Every time we ask you to share what’s really going on, you show up with honesty, heart, and clarity. The Better Bureau Survey had 122 members weigh in, and while there’s plenty to celebrate, there are also clear signs that this moment in our industry is challenging. (Nice one, Captain Obvious!)
Today, I want to share what came through loud and clear and how we're looking to help.
Top 5 Challenges in the Bureauverse
We read every response, grouped themes, and pulled the quotes that stuck with us. Some of these feel like stating the obvious, but sometimes that's what we need to so we can acknowledge it's real and it's not just us. Here’s what’s showing up across agencies big and small right now:
1. Pipeline Problems & Sales Stress
For many, the new biz pipeline is still slow as molasses. Decision-makers are hesitating, deals are dragging, and the old ways of winning work aren’t delivering like they used to. It’s not just about bringing in leads, it’s about building a system that consistently converts without burning out your team.
2. Client Expectations Are Out of Sync
You’re feeling squeezed between rising internal costs and clients who expect the same pricing and pace from years past. Some are holding off on projects or cutting scope just before the contract is signed. It’s forcing agencies to re-educate clients on value, recalibrate engagement models, or walk away from relationships that no longer make sense.
3. AI Disruption Is Real
AI isn’t theoretical anymore—it’s accelerating the change in client expectations and impacting agency workflows. Many of you are experimenting, adjusting, and trying to make smart bets in real time. There’s also a real pressure to stay ahead of the learning curve so you can guide clients who expect you to know what’s next.
4. Growing Without Breaking
Growth used to feel like a win. Now, for some, it feels like a risk. Scaling your team, operations, or services has to happen without sacrificing culture or margin. That’s hard to do in this market, especially when internal change management becomes a hidden cost of progress.
5. Team Tension & Capacity Crunch
Leaders are navigating internal friction, role clarity issues, and uneven morale. Sometimes it’s about burnout, other times it’s about resistance to process or change. Even with the right work in the pipeline, delivery becomes a challenge when your team is stretched thin or out of sync.
We’re taking these challenges seriously as we shape upcoming programming and think about how we support each other every day. The Slack threads, webinars, and monthly calls will all be evolving with this in mind. If something in here hit close to home, just know you’re not alone. We'll talk about it. We'll work on it. And we'll build paths forward, together.