James Grunewald, CEO/Owner of Dynamic Inc.
Address: 1526 S. 12th St., Sheboygan
Website: www.dynamicdoes.com
Industry: Advertising
Employees: 10
Family: My wife, Kristin
What was Dynamic’s top accomplishment in the past year?
“During 2014 we’ve had the good fortune of attracting some high profile international business-to-business clients, and in the last year we’ve led some incredibly exciting global marketing initiatives. For example, we developed brand management processes to help a $17 billion organization better market more than 20 companies in their portfolio, we created and launched a website that features state-of-the-art product and project filtering, and also collaborated with a multi-national health care company to deliver a system for customer tracking.”
What’s new at your company?
“We joined a network of independent agencies called Worldwide Partners Inc. WPI gives our clients access to expert resources around the globe. If a client has a short turnaround time and needs access to marketing support on the ground, no matter where they are, our agency can deliver it for them. The partnership also helps our global clients break down cultural barriers and better manage marketing relationships overseas.
“We also established some new technology services to better serve the fast-paced world of global marketing communications. Based on our structure – which includes developers, digital analysts, UX professionals and designers – we are able to take and utilize these new digital tactics for our clients and show a positive ROI. This gives Dynamic a competitive edge over other agencies in the area.”
Do you plan to hire any additional staff or make any significant capital investments in your company in the next year?
“As our business continues to grow, we will be looking to hire strong talent to support it. Because we are a technologically innovative company, we’re always looking at new ways to invest in products or services that support our clients’ business endeavors.”
What will be Dynamic’s main challenges in the next year?
“For agencies, the ‘agency of record’ model is eroding. That makes fostering really strong relationships with clients – and building new ones – all the more important. While business change is constant and more rapid than ever, people appreciate working with people who they know have a deep understanding of their business and competitive challenges. It also means that in everything we do, there must be a proven link back to ROI and helping to enhance the bottom line.”
Why is Dynamic based in Sheboygan? What advantages does the region offer your agency?
“The eastern corridor of Wisconsin from Green Bay to Racine/Kenosha is home to dozens of global manufacturers, and we are lucky enough to be in the heart of it. We’re close to major airports and key cities, and we have wonderful work/life balance with all the amenities that a vibrant city like Sheboygan offers. Also, technology has flattened the business landscape. While we work virtually around the world every day, my commute is only 10 minutes and that gets me home with plenty of time to enjoy the day’s end along the shores of Lake Michigan.”
What does Dynamic’s in-house programming look like? How does this programming distinguish your agency from competitors?
“Dynamic is comprised of several developers, digital analysts and designers. Many agencies in the area use freelance developers, which can cause inconsistencies in the work. Because our developers are an integral part of the team, we are able to create, build and troubleshoot everything internally, allowing for a quicker and more efficient process.”
Do you have a business mantra?
“Be awesome. This is on the back of our business cards, and it’s there as a promise. Dynamic prides itself on providing outstanding account service to our clients, engaging strategic partnerships and creating quality work that helps clients meet (or exceed) their business objectives.”
What was the best advice you ever received?
“Get out and meet as many people as possible. My uncle, who also owns a business, told me that business is not won sitting in the office but out networking and listening to what people need for the success of their company.”
What’s the funniest thing that ever happened to you in your career?
“In preparation for my first business trip to China, I began emailing my counterpart with the goal of knowing what our itinerary would be for the week. One topic that came up was dinner and how adventurous I was to different types of meals. Because my last name is ‘Grunewald’ he assumed I would be Caucasian. Because of this, he was worried about some of the dinner selections for the trip so he decided to be conservative. When I arrived, he quickly realized that I am actually Asian (I am a 6’4” Korean) and love all sorts of exotic Asian cuisine. We ended up having a great time that night and formed a strong cross-cultural team that successfully launched a new product line because of it.”
What do you like to do in your free time?
“I enjoy numerous outdoor activities, including wakeboarding, mountain biking, paddle boarding and golf. I also enjoy cooking and experimenting with different styles of Asian cuisine, from Korean to Thai.”
