How to fire
your agency

The very best products, the most productive teams, and most enjoyable collaborations have three things in common: simple, straightforward methods of communication, transparency, and – most importantly – 100% shared knowledge. This is how we work with our customers, and we’d like to show you how you can do the same with your digital partner.

Who this guide is for

  • Product owners and project managers

    If you’re responsible for shepherding a digital product from concept to launch, this guide will help you ask the right questions, set clear expectations, and manage agency relationships effectively.

  • C-suite executives

    For CEOs, CTOs, and other decision-makers who need to understand the strategic implications of agency partnerships and how they align with broader business goals.

  • Internal team leaders

    For those managing in-house development teams who are looking to augment their capabilities with agency expertise.

  • First-time agency clients

    If you’ve never worked with a digital agency before and are unsure what to expect, this guide will prepare you for the journey ahead.

  • Experienced agency clients

    Even if you’ve worked with agencies before, you’ll hopefully find some fresh perspectives and strategies to enhance your partnerships.

In this guide you will find out …

This guide will focus on practical strategies and real-world scenarios. We will do our best not to get bogged down in technical jargon or agency-specific processes (we’ve added a glossary at the end for the rest). Instead, we’ll try to stick to actionable advice that will help you navigate the complex world of agency partnerships and digital product development.

  1. 01
    We have failed. What do we do now?
  2. 02
    Do we really believe in our project or is it just a checkbox for our annual report?
  3. 03
    What if the agency’s work reveals that our initial idea isn’t viable? Are we prepared to call it off or change course?
  4. 04
    Are we really capable of maintaining this product after the agency leaves, or are we setting ourselves up for long-term dependency?
  5. 05
    Do we have the technical expertise to even evaluate the quality of work the agency is doing?
  6. 06
    How much of our internal inefficiencies and problems will be exposed during this process?
  7. 07
    Is our company culture too rigid to adapt to the changes a new digital product will bring?
  8. 08
    Do we have the authority to make necessary changes, or will bureaucracy get in our way?
  9. 09
    Are we choosing this particular agency because they’re truly the best fit, or because of personal connections or politics?
  10. 10
    What if the agency’s star performer leaves midway through the project?
  11. 11
    How will we handle it if there’s a personality clash between our team and the agency’s team?
  12. 12
    What if the project goes over budget? Who will be held accountable?
  13. 13
    How much proprietary information are we comfortable sharing with the agency, and what are the real risks?
  14. 14
    Are we prepared for the potential negative feedback or resistance from customers?
  15. 15
    What if this digital product cannibalizes our existing products or services?

Who are we

DK&A is a digital product agency, headquartered in Helsinki, Finland, with studios across northern Europe. We discover, design, develop, and ship digital products and services. Since 2022, we’re also part of The North Alliance family of companies. We are incredibly proud to call some of the most prestigious brands among our customers, and of the occasional award we get to bring home for these collaborations.

This all to say – we know how it is. We’ve been building digital products for a while now and we have observed complexity grow. We’ve witnessed a steady increase in moats being built around essential knowledge, and more and more gates being kept.