With over a decade of experience operating as a remote firm with teams scattered across the US, Jason shares insights on navigating the challenges and opportunities of remote work environments. From defining the type of culture you want to build, to establishing rhythm and structure in remote team meetings, Jason offers practical tips for fostering a strong and connected virtual team. Tune in as he explores the importance of intentional cultural focus, core value callouts, and the role of healthy team dynamics in driving professional growth.

In this Businessology Lesson, learn more about the powerful tool of journaling as a means of managing the complexities of the entrepreneurial journey. Jason shares his personal experiences with the psychological challenges of entrepreneurship and the importance of clearing one's mind. He explores the concept of "layering" emotional problems and the impact of carrying a heavy mental load. Through the lens of professional firms and the intricacies of balancing work and personal life, Jason highlights the necessity of externalizing thoughts and tasks through journaling. Tune in to uncover the therapeutic and skill-building aspects of journaling and its profound impact on navigating the entrepreneurial world.

Jason's got a treat for you today. He's hanging out with the one and only Rand Fishkin. You might know him as the big brain behind Sparktoro and the former CEO at Moz – basically, he’s the guy you want to chat with if you’re all about leveling up your audience research. In today’s chat, Jason and Rand are cutting right through the fluff. They're going to bust some age-old stereotypes on hiring, chat about why bigger isn't always better when it comes to your team, and get into the real talk about the entrepreneurial rollercoaster. Rand's got some killer insights from Sparktoro about what your audience is up to online – and get this, you can mess around with it for free here: https://sparktoro.com/ Jason and Rand are not just about the serious business talk, though. Rand’s got stories that’ll make you nod your head and some that'll make you shake it in disbelief. From the pains and gains at Moz to his no-BS approach to funding Sparktoro – it's not your typical tech tale. Rand fills in the gaps on how to pursue team transparency, having a healthy workplace, and how their team gets their work done together. Plus, they don’t shy away from the big stuff, like AI, blockchain, and how the economic ups and downs have been tossing the tech world like a salad. So keep it locked here, and let's get the inside scoop from Rand—who’s not only a master marketer but also a pro at stirring up a tasty cocktail. Jason and Rand are about to dish out a full-course meal of business wisdom with a side of laid-back banter – right here on The Businessology Show. Let’s get into it!

In today's lesson, listen as Jason unravels the dynamic relationship between visionaries and integrators within a company. Jason shares a personal account of partnering with an integrator and delves into the significance of nurturing a strong partnership in order to drive business growth. This insightful discussion sheds light on the critical role that visionaries and integrators play in the success of a services-based company, offering valuable lessons for entrepreneurs looking to expand their ventures. Sit tight as he explores the intricacies of visionary integrator dynamics and the transformative potential of a well-aligned partnership.

Jason shares insights on the strategic considerations behind the first hire, emphasizing the importance of delegating tasks effectively and understanding the cultural fit of potential candidates. With personal anecdotes of successes and mistakes, this Jason provides valuable lessons to help you navigate the complexities of hiring for your business. Tune in to gain expert advice on building a strong team and setting your company up for long-term success.

Jason continues the exploration of strategic calendar work blocking, an essential strategy in efficiently managing your time and resources to drive growth and accomplish targets. In this episode, Jason dives into his personal work schedule, unfolding his key tactics in block planning—from segmenting time for meetings, strategy, and content production, to setting priorities and dealing with the unpredictability of the corporate world. Jason also taps into how the principles of strategic calendar work blocking play out in a partnership scenario, casting light on how he and Julie synergize their efforts and tackle tasks collaboratively. Hear about their experience with the Todoist task management tool, their approach to defining and achieving goals, as well as the crucial aspect of managing commitments. This episode carries enriching insights for any entrepreneur, manager, or anyone striving to master their work-life balance and productivity, so stay tuned and dive in.

In today's episode, Jason flies solo and explores the concept of "strategic calendar work blocking" as a method to manage attention and time effectively. For those of you running multiple businesses or facing numerous routine tasks, this approach could be a game-changer. He'll debunk the myth that entrepreneurs can do anything they wish, emphasizing the necessity of making intentional choices. Jason discusses the importance of balancing attention between work and personal life and how deliberate planning can help us avoid self-sabotage. He introduces the idea of 'leveraging rhythms' - a systematic approach to using calendars to schedule regular strategy sessions. These practical tips and insights are designed with one goal in mind - to help you as an entrepreneur effectively manage your time, handle urgent tasks, and grow your business intentionally. Stay tuned for a guide on how you can put this revolutionary method into practice.

In this episode of The Businessology Show, Jason and Alyson dive into the fascinating world of business operations and strategic thinking. Join them as they explore the parallels between developing land and roads and developing administrative functions within a business. Alyson Caffrey, a Systems and Process Creations expert, shares her insights on the importance of paving the road and finding the right person to navigate it successfully. Jason and Alyson discuss the balance between promoting from within and inviting external conversations to ensure operational efficiency and strategic growth. Get ready to uncover the secrets to increasing productivity, unlocking growth, and mastering the core metrics that drive small businesses. Plus, they'll delve into the hustle culture, breaking systems, and finding new ways to operate more efficiently. You won't want to miss this enlightening episode packed with practical tips for taking your business operations to the next level. Let's get started!

In this lesson, Jason delves into the three essential questions that leaders need to ask themselves. Leaders are constantly evolving, and these questions aim to challenge and inspire growth in their leadership journey. From examining areas of habitual laziness to evaluating the dynamics of their team, leaders must constantly assess and make necessary changes to fulfill their larger mission. Jason also explores the concept of tapping into untapped market value and the risks involved in leveraging it for the benefit of their organization. Listen as Jason dives deep into these thought-provoking questions and uncover valuable insights for leaders on their quest for success.

In today's episode, Jason tackles the question on everyone's mind: Is it worth investing in AI? As AI continues to revolutionize various industries, businesses are finding themselves grappling with how to harness its power effectively. Join Jason as he dives into the world of AI and explores its impact on service-based organizations. Discover how AI not only enhances team efficiency but also transforms client interactions. He'll introduce you to an acronym, ""Nice,"" that outlines the steps to successfully integrate AI into your business. Plus, he'll discuss the importance of notification, implementation, and contractual effectuation when incorporating AI. Tune in to learn why investing in AI is essential, but also how being a fast follower can help you navigate the rapid changes and make smart investments that enhance your business value.

In today's lesson, Jason explores the topic of capacity and how it impacts your team's performance. He answers the three important questions to assess your team's capacity and ensure they are working at their most optimal level. The first question revolves around how to identify when a team member is not performing at their best. Listen as Jason shares the importance of being present in employees lives, asking the right questions, and tapping into their emotions to understand their capacity. By doing so, you can spot patterns, address struggles, and support team members effectively. Jason talks about the value of identifying team members who can produce the most valuable work. This starts with aligning revenue production with capacity usage to avoid mismatches that can lead to inefficiency and dissatisfaction. Understanding which team members can handle complex tasks is crucial for growth and success. Lastly, Jason addresses the impact of personal lives on a team's ability to focus and work undistracted. Jason acknowledges the challenges of remote work and the importance of respecting personal decisions while understanding potential distractions that emerge, such as the summer months. By accommodating these factors, you can navigate around them and maintain productivity. Listen the full episode to discover strategies to enhance your team's capacity.

In today's lesson, Jason dives into the key factors that contribute to a company's profitability. He explains that profitability is simply the result of a math equation: revenue in and expenses out. Explore how focusing on team efficiency and pricing can impact revenue, while understanding the importance of covering current expenses and generating leftover profit. Jason goes into the concept of distributions for owners and the significance of savings in building a secure financial foundation. Additionally, he touches on the role of debt, emphasizing the cautious but strategic use of resources such as a line of credit. Join Jason as he unravels the complexities of agency profitability and offers practical insights for financial success.

In the newest episode of The Businessology show, Karen Reyburn delves into the accounting world and her journey into the marketing realm. An agency owner and author herself, Karen shares her unexpected path towards writing a book focused on the essential marketing elements accountants need to know before they can flourish. Karen and Jason explore how collaboration with accountants is crucial for effective marketing strategies, regardless of firm size. With insights from a successful coaching program called The Accelerator, they uncover the power of implementing foundational marketing principles in accounting firms. Karen and Jason discuss the importance of problem-solving, creativity, and embracing one's potential within the accounting industry. Discover the fascinating combination of accounting and marketing on today's episode of The Businessology Show!

Welcome back to another Businessology lesson! In this episode, Jason will dive into the thrilling new phase of growth he is experiencing with their firm. We all face new challenges and tasks we've never encountered before, and today we learn how Jason is tackling these hurdles head-on.

In this Lesson, Jasons delves into the importance of fostering a safe and healthy community within your organization. Jason discusses the significance of transparency, creating a sense of belonging, and encouraging healthy curiosity. Join Jason as he explains how these three key factors contribute to the overall health and success of your team.

Welcome back to another Businessology lesson! In today's lesson, Jason will dive into the crucial topic of matching revenue with team capacity in creative agencies. We all know that the success of a business relies on finding the perfect balance between the two, but what happens when that balance is thrown off? And how do you fix it?

Our guest is none other than Fabian Geyrhalter, a renowned brand strategist and creative director based in Los Angeles. With his wealth of experience in brand consulting and running his own consultancy, Fabian is a true expert in the field. On the newest episode of The Businessology Show, Fabian expresses his awe and appreciation for several mind-blowing product examples. He emphasizes that effective branding is not limited to expensive, high-end designers, but rather it's all about accurately portraying the brand's message to the target audience. Fabian brings to light the importance of brand strategy and its role in connecting with consumers. He explains that while business plans focus on creating a product and making money, brand strategy focuses on how to position the brand to resonate with the target audience. Listen to the full episode and hear Fabian share how businesses can effectively use brand strategy in their own business plans.

In today's lesson, we'll dive deep into the concept of client relationships and the true value of money in creative projects. We'll explore the notion that not all money is good money, especially when it comes to working with clients who may demand more time and effort. Join us as we uncover the importance of finding clients who align with our values and make the creative process enjoyable and profitable.

Are you running a growing agency and finding it challenging to effectively lead and communicate with your entire team? In this week's Businessology Lesson, we delve into the importance of assembling a leadership team and how it can leverage growth in your agency.

In today's lesson, we're diving into the world of client grading and evaluating the health of your client base. We'll discuss how data and science can help you determine the alignment between your clients and your business, and why it matters for your growth. From belief alignment to value consumption, we'll explore the four key parameters that play a crucial role in grading your clients. So, let's get started and learn how to scientifically analyze and grade your clients.

Andrew Davis isn't your average keynote speaker—he's fun. Yes, that's his priority. Andrew wants to engage and make a lasting impression on his audience. But, how did he get to where he is? There isn't a keynote speaking major at college—not that we're aware of—and he didn't just waltz into this type of career. Listen to the newest Businessology show to hear how Andrew made strategic pivots in his career that led to his successful speeches.

It’s only a job description, right? Actually, it's more important than you might think. Companies are built on roles, and the expectation of those roles are detailed in the job description. In this lesson, Jason explains the importance of job descriptions and how they can help you build a better team culture.

Does the world feel a little weird right now? After the pandemic, we’ve struggled with finding the new normal and started questioning our old work expectations and habits. In this lesson, Jason explains how to navigate the challenge of leading in a changing world…spoiler alert, it’s a struggle.

What if we told you there's psychology in pricing strategies? Yes, and there's a way businesses can practically use it too. Jason walks through the benefits of a tiered pricing strategy and how your business can utilize this method in another Businessology Lesson.

How do you understand your team's personality profile? Jason explains the importance of personality testing and how it can help you become a better, more understanding leader.

Carl Smith is the founder of Bureau of Digital, a community for like-minded digital agency leaders everywhere. But before he went and started his own community, Carl had extensive agency experience. And as a creative, Carl was innovative in the way he led. Carl is a pioneer in creative thinking and doing, so everyone be prepared to drink his "hippie juice" because it's too good. Listen to the intricacies of Carl's creative journey on the newest episode of The Businessology Show today!

Sometimes the best case scenario is getting fired, and—in this story—that was the case. Listen to Jason recount a time when coaching a pair of business partners with Julie didn't go exactly as planned.

What does it mean to provide clear communication? Jason answers all the questions you could have about clarity, including how to practically improve your communication style to reach clarity in 4 easy steps. Listen to this new Businessology Lesson to find out.

If you don't understand your metrics, you could be misinterpreting your entire business. Listen to Jason explain key metrics and the common errors business leaders make when looking at them.

Today, she's the Principle and Creative Director of Knox Design Strategy. But growing up, Brandie Knox never imagined herself as a business owner. After graduating from a small school in North Carolina, she was itching to get out of dodge and move to a city. Like, literally, any city. Since she was going big, Brandie thought, "ah, heck with it," and planted herself in the middle of New York City. Learning the lay of the land from a large international law firm, Brandie slowly assembled a wide toolset and made another big leap into entrepreneurship at the peak of the 2008 recession. Although her creative agency has transformed a lot over the past 14 years, she's got plenty of helpful entrepreneurship hacks to share. Tune in to this episode of The Businessology Show to learn all about them!

Our firm has had its fair share of hiring horror stories, and we noticed one simple mistake we were consistently making in our process. Today, Jason shares an easy fix to a common hiring whoopsie.

Wouldn't it be nice to have a hiring process that leaves only the best candidate at the end? In a perfect world this would be a standard system, but until that happens, getting as close as possible is all you can hope for. In a new Businessology Lesson, Jason walks through the 5 key steps he uses when hiring. Find out how to narrow down the best fit for your business with these helpful tips.

During periods of struggle, it's normal for business leaders to be terrified of what's to come. Today, Jason gives advice on how to handle everything from business decisions to emotional responses during these rough patches.

Richard Groom, CEO and Principal of Sparks Research joins Jason on the newest episode of The Businessology Show to break down every aspect of research and data analytics. Think about those targeted messages you get on social media and Google—Sparks Research guided those media buying decisions using the most current data on audience targeting, including those mind-reading ads. Hear how a small business in Clemson, South Carolina is making a global impact with the use of data analytics today!

Almost every entrepreneur's journey includes a failure—and we're no exception. Hear about Jason's early days as an entrepreneur and how skipping critical steps eventually led to a great life lesson.

Have you ever had those days at work when you don't feel like yourself? Some people call it Imposter Syndrome but whatever you want to name it, it's detrimental to your mental health. Listen as Jason shares reasons why you may feel this way and what you can do to help yourself get out of this funk. P.S. We think you're great!

You asked for more content. We listened. Every week, Jason will be answering frequently asked questions and addressing common concerns through short, in-depth podcast episodes we're calling, "Lessons." Don't miss the chance to absorb even more knowledge with our weekly Lessons, releasing every Wednesday starting April 5!

2022 was a rough year for Kade Wilcox. The owner and CEO of a 50-person marketing agency had to cope with the consequences and fallout of losing that business. On this episode of The Businessology Show, Kade speaks honestly about the difficulties of failure, the lessons learned, and the signs that pointed to the fall of his once-successful agency. Listen as Kade shares how leaning on a trustworthy coach helped him push through failure and launch his new agency, Flatland.

Jami Mullikin from Stellar Recruiting joins Jason on the newest episode of The Businessology Show. Jami is no newbie to the marketing, consulting, and ad agency scene—let's just say his resume speaks for itself. Jami and Jason talk about agency leader errors that consultants frequently fix and how Jami's vast agency experience led him to recruiting and consulting. You won't want to miss this interesting episode highlighting how agencies have changed over the past 40 years and what's to come in the future.

Market share, mercantilism, and moral theology. Entrepreneurs, this all involves you. Put on your thinking cap and headphones, it's time to get into the nitty-gritty of macro and microeconomics. Adam Davidson, economic wizard, and author of the best-selling book, The Passion Economy, joins Jason on The Businessology Show to take us all the way back to 4,000 BC with some of the earliest economic theories and how they're directly affecting your services today.

Want to prepare for your agency's future? This episode is as good as gold. Through his coaching engagements and clients, Jason's gathered a mountain of data to inform some can't-miss pieces of wisdom for you and your agency. Listen to this episode if you want to learn how much cash you should save to survive a downturn, what signs indicate your agency is declining, and how to manage a rapidly evolving workforce. Let's do it!

This year was weird. We all get that, right? Some funky things happened across every industry, but advertising, marketing, and creative agencies came across some brand-new challenges that many leaders have never had to address before now. In this solo episode, Jason dives deep into some trends your agency has probably noticed this year and how you can plan to fight back or capitalize on them. Among the biggest challenges is an impending recession. Jason also shares, from an accounting standpoint, how to position your agency to not only survive this economic downturn but to thrive in it. Tune in the find out!

Legendary leader, David C. Baker, joins The Businessology Show to once again share his invaluable agency insights with the world. This time, he reveals the three biggest developments agency leaders need to undergo in order to run a successful agency. Hint: Account Managers and Project Managers are on the hot seat now. Your agency will thank you later! David has plenty of more insights to apply to your agency here: https://www.davidcbaker.com/

"Authority figure. Thought leader. Revolutionary icon. We're just tossing out a few terms we would use to describe today's Businessology Show guest, David C. Baker. His work in the creative and digital space needs minimal introduction, and he's decided to spend an hour talking with Jason about the most challenging aspects of running an agency. ""But isn't every aspect challenging?"" Fair question, astute listener. You'll just have to tune in to discover whether you've got the secret sauce flowing their your agency's veins or not. Learn more about David and what he offers the agency world here: https://www.davidcbaker.com/ "

Even consultants need coaching! Austin Church discovered the secret to selling strategy to strategists, and he's here to share it far and wide. Austin started as a copywriter before moving to brand consulting, all while building an online business and developing an app. So, why is he selling strategy now? Tune in to hear his answer and discover strategies that'll help you achieve better results with less effort. Prepare to walk away with the answers to the following burning questions: what does selling strategy look like on a daily basis? How much should I be charging per session? How you can start working on this valuable process TODAY? Tune in for all the secrets.

The role of project management has evolved as agencies have. Services and deliverables of today are more complex and demanding than they were even a decade ago! It's no secret that finding a competent project manager to join your team, even temporarily, is super freakin' hard. The skillset is so demanding—they have to know enough about everything to be able to communicate and understand the flow of information, among several other things. Galen's expertise is in project management, and he's been working in this world long enough to know what to look for in a project manager. Tune in and check it out before you add that job posting to your website!

There are 20,000 agencies across the U.S. right now. Less than 200 are female-owned. After joining this small group, Christy Hiler and Jean Freeman decided it was time to make some moves to increase that number. They created https://untilyouownit.com/ to first get an accurate head count of female-led agencies and provide support for females looking to purchase or start their own agency. They talk with Jason about why woman-owned agencies are so few and far between, how we can change that, and why we need more in this country. This episode is obviously such an important topic, and we're so grateful for Christy and Jean's efforts in the agency landscape.

Duct Tape Marketing's John Jantsch is a long-time marketing consultant and champion for creative entrepreneurs. Where Jason serves creative financially, John serves them as a guiding light. He talks to Jason about the world of freelance and how those folks can turn their section of the gig economy into a viable form of living. For those looking to lead a team, John also lays out which path is best: entrepreneurship, freelance, or employment. This is a great look into the mind of one of the all-time great marketing minds—don't skip out on this one!

Joe Koufman is a professional matchmaker. He doesn't typically deal in the business of love (though he has brought 3 marriages together), but his passion for connecting people manifests itself in his company Setup. There, he matches brands with creative agencies that best fit them. He saw an issue with brands not being able to reach beyond the limits of their network, instantly excluding so many excellent agencies. Joe talks with Jason about how his company's process works and what agencies can bring to the table that make them a good fit.

Did you ever think that you could use a song from "Frozen 2" to help you with your management decisions? Neither did we—that is, until Jason sat down with Dave Snowden. Dave is an expert in complexity, and he excels in helping organizations navigate through strategy and decision making. His work on complex adaptive systems theory has positioned him as the sole leader in his field. He leans on some of his experiences to help Jason think through common entrepreneurial complexities. This episode is truly fascinating—Dave is probably among the most unique guests we've ever had!

Jason continues with an educational focus on this episode of The Businessology Show! He's working his way through the Prototype Components Model for Growth (covered in the last episode), this time diving into the Scaling L and the Capacity Exchange Bridge—two critical aspects of agency health. Get these right, and you'll set yourself up for long-term success. Grab a copy of Jason's slides here: http://www.businessology.biz/show/129

This unique episode launches a new initiative. In 2022, the first episode of each quarter (starting with this one) won't feature a guest and will be education-focused. Jason will dissect a key element of your agency's sustainability, beginning with Jason's proprietary Prototype Components Model for Growth. Snag a copy of Jason's slide deck—the secret sauce for your agency's longevity—here: https://bit.ly/33lCB74

Marcel Petitpas is the CEO & Co-Founder of Parakeeto, a company that helps agencies improve their profitability. He spends most of his days elbow-deep in agency reporting, helping them make the correct decisions based on their data. He and Jason discuss which metrics are critical for agency owners to keep an eye on and how they can leverage tools to maintain profitability. This look at agency health through the numbers lens is a HUGE help for agency leaders—don't miss this one!

You may remember Dan Mall as the co-founder of the Businessology Show, but these days he's at the helm of SuperFriendly Design, a one-of-a-kind creative model that is comprised solely of contractors. Now, most people may sweat at that idea, but Dan is here to break down how he implements healthy rhythms into this unique structure while maintaining an incredibly high level of work quality. It's truly a great listen for all business leaders!

If you're reading this, there's a good chance you've heard of Tim Williams and/or are employing some of his unique wisdoms in your agency right now! He's a marketing veteran with decades of top-notch experience. Tim has been featured or interviewed in several major publications, and his seminars have taken him across the globe. He and Jason have an honest, analytical conversation on growth, specifically the intentionality of growth. If you've got "scale my agency" on your company's road map, you're going to want to tune in.

Bobby Gillespie leads the team at Propr Design in Baltimore, an agency that prides itself on using above-board methods to help solve their clients' branding and growth marketing challenges. He and Jason get personal about what authenticity means and how you can embrace your individual personality while growing a wildly successful agency. This episode is chalked full of agency guidance and personal advice—soak it all in!

Anthony Armendariz, founder and Chief Design Officer at Funsize.co leads the Funsize team with incredible innovation. They operate under (1) the traditional agency model of client service, (2) an Allied Team Model where they match up their teams with in-house teams, and (3) a most recent need to Augment Staff to larger companies.Listed as one of the fastest and most successful companies in Texas by Inc. 5000 (https://stories.funsize.co/funsize-named-among-most-successful-companies-in-texas-by-inc-5000-regionals-909623a8871d), Funsize continues to seek to innovate agencies that serve with some of the most inventive and well known brands, all the while focused on building a culture that truly cares for the Funsize team.Learn more about the complexities they face, what they still don't know, and what the future holds for Funsize!

Meghan Phillips is the founder and CEO of Honey, a creative marketing agency that’s been making waves in the agriculture, food, and beverage industries for nearly a decade. She shares her agency’s growth story with Jason and reminds us that the path to success is never a straight line. Meghan’s story is an excellent example of how creative entrepreneurs can make meaningful changes to sidestep all the obstacles standing in the way of running a flourishing agency.

Jason Blumer is joined by Trenton Moss, formerly of Webcredible, one of the UK's leading experience design agencies, as he explored how he built an agency for 15 years before sales and the whole business tanked overnight. After months of losses, he decided to sale. And this is his journey out of the chaos and into a coaching and training platform, Team Sterka.

Jason welcomes Andy Budd back to the Businessology Show for an insider look at what navigating inevitable transitions in agencies entails. They broadly discuss growth challenges and decision-making as leaders. While Andy also shares his personal decision to sell his company, ClearLeft, to his employees and how to think through these leadership moves.

Jason Blumer welcomes Mike Davidson, VP at InVision, to delve into some of the latest shifts in the digital design community. Mike discusses the various evolutions within the industry over the years and shares a macro view of where the digital design community is heading.

For this Women's History Month, we're honored to welcome Anne Deeter Gallaher, co-author of Women in High Gear, and CEO of the Deeter Gallaher Group. Anne shares her non-traditional story of starting her own business later in life that drives her passion for female entrepreneurship and on-rampers. She and Jason also dig into the evolution of PR firms over the years, in light of the many voices social media allows for, and how vital authentically sharing your value is to the world.

"We’re not just making things someone thinks people need, hopefully we’re making stuff people really want and need, ” shares Jon Kolko of Modernist Studio on the unique and distinct work they are doing in their field. In this episode, Jon delves into the importance of curiosity and approaching design through empathy, which then leads to helping their clients envision and get excited about what the future could hold for them.

Jason Blumer welcomes Joe Koufman, Founder and CEO of Setup. Setup is a unique organization that specializes in marketing matchmaking. Joe gives us a sneak peek into what being a marketing matchmaker actually entails and the process behind pairing their clients with an agency best suited for their distinct needs.

Jason Blumer welcomed Mickey Mellen and Ali Green of GreenMellen to this fourth episode in the Agency Recovery Series! Mickey and Ali share how the market has changed for them and how that has adjusted the ways they serve their clients. They also discussed how their niche hasn't involved picking a particular industry, but rather defining their ideal client. And how this position has uniquely prepared them for the challenges this year held. This episode is part of a series of month-end specials where we will be bringing on strong agency leaders who have weathered this pandemic and hear strategies they've employed to navigate this new, ever-changing marketplace. Let us know if we can help your agency with recovery strategies by reaching out to us at info@blumercpas.com or checking our website [Blumer CPAs](http://www.blumercpas.com/)!

Jason Blumer has an engaging conversation with Dev Basu, CEO of Powered by Search. Dev shares the importance of having a proactive sales process to avoid bending to the client's buying process, which can be uninformed and ultimately fail them. He emphasizes the importance of educating the clients on what they need as part of the sales process, which allows for premium positioning, pricing, and better clients to work with.

Jason spoke with Anna Love of Stoked Design Firm for the next episode of our Agency Recovery Series. Anna shares how Stoked has readjusted during this year and created an emphasis on caring for companies that want to care more intentionally for their team.This is our third episode in a series of month-end specials where we will be bringing on strong agency leaders who have weathered this pandemic and hear strategies they've employed to navigate this new, ever-changing marketplace. Let us know if we can help your agency with recovery strategies by reaching out to us at info@blumercpas.com or checking our our website [Blumer CPAs](http://www.blumercpas.com/)!

Jason welcomed advertising legend, Peter Levitan, to the show this week! Jason was able to pick his brain on what "building an unignorable brand" means and how to get noticed in this overly saturated market. Peter shares his journey through the years and what he has gleaned from his vast experience in the advertising world.

Jason spoke with Marc Avila of 3 Media Web for the second episode of our Agency Recovery Series. Marc discusses how 3 Media Web is adjusting in this ever-changing climate. He shares how they're focusing on aligning with clients and become their partners.This is our second episode in a series of month-end specials where we will be bringing on strong agency leaders who have weathered this pandemic and hear strategies they've employed to navigate this new, ever-changing marketplace. Let us know if we can help your with recovery strategies by reaching out to us at info@blumercpas.com or checking our our website [Blumer CPAs](http://www.blumercpas.com/)!

Phillip digs into the details of what a brand is and how good brand management increases value. He discusses the human desire to be a part of a belief system and how a good brand crafts that. Jason then delves into the current climate of racial justice and asks Phillip to share his invaluable perspective as a black man in this industry.

Jason had the pleasure of welcoming Blake DuBose of DuBose Web in this inaugural episode of our Agency Recovery Series. They dove right in to how DuBose Web has navigated this market and reframed their value. Blake shares how their company handled a big transition a few years ago and how that had prepared them for the unexpected changes of 2020. This is our first episode in a series of month-end specials where we will be bringing on strong agency leaders who have weathered this pandemic and hear about strategies they've employed to navigate this new, ever-changing marketplace. Let us know if we can help your with recovery strategies by reaching out to us at info@blumercpa.com!

Jason and Marcel start off discussing how agencies have to navigate this uncertain time and how the ability to pivot and rethink in this new marketplace is vital. Marcel then shares his unique perspective on growth and what efficiently growing an agency means. He digs into the 4 Step Agency Profitability Flywheel they created to use when consulting clients.

Jason Blumer was able to connect with Charlie Poulson of Americano Design and dig into the fascinating topic of the psychology and behind-the-scenes work that goes into presentation design. Charlie shares the story of moving from a design/branding role in his twenties to now thriving in the unique niche work of designing powerful presentations for clients.

James Rose, CEO of Akura Technology and co-founder of Content Snare, sits down with Jame Blumer on this episode to discuss the nuance of Automation Engineering. He shares how the often difficult task of information exchange with clients has lead to building solutions, such as Content Snare. Jason and James further discuss how human nature plays a role in designing a product and a user interface for two very different groups of people - for the agencies themselves and then for the clients of those agencies.

Jason sits down with Methodical Coffee owners and business partners, Marco Suarez, Will Shurtz and David Baker. They share how their complimentary skill sets led to the thriving partnership they have today and how Methodical Coffee has captured branding being a wholistic approach to business.

Jason speaks with Chase Clymer, founder of Electric Eye, and the host of the Honest Ecommerce podcast, on the process of building an ECommerce agency. Chase shares their journey of moving from a contractor-model company to a solid, committed team of Shopify experts. He describes a marketing strategy they've employed and the way they have built a content engine into their agency through a weekly podcast, Honest ECommerce, where they give advice to their core market.

Jason had the privilege of speaking with Shannon Langrand of Langrand agency, based out of Houston, TX. They discussed the process of how Langrand took the risk to their narrow niche specifically in the healthcare industry. Shannon shares how they crafted their team around that expertise and the importance of building a team model that reflects the promises you make to your market.

Jason Blumer chats with Joe Rinaldi, founder of That Was Clutch, on this episode of the Businessology Show. Joe brings to to the table a creative take on business development and avoiding the one-size-fits-all approach with his clients. He shares how beginning the process with general principles, but then allowing the nuance of each unique owner and client to shape his strategy has been key. They close the episode with discussing how agency math is often misguided and how future non-revenue generating projects are vital to sustainability.

Jason Blumer welcomes Dan Englander of Sales Schema onto the Businessology Show. Dan shares his background and experiences as a salesman. Jason and Dan then discuss the difference between sales and marketing, which are most often thought of as being the same. Dan also provides some tips for lead generation in your market that you can implement no matter where you are in your agency journey.

On this Businessology episode, Jason Blumer had the opportunity to talk with Jen Dary about what it looks like to coach clients through this economic disruption. Jen is the founder of Plucky, a leadership coaching and consulting firm based out of Berkley, CA. She shared with Jason her own personal transition and reframing her of goals through this season. As she has asked of herself and her clients “What is my COVID job right now?”, she has seen a new, more freeing frame of reference unfold.

Jason Blumer chats with Andrew Verboncouer on this episode of Businessology. Andrew founded Headway with his brother and another partner, which creates solutions for their clients using design strategies and intuitive thinking. Andrew explains the benefits of working with clients side-by-side and challenges with determining the capacity of a team.

Meghan Phillips of Honey joins Jason Blumer on this episode of the Businessology Show. Meghan and Jason talk about niching, designing internal processes and creating a tapestry with your team. Both Meghan and Jason are featured in Adam Davidson's new book, "The Passion Economy." Come see Adam, Meghan and Jason at SXSW in Austin, TX!

Jason Blumer is honored to have Adam Davidson as a guest for this latest episode of the Businessology Show. Adam Davidson has just launched his book call the "The Passion Economy" and talks with Jason about why he wanted to write this book and what we can learn from evolving into a passion economy. We usually tend to only look at the negatives when it comes to news about economic change, but Adam wanted to highlight the people who are creating positive opportunities as we continue to transform our economy in the twenty-first century.

On this episode of the Businessology Show, Jason Blumer reconnects with co-creater, Dan Mall! Dan is also the founder and director of SuperFriendly, which is a teaching agency. Meaning they help in-house design teams create systems to make a better design product. Dan gives Jason details on how this type of agency runs and the benefits of being a teaching agency.

Ben Aston joins Jason Blumer for this 95th episode of the Businessology Show. They discuss project management specifically for digital agencies and the benefits of having this position in the team. Providing structure for engagements, driving the timeline for projects and maintaining the overall view of the deliverable to the client are just some of the benefits Ben and Jason talk about.

Jason Blumer talks with Ryan Berman about courage and what does that really mean. Ryan shares his experience with discovering courage and how you can tap into your own. Their discussion is deep, but will offer great tips for you to take your fear and dare we say befriend it. Plus Ryan shares his equation for what courage is made up of and why it takes all 3 factors to create courage.

Emily Cohen is a brutally honest consultant and talks with Jason Blumer about her design consulting experience and her new book, "Brutally Honest, No-bullshit business strategies to evolve your creative business." Emily shares her opinions on when to hire a project manager and the importance of building relationships with your clients.

Prentice Howe explains challenger brands and why he decided to focus on this specific market. Jason Blumer and Prentice then discuss the pros and cons with working in a narrow market and the type of impact it can make to a small environment. As well as discuss what it means to be a part of an internal team rather than a contracted agency working with an internal team.

Matt Faulk takes us back to the basics of branding. Branding helps us connect with each other, which in turn creates the culture around us. Hear as Matt walks us through his journey to building a top branding agency. How qualities and values matter when you are building relationships with clients and the people around you.

In this episode, Jason Blumer sits down with Josh Barrett and Gabe Levine to discuss how agencies and other creative business can "do business right" from the very start with foundational agreements. They cover several kinds of agreements in this show, including:-Partnerships and mergers-Employee agreements-Contractor agreementsThey also cover the kinds of agreements you need if you are in a growth mode vs. a stable mode and the importance of protecting intellectual property.

Andy Budd brings years of knowledge and experience to his interview. Hear from Andy on the changing shape of the agency world and how it has evolved during his career. Andy will also share why the clients he serves and his greatest competition are one and the same. The market has shifted over the years and Andy describes why this has been great for how they like to work at Clearleft. Hear the value of "sticking it out" in the digital world and why some people choose to leave the profession.

Todd Hartley's interview will make you want to shoot a video (or ten) before you even finish this episode. Learn why Todd is so passionate about using video to help companies tell their stories.Also hear from Todd about the Netflix Economy and what that has to do with your sales, which platforms work best for showcasing your videos, his favorite equipment, and his recommendation for the FIRST thing you can do if you are new to video.

David C. Baker is the expert's expert. In this episode, he challenges our thinking about what it really takes to become great agency owners.David walks us through the relationships between pattern matching, intelligence, and positioning. He helps us think through the question of how much we should be getting paid as well as the problem of caring more about our value than our clients.David also has us consider how capacity and opportunity are related and why SOMETIMES, you might even need to decrease capacity.

Anthony Armendariz has grown his company from a freelance model to a team of over 20 people. In this episode he shares his thoughts on:-Maintaining culture through rapid growth-How your growth may need to become more intentional once you have a team-The importance of not burning any bridges with any clients or team members-How Funsize has been able to serve clients like Volvo, Facebook, Oracle, Groupon, etc.-How saying yes to one thing is saying no to something else

Listen to Steve Gordon of The Unstoppable CEO share how podcasting is unique in its ability to help your leads trust you.Steve also shares his own difficult early lessons that made him care so much about sales and marketing and why selling in a marketing-based business will be less effective using methods that are most often used with product-based businesses.Steve articulates the important role of trust for a client to receive the highest possible value. He also explains pre-selling and how NOT to be a commodity. Visit the links in our show notes at businessology.biz for Steve's special offer for our listeners!

Jason Pontius and Tonya Moyle have YEARS of experience serving colleges and universities with web services, branding, strategy, consulting, and more.In this episode, hear how they started serving a niche, how they understand their value, the impact of travel on their team and revenue, what they provide as a deliverable, and their view of offering different strengths and gifts to the company. They will also share how they developed their own products for their specific niche and what that could mean for other developers. Tonya and Jason reflect on their slow and steady growth and what might have been different with alternative funding models as well.

John D. Saunders is passionate about digital marketing and helping businesses make the most of their online presence.Listen for ideas, tips, tricks, and loads of wisdom about:-SEO and how it's changed-Repurposing Content and catering to YOUR preferences and style-The value of long form content-The 80/20 rule for social media sharing-Taking a lead from awareness to a purchase-John's favorite tools that anyone can use in digital marketing

Hear how Anna Wolf, CEO of SuperScript Marketing, has been growing her company.She shares:- How she chose her niche- Why finding valuable team members is a challenge, but worth pursuing- How she knows her value to her market- How she and her team created their own "Playbook," a unique resource that helps clients know if their content marketing is delivering results- Why metrics matter for content marketers

In this episode, hear from Proportion Design partner, Blake Goodwin. Blake shares how Proportion, a branding agency, runs their business.Blake shares his thoughts on:-when it’s necessary to lean on a contact-how long a typical project lasts for Proportion-how Proportion Design determines if a client will be a right fit (or not!)-the internal team structure that allows for the best client experience-the early collaborative process and the deliverables involvedBlake also shares his niche and why they enjoy working with local companies.

In episode 80, Jason Blumer and his guest, Jeremiah Smith of Simple Tiger, cover areas related to SEO and beyond, including:- How SEO relates to inbound marketing- The value of SEO to clients- The importance of permission marketing- Why he decided to choose one service (SEO) and commit to being excellent in that one area- How Simple Tiger educates clients on getting the most value from the traffic they get- The role of ethics in an SEO firm- Researching key words- Maximizing the value of videos and repurposing other content

In Episode 79, Jason Blumer speaks with Chris Vogel. Chris defines his company as a one man agency. He explains the difference between his model and a freelancing model.Chris is a picture of intentionality in business. He can articulate each decision he has made.Learn about Chris' love of process and his Instruction Maps, why he intends to remain a small agency, his definition of a brand, and the importance of his onboarding process.

Mike Lieberman shares with us how companies need to adjust their marketing strategy today, even compared to the strategies of just a few years ago.He also explains the relationship between sales and marketing and what it REALLY means to the customer.Mike shares the meaning behind his title (Chief Revenue Scientist), the model his agency uses to serve clients, how they manage retainers in a way that pleases the client, and more.

In this episode, Jason Blumer is honored to speak with Joe Erwin of Erwin Creates and Endeavor. Joe shares the story of how he co-founded Erwin Penland and lessons learned throughout his career.Joe shares a few items from his list of what to do and what not to do as you grow your agency, including one item that actually made BOTH lists.From Joe's list of dos and don'ts, he explains why it is great to start some traditions and why you shouldn't waste time with negative people, which leads to the story of the first time he fired someone. He'll also share how freeing it is to stop worrying about your competition.This is a must listen episode. We hope you enjoy it!

Hear Kade Wilcox tell the story, and lessons learned, of how he grew Primitive Social from a 2 person team to a 30+ person, multi-million dollar company in 6 years.Kade shares his thoughts on the value of a strong team, how he found and chose a partner, the impact hiring quickly has had on the company and culture, the challenge of finding people with the right skill level, and how to add new layers of leadership to their growing team.

Design Extensions is an 18 year old company that has grown each year. Hear Jay Owen describe how that growth happened, and how he knew to implement intentional changes so that growth could continue.Jason and Jay also discuss what is great but also difficult about growing a company. They focus on topics like culture, hiring, business structure, their favorites books and tools, and leadership.Also learn about Design Extension's core values and how they shape everything the company does, both internally and externally.

Jason Blumer and Keith Shields discuss a number of topics including:how Designli is able to build custom apps with fixed pricingwhy customer education is so important from the beginning of the relationshipDesignli's modular approachthe two types of clients Designli serveswhy Keith believes the freelance model breaks down quicklywhy hiring the right people is so important in a service based company

Marc Avila and Lysa Miller share their knowledge in the areas of: -staying on the same page as partners-why they chose to significantly prune their client base and the effect that had on their bottom line-responding to growth and growing in a sustainable way-why they focused on building a stronger leadership team over sales when they hit a growth ceiling-why they decided to stay involved with their own business development-how they help clients see the value they add with their services-how they add new services to their existing client base

Mickey Mellen shares how he and his partner, Ali Green, started their agency and how they work as partners. He also shares the role of risk in their decisions, why they have chosen to keep their team at its current size, and how they hire.Also hear Mickey's passion for the design community and why he began hosting meetups in the Atlanta area to build community with those who are normally competitors.

Dan Rundle is the CEO of Worthwhile, a 20+ year old software development agency. In this episode, Jason Blumer and Dan cover a number of topics including:-Why Worthwhile eliminated several types of service to focus on software development three years ago-The challenges of developing software (scoping projects, meeting objectives, etc.)-How Worthwhile spends their time at the beginning of a project in order to guarantee their clients that they can create an accurate timeline, budget, and deliver on features-Why Worthwhile says no to so many opportunities-Why Worthwhile has chosen to have salaried employees vs. contractors-How Dan discovered that he needed to communicate the Worthwhile vision with his team

Adam shares his story of freelancer to leader of a team at Image Conscious Studios.Topics included in this episode:-How Adam's relationship with design has changed-How Adam, as the owner, works with the Project Manager at ICS-Why finding the right cultural fit in new team members matters at ICS-How the creative team at ICS works with clients

Ashleigh Ferran, TJ Cichecki, and Abe Garcia share key learning around becoming partners and the challenges of building authentic brands.They address several topics including:- how they decided to become partners- the work they did to start their partnership out right, including discussing how it would end- why merging companies isn't an automatic fast track to bigger or faster sales- the book that helped them create the living document that guides their partnership- how Workhorse helps to build better and more authentic brands

GuavaBox began like many agencies, with strong roots in web design. It didn't take long for Gray MacKenzie and his partner to realize they wanted to go all in with the inbound philosophy and begin partnering with Hubspot, which led to more leads and closing more deals.In this episode hear how GuavaBox developed their own internal process/project management software called DoInbound, which is now their biggest focus. DoInbound exists to help other agencies serve their clients.Jason and Gray discuss several topics, including:- The value of weekly batch days for content production- The choice to use contractors in their business model versus full time employees- Why delegating the sales process too soon didn't work out for GuavaBox- The importance of culture even in a virtual model with contractors- The process of learning who their ideal clients are- Why producing leads for clients isn’t enough to help them succeed

Hear Thom Vest of Studio Seven Consulting share his ideas on a number of topics including:-how his company uses experiences to mobilize influencers for brands-why deciding on a golden purpose at the beginning of a project is critical-who makes up a dream team at Studio Seven Consulting-the role of analytics in building a successful campaign-why he still stays hands on with each client his company serves

Agency Labs is like a swiss army knife for agencies, providing just the right tool at the right time. By finding a major pain point in the design and agency world (and solving it), they found that they can serve agencies of any size with their technology and development needs, helping them to get off the production roller coaster.In this episode, hear Jonathan Soares describe why they don't do remote work, why they work with agency partners only, and how avoiding emotional decisions and remaining analytical helps build trust. We also discuss topics like business development, hiring, and how processes drive quality in the Agency Labs business model.

Raven and Finch helps companies build brands with music and sound, sometimes working directly with clients and sometimes consulting with other branding agencies.Some of the topics discussed in this episode:-Profile and profit projects-The role of digital and technology in musical composition-Helping companies clarify what they hope to achieve with music-Understanding the importance of a competitor’s musical brand-Sound logos-Hearing as an untapped sense in branding-What we can learn about musical branding from the James Bond franchise-The role of first, second, and third screens and how sound can direct a customer from one to another-The importance of knowing your customers’ musical tastes

Rob and Gavin share their journey as leaders individually and as CEOs of Artifact Group. Having recently celebrated thriller company’s tenth anniversary, we discuss how growing to a 60 team member company has required adjustments to their strategies.We also discuss:-What kind of work is so important that even clients can’t interrupt it-How they have transitioned from doing design work (client work) to leading a team-How developing a product for agencies affected them internally and why it became a spin off company (10000ft.com)-The constant adaptations required as they look at emerging technologies-Which kinds of companies need to devote resources to R&D-The new skills needed by leadership as companies reach various stages of growth-What it means to create an organization that will live on after you

Coming from the digital web side of an agency, Luke Summerfield learned that there are a lot of problems in how agencies deliver web deliverables to their clients. After some extensive research, Luke discovered that delivering websites is often unprofitable for an agency. He began to explore how this service could be delivered more profitably, and successfully, and came up with the minimum viable website (a name that did not resonate well with clients!).This idea morphed into experiments within Hubspot's Partner Program that eventually came to be known as Growth-Driven Design. They've now launched a certification in Growth Driven Design in June 2016 to high acclaim.In this episode, we talk to Luke about agency growth, the problems that all agencies face, and how an agency can begin moving toward selling web services to clients in profitable, and more sustainable ways.

We glean huge amounts of information from Mlicki's 15 years of experience in his agency (that has been around for 44 years!). We dive into how Rattleback made decisions around their positioning, and how trying to nail your positioning is always a moving target. We discuss why he chose to focus on a professional services niche, which led to many other questions:- what services are you providing to a narrow niche and is it perceived as more valuable just because you are niched?- does your agency experience increase when you narrow your focus?- does your value and price also go up as your experience goes up?- are tools/philosophies (like Hubspot) required for agencies practicing an inbound marketing strategy?- how can you 'deconstruct' thought leadership content into a digestible website?- how can you get your clients to read long-form content?- how could an agency remain a generalist in this day and age?- how does a focus change your revenue model (from project to recurring revenue)?

We asked Maria Rapetskaya some great questions about serving narrowly:- why would you narrowly define your services?- is their fear in saying no to a broader range of services?- does narrowly defined services mean you are paid like an expert?- how did you start out working with such large clients?Maria was also brave enough to share her history of building companies, her failures, and the solid lessons she learned that makes her successful now. And she shares a beautiful balance between doing your great art, and running a business wisely. Maria also believes strongly in giving back by mentoring younger designers, and doing specific Pro bono work when possible. See her mentoring site in the show notes, defineyourpath.co.

We discuss 2 key problems a lot of agency owners face: (1.) they don't understand their financial metrics ('Agency Math'), and (2.) the agency owner is too entrenched in the day to day operations of the agency. AMI helps agencies solve these problems.Here are some key ways to build a better agency:- agency owners must move into their client's sales funnel, and begin helping their clients not only with websites and branding, but sales creation and documentation.- after assisting with the sales funnel, the agency can go deeper into the sales funnel to: (1.) retain and delight the customer, (2.) obtain customer feedback, and (3.) upsell and add more value to the customer. - though many agencies feel overwhelmed and want more team members, most agencies are actually overstaffed. Solving the problem involves creating better processes, not necessarily hiring more people.- agency owners are too slow to make decisions to remove legacy clients or legacy team members that are no longer moving the agency forward.

In this episode, we discuss Kevin Hoffman's view on the Freelancer vs. the Agency. Which one should you be? Both? Neither? The Experienced Freelancer (aka independent design consultants) can do what agencies do because their network is so deep, and their overhead is so low. Those working in a design business on their own can build amazing teams, and still work with Fortune 100 clients. Maybe you can too.Other topics discussed:- freelancers as mercenaries,- freelancers may take orders, but independent design consultants ask the client "how do you even know you have a problem?"- pricing clients up front as a consultant,- how he does project management,- taking risks by saying 'No' to certain work and services,- and much more!

In this episode, we discuss: - whether you should specialize in target markets, or strategic services - what integrated marketing actually is - creating services by trial and error - delivering a full brand experience for a client - how to chose what services you offer, and what to say no to - performing up front persona discovery to develop a brand - discussions on project vs. recurring revenue

In this episode, we cover agency growth questions like:- What is an agency?- What hinders an agency from growing?- Should agencies consider merging or selling?- Should agencies sell out to Facebook, Google, and IBM?

We talk about how to move out of freelancing, watching project and financial trends so you'll know when to hire, the value of migrating to a CRM to monitor your sales funnels, and moving revenue from project-based to retainer-based.The last half of the podcast was about a pricing ideal Tim discovered called Golden Mean Pricing. This pricing is the perfect point between two extremes, and you can get the free eBook and Excel tool at the link below.

In the last half of the podcast, Jason and Brad talk through what it means to truly build culture through intense change in an agency. Brad talks through the creative way they have developed their core values to balance each other, and the three key components any good list of core values has.Other topics discussed are:- delegating as you grow your business,- managing change and maintaining culture through change, and- using social media channels to attract new talent and new clients.

Hear how Grain & Mortar prices their projects, and how that relates to their project management processes. Here Kristin's view on tracking time, how they actually scope projects while they price it, and how the technical partners are also involved in the up front pricing.

Learn how 352 noticed it was time to move their agency to a team model. What were the signs that let them know its time to change their business model? Learn how 352 built their teams, changed their teams, and ultimately moved the whole organization over to a new team model.

In this episode, we explore many agency leadership issues such as what it takes to solve large business problems with clients. One example you'll hear is how Clearleft transformed Penguin Books recently.We also explore:- what is an agency,- why the CEO should be the least talented person in the agency,- finding the right team,- documenting your agency's core values,- how to allow the client to become an engaged part of your agency's team, and- how to grow slowly.

This episode came out of the frustrations the guest had in building websites for clients (see the book link below that addresses these topics). In particular, there was no plan before beginning a new website build. In fact, few agencies will do a Needs Assessment or Discovery before embarking on the work of building the right site, while this could be a life changing event for the client. Many clients may think, "what I'm doing is working" instead of thinking, "what new thing am I not doing that could propel my business forward?" Proper planning can vet this out.Other topics addressed: - the critical nature of branding, - business success despite bad digital marketing, and - the high value of good photo, writing and video.

Richard did video interviews with smart design leaders across the profession. This desire to know what other design leaders think led to a book called Design Leadership. Richard gets transparent in this interview as he talks about how he had to change as a leader - focus and patience were his initial downfalls that he had to change. True creative leaders will stop doing many things, and will instead focus on the one thing only they can do well.Creation of a vision, and the values that support that vision need to be:- timeless- disconnected from technology, and- have immense focus built into themThere are many more leadership nuggets in this interview!

Hear how the founders of Forefathers Group started an agency as partners without having ever met. Still, 5 years later, they have never met face to face, and are still prospering and growing together. We discuss how it happened, their struggles to overcome, and why it's been successful.They learned:- how to create great work together, instead of on their own,- how to setup taxes in a multi-state environment,- how to take each other's feedback,- how they matured in their respective work and say 'no' to certain roles,- how to 'emotionally audit' their clients, and- how working in person in this digital age is no longer a requirement for building a strong company.

Nate and his co-founder, Connor Hood, have found a way to provide white glove service to those needing full stack development, or monthly web maintenance services on Wordpress. But they had to figure out who their client was so they can focus on selling their services for a profitable price. They focus on large agencies and large Fortune 500 enterprise companies.It seems the design/web/code profession is de-coupling as service providers are seeing the value in focusing on what they do best, and letting other partners focus on their best service too. Cody My Views has built a white label platform allowing agencies to sell the services of Code My Views as part of the agency's own services. Also discussed:- speed: they provide their service very quickly, and they price in a way that allows them to move fast. The faster you want delivery, the more you pay.- they price by the complexity, the timeline, and the type of project they are working on. - it's true, code can be viewed as a commodity.- part of the work of the leadership of Cody My Views is to constantly be looking for developers, instead of just hiring when they need one.- automating their service platform to serve more customers so that they only have to hire engineers ("anything you can write code for to make things easier, you should!")

One Great Studio is giving life to ideas through websites, web applications, graphic design & branding. They have 3 core beliefs...Don't Be GreedyThink Long TermDo GoodIn January 2015, the studio began the transition to value pricing & have experienced some amazing changes in the agency and their lives as a result. Currently, partners Djuvane & Gina, and the team at One Great Studio are working on their first SaaS product – Buildt, a web & mobile service app for churches scheduled to be released in January, 2016.

Tom Greever is the UX Director at Bitovi Agency. They help companies create better web applications, and have worked with clients such as WalMart, T Mobile, and Cars.com.Tom Greever's book, Articulating Design Decisions, helps designers justify design to non-designers.

Mike talks about Onboarding becoming a great way to align not only new clients, but existing clients as well. We discuss the steps Rauch Brothers Animation uses to onboard their clients.

In this episode, we discuss the difficulties of an agency that has to balance design for clients, while at the same time aligning digital strategy with the goals of the client. At Brolik, the team is always working internally to give their clients great design on top of a strategy that drives traffic and business.Other topics discussed: -Brolik is finding that clients need business growth strategists to uncover client needs, and not just agency owners to lead design.-Brolik is building their own CMS called Leverage. Building a product inside of a service agency is a struggle, but is a challenge they have embraced.-What it means to grow with 'living' Guidelines and Missions Statements.

Even though Matt builds products, he doesn't want to leave the service of clients in his agency. He just wants larger clients to help him sort through what types of products to build.As he points out, there aren't 7 quick steps to building a product. But you can solve your own itch. Matt's product strategy is to "build for yourself first, then package it for the masses and see if they like it." In this strategy, there is no market research required as long as you know you need it first. Also, limit your market share, move up market and price more for high value as opposed to high volume.Product development and client service goes together! We also talk about the intricacies of building a team around product building inside of a service agency.

Jamie goes deep with us in this episode to talk about the anxiety he faces while running a creative company. Undoubtedly, many people face this at the head of their own creative companies. We also discuss mentorship, and the beauty of serving such an amazing team. He loves his team, and the work that they do.

We kicked off this episode by diving into how Erik defines design, and how it may be different than how his team defines design. The first step is to find out how the customer designs their own business. Once Focus Lab understands how the client's business was designed, they can then 'design' a solution to meet their needs. They will even perform the DISC profile with their clients so that they can speak to the client in a way that they understand.Among other things, Erik also discusses how profit margins can suffer as a result of taking on more complex clients and sites, and so much more!

We touch on so much in this episode! Tim runs a video production company to help clients tell their stories. Since we don't have too many video production company owners on the show, we took time to compare a video production company to a web/design agency. There are similarities and differences, and we glean some learning from this fact. Things Tim Ryan is always working on:- Consistency in keeping the work coming in.- How clients buy video production services (is it a commodity?).- How Tim creatively networks with contractors so he'll know who to hire next.- Value awareness of the creative business owner, and how to use this to price a client.

We talk in depth about Octopus' move to become a virtual agency, why they want to make this move, and what beliefs drive their commitment to virtual work.

In this interview, we dive deep with Jim to find out why they merged with another company to create a large marketing powerhouse, how you know when to merge, and how this affects team growth.We also touch on how to hire fast, how partners should argue, and how to create roles for each partner to fulfill.A question posed by Jim on the show maybe the listeners can help answer: "how do you effectively hand off a relationship from a salesperson in an agency to Account Management to have that client served well?"

Kade discusses what it's like to manage your time and energy as you manage a big, overwhelming client that can never be satisfied. Primitive Social's lack of an effective onboarding process led to a lack of clarity with this client on an ongoing basis. There is so much more to this episode. Enjoy!

Is there a difference between these two critical functions? Find out what Dan and Jason have to say about it on this episode!

Dan and Jason are back with their 2nd episode about Business Models. What are the 10 questions you should ask yourself when assessing your current business model? Listen here to find out!

Dan and Jason are back to kick off the first episode of Season 3! Join them as they discuss the importance and definitions of business models, how they designed each of their respective company's models and the pros and cons of each.

Dan and Jason are back for the Season 2 Finale of The Businessology Show. What a great season we’ve had! A huge thanks to our amazing listeners, our incredible guests and our awesome sponsors. Listen to the finale here and stay tuned for Season 3 in January.Thank you for being a part of this incredible season!

Dan and Jason are back with another listener Question & Answer show. We’re wrapping up Season 2 with our fourth and final episode on Onboarding. We just love these Q&A shows. Not only did we receive questions about Onboarding, but also about the other topics we’ve covered throughout the season. Listen here!

In this episode, Rodney Northern joins Dan and Jason as their final guest for the Businessology Show’s onboarding story arch. Rodney has a unique onboarding perspective having spent 20 years on the client-side and now serving as the Director of Client Services for Sanders/Wingo on the agency-side. Working both sides of the fence has given Rodney a wealth of knowledge and experience in onboarding. What is the process of alignment and refinement for choosing the right clients? What are the most important factors in the onboarding process? What does it mean to go deep instead of wide? Hear the answers to these questions and more on our latest episode!

In this episode, Matthew Smith joins Jason and Dan for Businessology’s second show on onboarding. From his experiences at companies like Relay Foods, to a brewery in Colorado, Matthew has gained a wealth of knowledge about onboarding for services and products. Why is onboarding intimately related to experience? How do you build a customer experience that instills both confidence and trust and what is the difference between the two? Listen to the episode for answers to these questions and more!

In this episode, we define onboarding and talk about the impact it can have on bringing in new customers. Dan and Jason also give their own examples of onboarding and how it has helped their clients.So what exactly is onboarding and why is it crucial for design businesses? Dan and Jason kick off the first Businessology Show on onboarding with a discussion about this important strategic process and function. Hear their personal insights and experiences with onboarding at their own firms and how doing it correctly aligns you with the right clients, weeds out the wrong ones and helps “make the covert overt” before you get to work.

Dan and Jason are back with another listener question show!These Q&A episodes are some of our all-time favorites! We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again – we’ve got the most intelligent listeners around. Hear their insightful pricing questions on everything from why you shouldn’t tie payments to deliverables, how to deal with changing scopes, the pros & cons of project-based work vs. retainer-based work, how to draw the line between pre-sale, discovery, and "fork over the money”, plus so much more!

In this, the final pricing episode of the season, Dan and Jason speak with the Technical Director for Sparkbox, Rob Harr. Hear his perspective on pricing and why pricing hourly works for Sparkbox.

In this episode of The Businessology Show, Dan and Jason speak with value pricing mastermind Ron Baker. Discover how Ron became a value pricing guru not from the economic side, but from the customer service and experience side. Learn the 8 steps to implementing value pricing, why we all need to get rid of time sheets (“the only place that time spent should matter, is in prison”) and how ultimately, value is a feeling not a number.Huge thanks to our sponsors this week, Harvest and ZenPayroll!

Dan and Jason talk value pricing, agile development and so much more with Wes McClure.Big thanks to our sponsors this week, Harvest and ZenPayroll!

The Businessology Show has some of the smartest listeners around. Hear Dan and Jason answer their insightful questions about positioning, the difference between “customers” and “clients”, and how to come up with a great company name and logo (short answer – ask your wife).Big thanks to our sponsors this week, Harvest and ZenPayroll!

Mike Monteiro joins Dan and Jason for a spirited (and funny!) conversation about positioning, pricing, selling design, and how sometimes you need to fake it until you make it. Hear his insightful views on pricing effectively, never coming from a place of fear, positioning your company in the ever-changing world of design, and how in the end, you are the sum of your clients.Big thanks to our sponsors this week: Harvest and ZenPayroll!

Continuing with the theme of positioning and branding, Dan and Jason interview Ed Tettemer. Listen to hear how Ed has spent years helping organizations of all kinds (profit and non-profit, large and small) define themselves.Big thanks to our sponsors this week: Harvest and Zen Payroll!

It’s time for Season 2! Dan Mall and Jason Blumer are back and will be kicking off with an interview with Wil Reynolds of SEER Interactive. Wil shares what he learned when he switched CEO roles with Rand Fishkin from Moz. Also hear how he deals with skeptics, the ONE thing SEER promises its clients, and so much more.Dan and Jason also share a few notes about what to expect in Season 2. Look for guests that can teach us about positioning, pricing, and onboarding this season. Also, get ready for our new site and branding soon! And finally, we are excited about 2 roadshows that will focus on the front end of business, what to work on before the work begins. We hope to have a show in NYC as well as one on the west coast.We'd like to thank our sponsors this week:Harvest: Harvest is a beautifully crafted business tool for tracking time spent on client projects. Work from anywhere by starting a timer via web browser, desktop, iPhone or Android. Head over to getharvest.com to start your free trial. After the free 30 day trial period, use code “Businessology” before June 1st and receive 50% off your first month.Zen Payroll:Payroll redesigned for the modern business. Sign up now for delightful payroll, we are accepting new customers daily. Head over to zenpayroll.com and get your first 2 months free.

Dan and Jason talk through the purpose of Businessology, as they explored it in Episode 1. They take a journey through the episodes of the first Season, highlighting the big learning points and what their greatest takeaways were.They are excited to share some thoughts on next year’s live roadshow, and how you can have a say in what you see at the live roadshow.Big thanks to our sponsors this week: Free Agent and Harvest!

A true leader, Greg Hoy can talk about management, marketing, leadership, design, and more. Greg also shares about Owner Camp and Digital Project Management Summit. And finally, what did it really feel like to have his employees give him a review?Huge thanks to our sponsors this week, FreeAgent and Harvest.

Dan is back! We catch up on latest happenings, talk about upcoming changes to the show, and answer listener questions like:* Can I donate time for a tax write-off?* I'm doing design work for a client that is asking for multiple revisions and it's costing me a fortune and making me lose enthusiasm for the project. How should I handle this?* How do I know which clients are right for me?* You're hired to do three design concepts for a client, and paid 50% up front. You do the three designs, but the client doesn't like any of them. What do you do?* How do you "bake in" the cost of things (supplies, hardware, conferences) that aren't related to your project?* How do you guys handle a scope document? Do you itemize things?* Where do you guys go for online learning/tutorials?* What processes do you use to find opportunities to add value to client's projects?* How should I handle health insurance?* How do I know when to grow my freelance business into an agency?* How do you feel about offering discounts for first time clients?* How do you handle raising your rates for old clients?* GoDaddy just bought Media Temple, what does this mean for web hosting?This week's show is sponsored by:* FreeAgent* Harvest

Ed Kless shares his theory of project management and explains why he distinguishes knowledge-based project management from other types. Other topics covered in this episode include the project management theory of duration and effort, managing capacity, and a favorite Businessology Show topic, value pricing. Also, how does scope seep lead to scope creep and what is the difference? Listen for these topics and more.

(due to some technical difficulties, give the podcast a few seconds before it starts)Dan and Jason take pricing creative services head on in this episode. Dan and Jason share their experiences in dealing with value pricing, the purpose behind it and the how-to. Learn about the balance of risk and fear, how to come up with a price, developing options for your customer, what a Value Conversation is and the strategy behind pricing.

Tim Williams, author of Positioning for Professionals, speaks to us on effective positioning, and how most creative agencies fail to do this (though they do it for their own customers).Through techniques of value pricing, differentiation, and focusing on a niche small design firms and agencies can set themselves apart to pull ahead of their competitors when landing new business.Strategy is not for the weak of heart - come learn how with seasoned guest Tim Williams of Ignition Consulting Group.

Ben Blumenfeld talks about his experience with Facebook, how he was hired at Facebook and how he negotiated some equity from them when first hired.This episode touched on designers receiving equity in a start up, what experiences designers should have before seeking investment, whether designers should build prodcuts before asking the Designer Fund for money and so much more!

Dan and Jason spend time diving into the purpose behind the Businessology Show in this initial episode. Learn more about the hosts, the branding of the show, and what the future holds!