We’ve had some good news to start the new year: MCG has been named a finalist for PRWeek’s 2010 Boutique Agency of the Year. PRWeek is one of our industry’s most widely read and well respected publications, and it’s an honor we are delighted to have.

While we’ve enjoyed our share of accolades in the past, this one allows us to compete on a national stage with some of our industry’s most successful agencies.  We wouldn’t have it any other way.

Too often, organizations will only measure success against their own plan.  Relative performance – measurement against your peers — is far more rigorous than absolute performance.  Putting yourself out there against the best and brightest is exactly how you get better, which is always our goal.

As we attend the awards ceremony in New York City in March, we’ll do so with gratitude for the partnership our clients have with us, with pride in the work our employees do every day, and with confidence in the future that lies ahead for all of us — our clients, our friends and our industry.

The start of a new year always fosters fresh thinking on my part and a little dreaming as well.  What challenges and opportunities lie ahead?  What can we do better this year than last?  How can we raise the bar for our clients, our employees, our profession?

The answer is the same – there is plenty to do and likely there have never been as many opportunities to leverage.

One of my resolutions for 2010 is to encourage innovation.  We are blessed with a talented, determined staff at MCG, and I have no doubt there are many new ideas dancing around in their heads all the time.  This year, I intend to capture our team’s innovative thinking when the sparks are flying. One of the best ways to do that is to recognize when innovation occurs.  Well known management expert, the late Peter Drucker, cited four ways opportunities most often arise in companies and industries through:

• Incongruities;
• Unexpected occurrences;
• Process-driven improvement; and
• Paradigm shifts.

By doing a few simple things, you can foster a spirit of innovation among your team that will help you accomplish what you dream of for 2010.

• Be more aware of when these four types of opportunities are upon you and take the time to ask “why” and “what if.”
• Be curious.
• Make the time to pursue great ideas with equal parts rigor and passion.
• Read more.
• Be willing to take some risk to try a fresh approach.

For a little innovation inspiration, you can read more on Drucker in the November 2009 issue of Harvard Business Review.