1y
Wow. A 1-star review. Brutal. I was expecting at least a 2 — for the pizza, if nothing else. Lets be honest the pizza is amazing, that should be a 4. I know a 5 is Nancy Silverton's pizza, but she is in LA. I love that place.
But let’s talk about it, the review, not the pizza.
One issue raised was "micromanagement," which I take seriously. In my experience, claims of micromanagement often arise when someone struggles to meet standards but doesn’t raise their hand for help. Our environment relies on personal responsibility — we don't hover. But perhaps I should reconsider that. A little more direct oversight could sometimes help surface issues earlier, before they become bigger problems. I’m open to improving that balance — while still believing that ownership and initiative are critical for professional growth.
Managing Google Ads campaigns successfully is difficult. It demands real talent, real effort, and a mindset that puts clients first. Unfortunately, some people prioritize casual office interactions or out-of-hours activities over answering client emails promptly or addressing concerns thoroughly. It’s easy to blame a client for being "awkward." It's harder — and far more valuable — to put in the work to turn the situation around.
The reality of marketing — especially Google Ads — is this: I can’t simply "fire" an underperformer overnight. But a client can walk away immediately if they don't see the results they expect. Without clients, there are no salaries, no training, and no team events. That’s a reality that must be respected.
Yes, the work here is hard. It’s supposed to be. I'd ask: would you rather work hard when you're young, with the energy and potential to grow a career — or wait until you're sixty? I often stay late or work on my own time to solve client problems, and I believe that work ethic is essential in marketing.
Entry-level roles here start at minimum wage because we invest heavily in training. Once training is complete, team members move to a 30% revenue share model. It’s simple: deliver great client results, and you earn more. Talent, dedication, and problem-solving are rewarded directly.
I admit this system has attracted some criticism — usually from those who didn’t want to put in the necessary effort. But those who do engage fully are financially highly rewarded, far beyond what anyone who left for other roles has achieved — with the exception of one outstanding individual who is now an agency director. Good on him. He put in the work, and he deserves his success.
I also recognize the need to raise standards in the office environment. I’ve been too relaxed in letting basic tidiness slip. But reinforcing expectations about professionalism isn’t micromanagement — it’s setting a foundation for respect. I also know that when I do raise expectations, there will be comments behind my back about "micro-management." That’s part of leadership — and I’m willing to take it to create the right environment for the team and for our clients.
I do realize that I need to encourage more of our current, happy staff to leave positive reviews — because platforms like Glassdoor have unfortunately become moaning grounds for those we had to let go, or who chose to leave.
Google Ads is a brilliant industry that can build truly great careers. Many former staff members who embraced the opportunity have gone on to become senior agency directors, heads of AI marketing at incredible startups, and leaders in major businesses.
But it’s also true that some leave complaining — and then get stuck. They don’t progress at their next agency. They don’t move forward. And at that point, if they’re still blaming their employer, who is really responsible? I've even seen cases where people claimed their new employer was "racist" in reviews — and while I’m no fan of all my competitors, I know they’re not racist. It’s simply easier to externalize blame than to ask the harder question: "What could I have done differently?"
Here’s the truth: if someone else has a better car, a better job, a better career — it’s because in that area, they worked harder, learned faster, or pushed further. Success isn’t handed out. It’s earned.
Don’t moan. Improve. But yes — that takes hard work.
Bye for now — but hey, before you go, why not check out my YouTube channel? Just type “John Langley Google Ads” into the search bar. There’s a great video called "Fire This Person" — it might just give you a little more perspective on how employment actually works.
And yes, of course I squeezed in a pitch. I love marketing. It’s a problem.
You really should let Click Convert Marketing handle your Google Ads. Other agencies exist... but let’s be honest — they’re not quite this brilliant.
See you out there.