Why My Marketing Agency Ditched Hybrid Work: Real Talk from a Leading UK Marketing Entrepreneur

As discussions continue across the UK about whether businesses should embrace remote working or return to the office, I thought it was time to share my experience as a marketing agency CEO. The debate has been fierce: some argue that working from home leads to increased productivity, while others insist that a physical office environment is essential for team efficiency.

I care deeply about the economy and the well-being of my team and clients. Running a marketing franchise means navigating both the challenges of supporting individual consultants across the UK and understanding the broader economic landscape. Having recently made the decision to bring my in-house team into the office, I’ve seen first-hand how this move has improved our operations, client relationships, and, importantly, the experience of our consultants.

For our franchisees, this change has been a game-changer. Many of our marketing consultants don’t have their own office spaces, nor do they need to. By leveraging our vibrant, well-established office here in Cardiff, they can project a strong, professional image to their clients without the overheads of maintaining an office themselves. This flexibility has allowed them to focus on what they do best—delivering high-quality marketing services—while we handle the rest.

For many UK entrepreneurs, including myself, this issue goes beyond just convenience—it directly impacts business performance, economic stability, and growth. And if the stats are anything to go by, my experience isn’t unique.

1. Office Work Boosts Productivity—Here’s Why

Before I delve into our journey, let’s look at the data. Research from the UK Office for National Statistics shows that while remote working initially boosted productivity, there was a noticeable dip as the months dragged on. A 2023 survey from Microsoft also found that 85% of business leaders believed that remote work made it difficult to maintain productivity levels in the long term. As a business leader, these numbers matter because productivity drives not just individual business success but the economy at large.

This aligns with what I’ve observed in my Cardiff marketing agency. While hybrid working had its benefits, such as flexibility, it often led to fragmented communication and slower project turnaround times. If my team got stuck, they had no one immediately available to reach out to for support. Now that we’re all back in the office, the increased productivity is undeniable. Being able to instantly share ideas, resolve issues on the spot, and simply be present has accelerated our workflows. In just a short time, we’ve been able to complete projects faster and respond more effectively to client requests.

This productivity boost benefits our consultants, too. They don’t need to manage office logistics, and they have a central hub they can refer to when speaking to their clients. When clients ask, “Where is your office based?” they can proudly say they’re part of a larger agency network headquartered in Cardiff, which strengthens their credibility and reassures their clients that they have an experienced team backing them up.

2. Establishing Credibility: Clients Take Us More Seriously

One of the major advantages of moving back into an office is how it has changed the way clients perceive us. In the UK, businesses often look to marketing agencies not just for strategy but also for a sense of reliability and presence. When we were working remotely, there were moments when I felt we struggled to convey that ‘real agency’ vibe. Granted, we have been in operation since 2008 and have over 1,000 live clients across the UK through our direct and franchisee team. But there were still some clients who wanted that traditional office environment to feel confident in our partnership.

Now, with a physical base in Cardiff, strategic clients seem to take us much more seriously. We’ve had a surge in direct client work just this week since establishing a full-time office presence. According to Forbes, businesses with physical office locations are often perceived as more professional and trustworthy. In the marketing industry, where relationships are everything, this increased credibility is invaluable. As a passionate marketing entrepreneur, I know that trust is the cornerstone of business success, and having an office where clients can meet us face-to-face reinforces our commitment to them.

Our franchisees benefit from this setup as well. When they tell their clients they’re part of an established marketing franchise with an office base in Cardiff, it lends them additional authority. They don’t need to maintain an office themselves, yet they reap all the benefits of being part of a credible, office-based agency. It’s a win-win that aligns with the broader push for more flexible yet professional business models across the UK economy.

3. Building a Cohesive Team Is Easier in Person

Beyond client perception, the return to office life has had a remarkable impact on our team cohesion. Research by Gallup indicates that employees who work in an office are 25% more likely to feel part of a team compared to those working remotely. This sense of belonging and connection is crucial, especially in a creative field like marketing, where collaboration and spontaneous idea exchanges drive innovation.

In our agency, the switch from a hybrid model to being back in the office has done wonders for team morale. We’re not just talking about work anymore; we’re sharing laughs, celebrating wins (and we haven’t event had our first proper night out in Cardiff yet!), and building a sense of camaraderie that simply wasn’t possible through a screen. This has made our workdays more enjoyable and has also created an environment where ideas flow freely, leading to more innovative marketing strategies for our clients.

Our consultants, who might otherwise work alone or remotely, benefit from this environment too. When they will visit our Cardiff office for meetings or strategy sessions, they will become part of this vibrant, dynamic network. It boosts their morale and gives them a taste of what it’s like to be part of a larger, cohesive team, even though they may work remotely with their own clients. This is vital for mental health and well-being, and I believe it’s something that contributes positively to the wider economy as well.

4. Working More Efficiently Together

One of the most significant changes I’ve observed is how much more efficiently we’re operating as a team. Office environments naturally encourage quicker decision-making and problem-solving. Need to tweak a campaign or refine some content? Now, we can discuss and implement changes in real-time. According to a study by Harvard Business Review, in-person interactions are 34 times more effective than email exchanges, which supports my observation that proximity speeds up our processes.

Since bringing the team back into the office, we’ve cut down on unnecessary meetings and endless email threads. A quick chat by the coffee machine can resolve issues that might have taken days to sort out remotely. This level of efficiency means we can take on more client work and deliver results faster—an absolute game-changer for a marketing franchise like ours.

For our franchisees, this setup means they can rely on our central office to handle key operational tasks, allowing them to focus on client growth. They get to work from wherever they choose while still benefiting from the efficiency and productivity that our office brings to the table. This flexibility supports a more dynamic, versatile economy where businesses can thrive in diverse working environments.

5. Adding Fun Back into Work (and TikTok!)

Work should be fun, right? Yet, remote work often lacks the social interactions that make the workday enjoyable. Bringing the team back into the office has revived the fun side of our business. We’re back to having spontaneous brainstorming sessions, sharing a laugh over a coffee break, and even creating TikTok content that captures the energy of our agency.

Speaking of TikTok, having everyone in the office has made our content creation much more dynamic and engaging. We’ve been able to showcase the behind-the-scenes life of a marketing agency, adding an authentic, human touch that resonates with our audience. For our consultants, this means they can show their clients they’re part of a lively, innovative agency environment—even if they work remotely themselves. It’s a way to connect with audiences on a personal level, fostering stronger client relationships and, by extension, a more connected economy.

The Bigger Picture for UK Businesses

The debate over remote work versus office work is likely to continue, but for me, the decision to bring my team back into the office has been transformative. It has not only increased our productivity and efficiency but also strengthened our team dynamic and enhanced how clients perceive us. Our franchisees benefit from this setup too, as they can leverage our office presence to build their own credibility and offer their clients a more robust service.

Looking Ahead: Finding the Right Balance

I’m not suggesting that all businesses abandon remote work entirely; it certainly has its benefits. However, from my experience and the data I’ve seen, a physical office presence can offer advantages that remote working simply can’t match. It’s about finding the right balance that enables your business to thrive. For my Cardiff marketing agency, the office is where we’re at our best, and it also empowers our franchisees across the UK to succeed.

If you’re navigating the complexities of running a business in today’s changing work landscape, I’d love to chat! As an entrepreneur, I’m passionate about sharing insights and helping others grow. Reach out to discuss how we can work together to drive your business forward.

Discover more business insights and strategies here.

Explore the latest UK business trends from The Guardian.