Years and years ago, when my older daughter was enrolled in her expensive Manhattan pre-school, there was a get-together, a question-and-answer session for the parents with the wonderful woman who ran the school.
One parent stood up and said bluntly, "Before my kid got here, her art work sucked. After she left here her art work sucked. But while she was here it was great. What's your secret? What do you do?"
The head mistress said simply "We know when to take the paper away."
Too many agencies and clients don't know when to "take the paper away."
Work is shown. A reaction is gotten. And then...
Pick.
Pick.
Pick.
Pick.
Soon all the edges are smoothed. All the soul is eviscerated. All the laughter becomes polite.
It becomes a snooze.
Take the paper away.
Before it's too late.