In this solo episode, Steve shines a light on scope creep—the silent killer of profitability in agencies. Too many teams unknowingly give away time, ideas, and resources, only to see margins vanish. But scope creep isn’t inevitable—if you understand where it comes from and how to stop it.
Drawing on his experience turning a million-dollar loss into a million-dollar profit (without cutting staff or raising prices), Steve unpacks the issue through the lens of the 3 P’s: Pareto’s 80/20 rule, Parkinson’s Law, and the Peter Principle.
Together, we explore:
- Why scope creep is the #1 threat to agency profitability
- The hidden dangers of “just one more change” and offhand client requests
- How 80% of problems often come from 20% of clients
- Why work always expands to fill the time available
- How lack of training and mentoring fuels project overruns
- Practical ways to reset boundaries, reclaim value, and protect your margins
Key Takeaways
- Scope creep isn’t a client problem—it’s an agency problem.
- 80% of scope issues come from 20% of clients.
- Offhand client comments don’t equal deliverables.
- Shorter deadlines often lead to better results.
- Training and mentoring—not luck—create teams that can prevent scope creep.
Memorable Quotes
- “It ain’t what you make, it’s what you keep that matters.” — Steve McGinnis
- “Scope creep is the single biggest negative impact on profitability and margin.” — Steve McGinnis
Who Should Listen
- Agency leaders and founders
- Project managers and client service teams
- Creatives who want to protect their time and value
- Anyone responsible for agency profitability
Want Support?
If scope creep is eating away at your margins, we’d love to help. Artemis offers tailored programs on growth, talent transformation, and ongoing learning—so your teams can stay profitable without burning out.
📧Contact us at: hello@ArtemisAPAC.com
🌐Visit: ArtemisAPAC.com
