal of management time being taken to format documents to get appropriate reports on the business and to generate the necessary invoices and progress documents required.”
The solution
Using Synergist for increased control
“We made the decision to invest in a full agency management system and reviewed a number of possible off-the-shelf solutions. Only one package met all our requirements and appeared to cater for the more specific needs of the PR industry."
That package was Synergist and the company have been going from strength to strength.
“Since installation, we have been able to pull together consistently accurate information for job reporting, resulting in far better control of our time and resources. Forecasting has become much easier and the resultant management information considerably more accurate than ever before."
I would certainly recommend Synergist to other PR companies, as it has a level of flexibility and capability that is unmatched by other systems on the market.
Liam Herbert
Former Managing Director, JBP
The return
Simpler operations and consistent reporting
“Synergist has enabled us to identify spending in areas where we previously lacked information, such as new business activity. The system has also highlighted and helped prevent overservicing on certain accounts.”
“We have found that management reports and invoicing are far more consistent and simpler to generate at month end, enabling more effective planning and resource management.”
Synergist has also placed account administration control in the hands of those people that directly manage the business. This has had the beneficial effect of raising awareness among the client management team.
“Good agency systems are critical to ensure you maintain, control and create consistent, comparable records, which can help identify issues before they become problems."
“As with all systems, Synergist relies on good data entry. Fortunately, the timesheet and job control screens are easy to assimilate and very practical to use on a daily basis.”