iGB Affiliate 63 June/July | Page 63

INSIGHT 6) Channel your inner wolf – a wolf doesn’t perform in a circus There are no blueprints to follow when you run your own business and things constantly change. However, one of the leadership methodologies I firmly advocate is the Wolf management style. A wolf pack travels with the eldest members (experienced executors) in front. These guys set the pace for the rest of the pack to follow. The next five wolves are the strongest (this is the front line – senior managers) and they protect the bulk of the pack if there is an ambush. In the centre are the rest of the pack (the execution team) and the alpha wolf (CEO) brings up the rear. By being at the back, he has a clear vision of what’s coming and a peripheral view of where they are in the competitive landscape. This management style is the direct opposite of a traditional hierarchical setting with the leader in front, setting the pace TH E and driving the vision. The other thing I really like about the Wolf management style is that there is a clear collaboration with everyone in the team. Understanding their expertise and value as part of the wider group and delivering to these strengths enables the pack (company) to keep moving in the right direction. Lastly, be a bit like Kanye, i.e. “believe in your flyness and conquer your shyness”. No matter how you choose to run your affiliate business, and what structure you put in place to manage the delivery of your vision, remember to stand out and always focus on innovation. Running a successful affiliate business is not for the faint of heart — you need to get up every day and always remain bold. Just remember that you are already ahead of the curve because you started. Now you should just remember to take the time to innovate and focusing on growing your business as well as working in it. MO S T E XCI TING AF F I LIATE EV ENT Be proud of your successes and your failures – without the setbacks you will never learn to innovate. With almost two decades of digital marketing and affiliate experience within retail, payments and various igaming brands, LEE-ANN JOHNSTONE has a wealth of expertise as an award-winning digital marketing expert and business mentor. In 2015 she curated and developed AffiliateFEST and has now founded Best Odds Marketing (www.bestoddsmarketing.com) a digital marketing consultancy, training, event management and business coaching agency supporting igaming businesses. OF 2017 BERLIN AFFILIATE CONFERENCE FREE ENTRY FOR ALL AFFILIATES 1ST - 4TH NOVEMBER 2017, MESSE BERLIN You can expect:  An innovative, analytical and strategic conference programme  Expert speakers, which will provide information on hot industry topics, trends and technologies  Unrivalled networking opportunities, allowing you to connect with the industry More details can be found on www.BerlinAffi liateConference.com