Most agencies work harder every year yet struggle to see meaningful increases in profit or stability. The problem isn’t effort—it’s the underlying business model. This guide reveals the five pathways agencies move through on the journey from time-based, transactional services to scalable, high-margin, market-leading value models. By understanding where you are today and which shifts matter most, your firm can stop running in place and start building a more profitable, resilient future.

As more agencies question the sustainability of billable hours, a growing group of firms is proving that value-led, timesheet-free models are not only possible but commercially advantageous. In this piece, leaders from Hard Numbers, Bullish, and FIG share how they shifted from time-based billing to models rooted in outcomes, performance, and impact. Their stories highlight the operational, cultural, and financial benefits of abandoning timesheets—and the conviction required to stand firm with procurement. For agencies considering this shift, their insights offer a practical and inspiring roadmap forward.