Empowering Your Team’s Decisions

I mapped out a decision making matrix to help my team. The goal is to streamline recurring/basic questions to help your team get answers faster, remove middlemen, and reduce unnecessary decisions landing on your desk.

I wanted to share to help out other marketing/agency owner friends. If you want to duplicate and modify it for your use, looks something like this…

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What do you need help with?

Money related question

Need a purchase to help with work/productivity?

• Yes, it’s work related
  • Is it less than $100?
    • Yes
      • Approved. Communicate with your department manager about reimbursement or if they can pay with company card.
    • No
      • Slack department manager and ask for approval
• No, it’s not work related
  • Does it support your personal well-being or productivity?
    • Yes
      • Tentatively approved. Talk to HR for final approval or to coordinate.
    • No, it’s something else.
      • Discuss with department manager. If approved, ask them to send approval to HR. Approval must come from department manager.

Time Off

Do you need time off for an illness or death in the family?

•  Yes
  • Approved. Contact HR and department managers to 1) coordinate the team helping cover your responsibilities so don’t get behind, and 2) set expectations of your availability and return.
• No
  • Contact HR for company policy on vacation time or excusable absences. If approved:
    • 1) make sure you cover your responsibilities to ensure deadlines don’t get behind
    • 2) set expectations of your availability and return.

Help with a client

• Is this about a task?
  • Yes
    • Ask your department manager.
• Is there a problem with a client?
  • Yes
    • Communicate the concern with CEO. Propose resolutions and ask them to approve.
• Is there something good with a client?
  • Yes
    • Notify CEO so they can either approve, or we can share the kudos with the team.

Family or friend related

Are they asking for a job, or you want to recommend them?

• Yes
  • As of 2024, company policy was updated to no longer hire friends or family because it creates too many problems internally.
• Can I take time off for something family/friend related?
  • Do you need time off for an illness or death in the family?
    • Yes
      • Approved. Contact HR and department managers to
        • 1) coordinate the team helping cover your responsibilities so don’t get behind, and
        • 2) set expectations of your availability and return.
    • No
      • Contact HR for company policy on vacation time or excusable absences. If approved:
        • 1) make sure you cover your responsibilities to ensure deadlines don’t get behind, and
        • 2) set expectations of your availability and return.