How Magellan Promotions Mastered the 4-Day Work Week and Achieved 20% Growth

Michael Wolaver and his team at Magellan joined commonsku in January of 2020 and by Sept 2023, he initiated a 4-day work week, and in 2024 Magellan Promotions grew by 20%! 

It’s an astounding story and it wasn’t easy but we talked with Michael about how it is possible. What’s more is that  Michael got started in the business with no sales background and like many of us, no experience, and in time Grew Magellan Promotions to the top 4% of branded merch companies; in 2024, they provided merch to over 214 colleges.  

As Magellan noted, only 1% of employers are currently piloting a four-day schedule, with an additional 14% considering the option so whether you are considering a 4-day work week or not, we encourage you to check out a few of our highlights about efficiency from our chat with Michael, founder and Captain of Magellan! 

How the production side of commonsku keeps the Magellan team rowing together! 

Maintaining a high level of service and attention to detail is crucial, as every order is important. The production report allows project coordinators to easily see the status of orders and communicate that information to production partners. This ensures that ship dates are easy to track and everyone on the team is aware of any issues. The client strategist, project coordinators, and other team members collaborate seamlessly through commonsku to ensure each order is fulfilled efficiently and accurately.

The Client portal is a major boost to client retention and growth

Client portals provide clients with easy access to their active projects and quotes for past projects, plus, it simplifies the reordering process. C, these portals offer valuable insights during client meetings and streamline the onboarding process for new clients.

Connected suppliers are essential for an efficient system

In a 4-day work optimizing every process is crucial. With connected suppliers, speed and efficiency are the rule: Access to live inventory data allows for faster purchase order processing and quicker inventory turnaround. Accurate information on setup and run charges, even in small details, can have a significant impact on overall efficiency. If you’re gonna run on a 4-day work week, you need the tools to make work faster and easier!

Final advice from Michael on implementing a successful 4-Day Work Week

Transitioning to a 4-day work week can be challenging, but it can also be incredibly rewarding. Here's how to approach it:

• Define Your Goals: Ask the question: What does success look like? Clearly outline what success looks like for your company with a 4-day work week.
• Embrace Experimentation: Acknowledge that this is a trial, and be prepared to adapt if things don't work as expected.
• Maintain Flexibility: Be open to making changes and adjustments along the way.
• Foster Growth: Remember that adopting a 4-day work week doesn't mean sacrificing a growth mindset—you can –as evidenced by Michael and his awesome team– achieve both.
  
  
  

Want to learn more about how commonsku can help you achieve your growth goals while making work faster, smarter, and more efficient? Sign up for a demo now!