![The ZGM team at the 2019 Anvil Awards](https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgm-anvils.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=882&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&w=1568&s=d8d72baa646c40acc18ec7699b18dc15 1568w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgm-anvils.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1764&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&w=3136&s=a3a803be00d7540e8e9e105ac7e713b8 3136w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgm-anvils.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=2646&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=41&w=4704&s=a4065953a12eff537459757b9761dc42 4704w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgm-anvils.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=576&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&w=1024&s=6cf4662e51e512dbb1799df3e7435355 1024w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgm-anvils.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1152&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&w=2048&s=e91130e6f8a227fbc500ab9d179f0e12 2048w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgm-anvils.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1728&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=41&w=3072&s=22e954ae669795939832c4455487f7fe 3072w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgm-anvils.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=430&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&w=766&s=e78f936565581d58000f710b1c022e56 766w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgm-anvils.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=861&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&w=1532&s=9a6b40584255fbc75cdffb545e5d75a2 1532w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgm-anvils.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1292&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=30&w=2298&s=d1a361a2c9f26b017150204e89616de1 2298w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgm-anvils.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=252&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&w=448&s=b65780a2787ca702670df2cec961e5c9 448w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgm-anvils.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=504&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&w=896&s=80554d77f0e30ea3d213120d13a23ab0 896w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgm-anvils.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=756&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=30&w=1344&s=eba8d1639c9e5a5437e308a0745e21cf 1344w)
ZGM
A powerful full-service marketing agency making waves from Calgary, Canada
As a modern marketing partner, ZGM is a true force. Numbering around 80 (busy) individuals, the folks at ZGM handle everything from media planning and buying, branding, lead generation, and even crisis management. Alumnus Conlan Seder, Digital Project Manager, and Peter Bishop, Partner and Director of Conversion, spoke to Louder Than Ten about the impact that the apprenticeship had on them personally and ZGM as a whole, from implementing a diagnostic discovery phase to optimizing their billing and client onboarding process.
By the numbers
So little time, so many returns
23% increase in department profit within one year
436% increased revenue on retainer based projects
$100K generated from new service offering within 8 months
I graduated from the Louder Than Ten Apprenticeship in Feb 2020, moving from my role as a web developer to my current role as a digital project manager. The mentorship and personalized coaching I received from Rachel Gertz and the team at LT10 were incredible and the positive changes that came out of this experience still amaze me!
Rachel, my classmates, and the very active alumni network helped me form strategies to roll-out organization-wide improvements through workshops and our weekly sessions. There is a big focus throughout the program on alignment and creating allies to help make positive change, and it works.
Out of the changes I implemented, came a drastic increase in profitability. For projects that required a long-term engagement (min. 6 months), our new methods of scoping, risk mitigation, and estimation yielded an increase in profit up to 23%. For smaller maintenance tasks, I created a minimum engagement amount, and in some cases, increased revenue by up to 463%. By creating, selling, and running a new service offering, I was able to generate over $100,000 within the first 8 months.
If you are a business looking to invest in training for digital project management, this is the program you’re looking for.
Enroll, you won’t regret it!
What convinced you to try an apprenticeship?
Conlan Seder: I worked as a web developer at ZGM for about 4 years, and was noticing that as we landed larger projects and our team grew, it felt like project health was at an all-time low. It seemed like things that should have been out of scope were getting added in at the last minute, and project deadlines would stay the same. The frustration I felt was making my job less enjoyable and I started thinking about switching it up. Right around that time, ZGM found Louder Than Ten and one of the partners identified me as someone internal that may be a good fit. I looked through the site, read job descriptions, had a few chats with Rachel, and decided to give it a whirl. Sure glad I did.
What struggles or challenges were you having before the apprenticeship? How was it impacting you, your team, or business?
Peter Bishop: ZGM is a full-service agency with services spanning from media and campaign work to public relations and product design and development. We treated our projects the same way, assigning an account manager (we didn’t have project managers) and possibly an account coordinator to run the project regardless of discipline. Sometimes that worked and sometimes we had struggles but inevitably, we had the biggest struggle with digital. What we realized was that running large digital projects like web apps, native apps, or large content-based sites required a different set of skills. We were constantly under-pricing and over-promising, frustrating everyone who was involved in the process, including the client.
How did you know you were ready to press the trigger?
PB: We had been doing research for months into digital project management. Our Product Design Director Scott Irwin knew there were far better ways to run projects than what we were doing so he finally started conversations with Rachel at Louder Than Ten. At the same time, Conlan Seder, who was one of our developers, raised his hand to ask to be a part of this initiative. It solved two things for us: a growth plan for Conlan and a way to change our processes.
![A portrait of Conlan Seder](https://louderthanten.imgix.net/avatars/cs.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1568&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&w=1568&s=c41df95fe90eb8ed775bc82543eba678 1568w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/avatars/cs.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=3136&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&w=3136&s=09356e4312cf65c04940cbfbcaba282b 3136w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/avatars/cs.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=4704&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=41&w=4704&s=b693ba18b26bbe5cb6c7553976d2e26a 4704w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/avatars/cs.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1024&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&w=1024&s=0f4cfc7328f45419c35ecfd0274fa9a1 1024w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/avatars/cs.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=2048&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&w=2048&s=4f65fb759dac55e1ec715b08b4dfb748 2048w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/avatars/cs.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=3072&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=41&w=3072&s=90db4cb29bb30cb6e204ff056d246763 3072w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/avatars/cs.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=766&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&w=766&s=af90ea6d240c1121103a08cd9adcbab0 766w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/avatars/cs.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1532&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&w=1532&s=760cd6c5e64bdc0674bdda0da968c259 1532w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/avatars/cs.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=2298&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=30&w=2298&s=ed3e6bb21752bec3223d213c0cc414fd 2298w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/avatars/cs.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=448&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&w=448&s=968b4df27423230354e4ae82fa5a0c51 448w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/avatars/cs.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=896&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&w=896&s=ae208370b68b278e1c1d480aa9b56c68 896w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/avatars/cs.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1344&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=30&w=1344&s=e80bb2a4307c9ebfc62329c12ef8fd40 1344w)
Conlan
Seder
Product Manager
at ZGM Modern Marketing Partners
![Peter Bishop](https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgmPeter.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1568&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&w=1568&s=ace4f6bef5891556a5eb7dac7224b5e7 1568w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgmPeter.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=3136&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&w=3136&s=9c6bf5d36ac76c533f45a77821bed0bb 3136w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgmPeter.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=4704&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=41&w=4704&s=3288c1c9deabb23a4903c50f7f7ce45d 4704w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgmPeter.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1024&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&w=1024&s=c1d1547f3514f28c7a01bc0e0ea80382 1024w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgmPeter.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=2048&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&w=2048&s=d60d9814043546466627f076776f784e 2048w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgmPeter.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=3072&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=41&w=3072&s=43c42b64a2f554090cc61ba38820c8b1 3072w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgmPeter.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=766&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&w=766&s=974604b8286b3f116996436d13fb3c05 766w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgmPeter.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1532&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&w=1532&s=9520f5429b2f3120e802bb2e9a6bc1f0 1532w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgmPeter.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=2298&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=30&w=2298&s=f67c834e048cf759a62af27471907dec 2298w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgmPeter.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=448&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&w=448&s=6e1ac2392b0e5f766c9369cfd894547f 448w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgmPeter.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=896&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&w=896&s=77c249e9f7a5661fa7eb2fa169284a4d 896w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgmPeter.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1344&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=30&w=1344&s=11e2c559544160df9003dd4dcfad21d7 1344w)
Peter
Bishop
Partner & Director of Conversion
at ZGM Modern Marketing Partners
Working through class time, one-on-ones with Rachel, and Slack conversations with my classmates, I was able to create a strategy to roll changes out — changes like a new SOW template, new estimation techniques, and new task assignment process, to name a few.
What have you learned about yourself over the year?
CS: I learned a lot throughout the apprenticeship, but what surprised me the most was how much self-growth would be involved along the way. The program does an amazing job of teaching you the ins and outs of digital project management, but it also teaches you to use empathy and communication styles, as well as how to manage relationships and build a stronger team. This has allowed me to build stronger relationships with the people I work with and create allies who help tremendously when I am looking to introduce organization-wide change.
What makes your company special? And how are you making sure they understand sustainability on projects?
CS: ZGM has been great at allowing me to apply new course learning to our everyday work and we’ve seen a massive positive change in a very short period of time. I don’t think many organizations of our size (80+ people) can be so nimble and empowering. We have a very talented product team. I tried to let everyone know what I was learning and what I was trying to implement. It really helped to have the team on the same page and they would assist me in keeping things on track if they noticed a red flag on a project, or a way to build upon the new process.
![Zgm Bike Team2019](https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgmBikeTeam2019.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1045&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&w=1568&s=137c895df7e57fee09a73d0d6acb80dd 1568w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgmBikeTeam2019.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=2090&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&w=3136&s=60f1b989a5a9d4bd3301235941fc25a5 3136w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgmBikeTeam2019.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=3135&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=41&w=4704&s=da2fe7dc673398df802d28a732f63a45 4704w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgmBikeTeam2019.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=682&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&w=1024&s=941bfd2295119a6ce6865cfddfffaba6 1024w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgmBikeTeam2019.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1364&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&w=2048&s=5756a238f0f1dfb3084cc7c6482c4841 2048w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgmBikeTeam2019.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=2047&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=41&w=3072&s=d2d698662f91c4ef175371182e34f233 3072w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgmBikeTeam2019.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=510&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&w=766&s=536a71e1544f46b0a08833891b209ef3 766w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgmBikeTeam2019.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1021&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&w=1532&s=8e63b720203a3945061a4079083745dc 1532w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgmBikeTeam2019.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1531&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=30&w=2298&s=570d96977c8e672267e3ce02eafab03c 2298w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgmBikeTeam2019.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=298&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&w=448&s=2071c983236e82e4a656b773d5015436 448w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgmBikeTeam2019.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=597&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&w=896&s=0e49796a37dc704ed1a03ba6ba44346f 896w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgmBikeTeam2019.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=895&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=30&w=1344&s=46b57dfc575c87bbf68160b458293a8c 1344w)
![Conlan and his coworkers at a Calgary Stampede event](https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgm-ConlanRolandJulezTeresa.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1231&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&w=1568&s=4092aef9b804e27ac4e5bf6e23fd70f7 1568w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgm-ConlanRolandJulezTeresa.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=2463&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&w=3136&s=42ddcb18f584b098ff11838fc3566a4f 3136w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgm-ConlanRolandJulezTeresa.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=3694&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=41&w=4704&s=d608c923831ffddbe2067ff26570657b 4704w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgm-ConlanRolandJulezTeresa.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=804&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&w=1024&s=b502e24e207d20ba9cb670e15de2a77b 1024w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgm-ConlanRolandJulezTeresa.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1608&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&w=2048&s=0104503151117eb891026a02086c3478 2048w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgm-ConlanRolandJulezTeresa.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=2413&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=41&w=3072&s=a400779bb3b6b41a49a9bf25823ba6af 3072w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgm-ConlanRolandJulezTeresa.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=601&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&w=766&s=59aa432b08c75f145086490871a1b657 766w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgm-ConlanRolandJulezTeresa.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1203&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&w=1532&s=41338b15e7eab065c1faf991aad3405f 1532w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgm-ConlanRolandJulezTeresa.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1805&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=30&w=2298&s=6aac76c4f97d6469d34f247c06d6e894 2298w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgm-ConlanRolandJulezTeresa.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=351&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&w=448&s=30d7e238665e11b3303b446799b021e3 448w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgm-ConlanRolandJulezTeresa.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=703&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&w=896&s=6c0e98dc69617ece0ecad3e054b92b55 896w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgm-ConlanRolandJulezTeresa.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1055&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=30&w=1344&s=ef3d55352ffc6ea435bef89c34ceb8d8 1344w)
![Conlan staring intensely into his computer screen](https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgm-conlan.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=2352&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&w=1568&s=f99c8fcfe4584742f880bc76083ffce4 1568w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgm-conlan.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=4704&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&w=3136&s=2cc557e3845d143cbe778a0624b4e67b 3136w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgm-conlan.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=7056&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=41&w=4704&s=6a85ec88af7860f38a9513bc5ee3c87e 4704w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgm-conlan.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1536&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&w=1024&s=3858fb110ae41cb533569c52a4fe24c1 1024w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgm-conlan.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=3072&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&w=2048&s=a60b24bf1360e9e751d842315e2d8241 2048w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgm-conlan.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=4608&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=41&w=3072&s=0945b860fbf8b9a892cfe2c344a20374 3072w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgm-conlan.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1149&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&w=766&s=ef3315552d9287fab5a98a9de48a9892 766w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgm-conlan.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=2298&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&w=1532&s=56bd71bd58343a61105f699ffcf2f125 1532w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgm-conlan.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=3447&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=30&w=2298&s=3ea9e6522eb0411149e954cbd6df4258 2298w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgm-conlan.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=672&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&w=448&s=b6c936a1f18b992fd5c49ac377b5b43b 448w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgm-conlan.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1344&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&w=896&s=40aaecac7ee3f900ec3d2baf4e4d3265 896w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgm-conlan.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=2016&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=30&w=1344&s=5e5dd72d8f3afd68edfbc9072b64025a 1344w)
![The ZGM cycling team](https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/team.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1568&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&w=1568&s=e6ad6a34a59309c0cb98d3340731505b 1568w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/team.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=3136&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&w=3136&s=b20580966d6205922b17ce6783ed0e30 3136w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/team.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=4704&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=41&w=4704&s=b96d48043315be840b79ef5853352345 4704w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/team.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1024&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&w=1024&s=def8db78d274f2473e95b841fa813603 1024w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/team.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=2048&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&w=2048&s=a7cf91772cc18838994cb4d3ffab5bc3 2048w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/team.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=3072&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=41&w=3072&s=daa2402cd70544c492fed7d23c8eb617 3072w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/team.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=766&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&w=766&s=c85e4cb0cff4d49257921202668bec08 766w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/team.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1532&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&w=1532&s=b0fd84404925726db463e515a1fab85b 1532w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/team.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=2298&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=30&w=2298&s=89ae07a974930a4c6743df3951719969 2298w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/team.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=448&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&w=448&s=298aacd4729876c8429e31bd373f81a2 448w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/team.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=896&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&w=896&s=6358d3221797f620c00dc9f87ff95c67 896w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/team.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1344&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=30&w=1344&s=f6380ee88e5152f91a2df835c34fb6cd 1344w)
![Peter and teammate, Scott at a Calgary Stampede event](https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgmPeterScottStampede.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1119&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&w=1568&s=cb383f099fa556eb442617bc3b9eab0d 1568w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgmPeterScottStampede.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=2239&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&w=3136&s=83327fb620ee6b556affb59524aedd09 3136w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgmPeterScottStampede.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=3358&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=41&w=4704&s=bb03cf4bf2b867b8c07c83e28a278da8 4704w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgmPeterScottStampede.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=731&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&w=1024&s=b07daf9d47880f128d6a71907bfc2e20 1024w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgmPeterScottStampede.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1462&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&w=2048&s=88cdc0d8d3bcb18cfea321a62ad42f0a 2048w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgmPeterScottStampede.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=2193&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=41&w=3072&s=08247fcc295f16f43b75de339c386709 3072w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgmPeterScottStampede.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=546&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&w=766&s=20b02f598832c0b27150981083d9d394 766w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgmPeterScottStampede.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1093&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&w=1532&s=1286ae123051f532f266d92651ee027c 1532w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgmPeterScottStampede.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1640&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=30&w=2298&s=f0baef69a3b5dfc249861767dc43dc10 2298w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgmPeterScottStampede.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=319&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&w=448&s=c8a0f1db78f876d2306d96e0115fc736 448w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgmPeterScottStampede.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=639&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&w=896&s=8c1df3e6f5b73fce148d25b1181502bc 896w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgmPeterScottStampede.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=959&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=30&w=1344&s=29bbd89b366b832b097b0c8efb51ee59 1344w)
![Conlan with his ZGM coworkers strategizing on a project](https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgm-cas-team.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1176&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&w=1568&s=ead142a04d7001f67773d19edbe102c8 1568w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgm-cas-team.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=2352&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&w=3136&s=9204b08b9b4aa0ec55fa9fd5c6ebea31 3136w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgm-cas-team.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=3528&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=41&w=4704&s=a5b302ef9a3a318b77f28818e78d7378 4704w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgm-cas-team.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&w=1024&s=b285c5b9a5860cb9146391d03dd2d5f7 1024w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgm-cas-team.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1536&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&w=2048&s=0f089e427e65f43374121df9949231f8 2048w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgm-cas-team.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=2304&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=41&w=3072&s=2a3e9ad921c1331a6c354423bcbbb8fc 3072w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgm-cas-team.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=574&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&w=766&s=0ba9e247bc0f2c0d7ac969a5ca257f52 766w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgm-cas-team.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1149&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&w=1532&s=d9f593d56833073082a61430975d5999 1532w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgm-cas-team.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1723&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=30&w=2298&s=03bde1013138cbf4fdb1ccf022622f2b 2298w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgm-cas-team.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=336&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&w=448&s=ec01715146ad161f2b6fcb83571c8359 448w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgm-cas-team.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=672&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&w=896&s=f9621074f76827d8dbd10c3bc473f141 896w, https://louderthanten.imgix.net/articles/zgm-cas-team.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=louderthanten.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1008&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=30&w=1344&s=46c18119449388e7a7dc6653f58f0f1a 1344w)
Talk about the biggest changes you’ve implemented since starting the program. How have they impacted your team? Your business? What impacts are you seeing?
CS: The biggest changes I’ve implemented were:
- A new Statement of Work (SOW) template to help keep projects in scope, on budget, and on time.
- Moving from an hourly rate to a day rate, with a minimum unit of time being half of a day.
- Implementing a diagnostic discovery phase to get the information we need before starting a project. This helps us avoid any surprises and stay focused on the goals of the project.
These changes have given us more structure to our larger projects, avoiding scope creep and project drag.
What were some of the trickier changes you’ve made or still want to make? What made this process harder or easier?
CS: The trickiest thing about this whole experience to date was coming up with a method to rapidly roll out company-wide changes. With around eighty people, it is hard to implement a new way of doing things and have it stick. Working through class time, one-on-ones with Rachel, and Slack conversations with my classmates, I was able to create a strategy to roll changes out—changes like a new SOW template, new estimation techniques, and new task assignment process, to name a few. I worked with some allies within the organization to increase the likelihood of adoption. It was super successful.
I learned a lot throughout the apprenticeship, but what surprised me the most was how much self-growth would be involved along the way. The program does an amazing job of teaching you the ins and outs of digital project management, but it also teaches you to use empathy and different communication styles, as well as how to manage relationships and build a stronger team.
How have your client and team relationships changed?
CS: I think both are healthier having completed the program.
Our clients come to us because we’re experts. So, if they’re trying to change something with the project that doesn’t align with what we agreed upon, we’ll gently push back with the project’s health in mind. I think it’s important to have both sides on the same page, so we’ll remind them of the goals we set, ask if they’ve changed, and if they have, we can see what changes need to be made.
Our team relationships have definitely improved, as I think there is more awareness of what other people on the team are working on. We’re also communicating better and running stand-ups—something we started after the addition of my role. I think having healthier projects means we also have happier team members.
How has your communication changed?
CS: LT10 has entire modules around communication and its importance. Learning different methods of communication, when to use each type, when to escalate the method of communication, and how to effectively get your point across has allowed me to be confident with clients and make sure our team stays aligned with the client and their needs.
How have your projects changed?
CS: Our project timelines are healthier, and we’re more profitable now because of how detailed our Scope of Works are. They outline the client’s needs, cover in versus out of scope features, and even outline project risks and assumptions. Our team is happier with more structure and knowledge about what the project is and isn’t before it starts.
How will digital projects and processes change over the next five years? Do you feel like you’re prepared for the future? Why or why not?
PB: It’s hard to say what’s going to happen on the horizon. Things are moving so rapidly now but we do know that project management, whether it’s working remotely or locally, is going to be a big part of how we do business. The Louder Than Ten program has given us the tools we need to move forward into the unknown. We are hoping to grow this part of the company now and expand this way of thinking into all our projects moving forward.
What do you want your legacy as an apprentice to be?
CS: In the (almost) two years since I took on this new role and started the LT10 program, I have been able to implement a number of positive changes for ZGM. I hope my legacy is that my enrollment in LT10 and the changes that came from it were a starting point to creating healthier projects with more stability, happier and more informed clients, and ultimately more efficiency and profit for the organization.
If a company was thinking about taking it, what would you want to tell them about the apprenticeship?
PB: This paid for itself within months and the experience and learning have been invaluable. We would strongly recommend this course to any company running digital products or services.