How Workshop Built scaled an agency with flexible, on-demand talent
Overview
Workshop Built leveraged Contra to bring in the right talent at the right time
Workshop Built, an agency synonymous with entrepreneurial creativity, thrives on its ability to seamlessly blend American entrepreneurial ingenuity with European design. In their pursuit to create and activate bold brands, Workshop Built faced a unique challenge: maintain a high standard of creativity while responding to fluctuating project demands.
Robert Laplante, Founder and CEO, realized the need for a flexible, on-demand workforce to accommodate the ebb and flow of agency business, especially for roles that required distinctive skills. “Our core team focuses on strategic brand development, but we often encounter projects demanding additional specialized creative skills,” Robert explained.
The Challenge
The agency’s rapid growth led to an increasingly diverse range of client projects, each with unique demands. Project requisites often stretched beyond the scope of their in-house team's expertise, which made finding the right on-demand talent a pressing need and hurdle.
"The real test was sourcing independent experts who not only fit the technical requirements of these projects but also aligned with our creative vision and work culture," explained Robert. He acknowledged the inefficiencies of traditional freelance platforms, particularly their high fees, and highlighted Contra's unique approach in showcasing talent, which made it easier to find and quickly connect with the right candidates, especially for specialized, location-specific needs.
"We hire independents for various roles: animation, digital development, video editing. Contra allows us to focus, bringing in the right talent at the right time to enhance our projects and create even more value for clients."
— Robert Laplante, Founder and CEO at Workshop Built
A selection of Workshop Built’s client projects
The Solution with Contra
Contra became the strategic partner Workshop Built needed to scale their agency
Recognizing the potential of Contra, Robert adopted a nuanced approach to leveraging the platform. "Our agency thrives on a consultative and hands-on work style. We looked for a system that could enhance projects with specific skills and help source talent close to our clients’ offices. Contra's platform enabled us to align talent with our project dynamics, whether we needed them in office or online."
The real value of Contra for Workshop Built lay in its adaptability and the depth of its talent network. "In client consultations, new requirements often emerge unexpectedly. With Contra, we can quickly pivot, adding the right expertise to our team, akin to a dynamic PR consultancy but focused on creative execution," said Robert.
Contra also empowers Workshop Built to strategically manage their talent ecosystem. "Having a roster of specialists ready to deploy as needed has transformed how we manage our project-based workforce. It aligns perfectly with our vision of a lean core team supplemented by a scalable external talent network," Robert noted.
Outcomes
The successful implementation of various projects underscored the practical benefits of our partnership. "Contra has sharpened our focus; it's about smart scaling, which is where we find the greatest value," Robert reflected on Contra’s approach, which empowered his team to enhance the quality of their projects without overextending on their core responsibilities.
Robert emphasized Contra’s less tangible but equally valuable outcomes. "The speed and efficiency of Contra have been a relief. The platform allows us to quickly draft project descriptions and connect with suitable talent without prolonged start dates. This immediacy is invaluable in keeping our operations agile and responsive," he said. “As we continue to grow and take on more complex projects, having a tool like Contra will be indispensable.”
"Contra's extensive global talent network opened new doors for us. It empowered us to access a diverse array of skills, enabling us to supplement our team for each project's distinct needs, and scale our agency sustainably."
– Robert Laplante, Founder and CEO at Workshop Built
