Ten years ago, I decided to start my own marketing firm. I threw myself into it, with no safety net below. I did it with conviction, enthusiasm, determination and a little blind faith. I left a job that I loved at a world-renowned agency and set my sights on unknown horizons, armed only with the desire to contribute to my future clients’ success—while having fun.

I grew up surrounded by business owners that I admired, and as a result I dreamed of opening a company that reflected my values: integrity, caring, transparency, active listening, collaboration, performance, creativity, etc. 

Why strive for peak performance? For our clients. 

At first, there were so many questions. How do you go about building a business culture based on trust, respect and collaboration? Is it realistic and viable to create a healthy work environment that promotes personal wellbeing and growth? Are these goals achievable while still remaining focused on performance, results and making a difference for clients? If not, what’s the point of all this? The one thing I knew is that I wanted to build relationships that would last. 

Performance was a key motivator, that’s why I chose the name PERFORMA. In fact, our logo even uses bar chart and pie chart symbols to reflect performance trackers. (They’re everywhere at Performa!) 

Over the years, we’ve learned a thing or two about the key factors that drive performance. Here are a few:

1 – Choose the right clients

One thing that motivates me is the prospect of having a positive impact on businesses whose owners who share the same values as me. I firmly believe that good things happen when values converge. 

2 – Build a great team

In the 10 years since Performa was founded, we’ve had dedicated, energetic and proactive people join our team. They all share the values of respect, integrity, care, collaboration and mutual assistance. And they all want to make a real difference for our clients—it’s a prerequisite for the job.

3 – Work hard and work together

Together, our team has defined a vision, a manifesto, a business culture and a unique collaborative methodology. Surrounded by industry-leading partners and clients, we’ve specialized in sectors that captivate the imagination: real estate, sports, technology, sustainable development, design, travel and B2B.

4 – Show you care

When clients say we’ve helped their business grow, I smile. After all, that’s exactly why I started Performa in the first place. “Mission accomplished!” I say. “This is exactly what I set out to do.” These successes prove that it is possible to work in a healthy environment where people care about each other, and still achieve peak performance. 

5 – Have faith

The journey isn’t always easy. Running a business can be like riding a roller-coaster. Sometimes things spin out of control. The speed can be overwhelming. Every now and then, you race into a swarm of bugs, lean too hard into a corner or watch in horror as the contents of your pockets spill out. You cry. You scream. You hyperventilate. But you also enjoy the adrenaline rush. You have fun, you feel proud, and as soon as things quiet down, you can’t wait to do it all over again. In order to move forward, you have to be present, open and attentive.

6 – Seek inspiration

I make a point of looking for inspiration and new ideas. This means keeping up on trends in entrepreneurship, reading biographies, listening to insightful talks, visiting exhibits and travelling off the beaten track. Every month, our team holds a Discovery Lunch meeting to share our most recent finds with one another. And recently, a client gave me a copy of Principles, by Ray Dalio. Here are the three principles that resonated with me most: 

1. Make your passion and your work one and the same and do it with people you want to be with.
2. Meaningful Relationships + Meaningful Work = Happiness
3. Create a culture in which it is okay to make mistakes, and unacceptable not to learn from them. 

Celebrating Performa’s 10th anniversary

I’m always telling my friends, family and colleagues that it’s important celebrate our successes, big and small. Especially when things get tough—or take an “unprecedented” turn, as the case may be. That’s why this year I’ve decided to celebrate Performa’s 10th anniversary online, instead of organizing a new event. 

Please allow me to raise my glass and say:

1. Thank you to the Performa team, for your dedication and friendship
2. Thank you to our contributors, for your creativity and availability
3. Thank you to our clients, for your loyalty and confidence in us
4. Thank you to our future clients, for your incredible ideas 😉
5. Thank you to our partners, for your expertise and reliability
6. Thank you to our families, for your support and understanding
7. Thank you to our friends, for being there and offering advice when we need it
8. Thank you to our online communities, for your likes and shares (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn)
9. Thank you to everyone who has inspired us, whoever and wherever you are
10. And, finally, thank you to everyone who brings a smile into our day-to-day lives

My dream has come true and the dream lives on, thanks to the team I’m so proud to have at my side. My journey as an entrepreneur is far from over. In fact, it’s just getting started! 

As I blow out the 10 candles on Performa’s cake, I make this wish: May Performa be an exemplary corporate citizen by making life better for our clients, our employees and OUR COMMUNITY. Let’s aim high!

Annie Verrier

#proud #gratitude #collaboration #hardwork #marketingwithpurpose 

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MISSION: Put clients on the path to success with 360o collaborative marketing. 

VISION: Set the standard for client and partner satisfaction.

As your 360 marketing strategy partner, we understand your business reality and we care about your success.