https://simplecast.com The Agency Profit Podcast Welcome to the Agency Profit Podcast hosted by Marcel Petitpas, CEO and Co-Founder of Parakeeto. Finally, an agency podcast that isn't JUST about getting more clients. On the show, we bring in experts, agency owners and consultants to share their actionable tips for improving profitability and operational efficiency. Here, you'll learn what systems to implement in your business, what kind of KPI's to track, and benchmarks to aim for. How to manage things like capacity, utilization, billing rates, processes and procedures, what tools to use, mistakes to avoid and so, so much more. If you're tired of putting out fires, working long hours, and growing revenue but not profits, you're in the right place. © Parakeeto 2023 en Wed, 25 Mar 2026 02:00:00 +0000 Wed, 25 Mar 2026 09:12:08 +0000 https://parakeeto.com/blog/ The Agency Profit Podcast https://image.simplecastcdn.com/images/d09aac90-9842-4abc-b7b0-e564939fbb78/15b9d8f3-2a7c-4093-ac06-c11b2c37a036/3000x3000/app-logo-dark-1.jpg?aid=rss_feed https://parakeeto.com/blog/ episodic Welcome to the Agency Profit Podcast hosted by Marcel Petitpas, CEO and Co-Founder of Parakeeto. Finally, an agency podcast that isn't JUST about getting more clients. On the show, we bring in experts, agency owners and consultants to share their actionable tips for improving profitability and operational efficiency. Here, you'll learn what systems to implement in your business, what kind of KPI's to track, and benchmarks to aim for. How to manage things like capacity, utilization, billing rates, processes and procedures, what tools to use, mistakes to avoid and so, so much more. If you're tired of putting out fires, working long hours, and growing revenue but not profits, you're in the right place. Parakeeto, Marcel Petitpas false https://feeds.simplecast.com/oUhqStLi Agency, Digital Agency, Creative Agency, Agency Owners, Agency Profits, Growing Agency, digital agency profitability, agency operations, agency profitability, digital agency operations, digital agency owner, digital agency management Marcel Petitpas marcel@parakeeto.com e3521bc5-be69-4e54-94d0-46b56b283eec Implications of Agency Founder Bottlenecks and How to Fix Them, With Kristen Kelly Points of Interest
  • 00:01 – 00:37 – Introduction: Marcel and Kristen open the episode by introducing a more philosophical discussion about why Parakeeto’s work matters beyond the surface-level goal of improving profitability.
  • 00:37 – 02:01 – The provocative reframe: Kristen references Marcel’s recent message, “you don’t actually care about profitability,” and frames the conversation around why that idea sits at the center of a broader positioning shift.
  • 02:01 – 03:59 – Profit is not the full story: Marcel explains that Parakeeto has become very good at talking about profitability tactically, but has not spent enough time explaining why profitability matters in the first place.
  • 04:17 – 07:05 – The ‘Dig’ process and brand clarity: Marcel shares how a day spent with his friend Rich, using a branding exercise called the Dig, helped reveal that Parakeeto’s messaging had been missing the emotional and philosophical “why.”
  • 07:17 – 10:13 – Business as a vehicle for social change: Marcel outlines his belief that well-run, for-profit businesses are one of the most powerful tools for creating positive change because they solve problems, create jobs, and enable founders to do more good.
  • 10:13 – 11:31 – Profitability as the ‘so that’: The conversation reframes profitability as an enabling condition rather than the end goal, since most agency owners ultimately want freedom, creative fulfillment, stability, and a healthy team.
  • 11:31 – 14:43 – Escaping agency trauma: Marcel explains that many agency founders are not chasing profit obsessively, but are trying to avoid repeating the burnout-driven, exploitative culture they experienced in traditional agency environments.
  • 15:19 – 19:08 – Why profitability is hard to own: Marcel breaks down the structural challenge that profitability touches finance, operations, sales, and leadership, yet rarely belongs clearly to any one role inside the agency.
  • 19:11 – 21:38 – Empowered, fearless, and abundant: Marcel shares that the word he landed on for how he wants clients to feel is “empowered,” along with “fearless” and “abundant,” reflecting the confidence that comes from financial clarity.
  • 22:44 – 26:13 – A more complete solution for the money side: Marcel describes how this reframe is pushing Parakeeto toward a more holistic offering, including the possibility of integrating accounting and bookkeeping more directly.
  • 26:31 – 28:09 – Removing title confusion for clients: The discussion highlights how confusing the financial services landscape can be for founders, who are often left trying to decode titles like CFO, accountant, consultant, and ops lead just to solve one problem.
  • 28:41 – 30:11 – The closing takeaway: Marcel closes by reinforcing that the goal is not money for money’s sake, but getting money out of the way so agency owners can build the business, team, and impact they originally set out to create.

Show Notes

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]]> Wed, 25 Mar 2026 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 00:01 – 00:37 – Introduction: Marcel and Kristen open the episode by introducing a more philosophical discussion about why Parakeeto’s work matters beyond the surface-level goal of improving profitability.
  • 00:37 – 02:01 – The provocative reframe: Kristen references Marcel’s recent message, “you don’t actually care about profitability,” and frames the conversation around why that idea sits at the center of a broader positioning shift.
  • 02:01 – 03:59 – Profit is not the full story: Marcel explains that Parakeeto has become very good at talking about profitability tactically, but has not spent enough time explaining why profitability matters in the first place.
  • 04:17 – 07:05 – The ‘Dig’ process and brand clarity: Marcel shares how a day spent with his friend Rich, using a branding exercise called the Dig, helped reveal that Parakeeto’s messaging had been missing the emotional and philosophical “why.”
  • 07:17 – 10:13 – Business as a vehicle for social change: Marcel outlines his belief that well-run, for-profit businesses are one of the most powerful tools for creating positive change because they solve problems, create jobs, and enable founders to do more good.
  • 10:13 – 11:31 – Profitability as the ‘so that’: The conversation reframes profitability as an enabling condition rather than the end goal, since most agency owners ultimately want freedom, creative fulfillment, stability, and a healthy team.
  • 11:31 – 14:43 – Escaping agency trauma: Marcel explains that many agency founders are not chasing profit obsessively, but are trying to avoid repeating the burnout-driven, exploitative culture they experienced in traditional agency environments.
  • 15:19 – 19:08 – Why profitability is hard to own: Marcel breaks down the structural challenge that profitability touches finance, operations, sales, and leadership, yet rarely belongs clearly to any one role inside the agency.
  • 19:11 – 21:38 – Empowered, fearless, and abundant: Marcel shares that the word he landed on for how he wants clients to feel is “empowered,” along with “fearless” and “abundant,” reflecting the confidence that comes from financial clarity.
  • 22:44 – 26:13 – A more complete solution for the money side: Marcel describes how this reframe is pushing Parakeeto toward a more holistic offering, including the possibility of integrating accounting and bookkeeping more directly.
  • 26:31 – 28:09 – Removing title confusion for clients: The discussion highlights how confusing the financial services landscape can be for founders, who are often left trying to decode titles like CFO, accountant, consultant, and ops lead just to solve one problem.
  • 28:41 – 30:11 – The closing takeaway: Marcel closes by reinforcing that the goal is not money for money’s sake, but getting money out of the way so agency owners can build the business, team, and impact they originally set out to create.

Show Notes

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]]> Implications of Agency Founder Bottlenecks and How to Fix Them, With Kristen Kelly Marcel Petitpas 00:30:13 About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel Petitpas is joined by Kristen Kelly for a reflective conversation about a major shift in how Parakeeto thinks about profitability and why it matters. Rather than treating profit as the end goal, Marcel unpacks why it is really the thing that enables agency owners to do what they actually care about: build a healthy team, do meaningful work, create stability, and make a bigger impact through their business. Together, they explore the emotional and operational reasons money becomes such a source of friction in agencies, why no single role truly owns profitability, and how founders can feel more empowered, fearless, and free when the financial side of the business is finally handled well. This episode offers a thoughtful reframe for agency leaders who want to stop obsessing over profit for its own sake and start using it as a tool to build the kind of business and life they actually want. About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel Petitpas is joined by Kristen Kelly for a reflective conversation about a major shift in how Parakeeto thinks about profitability and why it matters. Rather than treating profit as the end goal, Marcel unpacks why it is really the thing that enables agency owners to do what they actually care about: build a healthy team, do meaningful work, create stability, and make a bigger impact through their business. Together, they explore the emotional and operational reasons money becomes such a source of friction in agencies, why no single role truly owns profitability, and how founders can feel more empowered, fearless, and free when the financial side of the business is finally handled well. This episode offers a thoughtful reframe for agency leaders who want to stop obsessing over profit for its own sake and start using it as a tool to build the kind of business and life they actually want. false full 220 ae5348e5-9090-4118-ae1b-e8f1b37860bb How to Build an Anti-Fragile Agency, With Brent Weaver Points of Interest
  • 00:00 – 03:21 – From UGURUS to E2M: Brent Weaver shares how he went from coaching thousands of agencies at UGURUS to becoming CEO of E2M Solutions after the DigitalOcean chapter ended.
  • 03:35 – 04:51 – What makes E2M different: Marcel frames E2M as a standout white-label partner, and Brent explains why serving only agencies creates sharper focus on partner success.
  • 04:51 – 08:16 – Process flexibility as a moat: Brent contrasts “one standardized process” versus adapting to each agency partner’s SOPs and tools and why fitting into the partner’s workflow improves outcomes.
  • 08:27 – 10:08 – Why anti-fragility matters right now: Marcel connects E2M’s adaptability to the broader need for agencies to stay resilient through another major disruption cycle.
  • 10:08 – 12:01 – Defining anti-fragility in business terms: Brent explains anti-fragility as building a business that can withstand shocks by avoiding fragility drivers like thin margins and operational vulnerabilities.
  • 12:01 – 15:53 – Practical fragility reducers: Brent outlines concrete levers, higher margins as a buffer, less debt, fewer single points of failure, and building teams and systems that scale.
  • 13:29 – 15:53 – Perennial value drivers: Brent argues agencies should anchor decisions to what clients always want, faster delivery, lower cost, and higher quality and certainty, regardless of the economy.
  • 15:53 – 18:01 – Investing under uncertainty: Marcel reframes strategy as betting on what will not change and asks how agencies can choose investments that will keep paying dividends.
  • 18:01 – 22:44 – AI audits, not shiny tools: Brent describes E2M’s AI assessment approach as constraint-hunting, then using automation and process optimization to reduce friction and accelerate results.
  • 23:08 – 25:02 – High-impact AI use cases: Brent lists repeatable agency wins, lead research and sales prep, proposal and scope automation, and workflow-friendly tooling like Slack-based automations.
  • 25:02 – 26:45 – Client reporting as a force multiplier: Brent highlights AI-driven reporting and analysis, using chat interfaces connected to analytics data to produce consistent client insights faster.
  • 39:51 – 41:13 – Where to learn more: Brent shares where to find E2M Solutions and the Vistara AI event, including the May 11–13 Austin dates and the waitlist link.

Show Notes

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]]> Wed, 11 Mar 2026 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 00:00 – 03:21 – From UGURUS to E2M: Brent Weaver shares how he went from coaching thousands of agencies at UGURUS to becoming CEO of E2M Solutions after the DigitalOcean chapter ended.
  • 03:35 – 04:51 – What makes E2M different: Marcel frames E2M as a standout white-label partner, and Brent explains why serving only agencies creates sharper focus on partner success.
  • 04:51 – 08:16 – Process flexibility as a moat: Brent contrasts “one standardized process” versus adapting to each agency partner’s SOPs and tools and why fitting into the partner’s workflow improves outcomes.
  • 08:27 – 10:08 – Why anti-fragility matters right now: Marcel connects E2M’s adaptability to the broader need for agencies to stay resilient through another major disruption cycle.
  • 10:08 – 12:01 – Defining anti-fragility in business terms: Brent explains anti-fragility as building a business that can withstand shocks by avoiding fragility drivers like thin margins and operational vulnerabilities.
  • 12:01 – 15:53 – Practical fragility reducers: Brent outlines concrete levers, higher margins as a buffer, less debt, fewer single points of failure, and building teams and systems that scale.
  • 13:29 – 15:53 – Perennial value drivers: Brent argues agencies should anchor decisions to what clients always want, faster delivery, lower cost, and higher quality and certainty, regardless of the economy.
  • 15:53 – 18:01 – Investing under uncertainty: Marcel reframes strategy as betting on what will not change and asks how agencies can choose investments that will keep paying dividends.
  • 18:01 – 22:44 – AI audits, not shiny tools: Brent describes E2M’s AI assessment approach as constraint-hunting, then using automation and process optimization to reduce friction and accelerate results.
  • 23:08 – 25:02 – High-impact AI use cases: Brent lists repeatable agency wins, lead research and sales prep, proposal and scope automation, and workflow-friendly tooling like Slack-based automations.
  • 25:02 – 26:45 – Client reporting as a force multiplier: Brent highlights AI-driven reporting and analysis, using chat interfaces connected to analytics data to produce consistent client insights faster.
  • 39:51 – 41:13 – Where to learn more: Brent shares where to find E2M Solutions and the Vistara AI event, including the May 11–13 Austin dates and the waitlist link.

Show Notes

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]]> How to Build an Anti-Fragile Agency, With Brent Weaver Marcel Petitpas 00:41:12 About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel sits down with Brent Weaver, founder of UGURUS and now CEO of E2M Solutions, to unpack a timely idea for agency owners staring down constant disruption, how to build a business that gets stronger when things change. Brent shares his journey from selling UGURUS to stepping into the CEO seat at one of the world’s largest white-label agency partners, then breaks down “anti-fragility” in plain terms, reducing single points of failure, protecting margin, and making smart bets on what never stops mattering to clients: speed, cost, and quality (plus certainty). They also get tactical on AI, why most teams chase shiny tools instead of solving real constraints, and how “AI audits” can reveal where automation will actually move the needle, from sales and proposals to onboarding and client reporting. If you want a practical lens for deciding where to invest next, and how to stay in the game long enough to win, this conversation delivers a grounded roadmap. About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel sits down with Brent Weaver, founder of UGURUS and now CEO of E2M Solutions, to unpack a timely idea for agency owners staring down constant disruption, how to build a business that gets stronger when things change. Brent shares his journey from selling UGURUS to stepping into the CEO seat at one of the world’s largest white-label agency partners, then breaks down “anti-fragility” in plain terms, reducing single points of failure, protecting margin, and making smart bets on what never stops mattering to clients: speed, cost, and quality (plus certainty). They also get tactical on AI, why most teams chase shiny tools instead of solving real constraints, and how “AI audits” can reveal where automation will actually move the needle, from sales and proposals to onboarding and client reporting. If you want a practical lens for deciding where to invest next, and how to stay in the game long enough to win, this conversation delivers a grounded roadmap. agency profit podcast, agency risk management, white label agency partner, agency profitability, agency scalability, margin buffer, sales enablement, agency outsourcing, ai for agencies, brent weaver, agency debt reduction, agency margins, yougurus, client reporting automation, operational resilience, antifragile agency, client onboarding automation, scope of work automation, agency efficiency, ai event vistara, agency workflows, agentic workflows, sops for agencies, agency delivery efficiency, lead research automation, single points of failure, speed cost quality, agency operations, constraint analysis, operational constraints, proposal automation, certainty in service delivery, marcel petitpas, resilient business model, agency growth strategy, ai audits, marketing automation for agencies, process optimization, e2m solutions, ai automation for agencies, agency sales automation, agency systems and processes, anti-fragility in business, process standardization false full 219 eea2d92b-79f2-40c8-a1f2-a0943b749f2e Where CFO Meets COO: Parakeeto's Unique Approach to Profitability, With Carson Pierce Points of Interest
  • 00:01 – 01:36 – Introduction: Marcel introduces the episode as a public reflection on Parakeeto’s positioning, prompted by feedback from LinkedIn and client conversations.
  • 01:36 – 02:43 – The Identity Problem: Carson shares the internal confusion many consultants feel when their role spans finance, operations, delivery, and strategy.
  • 02:43 – 04:52 – Clear Problem, Fuzzy Solution: Marcel explains that while Parakeeto has always been clear about solving profitability, clients still struggle to understand how that actually happens.
  • 04:52 – 05:44 – Profitability Touches Everything: The discussion highlights why profitability work inevitably spans finance, delivery, ops, leadership, and new business.
  • 05:44 – 08:12 – Category Creation vs. Familiar Labels: Marcel reflects on the challenge of inventing “profit management” as a category versus borrowing understanding from CFO and COO roles.
  • 08:12 – 10:17 – Why Titles Don’t Really Help: Carson points out that many agencies don’t think in executive titles at all—they just need someone to make the whole system work.
  • 10:17 – 14:18 – The Real Founder Frustration: Marcel describes the pain of having too many specialists, unclear ownership, and no one quarterbacking profitability end-to-end.
  • 14:18 – 18:05 – Agency Context as a Force Multiplier: Carson explains why Parakeeto’s deep agency experience eliminates the long ramp-up most external hires require.
  • 18:05 – 22:23 – CFO vs. COO (and Why Both Fall Short): Marcel breaks down the limitations of finance-only or ops-only approaches and why profitability lives at their intersection.
  • 22:23 – 26:49 – The Assessment Explained: Marcel walks through Parakeeto’s assessment process—modeling, interviews, and workshops that create clarity and a focused roadmap.
  • 26:49 – 30:44 – Ongoing Profit Management in Practice: The conversation details how recurring reporting, forecasting, and advisory support keep teams focused on the right levers.
  • 30:44 – 40:56 – What Actually Creates ROI: Marcel and Carson emphasize that alignment, confidence, and decisive action—supported by numbers—are the true outcomes clients pay for.

Show Notes

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Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

]]> Wed, 25 Feb 2026 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 00:01 – 01:36 – Introduction: Marcel introduces the episode as a public reflection on Parakeeto’s positioning, prompted by feedback from LinkedIn and client conversations.
  • 01:36 – 02:43 – The Identity Problem: Carson shares the internal confusion many consultants feel when their role spans finance, operations, delivery, and strategy.
  • 02:43 – 04:52 – Clear Problem, Fuzzy Solution: Marcel explains that while Parakeeto has always been clear about solving profitability, clients still struggle to understand how that actually happens.
  • 04:52 – 05:44 – Profitability Touches Everything: The discussion highlights why profitability work inevitably spans finance, delivery, ops, leadership, and new business.
  • 05:44 – 08:12 – Category Creation vs. Familiar Labels: Marcel reflects on the challenge of inventing “profit management” as a category versus borrowing understanding from CFO and COO roles.
  • 08:12 – 10:17 – Why Titles Don’t Really Help: Carson points out that many agencies don’t think in executive titles at all—they just need someone to make the whole system work.
  • 10:17 – 14:18 – The Real Founder Frustration: Marcel describes the pain of having too many specialists, unclear ownership, and no one quarterbacking profitability end-to-end.
  • 14:18 – 18:05 – Agency Context as a Force Multiplier: Carson explains why Parakeeto’s deep agency experience eliminates the long ramp-up most external hires require.
  • 18:05 – 22:23 – CFO vs. COO (and Why Both Fall Short): Marcel breaks down the limitations of finance-only or ops-only approaches and why profitability lives at their intersection.
  • 22:23 – 26:49 – The Assessment Explained: Marcel walks through Parakeeto’s assessment process—modeling, interviews, and workshops that create clarity and a focused roadmap.
  • 26:49 – 30:44 – Ongoing Profit Management in Practice: The conversation details how recurring reporting, forecasting, and advisory support keep teams focused on the right levers.
  • 30:44 – 40:56 – What Actually Creates ROI: Marcel and Carson emphasize that alignment, confidence, and decisive action—supported by numbers—are the true outcomes clients pay for.

Show Notes

Love the Podcast

Leave us a review here.


Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

]]> Where CFO Meets COO: Parakeeto's Unique Approach to Profitability, With Carson Pierce Marcel Petitpas 00:40:53 About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel Petitpas is joined by Parakeeto's consultant Carson Pierce for a candid, behind-the-scenes conversation about one deceptively simple question: what does Parakeeto actually do? Sparked by public feedback on LinkedIn, Marcel and Carson unpack Parakeeto’s evolving positioning as the world’s first profit management firm—and why it doesn’t neatly fit into traditional fractional CFO or COO categories. Together, they explore why agency profitability is fundamentally an operational problem, how finance and delivery must work hand-in-hand, and why founders are tired of stitching together disconnected experts. The episode walks through Parakeeto’s two-step approach (assessment → ongoing profit management), clarifies what clients actually receive, and explains how forecasting, focus, and execution—not just better reporting—drive real results. If you’ve ever wondered what’s “inside the box” of profit management, this episode delivers clarity, context, and a practical mental model for solving profitability the right way. About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel Petitpas is joined by Parakeeto's consultant Carson Pierce for a candid, behind-the-scenes conversation about one deceptively simple question: what does Parakeeto actually do? Sparked by public feedback on LinkedIn, Marcel and Carson unpack Parakeeto’s evolving positioning as the world’s first profit management firm—and why it doesn’t neatly fit into traditional fractional CFO or COO categories. Together, they explore why agency profitability is fundamentally an operational problem, how finance and delivery must work hand-in-hand, and why founders are tired of stitching together disconnected experts. The episode walks through Parakeeto’s two-step approach (assessment → ongoing profit management), clarifies what clients actually receive, and explains how forecasting, focus, and execution—not just better reporting—drive real results. If you’ve ever wondered what’s “inside the box” of profit management, this episode delivers clarity, context, and a practical mental model for solving profitability the right way. agency profit podcast, profit management for agencies, agency operations and finance, agency profitability, average billable rate, scaling creative agencies, agency leadership and operations, parakeeto profit management, fractional coo for agencies, agency forecasting, agency financial modeling, agency delivery margins, agency utilization, fractional cfo for agencies, agency profit strategy, management accounting for agencies false full 218 4fb7c986-606f-474a-973b-7dc2379a7f7b How to be Profitable at Any Size, With Drew McLellan Points of Interest
  • 00:00 – 02:00 – Why Agencies Avoid Talking About Money: Drew reflects on why financial transparency was rare in agencies historically and why that silence created widespread confusion about profitability.
  • 02:00 – 05:00 – The Myth of “Impossible” Profitability: Drew explains why claims that an agency “can’t be profitable” usually stem from avoided decisions, misunderstood agency math, or intentional lifestyle choices.
  • 05:00 – 07:30 – Agency Growth Breaking Points: Drew outlines common headcount thresholds where systems, processes, and structure begin to break down as agencies grow.
  • 07:30 – 10:00 – Challenges of Very Small Agencies: The conversation explores why sub-10-person agencies struggle with inefficiency, tribal knowledge, and inconsistent delivery.
  • 10:00 – 13:00 – Generalists vs. Specialists: Drew explains why early-stage generalists often struggle as agencies scale and why specialization becomes essential for profitability.
  • 13:00 – 15:30 – Management Layers and Cost Pressure: Marcel and Drew discuss how introducing management roles adds financial strain and operational complexity.
  • 15:30 – 17:30 – The Most Profitable Agency Size Range: Drew shares data showing agencies with 15–40 employees consistently outperform others on profitability.
  • 17:30 – 19:30 – Why Growing Up Improves Margins: The episode breaks down how systems, niching, and client selection drive efficiency and longer tenure at mid-size agencies.
  • 19:30 – 22:00 – Bigger Agencies, Bigger Expectations: Drew explains how larger clients demand higher sophistication, better talent, and increased operational investment.
  • 22:00 – 25:00 – Lifestyle Businesses vs. Scalable Agencies: The conversation reframes success, validating highly profitable small agencies that are never intended to be sold.
  • 25:00 – 28:00 – Running the Business by the Numbers: Drew and Marcel align on first principles like AGI and the 55-25-20 model as the foundation for healthy decision-making.
  • 28:00 – 37:00 – AI, Commoditization, and the Future of Agencies: Drew connects decades of industry evolution to today’s AI shift, arguing that strategy, thinking, and leadership—not production—are the true sources of agency value.

Show Notes

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Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

]]> Wed, 11 Feb 2026 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 00:00 – 02:00 – Why Agencies Avoid Talking About Money: Drew reflects on why financial transparency was rare in agencies historically and why that silence created widespread confusion about profitability.
  • 02:00 – 05:00 – The Myth of “Impossible” Profitability: Drew explains why claims that an agency “can’t be profitable” usually stem from avoided decisions, misunderstood agency math, or intentional lifestyle choices.
  • 05:00 – 07:30 – Agency Growth Breaking Points: Drew outlines common headcount thresholds where systems, processes, and structure begin to break down as agencies grow.
  • 07:30 – 10:00 – Challenges of Very Small Agencies: The conversation explores why sub-10-person agencies struggle with inefficiency, tribal knowledge, and inconsistent delivery.
  • 10:00 – 13:00 – Generalists vs. Specialists: Drew explains why early-stage generalists often struggle as agencies scale and why specialization becomes essential for profitability.
  • 13:00 – 15:30 – Management Layers and Cost Pressure: Marcel and Drew discuss how introducing management roles adds financial strain and operational complexity.
  • 15:30 – 17:30 – The Most Profitable Agency Size Range: Drew shares data showing agencies with 15–40 employees consistently outperform others on profitability.
  • 17:30 – 19:30 – Why Growing Up Improves Margins: The episode breaks down how systems, niching, and client selection drive efficiency and longer tenure at mid-size agencies.
  • 19:30 – 22:00 – Bigger Agencies, Bigger Expectations: Drew explains how larger clients demand higher sophistication, better talent, and increased operational investment.
  • 22:00 – 25:00 – Lifestyle Businesses vs. Scalable Agencies: The conversation reframes success, validating highly profitable small agencies that are never intended to be sold.
  • 25:00 – 28:00 – Running the Business by the Numbers: Drew and Marcel align on first principles like AGI and the 55-25-20 model as the foundation for healthy decision-making.
  • 28:00 – 37:00 – AI, Commoditization, and the Future of Agencies: Drew connects decades of industry evolution to today’s AI shift, arguing that strategy, thinking, and leadership—not production—are the true sources of agency value.

Show Notes

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Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

]]> How to be Profitable at Any Size, With Drew McLellan Marcel Petitpas 00:38:19 About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel Petitpas is joined by Drew McLellan, founder of Agency Management Institute, to unpack what profitability really looks like at different stages of agency growth. Drawing on decades of experience and financial data from more than 250 agencies, Drew explains why every agency can be profitable—regardless of size—and why many owners mistakenly believe their stage makes profitability impossible. Together, they explore common growth “breaking points,” the tradeoffs between lifestyle businesses and scalable firms, and why running an agency by the numbers is non-negotiable. From the realities of hiring, specialization, and management layers to how AI is reshaping what agencies should actually charge for, this conversation gives agency owners a grounded, experience-driven roadmap for building a more resilient, profitable business—without chasing hype or false benchmarks. About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel Petitpas is joined by Drew McLellan, founder of Agency Management Institute, to unpack what profitability really looks like at different stages of agency growth. Drawing on decades of experience and financial data from more than 250 agencies, Drew explains why every agency can be profitable—regardless of size—and why many owners mistakenly believe their stage makes profitability impossible. Together, they explore common growth “breaking points,” the tradeoffs between lifestyle businesses and scalable firms, and why running an agency by the numbers is non-negotiable. From the realities of hiring, specialization, and management layers to how AI is reshaping what agencies should actually charge for, this conversation gives agency owners a grounded, experience-driven roadmap for building a more resilient, profitable business—without chasing hype or false benchmarks. ai and agencies, agency profitability, agency business model, agency pricing strategy, agency financial management, lifestyle agency business, agency management institute, agency gross income, scaling an agency, agency headcount benchmarks, agency operations, agency leadership, agency growth stages, drew mclellan, 55 25 20 agency model, professional services profitability, agi model false full 217 fc358150-bade-4721-88e5-3ba927562db3 PM/AM Time in Pricing, With Carson Pierce Points of Interest
  • 00:01 – 01:04 – Framing the PM/AM Pricing Question: Marcel welcomes listeners, introduces Carson Pierce, and frames the central question agencies face around whether and how to charge for account and project management time.
  • 01:04 – 02:14 – Why This Issue Persists: Carson explains why underpricing project and account management work continues to surface across agencies despite increased industry maturity.
  • 02:14 – 03:28 – The Myth That Clients Won’t Pay: Carson challenges the belief that clients resist paying for PM and AM work and reframes these roles as valuable parts of delivery.
  • 03:30 – 04:32 – Why PM and AM Time Is Hard to Track: Carson outlines how fragmented tasks, short work intervals, and multi-client meetings make accurate time tracking impractical.
  • 04:33 – 06:20 – Pricing Model Confusion as the Root Cause: Marcel connects PM/AM underpricing to weak separation between price, scope, and cost, especially in time-based billing models.
  • 06:21 – 07:25 – The ABR Distortion Effect: Carson explains how excluding PM time inflates average billable rate and hides true delivery economics.
  • 07:25 – 08:24 – Two Ways to Price PM and AM Work: Marcel introduces the two viable approaches—pricing PM/AM directly in scope or absorbing the cost through margin targets.
  • 08:24 – 09:50 – When Client Pushback Actually Appears: Carson explains why most clients accept reasonable PM allocations and why resistance typically signals excessive or poorly designed PM effort.
  • 09:51 – 14:02 – Why Time-Tracking Fixes Often Fail: Carson reviews common PM tracking approaches and explains why they frequently add overhead without producing actionable insight.
  • 14:03 – 19:59 – Building PM Costs Into Margin Targets: Marcel explains how agencies can model PM and AM costs directly or indirectly based on tracking feasibility and role structure.
  • 20:00 – 29:00 – Structuring Account and Project Management Roles: Marcel and Carson discuss when to separate AM and PM roles, referencing Brett Harned’s perspective and tying structure to work complexity.
  • 29:01 – 36:13 – Sales Allocation, Overhead Clarity, and Wrap-Up: The episode concludes with guidance on allocating AM time to sales only when explicit, avoiding circumstantial overhead, and reinforcing intentional PM pricing.

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]]> Wed, 28 Jan 2026 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 00:01 – 01:04 – Framing the PM/AM Pricing Question: Marcel welcomes listeners, introduces Carson Pierce, and frames the central question agencies face around whether and how to charge for account and project management time.
  • 01:04 – 02:14 – Why This Issue Persists: Carson explains why underpricing project and account management work continues to surface across agencies despite increased industry maturity.
  • 02:14 – 03:28 – The Myth That Clients Won’t Pay: Carson challenges the belief that clients resist paying for PM and AM work and reframes these roles as valuable parts of delivery.
  • 03:30 – 04:32 – Why PM and AM Time Is Hard to Track: Carson outlines how fragmented tasks, short work intervals, and multi-client meetings make accurate time tracking impractical.
  • 04:33 – 06:20 – Pricing Model Confusion as the Root Cause: Marcel connects PM/AM underpricing to weak separation between price, scope, and cost, especially in time-based billing models.
  • 06:21 – 07:25 – The ABR Distortion Effect: Carson explains how excluding PM time inflates average billable rate and hides true delivery economics.
  • 07:25 – 08:24 – Two Ways to Price PM and AM Work: Marcel introduces the two viable approaches—pricing PM/AM directly in scope or absorbing the cost through margin targets.
  • 08:24 – 09:50 – When Client Pushback Actually Appears: Carson explains why most clients accept reasonable PM allocations and why resistance typically signals excessive or poorly designed PM effort.
  • 09:51 – 14:02 – Why Time-Tracking Fixes Often Fail: Carson reviews common PM tracking approaches and explains why they frequently add overhead without producing actionable insight.
  • 14:03 – 19:59 – Building PM Costs Into Margin Targets: Marcel explains how agencies can model PM and AM costs directly or indirectly based on tracking feasibility and role structure.
  • 20:00 – 29:00 – Structuring Account and Project Management Roles: Marcel and Carson discuss when to separate AM and PM roles, referencing Brett Harned’s perspective and tying structure to work complexity.
  • 29:01 – 36:13 – Sales Allocation, Overhead Clarity, and Wrap-Up: The episode concludes with guidance on allocating AM time to sales only when explicit, avoiding circumstantial overhead, and reinforcing intentional PM pricing.

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]]> PM/AM Time in Pricing, With Carson Pierce Marcel Petitpas 00:36:07 About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel Petitpas is joined by Carson Pierce to unpack one of the most persistent and misunderstood profit leaks in agencies: how account and project management time is priced (or not priced) into client work. Drawing on years of operational experience, they challenge the outdated belief that clients won’t pay for PM and AM effort and argue that the real issue is usually agency-side insecurity and weak pricing models. The conversation explores why PM and AM work is inherently difficult to track, how excluding it distorts metrics like average billable rate and utilization, and why many agencies unknowingly erode margins by treating these roles as overhead. Marcel and Carson break down two viable approaches to pricing PM and AM time—directly through scope or indirectly through margin targets—and explain when each makes sense based on the nature of the work. The episode closes with practical guidance on role design, delivery overhead vs. true overhead, and how agencies can structure pricing to protect profitability without creating unnecessary client friction. About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel Petitpas is joined by Carson Pierce to unpack one of the most persistent and misunderstood profit leaks in agencies: how account and project management time is priced (or not priced) into client work. Drawing on years of operational experience, they challenge the outdated belief that clients won’t pay for PM and AM effort and argue that the real issue is usually agency-side insecurity and weak pricing models. The conversation explores why PM and AM work is inherently difficult to track, how excluding it distorts metrics like average billable rate and utilization, and why many agencies unknowingly erode margins by treating these roles as overhead. Marcel and Carson break down two viable approaches to pricing PM and AM time—directly through scope or indirectly through margin targets—and explain when each makes sense based on the nature of the work. The episode closes with practical guidance on role design, delivery overhead vs. true overhead, and how agencies can structure pricing to protect profitability without creating unnecessary client friction. project management roles agencies, professional services pricing, project management fees, project management time tracking, delivery margin, agency profitability, digital agency operations, agency pricing models, agency project management, agency business model, agency unit economics, agency margins, value based pricing agencies, agency average billable rate, abr agency, agency pricing framework, agency financial management, agency delivery systems, flat rate pricing agencies, charging for project management, agency operational efficiency, creative agency management, delivery overhead, agency leadership decisions, service business margins, separating account and project management, agency time tracking, agency cost structure, agency profit leaks, agency operations, account management fees, account manager role agencies, agency scope and pricing, account management pricing, agency growth strategy, hidden delivery costs, time and materials pricing, consulting firm pricing, pricing agency services, service pricing strategy, utilization vs margin false full 216 c3cb6c54-a4b5-4bb2-a2c3-61cd12bd9178 Building ADHD-Friendly SOPs for Scalable Growth, With Skye Waterson Points of Interest
  • 00:01 – Introduction: Marcel introduces Skye Waterson and frames the conversation around SOPs, documentation, and building operational “rails” that teams can actually use.
  • 01:07 – Skye’s background and motivation: Skye shares her journey from academic burnout to discovering adult ADHD and building a business focused on helping founders work with their brains, not against them.
  • 03:04 – Why ADHD frameworks help everyone: Skye explains how ADHD-friendly systems emphasize flexibility and challenge outdated assumptions about productivity and work structure.
  • 05:05 – First principles for ADHD productivity: The discussion covers practical strategies like rewarding task initiation and reducing reliance on working memory through better capture systems.
  • 06:56 – The core problem with traditional SOPs: Skye and Marcel outline why most SOPs go stale—delegated, filed away, and only referenced during onboarding or emergencies.
  • 09:18 – SOP neglect as a hidden operational risk: The conversation highlights how disconnected SOPs undermine dashboards, metrics, and leadership visibility.
  • 11:32 – Visualizing the business as a flow: Skye introduces her core framework: mapping the business end-to-end (acquisition through expansion) using a visual tool like Miro.
  • 14:02 – Why digital visual tools matter: Skye explains why paper-based process mapping fails and why digital tools enable iteration, ownership, and follow-through.
  • 15:52 – Assigning a single DRI per process: Each node in the business flow is assigned a Directly Responsible Individual to eliminate ambiguity and improve accountability.
  • 16:40 – Red, orange, green process health: Processes are color-coded to show whether they are broken, manual and CEO-dependent, or documented and team-run.
  • 18:09 – Tying SOPs to weekly cadence and metrics: Skye explains how reviewing SOP health alongside performance metrics turns documentation into an operational diagnostic tool.
  • 24:41 – AI and living SOPs: The episode closes with best practices for using AI to bootstrap SOPs, delegate ownership, and treat documentation as a living draft rather than a finished artifact.

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]]> Wed, 14 Jan 2026 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 00:01 – Introduction: Marcel introduces Skye Waterson and frames the conversation around SOPs, documentation, and building operational “rails” that teams can actually use.
  • 01:07 – Skye’s background and motivation: Skye shares her journey from academic burnout to discovering adult ADHD and building a business focused on helping founders work with their brains, not against them.
  • 03:04 – Why ADHD frameworks help everyone: Skye explains how ADHD-friendly systems emphasize flexibility and challenge outdated assumptions about productivity and work structure.
  • 05:05 – First principles for ADHD productivity: The discussion covers practical strategies like rewarding task initiation and reducing reliance on working memory through better capture systems.
  • 06:56 – The core problem with traditional SOPs: Skye and Marcel outline why most SOPs go stale—delegated, filed away, and only referenced during onboarding or emergencies.
  • 09:18 – SOP neglect as a hidden operational risk: The conversation highlights how disconnected SOPs undermine dashboards, metrics, and leadership visibility.
  • 11:32 – Visualizing the business as a flow: Skye introduces her core framework: mapping the business end-to-end (acquisition through expansion) using a visual tool like Miro.
  • 14:02 – Why digital visual tools matter: Skye explains why paper-based process mapping fails and why digital tools enable iteration, ownership, and follow-through.
  • 15:52 – Assigning a single DRI per process: Each node in the business flow is assigned a Directly Responsible Individual to eliminate ambiguity and improve accountability.
  • 16:40 – Red, orange, green process health: Processes are color-coded to show whether they are broken, manual and CEO-dependent, or documented and team-run.
  • 18:09 – Tying SOPs to weekly cadence and metrics: Skye explains how reviewing SOP health alongside performance metrics turns documentation into an operational diagnostic tool.
  • 24:41 – AI and living SOPs: The episode closes with best practices for using AI to bootstrap SOPs, delegate ownership, and treat documentation as a living draft rather than a finished artifact.

Show Notes

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]]> Building ADHD-Friendly SOPs for Scalable Growth, With Skye Waterson Marcel Petitpas 00:33:51 About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel is joined by Skye Waterson, founder of Unconventional Organisation, to explore one of the most frustrating “invisible” problems inside growing agencies: SOPs that get created, filed away, and never used. Drawing from her research background and years of coaching founders with ADHD, Skye breaks down why traditional documentation tends to fail—static, text-heavy processes that drift out of sync with real work and leave the CEO as the fallback for every question. Together, she and Marcel unpack a more practical alternative: visually mapping the business end-to-end, assigning a single DRI to each node, color-coding process health (red/orange/green), and linking every step directly to the SOP so it becomes easy to find and improve. From weekly cadence reviews alongside metrics to using AI to bootstrap checklists and delegation, this episode offers a grounded framework for turning documentation into something that actually drives clarity, stronger delegation, and a business that runs with less founder friction. About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel is joined by Skye Waterson, founder of Unconventional Organisation, to explore one of the most frustrating “invisible” problems inside growing agencies: SOPs that get created, filed away, and never used. Drawing from her research background and years of coaching founders with ADHD, Skye breaks down why traditional documentation tends to fail—static, text-heavy processes that drift out of sync with real work and leave the CEO as the fallback for every question. Together, she and Marcel unpack a more practical alternative: visually mapping the business end-to-end, assigning a single DRI to each node, color-coding process health (red/orange/green), and linking every step directly to the SOP so it becomes easy to find and improve. From weekly cadence reviews alongside metrics to using AI to bootstrap checklists and delegation, this episode offers a grounded framework for turning documentation into something that actually drives clarity, stronger delegation, and a business that runs with less founder friction. agency leadership systems, business process mapping, agency sops, scaling creative agencies, adhd founders, visual sops, agency operations management, agency workflow optimization, standard operating procedures for agencies, miro sop workflow, delegation frameworks, ai for sop creation, agency accountability systems, operational cadence for agencies, process documentation for agencies false full 215 b3ea0e3e-6da0-4606-b2a6-0f252dbd7eb6 How to Improve Handoffs from Sales to Delivery, With Kristen Kelly Points of Interest
  • 00:00 – 01:31 – Introduction: Marcel and Kristen open with a relatable riff on Notion and AI features before framing the core issue of the episode: messy handoffs between sales, account management, and delivery in service businesses.
  • 01:31 – 03:14 – Why Handoffs Are a Universal Agency Problem: Kristen explains why sales-to-delivery handoff issues show up in agencies of every size and maturity and highlights their downstream impact on profitability and operational sanity.
  • 03:14 – 05:34 – Common Symptoms of Broken Handoffs: Kristen outlines key symptoms such as work starting in a vacuum after the contract is signed, deliverable-only briefs, and delivery teams missing the strategic goals and context from sales conversations.
  • 05:34 – 07:28 – Client Game of Telephone and Disjointed Data: Marcel describes how clients end up repeating themselves to every new team member and how poor internal communication leads to scattered information, inconsistent naming, and misaligned expectations across tools.
  • 07:28 – 10:34 – Incentive Misalignment Between Sales and Delivery: Kristen breaks down how quota driven sales teams and risk conscious project managers operate with different goals, creating tension when there is no shared understanding of scope, clarity, or repeatability.
  • 10:34 – 13:35 – Consequences for Client Trust and Profitability: They explore how early missteps fuel buyer’s remorse, create invisible client scorecards on trust, and generate internal gaps between what was promised, what is being delivered, and how profitable work actually is.
  • 13:35 – 17:29 – Ingredients of a Strong Handoff: Kristen shares practical tactics such as transferring rich context, sharing sales call recordings with the full delivery team, and having the future account lead sit in on the final sales call to align expectations before the handoff.
  • 17:29 – 20:20 – Separating Scope From Price and Avoiding Bad Math: Marcel goes on a rant about the dangerous habit of turning project price into hours by dividing it by an arbitrary rate and explains why scope, time, cost, and margin must be defined separately from the client facing price.
  • 20:20 – 24:40 – Structural Alignment Across CRM, PM, and Accounting: Marcel highlights the need for a consistent schema for how projects are represented across contracts, invoicing, project management, and time tracking so that reporting can tie expectations back to actual performance.
  • 24:40 – 27:16 – Kickoffs, Assets, and Tools That Improve Handoffs: Kristen covers how internal kickoffs, sales call recordings, and structured client intake tools can give creative and delivery teams the context they need while keeping meetings focused and efficient.
  • 27:16 – 31:18 – Using Reporting as a Forcing Function for Alignment: They introduce the idea of expectations versus actuals reporting and the agency profitability flywheel as a way to expose process gaps, bring sales and delivery into the same conversations, and drive better decision making.
  • 31:18 – 36:24 – Q4 Planning, Cross Team Empathy, and Next Steps: Kristen and Marcel close with advice to use annual planning cycles to realign services, pricing, and scope and encourage leaders to create empathy between sales and delivery by having teams observe each other’s work and “watch game tape” together.

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]]> Wed, 31 Dec 2025 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 00:00 – 01:31 – Introduction: Marcel and Kristen open with a relatable riff on Notion and AI features before framing the core issue of the episode: messy handoffs between sales, account management, and delivery in service businesses.
  • 01:31 – 03:14 – Why Handoffs Are a Universal Agency Problem: Kristen explains why sales-to-delivery handoff issues show up in agencies of every size and maturity and highlights their downstream impact on profitability and operational sanity.
  • 03:14 – 05:34 – Common Symptoms of Broken Handoffs: Kristen outlines key symptoms such as work starting in a vacuum after the contract is signed, deliverable-only briefs, and delivery teams missing the strategic goals and context from sales conversations.
  • 05:34 – 07:28 – Client Game of Telephone and Disjointed Data: Marcel describes how clients end up repeating themselves to every new team member and how poor internal communication leads to scattered information, inconsistent naming, and misaligned expectations across tools.
  • 07:28 – 10:34 – Incentive Misalignment Between Sales and Delivery: Kristen breaks down how quota driven sales teams and risk conscious project managers operate with different goals, creating tension when there is no shared understanding of scope, clarity, or repeatability.
  • 10:34 – 13:35 – Consequences for Client Trust and Profitability: They explore how early missteps fuel buyer’s remorse, create invisible client scorecards on trust, and generate internal gaps between what was promised, what is being delivered, and how profitable work actually is.
  • 13:35 – 17:29 – Ingredients of a Strong Handoff: Kristen shares practical tactics such as transferring rich context, sharing sales call recordings with the full delivery team, and having the future account lead sit in on the final sales call to align expectations before the handoff.
  • 17:29 – 20:20 – Separating Scope From Price and Avoiding Bad Math: Marcel goes on a rant about the dangerous habit of turning project price into hours by dividing it by an arbitrary rate and explains why scope, time, cost, and margin must be defined separately from the client facing price.
  • 20:20 – 24:40 – Structural Alignment Across CRM, PM, and Accounting: Marcel highlights the need for a consistent schema for how projects are represented across contracts, invoicing, project management, and time tracking so that reporting can tie expectations back to actual performance.
  • 24:40 – 27:16 – Kickoffs, Assets, and Tools That Improve Handoffs: Kristen covers how internal kickoffs, sales call recordings, and structured client intake tools can give creative and delivery teams the context they need while keeping meetings focused and efficient.
  • 27:16 – 31:18 – Using Reporting as a Forcing Function for Alignment: They introduce the idea of expectations versus actuals reporting and the agency profitability flywheel as a way to expose process gaps, bring sales and delivery into the same conversations, and drive better decision making.
  • 31:18 – 36:24 – Q4 Planning, Cross Team Empathy, and Next Steps: Kristen and Marcel close with advice to use annual planning cycles to realign services, pricing, and scope and encourage leaders to create empathy between sales and delivery by having teams observe each other’s work and “watch game tape” together.

Show Notes

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]]> How to Improve Handoffs from Sales to Delivery, With Kristen Kelly Marcel Petitpas 00:34:36 About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel is joined once again by Kristen Kelly to unpack one of the most persistent friction points inside service businesses: the handoff between sales and delivery. Drawing on her experience working with agencies of all sizes, Kristen breaks down the all too familiar pattern of projects kicking off with a signed contract but no real context, delivery teams guessing at what was promised, and loosely defined scopes that quietly erode margins. She and Marcel explore how misaligned incentives, weak scoping and pricing frameworks, and inconsistent data structures across tools turn every new project into a game of telephone for clients and a source of internal tension between sales, account management, and project teams. From practical fixes like sharing recorded sales calls and involving account managers in late stage sales conversations, to more structural shifts like separating price from scope and using reporting as a forcing function for better alignment, this episode gives agency leaders a clear roadmap to tighten handoffs, improve the client experience, and protect profitability. About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel is joined once again by Kristen Kelly to unpack one of the most persistent friction points inside service businesses: the handoff between sales and delivery. Drawing on her experience working with agencies of all sizes, Kristen breaks down the all too familiar pattern of projects kicking off with a signed contract but no real context, delivery teams guessing at what was promised, and loosely defined scopes that quietly erode margins. She and Marcel explore how misaligned incentives, weak scoping and pricing frameworks, and inconsistent data structures across tools turn every new project into a game of telephone for clients and a source of internal tension between sales, account management, and project teams. From practical fixes like sharing recorded sales calls and involving account managers in late stage sales conversations, to more structural shifts like separating price from scope and using reporting as a forcing function for better alignment, this episode gives agency leaders a clear roadmap to tighten handoffs, improve the client experience, and protect profitability. agency profit podcast, separating price and scope, creative agency workflows, agency profitability, internal handoffs in agencies, agency project management, scope creep in agencies, value-based pricing for agencies, buyer’s remorse in services, agency handoff process, sales to delivery handoff, time tracking in agencies, expectations vs actuals reporting, account management in agencies, b2b services profitability, agency profitability flywheel, project accounting for agencies, sales and delivery alignment, professional services operations, marketing agency operations, improving client experience, agency operations, agency leadership, scoping and pricing framework, crm to pm integration, agency data structure, agency growth strategy, client onboarding process, pricing agency services false full 214 f75e56fb-8d0c-42c0-9a4e-ef1ccf9d1f4a The Legal Risks of AI in Agency Work, With Sharon Toerek Points of Interest
  • 00:00 – 01:38 – Introduction: Marcel welcomes agency legal specialist Sharon Toerek, highlighting her long track record in the industry and setting the stage with a discussion about how quickly the agency world is changing.
  • 01:38 – 02:45 – Framing the AI Legal Conversation for Agencies: They position the core topic of the episode as the legal implications of AI adoption inside agencies, especially when serving enterprise clients with sensitive data and heightened risk concerns.
  • 02:45 – 05:03 – The Two Biggest AI Risk Buckets: IP and Data Privacy: Sharon identifies intellectual property and data privacy as the top two legal risk areas agencies must consider when using generative AI in strategy, creation, and data manipulation.
  • 05:03 – 08:11 – IP Infringement, Ownership, and Contract Clarity: She explains how generative AI can inadvertently infringe on others’ IP, complicate ownership of deliverables, and increase the need for explicit AI usage and ownership language in MSAs and SOWs.
  • 08:11 – 10:23 – Agency-Created IP and Contractor Use of AI: Sharon explores the risks of building agency-owned IP with AI when ownership is uncertain, and stresses the importance of knowing how contractors use AI so their work aligns with promises made to clients.
  • 10:23 – 15:11 – The State of Case Law and Fair Use Signals: They discuss how little case law exists around AI, what early decisions suggest about training data and fair use, and why we still do not know how much human contribution is needed to secure protectable IP.
  • 15:11 – 18:26 – Blurring Lines Between Human and Machine-Created Work: Marcel and Sharon reflect on how modern creative tools embed AI in everyday workflows, making it harder to distinguish human-made from machine-generated content for legal and practical purposes.
  • 18:26 – 22:40 – A Practical Playbook for Reducing AI Legal Risk: Sharon outlines concrete steps agencies can take now: have AI conversations with clients, update contracts, understand tool terms, set internal and external AI policies, and right-size risk based on audience scale.
  • 22:40 – 26:05 – Where Insurance Fits in the AI Risk Equation: They examine how general liability, E&O, and cyber policies currently treat AI-related issues, and why insurers are likely to carve out or slowly add AI-specific coverage as risks and profits emerge.
  • 26:05 – 30:31 – Market Volatility, AI Shock, and Rising Agency M&A: Sharon connects AI disruption, economic uncertainty, and geopolitical tension to a surge in small and mid-size agency deals, noting many founders are simply tired of reinventing their businesses again.
  • 30:31 – 35:40 – IP as a Lever in Exits and Next Career Moves: She makes the case that agencies who develop and package their own IP create more options in M&A, whether selling IP separately, splitting the business, or using it to launch the next chapter of their careers.

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]]> Wed, 24 Dec 2025 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 00:00 – 01:38 – Introduction: Marcel welcomes agency legal specialist Sharon Toerek, highlighting her long track record in the industry and setting the stage with a discussion about how quickly the agency world is changing.
  • 01:38 – 02:45 – Framing the AI Legal Conversation for Agencies: They position the core topic of the episode as the legal implications of AI adoption inside agencies, especially when serving enterprise clients with sensitive data and heightened risk concerns.
  • 02:45 – 05:03 – The Two Biggest AI Risk Buckets: IP and Data Privacy: Sharon identifies intellectual property and data privacy as the top two legal risk areas agencies must consider when using generative AI in strategy, creation, and data manipulation.
  • 05:03 – 08:11 – IP Infringement, Ownership, and Contract Clarity: She explains how generative AI can inadvertently infringe on others’ IP, complicate ownership of deliverables, and increase the need for explicit AI usage and ownership language in MSAs and SOWs.
  • 08:11 – 10:23 – Agency-Created IP and Contractor Use of AI: Sharon explores the risks of building agency-owned IP with AI when ownership is uncertain, and stresses the importance of knowing how contractors use AI so their work aligns with promises made to clients.
  • 10:23 – 15:11 – The State of Case Law and Fair Use Signals: They discuss how little case law exists around AI, what early decisions suggest about training data and fair use, and why we still do not know how much human contribution is needed to secure protectable IP.
  • 15:11 – 18:26 – Blurring Lines Between Human and Machine-Created Work: Marcel and Sharon reflect on how modern creative tools embed AI in everyday workflows, making it harder to distinguish human-made from machine-generated content for legal and practical purposes.
  • 18:26 – 22:40 – A Practical Playbook for Reducing AI Legal Risk: Sharon outlines concrete steps agencies can take now: have AI conversations with clients, update contracts, understand tool terms, set internal and external AI policies, and right-size risk based on audience scale.
  • 22:40 – 26:05 – Where Insurance Fits in the AI Risk Equation: They examine how general liability, E&O, and cyber policies currently treat AI-related issues, and why insurers are likely to carve out or slowly add AI-specific coverage as risks and profits emerge.
  • 26:05 – 30:31 – Market Volatility, AI Shock, and Rising Agency M&A: Sharon connects AI disruption, economic uncertainty, and geopolitical tension to a surge in small and mid-size agency deals, noting many founders are simply tired of reinventing their businesses again.
  • 30:31 – 35:40 – IP as a Lever in Exits and Next Career Moves: She makes the case that agencies who develop and package their own IP create more options in M&A, whether selling IP separately, splitting the business, or using it to launch the next chapter of their careers.

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]]> The Legal Risks of AI in Agency Work, With Sharon Toerek Marcel Petitpas 00:36:42 About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel is joined by long-time agency legal expert and Innovative Agency host Sharon Toerek to unpack one of the most urgent but confusing topics facing firms right now: the legal and business implications of AI. Drawing on decades of experience representing creative and digital agencies, Sharon breaks down the real risk areas around generative AI, from IP ownership and infringement to data privacy, contractor usage, and client expectations. Together, she and Marcel explore how fast-moving AI tools are colliding with slow-moving law, what little case law we do have, and why clear contracts, internal AI policies, and a basic grasp of tool terms are now table stakes for operators. They also zoom out to talk about how AI, economic volatility, and founder fatigue are reshaping the M&A market, and why building your own IP gives you options whether you want to sell, stay, or spin off your expertise. If you’re trying to embrace AI without stepping on a legal landmine — and future-proof the value of your agency in a shifting market — this conversation offers a pragmatic roadmap for managing risk while still moving fast. About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel is joined by long-time agency legal expert and Innovative Agency host Sharon Toerek to unpack one of the most urgent but confusing topics facing firms right now: the legal and business implications of AI. Drawing on decades of experience representing creative and digital agencies, Sharon breaks down the real risk areas around generative AI, from IP ownership and infringement to data privacy, contractor usage, and client expectations. Together, she and Marcel explore how fast-moving AI tools are colliding with slow-moving law, what little case law we do have, and why clear contracts, internal AI policies, and a basic grasp of tool terms are now table stakes for operators. They also zoom out to talk about how AI, economic volatility, and founder fatigue are reshaping the M&A market, and why building your own IP gives you options whether you want to sell, stay, or spin off your expertise. If you’re trying to embrace AI without stepping on a legal landmine — and future-proof the value of your agency in a shifting market — this conversation offers a pragmatic roadmap for managing risk while still moving fast. ai legal risks for agencies, agency profit podcast, data privacy for marketing agencies, selling a marketing agency, mixed human and ai created content, creative agency risk management, legal implications of ai in advertising, fair use and ai training data, sharon toerek agency lawyer, marketing agency msa best practices, agency insurance e&o, productizing agency ip, agency contracts ai clauses, gdpr and agencies, agency business growth strategy, ip ownership in agency work, independent contractors and ai usage, generative ai in creative agencies, building agency ip assets, small agency m&a, cyber liability insurance for agencies, intellectual property and ai, copyright infringement with ai, agency exit strategy, managing legal risk in digital agencies, marketing agency legal issues, the innovative agency podcast, torek law legalandcreative, ai tools in client projects false full 213 f5bf7edf-3afd-4509-8453-288fa283f4c3 Set Up to Fail, Even with Perfect Projects - Real Client Case Study, With Kristen Kelly Points of Interest
  • 00:02 – 01:49 – Introduction: Marcel welcomes Kristen back to the show and sets up another practical client case study focused on a real agency engagement.
  • 01:50 – 04:00 – The flex-labor, video production agency profile: Kristen outlines the agency’s model: a small FTE core, 10–20 contractors, just under $2M in revenue, and constant cash flow stress tied to contractor payments.
  • 04:01 – 06:21 – Why video production and events are so punishing for cash flow: Marcel explains how big production days and lumpy project work make earned revenue, contractor management, and cash flow especially tricky for this type of agency.
  • 05:05 – 07:16 – Growth, service-line complexity, and early unprofitability signals: Kristen describes how larger clients, new service lines with tight price ceilings, shifting deadlines, and creeping unprofitability pushed the founders to hit pause and seek help.
  • 06:22 – 07:25 – Becoming “exit curious” changes the stakes: Marcel notes that the owners had started thinking about selling, and viewing the business through an enterprise value lens made their efficiency and profitability issues feel more urgent.
  • 07:26 – 11:05 – Spreadsheets, PM tools, and the stalled silver-bullet implementation: Kristen walks through the spreadsheets they built, the expensive all-in-one PM platform they bought, and how personnel changes left the implementation half-done and overwhelming.
  • 09:06 – 13:58 – Why PM tools fail without a profitability framework: Marcel unpacks the gap between the tool’s promises and reality, highlighting how unclear definitions of cost rates, pass-through expenses, margins, and scope make it impossible to configure a PM system effectively.
  • 14:52 – 18:52 – The client’s original thesis vs. the real problem: Kristen shares that the client blamed headcount, tools, and “project management issues,” while Marcel points out their weak time-tracking culture and the failure to treat producers as true delivery costs.
  • 19:05 – 22:12 – Diagnosis: a business model and unit economics problem: Kristen explains how reviewing the cash-basis P&L, time data, spreadsheets, and contracts revealed that the core issue was delivery margin and pricing, not execution quality or PM discipline.
  • 24:52 – 27:42 – Fixing the data: contractor classification and cash-basis adjustments: Kristen describes using Parakeeto’s decision tree to classify contractors as delivery expenses, annualizing their cost and hours, and reverse-engineering hours from invoices, while Marcel adds tips for reducing noise in cash-based books.
  • 28:18 – 35:57 – Rebuilding the model: estimator tool, 70% margin, and hire-vs-contractor math: Kristen shows how the estimator tool exposed project-level unit economics and ABR targets, then explains how they improved time tracking, pricing strategy, contracts, and PM tool setup, plus modeled when it actually made sense to hire FTEs instead of using contractors.
  • 36:43 – 39:01 – Key lessons and reassurance for nuanced agency models: Kristen closes by emphasizing that every agency has quirks, but a clear framework can still make it profitable, while Marcel underscores the value of external support in untangling model vs. execution problems.

Show Notes

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]]> Wed, 17 Dec 2025 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 00:02 – 01:49 – Introduction: Marcel welcomes Kristen back to the show and sets up another practical client case study focused on a real agency engagement.
  • 01:50 – 04:00 – The flex-labor, video production agency profile: Kristen outlines the agency’s model: a small FTE core, 10–20 contractors, just under $2M in revenue, and constant cash flow stress tied to contractor payments.
  • 04:01 – 06:21 – Why video production and events are so punishing for cash flow: Marcel explains how big production days and lumpy project work make earned revenue, contractor management, and cash flow especially tricky for this type of agency.
  • 05:05 – 07:16 – Growth, service-line complexity, and early unprofitability signals: Kristen describes how larger clients, new service lines with tight price ceilings, shifting deadlines, and creeping unprofitability pushed the founders to hit pause and seek help.
  • 06:22 – 07:25 – Becoming “exit curious” changes the stakes: Marcel notes that the owners had started thinking about selling, and viewing the business through an enterprise value lens made their efficiency and profitability issues feel more urgent.
  • 07:26 – 11:05 – Spreadsheets, PM tools, and the stalled silver-bullet implementation: Kristen walks through the spreadsheets they built, the expensive all-in-one PM platform they bought, and how personnel changes left the implementation half-done and overwhelming.
  • 09:06 – 13:58 – Why PM tools fail without a profitability framework: Marcel unpacks the gap between the tool’s promises and reality, highlighting how unclear definitions of cost rates, pass-through expenses, margins, and scope make it impossible to configure a PM system effectively.
  • 14:52 – 18:52 – The client’s original thesis vs. the real problem: Kristen shares that the client blamed headcount, tools, and “project management issues,” while Marcel points out their weak time-tracking culture and the failure to treat producers as true delivery costs.
  • 19:05 – 22:12 – Diagnosis: a business model and unit economics problem: Kristen explains how reviewing the cash-basis P&L, time data, spreadsheets, and contracts revealed that the core issue was delivery margin and pricing, not execution quality or PM discipline.
  • 24:52 – 27:42 – Fixing the data: contractor classification and cash-basis adjustments: Kristen describes using Parakeeto’s decision tree to classify contractors as delivery expenses, annualizing their cost and hours, and reverse-engineering hours from invoices, while Marcel adds tips for reducing noise in cash-based books.
  • 28:18 – 35:57 – Rebuilding the model: estimator tool, 70% margin, and hire-vs-contractor math: Kristen shows how the estimator tool exposed project-level unit economics and ABR targets, then explains how they improved time tracking, pricing strategy, contracts, and PM tool setup, plus modeled when it actually made sense to hire FTEs instead of using contractors.
  • 36:43 – 39:01 – Key lessons and reassurance for nuanced agency models: Kristen closes by emphasizing that every agency has quirks, but a clear framework can still make it profitable, while Marcel underscores the value of external support in untangling model vs. execution problems.

Show Notes

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]]> Set Up to Fail, Even with Perfect Projects - Real Client Case Study, With Kristen Kelly Marcel Petitpas 00:36:23 About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel is joined by Parakeeto’s own Kristen Kelly to unpack a client case study that will feel very familiar to any agency running on a small core team plus a big bench of contractors. Together, they walk through a video-heavy, just-under-$2M agency that looked “fine” on a cash-basis P&L some months, but was constantly scrambling to cover contractor costs and make sense of its margins. Kristen breaks down how cash-basis books, lumpy project work, over-servicing, weak time-tracking habits, and a half-implemented project management tool were all symptoms of a deeper issue: a business model and unit economics problem, not just an execution or tooling problem. Using Parakeeto’s assessment process and estimator framework, she shows how they reclassified contractors, clarified delivery margin and ABR targets, reset pricing and contracts, and aligned the PM tool after the model was clear. If you’ve ever wondered why tightening your processes and buying new software still hasn’t fixed your profitability, this episode offers a grounded roadmap to finally understand your business model, price work for a 70% delivery margin, and use flex labor without constantly feeling behind on cash. About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel is joined by Parakeeto’s own Kristen Kelly to unpack a client case study that will feel very familiar to any agency running on a small core team plus a big bench of contractors. Together, they walk through a video-heavy, just-under-$2M agency that looked “fine” on a cash-basis P&L some months, but was constantly scrambling to cover contractor costs and make sense of its margins. Kristen breaks down how cash-basis books, lumpy project work, over-servicing, weak time-tracking habits, and a half-implemented project management tool were all symptoms of a deeper issue: a business model and unit economics problem, not just an execution or tooling problem. Using Parakeeto’s assessment process and estimator framework, she shows how they reclassified contractors, clarified delivery margin and ABR targets, reset pricing and contracts, and aligned the PM tool after the model was clear. If you’ve ever wondered why tightening your processes and buying new software still hasn’t fixed your profitability, this episode offers a grounded roadmap to finally understand your business model, price work for a 70% delivery margin, and use flex labor without constantly feeling behind on cash. agency profit podcast, pricing strategy for agencies, contractor-heavy agency, cash basis accounting agencies, flex labor model, delivery margin, selling an agency, managing contractors in agencies, agency profitability, video production agency finances, contribution margin, time tracking compliance, over-servicing and scope creep, agency business model, project management software implementation, agency financial framework, abr average billable rate, project-based cash flow, unit economics for agencies, marcel petitpas, agency pm tools, kristen kelly, contractor classification, producer role in agencies, agency exit planning, agency valuation, estimating creative projects, parakeeto false full 212 801a413d-fc83-4393-8be8-f2b4f5f77566 The “Second Bite” Exit Strategy, With Todd Taskey Points of Interest
  • 00:00 – 01:30 – Introduction: Marcel welcomes M&A advisor Todd Taskey, who specializes in investment banking transactions for digital marketing agencies doing $1–5M in EBITDA.
  • 01:30 – 02:40 – What Investment Banking Actually Means for Agencies: Todd explains what “investment banking transactions” are in plain language, covering how his team guides owners from first conversations through closing and integration.
  • 02:40 – 06:30 – The “Second Bite” Thesis and Evolutionary Transactions: Todd introduces his “second bite” concept using real client stories, showing how selling part of an agency can be a strategic leap forward rather than the end of an owner’s journey.
  • 06:30 – 09:20 – Private Equity as Growth Partner, Not Villain: Marcel raises common fears about private equity, and Todd contrasts horror stories of big corporate deals with growth-focused PE in the $2M EBITDA range that needs more good people, not fewer.
  • 09:20 – 12:30 – How Earn-Outs Go Right (or Wrong): Todd shares how unrealistic projections in a pitch deck can make earn-out targets impossible, and explains his playbook for setting conservative growth assumptions that founders can actually beat.
  • 12:30 – 16:30 – Inside the Private Equity Business Model: Todd breaks down how PE funds are structured, how they earn management fees and returns, and why growing EBITDA and achieving multiple expansion is central to their strategy.
  • 16:30 – 19:30 – Case Studies of PE-Backed Agency Growth: Using examples like Power Digital and other PE-backed platforms, Todd illustrates how tucking in specialized agencies (CRO, Amazon, etc.) can generate outsized returns for both founders and investors.
  • 19:30 – 24:30 – Why Private Equity Wins: Data, Rigor, and Talent: Todd describes the level of analysis PE brings to the table—cohort analysis, retention metrics, financial rigor—and how this “art and science” combination helps them repeatedly grow and sell agencies.
  • 24:30 – 28:40 – The Experience Imbalance and Need for a Real Process: Marcel highlights the experience gap between founders and professional acquirers, and Todd explains why running a structured process with multiple buyers is essential for true price discovery.
  • 28:40 – 33:10 – Free Consulting: What the Market Really Values in Your Agency: Todd outlines how conversations with 20–30 serious buyers surface recurring themes—“this, that, and the other thing”—that tell you exactly what to fix to increase valuation, even if you do not sell.
  • 33:10 – 38:30 – AI, Efficiency, and the Future of Agency Valuations: Todd shares his view that AI will most directly impact valuations through efficiency gains and margin expansion, allowing agencies to stack more clients on the same headcount and drive higher EBITDA.

Show Notes

Connect with Todd:


Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

]]> Wed, 10 Dec 2025 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 00:00 – 01:30 – Introduction: Marcel welcomes M&A advisor Todd Taskey, who specializes in investment banking transactions for digital marketing agencies doing $1–5M in EBITDA.
  • 01:30 – 02:40 – What Investment Banking Actually Means for Agencies: Todd explains what “investment banking transactions” are in plain language, covering how his team guides owners from first conversations through closing and integration.
  • 02:40 – 06:30 – The “Second Bite” Thesis and Evolutionary Transactions: Todd introduces his “second bite” concept using real client stories, showing how selling part of an agency can be a strategic leap forward rather than the end of an owner’s journey.
  • 06:30 – 09:20 – Private Equity as Growth Partner, Not Villain: Marcel raises common fears about private equity, and Todd contrasts horror stories of big corporate deals with growth-focused PE in the $2M EBITDA range that needs more good people, not fewer.
  • 09:20 – 12:30 – How Earn-Outs Go Right (or Wrong): Todd shares how unrealistic projections in a pitch deck can make earn-out targets impossible, and explains his playbook for setting conservative growth assumptions that founders can actually beat.
  • 12:30 – 16:30 – Inside the Private Equity Business Model: Todd breaks down how PE funds are structured, how they earn management fees and returns, and why growing EBITDA and achieving multiple expansion is central to their strategy.
  • 16:30 – 19:30 – Case Studies of PE-Backed Agency Growth: Using examples like Power Digital and other PE-backed platforms, Todd illustrates how tucking in specialized agencies (CRO, Amazon, etc.) can generate outsized returns for both founders and investors.
  • 19:30 – 24:30 – Why Private Equity Wins: Data, Rigor, and Talent: Todd describes the level of analysis PE brings to the table—cohort analysis, retention metrics, financial rigor—and how this “art and science” combination helps them repeatedly grow and sell agencies.
  • 24:30 – 28:40 – The Experience Imbalance and Need for a Real Process: Marcel highlights the experience gap between founders and professional acquirers, and Todd explains why running a structured process with multiple buyers is essential for true price discovery.
  • 28:40 – 33:10 – Free Consulting: What the Market Really Values in Your Agency: Todd outlines how conversations with 20–30 serious buyers surface recurring themes—“this, that, and the other thing”—that tell you exactly what to fix to increase valuation, even if you do not sell.
  • 33:10 – 38:30 – AI, Efficiency, and the Future of Agency Valuations: Todd shares his view that AI will most directly impact valuations through efficiency gains and margin expansion, allowing agencies to stack more clients on the same headcount and drive higher EBITDA.

Show Notes

Connect with Todd:


Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

]]> The “Second Bite” Exit Strategy, With Todd Taskey Marcel Petitpas 00:39:59 About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel is joined by M&A expert and Tower Partners principal Todd Taskey to unpack how agency owners can use mergers and acquisitions as a strategic evolution of their business rather than a final exit. Drawing on two decades of deals in the digital marketing space, Todd explains his “second bite” thesis: helping agencies doing roughly $1–5M in EBITDA sell a portion of their business, take meaningful cash off the table, and then ride a much bigger wave of growth alongside private equity or strategic buyers. Together, he and Marcel demystify investment banking, private equity, and how value is really created in these transactions—from multiple expansion and add-backs to the role of recurring revenue, retention, and EBITDA quality. Through concrete examples of Amazon, CRO, and full-service agencies, they show how the right partner can 10x enterprise value while actually making the founder’s life more fun, and why running a proper process (instead of just reacting to one offer) gives you free “consulting” on what drives your valuation. If you’ve ever wondered whether you should sell, when to start conversations, or how AI, efficiency, and margins are changing the game, this episode offers a practical, founder-friendly roadmap to thinking about M&A like a pro. About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel is joined by M&A expert and Tower Partners principal Todd Taskey to unpack how agency owners can use mergers and acquisitions as a strategic evolution of their business rather than a final exit. Drawing on two decades of deals in the digital marketing space, Todd explains his “second bite” thesis: helping agencies doing roughly $1–5M in EBITDA sell a portion of their business, take meaningful cash off the table, and then ride a much bigger wave of growth alongside private equity or strategic buyers. Together, he and Marcel demystify investment banking, private equity, and how value is really created in these transactions—from multiple expansion and add-backs to the role of recurring revenue, retention, and EBITDA quality. Through concrete examples of Amazon, CRO, and full-service agencies, they show how the right partner can 10x enterprise value while actually making the founder’s life more fun, and why running a proper process (instead of just reacting to one offer) gives you free “consulting” on what drives your valuation. If you’ve ever wondered whether you should sell, when to start conversations, or how AI, efficiency, and margins are changing the game, this episode offers a practical, founder-friendly roadmap to thinking about M&A like a pro. second byte podcast, agency earn-out structure, agency mergers and acquisitions, second bite transaction, investment banking for agencies, ebitda add-backs, private equity for agencies, selling a digital agency, cro agency acquisition, agency founders and private equity, agency growth through acquisition, amazon agency acquisition, agency m&a, ai and agency valuation, agency retention metrics, multiple expansion in m&a, private equity roll-up strategy, second bite m&a, agency liquidity event, agency exit strategy, ai and agency profitability, digital marketing agency sale, todd taskey, how to sell your agency, pe-backed agency growth, agency valuation, tower partners, recurring revenue valuation, strategic vs financial buyers, ebitda multiple for agencies false full 211 63206b95-8f30-4d00-a1b6-38471dab1d2e The Definitive Guide to Improving Your Agency's Cash Flow, With Carson Pierce Points of Interest
  • 00:01 – 01:28 – Introduction: Marcel and Carson set up the focus of the episode on why cash flow deserves as much attention as profitability in agency businesses.
  • 01:28 – 03:31 – Two Extreme Cash Flow Scenarios: Carson shares real client examples of agencies with tight cash despite solid operations and others with healthy bank balances masking eroding profitability, highlighting why cash and profit are easy to confuse.
  • 03:31 – 07:35 – Cash Flow vs Profitability and the Accrual Lens: Marcel explains that cash flow and profitability are correlated but distinct, outlining how agencies can be profitable with poor cash flow or unprofitable with strong cash, and introduces the importance of having both cash and accrual views.
  • 07:35 – 11:01 – Debt, Leverage, and the Cost of Poor Cash Flow: The conversation turns to agency debt, debt service ratios, and how borrowing is often used to cover weak unit economics, with Marcel warning how costly debt and “poor person pricing” can wipe out thin margins.
  • 11:17 – 18:03 – Lever One: Speeding Up Cash Collection: Marcel walks through practical ways to accelerate cash in the door, including stronger payment terms, bigger deposits, earlier invoicing, incentives for early payment, AR processes, auto-pay, and invoice factoring, while stressing how faster cash can create a dangerous illusion of higher profitability.
  • 18:03 – 21:28 – Lever Two: Delaying or Spreading Expenditures: The discussion shifts to reducing or smoothing cash outflows via flexible labor, aligning contractor terms with client terms, shortening the “cash down payment” needed to serve large projects, and avoiding unprofitable work chosen only for easier cash flow.
  • 21:28 – 26:34 – Variable Cost Models, Leasing, and Refinancing: Marcel outlines options like moving from upfront to usage-based models, leasing instead of buying, using tax planning, and refinancing expensive lines of credit into longer-term, lower-interest loans to ease monthly cash burden.
  • 26:34 – 29:04 – The Trap of Short-Term Cash Fixes: They highlight how tactics that conserve cash now—high-interest credit, invoice factoring, short-term debt—often make the business more expensive to run later, and stress the importance of applying for credit while the business is still healthy.
  • 29:04 – 33:12 – Lever Three: Building Cash Reserves and Planning for Seasonality: Marcel explains how to build three to six months of operating expenses plus two to four payrolls in cash, manage owner distributions, plan for slow periods like holidays, and use shareholder loans and credit strategically.
  • 33:12 – 36:21 – When Big Cash Reserves Hide Problems: The hosts discuss how large cash balances can mask emerging profitability or cash flow issues, arguing for a disciplined cadence of reviewing both cash and accrual metrics so owners see problems before they become crises.
  • 36:21 – 40:25 – Key Profitability Benchmarks Agencies Should Track: Marcel summarizes the core accrual benchmarks—delivery margin, direct delivery margin, overhead as a percentage of AGI, operating margin, average billable rate, utilization, and average cost per hour—as the foundation of sound unit economics.
  • 40:25 – 43:11 – Cash Flow Metrics and Parakeeto’s Evolving Role: The episode closes with a rundown of cash-specific metrics—cash reserves, operating cash flow vs EBITDA, AR/AP days, CAC payback, debt service coverage, and line-of-credit usage—and a look at how Parakeeto is expanding its services to help agencies manage profitability and cash flow holistically.

Show Notes

Podcast Episode on Revenue Recognition with Marcel & Carson

Link to Notes File For Cash Flow Improvement

Love the Podcast

Leave us a review here.


Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

]]> Wed, 3 Dec 2025 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 00:01 – 01:28 – Introduction: Marcel and Carson set up the focus of the episode on why cash flow deserves as much attention as profitability in agency businesses.
  • 01:28 – 03:31 – Two Extreme Cash Flow Scenarios: Carson shares real client examples of agencies with tight cash despite solid operations and others with healthy bank balances masking eroding profitability, highlighting why cash and profit are easy to confuse.
  • 03:31 – 07:35 – Cash Flow vs Profitability and the Accrual Lens: Marcel explains that cash flow and profitability are correlated but distinct, outlining how agencies can be profitable with poor cash flow or unprofitable with strong cash, and introduces the importance of having both cash and accrual views.
  • 07:35 – 11:01 – Debt, Leverage, and the Cost of Poor Cash Flow: The conversation turns to agency debt, debt service ratios, and how borrowing is often used to cover weak unit economics, with Marcel warning how costly debt and “poor person pricing” can wipe out thin margins.
  • 11:17 – 18:03 – Lever One: Speeding Up Cash Collection: Marcel walks through practical ways to accelerate cash in the door, including stronger payment terms, bigger deposits, earlier invoicing, incentives for early payment, AR processes, auto-pay, and invoice factoring, while stressing how faster cash can create a dangerous illusion of higher profitability.
  • 18:03 – 21:28 – Lever Two: Delaying or Spreading Expenditures: The discussion shifts to reducing or smoothing cash outflows via flexible labor, aligning contractor terms with client terms, shortening the “cash down payment” needed to serve large projects, and avoiding unprofitable work chosen only for easier cash flow.
  • 21:28 – 26:34 – Variable Cost Models, Leasing, and Refinancing: Marcel outlines options like moving from upfront to usage-based models, leasing instead of buying, using tax planning, and refinancing expensive lines of credit into longer-term, lower-interest loans to ease monthly cash burden.
  • 26:34 – 29:04 – The Trap of Short-Term Cash Fixes: They highlight how tactics that conserve cash now—high-interest credit, invoice factoring, short-term debt—often make the business more expensive to run later, and stress the importance of applying for credit while the business is still healthy.
  • 29:04 – 33:12 – Lever Three: Building Cash Reserves and Planning for Seasonality: Marcel explains how to build three to six months of operating expenses plus two to four payrolls in cash, manage owner distributions, plan for slow periods like holidays, and use shareholder loans and credit strategically.
  • 33:12 – 36:21 – When Big Cash Reserves Hide Problems: The hosts discuss how large cash balances can mask emerging profitability or cash flow issues, arguing for a disciplined cadence of reviewing both cash and accrual metrics so owners see problems before they become crises.
  • 36:21 – 40:25 – Key Profitability Benchmarks Agencies Should Track: Marcel summarizes the core accrual benchmarks—delivery margin, direct delivery margin, overhead as a percentage of AGI, operating margin, average billable rate, utilization, and average cost per hour—as the foundation of sound unit economics.
  • 40:25 – 43:11 – Cash Flow Metrics and Parakeeto’s Evolving Role: The episode closes with a rundown of cash-specific metrics—cash reserves, operating cash flow vs EBITDA, AR/AP days, CAC payback, debt service coverage, and line-of-credit usage—and a look at how Parakeeto is expanding its services to help agencies manage profitability and cash flow holistically.

Show Notes

Podcast Episode on Revenue Recognition with Marcel & Carson

Link to Notes File For Cash Flow Improvement

Love the Podcast

Leave us a review here.


Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

]]> The Definitive Guide to Improving Your Agency's Cash Flow, With Carson Pierce Marcel Petitpas 00:42:59 About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel is joined once again by Carson Pierce to unpack one of the most misunderstood topics in agency operations: the relationship between cash flow and profitability. Drawing on real client examples from both ends of the spectrum (profitable but starved for cash vs. unprofitable with plenty of cash in the bank), Carson and Marcel break down why cash flow and profit are related but fundamentally different lenses on your business. Together, they explore how payment terms, deposits, debt, and growth rate can either mask or magnify underlying unit economics, and why agencies need both a clear accrual lens (delivery margin, EBITDA, overhead) and a cash lens (reserves, AR/AP, debt service) to stay out of trouble. From practical tactics to speed up cash collection and delay expenditures, to the traps of invoice factoring, revolving credit, and oversized cash reserves, this episode gives agency owners a grounded framework and concrete benchmarks for managing cash flow without losing sight of profitability. About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel is joined once again by Carson Pierce to unpack one of the most misunderstood topics in agency operations: the relationship between cash flow and profitability. Drawing on real client examples from both ends of the spectrum (profitable but starved for cash vs. unprofitable with plenty of cash in the bank), Carson and Marcel break down why cash flow and profit are related but fundamentally different lenses on your business. Together, they explore how payment terms, deposits, debt, and growth rate can either mask or magnify underlying unit economics, and why agencies need both a clear accrual lens (delivery margin, EBITDA, overhead) and a cash lens (reserves, AR/AP, debt service) to stay out of trouble. From practical tactics to speed up cash collection and delay expenditures, to the traps of invoice factoring, revolving credit, and oversized cash reserves, this episode gives agency owners a grounded framework and concrete benchmarks for managing cash flow without losing sight of profitability. agency growth finance, agency profitability, debt service coverage ratio, agency unit economics, agency ebitda margin, agency operating margin, agency debt management, agency profit podcast finance episode, agency payment terms strategy, seasonal cash flow planning, agency cash flow, deposits and retainers, parakeeto podcast, agency utilization rate, invoice factoring for agencies, cash flow vs profitability, revenue recognition agencies, agency cash reserves, agency financial benchmarks, marketing agency finance, marcel petitpas, carson pierce, creative agency cash management, delivery margin benchmarks, average billable rate agency, accrual accounting for agencies, accounts receivable for agencies, payment terms for client projects, agency overhead ratio false full 210 3bf25cb3-2855-435a-8b01-3e730998d463 How AI is Changing Web Design & Development, With Vito Peleg Points of Interest
  • 0:01 – 01:27 – Introduction: Marcel welcomes returning guest Vito Peleg, CEO of Atarim, and frames the conversation around how agencies can streamline creative collaboration and leverage AI to improve delivery efficiency and profitability.
  • 01:28 – 03:27 – From Touring Musician to Collaboration Software Founder: Vito shares his backstory as a touring musician building websites from a van, then running a web agency, and how constant friction getting clients to give timely, clear feedback led to the first version of Atarim as a WordPress plugin.
  • 03:27 – 06:46 – The True Cost of Collaboration on Delivery Timelines: Marcel highlights how reducing delivery time by 50–70% transforms profit and cash flow, and Vito reframes the issue by showing that collaboration with clients and stakeholders routinely increases project timelines by 500–700%.
  • 06:46 – 10:06 – Why Text-Based Feedback Breaks Creative Work: Vito explains that human feedback is naturally three to five words and visual, but agencies force clients into long, text-heavy descriptions via email, docs, and tickets, creating procrastination, dead time, and constant misalignment.
  • 08:39 – 10:06 – Vague Feedback and Week-Long Clarification Cycles: Citing Atarim’s data, Vito notes that 68% of creative comments written in text are too vague to action on first pass, leading to clarification cycles that typically add a full week to even simple tasks like updating a slide.
  • 10:12 – 15:07 – Building Momentum and “Two Days and a Weekend”: In response to Marcel’s question about where agencies lose the most efficiency, Vito argues the biggest gap is at project start and introduces the “two days and a weekend” framing plus fast, simple deliverables (like a sitemap) to create momentum and urgency.
  • 15:15 – 17:28 – Getting Imperfect Work in Front of Clients Early: Marcel and Vito discuss reframing early deliverables explicitly as rough first passes so clients expect to react rather than receive perfection, reducing sunk-cost risk and speeding up alignment on direction.
  • 17:28 – 24:49 – How AI Is Compressing Build Time and Changing UI: Vito describes the evolution from hand-coded sites to drag-and-drop builders and now prompt-driven interfaces, arguing that AI will shrink creation time so dramatically that collaboration will become an even larger relative drag on projects.
  • 22:29 – 25:56 – The Future of Figma, Builders, and Dynamic Interfaces: Vito predicts that the traditional Figma-to-dev pipeline will erode as tools let teams go from prompt to production UI, while Marcel adds a Google perspective on a future where AI dynamically renders interfaces tailored to each user.
  • 30:37 – 37:42 – Agencies as Orchestrators of AI Agents, Not Just Humans: Vito outlines a future where agency owners orchestrate a team of AI agents instead of being the “talent,” potentially pricing work by tokens instead of dev hours, and using agents to automate follow-ups, support, and clarification cycles like Atarim’s Claro.
  • 39:14 – 45:19 – Atarim’s Agentic Creative Team Vision and Next Steps: Vito explains how Atarim is building a multi-human, multi-agent collaboration environment where specialized AI teammates (design, accessibility, performance, PM) work together in threads, and invites listeners to explore the early-access experience at Atarim.io.

Show Notes

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Leave us a review here.


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]]> Wed, 26 Nov 2025 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 0:01 – 01:27 – Introduction: Marcel welcomes returning guest Vito Peleg, CEO of Atarim, and frames the conversation around how agencies can streamline creative collaboration and leverage AI to improve delivery efficiency and profitability.
  • 01:28 – 03:27 – From Touring Musician to Collaboration Software Founder: Vito shares his backstory as a touring musician building websites from a van, then running a web agency, and how constant friction getting clients to give timely, clear feedback led to the first version of Atarim as a WordPress plugin.
  • 03:27 – 06:46 – The True Cost of Collaboration on Delivery Timelines: Marcel highlights how reducing delivery time by 50–70% transforms profit and cash flow, and Vito reframes the issue by showing that collaboration with clients and stakeholders routinely increases project timelines by 500–700%.
  • 06:46 – 10:06 – Why Text-Based Feedback Breaks Creative Work: Vito explains that human feedback is naturally three to five words and visual, but agencies force clients into long, text-heavy descriptions via email, docs, and tickets, creating procrastination, dead time, and constant misalignment.
  • 08:39 – 10:06 – Vague Feedback and Week-Long Clarification Cycles: Citing Atarim’s data, Vito notes that 68% of creative comments written in text are too vague to action on first pass, leading to clarification cycles that typically add a full week to even simple tasks like updating a slide.
  • 10:12 – 15:07 – Building Momentum and “Two Days and a Weekend”: In response to Marcel’s question about where agencies lose the most efficiency, Vito argues the biggest gap is at project start and introduces the “two days and a weekend” framing plus fast, simple deliverables (like a sitemap) to create momentum and urgency.
  • 15:15 – 17:28 – Getting Imperfect Work in Front of Clients Early: Marcel and Vito discuss reframing early deliverables explicitly as rough first passes so clients expect to react rather than receive perfection, reducing sunk-cost risk and speeding up alignment on direction.
  • 17:28 – 24:49 – How AI Is Compressing Build Time and Changing UI: Vito describes the evolution from hand-coded sites to drag-and-drop builders and now prompt-driven interfaces, arguing that AI will shrink creation time so dramatically that collaboration will become an even larger relative drag on projects.
  • 22:29 – 25:56 – The Future of Figma, Builders, and Dynamic Interfaces: Vito predicts that the traditional Figma-to-dev pipeline will erode as tools let teams go from prompt to production UI, while Marcel adds a Google perspective on a future where AI dynamically renders interfaces tailored to each user.
  • 30:37 – 37:42 – Agencies as Orchestrators of AI Agents, Not Just Humans: Vito outlines a future where agency owners orchestrate a team of AI agents instead of being the “talent,” potentially pricing work by tokens instead of dev hours, and using agents to automate follow-ups, support, and clarification cycles like Atarim’s Claro.
  • 39:14 – 45:19 – Atarim’s Agentic Creative Team Vision and Next Steps: Vito explains how Atarim is building a multi-human, multi-agent collaboration environment where specialized AI teammates (design, accessibility, performance, PM) work together in threads, and invites listeners to explore the early-access experience at Atarim.io.

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]]> How AI is Changing Web Design & Development, With Vito Peleg Marcel Petitpas 00:45:25 About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel is joined by longtime friend and Atarim CEO Vito Peleg to dig into one of the biggest but least measured drags on agency profitability: creative collaboration. Drawing on his journey from touring musician to agency owner to founder of a leading creative collaboration platform, Vito breaks down why working with clients and stakeholders can inflate delivery timelines by 500–700% and quietly wreck utilization, margins, and cash flow. He and Marcel unpack the real reasons projects stall — vague, text-based feedback on visual work, week-long clarification cycles, and slow starts that kill momentum — and then explore how AI is radically compressing build time while making collaboration the new primary cost center. From practical tactics like “two days and a weekend” framing and shipping a tiny first deliverable immediately, to a forward look at AI-driven, agentic creative teams that act like an infinitely scalable delivery bench, this episode gives agency leaders a clear, relatable roadmap to finish projects faster, protect profits, and ride the AI wave instead of drowning in it. About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel is joined by longtime friend and Atarim CEO Vito Peleg to dig into one of the biggest but least measured drags on agency profitability: creative collaboration. Drawing on his journey from touring musician to agency owner to founder of a leading creative collaboration platform, Vito breaks down why working with clients and stakeholders can inflate delivery timelines by 500–700% and quietly wreck utilization, margins, and cash flow. He and Marcel unpack the real reasons projects stall — vague, text-based feedback on visual work, week-long clarification cycles, and slow starts that kill momentum — and then explore how AI is radically compressing build time while making collaboration the new primary cost center. From practical tactics like “two days and a weekend” framing and shipping a tiny first deliverable immediately, to a forward look at AI-driven, agentic creative teams that act like an infinitely scalable delivery bench, this episode gives agency leaders a clear, relatable roadmap to finish projects faster, protect profits, and ride the AI wave instead of drowning in it. agency profit podcast, claro ai, agency profitability, website builders with ai, improving cash flow in agencies, vague client feedback, creative collaboration platform, building project momentum, ai in agencies, web design agency operations, prompt-based web design, agency growth, utilization challenges, project delivery efficiency, collaboration bottlenecks, atarim, web performance optimization, 500-700 percent delivery time increase, design feedback tools, two days and a weekend, agency operations, ai collaboration agents, atarim.io, client feedback process, marcel petitpas, dynamic ai-generated interfaces, ai for creative work, ai project manager, vito peleg, future of figma, multi-agent collaboration, web development collaboration, accessibility audits with ai, lighthouse audit automation, agentic creative team, clarification cycles, agency workflow management false full 209 ae4d38fa-c707-4da7-9498-69fddd71d1a1 Productized Services vs. Custom Work: Which One is Better?, With Kristen Kelly Points of Interest
  • 00:01 – 02:30 – Introduction: Marcel and Kristen introduce the episode’s focus on productized services versus custom work and set the expectation for a nuanced, non-dogmatic discussion for agencies.
  • 02:31 – 07:25 – Defining Productized Services & Common Misconceptions: Marcel defines productization as selling a clear outcome for a fixed price, explains that backend processes do not need to be identical every time, and debunks the idea that productized services must be rigid or factory-like.
  • 07:26 – 11:31 – Benefits of Productized Services for Sales and Operations: The hosts outline how productized services can shorten sales cycles, simplify proposals and contracts, standardize onboarding and delivery, and support more scalable, profitable operations when paired with strong process and pricing.
  • 11:32 – 15:43 – Hidden Costs and Rigidity of Productization: Marcel explains how process investments create product and operational debt that are expensive to maintain and slow to change, highlighting the risk of misfit productized offers in complex or iterative work like web and software development.
  • 15:44 – 19:00 – Pricing Model Quadrant and Scope–Contract Alignment: The conversation explores the value–risk pricing quadrant and shows how flat-fee or fixed-scope productized offers can clash with agile, fluid scopes when every backlog change forces contract renegotiation and erodes margin.
  • 19:01 – 22:33 – Abstracted Time & Materials as a “Productized” Offer: Marcel introduces abstracted time and materials models such as leasing a cross-functional team per sprint, arguing that agencies can sell clear “products” without fixed deliverables while using pricing structures that better share risk with clients.
  • 22:34 – 27:10 – Strategic Upsides of Custom Work for Complex Problems: The hosts outline how custom work suits complex, high-value, or enterprise-level problems, enables larger deal sizes and higher absolute profit, and lets agencies operate in less crowded, harder-to-solve problem spaces.
  • 27:11 – 29:40 – Staffing Strategy for Custom Agencies: Marcel describes a staffing model built around a small core of senior experts and a flexible bench of freelancers or contractors, enabling agencies to absorb project volume swings without constant hiring and layoffs.
  • 29:41 – 33:44 – Pricing, Delivery Margin, and Contractor Economics: The discussion dives into calculating delivery margin targets for internal staff versus contractors, marking up units of time appropriately, and deciding when to treat outside experts as pass-through costs while still protecting project profitability.
  • 35:07 – 37:48 – Debunking the Myth That Custom Work Cannot Scale: Marcel challenges the claim that custom work is inherently unscalable or unprofitable by pointing to large professional services firms, while acknowledging the real challenges around utilization, staffing, and pricing on time and materials.
  • 37:49 – 42:32 – Market Context, Price Ceilings, and Competitive Pressure: The hosts explain how custom approaches can price agencies out of mid-market segments where clients do not value extensive process, and emphasize matching the business model to what the market needs and is willing to pay for.
  • 42:33 – 48:53 – Choosing the Right Model and Recommended Resources: The episode closes with a call to map services against value and risk, design pricing and delivery models accordingly, avoid chasing productization as a silver bullet, and check out suggested experts and resources on productized services and pricing.

Show Notes


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]]> Wed, 19 Nov 2025 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 00:01 – 02:30 – Introduction: Marcel and Kristen introduce the episode’s focus on productized services versus custom work and set the expectation for a nuanced, non-dogmatic discussion for agencies.
  • 02:31 – 07:25 – Defining Productized Services & Common Misconceptions: Marcel defines productization as selling a clear outcome for a fixed price, explains that backend processes do not need to be identical every time, and debunks the idea that productized services must be rigid or factory-like.
  • 07:26 – 11:31 – Benefits of Productized Services for Sales and Operations: The hosts outline how productized services can shorten sales cycles, simplify proposals and contracts, standardize onboarding and delivery, and support more scalable, profitable operations when paired with strong process and pricing.
  • 11:32 – 15:43 – Hidden Costs and Rigidity of Productization: Marcel explains how process investments create product and operational debt that are expensive to maintain and slow to change, highlighting the risk of misfit productized offers in complex or iterative work like web and software development.
  • 15:44 – 19:00 – Pricing Model Quadrant and Scope–Contract Alignment: The conversation explores the value–risk pricing quadrant and shows how flat-fee or fixed-scope productized offers can clash with agile, fluid scopes when every backlog change forces contract renegotiation and erodes margin.
  • 19:01 – 22:33 – Abstracted Time & Materials as a “Productized” Offer: Marcel introduces abstracted time and materials models such as leasing a cross-functional team per sprint, arguing that agencies can sell clear “products” without fixed deliverables while using pricing structures that better share risk with clients.
  • 22:34 – 27:10 – Strategic Upsides of Custom Work for Complex Problems: The hosts outline how custom work suits complex, high-value, or enterprise-level problems, enables larger deal sizes and higher absolute profit, and lets agencies operate in less crowded, harder-to-solve problem spaces.
  • 27:11 – 29:40 – Staffing Strategy for Custom Agencies: Marcel describes a staffing model built around a small core of senior experts and a flexible bench of freelancers or contractors, enabling agencies to absorb project volume swings without constant hiring and layoffs.
  • 29:41 – 33:44 – Pricing, Delivery Margin, and Contractor Economics: The discussion dives into calculating delivery margin targets for internal staff versus contractors, marking up units of time appropriately, and deciding when to treat outside experts as pass-through costs while still protecting project profitability.
  • 35:07 – 37:48 – Debunking the Myth That Custom Work Cannot Scale: Marcel challenges the claim that custom work is inherently unscalable or unprofitable by pointing to large professional services firms, while acknowledging the real challenges around utilization, staffing, and pricing on time and materials.
  • 37:49 – 42:32 – Market Context, Price Ceilings, and Competitive Pressure: The hosts explain how custom approaches can price agencies out of mid-market segments where clients do not value extensive process, and emphasize matching the business model to what the market needs and is willing to pay for.
  • 42:33 – 48:53 – Choosing the Right Model and Recommended Resources: The episode closes with a call to map services against value and risk, design pricing and delivery models accordingly, avoid chasing productization as a silver bullet, and check out suggested experts and resources on productized services and pricing.

Show Notes


Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

]]> Productized Services vs. Custom Work: Which One is Better?, With Kristen Kelly Marcel Petitpas 00:46:21 About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel is joined once again by Kristen Kelly for a grounded, no-nonsense exploration of one of the most debated topics in the agency world: productized services versus custom work. Drawing from their work helping agencies price, scope, and operationalize delivery, Marcel and Kristen break down why neither model is inherently “better,” and why the right approach depends entirely on the value and risk profile of the problems you solve. They outline the real advantages of productization—like faster sales cycles, clearer packaging, and more predictable delivery—while also unpacking the hidden downsides, including rigidity, process debt, and misalignment with complex or evolving scopes. The conversation also highlights when custom work is not only appropriate but strategically advantageous, especially for higher-value, technically demanding engagements, and offers practical guidance on staffing, delivery margin, and pricing models such as abstracted time-and-materials. Whether you’re trying to increase profitability, streamline operations, or simply make sense of how to structure your services, this episode gives you a clear framework for choosing the model that actually fits your agency’s reality. About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel is joined once again by Kristen Kelly for a grounded, no-nonsense exploration of one of the most debated topics in the agency world: productized services versus custom work. Drawing from their work helping agencies price, scope, and operationalize delivery, Marcel and Kristen break down why neither model is inherently “better,” and why the right approach depends entirely on the value and risk profile of the problems you solve. They outline the real advantages of productization—like faster sales cycles, clearer packaging, and more predictable delivery—while also unpacking the hidden downsides, including rigidity, process debt, and misalignment with complex or evolving scopes. The conversation also highlights when custom work is not only appropriate but strategically advantageous, especially for higher-value, technically demanding engagements, and offers practical guidance on staffing, delivery margin, and pricing models such as abstracted time-and-materials. Whether you’re trying to increase profitability, streamline operations, or simply make sense of how to structure your services, this episode gives you a clear framework for choosing the model that actually fits your agency’s reality. agency profit podcast, creative agencies, time and materials billing, sprint-based teams, delivery margin, agency profitability, agile web development, positioning and productization, agency business model, agency process design, capacity planning for agencies, scoping complex projects, agency pricing strategy, risk management in pricing, pricing model quadrant, agency financial management, service standardization, agency profitability framework, agency sales cycle, agency growth strategies, agency benchmarks, freelancers vs full-time staff, process debt, productized services, custom software projects, sprint-based pricing, agency staffing model, value-based pricing, agency forecasting, agency operations, mid-market web projects, enterprise client work, agency utilization, abstracted time and materials, agency revenue models, professional services firms, flat-fee pricing, custom agency work, operational drag false full 208 0f431fe8-fe60-4a83-9ba1-6a1960a340ca How to Improve Your Co-Founder Relationships, With Dr. Matthew Jones Points of Interest
  • 00:00 – Introduction: Marcel introduces Dr. Matthew Jones and frames the co-founder relationship as a critical driver of business health and day-to-day well-being.
  • 01:14 – Origin Story: Matt explains how mediating friends’ founder conflict revealed a gap between business coaching and psychological expertise for co-founders.
  • 02:20 – Why It’s Hard: The relationship requires a dual lens—operational structure and psychological dynamics—or teams get shortchanged.
  • 05:40 – Red Flag to Watch: Recurring disagreements usually mask unspoken emotional issues around power, recognition, or closeness that stall decisions.
  • 08:19 – Two Kinds of Trust: Matt distinguishes operational trust (competence) from personal trust (availability and attunement) as separate failure points.
  • 09:34 – Tools & Frameworks: Introduction to the Co-Founder Satisfaction Index and the three-phase Conflict Navigation System (prep, conversation, accountability).
  • 10:33 – Cadence That Works: “Syncs” for operations and “dates” for meta-communication humanize partners and prevent ad hoc, disruptive alignment.
  • 13:51 – Containment in Practice: Schedule conflict conversations instead of reacting in the moment; example reframes an all-hands interruption into a debrief.
  • 15:49 – Written Feedback Protocol: Parakeeto’s situation–behavior–impact flow with consent sets clear context and reduces emotional reactivity.
  • 18:54 – Running the Conversation: Use “I-messages” for low-intensity talks; switch to reflective dialogue (speaker/receiver, paraphrase, validate) when emotions run high.
  • 22:08 – Commitments & Follow-ups: Translate insights into concrete commitments with a timeline to “close open loops” and reinforce accountability.
  • 25:34 – When Splits Happen: Matt’s “Stabilizer Split” month helps decide path; negotiate together before lawyers, expect grief and manage emotional debt.

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]]> Wed, 12 Nov 2025 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 00:00 – Introduction: Marcel introduces Dr. Matthew Jones and frames the co-founder relationship as a critical driver of business health and day-to-day well-being.
  • 01:14 – Origin Story: Matt explains how mediating friends’ founder conflict revealed a gap between business coaching and psychological expertise for co-founders.
  • 02:20 – Why It’s Hard: The relationship requires a dual lens—operational structure and psychological dynamics—or teams get shortchanged.
  • 05:40 – Red Flag to Watch: Recurring disagreements usually mask unspoken emotional issues around power, recognition, or closeness that stall decisions.
  • 08:19 – Two Kinds of Trust: Matt distinguishes operational trust (competence) from personal trust (availability and attunement) as separate failure points.
  • 09:34 – Tools & Frameworks: Introduction to the Co-Founder Satisfaction Index and the three-phase Conflict Navigation System (prep, conversation, accountability).
  • 10:33 – Cadence That Works: “Syncs” for operations and “dates” for meta-communication humanize partners and prevent ad hoc, disruptive alignment.
  • 13:51 – Containment in Practice: Schedule conflict conversations instead of reacting in the moment; example reframes an all-hands interruption into a debrief.
  • 15:49 – Written Feedback Protocol: Parakeeto’s situation–behavior–impact flow with consent sets clear context and reduces emotional reactivity.
  • 18:54 – Running the Conversation: Use “I-messages” for low-intensity talks; switch to reflective dialogue (speaker/receiver, paraphrase, validate) when emotions run high.
  • 22:08 – Commitments & Follow-ups: Translate insights into concrete commitments with a timeline to “close open loops” and reinforce accountability.
  • 25:34 – When Splits Happen: Matt’s “Stabilizer Split” month helps decide path; negotiate together before lawyers, expect grief and manage emotional debt.

Show Notes

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Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

]]> How to Improve Your Co-Founder Relationships, With Dr. Matthew Jones Marcel Petitpas 00:37:01 About this Episode In this Agency Profit Podcast episode, Marcel sits down with Dr. Matthew Jones, clinical psychologist, founder of Co-Founder Clarity, and author of The Co-Founder Effect, to unpack why co-founder relationships are uniquely complex and how to manage them with both an operational and interpersonal lens. They explore the biggest red flag—recurring disagreements that signal unspoken emotional dynamics—the difference between operational trust and personal trust, and practical structures like “containment,” written feedback protocols, and reflective dialogue to keep conflict from contaminating execution. Matt shares his Co-Founder Satisfaction Index and three-phase Conflict Navigation System, plus a cadence of co-founder syncs and “dates” to maintain alignment. They also cover how to handle amicable separations, including negotiation sequencing and the often-overlooked grief and emotional debt that surface when partnerships change, so agency leaders can protect both the business and the relationship. About this Episode In this Agency Profit Podcast episode, Marcel sits down with Dr. Matthew Jones, clinical psychologist, founder of Co-Founder Clarity, and author of The Co-Founder Effect, to unpack why co-founder relationships are uniquely complex and how to manage them with both an operational and interpersonal lens. They explore the biggest red flag—recurring disagreements that signal unspoken emotional dynamics—the difference between operational trust and personal trust, and practical structures like “containment,” written feedback protocols, and reflective dialogue to keep conflict from contaminating execution. Matt shares his Co-Founder Satisfaction Index and three-phase Conflict Navigation System, plus a cadence of co-founder syncs and “dates” to maintain alignment. They also cover how to handle amicable separations, including negotiation sequencing and the often-overlooked grief and emotional debt that surface when partnerships change, so agency leaders can protect both the business and the relationship. the co-founder effect, stabilizer split, partner breakup, co-founder satisfaction index, emotional debt, conflict containment, operational trust, recurring disagreements, situation behavior impact, agency co-founders, trust building for founders, cofounderclarity.com, roles and responsibilities alignment, attachment dynamics in business, equity and compensation disputes, conflict navigation system, co-founder dates, co-founder relationships, founder therapy, agency operations, agency leadership, amicable founder split, written feedback protocol, reflective dialogue, meta-communication, co-founder syncs, personal trust, clearing conversations, feedback cadence, co-founder conflict false full 207 81d003a0-665e-4a46-8a89-eb7036d102a9 From Losing Money to Strong Profits-Real Client Case Study, With Carson Pierce Points of Interest
  • 00:00 – Introduction: Marcel welcomes recurring guest Carson Pierce to the Agency Profit Podcast and introduces a new format—walking through a real, anonymized client assessment to show how Parakeeto diagnoses and solves profitability challenges.
  • 02:00 – Every Agency’s Problems Are Unique but Familiar: Carson explains that while every agency’s situation feels unique, most share a few core underlying problems that manifest differently based on team structure, services, and culture.
  • 03:40 – Client Background: The featured firm had around 12 staff, close to $1M in revenue, but was losing roughly $80K per year. Despite solid demand, they couldn’t pinpoint the source of their declining profit.
  • 05:00 – Early Misdiagnoses and Attempts: The leadership team suspected overhead costs like health insurance and software were to blame and tried tightening internal processes, but those adjustments didn’t solve the deeper financial issues.
  • 06:30 – Leadership Misalignment: With multiple co-founders holding different perspectives, the agency struggled to align on the root cause of its issues, each assuming the problem lay outside their area of expertise.
  • 10:00 – Starting the Assessment: Carson outlines Parakeeto’s assessment process—benchmarking against a healthy “agency model,” ingesting financial and time data, and identifying gaps between planned and actual performance.
  • 11:50 – Payroll Red Flag: Analysis revealed that 98% of all revenue was going directly to payroll, leaving no margin for overhead or profit—a clear signal of structural imbalance.
  • 13:30 – Data Gaps and Adjustments: The team had poor time-tracking compliance and a prepaid revenue entry on the P&L that skewed results. Parakeeto corrected these to reveal a more accurate financial picture.
  • 16:30 – Root Causes Identified: The agency was top-heavy with overhead roles, under-utilized due to a bottlenecked design team, and priced below the level their delivery costs required.
  • 20:30 – Building the Roadmap: Quick wins included improving time-tracking compliance and reclassifying project management and account management as billable delivery hours. Longer-term actions included hiring a designer, raising prices 10–15%, and training PMs in scope management.
  • 25:50 – Strategic Choice: Grow, Don’t Cut: Instead of downsizing, the founders chose to grow out of the constraint—adding delivery capacity to balance the team and improve utilization since demand existed.
  • 28:40 – Coaching and Next Steps: Carson explains the ongoing coaching plan—educating on data hygiene, improving utilization, then progressing to deeper ABR and project-level analysis—focusing first on leading indicators before tracking lagging outcomes.

Show Notes

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]]> Wed, 5 Nov 2025 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 00:00 – Introduction: Marcel welcomes recurring guest Carson Pierce to the Agency Profit Podcast and introduces a new format—walking through a real, anonymized client assessment to show how Parakeeto diagnoses and solves profitability challenges.
  • 02:00 – Every Agency’s Problems Are Unique but Familiar: Carson explains that while every agency’s situation feels unique, most share a few core underlying problems that manifest differently based on team structure, services, and culture.
  • 03:40 – Client Background: The featured firm had around 12 staff, close to $1M in revenue, but was losing roughly $80K per year. Despite solid demand, they couldn’t pinpoint the source of their declining profit.
  • 05:00 – Early Misdiagnoses and Attempts: The leadership team suspected overhead costs like health insurance and software were to blame and tried tightening internal processes, but those adjustments didn’t solve the deeper financial issues.
  • 06:30 – Leadership Misalignment: With multiple co-founders holding different perspectives, the agency struggled to align on the root cause of its issues, each assuming the problem lay outside their area of expertise.
  • 10:00 – Starting the Assessment: Carson outlines Parakeeto’s assessment process—benchmarking against a healthy “agency model,” ingesting financial and time data, and identifying gaps between planned and actual performance.
  • 11:50 – Payroll Red Flag: Analysis revealed that 98% of all revenue was going directly to payroll, leaving no margin for overhead or profit—a clear signal of structural imbalance.
  • 13:30 – Data Gaps and Adjustments: The team had poor time-tracking compliance and a prepaid revenue entry on the P&L that skewed results. Parakeeto corrected these to reveal a more accurate financial picture.
  • 16:30 – Root Causes Identified: The agency was top-heavy with overhead roles, under-utilized due to a bottlenecked design team, and priced below the level their delivery costs required.
  • 20:30 – Building the Roadmap: Quick wins included improving time-tracking compliance and reclassifying project management and account management as billable delivery hours. Longer-term actions included hiring a designer, raising prices 10–15%, and training PMs in scope management.
  • 25:50 – Strategic Choice: Grow, Don’t Cut: Instead of downsizing, the founders chose to grow out of the constraint—adding delivery capacity to balance the team and improve utilization since demand existed.
  • 28:40 – Coaching and Next Steps: Carson explains the ongoing coaching plan—educating on data hygiene, improving utilization, then progressing to deeper ABR and project-level analysis—focusing first on leading indicators before tracking lagging outcomes.

Show Notes

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]]> From Losing Money to Strong Profits-Real Client Case Study, With Carson Pierce Marcel Petitpas 00:35:53 About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel sits down with long-time Parakeeto consultant Carson Pierce to pull back the curtain on a real (anonymized) client assessment and show exactly how agencies can diagnose stubborn profit issues. Drawing on insights from 100+ assessments, Carson walks through the step-by-step process—starting with a simple benchmark “agency model,” then layering in messy P&L and time data, stakeholder interviews, and practical adjustments (like recognizing PM/account management as delivery, fixing time-tracking compliance, and correcting for prepaid revenue). Together, he and Marcel unpack the real culprits behind weak margins—top-heavy teams, bottlenecked delivery (hello, overworked design), and underpriced work—and why the right solution isn’t always “cut”; sometimes it’s “grow out of the constraint” (e.g., hire to relieve a bottleneck and raise utilization). Expect a clear roadmap you can reuse: focus on leading indicators first (model utilization, ABR/pricing, forecast vs. plan), then install cadence and coaching to turn clarity into action—and predictable profit. About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel sits down with long-time Parakeeto consultant Carson Pierce to pull back the curtain on a real (anonymized) client assessment and show exactly how agencies can diagnose stubborn profit issues. Drawing on insights from 100+ assessments, Carson walks through the step-by-step process—starting with a simple benchmark “agency model,” then layering in messy P&L and time data, stakeholder interviews, and practical adjustments (like recognizing PM/account management as delivery, fixing time-tracking compliance, and correcting for prepaid revenue). Together, he and Marcel unpack the real culprits behind weak margins—top-heavy teams, bottlenecked delivery (hello, overworked design), and underpriced work—and why the right solution isn’t always “cut”; sometimes it’s “grow out of the constraint” (e.g., hire to relieve a bottleneck and raise utilization). Expect a clear roadmap you can reuse: focus on leading indicators first (model utilization, ABR/pricing, forecast vs. plan), then install cadence and coaching to turn clarity into action—and predictable profit. scaling agencies, agency consulting, capacity planning, agency assessment, agency profitability, agency p&l analysis, time tracking compliance, average billable rate, agency roadmap, profit management system, bottleneck analysis, agency growth, growing out of constraints, creative agency operations, agency coaching, overhead reduction, marcel petitpas, carson pierce, agency benchmarking, improving profit margins, agency pricing, utilization rate, project management in agencies, delivery margins, parakeeto, agency financial model false full 206 baa2509c-6509-42f1-af96-3cdc6c6a8e60 The Future of AI Enabled Sales for Small Agencies, With Simo Lemandez Points of Interest
  • 00:00 – 00:39 – Introduction: Marcel introduces Simo Lemhandez, founder of Folk CRM, one of Europe’s fastest-growing SaaS startups recognized by Product Hunt.
  • 00:42 – 02:18 – Defining Folk CRM: Simo explains Folk’s mission to redefine CRM as an AI-native platform that centralizes all client touchpoints and automates busywork.
  • 02:21 – 04:20 – Origin Story: Simo shares how freelancing revealed the shortcomings of traditional CRMs and inspired him to build one that truly works for its users.
  • 04:31 – 07:26 – Product Philosophy: Folk deliberately focuses on small and mid-sized businesses (1–100 people) with a simple interface and complex backend automation.
  • 07:26 – 10:23 – Evolution of Go-to-Market: Simo outlines emerging trends: multichannel social selling, account-based marketing, and deeper personalization powered by AI.
  • 10:23 – 12:00 – Centralizing Context with AI: Marcel highlights how AI can synthesize client interactions across platforms, reducing manual data entry and complexity.
  • 13:16 – 16:13 – Human-in-the-Loop Design: Simo shares his framework for balancing automation and human oversight using a “workflow criticality × automation difficulty” matrix.
  • 16:13 – 19:54 – Platformization & SaaS Rationalization: Discussion on SaaS consolidation, where AI accelerates integration and reduces the need for fragmented tool stacks.
  • 20:03 – 23:10 – Building Flexible Architecture: Marcel and Simo explore how AI allows software to handle complex workflows while keeping user experiences simple.
  • 23:10 – 28:34 – The Future of Expertise: Both reflect on how AI lowers the barrier to competence but raises the premium on originality, strategy, and creativity.
  • 28:46 – 30:57 – Closing Thoughts: Simo encourages experts to embrace AI change cycles, stay curious, and focus on high-value creative work while AI handles repetition.

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]]> Wed, 29 Oct 2025 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 00:00 – 00:39 – Introduction: Marcel introduces Simo Lemhandez, founder of Folk CRM, one of Europe’s fastest-growing SaaS startups recognized by Product Hunt.
  • 00:42 – 02:18 – Defining Folk CRM: Simo explains Folk’s mission to redefine CRM as an AI-native platform that centralizes all client touchpoints and automates busywork.
  • 02:21 – 04:20 – Origin Story: Simo shares how freelancing revealed the shortcomings of traditional CRMs and inspired him to build one that truly works for its users.
  • 04:31 – 07:26 – Product Philosophy: Folk deliberately focuses on small and mid-sized businesses (1–100 people) with a simple interface and complex backend automation.
  • 07:26 – 10:23 – Evolution of Go-to-Market: Simo outlines emerging trends: multichannel social selling, account-based marketing, and deeper personalization powered by AI.
  • 10:23 – 12:00 – Centralizing Context with AI: Marcel highlights how AI can synthesize client interactions across platforms, reducing manual data entry and complexity.
  • 13:16 – 16:13 – Human-in-the-Loop Design: Simo shares his framework for balancing automation and human oversight using a “workflow criticality × automation difficulty” matrix.
  • 16:13 – 19:54 – Platformization & SaaS Rationalization: Discussion on SaaS consolidation, where AI accelerates integration and reduces the need for fragmented tool stacks.
  • 20:03 – 23:10 – Building Flexible Architecture: Marcel and Simo explore how AI allows software to handle complex workflows while keeping user experiences simple.
  • 23:10 – 28:34 – The Future of Expertise: Both reflect on how AI lowers the barrier to competence but raises the premium on originality, strategy, and creativity.
  • 28:46 – 30:57 – Closing Thoughts: Simo encourages experts to embrace AI change cycles, stay curious, and focus on high-value creative work while AI handles repetition.

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]]> The Future of AI Enabled Sales for Small Agencies, With Simo Lemandez Marcel Petitpas 00:31:01 About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel Petitpas sits down with Simo Lemhandez, founder and CEO of Folk CRM, to explore how AI is reshaping go-to-market strategy for small consulting firms and agencies. Together, they unpack how social selling, account-based marketing, and personalization are converging to redefine sales for SMBs, why simplicity at the interface and complexity in the backend is the future of product design, and how AI enables “an army of assistants” that automate research, summaries, and follow-ups. The conversation expands to the platformization of SaaS, the shrinking but stronger boutique agency model, and why in the AI era, true expertise and point of view will command the highest value. About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel Petitpas sits down with Simo Lemhandez, founder and CEO of Folk CRM, to explore how AI is reshaping go-to-market strategy for small consulting firms and agencies. Together, they unpack how social selling, account-based marketing, and personalization are converging to redefine sales for SMBs, why simplicity at the interface and complexity in the backend is the future of product design, and how AI enables “an army of assistants” that automate research, summaries, and follow-ups. The conversation expands to the platformization of SaaS, the shrinking but stronger boutique agency model, and why in the AI era, true expertise and point of view will command the highest value. agency profit podcast, automation for agencies, agency profitability, ai crm, ai for agencies, ai in consulting, saas rationalization, crm automation, crm data enrichment, small business crm, folk crm, creative agency growth, go-to-market strategy, account-based marketing, sales tech trends, personalization with ai, boutique firm strategy, marcel petitpas, platformization in saas, social selling trends, linkedin sales automation, agency operations efficiency., ai assistants, mckinsey consultant startup, parakeeto false full 205 b3e1d0fb-3b7c-4405-9f93-e8b300654c42 Optimizing Annual Planning for Agency Growth, With Kristen Kelly Points of Interest
  • 00:01 – 00:55 – Introduction: Marcel welcomes Kristen Kelly and frames Q4 as prime season for annual and quarterly planning, noting the high cost of leadership offsites demands clear outcomes.
  • 01:18 – 03:10 – Why Planning Feels Hard: Kristen cites common hurdles—turning history into forward plans, aligning stakeholders, and building forecasts that can flex with scenarios.
  • 01:55 – 03:47 – Frameworks Without Dogma: Marcel references EOS and Scaling Up, extracting shared essentials: look back, look forward, set a few priorities, and install a cadence.
  • 03:48 – 05:16 – From Ideas to Execution: Teams stall when models are rigid or fragmented and when revenue targets are arbitrary rather than grounded in capacity, pricing, and cost.
  • 05:17 – 08:43 – Static Models Create Drag: Rigid spreadsheets bias decisions toward the status quo, force opinion-driven debates, and delay choices into the quarter, shrinking execution time.
  • 08:44 – 11:48 – Prep That Actually Works: Start with mission and quantifiable goals, anchor to a simple, accurate, flexible model, and compare forecast to actuals to keep scope tight.
  • 11:49 – 14:32 – Surface Misalignment Early: A pre-offsite FUD survey (fear, uncertainty, doubt) creates psychological safety, reveals blind spots, and primes productive discussion.
  • 14:33 – 17:16 – Make the Look-Back Lightweight: Ongoing scorecards make recaps brief; focus on AGI, delivery margin, overhead/AGI, operating profit, and levers like utilization, ABR, and average cost per hour.
  • 17:17 – 20:56 – Prioritize by the Numbers: Identify which metrics must move, set a small set of OKR-style priorities, and tie initiatives directly to measurable outcomes and weekly execution.
  • 20:56 – 23:47 – Objectives Stay Stable; Communicate Often: Big objectives change slowly; raise the bar via evolving key results and over-communicate the plan so decisions map back to it.
  • 25:23 – 27:58 – Commit, Then Figure It Out: Install scorecards and targets even if imperfect; the commitment becomes the forcing function to solve data structure, forecasting, and tracking.
  • 28:27 – 36:56 – Model-Backed Decisions & Facilitation: Use a living model to handle cyclical topics (price raises, comp), budgeting, and tradeoffs; third-party facilitation drives objectivity, buy-in, and offers ABR-improving options beyond price increases.
  • 36:56 – 39:29 – Unified Budgeting & Final Advice: A connected model aligns payroll, pricing, overhead, and delivery targets, preventing unrealistic constraints; the closing takeaway is numbers-first planning that builds alignment and speeds execution.

Show Notes

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]]> Wed, 22 Oct 2025 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 00:01 – 00:55 – Introduction: Marcel welcomes Kristen Kelly and frames Q4 as prime season for annual and quarterly planning, noting the high cost of leadership offsites demands clear outcomes.
  • 01:18 – 03:10 – Why Planning Feels Hard: Kristen cites common hurdles—turning history into forward plans, aligning stakeholders, and building forecasts that can flex with scenarios.
  • 01:55 – 03:47 – Frameworks Without Dogma: Marcel references EOS and Scaling Up, extracting shared essentials: look back, look forward, set a few priorities, and install a cadence.
  • 03:48 – 05:16 – From Ideas to Execution: Teams stall when models are rigid or fragmented and when revenue targets are arbitrary rather than grounded in capacity, pricing, and cost.
  • 05:17 – 08:43 – Static Models Create Drag: Rigid spreadsheets bias decisions toward the status quo, force opinion-driven debates, and delay choices into the quarter, shrinking execution time.
  • 08:44 – 11:48 – Prep That Actually Works: Start with mission and quantifiable goals, anchor to a simple, accurate, flexible model, and compare forecast to actuals to keep scope tight.
  • 11:49 – 14:32 – Surface Misalignment Early: A pre-offsite FUD survey (fear, uncertainty, doubt) creates psychological safety, reveals blind spots, and primes productive discussion.
  • 14:33 – 17:16 – Make the Look-Back Lightweight: Ongoing scorecards make recaps brief; focus on AGI, delivery margin, overhead/AGI, operating profit, and levers like utilization, ABR, and average cost per hour.
  • 17:17 – 20:56 – Prioritize by the Numbers: Identify which metrics must move, set a small set of OKR-style priorities, and tie initiatives directly to measurable outcomes and weekly execution.
  • 20:56 – 23:47 – Objectives Stay Stable; Communicate Often: Big objectives change slowly; raise the bar via evolving key results and over-communicate the plan so decisions map back to it.
  • 25:23 – 27:58 – Commit, Then Figure It Out: Install scorecards and targets even if imperfect; the commitment becomes the forcing function to solve data structure, forecasting, and tracking.
  • 28:27 – 36:56 – Model-Backed Decisions & Facilitation: Use a living model to handle cyclical topics (price raises, comp), budgeting, and tradeoffs; third-party facilitation drives objectivity, buy-in, and offers ABR-improving options beyond price increases.
  • 36:56 – 39:29 – Unified Budgeting & Final Advice: A connected model aligns payroll, pricing, overhead, and delivery targets, preventing unrealistic constraints; the closing takeaway is numbers-first planning that builds alignment and speeds execution.

Show Notes

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Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

]]> Optimizing Annual Planning for Agency Growth, With Kristen Kelly Marcel Petitpas 00:39:22 About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel is joined by operations strategist Kristen Kelly to demystify annual and quarterly planning so it actually moves the business forward. Drawing on real client patterns and Parakeeto’s own cadence, they walk through a practical sequence—set a clear mission, anchor goals to measurable targets (AGI, delivery margin, overhead/AGI, operating profit), and use a simple, flexible model to pressure-test scenarios in real time. Together, they unpack why planning derails (static spreadsheets, arbitrary revenue targets, opinion-driven debates) and show how to flip it: start with the numbers, focus on a few OKR-style priorities, and over-communicate so the plan cascades into weekly execution. From running lightweight scorecards to using a FUD survey to surface misalignment, plus smarter budgeting and alternative ways to lift ABR beyond just raising prices, this episode gives agency leaders a clear, repeatable playbook to enter Q4 aligned, confident, and ready to ship. About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel is joined by operations strategist Kristen Kelly to demystify annual and quarterly planning so it actually moves the business forward. Drawing on real client patterns and Parakeeto’s own cadence, they walk through a practical sequence—set a clear mission, anchor goals to measurable targets (AGI, delivery margin, overhead/AGI, operating profit), and use a simple, flexible model to pressure-test scenarios in real time. Together, they unpack why planning derails (static spreadsheets, arbitrary revenue targets, opinion-driven debates) and show how to flip it: start with the numbers, focus on a few OKR-style priorities, and over-communicate so the plan cascades into weekly execution. From running lightweight scorecards to using a FUD survey to surface misalignment, plus smarter budgeting and alternative ways to lift ABR beyond just raising prices, this episode gives agency leaders a clear, repeatable playbook to enter Q4 aligned, confident, and ready to ship. pricing strategy for agencies, overhead to agi ratio, capacity planning, delivery margin, fud survey, agency annual planning, q4 planning for agencies, flexible financial model, okrs for agencies, revenue forecasting for agencies, operating profit, profit management, scaling up for agencies, average cost per hour, agency kpis, agency gross income (agi), average billable rate (abr), data-driven planning, agency operations, offsite planning best practices, agency budgeting model, agency quarterly planning, scorecards cadence, eos for agencies, utilization rate, leadership alignment, parakeeto false full 204 169d059d-8060-477e-b5e8-fdcd180f6ad8 Building Trust at Scale in the Age of AI, With Stephen Woessner Points of Interest
  • 00:00–01:02 – Introduction: Marcel welcomes Stephen, a veteran agency operator, author, and CEO of Predictive ROI focused on helping agencies sell more by adding value.
  • 01:02–03:09 – Who Predictive ROI Serves: Stephen explains their exclusive focus on agencies and their expertise in business development through authority positioning and structured nurture.
  • 03:09–05:18 – Systems Mindset Origin Story: From Air Force missile silos to agency life, Stephen shares how life-or-death procedures taught him the power of process in selling.
  • 06:21–07:30 – Why Go-to-Market Matters Now: With AI as a new disruption, positioning and trust creation become mission-critical as channels get noisier.
  • 07:30–11:30 – Trust Starts Below Zero: Referencing market skepticism, Stephen argues prospects begin in “distrust,” so sellers must over-prove capability through repeated value.
  • 11:30–15:43 – Expertise vs. Empty Positioning: Marcel critiques “lipstick positioning” and argues public demonstrations of expertise are required to restore credibility.
  • 17:06–20:30 – Power of Long-Form Content: Both highlight unscripted, long-form conversations as a stress test that builds trust better than polished sound bites.
  • 20:49–23:55 – Step 1: Choose a Narrow Who: The framework begins by declaring a niche, rejecting generic messaging, and embracing focus as the path to demand.
  • 23:55–28:27 – Step 2: Name the Methodology: Codify problems, pillars, and levers; document common mistakes and strategic moves so teaching and delivery match.
  • 30:18–33:51 – Trust Architecture: Help Me Understand: First sales meeting is a five-question diagnostic about the prospect’s priorities, obstacles, and market—no pitching.
  • 34:08–39:53 – Align & Prescribe → Meet & Greet: Use a self-scoring “Focus Finder,” then have strategists teach the system, add proof and ROI, and gain conceptual agreement.
  • 40:24–48:00 – Content Blueprint & Consistency: Turn the methodology into pillars (Grow, Nurture, Sell), create cornerstone content, repurpose across channels, and show up weekly.

Show Notes

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]]> Wed, 15 Oct 2025 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 00:00–01:02 – Introduction: Marcel welcomes Stephen, a veteran agency operator, author, and CEO of Predictive ROI focused on helping agencies sell more by adding value.
  • 01:02–03:09 – Who Predictive ROI Serves: Stephen explains their exclusive focus on agencies and their expertise in business development through authority positioning and structured nurture.
  • 03:09–05:18 – Systems Mindset Origin Story: From Air Force missile silos to agency life, Stephen shares how life-or-death procedures taught him the power of process in selling.
  • 06:21–07:30 – Why Go-to-Market Matters Now: With AI as a new disruption, positioning and trust creation become mission-critical as channels get noisier.
  • 07:30–11:30 – Trust Starts Below Zero: Referencing market skepticism, Stephen argues prospects begin in “distrust,” so sellers must over-prove capability through repeated value.
  • 11:30–15:43 – Expertise vs. Empty Positioning: Marcel critiques “lipstick positioning” and argues public demonstrations of expertise are required to restore credibility.
  • 17:06–20:30 – Power of Long-Form Content: Both highlight unscripted, long-form conversations as a stress test that builds trust better than polished sound bites.
  • 20:49–23:55 – Step 1: Choose a Narrow Who: The framework begins by declaring a niche, rejecting generic messaging, and embracing focus as the path to demand.
  • 23:55–28:27 – Step 2: Name the Methodology: Codify problems, pillars, and levers; document common mistakes and strategic moves so teaching and delivery match.
  • 30:18–33:51 – Trust Architecture: Help Me Understand: First sales meeting is a five-question diagnostic about the prospect’s priorities, obstacles, and market—no pitching.
  • 34:08–39:53 – Align & Prescribe → Meet & Greet: Use a self-scoring “Focus Finder,” then have strategists teach the system, add proof and ROI, and gain conceptual agreement.
  • 40:24–48:00 – Content Blueprint & Consistency: Turn the methodology into pillars (Grow, Nurture, Sell), create cornerstone content, repurpose across channels, and show up weekly.

Show Notes

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]]> Building Trust at Scale in the Age of AI, With Stephen Woessner Marcel Petitpas 00:48:16 About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel sits down with Stephen, CEO & Founder of Predictive ROI and author/podcaster with 30 years in the industry, to unpack how agencies can win in a low-trust, AI-noisy market by selling with authority. Stephen shares why trust now starts below zero and how to rebuild it by narrowing your niche, diagnosing real business problems, and codifying a named methodology that’s easy to teach and prove. He walks through Predictive ROI’s “trust architecture” sales process—Help Me Understand → Align & Prescribe → Meet & Greet → Conceptual Agreement—and shows how to turn that same methodology into a clear content blueprint (Grow, Nurture, Sell) that fuels consistent, long-form, repurposable content. Listeners will leave with a pragmatic playbook to attract right-fit clients, shorten sales cycles, and scale credibility through systems, data, and visible expertise. About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel sits down with Stephen, CEO & Founder of Predictive ROI and author/podcaster with 30 years in the industry, to unpack how agencies can win in a low-trust, AI-noisy market by selling with authority. Stephen shares why trust now starts below zero and how to rebuild it by narrowing your niche, diagnosing real business problems, and codifying a named methodology that’s easy to teach and prove. He walks through Predictive ROI’s “trust architecture” sales process—Help Me Understand → Align & Prescribe → Meet & Greet → Conceptual Agreement—and shows how to turn that same methodology into a clear content blueprint (Grow, Nurture, Sell) that fuels consistent, long-form, repurposable content. Listeners will leave with a pragmatic playbook to attract right-fit clients, shorten sales cycles, and scale credibility through systems, data, and visible expertise. agency business development, authority positioning, long-form content strategy, conceptual agreement, roi prediction in proposals, trust architecture, right-fit clients, content blueprint, ai and trust, venn diagram framework, visual frameworks for sales, pipeline building, agency positioning, align and prescribe, credibility through teaching, grow nurture sell, agency podcasting, content repurposing, agency sales process, edelman trust barometer for business buyers, predictive roi, help me understand call, methodology design, niche strategy for agencies, cornerstone content, meet and greet, cold outreach saturation, sell with authority, focus finder diagnostic, adult learning theory in sales false full 203 aa57ddeb-3675-4b36-b418-fada7e74220b Parakeeto vs. Project Management Tools: What’s the Real Solution?, With Kristen Kelly Points of Interest
  • 00:00 – 01:30 – Introduction: Marcel welcomes Parakeeto’s Kristen Kelly back to discuss a recurring misconception in agency operations—the belief that a better project management or PSA tool can solve profit management challenges.
  • 01:30 – 03:25 – The PM Tool “Silver Bullet” Myth: Kristen explains how leaders and PMs often adopt new tools to tame chaos, believing marketing promises that they’ll also solve utilization, capacity, and profitability issues.
  • 03:25 – 06:00 – Why Agencies Fall for It: Marcel and Kristen note that while PM tools are valuable, they’re often oversold as full profit-management systems. Agencies end up frustrated by missing fields, tool quirks, and data limitations.
  • 06:00 – 08:45 – Hitting the Wall: Many teams find themselves with tools that improve delivery workflows but still leave them unable to make key financial or operational decisions because the data remains fragmented across systems.
  • 08:45 – 11:43 – Introducing the Framework → Data → Process Model: Marcel outlines Parakeeto’s three-part sequence for solving profit management: define the framework (metrics and formulas), structure the data, and establish ongoing processes for hygiene and cadence.
  • 11:43 – 12:46 – Why Sequencing Matters: Without first defining what needs to be measured, agencies make poor configuration choices in PM tools—creating rework, confusion, and endless tool migrations.
  • 12:46 – 15:19 – Defining the Framework: Agencies must precisely define how metrics like utilization, delivery margin, and project profitability are calculated, and understand the relationships between those measures before configuring tools.
  • 15:19 – 19:54 – The Role of Process and Data Hygiene: Marcel explains that real-time reporting fails if data quality is poor. Clean, reliable reporting requires an ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) process, not direct reporting from source data.
  • 19:54 – 22:55 – The Precision Trap: Kristen and Marcel explore the conflict between PMs needing granular precision and executives needing simple, high-level rollups. Forcing perfect data consistency across teams destroys usability and compliance.
  • 22:55 – 26:28 – Practical Limits of In-Tool Reporting: Marcel describes how building detailed profitability reporting directly in PM tools creates unsustainable complexity, unrealistic data maintenance, and unreliable results.
  • 26:28 – 34:38 – Building a Sustainable Data Architecture: They outline how Parakeeto’s ETL pipeline works—extracting time data (person, project, hours), joining it with payroll and project grids, normalizing fields, and applying ongoing QA to ensure accuracy.
  • 34:38 – 42:37 – The Big Takeaway: Kristen and Marcel conclude that PM tools are essential for delivery but not the whole profit solution. Agencies should use them for managing work while relying on a clear framework and data pipeline for accurate reporting.

Show Notes

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]]> Wed, 8 Oct 2025 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 00:00 – 01:30 – Introduction: Marcel welcomes Parakeeto’s Kristen Kelly back to discuss a recurring misconception in agency operations—the belief that a better project management or PSA tool can solve profit management challenges.
  • 01:30 – 03:25 – The PM Tool “Silver Bullet” Myth: Kristen explains how leaders and PMs often adopt new tools to tame chaos, believing marketing promises that they’ll also solve utilization, capacity, and profitability issues.
  • 03:25 – 06:00 – Why Agencies Fall for It: Marcel and Kristen note that while PM tools are valuable, they’re often oversold as full profit-management systems. Agencies end up frustrated by missing fields, tool quirks, and data limitations.
  • 06:00 – 08:45 – Hitting the Wall: Many teams find themselves with tools that improve delivery workflows but still leave them unable to make key financial or operational decisions because the data remains fragmented across systems.
  • 08:45 – 11:43 – Introducing the Framework → Data → Process Model: Marcel outlines Parakeeto’s three-part sequence for solving profit management: define the framework (metrics and formulas), structure the data, and establish ongoing processes for hygiene and cadence.
  • 11:43 – 12:46 – Why Sequencing Matters: Without first defining what needs to be measured, agencies make poor configuration choices in PM tools—creating rework, confusion, and endless tool migrations.
  • 12:46 – 15:19 – Defining the Framework: Agencies must precisely define how metrics like utilization, delivery margin, and project profitability are calculated, and understand the relationships between those measures before configuring tools.
  • 15:19 – 19:54 – The Role of Process and Data Hygiene: Marcel explains that real-time reporting fails if data quality is poor. Clean, reliable reporting requires an ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) process, not direct reporting from source data.
  • 19:54 – 22:55 – The Precision Trap: Kristen and Marcel explore the conflict between PMs needing granular precision and executives needing simple, high-level rollups. Forcing perfect data consistency across teams destroys usability and compliance.
  • 22:55 – 26:28 – Practical Limits of In-Tool Reporting: Marcel describes how building detailed profitability reporting directly in PM tools creates unsustainable complexity, unrealistic data maintenance, and unreliable results.
  • 26:28 – 34:38 – Building a Sustainable Data Architecture: They outline how Parakeeto’s ETL pipeline works—extracting time data (person, project, hours), joining it with payroll and project grids, normalizing fields, and applying ongoing QA to ensure accuracy.
  • 34:38 – 42:37 – The Big Takeaway: Kristen and Marcel conclude that PM tools are essential for delivery but not the whole profit solution. Agencies should use them for managing work while relying on a clear framework and data pipeline for accurate reporting.

Show Notes

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Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

]]> Parakeeto vs. Project Management Tools: What’s the Real Solution?, With Kristen Kelly Marcel Petitpas 00:42:39 About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel sits down with Parakeeto’s Kristen Kelly to tackle a common myth in agency ops: that a new project management or PSA tool will magically fix profit problems. Drawing on real client patterns, Kristen explains why tools help you do the work but rarely deliver trustworthy reporting on their own, and why agencies need to sequence the solution as Framework, Data, then Process. Together they unpack how to define the exact metrics you care about, build a simple ETL pipeline to clean and join time data with a payroll and project grid, and avoid the “precision trap” that crushes time-tracking compliance and erodes trust. If you want clearer utilization, margin, and forecasting without turning your PM tool into a Rube Goldberg machine, this conversation offers a practical path to reliable profit visibility and calmer delivery teams. About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel sits down with Parakeeto’s Kristen Kelly to tackle a common myth in agency ops: that a new project management or PSA tool will magically fix profit problems. Drawing on real client patterns, Kristen explains why tools help you do the work but rarely deliver trustworthy reporting on their own, and why agencies need to sequence the solution as Framework, Data, then Process. Together they unpack how to define the exact metrics you care about, build a simple ETL pipeline to clean and join time data with a payroll and project grid, and avoid the “precision trap” that crushes time-tracking compliance and erodes trust. If you want clearer utilization, margin, and forecasting without turning your PM tool into a Rube Goldberg machine, this conversation offers a practical path to reliable profit visibility and calmer delivery teams. agency profit podcast, project management tools, parakeeto framework, delivery margin, pm software limitations., agency data hygiene, time tracking compliance, project profitability, agency profit management, framework data process model, profit reporting, data pipeline, pm tool configuration, agency forecasting, precision trap, agency operations, marcel petitpas, etl process, profit visibility, agency utilization, kristen kelly, psa software, operational efficiency, agency profitability systems false full 202 7d830ab8-91df-4325-bc40-6e842b047849 How to Increase Your Price, With Casey Brown Points of Interest
  • 00:00 – 01:15 – Introduction: Marcel introduces Casey Brown, author of Fearless Pricing and founder of Boost Pricing, highlighting her experience generating over $1B in client profit.
  • 01:15 – 02:15 – Defining a Pricing Geek: Casey explains her passion for pricing as the intersection of psychology, process, and data, with a mission to help firms earn the prices they deserve.
  • 02:15 – 03:09 – From Engineering to Pricing: Casey shares how she moved from chemical engineering into pricing at GE, discovering its blend of strategy, negotiation, and value creation.
  • 03:09 – 04:29 – Pricing as Poker, Not Economics: Casey contrasts real-world pricing with textbook theory, describing it as a poker game where buyers and sellers strategically hide information.
  • 04:29 – 07:01 – The Price–Quality Effect: Casey highlights how higher prices in professional services often increase demand, as clients equate higher cost with higher quality.
  • 07:01 – 09:13 – From Strategy to Mindset: Casey explains how shifting focus from pricing models to training sales teams on confidence and value communication created better results.
  • 09:13 – 14:22 – Why Agencies Struggle with Pricing: Casey outlines two main barriers—lack of focus on pricing strategy and fear of rejection—that lead to underpricing and discounting.
  • 14:22 – 18:35 – Running a Pricing Meeting: Casey recommends quarterly reviews of market shifts, win rates, and client profitability to make pricing a consistent strategic priority.
  • 18:35 – 22:18 – Operational Levers for Pricing Power: Marcel and Casey discuss how utilization, staffing models, and capacity planning affect the ability to hold firm on price.
  • 22:18 – 26:30 – New vs. Existing Client Pricing: Casey stresses segmenting price increases by client type and keeping communications brief, personal, and unapologetic.
  • 26:30 – 35:51 – Preparing Teams for Sales Conversations: Casey emphasizes role-play, objection handling, and value-first framing to help frontline teams confidently present pricing.
  • 35:51 – 47:56 – Raising Prices with Longstanding Clients: Casey shares phased approaches and cautions against gimmicks, while Marcel introduces tactics like repackaging and the “3 Rs”—Recapture, Rescope, Replace.

Show Notes

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Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

]]> Wed, 1 Oct 2025 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 00:00 – 01:15 – Introduction: Marcel introduces Casey Brown, author of Fearless Pricing and founder of Boost Pricing, highlighting her experience generating over $1B in client profit.
  • 01:15 – 02:15 – Defining a Pricing Geek: Casey explains her passion for pricing as the intersection of psychology, process, and data, with a mission to help firms earn the prices they deserve.
  • 02:15 – 03:09 – From Engineering to Pricing: Casey shares how she moved from chemical engineering into pricing at GE, discovering its blend of strategy, negotiation, and value creation.
  • 03:09 – 04:29 – Pricing as Poker, Not Economics: Casey contrasts real-world pricing with textbook theory, describing it as a poker game where buyers and sellers strategically hide information.
  • 04:29 – 07:01 – The Price–Quality Effect: Casey highlights how higher prices in professional services often increase demand, as clients equate higher cost with higher quality.
  • 07:01 – 09:13 – From Strategy to Mindset: Casey explains how shifting focus from pricing models to training sales teams on confidence and value communication created better results.
  • 09:13 – 14:22 – Why Agencies Struggle with Pricing: Casey outlines two main barriers—lack of focus on pricing strategy and fear of rejection—that lead to underpricing and discounting.
  • 14:22 – 18:35 – Running a Pricing Meeting: Casey recommends quarterly reviews of market shifts, win rates, and client profitability to make pricing a consistent strategic priority.
  • 18:35 – 22:18 – Operational Levers for Pricing Power: Marcel and Casey discuss how utilization, staffing models, and capacity planning affect the ability to hold firm on price.
  • 22:18 – 26:30 – New vs. Existing Client Pricing: Casey stresses segmenting price increases by client type and keeping communications brief, personal, and unapologetic.
  • 26:30 – 35:51 – Preparing Teams for Sales Conversations: Casey emphasizes role-play, objection handling, and value-first framing to help frontline teams confidently present pricing.
  • 35:51 – 47:56 – Raising Prices with Longstanding Clients: Casey shares phased approaches and cautions against gimmicks, while Marcel introduces tactics like repackaging and the “3 Rs”—Recapture, Rescope, Replace.

Show Notes

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]]> How to Increase Your Price, With Casey Brown Marcel Petitpas 00:47:55 About This Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel sits down with Casey Brown—bestselling author of Fearless Pricing and founder of Boost Pricing—to tackle the real hurdle agencies face after deciding to charge more: actually winning and defending higher prices with confidence. Casey explains why pricing lives at the intersection of data and psychology, and why mindset and sales execution often drive most of the ROI. Together they walk through practical moves you can use right away, from running a quarterly pricing meeting that tracks leading indicators like win rate and planned margin, to segmenting price-increase communications for different client types, to preparing your team with role-plays, objection handling, and value-first messaging. They also dig into packaging and contract mechanics, when to use fixed fees or abstracted T&M, and how to avoid filling excess capacity with discounted work. If you want clearer pricing decisions, stronger sales conversations, and better client profitability, this conversation gives you a simple playbook to charge—and earn—what your work is worth. About This Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel sits down with Casey Brown—bestselling author of Fearless Pricing and founder of Boost Pricing—to tackle the real hurdle agencies face after deciding to charge more: actually winning and defending higher prices with confidence. Casey explains why pricing lives at the intersection of data and psychology, and why mindset and sales execution often drive most of the ROI. Together they walk through practical moves you can use right away, from running a quarterly pricing meeting that tracks leading indicators like win rate and planned margin, to segmenting price-increase communications for different client types, to preparing your team with role-plays, objection handling, and value-first messaging. They also dig into packaging and contract mechanics, when to use fixed fees or abstracted T&M, and how to avoid filling excess capacity with discounted work. If you want clearer pricing decisions, stronger sales conversations, and better client profitability, this conversation gives you a simple playbook to charge—and earn—what your work is worth. how to raise agency prices, agency profit podcast, professional services pricing, pricing strategy for agencies, agency profitability, fearless pricing casey brown, managing client price increases, packaging and repricing, pricing psychology, price quality effect, recapture rescope replace framework, boost pricing, client profitability, value-based pricing, agency operations and pricing, pricing meetings for agencies, retainers and pricing, agency pricing, sales team pricing training, profitability levers in agencies false full 201 2c1f1e29-c04c-4eaf-8b01-eb056515ad1f Accrual Accounting & Revenue Recognition for Agencies, With Carson Pierce Points of Interest
  • 0:50 – 2:07 – Introduction: Marcel and Carson set up the challenge of revenue recognition in agencies, where payments and work schedules rarely align, creating distorted profitability metrics.
  • 2:19 – 3:22 – Cash Accounting Pitfalls: Carson shares a client example where tracking only bank deposits caused wild swings in monthly profit and billable rate reporting, rendering metrics unreliable.
  • 3:37 – 4:15 – Why Cash Accounting is Common: Marcel explains that firms default to cash-based accounting because it is cheaper and simpler, but acknowledges the operational limits for service businesses.
  • 6:13 – 7:17 – Cash vs. Accrual Explained: The hosts break down the difference between cash accounting, which records money moving in and out, and accrual accounting, which aligns revenue and expenses with when they are actually earned or incurred.
  • 8:35 – 9:26 – Project Example of Misalignment: Marcel illustrates how upfront deposits and final payments distort monthly reporting, showing why cash accounting fails for project-based agencies.
  • 11:07 – 12:13 – Complex Expense Timing: They highlight how vendor terms and delayed payments further complicate accrual accounting, making profitability appear very different depending on the lens used.
  • 13:42 – 14:58 – Payroll Timing Issues: Carson notes that biweekly payroll cycles can skew monthly reporting, making accrual adjustments essential for accurate performance measurement.
  • 15:12 – 16:20 – Why Invoice Dates Don’t Work: Marcel warns that many accountants mistakenly use invoice schedules for accrual recognition, which misrepresents how much work is truly complete.
  • 16:38 – 19:48 – Four Earned Value Methods: Marcel outlines four ways to measure progress for revenue recognition: time versus timeline, time versus budget, burndown via story points, and subjective project manager input.
  • 21:38 – 23:16 – Forecasting and Performance Indexing: They stress the importance of pairing earned value with forward-looking forecasts and using cost or schedule performance indexes to spot projects at risk.
  • 24:23 – 26:04 – Phasing Projects for Accuracy: The conversation explores breaking projects into major phases to better reflect real effort, while avoiding overly complex setups that burden teams.
  • 27:25 – 29:19 – Accountant Impact and Liabilities: They emphasize that proper accrual requires manual journal entries and careful tracking of deferred revenue and liabilities, ensuring agencies avoid misleading profitability and balance sheet risks.

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]]> Wed, 24 Sep 2025 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 0:50 – 2:07 – Introduction: Marcel and Carson set up the challenge of revenue recognition in agencies, where payments and work schedules rarely align, creating distorted profitability metrics.
  • 2:19 – 3:22 – Cash Accounting Pitfalls: Carson shares a client example where tracking only bank deposits caused wild swings in monthly profit and billable rate reporting, rendering metrics unreliable.
  • 3:37 – 4:15 – Why Cash Accounting is Common: Marcel explains that firms default to cash-based accounting because it is cheaper and simpler, but acknowledges the operational limits for service businesses.
  • 6:13 – 7:17 – Cash vs. Accrual Explained: The hosts break down the difference between cash accounting, which records money moving in and out, and accrual accounting, which aligns revenue and expenses with when they are actually earned or incurred.
  • 8:35 – 9:26 – Project Example of Misalignment: Marcel illustrates how upfront deposits and final payments distort monthly reporting, showing why cash accounting fails for project-based agencies.
  • 11:07 – 12:13 – Complex Expense Timing: They highlight how vendor terms and delayed payments further complicate accrual accounting, making profitability appear very different depending on the lens used.
  • 13:42 – 14:58 – Payroll Timing Issues: Carson notes that biweekly payroll cycles can skew monthly reporting, making accrual adjustments essential for accurate performance measurement.
  • 15:12 – 16:20 – Why Invoice Dates Don’t Work: Marcel warns that many accountants mistakenly use invoice schedules for accrual recognition, which misrepresents how much work is truly complete.
  • 16:38 – 19:48 – Four Earned Value Methods: Marcel outlines four ways to measure progress for revenue recognition: time versus timeline, time versus budget, burndown via story points, and subjective project manager input.
  • 21:38 – 23:16 – Forecasting and Performance Indexing: They stress the importance of pairing earned value with forward-looking forecasts and using cost or schedule performance indexes to spot projects at risk.
  • 24:23 – 26:04 – Phasing Projects for Accuracy: The conversation explores breaking projects into major phases to better reflect real effort, while avoiding overly complex setups that burden teams.
  • 27:25 – 29:19 – Accountant Impact and Liabilities: They emphasize that proper accrual requires manual journal entries and careful tracking of deferred revenue and liabilities, ensuring agencies avoid misleading profitability and balance sheet risks.

Show Notes

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]]> Accrual Accounting & Revenue Recognition for Agencies, With Carson Pierce Marcel Petitpas 00:36:03 About This Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel is joined by longtime collaborator and agency operator Carson Pierce to tackle a deceptively simple headache for service firms, recognizing revenue in a way that actually matches the work getting done. They unpack cash versus accrual accounting in plain English, why cash makes month-to-month metrics useless on projects with deposits and lumpy delivery, and how to shift toward earned value so AGI, ABR, utilization, and profit reflect reality. Carson and Marcel walk through four practical ways to estimate percent complete, time versus timeline, time versus budget, burndown or story points, and a quick monthly PM check-in, plus when to phase projects to match real effort curves. They also flag the ripple effects for bookkeeping, from journal entries and deferred revenue to payroll timing and pass-through costs, along with simple cost and schedule performance indices that spotlight projects at risk. If you want cleaner monthly reporting, better forecasting, and fewer “why do the numbers look weird” conversations with your accountant, this episode gives you a clear playbook for aligning revenue recognition to delivery, without grinding your team to a halt. About This Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel is joined by longtime collaborator and agency operator Carson Pierce to tackle a deceptively simple headache for service firms, recognizing revenue in a way that actually matches the work getting done. They unpack cash versus accrual accounting in plain English, why cash makes month-to-month metrics useless on projects with deposits and lumpy delivery, and how to shift toward earned value so AGI, ABR, utilization, and profit reflect reality. Carson and Marcel walk through four practical ways to estimate percent complete, time versus timeline, time versus budget, burndown or story points, and a quick monthly PM check-in, plus when to phase projects to match real effort curves. They also flag the ripple effects for bookkeeping, from journal entries and deferred revenue to payroll timing and pass-through costs, along with simple cost and schedule performance indices that spotlight projects at risk. If you want cleaner monthly reporting, better forecasting, and fewer “why do the numbers look weird” conversations with your accountant, this episode gives you a clear playbook for aligning revenue recognition to delivery, without grinding your team to a halt. agi reporting, agency accounting accuracy, recognizing expenses in agencies, agency profitability metrics, agency financial forecasting, deferred revenue in agencies, agency bookkeeping best practices, agency cash flow management, agency revenue recognition, cost performance index agencies, financial modeling for agencies, cash vs accrual accounting, project phasing revenue recognition, project-based revenue recognition, average billable rate accuracy, accrual accounting for agencies, schedule performance index, project progress tracking for agencies, profitability reporting for service firms, earned value in project management false full 200 ade2d7e5-6ecd-4aed-877f-52257d58cd43 What's Your Core Selling Identity? With Mark Drager Points of Interest
  • 00:08 – 01:42 – Introduction: Marcel introduces Mark Drager, founder of Sales Loop, and sets the stage for discussing his Core Selling Identity Framework.
  • 01:42 – 04:06 – Early Career in Film and Television: Mark shares his beginnings in film school, early TV roles, and the realization that career progress in the industry was too slow for him.
  • 04:06 – 06:33 – Crash Course in Internet Marketing: Mark describes his time at an internet marketing franchise in 2005–2006, where he learned fundamentals like segmentation, AdWords, and split testing before launching his own agency.
  • 06:33 – 07:36 – Launching an Agency: Mark explains how he built his agency through video production, applying strategic questionnaires and deep client understanding to ensure valuable outcomes.
  • 07:36 – 09:59 – Selling on Tactics vs. Strategy: Mark contrasts transactional, tactic-driven sales with strategy-driven sales that command higher fees but carry more responsibility.
  • 09:59 – 12:30 – Challenges of Strategic Responsibility: He outlines the risks of owning outcomes in strategic engagements, emphasizing that greater accountability enables higher pricing but also higher client expectations.
  • 12:30 – 13:31 – Why Clients Reject Proven Strategies: Mark notes that clients often resist effective strategies due to psychological discomfort, sparking his pursuit of a framework to explain these reactions.
  • 13:31 – 16:04 – Development of the Core Selling Identity: Mark describes years of research and workshops that led to defining three archetypes of selling identities, tested across industries and client types.
  • 16:04 – 19:52 – Tribe Leader Profile: The first identity, Tribe Leaders, rely on relationships, networking, and referrals, benefiting from low acquisition costs but struggling to scale consistently.
  • 19:52 – 22:13 – Farmer Profile: Farmers use marketing-driven systems, data, and attribution models to generate leads, achieving predictability but requiring high capital investment and systemization.
  • 22:13 – 26:32 – Hunter Profile: Hunters rely on outbound sales, structured pipelines, and sales management to drive predictable growth, but often dismiss branding and content strategies as distractions.
  • 26:32 – 34:26 – Applying the Framework for Business Growth: Mark and Marcel discuss how identifying your selling identity enables focus, reduces wasted spend on mismatched tactics, and sets a path for scaling through consistency and aligned strategies.

Show Notes

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]]> Wed, 17 Sep 2025 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 00:08 – 01:42 – Introduction: Marcel introduces Mark Drager, founder of Sales Loop, and sets the stage for discussing his Core Selling Identity Framework.
  • 01:42 – 04:06 – Early Career in Film and Television: Mark shares his beginnings in film school, early TV roles, and the realization that career progress in the industry was too slow for him.
  • 04:06 – 06:33 – Crash Course in Internet Marketing: Mark describes his time at an internet marketing franchise in 2005–2006, where he learned fundamentals like segmentation, AdWords, and split testing before launching his own agency.
  • 06:33 – 07:36 – Launching an Agency: Mark explains how he built his agency through video production, applying strategic questionnaires and deep client understanding to ensure valuable outcomes.
  • 07:36 – 09:59 – Selling on Tactics vs. Strategy: Mark contrasts transactional, tactic-driven sales with strategy-driven sales that command higher fees but carry more responsibility.
  • 09:59 – 12:30 – Challenges of Strategic Responsibility: He outlines the risks of owning outcomes in strategic engagements, emphasizing that greater accountability enables higher pricing but also higher client expectations.
  • 12:30 – 13:31 – Why Clients Reject Proven Strategies: Mark notes that clients often resist effective strategies due to psychological discomfort, sparking his pursuit of a framework to explain these reactions.
  • 13:31 – 16:04 – Development of the Core Selling Identity: Mark describes years of research and workshops that led to defining three archetypes of selling identities, tested across industries and client types.
  • 16:04 – 19:52 – Tribe Leader Profile: The first identity, Tribe Leaders, rely on relationships, networking, and referrals, benefiting from low acquisition costs but struggling to scale consistently.
  • 19:52 – 22:13 – Farmer Profile: Farmers use marketing-driven systems, data, and attribution models to generate leads, achieving predictability but requiring high capital investment and systemization.
  • 22:13 – 26:32 – Hunter Profile: Hunters rely on outbound sales, structured pipelines, and sales management to drive predictable growth, but often dismiss branding and content strategies as distractions.
  • 26:32 – 34:26 – Applying the Framework for Business Growth: Mark and Marcel discuss how identifying your selling identity enables focus, reduces wasted spend on mismatched tactics, and sets a path for scaling through consistency and aligned strategies.

Show Notes

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Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

]]> What's Your Core Selling Identity? With Mark Drager Marcel Petitpas 00:44:21 About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel is joined by longtime agency owner and Sales Loop founder Mark Drager to unpack the Core Selling Identity Framework, a tool designed to help agencies align their go-to-market strategy with the way they’re naturally wired to sell. Drawing on nearly two decades of running his own firm and working across 29 industries, Mark breaks down the three selling archetypes: Tribe Leaders, Farmers, and Hunters, explaining the strengths, pitfalls, and patterns that define each. Together, he and Marcel explore why many agencies stall when they try to copy tactics that don’t fit their identity, and how consistency in the right model drives long-term growth. From spotting your natural selling style to auditing your tactics and building IP that protects your margins, this conversation offers agency leaders a clear lens for making smarter sales, marketing, and operational decisions. About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel is joined by longtime agency owner and Sales Loop founder Mark Drager to unpack the Core Selling Identity Framework, a tool designed to help agencies align their go-to-market strategy with the way they’re naturally wired to sell. Drawing on nearly two decades of running his own firm and working across 29 industries, Mark breaks down the three selling archetypes: Tribe Leaders, Farmers, and Hunters, explaining the strengths, pitfalls, and patterns that define each. Together, he and Marcel explore why many agencies stall when they try to copy tactics that don’t fit their identity, and how consistency in the right model drives long-term growth. From spotting your natural selling style to auditing your tactics and building IP that protects your margins, this conversation offers agency leaders a clear lens for making smarter sales, marketing, and operational decisions. false full 199 6e169b8a-511d-40f9-94a9-167f83293001 How to Build a More Profitable Retainer Model for Your Agency Points of Interest
  • 1:08 – 1:44 – Defining Retainers: Marcel and Carson introduce the topic of retainers, noting how different agencies define them in varied ways.
  • 2:05 – 2:37 – Core Benefit of Retainers: Carson explains that retainers create recurring revenue and provide clients with consistent access to agency resources.
  • 2:50 – 3:33 – Historical Context: Marcel traces retainers back to traditional professional services, where upfront payments secured future capacity.
  • 3:44 – 5:19 – Modern Variations: The conversation highlights how retainers have evolved into many models, including time-and-materials, flat fees, and performance-based pricing.
  • 5:32 – 7:04 – Pitfalls of Prepaid Hours: Carson critiques “bucket of hours” retainers, emphasizing their lack of control and operational strain.
  • 7:10 – 9:29 – Accrual Accounting Risks: Marcel outlines how prepaid hours create deferred revenue liabilities that are often untracked, leading to serious cash flow problems.
  • 11:05 – 11:41 – Operational Consequences: Carson notes that unexpected claims on rollover hours can overwhelm teams, forcing agencies into overwork or costly freelancer hires.
  • 12:04 – 14:33 – Pricing Model Quadrant: Marcel introduces the value–risk quadrant, showing how agencies should align retainer structures with engagement value and project risk.
  • 15:07 – 16:31 – Abstracted T&M Models: For high-value, high-risk work, Marcel explains why abstracting hours into larger time blocks or cross-functional teams improves leverage and profitability.
  • 17:00 – 18:21 – Low-Risk Models: The hosts outline flat retainers tied to deliverables and performance-based pricing tied to client outcomes, noting challenges with attribution.
  • 19:00 – 20:27 – Pricing Dynamics: Carson and Marcel discuss how flexibility and overages influence rates, with retainers often discounted for predictability but charged higher when clients exceed agreed capacity.
  • 37:06 – 38:14 – Account Management Posture: Marcel contrasts T&M models, where account managers say “yes and” to client requests, with fixed-scope retainers, where the posture shifts to “yes but” requiring tradeoffs or renegotiation.

Show Notes

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]]> Wed, 10 Sep 2025 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 1:08 – 1:44 – Defining Retainers: Marcel and Carson introduce the topic of retainers, noting how different agencies define them in varied ways.
  • 2:05 – 2:37 – Core Benefit of Retainers: Carson explains that retainers create recurring revenue and provide clients with consistent access to agency resources.
  • 2:50 – 3:33 – Historical Context: Marcel traces retainers back to traditional professional services, where upfront payments secured future capacity.
  • 3:44 – 5:19 – Modern Variations: The conversation highlights how retainers have evolved into many models, including time-and-materials, flat fees, and performance-based pricing.
  • 5:32 – 7:04 – Pitfalls of Prepaid Hours: Carson critiques “bucket of hours” retainers, emphasizing their lack of control and operational strain.
  • 7:10 – 9:29 – Accrual Accounting Risks: Marcel outlines how prepaid hours create deferred revenue liabilities that are often untracked, leading to serious cash flow problems.
  • 11:05 – 11:41 – Operational Consequences: Carson notes that unexpected claims on rollover hours can overwhelm teams, forcing agencies into overwork or costly freelancer hires.
  • 12:04 – 14:33 – Pricing Model Quadrant: Marcel introduces the value–risk quadrant, showing how agencies should align retainer structures with engagement value and project risk.
  • 15:07 – 16:31 – Abstracted T&M Models: For high-value, high-risk work, Marcel explains why abstracting hours into larger time blocks or cross-functional teams improves leverage and profitability.
  • 17:00 – 18:21 – Low-Risk Models: The hosts outline flat retainers tied to deliverables and performance-based pricing tied to client outcomes, noting challenges with attribution.
  • 19:00 – 20:27 – Pricing Dynamics: Carson and Marcel discuss how flexibility and overages influence rates, with retainers often discounted for predictability but charged higher when clients exceed agreed capacity.
  • 37:06 – 38:14 – Account Management Posture: Marcel contrasts T&M models, where account managers say “yes and” to client requests, with fixed-scope retainers, where the posture shifts to “yes but” requiring tradeoffs or renegotiation.

Show Notes

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]]> How to Build a More Profitable Retainer Model for Your Agency Marcel Petitpas 00:40:34 About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel is joined once again by operations expert Carson Pierce to unpack one of the most misunderstood but critical revenue models in the agency world: retainers. Together they trace the history of retainers from professional services to modern digital agencies and explain why the popular “bucket of hours” approach often creates hidden debt, cash flow strain, and operational chaos. Using Parakeeto’s pricing model quadrant, Marcel and Carson outline how agencies can match retainer structures to risk and value, whether that means time and materials, flat monthly deliverables, or performance-based fees. They also dig into account management nuances, from “yes and” flexibility with T&M to “yes but” tradeoffs in fixed scope and share profitability levers like the “3 Rs” (recapture, rescope, replace). For agency leaders who rely on recurring revenue but struggle with sustainability, this conversation offers clarity on how to structure retainers that protect margin, support proactive planning, and strengthen client relationships. About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel is joined once again by operations expert Carson Pierce to unpack one of the most misunderstood but critical revenue models in the agency world: retainers. Together they trace the history of retainers from professional services to modern digital agencies and explain why the popular “bucket of hours” approach often creates hidden debt, cash flow strain, and operational chaos. Using Parakeeto’s pricing model quadrant, Marcel and Carson outline how agencies can match retainer structures to risk and value, whether that means time and materials, flat monthly deliverables, or performance-based fees. They also dig into account management nuances, from “yes and” flexibility with T&M to “yes but” tradeoffs in fixed scope and share profitability levers like the “3 Rs” (recapture, rescope, replace). For agency leaders who rely on recurring revenue but struggle with sustainability, this conversation offers clarity on how to structure retainers that protect margin, support proactive planning, and strengthen client relationships. agency profit margins, agency growth strategies., billable vs delivery hours, use it or lose it retainers, agency profitability, deferred revenue agencies, replacing unprofitable clients, agency backlog management, agency contract negotiation, retainer pricing models, pricing model quadrant, performance-based pricing agencies, agency recurring revenue strategy, resource management agencies, bucket of hours retainer, deliverable-based retainers, prepaid hours liability, capacity leasing model, agency rescope strategies, recapture rescope replace framework, agency retainers, rollover hours risk, agency cash flow management, agile retainer contracts, agency recurring revenue, abstracted t&m, capacity planning agencies, client relationship management agencies, time and materials retainer, value-based pricing agencies, accrual accounting for agencies, ad spend percentage pricing, client account management strategies, t&m billing, flat fee retainers false full 198 590404ad-0194-426b-a3ac-797c47689896 Achieving More Freedom as a Creative, With Matt Essam Points of Interest
  • 00:00 – 01:09 – Introduction: Marcel introduces guest Matt, founder of The Creative Life and bestselling author, highlighting his mission to help creatives design businesses that align with their lifestyles.
  • 01:14 – 02:24 – Coaching High-Level Creatives: Matt explains his role as a coach for award-winning creatives seeking fulfillment beyond the hustle, sharing examples of clients from Disney, Spotify, and the music industry.
  • 02:39 – 05:00 – Early Career and First Business: Matt recounts his start in advertising agencies, the launch of his own creative business, and his pursuit of a digital nomad lifestyle inspired by The 4-Hour Workweek.
  • 05:00 – 07:28 – Incongruence of Success and Fulfillment: While achieving his dream of running a remote business, Matt realized his work lacked meaning and fulfillment, sparking a personal crisis after the sudden loss of a family friend.
  • 07:57 – 10:46 – Discovering Core Values: Through coaching, Matt identified that fulfillment comes from emotional states like freedom, impact, and significance, which guided his transition into life coaching for creatives.
  • 12:02 – 15:47 – Three Core Challenges for Creatives: Matt outlines the main struggles creatives face: lack of differentiation, poor communication of value, and inability to scale delivery beyond the founder.
  • 18:03 – 20:56 – Differentiation Through Unique Experience: Matt introduces the idea of standing on a “mountain of value,” emphasizing that personal stories and experiences create unique positioning for creative businesses.
  • 21:38 – 24:00 – The Four P’s of Positioning: Matt shares his framework for differentiation—Person, Problem, Promise, and Process—illustrated with a case study of a former Spotify designer who grew by niching into music tech branding.
  • 26:26 – 28:22 – Communicating Value Through Symptoms: Matt explains why creatives must focus on client symptoms rather than their own services to attract higher-quality clients earlier in the buying journey.
  • 30:28 – 34:52 – Shifting the Sales Approach: Marcel and Matt discuss how education and thought leadership build trust, while Matt emphasizes the importance of mastering sales conversations to accelerate client acquisition.
  • 35:32 – 37:20 – Building Scalable Delivery Systems: Matt describes how to design repeatable processes that move clients from current challenges to desired outcomes, enabling agency founders to step back from daily delivery.
  • 39:38 – 42:26 – Final Advice and Resources: Matt promotes his upcoming book The Creative Studio Roadmap and diagnostic tool and encourages creatives to intentionally design businesses that bring freedom, fulfillment, and financial security.

Show Notes

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]]> Wed, 3 Sep 2025 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 00:00 – 01:09 – Introduction: Marcel introduces guest Matt, founder of The Creative Life and bestselling author, highlighting his mission to help creatives design businesses that align with their lifestyles.
  • 01:14 – 02:24 – Coaching High-Level Creatives: Matt explains his role as a coach for award-winning creatives seeking fulfillment beyond the hustle, sharing examples of clients from Disney, Spotify, and the music industry.
  • 02:39 – 05:00 – Early Career and First Business: Matt recounts his start in advertising agencies, the launch of his own creative business, and his pursuit of a digital nomad lifestyle inspired by The 4-Hour Workweek.
  • 05:00 – 07:28 – Incongruence of Success and Fulfillment: While achieving his dream of running a remote business, Matt realized his work lacked meaning and fulfillment, sparking a personal crisis after the sudden loss of a family friend.
  • 07:57 – 10:46 – Discovering Core Values: Through coaching, Matt identified that fulfillment comes from emotional states like freedom, impact, and significance, which guided his transition into life coaching for creatives.
  • 12:02 – 15:47 – Three Core Challenges for Creatives: Matt outlines the main struggles creatives face: lack of differentiation, poor communication of value, and inability to scale delivery beyond the founder.
  • 18:03 – 20:56 – Differentiation Through Unique Experience: Matt introduces the idea of standing on a “mountain of value,” emphasizing that personal stories and experiences create unique positioning for creative businesses.
  • 21:38 – 24:00 – The Four P’s of Positioning: Matt shares his framework for differentiation—Person, Problem, Promise, and Process—illustrated with a case study of a former Spotify designer who grew by niching into music tech branding.
  • 26:26 – 28:22 – Communicating Value Through Symptoms: Matt explains why creatives must focus on client symptoms rather than their own services to attract higher-quality clients earlier in the buying journey.
  • 30:28 – 34:52 – Shifting the Sales Approach: Marcel and Matt discuss how education and thought leadership build trust, while Matt emphasizes the importance of mastering sales conversations to accelerate client acquisition.
  • 35:32 – 37:20 – Building Scalable Delivery Systems: Matt describes how to design repeatable processes that move clients from current challenges to desired outcomes, enabling agency founders to step back from daily delivery.
  • 39:38 – 42:26 – Final Advice and Resources: Matt promotes his upcoming book The Creative Studio Roadmap and diagnostic tool and encourages creatives to intentionally design businesses that bring freedom, fulfillment, and financial security.

Show Notes

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Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

]]> Achieving More Freedom as a Creative, With Matt Essam Marcel Petitpas 00:42:34 About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel is joined by Matt Essam, founder of The Creative Life and bestselling author of Create and Prosper, to unpack how top-level creatives can build businesses that actually serve their lives rather than drain them. Drawing from his own journey from agency work to coaching, Matt shares why so many talented professionals feel unfulfilled despite impressive portfolios and big-name clients, and how to break free of that cycle. Together, he and Marcel dive into Matt’s three-pillar framework for creative entrepreneurs: differentiating in a crowded market, clearly communicating value to clients, and building scalable delivery systems that don’t trap founders in day-to-day work. With practical stories, mindset shifts, and tools like Matt’s one-page sales framework and his upcoming Creative Studio Roadmap, this conversation offers creative professionals a roadmap to greater freedom, fulfillment, and financial security while designing a business and lifestyle by choice, not default. About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel is joined by Matt Essam, founder of The Creative Life and bestselling author of Create and Prosper, to unpack how top-level creatives can build businesses that actually serve their lives rather than drain them. Drawing from his own journey from agency work to coaching, Matt shares why so many talented professionals feel unfulfilled despite impressive portfolios and big-name clients, and how to break free of that cycle. Together, he and Marcel dive into Matt’s three-pillar framework for creative entrepreneurs: differentiating in a crowded market, clearly communicating value to clients, and building scalable delivery systems that don’t trap founders in day-to-day work. With practical stories, mindset shifts, and tools like Matt’s one-page sales framework and his upcoming Creative Studio Roadmap, this conversation offers creative professionals a roadmap to greater freedom, fulfillment, and financial security while designing a business and lifestyle by choice, not default. creative agency fulfillment, how to differentiate your agency, coaching for top creatives, agency profitability, creative business coaching, building intentional agencies, building a profitable creative business, communication strategies for agencies, agency business design, agency founder burnout solutions, positioning for creative professionals, agency pricing and profitability, agency leadership strategies, agency growth strategies, creative studio roadmap, agency differentiation, client communication for agencies, agency freedom and fulfillment, productized services for agencies, marketing for creative agencies, scaling a creative agency, freeing agency founders from delivery, one page sales framework, how to communicate agency value, agency sales framework, creative entrepreneur coaching, building a lifestyle-friendly agency, scaling beyond the founder, creative industry business growth, scaling agency delivery, agency positioning strategies, niching down as a creative, selling creative services, agency systems and processes false full 197 427945bd-9514-480a-af1a-efaaafe69ac3 The Hidden Cost of Low Utilization, With Carson Pierce Points of Interest
  • 00:01 – 00:51 – Introduction: Marcel welcomes Carson Pierce back to the show and introduces the episode’s focus on utilization, specifically the hidden costs of low utilization in agencies.
  • 01:18 – 01:50 – Why Utilization Matters Now: Marcel notes that many agencies are struggling with overstaffing and underutilization in a difficult market, which compounds hidden costs over time.
  • 01:50 – 02:45 – Carson’s Perspective on Utilization: Carson explains that agency owners often see only the surface-level financial impact of low utilization, but miss the deeper, unexpected effects it creates.
  • 02:45 – 03:26 – Everyday Utilization Analogies: Carson shares real-world examples, like an unused Jeep and moving trucks, to illustrate how underutilized assets quietly drain resources.
  • 03:39 – 05:59 – Defining Utilization Clearly: Marcel defines utilization as the percentage of purchased team capacity actually used for revenue-generating client work, clarifying common misconceptions and variations.
  • 07:25 – 09:25 – Over-Servicing as a Hidden Cost: Carson highlights how idle team members often fill time by overservicing clients, which distorts expectations, undermines project profitability, and becomes habitual.
  • 09:25 – 11:00 – Internal Projects and Incentives: Marcel explains that low utilization often shifts time into internal projects, which can be productive but frequently become unfocused or misaligned with priorities.
  • 11:00 – 13:47 – Lost Efficiency Without Pressure: Carson argues that high utilization forces efficiency improvements, whereas low utilization removes urgency, leading to stagnant processes and missed bottleneck discovery.
  • 15:55 – 17:46 – Disengagement and Cultural Risks: Carson warns that underutilized employees may feel unproductive, disengage, or eventually leave, while survivors of downsizing can resist returning to higher workload levels.
  • 20:08 – 21:34 – Opportunity Cost of Low Utilization: Marcel expands on the long-term financial risks, including reduced profitability, lower enterprise value, depleted cash reserves, and a shift to defensive decision-making.
  • 25:23 – 27:35 – Managing Unutilized Time Wisely: Carson advises agencies to be deliberate with excess capacity, setting clear expectations for client over-servicing or internal projects and preparing for busy periods.
  • 29:21 – 34:21 – Modeling and Leadership Lessons: Marcel and Carson stress the importance of building a business model to set realistic utilization targets, and Marcel shares candid lessons from Parakeeto’s restructuring journey.

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]]> Wed, 27 Aug 2025 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 00:01 – 00:51 – Introduction: Marcel welcomes Carson Pierce back to the show and introduces the episode’s focus on utilization, specifically the hidden costs of low utilization in agencies.
  • 01:18 – 01:50 – Why Utilization Matters Now: Marcel notes that many agencies are struggling with overstaffing and underutilization in a difficult market, which compounds hidden costs over time.
  • 01:50 – 02:45 – Carson’s Perspective on Utilization: Carson explains that agency owners often see only the surface-level financial impact of low utilization, but miss the deeper, unexpected effects it creates.
  • 02:45 – 03:26 – Everyday Utilization Analogies: Carson shares real-world examples, like an unused Jeep and moving trucks, to illustrate how underutilized assets quietly drain resources.
  • 03:39 – 05:59 – Defining Utilization Clearly: Marcel defines utilization as the percentage of purchased team capacity actually used for revenue-generating client work, clarifying common misconceptions and variations.
  • 07:25 – 09:25 – Over-Servicing as a Hidden Cost: Carson highlights how idle team members often fill time by overservicing clients, which distorts expectations, undermines project profitability, and becomes habitual.
  • 09:25 – 11:00 – Internal Projects and Incentives: Marcel explains that low utilization often shifts time into internal projects, which can be productive but frequently become unfocused or misaligned with priorities.
  • 11:00 – 13:47 – Lost Efficiency Without Pressure: Carson argues that high utilization forces efficiency improvements, whereas low utilization removes urgency, leading to stagnant processes and missed bottleneck discovery.
  • 15:55 – 17:46 – Disengagement and Cultural Risks: Carson warns that underutilized employees may feel unproductive, disengage, or eventually leave, while survivors of downsizing can resist returning to higher workload levels.
  • 20:08 – 21:34 – Opportunity Cost of Low Utilization: Marcel expands on the long-term financial risks, including reduced profitability, lower enterprise value, depleted cash reserves, and a shift to defensive decision-making.
  • 25:23 – 27:35 – Managing Unutilized Time Wisely: Carson advises agencies to be deliberate with excess capacity, setting clear expectations for client over-servicing or internal projects and preparing for busy periods.
  • 29:21 – 34:21 – Modeling and Leadership Lessons: Marcel and Carson stress the importance of building a business model to set realistic utilization targets, and Marcel shares candid lessons from Parakeeto’s restructuring journey.

Show Notes

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]]> The Hidden Cost of Low Utilization, With Carson Pierce Marcel Petitpas 00:36:04 About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel is joined once again by Carson Pierce to unpack one of the trickiest dynamics in running a service business: utilization. While many agency owners understand the surface-level math of underutilization, Carson and Marcel dig into the hidden and often overlooked costs that come with it: from over-servicing clients and bloated internal projects, to lost efficiency, disengaged team members, and a dangerous “new normal” of lower productivity. They also highlight the long-term financial and psychological impacts, such as reduced enterprise value, diminished cash reserves, and a leadership mindset that shifts from playing to win to playing not to lose. Through real-world analogies, candid lessons from Parakeeto’s own journey, and a clear framework for modeling utilization, this conversation gives agency leaders practical tools and perspective to spot and manage the true costs of low utilization before it quietly erodes profit, culture, and growth potential. About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel is joined once again by Carson Pierce to unpack one of the trickiest dynamics in running a service business: utilization. While many agency owners understand the surface-level math of underutilization, Carson and Marcel dig into the hidden and often overlooked costs that come with it: from over-servicing clients and bloated internal projects, to lost efficiency, disengaged team members, and a dangerous “new normal” of lower productivity. They also highlight the long-term financial and psychological impacts, such as reduced enterprise value, diminished cash reserves, and a leadership mindset that shifts from playing to win to playing not to lose. Through real-world analogies, candid lessons from Parakeeto’s own journey, and a clear framework for modeling utilization, this conversation gives agency leaders practical tools and perspective to spot and manage the true costs of low utilization before it quietly erodes profit, culture, and growth potential. agency profit margins, improving agency efficiency, over-servicing clients, agency profitability, delivery hours definition, agency process improvement, capacity planning for agencies, utilization benchmarks, enterprise value agency, billable utilization, agency efficiency, low utilization costs, staff disengagement in agencies, agency restructuring lessons, playing to win vs playing not to lose, hidden costs of utilization, agency cash reserves, agency financial modeling, agency workload management, agency resource management, agency utilization, internal projects agency, opportunity cost in agencies, employee turnover risk, agency staffing challenges, agency leadership mindset false full 196 f5fa1383-3648-42f8-adc9-8172de12b0ab Operationalizing and De-Risking Positioning, with Mike Grinberg Points of Interest
  • 1:10 – 2:03 – Introduction: Marcel welcomes Mike Grinberg, founder of Proofpoint Marketing, who specializes in helping boutique firms strengthen positioning to compete against large incumbents.
  • 2:15 – 3:54 – Competing with “IBM”: Mike explains his role as helping boutique firms reduce client risk perception so they can win against well-known, safer-seeming competitors.
  • 4:48 – 5:40 – The Safe Choice Problem: Agencies that differentiate too much without context risk being seen as confusing or risky, which often drives clients back to incumbents.
  • 5:46 – 8:44 – Positioning Overlooked Through Risk: Traditional positioning frameworks focus on being better or different but rarely consider how buyers perceive risk in making a nontraditional choice.
  • 10:08 – 12:52 – Why Positioning Matters More Now: In uncertain markets, poor positioning is exposed. Firms that only grew with the tide find themselves struggling when growth slows.
  • 13:10 – 14:16 – Positioning as an Operational Issue: Positioning cannot be treated as surface-level messaging; it must be reflected in delivery, hiring, onboarding, and overall business design.
  • 15:13 – 17:29 – Three Levels of Differentiation: Mike outlines functional, intellectual property (frameworks, tools, methodologies), and promotional differentiation as the three vectors agencies must align.
  • 19:00 – 20:13 – The Category Dilemma: Agencies often struggle between fitting into known categories, which brings competition, or creating new ones, which increases client risk and education costs.
  • 22:23 – 24:03 – Functional vs. IP Positioning: Mike advocates anchoring to existing categories functionally while differentiating through intellectual property and go-to-market messaging.
  • 26:30 – 27:49 – Starting with Ideal Client Profile (ICP): Effective positioning begins with deeply defining the ICP beyond titles and industries, including attributes like stage, structure, and challenges.
  • 30:26 – 36:23 – The Risk Perception Matrix: Mike introduces his framework with two axes—personal vs. organizational risk and internal skepticism vs. external questioning—to explain how agencies can derisk buying decisions at every stage.

Show Notes

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]]> Wed, 20 Aug 2025 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 1:10 – 2:03 – Introduction: Marcel welcomes Mike Grinberg, founder of Proofpoint Marketing, who specializes in helping boutique firms strengthen positioning to compete against large incumbents.
  • 2:15 – 3:54 – Competing with “IBM”: Mike explains his role as helping boutique firms reduce client risk perception so they can win against well-known, safer-seeming competitors.
  • 4:48 – 5:40 – The Safe Choice Problem: Agencies that differentiate too much without context risk being seen as confusing or risky, which often drives clients back to incumbents.
  • 5:46 – 8:44 – Positioning Overlooked Through Risk: Traditional positioning frameworks focus on being better or different but rarely consider how buyers perceive risk in making a nontraditional choice.
  • 10:08 – 12:52 – Why Positioning Matters More Now: In uncertain markets, poor positioning is exposed. Firms that only grew with the tide find themselves struggling when growth slows.
  • 13:10 – 14:16 – Positioning as an Operational Issue: Positioning cannot be treated as surface-level messaging; it must be reflected in delivery, hiring, onboarding, and overall business design.
  • 15:13 – 17:29 – Three Levels of Differentiation: Mike outlines functional, intellectual property (frameworks, tools, methodologies), and promotional differentiation as the three vectors agencies must align.
  • 19:00 – 20:13 – The Category Dilemma: Agencies often struggle between fitting into known categories, which brings competition, or creating new ones, which increases client risk and education costs.
  • 22:23 – 24:03 – Functional vs. IP Positioning: Mike advocates anchoring to existing categories functionally while differentiating through intellectual property and go-to-market messaging.
  • 26:30 – 27:49 – Starting with Ideal Client Profile (ICP): Effective positioning begins with deeply defining the ICP beyond titles and industries, including attributes like stage, structure, and challenges.
  • 30:26 – 36:23 – The Risk Perception Matrix: Mike introduces his framework with two axes—personal vs. organizational risk and internal skepticism vs. external questioning—to explain how agencies can derisk buying decisions at every stage.

Show Notes

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Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

]]> Operationalizing and De-Risking Positioning, with Mike Grinberg Marcel Petitpas 00:35:47 About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel is joined by Mike Grinberg, founder of Proofpoint Marketing, to dig into one of the most misunderstood levers of agency success: positioning. Drawing on his experience helping boutique firms stand out against industry giants, Mike introduces a risk-based lens for positioning and shows why differentiation without de-risking often backfires. Together, he and Marcel unpack why many agencies grow “in spite of themselves” during boom times, only to stall when markets tighten, and how true positioning goes beyond messaging into operations, service design, and client experience. From Mike’s risk perception matrix to his framework for aligning functional, intellectual property, and promotional differentiation, this episode offers agency leaders a practical playbook for reducing buyer hesitation, escaping commoditization, and competing with confidence. About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel is joined by Mike Grinberg, founder of Proofpoint Marketing, to dig into one of the most misunderstood levers of agency success: positioning. Drawing on his experience helping boutique firms stand out against industry giants, Mike introduces a risk-based lens for positioning and shows why differentiation without de-risking often backfires. Together, he and Marcel unpack why many agencies grow “in spite of themselves” during boom times, only to stall when markets tighten, and how true positioning goes beyond messaging into operations, service design, and client experience. From Mike’s risk perception matrix to his framework for aligning functional, intellectual property, and promotional differentiation, this episode offers agency leaders a practical playbook for reducing buyer hesitation, escaping commoditization, and competing with confidence. positioning as business strategy, agency hiring practices, category design challenges, intellectual property frameworks, professional services positioning, risk perception matrix, agency positioning, de-risking client decisions, agency promotional strategy, consulting firm positioning, agency growth strategies, operational alignment in agencies, functional differentiation, agency sales objections, boutique consulting firms, agency differentiation, buyer risk perception, ideal client profile for agencies, boutique agency growth, growth consultant for agencies, promotional differentiation, agency service design, agency profitability strategies, agency onboarding process, icp definition, agency competitive advantage, de-risking frameworks for agencies, agency messaging vs operations, compete with incumbents, risk perception in sales, service firm positioning false full 195 7d247338-589c-4672-a5a9-ee5704634a79 Insights from Europe on Global Competition, Talent, and AI, With Carson Pierce Points of Interest
  • 0:00 – 0:17 – Opening: Marcel reflects on building production-level software using low-code tools without prior coding experience, setting the stage for a discussion on rapid change in the agency landscape.
  • 1:01 – 3:40 – Conference Context & Audience: Marcel shares his experience at Web Summer Camp in Opatija, Croatia, hosted by Netgen, describing its highly technical European attendee base and collaborative environment.
  • 5:03 – 7:18 – European Agency Realities: The conversation explores regulated salaries, generous benefits, and extended vacation policies in markets like North Macedonia, and how these shape agency cost structures compared to North America.
  • 7:18 – 11:16 – Local vs. Export Markets: Many Eastern European agencies balance serving lower-rate local clients with the opportunity and challenges of selling into higher-priced North American and UK markets.
  • 11:16 – 14:22 – Trust and Positioning Across Borders: Marcel emphasizes that weak positioning, not geography, is often the real barrier to winning high-value international work and urges agencies to invest in thought leadership.
  • 16:19 – 18:20 – AI as a Global Equalizer: They discuss how AI is redefining “geo-arbitrage” by giving agencies worldwide access to powerful, low-cost capabilities, eroding traditional labor-cost advantages.
  • 19:09 – 21:05 – Universal Agency Benchmarks: Marcel notes that delivery margin targets above 50% and overhead at 20–30% apply globally, though currency differences can magnify software cost burdens in some regions.
  • 22:24 – 25:26 – Retaining Talent in a Global Market: Agencies face competition from multinational firms and startups for top talent, leading many to adopt flexible, growth-oriented cultures to keep their teams engaged.
  • 26:29 – 28:19 – Collaboration as Competitive Advantage: The cooperative nature of the agency community, in both Europe and North America, is positioned as key to navigating future M&A activity and industry shifts.
  • 29:17 – 31:35 – The Power of Networking: Marcel highlights the role of trusted peer relationships in unlocking referrals, partnerships, and acquisition opportunities during both strong and challenging economic cycles.
  • 32:05 – 36:18 – Positioning for the North American Market: Competing solely on technical capability is becoming harder; agencies must lean into operational excellence or deep specialization to sustain premium pricing.
  • 37:00 – 40:19 – Final Take on Adaptability: Marcel closes by underscoring the importance of solving specific, high-value problems better than anyone else, with specialization and clarity as enduring competitive levers.

Show Notes

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]]> Wed, 13 Aug 2025 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 0:00 – 0:17 – Opening: Marcel reflects on building production-level software using low-code tools without prior coding experience, setting the stage for a discussion on rapid change in the agency landscape.
  • 1:01 – 3:40 – Conference Context & Audience: Marcel shares his experience at Web Summer Camp in Opatija, Croatia, hosted by Netgen, describing its highly technical European attendee base and collaborative environment.
  • 5:03 – 7:18 – European Agency Realities: The conversation explores regulated salaries, generous benefits, and extended vacation policies in markets like North Macedonia, and how these shape agency cost structures compared to North America.
  • 7:18 – 11:16 – Local vs. Export Markets: Many Eastern European agencies balance serving lower-rate local clients with the opportunity and challenges of selling into higher-priced North American and UK markets.
  • 11:16 – 14:22 – Trust and Positioning Across Borders: Marcel emphasizes that weak positioning, not geography, is often the real barrier to winning high-value international work and urges agencies to invest in thought leadership.
  • 16:19 – 18:20 – AI as a Global Equalizer: They discuss how AI is redefining “geo-arbitrage” by giving agencies worldwide access to powerful, low-cost capabilities, eroding traditional labor-cost advantages.
  • 19:09 – 21:05 – Universal Agency Benchmarks: Marcel notes that delivery margin targets above 50% and overhead at 20–30% apply globally, though currency differences can magnify software cost burdens in some regions.
  • 22:24 – 25:26 – Retaining Talent in a Global Market: Agencies face competition from multinational firms and startups for top talent, leading many to adopt flexible, growth-oriented cultures to keep their teams engaged.
  • 26:29 – 28:19 – Collaboration as Competitive Advantage: The cooperative nature of the agency community, in both Europe and North America, is positioned as key to navigating future M&A activity and industry shifts.
  • 29:17 – 31:35 – The Power of Networking: Marcel highlights the role of trusted peer relationships in unlocking referrals, partnerships, and acquisition opportunities during both strong and challenging economic cycles.
  • 32:05 – 36:18 – Positioning for the North American Market: Competing solely on technical capability is becoming harder; agencies must lean into operational excellence or deep specialization to sustain premium pricing.
  • 37:00 – 40:19 – Final Take on Adaptability: Marcel closes by underscoring the importance of solving specific, high-value problems better than anyone else, with specialization and clarity as enduring competitive levers.

Show Notes

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]]> Insights from Europe on Global Competition, Talent, and AI, With Carson Pierce Marcel Petitpas 00:40:16 About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel is joined by Parakeeto's Operations Consultant – Carson Pierce to unpack insights from Marcel’s recent trip to Web Summer Camp in Croatia, a gathering of highly technical agencies from across Europe. Drawing from conversations with founders in the Balkans and Eastern Europe, they explore how global talent markets, shifting client expectations, and AI are reshaping agency competition. Together, they contrast the structural differences between European and North American agencies, like labor costs, regulated benefits, and time-off norms, while digging into the shared challenge of earning client trust across borders. From positioning strategies that transcend geography, to navigating talent retention when global firms (and Google) come calling, to why networking and collaboration matter more than ever, this episode offers a candid, big-picture view of what it takes to stay competitive in a rapidly flattening, AI-enabled agency world. About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel is joined by Parakeeto's Operations Consultant – Carson Pierce to unpack insights from Marcel’s recent trip to Web Summer Camp in Croatia, a gathering of highly technical agencies from across Europe. Drawing from conversations with founders in the Balkans and Eastern Europe, they explore how global talent markets, shifting client expectations, and AI are reshaping agency competition. Together, they contrast the structural differences between European and North American agencies, like labor costs, regulated benefits, and time-off norms, while digging into the shared challenge of earning client trust across borders. From positioning strategies that transcend geography, to navigating talent retention when global firms (and Google) come calling, to why networking and collaboration matter more than ever, this episode offers a candid, big-picture view of what it takes to stay competitive in a rapidly flattening, AI-enabled agency world. thought leadership for agencies, software costs in weaker currency markets, agency profitability, agency specialization, agency market adaptability, extended vacation policies, operational excellence for agencies, agency positioning, agency overhead benchmarks, selling to uk markets, m\&a opportunities in agencies, ai in agencies, global talent market, geo-arbitrage, agency collaboration, competing with global employers, agency cost structures, web summer camp croatia, adapting agency business models, high-value problem solving, european agencies, talent retention strategies, agency networking, balkan agencies, delivery margin benchmarks, regulated employee benefits, agency trust building, cross-border client relationships, netgen conference, selling to north american markets, eastern european agencies, technical capabilities in agencies, agency business growth false full 194 35043bb0-5427-468e-b379-caed256706a3 The Untapped Lever: Maximizing Agency Value Through People & Leadership, with James Friel Points of Interest
  • 0:00 – 1:25 – Guest Introduction: Marcel welcomes James Friel, serial entrepreneur, investor, and leadership expert, to discuss building scalable, profitable businesses through effective operations and leadership.
  • 1:26 – 3:08 – Journey from Corporate to Entrepreneurship: James shares his transition from aerospace and software engineering into consulting, entrepreneurship, and acquiring businesses, driven by a curiosity for how businesses function.
  • 3:09 – 4:48 – Building a Sellable Business: James outlines his core focus—helping founders create businesses that generate cash flow and are structured for potential exit through strong infrastructure and operational clarity.
  • 5:00 – 6:46 – The First Principle: Customer-Perceived Value: A business is only viable if customers see genuine value in its offerings. Founders often overvalue their own ideas and under-prioritize market fit.
  • 6:47 – 10:14 – Value Creep and Feature Fatigue: James critiques how companies add features that customers don’t value, creating bloat and eroding customer loyalty—highlighting the need for focus and feedback.
  • 10:15 – 11:24 – People and Culture as Core Assets: A business with enterprise value depends on its people. Leadership, culture, and alignment are foundational to building an organization that can thrive without the founder.
  • 11:25 – 13:56 – James’ Leadership Struggles and Realizations: James recounts his early leadership challenges and how they motivated his deep dive into team performance, management systems, and organizational design.
  • 15:00 – 16:15 – The Three Core Failures: Most performance issues stem from lack of leadership, accountability, and clarity. Fixing these creates the foundation for sustainable team success.
  • 16:16 – 21:24 – Why Leadership Is a Profit Lever: Leadership is essential for ROI on your largest expense—people. Poor leadership silently burns cash and stalls growth, despite having the right strategy or data.
  • 23:37 – 26:17 – Willingness vs. Ability Matrix: James introduces a simple performance framework that helps leaders assess team members based on their alignment (willingness) and skills (ability).
  • 33:01 – 37:52 – Role-Based Scorecards: James breaks down his approach to team structure using one-page scorecards for each role—clarifying objectives, tasks, metrics, and reporting expectations.
  • 38:00 – 40:17 – Introducing the “57 Hats” Product: James shares his new gamified tool that helps founders identify and delegate responsibilities, creating clarity on team structure and freeing them to focus on growth.

Show Notes

Connect with James:


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]]> Wed, 6 Aug 2025 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 0:00 – 1:25 – Guest Introduction: Marcel welcomes James Friel, serial entrepreneur, investor, and leadership expert, to discuss building scalable, profitable businesses through effective operations and leadership.
  • 1:26 – 3:08 – Journey from Corporate to Entrepreneurship: James shares his transition from aerospace and software engineering into consulting, entrepreneurship, and acquiring businesses, driven by a curiosity for how businesses function.
  • 3:09 – 4:48 – Building a Sellable Business: James outlines his core focus—helping founders create businesses that generate cash flow and are structured for potential exit through strong infrastructure and operational clarity.
  • 5:00 – 6:46 – The First Principle: Customer-Perceived Value: A business is only viable if customers see genuine value in its offerings. Founders often overvalue their own ideas and under-prioritize market fit.
  • 6:47 – 10:14 – Value Creep and Feature Fatigue: James critiques how companies add features that customers don’t value, creating bloat and eroding customer loyalty—highlighting the need for focus and feedback.
  • 10:15 – 11:24 – People and Culture as Core Assets: A business with enterprise value depends on its people. Leadership, culture, and alignment are foundational to building an organization that can thrive without the founder.
  • 11:25 – 13:56 – James’ Leadership Struggles and Realizations: James recounts his early leadership challenges and how they motivated his deep dive into team performance, management systems, and organizational design.
  • 15:00 – 16:15 – The Three Core Failures: Most performance issues stem from lack of leadership, accountability, and clarity. Fixing these creates the foundation for sustainable team success.
  • 16:16 – 21:24 – Why Leadership Is a Profit Lever: Leadership is essential for ROI on your largest expense—people. Poor leadership silently burns cash and stalls growth, despite having the right strategy or data.
  • 23:37 – 26:17 – Willingness vs. Ability Matrix: James introduces a simple performance framework that helps leaders assess team members based on their alignment (willingness) and skills (ability).
  • 33:01 – 37:52 – Role-Based Scorecards: James breaks down his approach to team structure using one-page scorecards for each role—clarifying objectives, tasks, metrics, and reporting expectations.
  • 38:00 – 40:17 – Introducing the “57 Hats” Product: James shares his new gamified tool that helps founders identify and delegate responsibilities, creating clarity on team structure and freeing them to focus on growth.

Show Notes

Connect with James:


Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

]]> The Untapped Lever: Maximizing Agency Value Through People & Leadership, with James Friel Marcel Petitpas 00:40:15 About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel is joined by serial entrepreneur and leadership expert James P. Friel to explore one of the most overlooked levers in agency growth: building high-performing teams through better leadership. Drawing from his background in corporate strategy and years of advising founders, James breaks down the first principles of creating a business that can scale beyond the owner—starting with clarity, accountability, and leadership. Together, he and Marcel unpack why most team performance issues stem not from bad people, but from weak systems, vague expectations, and unstructured leadership. From his “willingness and ability” matrix to the concept of scorecards and his new gamified product 57 Hats, this episode offers a practical framework for unlocking more value, profit, and freedom in your business—by getting the best out of your team. About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel is joined by serial entrepreneur and leadership expert James P. Friel to explore one of the most overlooked levers in agency growth: building high-performing teams through better leadership. Drawing from his background in corporate strategy and years of advising founders, James breaks down the first principles of creating a business that can scale beyond the owner—starting with clarity, accountability, and leadership. Together, he and Marcel unpack why most team performance issues stem not from bad people, but from weak systems, vague expectations, and unstructured leadership. From his “willingness and ability” matrix to the concept of scorecards and his new gamified product 57 Hats, this episode offers a practical framework for unlocking more value, profit, and freedom in your business—by getting the best out of your team. investing in agencies, coaching agency teams, leadership frameworks, agency profitability, people-first leadership., building scalable businesses, building agency infrastructure, 57 hats framework, agency staffing strategies, removing founder bottlenecks, service business leadership, agency growth strategies, leadership development for founders, scaling an agency, performance management, creative agency operations, agency management systems, agency team structure, building a sellable agency, agency operations, agency leadership, founder mindset, operational clarity, creating agency value, agency exit strategy, team accountability, improving team performance, willingness and ability matrix, agency roles and responsibilities, digital agency growth, delegation for founders, founder-led businesses, agency culture, agency scorecards, hiring for agencies false full 193 469cf59b-cd3a-4a97-a5fe-dc8cb200962c The Most Common Agency Pricing Mistakes, With Kristen Kelly Points of Interest
  • 0:00 – 0:13 – Introduction: Marcel Petitpas introduces the importance of pricing in agency profitability, emphasizing that even great delivery and project management can’t compensate for poor pricing strategy.
  • 1:00 – 1:39 – The Problem with Pricing Guesswork: Kristen Kelly explains that most agencies lack a formal pricing framework, often relying on gut feelings, competitor comparisons, or outdated rate cards.
  • 2:09 – 3:49 – “Vibe-Based” Pricing Explained: Marcel highlights how pricing decisions are frequently made without math or structure, leading to unclear expectations and poor profit outcomes.
  • 4:00 – 5:35 – Budget-First Pricing Pitfalls: Agencies that accept client budgets without recalibrating scope or checking for margin risk setting themselves up for failure from the outset.
  • 6:27 – 7:46 – Undercharging and Overdelivering: Many agencies underestimate the margin needed for true profitability, aiming too low and failing to account for overhead, unutilized time, and business costs.
  • 9:00 – 10:33 – Scope Creep and the $0 Change Order: Kristen and Marcel discuss strategies for managing out-of-scope requests, including the effective use of $0 change orders to maintain boundaries.
  • 11:43 – 14:20 – The Right Way to Factor in Overhead: Marcel breaks down how to incorporate overhead and indirect costs into pricing without overly complex calculations or flawed net profit heuristics.
  • 16:15 – 19:49 – Choosing the Right Pricing Model: Using the Agency Pricing Quadrant, the episode explores how risk and value should guide pricing models—ranging from hourly to value-based strategies.
  • 19:53 – 22:34 – Tracking Average Billable Rate (ABR): A simple but powerful metric, ABR helps agencies estimate delivery margin and benchmark performance across services and projects.
  • 22:56 – 25:09 – Overcoming Fear of Raising Prices: Kristen and Marcel debunk fears around increasing prices, offering strategies for timing and managing legacy client transitions.
  • 25:21 – 26:54 – Delivery Margin as a North Star: The key takeaway: aim for a 70% delivery margin when pricing services to ensure room for overhead, profit, and sustainable operations.

Show Notes


Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

]]> Wed, 30 Jul 2025 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 0:00 – 0:13 – Introduction: Marcel Petitpas introduces the importance of pricing in agency profitability, emphasizing that even great delivery and project management can’t compensate for poor pricing strategy.
  • 1:00 – 1:39 – The Problem with Pricing Guesswork: Kristen Kelly explains that most agencies lack a formal pricing framework, often relying on gut feelings, competitor comparisons, or outdated rate cards.
  • 2:09 – 3:49 – “Vibe-Based” Pricing Explained: Marcel highlights how pricing decisions are frequently made without math or structure, leading to unclear expectations and poor profit outcomes.
  • 4:00 – 5:35 – Budget-First Pricing Pitfalls: Agencies that accept client budgets without recalibrating scope or checking for margin risk setting themselves up for failure from the outset.
  • 6:27 – 7:46 – Undercharging and Overdelivering: Many agencies underestimate the margin needed for true profitability, aiming too low and failing to account for overhead, unutilized time, and business costs.
  • 9:00 – 10:33 – Scope Creep and the $0 Change Order: Kristen and Marcel discuss strategies for managing out-of-scope requests, including the effective use of $0 change orders to maintain boundaries.
  • 11:43 – 14:20 – The Right Way to Factor in Overhead: Marcel breaks down how to incorporate overhead and indirect costs into pricing without overly complex calculations or flawed net profit heuristics.
  • 16:15 – 19:49 – Choosing the Right Pricing Model: Using the Agency Pricing Quadrant, the episode explores how risk and value should guide pricing models—ranging from hourly to value-based strategies.
  • 19:53 – 22:34 – Tracking Average Billable Rate (ABR): A simple but powerful metric, ABR helps agencies estimate delivery margin and benchmark performance across services and projects.
  • 22:56 – 25:09 – Overcoming Fear of Raising Prices: Kristen and Marcel debunk fears around increasing prices, offering strategies for timing and managing legacy client transitions.
  • 25:21 – 26:54 – Delivery Margin as a North Star: The key takeaway: aim for a 70% delivery margin when pricing services to ensure room for overhead, profit, and sustainable operations.

Show Notes


Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

]]> The Most Common Agency Pricing Mistakes, With Kristen Kelly Marcel Petitpas 00:26:01 About This Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel is joined once again by agency operations expert Kristen Kelly to break down one of the most misunderstood and impactful levers in agency profitability—pricing. Together, they uncover the six most common pricing mistakes agencies make, from “vibe-based” guesswork and undercharging, to choosing the wrong pricing model and ignoring overhead. Kristen and Marcel share practical tools, mindset shifts, and tactical advice—like using delivery margin as a pricing benchmark and the clever $0 change order technique—to help agency leaders price with confidence and clarity. Whether you’ve been flying blind on rates or struggling to raise prices, this episode offers an actionable framework to get your pricing strategy aligned with profitability. About This Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel is joined once again by agency operations expert Kristen Kelly to break down one of the most misunderstood and impactful levers in agency profitability—pricing. Together, they uncover the six most common pricing mistakes agencies make, from “vibe-based” guesswork and undercharging, to choosing the wrong pricing model and ignoring overhead. Kristen and Marcel share practical tools, mindset shifts, and tactical advice—like using delivery margin as a pricing benchmark and the clever $0 change order technique—to help agency leaders price with confidence and clarity. Whether you’ve been flying blind on rates or struggling to raise prices, this episode offers an actionable framework to get your pricing strategy aligned with profitability. how to raise agency prices, agency toolkit, agency project scoping, agency consulting, delivery margin, fixed scope vs time and materials, agency profitability, agency revenue optimization, average billable rate, agency pricing strategy, overhead in pricing, tracking agency performance, service pricing framework, scope creep management, project profitability, pricing for digital services, agency gross income, undercharging clients, value-based pricing, improving agency margins, pricing for creative agencies, managing agency costs, agency operations, client budget alignment, direct delivery margin, pricing tips for agencies, agency pricing quadrant, pricing mistakes, digital agency pricing mistakes, pricing models for agencies, parakeeto agency consulting, consulting for creative agencies, pricing model selection, agency business growth false full 192 409ace17-9bb0-4705-ae0c-4c1d3b2ab486 Recurring Revenue, More Freedom: Navigating the "Let's Build a SaaS" Trap, With Stephen Neville Points of Interest
  • 0:00 – 1:05 – Introduction: Marcel introduces Stephen Neville, CEO of BugHerd, highlighting his background in agency work and his transition into running a SaaS company that helps agencies streamline QA and client feedback.
  • 2:24 – 3:10 – The Dream of SaaS: Marcel and Stephen discuss the allure many agency owners feel toward building a product, inspired by success stories like 37signals—often without fully grasping the implications.
  • 5:30 – 7:10 – Major Model Differences: Stephen outlines key contrasts between service and product businesses, including delayed ROI in SaaS, the shift from clients to customers, and the challenge of proving value before seeing returns.
  • 8:02 – 9:09 – Saying No at Scale: Product businesses require frequent, disciplined “no’s” to user feedback—unlike services, where agencies are more likely to say yes. This shift is critical to managing scope and long-term product health.
  • 10:14 – 11:02 – Why Agencies Want to Pivot: Common motives include stabilizing revenue, creating proof of expertise, and giving teams opportunities for skill development—though not all transitions are strategically sound.
  • 13:19 – 14:04 – Common SaaS Misconceptions: Marcel highlights flawed assumptions—such as SaaS needing less human capital or being less client-facing—debunking the idea that software removes the need for people.
  • 16:20 – 17:01 – SaaS Risk Profile: The risk and financial exposure of building SaaS is often underestimated, with founders needing to endure potentially years of losses before seeing profitability.
  • 21:15 – 22:53 – Lessons to Apply in Services: Stephen emphasizes adopting the SaaS discipline of qualifying and deflecting misaligned client requests, to protect team capacity and maintain healthy utilization.
  • 24:01 – 24:59 – Productization Without Code: Agencies can create repeatable, value-rich offerings by productizing existing services—without building software—through structured, process-driven deliverables.
  • 28:29 – 30:20 – The Real MVP Framework: Marcel shares his “Three Ps” framework—Problem, Point of View, and Process—as the true foundation for product development, arguing services are the best way to validate solutions.
  • 33:01 – 34:46 – Services as a SaaS Growth Lever: Stephen explains how services improve acquisition, onboarding, and retention—especially for enterprise clients—making them a strategic tool, not a liability.
  • 35:46 – 37:25 – Monetizing Services in SaaS: The conversation closes on the growing trend of SaaS companies charging for implementation and support, reframing these formerly free functions as value-rich offerings worth paying for.

Show Notes


Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

]]> Wed, 23 Jul 2025 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 0:00 – 1:05 – Introduction: Marcel introduces Stephen Neville, CEO of BugHerd, highlighting his background in agency work and his transition into running a SaaS company that helps agencies streamline QA and client feedback.
  • 2:24 – 3:10 – The Dream of SaaS: Marcel and Stephen discuss the allure many agency owners feel toward building a product, inspired by success stories like 37signals—often without fully grasping the implications.
  • 5:30 – 7:10 – Major Model Differences: Stephen outlines key contrasts between service and product businesses, including delayed ROI in SaaS, the shift from clients to customers, and the challenge of proving value before seeing returns.
  • 8:02 – 9:09 – Saying No at Scale: Product businesses require frequent, disciplined “no’s” to user feedback—unlike services, where agencies are more likely to say yes. This shift is critical to managing scope and long-term product health.
  • 10:14 – 11:02 – Why Agencies Want to Pivot: Common motives include stabilizing revenue, creating proof of expertise, and giving teams opportunities for skill development—though not all transitions are strategically sound.
  • 13:19 – 14:04 – Common SaaS Misconceptions: Marcel highlights flawed assumptions—such as SaaS needing less human capital or being less client-facing—debunking the idea that software removes the need for people.
  • 16:20 – 17:01 – SaaS Risk Profile: The risk and financial exposure of building SaaS is often underestimated, with founders needing to endure potentially years of losses before seeing profitability.
  • 21:15 – 22:53 – Lessons to Apply in Services: Stephen emphasizes adopting the SaaS discipline of qualifying and deflecting misaligned client requests, to protect team capacity and maintain healthy utilization.
  • 24:01 – 24:59 – Productization Without Code: Agencies can create repeatable, value-rich offerings by productizing existing services—without building software—through structured, process-driven deliverables.
  • 28:29 – 30:20 – The Real MVP Framework: Marcel shares his “Three Ps” framework—Problem, Point of View, and Process—as the true foundation for product development, arguing services are the best way to validate solutions.
  • 33:01 – 34:46 – Services as a SaaS Growth Lever: Stephen explains how services improve acquisition, onboarding, and retention—especially for enterprise clients—making them a strategic tool, not a liability.
  • 35:46 – 37:25 – Monetizing Services in SaaS: The conversation closes on the growing trend of SaaS companies charging for implementation and support, reframing these formerly free functions as value-rich offerings worth paying for.

Show Notes


Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

]]> Recurring Revenue, More Freedom: Navigating the "Let's Build a SaaS" Trap, With Stephen Neville Marcel Petitpas 00:38:43 About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel is joined by Stephen Neville, CEO of BugHerd, to unpack the fantasy many agency owners entertain: trading their service-based business model for the greener grass of software. Drawing from Stephen’s journey from running a digital agency to scaling a SaaS product, they explore the often-overlooked complexities of the transition—from the challenges of saying no to feature requests, to the harsh financial realities of customer acquisition and technical debt. Marcel and Stephen shed light on why services are more flexible (and forgiving), why product-market fit is best found through doing things manually first, and how the most successful SaaS-leaning agencies start by productizing what they already do. Whether you’re software-curious or scaling a service firm and wondering what’s next, this episode offers a candid, experience-backed roadmap for navigating the leap (or not) from services to SaaS. About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel is joined by Stephen Neville, CEO of BugHerd, to unpack the fantasy many agency owners entertain: trading their service-based business model for the greener grass of software. Drawing from Stephen’s journey from running a digital agency to scaling a SaaS product, they explore the often-overlooked complexities of the transition—from the challenges of saying no to feature requests, to the harsh financial realities of customer acquisition and technical debt. Marcel and Stephen shed light on why services are more flexible (and forgiving), why product-market fit is best found through doing things manually first, and how the most successful SaaS-leaning agencies start by productizing what they already do. Whether you’re software-curious or scaling a service firm and wondering what’s next, this episode offers a candid, experience-backed roadmap for navigating the leap (or not) from services to SaaS. scaling agencies, building a saas company, implementation services, onboarding strategy, agency profitability, agency to saas, software for agencies, enterprise client onboarding, service delivery optimization, agency business model, customer retention, product-market fit, productized agency services, stephen neville, vertical market agencies, client experience in agencies, saas churn reduction, mvp process, qa process for agencies, software support services, recurring revenue for agencies, productizing services, software development vs agency work, minimum viable product, managing agency clients, bugherd software, agency churn, agency operations, customer development, venture capital saas, building agency tech, client feedback process, marcel petitpas, niche agency services, digital agency growth, agency growth strategy, cac to ltv, agency revenue diversification, underengineering in saas, saas transition, agency account management, operational efficiency, parakeeto, technical debt in saas, service-based business, agency sales and marketing false full 191 9b8b4046-a0b5-4e90-a477-90eeacb6c288 Fractional COO vs. Operational Intelligence: What Agencies Actually Need , With Kristen Kelly Points of Interest
  • 0:00 – 1:20 – Guest Introduction: Marcel introduces Kristen Kelly and sets the stage for a deep dive into the roles of fractional COOs versus building operational intelligence within growing agencies.
  • 1:21 – 2:25 – The $1M Growth Threshold: Kristen explains how agencies crossing the $1M mark often face operational strain and confusion about whether to hire help or improve their systems.
  • 2:26 – 5:05 – Defining a Fractional COO: Marcel outlines what a fractional COO typically does—bridging strategy and execution—and highlights the lack of standardization across ops roles in agencies.
  • 5:06 – 7:59 – Scope Differences by Agency Size: The team discusses how the expectations and responsibilities of a COO differ dramatically between a 20-person and 200-person agency.
  • 8:00 – 10:16 – Operational Intelligence vs. Role Ownership: Marcel explains why data and modeling are essential for prioritizing and sequencing initiatives—work that can't fall solely on a fractional COO.
  • 10:17 – 13:03 – Metrics Frameworks as a Foundation: The conversation shifts to the importance of shared definitions for key metrics (like utilization and gross margin) to avoid costly misalignment.
  • 13:04 – 16:51 – The Risks of Poor Data: They explore the consequences of relying on messy or inconsistent project and financial data—including delayed decisions, accuracy issues, and limited insight.
  • 16:52 – 20:21 – When to Hire vs. When to Model: Marcel outlines when it makes sense to bring in a fractional COO versus starting with operational intelligence, depending on strategic versus tactical needs.
  • 20:22 – 22:25 – How Parakeeto Supports Agencies: The hosts explain how Parakeeto provides not just reporting tools but also the advisory layer to help agencies convert intelligence into action.
  • 22:26 – 24:42 – Bringing Operational Alignment: Kristen emphasizes how Parakeeto helps unify internal teams around a shared understanding of the business model and key profitability levers.
  • 24:43 – 27:32 – The Scope of Operational Intelligence: Marcel breaks down the full picture of operational intelligence, from framework creation to data integration, reporting, and cadence-building.
  • 27:33 – 34:15 – Final Advice & Avoiding Costly Mistakes: Marcel and Kristen caution against relying on underqualified ops hires to build complex systems, advocating instead for investing in clarity and frameworks first.

Show Notes

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Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

]]> Wed, 16 Jul 2025 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 0:00 – 1:20 – Guest Introduction: Marcel introduces Kristen Kelly and sets the stage for a deep dive into the roles of fractional COOs versus building operational intelligence within growing agencies.
  • 1:21 – 2:25 – The $1M Growth Threshold: Kristen explains how agencies crossing the $1M mark often face operational strain and confusion about whether to hire help or improve their systems.
  • 2:26 – 5:05 – Defining a Fractional COO: Marcel outlines what a fractional COO typically does—bridging strategy and execution—and highlights the lack of standardization across ops roles in agencies.
  • 5:06 – 7:59 – Scope Differences by Agency Size: The team discusses how the expectations and responsibilities of a COO differ dramatically between a 20-person and 200-person agency.
  • 8:00 – 10:16 – Operational Intelligence vs. Role Ownership: Marcel explains why data and modeling are essential for prioritizing and sequencing initiatives—work that can't fall solely on a fractional COO.
  • 10:17 – 13:03 – Metrics Frameworks as a Foundation: The conversation shifts to the importance of shared definitions for key metrics (like utilization and gross margin) to avoid costly misalignment.
  • 13:04 – 16:51 – The Risks of Poor Data: They explore the consequences of relying on messy or inconsistent project and financial data—including delayed decisions, accuracy issues, and limited insight.
  • 16:52 – 20:21 – When to Hire vs. When to Model: Marcel outlines when it makes sense to bring in a fractional COO versus starting with operational intelligence, depending on strategic versus tactical needs.
  • 20:22 – 22:25 – How Parakeeto Supports Agencies: The hosts explain how Parakeeto provides not just reporting tools but also the advisory layer to help agencies convert intelligence into action.
  • 22:26 – 24:42 – Bringing Operational Alignment: Kristen emphasizes how Parakeeto helps unify internal teams around a shared understanding of the business model and key profitability levers.
  • 24:43 – 27:32 – The Scope of Operational Intelligence: Marcel breaks down the full picture of operational intelligence, from framework creation to data integration, reporting, and cadence-building.
  • 27:33 – 34:15 – Final Advice & Avoiding Costly Mistakes: Marcel and Kristen caution against relying on underqualified ops hires to build complex systems, advocating instead for investing in clarity and frameworks first.

Show Notes

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Leave us a review here.


Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

]]> Fractional COO vs. Operational Intelligence: What Agencies Actually Need , With Kristen Kelly Marcel Petitpas 00:32:41 About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel is joined by returning guest and Parakeeto team member Kristen Kelly to demystify a common crossroads for growing agencies: hiring a fractional COO versus building operational intelligence. They dig into the million-dollar revenue inflection point, where founders often feel the pressure to “fix ops” without knowing exactly what that means—or who to hire. Marcel and Kristen break down what a fractional COO really does (spoiler: it depends), why operational intelligence is often the better starting point, and how clarity around metrics, modeling, and decision-making can be a total unlock. Whether you’re tired of gut-based decisions, drowning in messy data, or wondering what role to hire next, this episode is packed with practical insight and hard-won perspective to help you grow with confidence. About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel is joined by returning guest and Parakeeto team member Kristen Kelly to demystify a common crossroads for growing agencies: hiring a fractional COO versus building operational intelligence. They dig into the million-dollar revenue inflection point, where founders often feel the pressure to “fix ops” without knowing exactly what that means—or who to hire. Marcel and Kristen break down what a fractional COO really does (spoiler: it depends), why operational intelligence is often the better starting point, and how clarity around metrics, modeling, and decision-making can be a total unlock. Whether you’re tired of gut-based decisions, drowning in messy data, or wondering what role to hire next, this episode is packed with practical insight and hard-won perspective to help you grow with confidence. service delivery efficiency, operational intelligence, operations consulting, scaling professional services, agency tools and systems, agency profitability, agency metrics, agency scaling, agency business model, operations leadership, agency process improvement, agency gross margin, agency financial data, project management for agencies, hiring for agency ops, agency growth, delivery optimization, project data accuracy, operations maturity, agency kpis, measuring agency performance., creative agency growth, digital agency strategy, agency executive leadership, business intelligence for agencies, fractional coo, agency operations, operational clarity, agency financial modeling, agency dashboards, agency decision making, agency roles and responsibilities, growing creative agencies, utilization rate, profitability framework, parakeeto, agency reporting, improving agency profit false full 190 c411cb9c-6fc1-4aad-a890-8d987e0ff280 Going from Solo Consultant to Firm Builder, With Michael Zipursky Points of Interest
  • 0:31 – 1:09 – Welcome & Guest Intro: Marcel introduces Michael Zipursky, founder of Consulting Success, highlighting his global impact helping consultants build six- and seven-figure businesses that align with their ideal lifestyles.
  • 2:33 – 4:11 – Consulting Success Origins: Michael shares how his early ventures led to launching Consulting Success with his cousin, aimed at sharing lessons learned and helping others avoid common pitfalls in consulting.
  • 6:02 – 6:24 – Agencies vs. Consulting Firms: Marcel and Michael discuss the blurring lines between agencies and consulting firms, noting how business models are converging and overlapping more than ever.
  • 6:30 – 9:39 – AI in Consulting: Michael unpacks the impact of AI on consulting, emphasizing it’s not a threat but a major opportunity—especially for those who learn to leverage it for delivery, marketing, and efficiency.
  • 10:15 – 12:33 – Strategy vs. Delivery Firms: The conversation explores how AI disruption will accelerate a divide between strategic firms and commodity delivery shops, urging firms to specialize and double down on expertise.
  • 15:03 – 17:09 – The Prompting Advantage: Michael argues that asking the right questions is now a critical skill in the AI era—those with deep expertise will extract far more value from tools like ChatGPT than generalists.
  • 17:20 – 22:00 – Solo Consultant vs. Firm Builder: Michael outlines the typical journey from corporate professional to solo consultant, and the eventual fork in the road: stay lean and independent, or scale into a firm.
  • 24:27 – 27:00 – The Cost of Scaling: Marcel shares the hidden costs and risks of transitioning from a solo consultant to a firm owner, including potential income dips, increased complexity, and the need for strategic planning.
  • 27:00 – 29:54 – Smart Scaling Tactics: Michael stresses the importance of hiring slowly, keeping teams lean with A-players, and being clear on whether you’re optimizing for lifestyle or enterprise value.
  • 30:06 – 31:10 – Fractional Talent & Flexibility: The hosts discuss how fractional hires and global talent access have reduced the risk of scaling by allowing firms to incrementally buy back time and capacity.
  • 33:01 – 34:58 – Profitability Levers: Michael highlights two key exercises to improve profitability: analyzing profitability by client type and by service offering, often revealing the 80/20 opportunities within the business.
  • 36:02 – 39:19 – Strategic Pricing in Uncertainty: In challenging economic times, Michael encourages firms to build stronger business cases and consider raising prices—not lowering them—as a path to higher profitability.

Show Notes

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Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

]]> Wed, 9 Jul 2025 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 0:31 – 1:09 – Welcome & Guest Intro: Marcel introduces Michael Zipursky, founder of Consulting Success, highlighting his global impact helping consultants build six- and seven-figure businesses that align with their ideal lifestyles.
  • 2:33 – 4:11 – Consulting Success Origins: Michael shares how his early ventures led to launching Consulting Success with his cousin, aimed at sharing lessons learned and helping others avoid common pitfalls in consulting.
  • 6:02 – 6:24 – Agencies vs. Consulting Firms: Marcel and Michael discuss the blurring lines between agencies and consulting firms, noting how business models are converging and overlapping more than ever.
  • 6:30 – 9:39 – AI in Consulting: Michael unpacks the impact of AI on consulting, emphasizing it’s not a threat but a major opportunity—especially for those who learn to leverage it for delivery, marketing, and efficiency.
  • 10:15 – 12:33 – Strategy vs. Delivery Firms: The conversation explores how AI disruption will accelerate a divide between strategic firms and commodity delivery shops, urging firms to specialize and double down on expertise.
  • 15:03 – 17:09 – The Prompting Advantage: Michael argues that asking the right questions is now a critical skill in the AI era—those with deep expertise will extract far more value from tools like ChatGPT than generalists.
  • 17:20 – 22:00 – Solo Consultant vs. Firm Builder: Michael outlines the typical journey from corporate professional to solo consultant, and the eventual fork in the road: stay lean and independent, or scale into a firm.
  • 24:27 – 27:00 – The Cost of Scaling: Marcel shares the hidden costs and risks of transitioning from a solo consultant to a firm owner, including potential income dips, increased complexity, and the need for strategic planning.
  • 27:00 – 29:54 – Smart Scaling Tactics: Michael stresses the importance of hiring slowly, keeping teams lean with A-players, and being clear on whether you’re optimizing for lifestyle or enterprise value.
  • 30:06 – 31:10 – Fractional Talent & Flexibility: The hosts discuss how fractional hires and global talent access have reduced the risk of scaling by allowing firms to incrementally buy back time and capacity.
  • 33:01 – 34:58 – Profitability Levers: Michael highlights two key exercises to improve profitability: analyzing profitability by client type and by service offering, often revealing the 80/20 opportunities within the business.
  • 36:02 – 39:19 – Strategic Pricing in Uncertainty: In challenging economic times, Michael encourages firms to build stronger business cases and consider raising prices—not lowering them—as a path to higher profitability.

Show Notes

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Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

]]> Going from Solo Consultant to Firm Builder, With Michael Zipursky Marcel Petitpas 00:39:03 About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel is joined by Michael Zipursky—founder of Consulting Success and a leading voice in the world of consulting—to explore how solo consultants can scale their businesses without losing their freedom or profitability. They unpack the key differences between staying lean as a high-earning “super consultant” versus building a scalable firm with enterprise value, and the risks, costs, and mindset shifts that come with each path. Michael also shares a grounded take on AI in the consulting world—why it’s a wake-up call, not a death sentence, and how real experts can use it as a force multiplier. The conversation is packed with clarity around strategic hiring, profitability trends, pricing, and the power of staying focused on your ideal clients. If you’re navigating growth decisions or wondering how to stay relevant in a rapidly shifting market, this episode is a must-listen. About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel is joined by Michael Zipursky—founder of Consulting Success and a leading voice in the world of consulting—to explore how solo consultants can scale their businesses without losing their freedom or profitability. They unpack the key differences between staying lean as a high-earning “super consultant” versus building a scalable firm with enterprise value, and the risks, costs, and mindset shifts that come with each path. Michael also shares a grounded take on AI in the consulting world—why it’s a wake-up call, not a death sentence, and how real experts can use it as a force multiplier. The conversation is packed with clarity around strategic hiring, profitability trends, pricing, and the power of staying focused on your ideal clients. If you’re navigating growth decisions or wondering how to stay relevant in a rapidly shifting market, this episode is a must-listen. false full 189 e81408e4-bf8d-4b3c-bb82-62c4ffe43082 How to Choose the Right Project Management Tool for Your Agency , With Carson Pierce Points of Interest
  • 0:00 – 1:14 – Introduction & Context Setting: Marcel introduces Carson Pierce, Parakeeto's Head Consultant, to discuss project management tools in the agency space and the fundamentals that remain relevant despite ever-changing software options.
  • 1:14 – 4:01 – Common Tools Used by Agencies: Carson outlines the most frequently used project management tools among Parakeeto clients, highlighting Asana, ClickUp, and Teamwork, and noting the emergence of all-in-one solutions like Scoro.
  • 4:01 – 6:02 – Complexity of the Tool Landscape: Marcel emphasizes the oversaturated, overlapping software market and categorizes tools by function—core PM, all-in-one, and emerging database-like tools like Notion and Airtable.
  • 6:02 – 8:20 – Evolution & Blurring Tool Categories: Discussion on how tool capabilities are converging, with time tracking and resource planning platforms increasingly offering PM features, making distinctions between categories less clear.
  • 8:20 – 13:01 – Prioritizing Workflow over Tool Choice: They argue that enabling smooth team workflow is more important than picking the “right” tool, especially since tools change often but foundational processes must endure.
  • 13:01 – 17:03 – Why Tools Fail to Deliver Reporting: Marcel explains that no platform offers fully automated, reliable reporting due to inconsistent data inputs, evolving structures, and platform limitations in data visualization.
  • 17:03 – 20:57 – ETL Framework for Reliable Reporting: They introduce the Extract-Transform-Load (ETL) approach as a best practice, outlining how agencies can clean and structure messy data outside their tools for accurate reporting.
  • 20:57 – 24:02 – Structuring Data for Better Insights: Carson and Marcel explore how to align time tracking, estimates, and project categorization by writing logical rules that map inconsistent inputs into standardized outputs.
  • 24:02 – 27:20 – Ensuring Trustworthy Data: Emphasis on creating repeatable logic statements and reducing manual input to increase data reliability, and avoid costly decision-making based on inaccurate data.
  • 27:20 – 30:05 – When & How to Choose a New Tool: They outline a responsible selection process—start with workflow mapping, validate with team input, and avoid changing tools unless truly necessary to avoid unnecessary disruption.
  • 30:05 – 32:11 – Cautions Against Overengineering Implementations: Marcel advises keeping implementations simple and avoiding overly rigid structures that fail when team behavior inevitably deviates from ideal input patterns.
  • 32:11 – End – All-in-One vs. Best-of-Breed Tools: Final thoughts on the cyclical industry shift between all-in-one and specialized tools, noting the decision should hinge on agency maturity, flexibility needs, and workflow alignment.

Show Notes

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]]> Wed, 2 Jul 2025 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 0:00 – 1:14 – Introduction & Context Setting: Marcel introduces Carson Pierce, Parakeeto's Head Consultant, to discuss project management tools in the agency space and the fundamentals that remain relevant despite ever-changing software options.
  • 1:14 – 4:01 – Common Tools Used by Agencies: Carson outlines the most frequently used project management tools among Parakeeto clients, highlighting Asana, ClickUp, and Teamwork, and noting the emergence of all-in-one solutions like Scoro.
  • 4:01 – 6:02 – Complexity of the Tool Landscape: Marcel emphasizes the oversaturated, overlapping software market and categorizes tools by function—core PM, all-in-one, and emerging database-like tools like Notion and Airtable.
  • 6:02 – 8:20 – Evolution & Blurring Tool Categories: Discussion on how tool capabilities are converging, with time tracking and resource planning platforms increasingly offering PM features, making distinctions between categories less clear.
  • 8:20 – 13:01 – Prioritizing Workflow over Tool Choice: They argue that enabling smooth team workflow is more important than picking the “right” tool, especially since tools change often but foundational processes must endure.
  • 13:01 – 17:03 – Why Tools Fail to Deliver Reporting: Marcel explains that no platform offers fully automated, reliable reporting due to inconsistent data inputs, evolving structures, and platform limitations in data visualization.
  • 17:03 – 20:57 – ETL Framework for Reliable Reporting: They introduce the Extract-Transform-Load (ETL) approach as a best practice, outlining how agencies can clean and structure messy data outside their tools for accurate reporting.
  • 20:57 – 24:02 – Structuring Data for Better Insights: Carson and Marcel explore how to align time tracking, estimates, and project categorization by writing logical rules that map inconsistent inputs into standardized outputs.
  • 24:02 – 27:20 – Ensuring Trustworthy Data: Emphasis on creating repeatable logic statements and reducing manual input to increase data reliability, and avoid costly decision-making based on inaccurate data.
  • 27:20 – 30:05 – When & How to Choose a New Tool: They outline a responsible selection process—start with workflow mapping, validate with team input, and avoid changing tools unless truly necessary to avoid unnecessary disruption.
  • 30:05 – 32:11 – Cautions Against Overengineering Implementations: Marcel advises keeping implementations simple and avoiding overly rigid structures that fail when team behavior inevitably deviates from ideal input patterns.
  • 32:11 – End – All-in-One vs. Best-of-Breed Tools: Final thoughts on the cyclical industry shift between all-in-one and specialized tools, noting the decision should hinge on agency maturity, flexibility needs, and workflow alignment.

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]]> How to Choose the Right Project Management Tool for Your Agency , With Carson Pierce Marcel Petitpas 00:36:42 About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel chats with Carson Pierce from the Parakeeto team to demystify the chaos around choosing project management tools in the agency world. With hundreds of platforms flooding the market—many promising to do it all—they unpack why tool selection matters far less than you think. The real secret? Focus on process and workflow first, then use tools to support that—not the other way around. They dive into the two core reasons agencies adopt tools (workflow vs. reporting), explain why perfect data is a myth, and share why all-in-one platforms are making a comeback—though they’re not always the answer. Carson and Marcel share hard-won lessons and clear frameworks for structuring data and reporting logic that work regardless of what tools you use. Stop obsessing over which software to pick—get your workflow right, and your reporting will follow. About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel chats with Carson Pierce from the Parakeeto team to demystify the chaos around choosing project management tools in the agency world. With hundreds of platforms flooding the market—many promising to do it all—they unpack why tool selection matters far less than you think. The real secret? Focus on process and workflow first, then use tools to support that—not the other way around. They dive into the two core reasons agencies adopt tools (workflow vs. reporting), explain why perfect data is a myth, and share why all-in-one platforms are making a comeback—though they’re not always the answer. Carson and Marcel share hard-won lessons and clear frameworks for structuring data and reporting logic that work regardless of what tools you use. Stop obsessing over which software to pick—get your workflow right, and your reporting will follow. data-driven decision making, agency metrics tracking, digital agency tools, operational efficiency for agencies, agency data compliance, best project management tools for agencies, agency profitability, clickup vs asana, agency project management, all-in-one project management, agency tool selection, agency reporting best practices, project data structuring, resource planning tools, project management workflow, tools for digital marketing agencies, agency software stack, professional services automation, agency workflow optimization, time tracking software, project management software, creative agency operations, project reporting framework., scalable agency systems, agency operations, agency software implementation, agency performance metrics, etl for agencies, agency change management, teamwork project management, marketing agency tools, project management for creatives, reporting automation for agencies false full 188 44692896-ae27-418b-bd6f-ac173a76882b The 3 Key Financial Metrics for Agency Success, With Jon Morris Points of Interest
  • 0:00 – 1:00 – Opening: Marcel introduces the episode’s focus on financial visibility and growth, and welcomes returning guest Jon Morris, CEO of Fiscal Advocate and creator of EngineBI.
  • 1:00 – 2:55 – Jon’s Background: Jon shares his journey from founding Rise Interactive to launching Fiscal Advocate, emphasizing the value of financial insights in scaling agencies.
  • 3:00 – 4:30 – Overview of Fiscal Advocate & EngineBI: Jon explains the core services of Fiscal Advocate—bookkeeping and FP&A—and how EngineBI enables forward-looking budgeting, forecasting, and business intelligence.
  • 4:30 – 6:45 – Clarifying the Relationship Between Fiscal Advocate & Parakeeto: Marcel and Jon outline how their services complement each other—Fiscal Advocate focuses on company-wide financial health, while Parakeeto dives deep into project-level delivery profitability.
  • 6:45 – 8:25 – The Profitability Venn Diagram: The duo discusses the intersection of finance and operations in agency profitability, stressing that complete visibility requires both financial structure and operational clarity.
  • 8:25 – 12:00 – The Three Key Financial Metrics: Jon presents his core framework: cash relative to monthly overhead, profitability (target 20% EBITDA), and year-over-year revenue growth (target 20%).
  • 12:00 – 15:10 – Managing Cash with Discipline: Jon details a best-practice approach to managing cash through segmented bank accounts—operating, accrual, savings, and (if applicable) media accounts—with clear reserve targets.
  • 15:10 – 17:20 – Strategic Use of Excess Cash: They explore scenarios where excess cash should be reinvested or removed from the business, with an emphasis on growth-minded planning or lifestyle-business clarity.
  • 17:20 – 22:35 – Accrual Accounting & Forecasting Pitfalls: Jon explains how deferred revenue and mismanaged payment terms can create false security in cash flow and emphasizes the need for accrual-based accounting and detailed forecasting.
  • 22:35 – 24:45 – Spending Benchmarks by Function: The episode outlines ideal spending allocations—50% on delivery, 30% across admin/ops/marketing, and 5% on R&D—to balance growth and margin targets.
  • 24:45 – 27:55 – Growth vs. Profitability Tradeoffs: Jon advocates for disciplined reinvestment of margin into scalable functions rather than focusing solely on profit extraction, aligning with the “Rule of 40” growth philosophy.
  • 27:55 – 33:59 – Importance of Gross Margin Visibility: Marcel and Jon stress the necessity of management accounting to accurately track delivery margin, revealing it as the single most powerful lever for scaling profitably.

Show Notes

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]]> Wed, 25 Jun 2025 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 0:00 – 1:00 – Opening: Marcel introduces the episode’s focus on financial visibility and growth, and welcomes returning guest Jon Morris, CEO of Fiscal Advocate and creator of EngineBI.
  • 1:00 – 2:55 – Jon’s Background: Jon shares his journey from founding Rise Interactive to launching Fiscal Advocate, emphasizing the value of financial insights in scaling agencies.
  • 3:00 – 4:30 – Overview of Fiscal Advocate & EngineBI: Jon explains the core services of Fiscal Advocate—bookkeeping and FP&A—and how EngineBI enables forward-looking budgeting, forecasting, and business intelligence.
  • 4:30 – 6:45 – Clarifying the Relationship Between Fiscal Advocate & Parakeeto: Marcel and Jon outline how their services complement each other—Fiscal Advocate focuses on company-wide financial health, while Parakeeto dives deep into project-level delivery profitability.
  • 6:45 – 8:25 – The Profitability Venn Diagram: The duo discusses the intersection of finance and operations in agency profitability, stressing that complete visibility requires both financial structure and operational clarity.
  • 8:25 – 12:00 – The Three Key Financial Metrics: Jon presents his core framework: cash relative to monthly overhead, profitability (target 20% EBITDA), and year-over-year revenue growth (target 20%).
  • 12:00 – 15:10 – Managing Cash with Discipline: Jon details a best-practice approach to managing cash through segmented bank accounts—operating, accrual, savings, and (if applicable) media accounts—with clear reserve targets.
  • 15:10 – 17:20 – Strategic Use of Excess Cash: They explore scenarios where excess cash should be reinvested or removed from the business, with an emphasis on growth-minded planning or lifestyle-business clarity.
  • 17:20 – 22:35 – Accrual Accounting & Forecasting Pitfalls: Jon explains how deferred revenue and mismanaged payment terms can create false security in cash flow and emphasizes the need for accrual-based accounting and detailed forecasting.
  • 22:35 – 24:45 – Spending Benchmarks by Function: The episode outlines ideal spending allocations—50% on delivery, 30% across admin/ops/marketing, and 5% on R&D—to balance growth and margin targets.
  • 24:45 – 27:55 – Growth vs. Profitability Tradeoffs: Jon advocates for disciplined reinvestment of margin into scalable functions rather than focusing solely on profit extraction, aligning with the “Rule of 40” growth philosophy.
  • 27:55 – 33:59 – Importance of Gross Margin Visibility: Marcel and Jon stress the necessity of management accounting to accurately track delivery margin, revealing it as the single most powerful lever for scaling profitably.

Show Notes

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]]> The 3 Key Financial Metrics for Agency Success, With Jon Morris Marcel Petitpas 00:33:28 About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel chats with Jon Morris—CEO of Fiscal Advocate and creator of EngineBI—about the three most critical financial metrics every agency owner should monitor: cash reserves, profit margin, and year-over-year revenue growth. They break down how having strong cash positions creates strategic optionality (like M&A opportunities), why 20% EBITDA is a gold standard, and how understanding gross margin is the ultimate lever for scaling profitably. Marcel and Jon also clear the air on why their firms aren’t competitors but complementary forces tackling profitability from different angles—finance and operations. With plenty of real-world examples and tactical frameworks, this episode is a treasure trove for agency owners looking to master their numbers and scale smarter. If you want to build a more profitable, scalable agency—start by getting intimate with your margins and cash flow. About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel chats with Jon Morris—CEO of Fiscal Advocate and creator of EngineBI—about the three most critical financial metrics every agency owner should monitor: cash reserves, profit margin, and year-over-year revenue growth. They break down how having strong cash positions creates strategic optionality (like M&A opportunities), why 20% EBITDA is a gold standard, and how understanding gross margin is the ultimate lever for scaling profitably. Marcel and Jon also clear the air on why their firms aren’t competitors but complementary forces tackling profitability from different angles—finance and operations. With plenty of real-world examples and tactical frameworks, this episode is a treasure trove for agency owners looking to master their numbers and scale smarter. If you want to build a more profitable, scalable agency—start by getting intimate with your margins and cash flow. agency profit margins, delivery margin, agency profitability, agency gross margin, agency benchmarking tools., scaling a digital agency, agency revenue growth, year-over-year revenue growth, agency bookkeeping best practices, agency cash flow management, m&a strategy for agencies, agency financial discipline, budgeting and forecasting tools, agency kpis, cash reserve strategies, fp&a for marketing agencies, enginebi platform, creative agency profitability, agency operations, ebitda for agencies, project-level profitability, agency financial benchmarks, operations vs finance in agencies, financial visibility for agencies, digital agency growth, marketing agency metrics, financial planning for agencies, accrual accounting for agencies, jon morris fiscal advocate, managing agency expenses false full 187 2abb5be0-5b86-4d5f-a93c-79c8ba3564c8 The Role of Timesheets in Agency Profitability, With Kristen Kelly Points of Interest
  • 1:08 – 2:17 – Why Time Tracking Still Matters: Kristen and Marcel introduce the episode’s goal—to reframe time tracking from a frustrating chore into a strategic advantage for agencies.
  • 2:28 – 4:59 – Debunking Common Misconceptions: Marcel breaks down the three common arguments against time tracking, particularly the mistaken belief that it's only relevant for time-and-materials billing.
  • 5:04 – 6:19 – Understanding the Agency Business Model: Marcel explains why all service businesses, regardless of pricing model, must measure time to truly understand costs and profit margins.
  • 6:33 – 8:39 – When Time Tracking Becomes Non-Negotiable: The hosts argue that the ideal conditions for skipping time tracking rarely exist—most agencies operate in too much uncertainty.
  • 8:45 – 10:47 – The Cultural Problem with Time Sheets: Beyond logistics, the core issue is lack of transparency—teams don't understand how time data is used or how it benefits them.
  • 10:53 – 13:12 – Misuse of Metrics and the Consequences: Marcel describes how overexposing metrics like utilization or budget variance skews behavior, leading to inaccurate and untrustworthy data.
  • 14:20 – 16:38 – Time Tracking and Cost Visibility: Even with fixed pricing models, agencies must know how much time goes into work to assess whether it's profitable or sustainable.
  • 16:44 – 18:58 – Key Metrics Affected by Time Tracking: Delivery margin, utilization, and average billable rate are highlighted as critical performance indicators that depend on time data.
  • 19:04 – 21:58 – The Profitability Flywheel Explained: Kristen and Marcel introduce Parakeeto’s four-step framework for building a feedback loop that drives clarity and continuous improvement.
  • 24:22 – 27:33 – Modern Alternatives to Time Sheets: They outline a spectrum of options—from traditional time sheets to resource planning and AI-assisted tools—offering flexibility based on agency complexity.
  • 28:06 – 32:25 – Sequencing Time Tracking for Success: Marcel shares Parakeeto’s phased approach: start with modeling and forecasting before implementing time tracking to ensure team alignment and data utility.

Show Notes

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]]> Wed, 18 Jun 2025 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 1:08 – 2:17 – Why Time Tracking Still Matters: Kristen and Marcel introduce the episode’s goal—to reframe time tracking from a frustrating chore into a strategic advantage for agencies.
  • 2:28 – 4:59 – Debunking Common Misconceptions: Marcel breaks down the three common arguments against time tracking, particularly the mistaken belief that it's only relevant for time-and-materials billing.
  • 5:04 – 6:19 – Understanding the Agency Business Model: Marcel explains why all service businesses, regardless of pricing model, must measure time to truly understand costs and profit margins.
  • 6:33 – 8:39 – When Time Tracking Becomes Non-Negotiable: The hosts argue that the ideal conditions for skipping time tracking rarely exist—most agencies operate in too much uncertainty.
  • 8:45 – 10:47 – The Cultural Problem with Time Sheets: Beyond logistics, the core issue is lack of transparency—teams don't understand how time data is used or how it benefits them.
  • 10:53 – 13:12 – Misuse of Metrics and the Consequences: Marcel describes how overexposing metrics like utilization or budget variance skews behavior, leading to inaccurate and untrustworthy data.
  • 14:20 – 16:38 – Time Tracking and Cost Visibility: Even with fixed pricing models, agencies must know how much time goes into work to assess whether it's profitable or sustainable.
  • 16:44 – 18:58 – Key Metrics Affected by Time Tracking: Delivery margin, utilization, and average billable rate are highlighted as critical performance indicators that depend on time data.
  • 19:04 – 21:58 – The Profitability Flywheel Explained: Kristen and Marcel introduce Parakeeto’s four-step framework for building a feedback loop that drives clarity and continuous improvement.
  • 24:22 – 27:33 – Modern Alternatives to Time Sheets: They outline a spectrum of options—from traditional time sheets to resource planning and AI-assisted tools—offering flexibility based on agency complexity.
  • 28:06 – 32:25 – Sequencing Time Tracking for Success: Marcel shares Parakeeto’s phased approach: start with modeling and forecasting before implementing time tracking to ensure team alignment and data utility.

Show Notes

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]]> The Role of Timesheets in Agency Profitability, With Kristen Kelly Marcel Petitpas 00:33:37 About the Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel chats with Parakeeto's own Kristen Kelly about the most controversial topic in agency operations: time tracking. Together, they break down the real reasons why agencies resist time tracking and why that resistance is costing them. Spoiler: it’s not about the tools, it’s about culture, alignment, and misunderstanding the purpose of the data. They dig into how time tracking connects directly to profitability through core metrics like delivery margin, utilization, and average billable rate—and why installing time tracking without a strategy often backfires. Kristen and Marcel also explore modern alternatives to traditional time sheets, and explain why getting team buy-in starts with aligning on goals and defining a clear feedback loop. Bottom line: time tracking doesn’t have to suck—when it’s implemented with clarity and purpose, it becomes a superpower for agency profitability. About the Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel chats with Parakeeto's own Kristen Kelly about the most controversial topic in agency operations: time tracking. Together, they break down the real reasons why agencies resist time tracking and why that resistance is costing them. Spoiler: it’s not about the tools, it’s about culture, alignment, and misunderstanding the purpose of the data. They dig into how time tracking connects directly to profitability through core metrics like delivery margin, utilization, and average billable rate—and why installing time tracking without a strategy often backfires. Kristen and Marcel also explore modern alternatives to traditional time sheets, and explain why getting team buy-in starts with aligning on goals and defining a clear feedback loop. Bottom line: time tracking doesn’t have to suck—when it’s implemented with clarity and purpose, it becomes a superpower for agency profitability. resource planning, improving agency margins., data-driven decision making, delivery margin, operational efficiency for agencies, fixed-price services, agency profitability, time tracking for agencies, agency business model, average billable rate, agency pricing strategy, parakeeto profitability toolkit, time tracking tools, digital agency metrics, agency growth strategies, project scoping, agency budgeting, agency kpis, billing models, agency financial planning, agency forecasting, employee utilization, agency operations, agency performance metrics, time tracking alternatives, service-based business model, utilization rate, consulting firm operations, profit margin in agencies, time sheets, agency cost modeling false full 186 39959e45-1975-45a4-a25c-fa656a15a602 Proper Revenue Recognition for Agencies, With Rich Brett Points of Interest
  • 1:09 – 2:28 – Meet Rich Brett: Rich shares his background in agency finance and how he now serves 12–15 agencies monthly by bridging gaps between finance, operations, and strategy.
  • 2:29 – 4:03 – The FinOps Mindset: Rich defines FinOps as the intersection of finance and operations—connecting financial data with the reality of agency delivery for more meaningful insights.
  • 4:04 – 6:02 – Rate Cards and Data Integrity: The duo explores how operational metrics like utilization and recovery must align with financial planning, especially when building rate cards.
  • 6:03 – 9:03 – Revenue Recognition Fundamentals: Rich explains revenue recognition as booking revenue based on delivery progress rather than invoice or payment dates, providing a more accurate financial view.
  • 9:04 – 12:08 – Cash vs. Accrual Accounting: Marcel and Rich outline the critical distinction between accrual accounting for tax, GAAP, and management purposes—and why methodology matters for insight.
  • 12:09 – 15:17 – Common RevRec Mistakes: Many agencies overcomplicate revenue recognition or fail to track only fee-earned income, leading to distorted financials and misaligned reporting.
  • 15:18 – 17:55 – Building a Methodology: Rich outlines a practical approach using project forecasts, resourcing, and delivery inputs to estimate monthly revenue earned from projects.
  • 17:56 – 21:08 – Percent Complete Frameworks: The episode covers five models for calculating project completion—from time vs. timeline to project manager estimates—each with pros and cons.
  • 21:09 – 24:47 – Operational Insights from Finance: They highlight how mismatches between recognized revenue and time tracking reveal performance issues and inform staffing decisions.
  • 24:48 – 27:37 – Working with Accountants: Rich emphasizes keeping revenue recognition simple and ensuring bookkeepers support your methodology with appropriate journal entries.
  • 27:38 – 36:00 – Scope Clarity and Internal Truth: The conversation turns to separating internal planning from client-facing documents and how poor internal assumptions lead to inaccurate reporting.

Show Notes

  • Rich’s LinkedIn
  • My Framework
    • Time vs. Timeline
    • Hours vs. Budget
    • Burndown Chart/ Task Checked Off
    • Initial Project Shape/ Resource Plan- Based Forecasting
    • % Complete

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]]> Wed, 11 Jun 2025 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 1:09 – 2:28 – Meet Rich Brett: Rich shares his background in agency finance and how he now serves 12–15 agencies monthly by bridging gaps between finance, operations, and strategy.
  • 2:29 – 4:03 – The FinOps Mindset: Rich defines FinOps as the intersection of finance and operations—connecting financial data with the reality of agency delivery for more meaningful insights.
  • 4:04 – 6:02 – Rate Cards and Data Integrity: The duo explores how operational metrics like utilization and recovery must align with financial planning, especially when building rate cards.
  • 6:03 – 9:03 – Revenue Recognition Fundamentals: Rich explains revenue recognition as booking revenue based on delivery progress rather than invoice or payment dates, providing a more accurate financial view.
  • 9:04 – 12:08 – Cash vs. Accrual Accounting: Marcel and Rich outline the critical distinction between accrual accounting for tax, GAAP, and management purposes—and why methodology matters for insight.
  • 12:09 – 15:17 – Common RevRec Mistakes: Many agencies overcomplicate revenue recognition or fail to track only fee-earned income, leading to distorted financials and misaligned reporting.
  • 15:18 – 17:55 – Building a Methodology: Rich outlines a practical approach using project forecasts, resourcing, and delivery inputs to estimate monthly revenue earned from projects.
  • 17:56 – 21:08 – Percent Complete Frameworks: The episode covers five models for calculating project completion—from time vs. timeline to project manager estimates—each with pros and cons.
  • 21:09 – 24:47 – Operational Insights from Finance: They highlight how mismatches between recognized revenue and time tracking reveal performance issues and inform staffing decisions.
  • 24:48 – 27:37 – Working with Accountants: Rich emphasizes keeping revenue recognition simple and ensuring bookkeepers support your methodology with appropriate journal entries.
  • 27:38 – 36:00 – Scope Clarity and Internal Truth: The conversation turns to separating internal planning from client-facing documents and how poor internal assumptions lead to inaccurate reporting.

Show Notes

  • Rich’s LinkedIn
  • My Framework
    • Time vs. Timeline
    • Hours vs. Budget
    • Burndown Chart/ Task Checked Off
    • Initial Project Shape/ Resource Plan- Based Forecasting
    • % Complete

Love the Podcast

Leave us a review here.


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]]> Proper Revenue Recognition for Agencies, With Rich Brett Marcel Petitpas 00:38:37 About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel chats with Rich Brett—agency FinOps expert and LinkedIn voice on financial operations—about how to ditch surface-level revenue reporting and get serious about recognizing revenue based on actual work delivered. They dig into the messy but mission-critical topic of revenue recognition, why relying on invoice or cash dates can totally distort your P&L, and how agencies can shift to more accurate, forward-looking financial practices. Rich shares battle-tested strategies for aligning revenue with staff effort, improving forecasting, and getting project teams closer to the numbers—all with the goal of making your finances tell the truth and guide better decisions. Bottom line: if you're tired of being surprised by your agency's P&L, it’s time to nerd out on RevRec and start connecting your financials to how work really gets done. About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel chats with Rich Brett—agency FinOps expert and LinkedIn voice on financial operations—about how to ditch surface-level revenue reporting and get serious about recognizing revenue based on actual work delivered. They dig into the messy but mission-critical topic of revenue recognition, why relying on invoice or cash dates can totally distort your P&L, and how agencies can shift to more accurate, forward-looking financial practices. Rich shares battle-tested strategies for aligning revenue with staff effort, improving forecasting, and getting project teams closer to the numbers—all with the goal of making your finances tell the truth and guide better decisions. Bottom line: if you're tired of being surprised by your agency's P&L, it’s time to nerd out on RevRec and start connecting your financials to how work really gets done. agency financial reporting, agency profitability, project management for agencies, revenue vs. cost alignment, agency finance, project forecasting, financial operations, time tracking in agencies, internal scope documentation, revenue recognition, managing over-servicing, billable utilization, agency growth, agency rate card, finops for agencies, managing agency cash flow, value-based pricing, improving agency margins, agency staff cost forecasting, agency operations, fee-earned revenue, project completion metrics, accrual accounting, agency accounting best practices, client services metrics, agency p&l, agency resourcing, project-based revenue, profit margins in creative agencies., agency delivery metrics, utilization rate, agency bookkeeping, financial planning for agencies, revenue vs. invoicing, accurate agency budgeting false full 185 611f07e7-d796-4c4c-b57f-0c25133370b9 Top-Down vs Bottom-Up Forecasting, With Kristen Kelly Points of Interest
  • 0:00 – 1:00 – Introduction to Forecasting Challenges: Marcel and Kristen set the stage by identifying forecasting as a critical but often misunderstood aspect of agency operations, particularly in scaling businesses.
  • 1:06 – 2:30 – Defining Forecasting’s Importance: They explain how forecasting provides the necessary visibility to manage capacity, revenue, and key metrics, forming the foundation for informed decision-making.
  • 2:47 – 3:48 – Forecasting as a Management Function: Marcel discusses how balancing workload and staffing is a core leadership task, becoming more complex and high-stakes as agencies grow in size.
  • 5:05 – 6:17 – Bottom-Up Forecasting Explained: Marcel describes the traditional method of forecasting via detailed task-level planning, often used by project managers to allocate resources with precision.
  • 6:32 – 7:52 – Limitations of Bottom-Up Approaches: Kristen and Marcel highlight how bottom-up forecasting becomes difficult to scale due to its complexity and sensitivity to frequent changes in scope or staffing.
  • 7:59 – 9:39 – Top-Down Forecasting Defined: The conversation shifts to top-down forecasting, which simplifies inputs by modeling at the role or department level, enabling faster, strategic scenario planning.
  • 11:00 – 12:20 – Embracing Uncertainty in Leadership Planning: Marcel explains how top-down methods are better suited to leadership conversations, which often require evaluating multiple uncertain scenarios quickly.
  • 13:04 – 14:27 – Statistical Logic Behind Simplicity: Marcel introduces the concept of reliability block diagrams, illustrating why less granular systems can actually offer more consistent accuracy over time.
  • 17:00 – 17:45 – Precision vs. Accuracy in Uncertain Contexts: The hosts explore how broader, less precise estimates (e.g., ranges) are often more accurate and actionable when future outcomes are unknown.
  • 20:31 – 23:01 – Keeping Systems Separate for Efficiency: Marcel warns against tightly coupling bottom-up and top-down systems, advocating for independent but aligned processes to avoid maintenance burdens.
  • 26:15 – 27:02 – Material Discrepancies and Process Discipline: They stress that small mismatches between forecasting systems aren’t necessarily problems and underscore the importance of scope-driven planning.
  • 30:57 – 34:20 – Getting Started with Top-Down Forecasting: The episode closes with advice on how agencies can start building simple top-down models using team capacity and project estimates to guide executive decisions.

Show Notes


Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

]]> Wed, 4 Jun 2025 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 0:00 – 1:00 – Introduction to Forecasting Challenges: Marcel and Kristen set the stage by identifying forecasting as a critical but often misunderstood aspect of agency operations, particularly in scaling businesses.
  • 1:06 – 2:30 – Defining Forecasting’s Importance: They explain how forecasting provides the necessary visibility to manage capacity, revenue, and key metrics, forming the foundation for informed decision-making.
  • 2:47 – 3:48 – Forecasting as a Management Function: Marcel discusses how balancing workload and staffing is a core leadership task, becoming more complex and high-stakes as agencies grow in size.
  • 5:05 – 6:17 – Bottom-Up Forecasting Explained: Marcel describes the traditional method of forecasting via detailed task-level planning, often used by project managers to allocate resources with precision.
  • 6:32 – 7:52 – Limitations of Bottom-Up Approaches: Kristen and Marcel highlight how bottom-up forecasting becomes difficult to scale due to its complexity and sensitivity to frequent changes in scope or staffing.
  • 7:59 – 9:39 – Top-Down Forecasting Defined: The conversation shifts to top-down forecasting, which simplifies inputs by modeling at the role or department level, enabling faster, strategic scenario planning.
  • 11:00 – 12:20 – Embracing Uncertainty in Leadership Planning: Marcel explains how top-down methods are better suited to leadership conversations, which often require evaluating multiple uncertain scenarios quickly.
  • 13:04 – 14:27 – Statistical Logic Behind Simplicity: Marcel introduces the concept of reliability block diagrams, illustrating why less granular systems can actually offer more consistent accuracy over time.
  • 17:00 – 17:45 – Precision vs. Accuracy in Uncertain Contexts: The hosts explore how broader, less precise estimates (e.g., ranges) are often more accurate and actionable when future outcomes are unknown.
  • 20:31 – 23:01 – Keeping Systems Separate for Efficiency: Marcel warns against tightly coupling bottom-up and top-down systems, advocating for independent but aligned processes to avoid maintenance burdens.
  • 26:15 – 27:02 – Material Discrepancies and Process Discipline: They stress that small mismatches between forecasting systems aren’t necessarily problems and underscore the importance of scope-driven planning.
  • 30:57 – 34:20 – Getting Started with Top-Down Forecasting: The episode closes with advice on how agencies can start building simple top-down models using team capacity and project estimates to guide executive decisions.

Show Notes


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]]> Top-Down vs Bottom-Up Forecasting, With Kristen Kelly Marcel Petitpas 00:34:41 About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel sits down with Parakeeto’s own Kristen Kelly to tackle the often misunderstood and overly complex topic of forecasting in service businesses. They break down the difference between bottom-up and top-down forecasting, explaining how each serves a different purpose, from granular project planning to high-level leadership decision-making. The duo highlights how many agencies get stuck trying to force detailed project data to answer broader strategic questions, and why simplifying your forecasting system might actually yield more accurate, actionable insights. Listeners will walk away with a clearer understanding of how to create forecasting systems that balance precision and usability, especially in the face of uncertainty, and why decoupling operational and executive forecasting tools can save time, reduce stress, and improve decision-making across the board. About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel sits down with Parakeeto’s own Kristen Kelly to tackle the often misunderstood and overly complex topic of forecasting in service businesses. They break down the difference between bottom-up and top-down forecasting, explaining how each serves a different purpose, from granular project planning to high-level leadership decision-making. The duo highlights how many agencies get stuck trying to force detailed project data to answer broader strategic questions, and why simplifying your forecasting system might actually yield more accurate, actionable insights. Listeners will walk away with a clearer understanding of how to create forecasting systems that balance precision and usability, especially in the face of uncertainty, and why decoupling operational and executive forecasting tools can save time, reduce stress, and improve decision-making across the board. false full 184 d2c5c145-41dd-4754-afa9-c8e8773378ae Taking Action on Profitability Improvements, With Mandi Ellefson Points of Interest
  • 0:00 – 1:18 – The Real Growth Blocker: Mandi kicks off by addressing how many agency owners avoid growth-driving actions not due to lack of knowledge, but due to fear and discomfort. Commitment to transformation must outweigh resistance.
  • 2:22 – 3:53 – Mandi’s Mission at Hands-Off CEO: Mandi shares her focus on helping service-based agencies scale sustainably and profitably by building systems that allow businesses to grow without the owner being in the weeds.
  • 4:00 – 5:15 – Understanding Delivery Margin: Marcel introduces delivery margin as a core profitability metric—the portion of revenue left after delivering services, which can fund growth, overhead, and profit.
  • 5:23 – 7:23 – Charging More for the Same Work: They discuss the first profitability lever: increasing your average billable rate. Mandi explains why agencies should price for outcomes, not deliverables, and how a value-focused approach earns higher fees.
  • 7:29 – 9:09 – Pricing Confidence is a Mindset Shift: Many owners struggle to raise prices because they lack confidence. Mandi emphasizes becoming the type of person who can confidently sell high-value offers before they’re “ready.”
  • 10:03 – 12:26 – Real Case: From $30K to $120K Projects: Mandi shares a client success story where reframing services as long-term transformational engagements led to a 600% price increase and more stable profitability.
  • 13:25 – 15:27 – Efficiency vs. People-Pleasing: The second lever—efficiency—is often blocked by the urge to keep clients happy. Mandi explains how this mindset causes scope creep and prevents outcomes-driven work.
  • 16:00 – 17:59 – Leadership Over Likeability: Mandi makes the case that effective client leadership, not compliance, drives results. You must be more committed to their transformation than to being liked.
  • 18:48 – 20:22 – Right-Sizing the Team (The Hard Way): As utilization drops, hard decisions arise. Mandi discusses the emotional difficulty of letting go of team members—even those who’ve been with you a long time—but insists it’s necessary for long-term vision.
  • 23:17 – 25:39 – Create Revenue Before Cutting: Instead of jumping to layoffs, Mandi encourages tapping past and current clients to unlock fast revenue with strategic conversations and new vision-based offers.
  • 30:05 – 32:59 – Rebalancing Workloads and Internal Focus: When utilization rises, teams often feel overworked. Mandi and Marcel recommend reprioritizing or pausing internal projects to ensure capacity goes toward revenue-generating work.
  • 34:07 – 36:46 – Reducing Average Cost per Hour: The final lever involves delegation. Mandi outlines a “$5 to $5,000/hour” time audit to move low-value tasks off senior team members and improve margin through better team leverage.

Show Notes

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]]> Wed, 28 May 2025 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 0:00 – 1:18 – The Real Growth Blocker: Mandi kicks off by addressing how many agency owners avoid growth-driving actions not due to lack of knowledge, but due to fear and discomfort. Commitment to transformation must outweigh resistance.
  • 2:22 – 3:53 – Mandi’s Mission at Hands-Off CEO: Mandi shares her focus on helping service-based agencies scale sustainably and profitably by building systems that allow businesses to grow without the owner being in the weeds.
  • 4:00 – 5:15 – Understanding Delivery Margin: Marcel introduces delivery margin as a core profitability metric—the portion of revenue left after delivering services, which can fund growth, overhead, and profit.
  • 5:23 – 7:23 – Charging More for the Same Work: They discuss the first profitability lever: increasing your average billable rate. Mandi explains why agencies should price for outcomes, not deliverables, and how a value-focused approach earns higher fees.
  • 7:29 – 9:09 – Pricing Confidence is a Mindset Shift: Many owners struggle to raise prices because they lack confidence. Mandi emphasizes becoming the type of person who can confidently sell high-value offers before they’re “ready.”
  • 10:03 – 12:26 – Real Case: From $30K to $120K Projects: Mandi shares a client success story where reframing services as long-term transformational engagements led to a 600% price increase and more stable profitability.
  • 13:25 – 15:27 – Efficiency vs. People-Pleasing: The second lever—efficiency—is often blocked by the urge to keep clients happy. Mandi explains how this mindset causes scope creep and prevents outcomes-driven work.
  • 16:00 – 17:59 – Leadership Over Likeability: Mandi makes the case that effective client leadership, not compliance, drives results. You must be more committed to their transformation than to being liked.
  • 18:48 – 20:22 – Right-Sizing the Team (The Hard Way): As utilization drops, hard decisions arise. Mandi discusses the emotional difficulty of letting go of team members—even those who’ve been with you a long time—but insists it’s necessary for long-term vision.
  • 23:17 – 25:39 – Create Revenue Before Cutting: Instead of jumping to layoffs, Mandi encourages tapping past and current clients to unlock fast revenue with strategic conversations and new vision-based offers.
  • 30:05 – 32:59 – Rebalancing Workloads and Internal Focus: When utilization rises, teams often feel overworked. Mandi and Marcel recommend reprioritizing or pausing internal projects to ensure capacity goes toward revenue-generating work.
  • 34:07 – 36:46 – Reducing Average Cost per Hour: The final lever involves delegation. Mandi outlines a “$5 to $5,000/hour” time audit to move low-value tasks off senior team members and improve margin through better team leverage.

Show Notes

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Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

]]> Taking Action on Profitability Improvements, With Mandi Ellefson Marcel Petitpas 00:40:55 In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel chats with Mandi Ellefson from Hands-Off CEO about why so many agency owners know what to do to grow—but still don’t do it. Spoiler: it’s not about strategy; it’s about avoiding discomfort. They break down the three keys to profitability—charging more, using your team better, and spending less to get work done—and why mindset often gets in the way. Mandi shares real stories of agencies doubling revenue by shifting from selling deliverables to selling results, and how letting go (of tasks, control, or even team members) can be the thing that finally unlocks growth. Bottom line: if you want a more profitable agency, you’ve got to stop hesitating and just do the thing. In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel chats with Mandi Ellefson from Hands-Off CEO about why so many agency owners know what to do to grow—but still don’t do it. Spoiler: it’s not about strategy; it’s about avoiding discomfort. They break down the three keys to profitability—charging more, using your team better, and spending less to get work done—and why mindset often gets in the way. Mandi shares real stories of agencies doubling revenue by shifting from selling deliverables to selling results, and how letting go (of tasks, control, or even team members) can be the thing that finally unlocks growth. Bottom line: if you want a more profitable agency, you’ve got to stop hesitating and just do the thing. false full 183 63479120-55a2-4e00-967c-0a53b209e01b How Parakeeto Helps Agencies Improve Profitability, With Kristen Kelly Points of Interest
  • 2:14 – 3:18 – Founding Insight: Parakeeto was created to help agencies easily answer crucial financial questions by replacing guesswork with structured systems.
  • 3:23 – 4:39 – How Agencies Make Profit: Strong delivery margin is key. Parakeeto targets a 50%+ delivery margin and 20–30% net profit as benchmarks.
  • 5:45 – 6:58 – Why Profitability is Hard to Measure: Profitability requires collecting and aligning fragmented data across leadership, ops, and finance functions.
  • 6:59 – 8:33 – Framework Misalignment: Agencies struggle with inconsistent definitions and relationships between key metrics like utilization and capacity.
  • 9:10 – 10:10 – Messy & Incomplete Data: Most agencies collect data in tools but struggle with consistency, structure, and hygiene—making optimization difficult.
  • 10:41 – 12:14 – Need for Operational Bookkeeping: Like accounting, operational data needs regular cleanup, maintenance, and review to support decisions.
  • 13:05 – 14:27 – Improved Visibility = Better Focus: Parakeeto’s framework simplifies agency metrics and identifies gaps to improve ROI tracking and alignment.
  • 16:02 – 17:30 – Modeling & Benchmarking: Agencies get clarity by comparing their performance against industry standards and their own financial goals.
  • 18:15 – 20:49 – Pricing Tools that Drive Profit: Parakeeto’s estimator helps standardize pricing, reduce guesswork, and align prices with profitability targets.
  • 25:02 – 27:15 – Forecasting Made Simple: “Top-down forecasting” lets agencies simulate staffing and revenue scenarios with minimal setup—great for scaling.
  • 29:39 – 31:58 – Actionable Reports Drive Change: With consistent reporting cadences, teams align around data to reduce scope creep and focus on what matters.

Additional Resources

Calculators

Blog Post

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]]> Wed, 21 May 2025 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 2:14 – 3:18 – Founding Insight: Parakeeto was created to help agencies easily answer crucial financial questions by replacing guesswork with structured systems.
  • 3:23 – 4:39 – How Agencies Make Profit: Strong delivery margin is key. Parakeeto targets a 50%+ delivery margin and 20–30% net profit as benchmarks.
  • 5:45 – 6:58 – Why Profitability is Hard to Measure: Profitability requires collecting and aligning fragmented data across leadership, ops, and finance functions.
  • 6:59 – 8:33 – Framework Misalignment: Agencies struggle with inconsistent definitions and relationships between key metrics like utilization and capacity.
  • 9:10 – 10:10 – Messy & Incomplete Data: Most agencies collect data in tools but struggle with consistency, structure, and hygiene—making optimization difficult.
  • 10:41 – 12:14 – Need for Operational Bookkeeping: Like accounting, operational data needs regular cleanup, maintenance, and review to support decisions.
  • 13:05 – 14:27 – Improved Visibility = Better Focus: Parakeeto’s framework simplifies agency metrics and identifies gaps to improve ROI tracking and alignment.
  • 16:02 – 17:30 – Modeling & Benchmarking: Agencies get clarity by comparing their performance against industry standards and their own financial goals.
  • 18:15 – 20:49 – Pricing Tools that Drive Profit: Parakeeto’s estimator helps standardize pricing, reduce guesswork, and align prices with profitability targets.
  • 25:02 – 27:15 – Forecasting Made Simple: “Top-down forecasting” lets agencies simulate staffing and revenue scenarios with minimal setup—great for scaling.
  • 29:39 – 31:58 – Actionable Reports Drive Change: With consistent reporting cadences, teams align around data to reduce scope creep and focus on what matters.

Additional Resources

Calculators

Blog Post

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Leave us a review here.


Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

]]> How Parakeeto Helps Agencies Improve Profitability, With Kristen Kelly Marcel Petitpas 00:35:41 About this Episode If you’re an agency owner, ops lead, or finance leader, you’ve likely asked yourself: Are we actually making money on our projects? What does good profitability even look like? And why does it feel so hard to measure and improve our margins? That’s exactly the problem Parakeeto was built to solve. In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, host Marcel Petitpas (CEO of Parakeeto) and consultant Kristen Kelly go behind the scenes to break down Parakeeto’s proven approach to helping digital and creative agencies become more profitable—without relying on bloated spreadsheets or guesswork. They explain why profitability is such a tricky target to hit. Spoiler: it’s usually a mix of messy data, unclear metrics, and a lack of consistent process. Most agencies are tracking something, but few are tracking the right things in a way that connects to actual business outcomes. That’s where Parakeeto comes in. Our framework simplifies complex metrics like utilization, project margin, and average cost per hour. Our tools clean and normalize data across project management, finance, and sales systems. And their consultants guide agencies through modeling, benchmarking, pricing, forecasting, and reporting—giving leaders real visibility and confidence in their decisions. This episode also touches on common agency questions like: How does an agency make a profit? What’s a good profit margin? Why is profitability so hard to measure? How do we track ROI more effectively? Whether you choose to work with Parakeeto or just want to better understand the building blocks of agency profitability, this episode offers a transparent roadmap for scaling your agency without sacrificing your bottom line. About this Episode If you’re an agency owner, ops lead, or finance leader, you’ve likely asked yourself: Are we actually making money on our projects? What does good profitability even look like? And why does it feel so hard to measure and improve our margins? That’s exactly the problem Parakeeto was built to solve. In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, host Marcel Petitpas (CEO of Parakeeto) and consultant Kristen Kelly go behind the scenes to break down Parakeeto’s proven approach to helping digital and creative agencies become more profitable—without relying on bloated spreadsheets or guesswork. They explain why profitability is such a tricky target to hit. Spoiler: it’s usually a mix of messy data, unclear metrics, and a lack of consistent process. Most agencies are tracking something, but few are tracking the right things in a way that connects to actual business outcomes. That’s where Parakeeto comes in. Our framework simplifies complex metrics like utilization, project margin, and average cost per hour. Our tools clean and normalize data across project management, finance, and sales systems. And their consultants guide agencies through modeling, benchmarking, pricing, forecasting, and reporting—giving leaders real visibility and confidence in their decisions. This episode also touches on common agency questions like: How does an agency make a profit? What’s a good profit margin? Why is profitability so hard to measure? How do we track ROI more effectively? Whether you choose to work with Parakeeto or just want to better understand the building blocks of agency profitability, this episode offers a transparent roadmap for scaling your agency without sacrificing your bottom line. agency forecasting tools, delivery margin optimization, agency financial metrics, agency profitability, agency gross margin vs net margin, how to measure agency profitability, how to benchmark agency performance, creative agency profit benchmarks, pricing strategy for service businesses, parakeeto client success stories, parakeeto operations software, parakeeto estimator tool, parakeeto modeling and forecasting, how to price agency services for better margins, operational reporting for agencies, why is agency profitability hard to track, how does a digital agency make a profit, agency operations consulting, tools to forecast agency capacity and revenue, what is a healthy profit margin for agencies, how to reduce scope creep in agency projects, project margin analysis, improve agency profit margins, utilization rate for agencies, align pricing with agency value proposition, parakeeto agency profitability toolkit, parakeeto profitability framework, service business profitability false full 182 f15b3144-53a4-4dd3-bae1-98a0d1dc3d49 Driving Agency Profitability Through Smarter Contracting, With Tiffany Kemp Points of Interest
  • 1:14 – 2:53 – Introduction: Marcel introduces Tiffany, who explains her firm’s mission to help agencies use contracts as strategic tools rather than just legal formalities.
  • 3:06 – 4:08 – Why Contracts Get a Bad Rap: Many agencies view contracts purely as legal protection, missing their potential to strengthen client relationships and reduce future conflicts.
  • 4:38 – 6:02 – Misguided Legal Focus: Agencies often waste time on low-risk legal scenarios instead of focusing on practical issues that more commonly disrupt projects, like miscommunication.
  • 7:01 – 8:56 – Real Risks Are Operational: Most issues arise not from lawsuits, but from unclear responsibilities and client misunderstandings about what’s required to get good results.
  • 9:02 – 11:07 – Contracts Should Reflect Reality: A "Goldilocks" contract—just right for the business context—is more effective than copying generic templates that don't fit the agency’s operations.
  • 11:13 – 13:13 – Understand Common Failure Points: Agencies need to identify real-world issues (like IP problems or client-supplied content) and structure contracts to prevent and address them clearly.
  • 15:31 – 17:00 – Matching Pricing Models to Scope: Marcel introduces the Pricing Model Quadrant to explore how pricing (time-based, deliverables, outcomes) should guide how scope is documented.
  • 18:01 – 20:21 – Miscommunication in Scope Documents: Flexible contracts often fail when salespeople write scopes conversationally, leading to misinterpretation by delivery teams or clients.
  • 21:11 – 22:47 – Internal Clarity is Just as Vital: Clear scopes benefit internal teams too—so account and project managers can make aligned decisions without relying on secondhand info.
  • 23:00 – 24:49 – Scope Creep and Change Requests: Knowing the pricing model helps teams respond consistently to client requests—whether that means upselling time or renegotiating scope.
  • 26:27 – 29:30 – Trust Reduces Contracting Pain: Tiffany shares that as client trust grows, they move from demanding rigid scopes to preferring flexible, time-based arrangements, simplifying collaboration.

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]]> Wed, 14 May 2025 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 1:14 – 2:53 – Introduction: Marcel introduces Tiffany, who explains her firm’s mission to help agencies use contracts as strategic tools rather than just legal formalities.
  • 3:06 – 4:08 – Why Contracts Get a Bad Rap: Many agencies view contracts purely as legal protection, missing their potential to strengthen client relationships and reduce future conflicts.
  • 4:38 – 6:02 – Misguided Legal Focus: Agencies often waste time on low-risk legal scenarios instead of focusing on practical issues that more commonly disrupt projects, like miscommunication.
  • 7:01 – 8:56 – Real Risks Are Operational: Most issues arise not from lawsuits, but from unclear responsibilities and client misunderstandings about what’s required to get good results.
  • 9:02 – 11:07 – Contracts Should Reflect Reality: A "Goldilocks" contract—just right for the business context—is more effective than copying generic templates that don't fit the agency’s operations.
  • 11:13 – 13:13 – Understand Common Failure Points: Agencies need to identify real-world issues (like IP problems or client-supplied content) and structure contracts to prevent and address them clearly.
  • 15:31 – 17:00 – Matching Pricing Models to Scope: Marcel introduces the Pricing Model Quadrant to explore how pricing (time-based, deliverables, outcomes) should guide how scope is documented.
  • 18:01 – 20:21 – Miscommunication in Scope Documents: Flexible contracts often fail when salespeople write scopes conversationally, leading to misinterpretation by delivery teams or clients.
  • 21:11 – 22:47 – Internal Clarity is Just as Vital: Clear scopes benefit internal teams too—so account and project managers can make aligned decisions without relying on secondhand info.
  • 23:00 – 24:49 – Scope Creep and Change Requests: Knowing the pricing model helps teams respond consistently to client requests—whether that means upselling time or renegotiating scope.
  • 26:27 – 29:30 – Trust Reduces Contracting Pain: Tiffany shares that as client trust grows, they move from demanding rigid scopes to preferring flexible, time-based arrangements, simplifying collaboration.

Show Notes

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]]> Driving Agency Profitability Through Smarter Contracting, With Tiffany Kemp Marcel Petitpas 00:30:05 About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel sits down with contract expert Tiffany Kemp from Devant to talk about why contracts shouldn’t just be seen as boring legal documents or deal-killers. Tiffany breaks down how contracts can actually be powerful tools for creating clarity and setting up great client relationships—if they’re done right. They chat about common mistakes like copying old templates or writing vague scopes of work, and why it’s so important to match your contracts to how your business really works. Tiffany also shares tips on getting everyone on your team (and your client’s team) on the same page so there are no surprises down the line. Whether you bill by time, deliverables, or outcomes, the big takeaway is this: a well-thought-out contract helps avoid headaches and builds trust, which makes everyone’s life a whole lot easier. About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel sits down with contract expert Tiffany Kemp from Devant to talk about why contracts shouldn’t just be seen as boring legal documents or deal-killers. Tiffany breaks down how contracts can actually be powerful tools for creating clarity and setting up great client relationships—if they’re done right. They chat about common mistakes like copying old templates or writing vague scopes of work, and why it’s so important to match your contracts to how your business really works. Tiffany also shares tips on getting everyone on your team (and your client’s team) on the same page so there are no surprises down the line. Whether you bill by time, deliverables, or outcomes, the big takeaway is this: a well-thought-out contract helps avoid headaches and builds trust, which makes everyone’s life a whole lot easier. tiffany kemp, agency profit podcast, scope of work, client relationship management, contract clarity, agency profitability, digital agency operations, risk management in contracts, project scope management, devant legal, agency contracts, agency-client alignment, contracting process, agency operations, scope creep, marcel petitpas, contracts for agencies, legal tips for agencies, creative agency contracts, pricing models for agencies false full 181 ebebe6f5-ec8a-4a79-ac2a-de3963b73eab Pricing & Scoping for Agencies, With Marcel Petitpas Points of Interest
  • 0:00 – 0:14 – Introduction to Pricing Framework: Marcel introduces a universal pricing formula that applies across all billing models, setting the stage for simplifying agency profitability assessments.
  • 0:54 – 1:38 – Solo Episode Overview: Marcel explains that the episode will draw from his All Agency Summit presentation, covering how to price profitably and choose optimal pricing models.
  • 1:50 – 3:08 – The Best Pricing Model: Marcel emphasizes that the "best" pricing model is the one that consistently delivers the best margin, not a specific method like value-based or hourly billing.
  • 5:22 – 6:59 – Differentiating Pricing and Scoping: He defines pricing as determining what the client will pay and scoping as calculating what the service will cost the agency, advocating for separating the two.
  • 8:00 – 10:03 – Introduction to Delivery Margin: Marcel presents delivery margin as the cornerstone metric for agency profitability, explaining how to calculate it using agency gross income and delivery costs.
  • 11:02 – 12:34 – Setting Delivery Margin Targets: He recommends targeting a minimum 70% delivery margin to achieve healthy profitability after accounting for overhead and utilization inefficiencies.
  • 13:15 – 15:14 – Finding the Minimum Price: Marcel shares a formula to calculate minimum pricing: dividing delivery cost by (1 - margin target) and adding any pass-through expenses.
  • 16:39 – 17:16 – Introducing the Pricing Model Quadrant: The two vectors—client-perceived value and delivery risk—are introduced as key factors for determining the appropriate pricing model.
  • 17:49 – 19:17 – Understanding Value in Positioning: Marcel explains how niche positioning increases perceived value, affecting the pricing strategy and client comparisons.
  • 20:08 – 22:02 – Accounting for Delivery Risk: He discusses how accurately agencies can predict project costs and why risk significantly impacts pricing model selection.
  • 23:00 – 24:55 – Matching Pricing Models to Risk and Value: Marcel outlines when to use models like time-and-materials, abstracted time billing, flat fees, or value-based pricing depending on project risk and value.

Show Notes

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]]> Wed, 7 May 2025 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 0:00 – 0:14 – Introduction to Pricing Framework: Marcel introduces a universal pricing formula that applies across all billing models, setting the stage for simplifying agency profitability assessments.
  • 0:54 – 1:38 – Solo Episode Overview: Marcel explains that the episode will draw from his All Agency Summit presentation, covering how to price profitably and choose optimal pricing models.
  • 1:50 – 3:08 – The Best Pricing Model: Marcel emphasizes that the "best" pricing model is the one that consistently delivers the best margin, not a specific method like value-based or hourly billing.
  • 5:22 – 6:59 – Differentiating Pricing and Scoping: He defines pricing as determining what the client will pay and scoping as calculating what the service will cost the agency, advocating for separating the two.
  • 8:00 – 10:03 – Introduction to Delivery Margin: Marcel presents delivery margin as the cornerstone metric for agency profitability, explaining how to calculate it using agency gross income and delivery costs.
  • 11:02 – 12:34 – Setting Delivery Margin Targets: He recommends targeting a minimum 70% delivery margin to achieve healthy profitability after accounting for overhead and utilization inefficiencies.
  • 13:15 – 15:14 – Finding the Minimum Price: Marcel shares a formula to calculate minimum pricing: dividing delivery cost by (1 - margin target) and adding any pass-through expenses.
  • 16:39 – 17:16 – Introducing the Pricing Model Quadrant: The two vectors—client-perceived value and delivery risk—are introduced as key factors for determining the appropriate pricing model.
  • 17:49 – 19:17 – Understanding Value in Positioning: Marcel explains how niche positioning increases perceived value, affecting the pricing strategy and client comparisons.
  • 20:08 – 22:02 – Accounting for Delivery Risk: He discusses how accurately agencies can predict project costs and why risk significantly impacts pricing model selection.
  • 23:00 – 24:55 – Matching Pricing Models to Risk and Value: Marcel outlines when to use models like time-and-materials, abstracted time billing, flat fees, or value-based pricing depending on project risk and value.

Show Notes

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Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

]]> Pricing & Scoping for Agencies, With Marcel Petitpas Marcel Petitpas 00:26:24 About this Episode Pricing services effectively can be overwhelming for agency owners, but a simple, universal formula can demystify the process. In this solo episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel Petitpas—CEO of Parakeeto and a leading expert on agency operations—dives into a powerful framework for pricing and scoping work profitably. Drawing from his talk at the All-In Agency Summit, Marcel explains how to normalize margins across all billing models, calculate delivery margin, and choose the best pricing model based on a project’s value and risk profile. Packed with practical insights, this episode equips listeners to optimize profitability, simplify pricing decisions, and confidently structure service offerings for maximum financial success. About this Episode Pricing services effectively can be overwhelming for agency owners, but a simple, universal formula can demystify the process. In this solo episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel Petitpas—CEO of Parakeeto and a leading expert on agency operations—dives into a powerful framework for pricing and scoping work profitably. Drawing from his talk at the All-In Agency Summit, Marcel explains how to normalize margins across all billing models, calculate delivery margin, and choose the best pricing model based on a project’s value and risk profile. Packed with practical insights, this episode equips listeners to optimize profitability, simplify pricing decisions, and confidently structure service offerings for maximum financial success. agency financial metrics, how to price agency services, agency profitability, agency pricing strategy, flat rate vs value-based pricing, service-based business pricing, value-based pricing for agencies, delivery margin explained, digital agency pricing tips, agency cost management, agency gross income, best pricing models for agencies, how to calculate delivery margin, risk-based pricing models, improve agency profit margins, agency operations, scoping vs pricing, time and materials pricing, scaling agency profitably, pricing framework for agencies false full 180 e38effa4-c644-422a-b2b1-cbb2310e5b89 Profit First for Agencies, With Mike Michalowicz Points of Interest
  • 0:30 – 1:31 – Meet the Guest: Marcel introduces Mike as a prolific author and entrepreneur, best known for Profit First, and previews their deep dive into simplifying profitability for service businesses.
  • 2:00 – 3:36 – From Struggle to Simplification: Mike shares how his own entrepreneurial failures led him to journal his learnings, become an author, and dedicate his work to simplifying business for fellow entrepreneurs.
  • 4:00 – 4:58 – A Framework for Entrepreneurs: Mike explains the core business needs he addresses in his books—sales, profit, order, impact, and legacy—and how each book offers practical tools to tackle one of these pillars.
  • 5:06 – 6:31 – Rethinking Growth: Mike critiques the glorification of VC-funded hypergrowth, advocating instead for right-sized, owner-aligned businesses that are profitable and purpose-driven.
  • 6:38 – 11:02 – VC Realities vs. Bootstrapping: The conversation explores the downsides of venture capital—loss of control, high pressure, low founder pay—and makes the case for customer-funded, bootstrapped growth.
  • 11:18 – 12:11 – Constraints Drive Innovation: Mike explains how constraints, like taking profit first, can push businesses to become more creative and disciplined, leading to stronger, more sustainable operations.
  • 13:01 – 14:18 – Profit First in Practice: Through his investment work, Mike mandates implementation of Profit First in struggling businesses, using profit constraints to expose inefficiencies and force needed changes.
  • 16:00 – 18:23 – The Envelope System: Profit First functions like an envelope budgeting system for businesses, with multiple bank accounts directing funds to specific purposes—profit, taxes, owner’s pay, and operations.
  • 21:03 – 27:59 – Customizing for Agencies: Marcel and Mike discuss how to adapt Profit First for agencies, reverse engineering spending from lifestyle goals and avoiding industry average benchmarks.
  • 31:26 – 34:57 – Smoothing Lumpy Revenue: Mike recommends “drip accounts” to normalize cash flow for businesses with irregular income, ensuring income is recognized and allocated over time.
  • 35:03 – 37:35 – Tools and Support: The episode closes with a preview of the new Profit First app and a global network of certified professionals to support business owners in applying the framework effectively.

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]]> Wed, 30 Apr 2025 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 0:30 – 1:31 – Meet the Guest: Marcel introduces Mike as a prolific author and entrepreneur, best known for Profit First, and previews their deep dive into simplifying profitability for service businesses.
  • 2:00 – 3:36 – From Struggle to Simplification: Mike shares how his own entrepreneurial failures led him to journal his learnings, become an author, and dedicate his work to simplifying business for fellow entrepreneurs.
  • 4:00 – 4:58 – A Framework for Entrepreneurs: Mike explains the core business needs he addresses in his books—sales, profit, order, impact, and legacy—and how each book offers practical tools to tackle one of these pillars.
  • 5:06 – 6:31 – Rethinking Growth: Mike critiques the glorification of VC-funded hypergrowth, advocating instead for right-sized, owner-aligned businesses that are profitable and purpose-driven.
  • 6:38 – 11:02 – VC Realities vs. Bootstrapping: The conversation explores the downsides of venture capital—loss of control, high pressure, low founder pay—and makes the case for customer-funded, bootstrapped growth.
  • 11:18 – 12:11 – Constraints Drive Innovation: Mike explains how constraints, like taking profit first, can push businesses to become more creative and disciplined, leading to stronger, more sustainable operations.
  • 13:01 – 14:18 – Profit First in Practice: Through his investment work, Mike mandates implementation of Profit First in struggling businesses, using profit constraints to expose inefficiencies and force needed changes.
  • 16:00 – 18:23 – The Envelope System: Profit First functions like an envelope budgeting system for businesses, with multiple bank accounts directing funds to specific purposes—profit, taxes, owner’s pay, and operations.
  • 21:03 – 27:59 – Customizing for Agencies: Marcel and Mike discuss how to adapt Profit First for agencies, reverse engineering spending from lifestyle goals and avoiding industry average benchmarks.
  • 31:26 – 34:57 – Smoothing Lumpy Revenue: Mike recommends “drip accounts” to normalize cash flow for businesses with irregular income, ensuring income is recognized and allocated over time.
  • 35:03 – 37:35 – Tools and Support: The episode closes with a preview of the new Profit First app and a global network of certified professionals to support business owners in applying the framework effectively.

Show Notes

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]]> Profit First for Agencies, With Mike Michalowicz Marcel Petitpas 00:38:08 About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel sits down with Mike Michalowicz, author of Profit First, to talk about how entrepreneurs can stop chasing growth and start building businesses that actually pay them. Mike shares why putting profit first—literally setting aside your profit before paying expenses—is a game-changer for business owners who feel stuck or overwhelmed. They dig into common misconceptions around profitability, the danger of relying on volume to fix financial issues, and how applying simple constraints can reveal what’s really broken in your business. Mike also offers practical advice for handling lumpy, project-based revenue, and highlights tools like the Profit First app and a network of trained professionals to help owners stay on track. Plus, he introduces his new publishing imprint, Simplified, aimed at helping entrepreneurs cut through the noise and focus on what really matters. If you’re tired of running a business that runs you, this episode is packed with insight and inspiration. About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel sits down with Mike Michalowicz, author of Profit First, to talk about how entrepreneurs can stop chasing growth and start building businesses that actually pay them. Mike shares why putting profit first—literally setting aside your profit before paying expenses—is a game-changer for business owners who feel stuck or overwhelmed. They dig into common misconceptions around profitability, the danger of relying on volume to fix financial issues, and how applying simple constraints can reveal what’s really broken in your business. Mike also offers practical advice for handling lumpy, project-based revenue, and highlights tools like the Profit First app and a network of trained professionals to help owners stay on track. Plus, he introduces his new publishing imprint, Simplified, aimed at helping entrepreneurs cut through the noise and focus on what really matters. If you’re tired of running a business that runs you, this episode is packed with insight and inspiration. agency profit podcast, small business profit strategies, profit first method, business budgeting, agency profitability, sustainable growth strategies, bootstrapping vs vc, small business finance, profit first, business finance tools, simplifying entrepreneurship, business profitability, profit first professionals, envelope budgeting system, business operations, financial systems for agencies, profit first app, managing cash flow, lumpy revenue management, mike michalowicz false full 179 69daae28-2def-40de-9055-790767e57c21 The Three Immutable Laws of Profitability, With Marcel Petitpas Points of Interest
  • 1:02 – 1:38 – Intro: Marcel introduces the session as a condensed version of his All-in Agency Summit talk, aimed at equipping agencies with the key levers to diagnose and improve profitability.
  • 3:05 – 3:18 – 80/20 Profitability Focus: The goal is to give agencies 20% of the knowledge that provides 80% of the insight needed to take control of profitability, regardless of market conditions.
  • 4:28 – 6:27 – The Growth Trap Cycle: Agencies often get stuck in a cycle of hiring during growth, losing profitability, scaling again, and repeatedly encountering the same financial challenges at larger scales.
  • 6:42 – 7:01 – Identifying the Real Problem: Founders are urged to identify whether their agency's issue is inefficient delivery (indigestion) or lack of revenue (starvation) to avoid insolvency.
  • 9:01 – 10:06 – Financial Metrics Foundation: Understanding core financial metrics—especially agency gross income (AGI)—is essential to making better business decisions beyond tax reporting.
  • 14:24 – 18:05 – Delivery Margin as the Core Metric: Agencies should aim for delivery costs to stay under 50% of AGI, enabling better spending on overhead and stronger profitability.
  • 21:44 – 26:44 – Lever 1: Average Cost Per Hour: Lowering the average cost of labor through delegation and improved processes helps reduce delivery costs and increase profitability.
  • 28:03 – 31:55 – Lever 2: Average Billable Rate (ABR): Maximizing revenue per hour of delivery time, regardless of billing model, improves margins—either by pricing higher or working more efficiently.
  • 34:17 – 38:24 – Lever 3: Utilization Rate: Utilization measures how much team capacity is spent on client work; improving it by selling more work or adjusting staff size directly affects profitability.
  • 42:01 – 44:45 – Utilization Benchmarks: Weekly and annual utilization targets vary by role; producers should aim for 75%+ weekly, and teams should average 50–65% annually including all roles.
  • 45:27 – 49:26 – Impact of Levers on Profit: A case study illustrates how modest gains in utilization and ABR can shift profit margins from 10% to 40%, increasing valuation by up to 500% without hiring or cutting overhead.

Show Notes

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]]> Wed, 23 Apr 2025 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 1:02 – 1:38 – Intro: Marcel introduces the session as a condensed version of his All-in Agency Summit talk, aimed at equipping agencies with the key levers to diagnose and improve profitability.
  • 3:05 – 3:18 – 80/20 Profitability Focus: The goal is to give agencies 20% of the knowledge that provides 80% of the insight needed to take control of profitability, regardless of market conditions.
  • 4:28 – 6:27 – The Growth Trap Cycle: Agencies often get stuck in a cycle of hiring during growth, losing profitability, scaling again, and repeatedly encountering the same financial challenges at larger scales.
  • 6:42 – 7:01 – Identifying the Real Problem: Founders are urged to identify whether their agency's issue is inefficient delivery (indigestion) or lack of revenue (starvation) to avoid insolvency.
  • 9:01 – 10:06 – Financial Metrics Foundation: Understanding core financial metrics—especially agency gross income (AGI)—is essential to making better business decisions beyond tax reporting.
  • 14:24 – 18:05 – Delivery Margin as the Core Metric: Agencies should aim for delivery costs to stay under 50% of AGI, enabling better spending on overhead and stronger profitability.
  • 21:44 – 26:44 – Lever 1: Average Cost Per Hour: Lowering the average cost of labor through delegation and improved processes helps reduce delivery costs and increase profitability.
  • 28:03 – 31:55 – Lever 2: Average Billable Rate (ABR): Maximizing revenue per hour of delivery time, regardless of billing model, improves margins—either by pricing higher or working more efficiently.
  • 34:17 – 38:24 – Lever 3: Utilization Rate: Utilization measures how much team capacity is spent on client work; improving it by selling more work or adjusting staff size directly affects profitability.
  • 42:01 – 44:45 – Utilization Benchmarks: Weekly and annual utilization targets vary by role; producers should aim for 75%+ weekly, and teams should average 50–65% annually including all roles.
  • 45:27 – 49:26 – Impact of Levers on Profit: A case study illustrates how modest gains in utilization and ABR can shift profit margins from 10% to 40%, increasing valuation by up to 500% without hiring or cutting overhead.

Show Notes

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]]> The Three Immutable Laws of Profitability, With Marcel Petitpas Marcel Petitpas 00:48:34 About this Episode In this value-packed episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, host Marcel expands on his talk from the All-In Agency Summit to unpack a critical distinction: the difference between agency indigestion and starvation—two similar-looking profit problems with very different root causes. Marcel introduces a clear, actionable framework built around three core operational levers: Average Cost Per Hour, Average Billable Rate, and Utilization. By learning how to measure and manage these metrics, agency owners can diagnose hidden inefficiencies, gain clarity on their profitability, and escape the cycle of financial instability. Tune in to discover how to assess your agency’s performance and implement practical strategies that lead to stronger margins, better financial visibility, and sustainable growth. About this Episode In this value-packed episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, host Marcel expands on his talk from the All-In Agency Summit to unpack a critical distinction: the difference between agency indigestion and starvation—two similar-looking profit problems with very different root causes. Marcel introduces a clear, actionable framework built around three core operational levers: Average Cost Per Hour, Average Billable Rate, and Utilization. By learning how to measure and manage these metrics, agency owners can diagnose hidden inefficiencies, gain clarity on their profitability, and escape the cycle of financial instability. Tune in to discover how to assess your agency’s performance and implement practical strategies that lead to stronger margins, better financial visibility, and sustainable growth. agency profit, hourly billing, selling more work, capacity planning, improving profitability, delivery margin, all-in agency summit, staff management, total capacity, agency profitability, utilization, insolvency, average billable rate, software costs, senior staff, ibida, documentation, salary allocation, value-based billing, profitability issues, profit and loss statement, agency finance, profit margin, project profitability, delivery hours, total compensation, retainers, financial targets, agency financials, business valuation, business owner, delegation, financial health, team utilization, process improvement, scaling agency, tax accounting, agency growth, agency gross income, average cost per hour, operational efficiency., billing model, efficient work, client profitability, financial visibility, sustainable business, flat rate billing, agency operations, benchmarking agency, systems, pass through expenses, management accounting, cash flow problems, delivery costs, percentage of ad spend, pricing strategies, agi, utilization rate, financial metrics, reducing capacity, profitability management, service-based business, junior staff, overhead expenses, p&l false full 178 be59583d-51fc-4085-bbcd-026b12fac95e How to Appeal to More Clients Without Diluting Your Niche, With John Meyer Points of Interest
  • 1:04 – 1:46 – Introduction of John Meyer: Marcel introduces John Meyer, highlighting his experience as a successful agency owner, seller, and current business coach.
  • 2:10 – 2:30 – John's Current Focus with Leadmore: John explains his mission with Leadmore: coaching agency owners to avoid solopreneur traps and scale their businesses.
  • 2:30 – 3:11 – "No More Solo" Coaching Program: Details of John's group coaching for agencies in the $100k-$400k range focused on delegation and growth.
  • 3:11 – 3:37 – Coaching for Scaling Agency CEOs: Information on John's one-on-one coaching for CEOs aiming to delegate and further scale their agencies beyond $500k.
  • 4:32 – 5:30 – The Founding Story of Lemonly: John recounts the pivot from a broad digital agency to specializing in infographics for better focus and impact.
  • 5:36 – 6:50 – Strategic Niche of Infographics: How Lemonly's focus on infographics led to recognition and work with major brands like Netflix and MLB.
  • 8:38 – 9:25 – The Challenge of Scaling a Niche: The episode transitions to discussing the dilemma of staying niched versus widening services for continued growth.
  • 14:51 – 15:03 – Introduction to the Product Ladder: John introduces his framework of four ways service businesses can generate revenue.
  • 15:03 – 17:18 – Levels of the Product Ladder Explained: A brief overview of the custom, done-for-you, done-with-you, and DIY service levels.
  • 17:54 – 18:08 – Utilizing the Ladder for Increased Profit: The concept of moving clients up or down the ladder and repackaging services for better retention and profitability.
  • 26:58 – 28:31 – Avoiding Custom Work at "Done-For-You" Prices: John cautions against providing bespoke services while charging for standardized offerings.

Show Notes

Connect with John:

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]]> Wed, 16 Apr 2025 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 1:04 – 1:46 – Introduction of John Meyer: Marcel introduces John Meyer, highlighting his experience as a successful agency owner, seller, and current business coach.
  • 2:10 – 2:30 – John's Current Focus with Leadmore: John explains his mission with Leadmore: coaching agency owners to avoid solopreneur traps and scale their businesses.
  • 2:30 – 3:11 – "No More Solo" Coaching Program: Details of John's group coaching for agencies in the $100k-$400k range focused on delegation and growth.
  • 3:11 – 3:37 – Coaching for Scaling Agency CEOs: Information on John's one-on-one coaching for CEOs aiming to delegate and further scale their agencies beyond $500k.
  • 4:32 – 5:30 – The Founding Story of Lemonly: John recounts the pivot from a broad digital agency to specializing in infographics for better focus and impact.
  • 5:36 – 6:50 – Strategic Niche of Infographics: How Lemonly's focus on infographics led to recognition and work with major brands like Netflix and MLB.
  • 8:38 – 9:25 – The Challenge of Scaling a Niche: The episode transitions to discussing the dilemma of staying niched versus widening services for continued growth.
  • 14:51 – 15:03 – Introduction to the Product Ladder: John introduces his framework of four ways service businesses can generate revenue.
  • 15:03 – 17:18 – Levels of the Product Ladder Explained: A brief overview of the custom, done-for-you, done-with-you, and DIY service levels.
  • 17:54 – 18:08 – Utilizing the Ladder for Increased Profit: The concept of moving clients up or down the ladder and repackaging services for better retention and profitability.
  • 26:58 – 28:31 – Avoiding Custom Work at "Done-For-You" Prices: John cautions against providing bespoke services while charging for standardized offerings.

Show Notes

Connect with John:

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Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

]]> How to Appeal to More Clients Without Diluting Your Niche, With John Meyer Marcel Petitpas 00:33:25 About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel chats with John Meyer, a seasoned agency owner and now business coach at Leadmore. John shares his experience building and selling the successful agency Lemonly, emphasizing how focusing on a specific service like infographics helped them land big-name clients. He introduces his "product ladder" framework, explaining how agencies can offer a range of services, from custom solutions to DIY resources, to better serve clients at different levels and ultimately increase profitability without losing their niche. Drawing from his own journey and coaching work, John offers relatable insights on how agencies can strategically expand their offerings and build a more resilient business. Whether you're feeling stuck in a narrow niche or looking for ways to grow, this episode provides practical ideas and a fresh perspective. Tune in below to hear their conversation. About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel chats with John Meyer, a seasoned agency owner and now business coach at Leadmore. John shares his experience building and selling the successful agency Lemonly, emphasizing how focusing on a specific service like infographics helped them land big-name clients. He introduces his "product ladder" framework, explaining how agencies can offer a range of services, from custom solutions to DIY resources, to better serve clients at different levels and ultimately increase profitability without losing their niche. Drawing from his own journey and coaching work, John offers relatable insights on how agencies can strategically expand their offerings and build a more resilient business. Whether you're feeling stuck in a narrow niche or looking for ways to grow, this episode provides practical ideas and a fresh perspective. Tune in below to hear their conversation. niching down, agency profit, content strategy, diy, custom services, leadore, service business, product ladder, scaling agency, seo, agency growth, done-for-you, infographic company, agency advice, done-with-you, inbound leads, agency operations, client retention, agency owner, podcast, marcel petitpas, business coach, john meyer, profitability, entrepreneurship, client acquisition, lemonly, healthcare marketing false full 177 16e27d27-05b4-40c3-97eb-ed93a6d087ba How to Downsize Your Agency, With Carson Pierce Points of Interest
  • 0:00 – 0:23 – Small Cuts, Big Impact: Marcel explains how trimming small recurring expenses added up to $7K/month in potential savings.
  • 1:32 – 2:44 – Market Uncertainty Hits Everyone: Carson highlights how client indecision is stalling agency pipelines across the industry.
  • 3:04 – 3:23 – Opportunity in Unstable Times: Marcel frames uncertainty as a chance to optimize, streamline, and future-proof the business.
  • 4:02 – 4:36 – Sales Slowdowns and Staffing Pressure: Agencies must balance shrinking pipelines with existing team and overhead costs.
  • 5:02 – 5:25 – Avoiding Cost-Cutting Traps: Downsizing without strategy can hollow out delivery capacity and worsen long-term profitability.
  • 6:02 – 6:36 – Overhead First, Not Production: Carson shares a personal lesson on the importance of reducing overhead over core delivery staff.
  • 8:05 – 9:56 – Balancing Optimism and Cash Management: Founders must weigh hopeful projections against real cash reserves to avoid crisis.
  • 12:04 – 13:19 – Trigger-Based Decision Rules: Carson suggests creating clear, data-driven thresholds for when to take action—before it’s too late.
  • 17:03 – 17:22 – Austerity Exercise Yields Results: Marcel’s audit of seemingly small expenses uncovered significant monthly savings.
  • 21:01 – 22:37 – Smooth Transitions Are Possible: Fears around losing key people are often overstated—teams adapt and grow stronger.
  • 27:12 – 28:13 – Use a Payroll Grid for Clarity: Marcel introduces a framework for assessing roles, costs, and time allocation to guide decisions.
  • 34:10 – 35:06 – Profitability Benchmarks to Follow: Aim for ≤50% of income to delivery, ≤30% to overhead, and utilization of at least 50–60%.

Show Notes

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]]> Wed, 9 Apr 2025 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 0:00 – 0:23 – Small Cuts, Big Impact: Marcel explains how trimming small recurring expenses added up to $7K/month in potential savings.
  • 1:32 – 2:44 – Market Uncertainty Hits Everyone: Carson highlights how client indecision is stalling agency pipelines across the industry.
  • 3:04 – 3:23 – Opportunity in Unstable Times: Marcel frames uncertainty as a chance to optimize, streamline, and future-proof the business.
  • 4:02 – 4:36 – Sales Slowdowns and Staffing Pressure: Agencies must balance shrinking pipelines with existing team and overhead costs.
  • 5:02 – 5:25 – Avoiding Cost-Cutting Traps: Downsizing without strategy can hollow out delivery capacity and worsen long-term profitability.
  • 6:02 – 6:36 – Overhead First, Not Production: Carson shares a personal lesson on the importance of reducing overhead over core delivery staff.
  • 8:05 – 9:56 – Balancing Optimism and Cash Management: Founders must weigh hopeful projections against real cash reserves to avoid crisis.
  • 12:04 – 13:19 – Trigger-Based Decision Rules: Carson suggests creating clear, data-driven thresholds for when to take action—before it’s too late.
  • 17:03 – 17:22 – Austerity Exercise Yields Results: Marcel’s audit of seemingly small expenses uncovered significant monthly savings.
  • 21:01 – 22:37 – Smooth Transitions Are Possible: Fears around losing key people are often overstated—teams adapt and grow stronger.
  • 27:12 – 28:13 – Use a Payroll Grid for Clarity: Marcel introduces a framework for assessing roles, costs, and time allocation to guide decisions.
  • 34:10 – 35:06 – Profitability Benchmarks to Follow: Aim for ≤50% of income to delivery, ≤30% to overhead, and utilization of at least 50–60%.

Show Notes

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Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

]]> How to Downsize Your Agency, With Carson Pierce Marcel Petitpas 00:48:29 About this Episode In this episode, Marcel and Carson dive into the uncomfortable but necessary topic on every agency owner’s mind right now—how to navigate uncertainty when your pipeline is shaky, cash feels tight, and decisions get harder by the day. They share real talk from their own experience trimming $7K in monthly expenses, the psychology of tough choices, and how to reframe downsizing as a strategic reset rather than a reactive panic. From assessing cash reserves to building data-driven staffing plans, this episode is packed with insights to help you stay lean, smart, and ready for whatever comes next. About this Episode In this episode, Marcel and Carson dive into the uncomfortable but necessary topic on every agency owner’s mind right now—how to navigate uncertainty when your pipeline is shaky, cash feels tight, and decisions get harder by the day. They share real talk from their own experience trimming $7K in monthly expenses, the psychology of tough choices, and how to reframe downsizing as a strategic reset rather than a reactive panic. From assessing cash reserves to building data-driven staffing plans, this episode is packed with insights to help you stay lean, smart, and ready for whatever comes next. agency profit podcast, how to downsize a team, agency profitability, running a lean agency, digital agency operations, agency cost reduction strategies, agency staffing decisions, agency utilization benchmarks, agency cash flow management, parakeeto podcast, how to cut business expenses, improving agency margins, creative agency profitability, marcel petitpas, agency financial modeling false full 176 07d0255c-cbb4-4854-8270-619f28c1a403 Financial Planning for Agency Owners, With Jason Peck Points of Interest
  • 01:01 – 01:46 – Meet Today’s Guest: Jason Peck: Jason, a certified financial planner at EverWise Wealth Management, joins the show to share how agency owners can build wealth, protect their families, and stop relying solely on their business for financial freedom.
  • 05:00 – 06:10 – Unique Challenges for Agency Owners: Jason outlines what makes agency finances different—volatile income, illiquid equity, and a heavy reliance on the owner’s involvement in day-to-day operations.
  • 08:56 – 10:21 – Why You Must Build Wealth Outside the Business: Jason explains the risks of having all your financial eggs in the agency basket and how diversifying can protect you from unexpected life events.
  • 12:27 – 13:56 – The 9 Core Areas of Personal Financial Planning: From relationships to estate planning, Jason walks through the key components of a comprehensive financial plan tailored to agency owners.
  • 21:57 – 22:46 – The Tax Efficiency Trap: Marcel and Jason discuss the downsides of over-optimizing for taxes, including poor business visibility, unnecessary complexity, and missed opportunities for growth.
  • 27:03 – 29:12 – Estate Planning & Partner Protection: Jason shares how to safeguard your agency and your loved ones with wills, powers of attorney, insurance policies, and buy-sell agreements.
  • 30:53 – 33:36 – Planning for a Smooth and Intentional Exit: Whether selling or passing the business on, Jason explains how to align exit planning with personal goals and financial security.

Show Notes

Connect with Jason:

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Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

]]> Wed, 2 Apr 2025 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 01:01 – 01:46 – Meet Today’s Guest: Jason Peck: Jason, a certified financial planner at EverWise Wealth Management, joins the show to share how agency owners can build wealth, protect their families, and stop relying solely on their business for financial freedom.
  • 05:00 – 06:10 – Unique Challenges for Agency Owners: Jason outlines what makes agency finances different—volatile income, illiquid equity, and a heavy reliance on the owner’s involvement in day-to-day operations.
  • 08:56 – 10:21 – Why You Must Build Wealth Outside the Business: Jason explains the risks of having all your financial eggs in the agency basket and how diversifying can protect you from unexpected life events.
  • 12:27 – 13:56 – The 9 Core Areas of Personal Financial Planning: From relationships to estate planning, Jason walks through the key components of a comprehensive financial plan tailored to agency owners.
  • 21:57 – 22:46 – The Tax Efficiency Trap: Marcel and Jason discuss the downsides of over-optimizing for taxes, including poor business visibility, unnecessary complexity, and missed opportunities for growth.
  • 27:03 – 29:12 – Estate Planning & Partner Protection: Jason shares how to safeguard your agency and your loved ones with wills, powers of attorney, insurance policies, and buy-sell agreements.
  • 30:53 – 33:36 – Planning for a Smooth and Intentional Exit: Whether selling or passing the business on, Jason explains how to align exit planning with personal goals and financial security.

Show Notes

Connect with Jason:

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Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

]]> Financial Planning for Agency Owners, With Jason Peck Marcel Petitpas 00:32:56 About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel sits down with Jason Peck, a Certified Financial Planner at EverWise Wealth Management, to dig into the nitty-gritty of personal finance for agency owners. Jason shares his unique journey from marketing and tech into financial planning, and what makes managing money different when you run a creative or professional services firm. From unpredictable cash flow and tying up wealth in the business, to the harsh reality that most agency exits aren’t life-changing, Jason breaks down why building wealth outside the agency is a must. They also talk through common mistakes—like obsessing over tax loopholes or reinvesting too aggressively—and share a practical framework for setting financial goals, protecting your assets, and planning for both expected (like retirement) and unexpected (like illness) events. Whether you're sitting on extra profits or just trying to get off the financial treadmill, this one’s packed with valuable insights. About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel sits down with Jason Peck, a Certified Financial Planner at EverWise Wealth Management, to dig into the nitty-gritty of personal finance for agency owners. Jason shares his unique journey from marketing and tech into financial planning, and what makes managing money different when you run a creative or professional services firm. From unpredictable cash flow and tying up wealth in the business, to the harsh reality that most agency exits aren’t life-changing, Jason breaks down why building wealth outside the agency is a must. They also talk through common mistakes—like obsessing over tax loopholes or reinvesting too aggressively—and share a practical framework for setting financial goals, protecting your assets, and planning for both expected (like retirement) and unexpected (like illness) events. Whether you're sitting on extra profits or just trying to get off the financial treadmill, this one’s packed with valuable insights. buy-sell agreements, tax efficiency for business owners, agency profitability, everwise wealth management, cash flow management for agencies, jason peck, estate planning for entrepreneurs, wealth management for agency owners, financial advisor for creative professionals, agency financial planning, building wealth outside your business, jason peck financial planner, agency owner retirement planning, agency exit strategy, financial planning for creatives, insurance for agency owners, agency succession planning false full 175 4c81601b-f414-4807-8672-db64f93a7918 Building a Model for Your Agency, With Carson Pierce Points of Interest
  • 00:51 – 01:14 – Meet Today’s Guest: Carson Pierce: Carson, a fan favorite at Parakeeto, joins the show to discuss a key challenge for agency owners—transitioning from expert to CEO while managing financial complexities.
  • 02:01 – 03:10 – The Common Agency Struggle: Many agency owners are incredible at their craft but struggle with the financial side of running a business, leading to inefficiencies and profit loss.
  • 05:01 – 06:40 – The Knowledge Gap in the Agency World: Historically, there hasn’t been much comprehensive content available to help agency owners understand the financials of their business, making it difficult to navigate profitability challenges.
  • 09:01 – 11:00 – Breaking Down Agency Finances: Marcel and Carson introduce a simple but effective model that helps agencies determine whether they are set up for financial success or destined to struggle.
  • 11:01 – 13:30 – Understanding the Delivery Margin: Why agency profitability is largely determined by how efficiently they deliver client work and how much of every earned dollar is left after delivery costs.
  • 16:01 – 18:40 – The Impact of Small Pricing Adjustments: A 10% drop in billable rates can significantly affect profitability—why agencies must be intentional about pricing and scope.
  • 18:41 – 21:00 – The Payroll Grid: Your Agency’s Financial Roadmap: How to break down staff costs, expected billable hours, and rates to create a clear financial model for your agency.
  • 21:01 – 24:00 – Expense Allocation & Overhead Costs: Understanding where your money is going and ensuring overhead stays in check without cutting the things that drive business growth.
  • 24:01 – 27:30 – Profitability Benchmarks & The 50/30/20 Rule: The ideal breakdown for agency spending—50% on delivery, 30% on overhead, and 20%+ in profit—and why most agencies don’t hit these targets.
  • 27:31 – 30:00 – The Dangers of Underpricing & Low Utilization: Why agencies that don’t charge enough or struggle to keep their teams busy end up running on razor-thin margins (or even losing money).
  • 32:41 – 35:10 – Why Agency Owners Must Know Their Numbers: Financial clarity leads to better decisions—knowing what’s working and what’s not is the key to running a sustainable agency.

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]]> Wed, 26 Mar 2025 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 00:51 – 01:14 – Meet Today’s Guest: Carson Pierce: Carson, a fan favorite at Parakeeto, joins the show to discuss a key challenge for agency owners—transitioning from expert to CEO while managing financial complexities.
  • 02:01 – 03:10 – The Common Agency Struggle: Many agency owners are incredible at their craft but struggle with the financial side of running a business, leading to inefficiencies and profit loss.
  • 05:01 – 06:40 – The Knowledge Gap in the Agency World: Historically, there hasn’t been much comprehensive content available to help agency owners understand the financials of their business, making it difficult to navigate profitability challenges.
  • 09:01 – 11:00 – Breaking Down Agency Finances: Marcel and Carson introduce a simple but effective model that helps agencies determine whether they are set up for financial success or destined to struggle.
  • 11:01 – 13:30 – Understanding the Delivery Margin: Why agency profitability is largely determined by how efficiently they deliver client work and how much of every earned dollar is left after delivery costs.
  • 16:01 – 18:40 – The Impact of Small Pricing Adjustments: A 10% drop in billable rates can significantly affect profitability—why agencies must be intentional about pricing and scope.
  • 18:41 – 21:00 – The Payroll Grid: Your Agency’s Financial Roadmap: How to break down staff costs, expected billable hours, and rates to create a clear financial model for your agency.
  • 21:01 – 24:00 – Expense Allocation & Overhead Costs: Understanding where your money is going and ensuring overhead stays in check without cutting the things that drive business growth.
  • 24:01 – 27:30 – Profitability Benchmarks & The 50/30/20 Rule: The ideal breakdown for agency spending—50% on delivery, 30% on overhead, and 20%+ in profit—and why most agencies don’t hit these targets.
  • 27:31 – 30:00 – The Dangers of Underpricing & Low Utilization: Why agencies that don’t charge enough or struggle to keep their teams busy end up running on razor-thin margins (or even losing money).
  • 32:41 – 35:10 – Why Agency Owners Must Know Their Numbers: Financial clarity leads to better decisions—knowing what’s working and what’s not is the key to running a sustainable agency.

Show Notes

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Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

]]> Building a Model for Your Agency, With Carson Pierce Marcel Petitpas 00:35:40 About this Episode Running an agency is tough—especially when you start as a subject-matter expert and suddenly find yourself as a business owner with no formal training in operations or finance. In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel welcomes back our Head Consultant Carson Pierce to break down a simple yet powerful framework for understanding agency financials. They dive into key concepts like delivery margin, utilization, and pricing strategies to help agency owners diagnose profitability issues and make informed decisions. Whether you're struggling to turn a profit or just want to optimize your agency's financial health, this episode is packed with actionable insights to take control of your numbers and build a more sustainable business. About this Episode Running an agency is tough—especially when you start as a subject-matter expert and suddenly find yourself as a business owner with no formal training in operations or finance. In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel welcomes back our Head Consultant Carson Pierce to break down a simple yet powerful framework for understanding agency financials. They dive into key concepts like delivery margin, utilization, and pricing strategies to help agency owners diagnose profitability issues and make informed decisions. Whether you're struggling to turn a profit or just want to optimize your agency's financial health, this episode is packed with actionable insights to take control of your numbers and build a more sustainable business. agency financial health, agency profit margins, agency profit podcast, agency consulting, how to price agency services, agency billing rates, agency profitability, agency metrics, agency business model, agency pricing model, agency utilization rates, agency revenue growth, agency growth strategies, agency financials, creative agency management, agency cash flow management, scaling an agency, improve agency profitability, agency overhead costs, agency financial strategy, agency financial framework, agency pricing strategies, creative agency profitability, agency operations, agency finance tips, digital agency growth, digital marketing agency tips, how to run an agency, how to run a profitable agency, agency budgeting tips false full 174 e029f35f-2c48-492f-95ab-d3075c81d1a6 Prove Your Value & Increase Retention, With Mari-Liis Vaher Points of Interest
  • 01:09 – 01:46 – Meet Today’s Guest: Mari-Liis Vaher: Marketing pro, entrepreneur, and author of The Greatest Marketer in the World, Mari-Liis is here to help agencies prove their value and keep clients happy.
  • 03:04 – 03:40 – The Big Marketing Trust Issue: Ever had a client drop you out of nowhere, even though you were hitting all their goals? Mari-Liis explains why so many agencies struggle to prove their worth.
  • 07:10 – 07:57 – Marketing Is More Than Just Ads: Think marketing is just running social media and ad campaigns? Mari-Liis breaks down why it’s actually a full system that needs to align with sales and leadership.
  • 11:51 – 12:36 – Scaling vs. Burning Out: Mari-Liis shares the hard lessons from running (and exiting) a seven-figure agency—why she left behind endless client work to build something more sustainable.
  • 17:04 – 17:46 – The Power of the “MIP Hour”: Setting aside an hour of focused, distraction-free work time each day can be a total game-changer for your productivity and stress levels.
  • 24:47 – 25:26 – Don’t Just Take Clients at Their Word: When a client asks for SEO, Facebook ads, or a website, do you ask why? Mari-Liis explains why digging deeper leads to better results.
  • 28:24 – 29:06 – The #1 Killer of Good Marketing: Most marketing doesn’t fail because the ideas are bad—it fails because of bad communication. Here’s how to make sure everyone’s on the same page.
  • 37:41 – 38:30 – Why Keeping Clients in the Loop Is Everything: If you’re not giving your clients updates, they’re making up their own (usually bad) stories about what’s happening. Avoid that trap!
  • 42:42 – 43:07 – Freebies & Book Launch: Get Mari-Liis’ free productivity guide, take a DISC personality test, and get early access to The Greatest Marketer in the World!

Show Notes

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]]> Wed, 19 Mar 2025 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 01:09 – 01:46 – Meet Today’s Guest: Mari-Liis Vaher: Marketing pro, entrepreneur, and author of The Greatest Marketer in the World, Mari-Liis is here to help agencies prove their value and keep clients happy.
  • 03:04 – 03:40 – The Big Marketing Trust Issue: Ever had a client drop you out of nowhere, even though you were hitting all their goals? Mari-Liis explains why so many agencies struggle to prove their worth.
  • 07:10 – 07:57 – Marketing Is More Than Just Ads: Think marketing is just running social media and ad campaigns? Mari-Liis breaks down why it’s actually a full system that needs to align with sales and leadership.
  • 11:51 – 12:36 – Scaling vs. Burning Out: Mari-Liis shares the hard lessons from running (and exiting) a seven-figure agency—why she left behind endless client work to build something more sustainable.
  • 17:04 – 17:46 – The Power of the “MIP Hour”: Setting aside an hour of focused, distraction-free work time each day can be a total game-changer for your productivity and stress levels.
  • 24:47 – 25:26 – Don’t Just Take Clients at Their Word: When a client asks for SEO, Facebook ads, or a website, do you ask why? Mari-Liis explains why digging deeper leads to better results.
  • 28:24 – 29:06 – The #1 Killer of Good Marketing: Most marketing doesn’t fail because the ideas are bad—it fails because of bad communication. Here’s how to make sure everyone’s on the same page.
  • 37:41 – 38:30 – Why Keeping Clients in the Loop Is Everything: If you’re not giving your clients updates, they’re making up their own (usually bad) stories about what’s happening. Avoid that trap!
  • 42:42 – 43:07 – Freebies & Book Launch: Get Mari-Liis’ free productivity guide, take a DISC personality test, and get early access to The Greatest Marketer in the World!

Show Notes

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Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

]]> Prove Your Value & Increase Retention, With Mari-Liis Vaher Marcel Petitpas 00:41:04 About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, we sit down with Mari-Liis Vaher, a seasoned marketing strategist and author of the upcoming book The Greatest Marketer in the World. With years of experience in marketing and entrepreneurship—including building and successfully exiting a seven-figure agency—Mari-Liis shares her powerful five-step framework for proving marketing’s real value to clients and executives. We dive into the struggles many agencies face, from proving ROI to overcoming client churn, and explore how mindset, strategy, tactics, communication, and leadership all play a role in building trust and retention. Plus, Mari-Liis drops game-changing productivity tips, like the "MIP Hour," to help marketers work smarter, not harder. Don’t miss this insightful conversation filled with actionable takeaways to elevate your agency’s success! About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, we sit down with Mari-Liis Vaher, a seasoned marketing strategist and author of the upcoming book The Greatest Marketer in the World. With years of experience in marketing and entrepreneurship—including building and successfully exiting a seven-figure agency—Mari-Liis shares her powerful five-step framework for proving marketing’s real value to clients and executives. We dive into the struggles many agencies face, from proving ROI to overcoming client churn, and explore how mindset, strategy, tactics, communication, and leadership all play a role in building trust and retention. Plus, Mari-Liis drops game-changing productivity tips, like the "MIP Hour," to help marketers work smarter, not harder. Don’t miss this insightful conversation filled with actionable takeaways to elevate your agency’s success! marketing framework, communication skills, digital agency tips, social media strategy, agency profitability, marketing metrics, business growth, marketing communication, mip hour, marketing leadership, business strategy, marketing tactics, time management, seo strategy, entrepreneur tips, leadership in marketing, agency growth, scaling an agency, mindset for success, agency operations, proving marketing value, marketing roi, client retention, creative agency, marketing expert, productivity tips, business efficiency, marketing strategy, agency sales, marketing trust, digital marketing false full 173 f553d8cd-d19f-494d-8232-176b12b29c8c Understanding Your Agency Model, With Carson Pierce Points of Interest
  • 00:55 – 01:14 – Meet Today’s Guest: Carson Pierce: Carson, a fan favorite at Parakeeto, joins the show to chat about a big shift in the agency world—why more agencies are ditching big teams in favor of lean, contractor-driven models.
  • 01:34 – 02:29 – Agencies Are Shrinking Their Core Teams: Carson talks about a growing trend—agencies are keeping their leadership and strategy teams small while outsourcing most of the production work to contractors, freelancers, and offshore talent.
  • 03:08 – 05:05 – Why Agencies Are Outsourcing More Work: Marcel breaks down the big reasons behind this shift, including rising salaries, AI shaking things up, a tough economy, and the fact that clients no longer care if their agency is local.
  • 06:04 – 07:26 – Why Old-School Utilization Metrics Don’t Work Anymore: Carson explains how traditional utilization numbers can be misleading for agencies using more contractors, and why focusing on average billable rate (ABR) is a better approach.
  • 08:03 – 10:44 – The Next Big Agency Trend: Internal Specialization: Marcel introduces the idea that agencies should focus on what they do best and outsource everything else—just like other industries have done to stay profitable.
  • 12:02 – 14:04 – What Should You Keep In-House vs. Outsource?: Marcel shares a simple way to decide—play to your team’s strengths, keep control of the most critical parts of your client experience, and let experts handle everything else.
  • 18:02 – 21:08 – Pricing Without Overcomplicating It: Marcel simplifies pricing strategy, explaining why agencies should stop obsessing over markup and hourly rates and instead focus on three things: revenue, pass-through costs, and delivery costs.
  • 25:08 – 28:26 – Offshoring: The Good, The Bad, and The Smart Way to Do It: More agencies are hiring offshore talent to save money, but success depends on having solid processes and clear communication—Marcel and Carson share tips on how to do it right.
  • 30:51 – 32:44 – The Future of Agencies: Smaller, Leaner, and More Specialized: Marcel predicts that agencies will continue breaking down into specialized teams, just like airlines and grocery chains have done, to survive in a market with shrinking margins.
  • 34:22 – 35:04 – Final Takeaways: Marcel and Carson wrap up with a big reminder—profitability isn’t just about working harder; it’s about working smarter. Agencies that embrace internal specialization and strategic outsourcing will win in the long run.

Show Notes

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Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

]]> Wed, 12 Mar 2025 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 00:55 – 01:14 – Meet Today’s Guest: Carson Pierce: Carson, a fan favorite at Parakeeto, joins the show to chat about a big shift in the agency world—why more agencies are ditching big teams in favor of lean, contractor-driven models.
  • 01:34 – 02:29 – Agencies Are Shrinking Their Core Teams: Carson talks about a growing trend—agencies are keeping their leadership and strategy teams small while outsourcing most of the production work to contractors, freelancers, and offshore talent.
  • 03:08 – 05:05 – Why Agencies Are Outsourcing More Work: Marcel breaks down the big reasons behind this shift, including rising salaries, AI shaking things up, a tough economy, and the fact that clients no longer care if their agency is local.
  • 06:04 – 07:26 – Why Old-School Utilization Metrics Don’t Work Anymore: Carson explains how traditional utilization numbers can be misleading for agencies using more contractors, and why focusing on average billable rate (ABR) is a better approach.
  • 08:03 – 10:44 – The Next Big Agency Trend: Internal Specialization: Marcel introduces the idea that agencies should focus on what they do best and outsource everything else—just like other industries have done to stay profitable.
  • 12:02 – 14:04 – What Should You Keep In-House vs. Outsource?: Marcel shares a simple way to decide—play to your team’s strengths, keep control of the most critical parts of your client experience, and let experts handle everything else.
  • 18:02 – 21:08 – Pricing Without Overcomplicating It: Marcel simplifies pricing strategy, explaining why agencies should stop obsessing over markup and hourly rates and instead focus on three things: revenue, pass-through costs, and delivery costs.
  • 25:08 – 28:26 – Offshoring: The Good, The Bad, and The Smart Way to Do It: More agencies are hiring offshore talent to save money, but success depends on having solid processes and clear communication—Marcel and Carson share tips on how to do it right.
  • 30:51 – 32:44 – The Future of Agencies: Smaller, Leaner, and More Specialized: Marcel predicts that agencies will continue breaking down into specialized teams, just like airlines and grocery chains have done, to survive in a market with shrinking margins.
  • 34:22 – 35:04 – Final Takeaways: Marcel and Carson wrap up with a big reminder—profitability isn’t just about working harder; it’s about working smarter. Agencies that embrace internal specialization and strategic outsourcing will win in the long run.

Show Notes

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Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

]]> Understanding Your Agency Model, With Carson Pierce Marcel Petitpas 00:32:55 About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel and Carson dive into the major shift happening in agency structures—moving from in-house teams to a more flexible, contractor-heavy model. They break down why more agencies are leaning on freelancers, offshore teams, and white-label partners to protect their margins, adapt to economic pressures, and focus on their highest-value work. Marcel unpacks the numbers behind this shift, showing why it’s not just about cutting costs but actually boosting profitability when done right. If you’ve ever wondered how to balance in-house talent with outsourced expertise—or why some agencies are pulling off mind-blowing margins—this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss. About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel and Carson dive into the major shift happening in agency structures—moving from in-house teams to a more flexible, contractor-heavy model. They break down why more agencies are leaning on freelancers, offshore teams, and white-label partners to protect their margins, adapt to economic pressures, and focus on their highest-value work. Marcel unpacks the numbers behind this shift, showing why it’s not just about cutting costs but actually boosting profitability when done right. If you’ve ever wondered how to balance in-house talent with outsourced expertise—or why some agencies are pulling off mind-blowing margins—this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss. agency profit podcast, how to scale an agency, agency business trends, agency billable rates, maximizing agency profits, digital marketing agency scaling, how to price agency services, agency business strategies, agency profitability, agency specialization, agency business model, best pricing model for agencies, agency margins, agency financial management, agency efficiency tips, agency growth strategies, digital agency outsourcing, outsourcing for agencies, contractor vs employee agency, marketing agency growth, freelance vs in-house, how to increase agency revenue, agency pricing strategies, creative agency profitability, agency financial tips, agency operations, scaling a creative agency, future of agencies, digital agency profitability, creative agency business model, offshoring for agencies, agency revenue strategies, how to run a profitable agency false full 172 e8a22a54-f486-440f-960e-ecd95fceaf28 Balancing Creativity and Profitability, With Tim Thompson Points of Interest
  • 0:00 – 0:32 – Show Introduction & Guest Introduction: Marcel introduces Tim Thompson, Owner and Chief Revolution Thinker at RevThink. He shares how they met at the MYOB conference, where they bonded over deep discussions on agency profitability and creative business management.
  • 0:33 – 2:25 – Tim’s Background & The Journey to RevThink: Tim shares his career transition from Hollywood production, where he worked with legends like Ridley Scott and Steven Spielberg, to consulting creative studios. His firm, RevThink, now supports 750+ creative agency owners worldwide in building financially stable businesses.
  • 2:26 – 5:00 – The Challenge of Balancing Creativity & Profitability: Tim explains how many creative entrepreneurs struggle to balance financial discipline with artistic freedom. The industry often pushes efficiency metrics like utilization rates, but creative businesses need a different approach to pricing, budgeting, and decision-making.
  • 5:01 – 7:32 – The Shift from Cost-Plus Pricing to Value-Based Models: Marcel and Tim discuss the shift from hourly billing and cost-plus pricing to value-based models. Agencies that fail to adapt often undercharge and overdeliver, leading to profitability struggles.
  • 7:33 – 10:55 – How Agencies Can Ensure They’re Charging Enough: Tim introduces The Splits Method, a framework that separates costs into direct (project-related) and indirect (overhead). This helps agencies better understand where their money is going and ensures that profit is baked into pricing from the start.
  • 10:56 – 14:25 – The Power of Profit as an Expense: Tim challenges agencies to treat profit as an expense, meaning it should be allocated first before deciding how much to spend on project costs. This ensures business sustainability and long-term financial stability.
  • 14:26 – 17:00 – The Seven Ingredients for a Thriving Agency: Tim introduces RevThink’s Seven Ingredients framework—Creative, Production, Sales, Marketing, Operations, Finance, and Entrepreneurship—which helps agency owners optimize their business holistically as they scale.
  • 17:01 – 19:50 – Overcoming the Fear of Raising Prices: Many agencies negotiate against themselves, fearing clients won’t pay more. Tim explains how agencies can increase their rates or adjust project scope to maintain profitability without sacrificing client relationships.
  • 19:51 – 23:30 – The Production Roll-Up: A Simple Meeting to Keep Projects on Track: Tim shares his method for a weekly production roll-up meeting, where agency teams quickly review: Creative quality, Client relationships, and Profitability.
  • 23:31 – 26:55 – The Importance of Profitability for Business & Personal Freedom: Marcel and Tim discuss why profitability isn’t just about numbers—it’s about freedom, growth, and legacy. Many agency owners unknowingly sacrifice their financial future because they aren’t pricing or managing projects correctly.
  • 26:56 – 29:30 – Why Business Owners Must Stop Negotiating Against Themselves: Many agency owners undercharge out of fear that clients won’t pay more. Tim encourages owners to ask for what their work is truly worth and, if needed, target better clients who understand the value they provide.
  • 29:31 – 32:10 – The Role of Entrepreneurship in Agency Growth: Tim discusses the entrepreneurial mindset required to scale a creative agency while managing financial risks. He explains how business growth, personal wealth, and legacy planning must be aligned.
  • 32:11 – 35:50 – How Agencies Can Adapt to Industry Changes & Maintain Profitability: Marcel and Tim analyze industry shifts, including advances in technology, changing client expectations, and pricing pressures. They discuss how agencies can innovate and stay competitive in a rapidly evolving market.
  • 35:51 – 38:20 – The Moral Argument for Running a Profitable Business: Marcel and Tim discuss why being profitable is a responsibility, not just a goal. A profitable agency provides stability for employees, fosters innovation, and allows owners to reinvest in their vision.

Show Notes


Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

]]> Wed, 5 Mar 2025 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 0:00 – 0:32 – Show Introduction & Guest Introduction: Marcel introduces Tim Thompson, Owner and Chief Revolution Thinker at RevThink. He shares how they met at the MYOB conference, where they bonded over deep discussions on agency profitability and creative business management.
  • 0:33 – 2:25 – Tim’s Background & The Journey to RevThink: Tim shares his career transition from Hollywood production, where he worked with legends like Ridley Scott and Steven Spielberg, to consulting creative studios. His firm, RevThink, now supports 750+ creative agency owners worldwide in building financially stable businesses.
  • 2:26 – 5:00 – The Challenge of Balancing Creativity & Profitability: Tim explains how many creative entrepreneurs struggle to balance financial discipline with artistic freedom. The industry often pushes efficiency metrics like utilization rates, but creative businesses need a different approach to pricing, budgeting, and decision-making.
  • 5:01 – 7:32 – The Shift from Cost-Plus Pricing to Value-Based Models: Marcel and Tim discuss the shift from hourly billing and cost-plus pricing to value-based models. Agencies that fail to adapt often undercharge and overdeliver, leading to profitability struggles.
  • 7:33 – 10:55 – How Agencies Can Ensure They’re Charging Enough: Tim introduces The Splits Method, a framework that separates costs into direct (project-related) and indirect (overhead). This helps agencies better understand where their money is going and ensures that profit is baked into pricing from the start.
  • 10:56 – 14:25 – The Power of Profit as an Expense: Tim challenges agencies to treat profit as an expense, meaning it should be allocated first before deciding how much to spend on project costs. This ensures business sustainability and long-term financial stability.
  • 14:26 – 17:00 – The Seven Ingredients for a Thriving Agency: Tim introduces RevThink’s Seven Ingredients framework—Creative, Production, Sales, Marketing, Operations, Finance, and Entrepreneurship—which helps agency owners optimize their business holistically as they scale.
  • 17:01 – 19:50 – Overcoming the Fear of Raising Prices: Many agencies negotiate against themselves, fearing clients won’t pay more. Tim explains how agencies can increase their rates or adjust project scope to maintain profitability without sacrificing client relationships.
  • 19:51 – 23:30 – The Production Roll-Up: A Simple Meeting to Keep Projects on Track: Tim shares his method for a weekly production roll-up meeting, where agency teams quickly review: Creative quality, Client relationships, and Profitability.
  • 23:31 – 26:55 – The Importance of Profitability for Business & Personal Freedom: Marcel and Tim discuss why profitability isn’t just about numbers—it’s about freedom, growth, and legacy. Many agency owners unknowingly sacrifice their financial future because they aren’t pricing or managing projects correctly.
  • 26:56 – 29:30 – Why Business Owners Must Stop Negotiating Against Themselves: Many agency owners undercharge out of fear that clients won’t pay more. Tim encourages owners to ask for what their work is truly worth and, if needed, target better clients who understand the value they provide.
  • 29:31 – 32:10 – The Role of Entrepreneurship in Agency Growth: Tim discusses the entrepreneurial mindset required to scale a creative agency while managing financial risks. He explains how business growth, personal wealth, and legacy planning must be aligned.
  • 32:11 – 35:50 – How Agencies Can Adapt to Industry Changes & Maintain Profitability: Marcel and Tim analyze industry shifts, including advances in technology, changing client expectations, and pricing pressures. They discuss how agencies can innovate and stay competitive in a rapidly evolving market.
  • 35:51 – 38:20 – The Moral Argument for Running a Profitable Business: Marcel and Tim discuss why being profitable is a responsibility, not just a goal. A profitable agency provides stability for employees, fosters innovation, and allows owners to reinvest in their vision.

Show Notes


Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

]]> Balancing Creativity and Profitability, With Tim Thompson Marcel Petitpas 00:41:25 In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel sits down with Tim Thompson, Owner and Chief Revolution Thinker at RevThink, to break down the financial frameworks that help creative agency owners take control of their cash flow and profitability. Marcel and Tim first connected at the MYOB conference, where they bonded over a deep (and delightfully nerdy) discussion about agency finances and scaling strategies. Tim, who has spent nearly two decades helping creative entrepreneurs navigate the challenges of running a business, shares real-world insights on breaking free from outdated pricing models, setting up financial systems that support creative freedom, and making smarter decisions with money. He also sheds light on the common struggles agency owners face—like underpricing work, overdelivering, and getting stuck in the feast-or-famine cycle—and offers practical strategies to turn things around. If you’ve ever felt like finances are holding your agency back from doing its best creative work, this episode is a must-listen. In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel sits down with Tim Thompson, Owner and Chief Revolution Thinker at RevThink, to break down the financial frameworks that help creative agency owners take control of their cash flow and profitability. Marcel and Tim first connected at the MYOB conference, where they bonded over a deep (and delightfully nerdy) discussion about agency finances and scaling strategies. Tim, who has spent nearly two decades helping creative entrepreneurs navigate the challenges of running a business, shares real-world insights on breaking free from outdated pricing models, setting up financial systems that support creative freedom, and making smarter decisions with money. He also sheds light on the common struggles agency owners face—like underpricing work, overdelivering, and getting stuck in the feast-or-famine cycle—and offers practical strategies to turn things around. If you’ve ever felt like finances are holding your agency back from doing its best creative work, this episode is a must-listen. agency profit margins, agency profit podcast, creative business consulting, creative business strategies, how to grow an agency business, how to price agency services, agency pricing strategy, value-based pricing for agencies, time tracking vs value pricing, maximizing agency cash flow, tim thompson revthink, marketing agency pricing models, creative business owner tips, running a profitable agency, creative agency finance, creative agency growth, cost-plus vs value-based pricing, agency operations, revthink consulting, scaling a creative agency, business growth for creatives, digital agency profitability, creative agency profitability tips, entrepreneur finance tips, creative agency financial management false full 171 6d3772db-dc3c-4650-af53-bc2b20d9bcfb The Process Behind Profit Management, With Kristen Kelly Points of Interest
  • 0:24 – 0:54 – Show Introduction & Guest Introduction: Marcel introduces Kristen Kelly, highlighting her expertise in operations and agency profitability management.
  • 1:01 – 1:45 – The Three-Part Profitability Management System Overview: Kristen recaps the framework discussed in previous episodes: the right data, ensuring financial, delivery, and sales data are clean; the right framework, having clear metrics and understanding relationships; and the right process, implementing structured cadences for decision-making.
  • 1:46 – 3:07 – Why Process is Often the Missing Piece in Profitability Management: Marcel explains that many agencies mistakenly view profitability management as an event rather than an ongoing process. He highlights common pitfalls, such as assuming data will always be clean or that a one-time setup will be sufficient.
  • 4:59 – 7:46 – Data Hygiene: Managing Messy Data in Agencies: Kristen and Marcel dive into the first major component of process—data hygiene. They discuss common data inconsistencies, such as naming conventions, incorrect project tracking, and human input errors. Marcel emphasizes the importance of an ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) process to clean and normalize data.
  • 10:03 – 13:26 – Managing Change in Agency Operations: Kristen and Marcel discuss the second key aspect of process: change management. Changes in sales strategies, CRM systems, or project management tools can disrupt data reporting. A structured process ensures smooth transitions and prevents disruptions in decision-making.
  • 17:01 – 20:52 – Cadence: Aligning Stakeholders for Operational Success: Establishing consistent meeting cadences ensures alignment between sales, operations, and finance teams. The right frequency depends on agency size and project nature. Monthly executive meetings should focus on key business objectives and resourcing decisions. Regular check-ins help prevent last-minute hiring crises and pricing inefficiencies.
  • 28:51 – 33:07 – How Operators Can Manage Up and Set Expectations: Operators should proactively align reporting with leadership goals. Stakeholder management is crucial—Ops leaders should ensure data supports executive decision-making without overwhelming them with details. Simplification and consistency are key to maintaining executive buy-in.
  • 33:08 – 36:56 – Fighting Unnecessary Complexity in Reporting: Marcel shares a common mistake: leaders often want overly detailed reporting, which adds unnecessary complexity and friction. The key is balancing detail with usability to avoid overwhelming decision-makers. Simple, actionable reports are more effective than highly detailed but impractical ones.
  • 36:57 – 40:26 – The Real Value of Efficient Reporting: Shorter, More Productive Meetings: The success of a reporting system is measured by how quickly teams can align and take action—not by how long they spend looking at data. The less time spent in meetings discussing reports, the more time can be spent executing on insights.
  • 40:27 – 42:40 – Final Takeaways: How to Get Started with Process Implementation: Start by identifying the key business decisions that require data support. Work backward from business objectives to define the right data and process framework. Establish clear cadences and responsibilities for maintaining data hygiene and managing change. Prioritize alignment and simplicity over excessive detail.

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]]> Wed, 26 Feb 2025 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 0:24 – 0:54 – Show Introduction & Guest Introduction: Marcel introduces Kristen Kelly, highlighting her expertise in operations and agency profitability management.
  • 1:01 – 1:45 – The Three-Part Profitability Management System Overview: Kristen recaps the framework discussed in previous episodes: the right data, ensuring financial, delivery, and sales data are clean; the right framework, having clear metrics and understanding relationships; and the right process, implementing structured cadences for decision-making.
  • 1:46 – 3:07 – Why Process is Often the Missing Piece in Profitability Management: Marcel explains that many agencies mistakenly view profitability management as an event rather than an ongoing process. He highlights common pitfalls, such as assuming data will always be clean or that a one-time setup will be sufficient.
  • 4:59 – 7:46 – Data Hygiene: Managing Messy Data in Agencies: Kristen and Marcel dive into the first major component of process—data hygiene. They discuss common data inconsistencies, such as naming conventions, incorrect project tracking, and human input errors. Marcel emphasizes the importance of an ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) process to clean and normalize data.
  • 10:03 – 13:26 – Managing Change in Agency Operations: Kristen and Marcel discuss the second key aspect of process: change management. Changes in sales strategies, CRM systems, or project management tools can disrupt data reporting. A structured process ensures smooth transitions and prevents disruptions in decision-making.
  • 17:01 – 20:52 – Cadence: Aligning Stakeholders for Operational Success: Establishing consistent meeting cadences ensures alignment between sales, operations, and finance teams. The right frequency depends on agency size and project nature. Monthly executive meetings should focus on key business objectives and resourcing decisions. Regular check-ins help prevent last-minute hiring crises and pricing inefficiencies.
  • 28:51 – 33:07 – How Operators Can Manage Up and Set Expectations: Operators should proactively align reporting with leadership goals. Stakeholder management is crucial—Ops leaders should ensure data supports executive decision-making without overwhelming them with details. Simplification and consistency are key to maintaining executive buy-in.
  • 33:08 – 36:56 – Fighting Unnecessary Complexity in Reporting: Marcel shares a common mistake: leaders often want overly detailed reporting, which adds unnecessary complexity and friction. The key is balancing detail with usability to avoid overwhelming decision-makers. Simple, actionable reports are more effective than highly detailed but impractical ones.
  • 36:57 – 40:26 – The Real Value of Efficient Reporting: Shorter, More Productive Meetings: The success of a reporting system is measured by how quickly teams can align and take action—not by how long they spend looking at data. The less time spent in meetings discussing reports, the more time can be spent executing on insights.
  • 40:27 – 42:40 – Final Takeaways: How to Get Started with Process Implementation: Start by identifying the key business decisions that require data support. Work backward from business objectives to define the right data and process framework. Establish clear cadences and responsibilities for maintaining data hygiene and managing change. Prioritize alignment and simplicity over excessive detail.

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]]> The Process Behind Profit Management, With Kristen Kelly Marcel Petitpas 00:40:17 About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel welcomes back operations expert Kristen Kelly for a deep dive into the often-overlooked key to agency profitability—process. While most agencies focus on data and frameworks, Kristen explains why a strong, adaptable process is essential for maintaining clean data, managing inevitable changes, and ensuring smooth decision-making cadences. They break down how agencies can stop treating profitability management as a one-time event and instead build a system that scales, adapts, and keeps teams aligned. If you've ever struggled with messy data, unexpected reporting breakdowns, or endless debates over what’s working, this conversation will give you the tools to take control. Tune in to learn why short meetings and strong processes lead to bigger profits. About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel welcomes back operations expert Kristen Kelly for a deep dive into the often-overlooked key to agency profitability—process. While most agencies focus on data and frameworks, Kristen explains why a strong, adaptable process is essential for maintaining clean data, managing inevitable changes, and ensuring smooth decision-making cadences. They break down how agencies can stop treating profitability management as a one-time event and instead build a system that scales, adapts, and keeps teams aligned. If you've ever struggled with messy data, unexpected reporting breakdowns, or endless debates over what’s working, this conversation will give you the tools to take control. Tune in to learn why short meetings and strong processes lead to bigger profits. agency profit podcast, agency profitability management, agency financial metrics, agency resource planning, agency profitability, time tracking for agencies, agency business model, agency process improvement, agency data management, project management for agencies, agency finance, agency profitability tips, agency growth strategies, agency efficiency, operational data for agencies, scaling an agency, agency kpi tracking, creative agency operations, agency forecasting, improving agency profitability, agency operations, agency leadership, marketing agency profitability, agency decision making, digital agency growth, agency change management, utilization rate, managing agency finances, data-driven agency management, profitability framework, agency reporting, agency management false full 170 1c7b62ef-e8cf-4ac1-b343-215c670ee31f Visual Client Communication & Building SaaS in an Agency, With Mikael Dia Points of Interest
  • 01:04 – 01:35 – Guest Introduction – Mikael Dia of Funnelytics: Mikael Dia, former agency owner turned SaaS entrepreneur, shares his journey from running an agency to founding Funnelytics, a tool designed to visually map and analyze digital marketing funnels.
  • 06:24 – 08:20 – How Funnelytics Was Born: Funnelytics emerged from the need to overlay real marketing data on top of strategic visualizations, allowing agencies and marketers to prove and optimize their funnel strategies effectively.
  • 08:25 – 10:05 – The Importance of Visual Communication in Business: Marcel and Mikael discuss how visual communication aids in client understanding, enhances learning, and fosters trust, a principle rooted in adult learning theory.
  • 10:42 – 12:13 – Impact of Visual Strategies on Agency Sales & Retention: Using visual models in sales processes helped Mikael’s agency close deals faster and at higher prices by positioning services as strategic solutions rather than commodity offerings.
  • 12:24 – 14:06 – Enhancing Client Retention with Visual Reporting: By consistently tying marketing efforts back to a visualized strategy, agencies can effectively communicate progress, highlight bottlenecks, and demonstrate value to clients.
  • 15:02 – 17:08 – Clients Need a Clear Path, Not Just Services: Clients struggle to see how individual marketing services fit into a bigger strategy. Mapping out a clear pathway from initial engagement to desired outcomes transforms how clients perceive agency value.
  • 20:56 – 24:06 – Transitioning from an Agency to a SaaS Business: Mikael shares key lessons from shifting from an agency to SaaS, emphasizing the importance of knowing one’s strengths, finding a technical co-founder, and solving real customer problems.
  • 27:19 – 32:24 – Common Pitfalls in SaaS Development: Mikael and Marcel discuss the challenges of product development, the need for technical expertise, and the mistake of building features based on assumptions rather than market feedback.
  • 32:42 – 36:12 – The Reality of Finding Product-Market Fit: The conversation highlights the challenge of achieving product-market fit, the importance of iterating quickly, and the value of starting with a service-first approach before building software.
  • 37:03 – 39:00 – Shifting Mindsets: From Proving Yourself Right to Proving Yourself Wrong: Marcel shares a key insight: the biggest shift in product development success comes when founders move from trying to validate their own ideas to actively seeking to disprove them as quickly as possible.

Show Notes

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]]> Wed, 19 Feb 2025 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 01:04 – 01:35 – Guest Introduction – Mikael Dia of Funnelytics: Mikael Dia, former agency owner turned SaaS entrepreneur, shares his journey from running an agency to founding Funnelytics, a tool designed to visually map and analyze digital marketing funnels.
  • 06:24 – 08:20 – How Funnelytics Was Born: Funnelytics emerged from the need to overlay real marketing data on top of strategic visualizations, allowing agencies and marketers to prove and optimize their funnel strategies effectively.
  • 08:25 – 10:05 – The Importance of Visual Communication in Business: Marcel and Mikael discuss how visual communication aids in client understanding, enhances learning, and fosters trust, a principle rooted in adult learning theory.
  • 10:42 – 12:13 – Impact of Visual Strategies on Agency Sales & Retention: Using visual models in sales processes helped Mikael’s agency close deals faster and at higher prices by positioning services as strategic solutions rather than commodity offerings.
  • 12:24 – 14:06 – Enhancing Client Retention with Visual Reporting: By consistently tying marketing efforts back to a visualized strategy, agencies can effectively communicate progress, highlight bottlenecks, and demonstrate value to clients.
  • 15:02 – 17:08 – Clients Need a Clear Path, Not Just Services: Clients struggle to see how individual marketing services fit into a bigger strategy. Mapping out a clear pathway from initial engagement to desired outcomes transforms how clients perceive agency value.
  • 20:56 – 24:06 – Transitioning from an Agency to a SaaS Business: Mikael shares key lessons from shifting from an agency to SaaS, emphasizing the importance of knowing one’s strengths, finding a technical co-founder, and solving real customer problems.
  • 27:19 – 32:24 – Common Pitfalls in SaaS Development: Mikael and Marcel discuss the challenges of product development, the need for technical expertise, and the mistake of building features based on assumptions rather than market feedback.
  • 32:42 – 36:12 – The Reality of Finding Product-Market Fit: The conversation highlights the challenge of achieving product-market fit, the importance of iterating quickly, and the value of starting with a service-first approach before building software.
  • 37:03 – 39:00 – Shifting Mindsets: From Proving Yourself Right to Proving Yourself Wrong: Marcel shares a key insight: the biggest shift in product development success comes when founders move from trying to validate their own ideas to actively seeking to disprove them as quickly as possible.

Show Notes

Connect with Mikael

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]]> Visual Client Communication & Building SaaS in an Agency, With Mikael Dia Marcel Petitpas 00:38:08 About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel chats with Mikael Dia, founder of Funnelytics, about the power of visualizing complex marketing funnels to improve client communication, retention, and ultimately, agency profitability. Mikael shares how mapping out strategies visually helped him close deals faster, position his agency as an expert rather than a commodity, and keep clients engaged with clear, data-backed insights. They also dive into the challenges of transitioning from an agency owner to a SaaS founder, the hard lessons learned in product development, and the importance of rapid iteration and validating ideas before investing heavily. If you’re looking for smarter ways to communicate marketing strategies and streamline your agency’s workflow, this episode is packed with actionable insights! About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel chats with Mikael Dia, founder of Funnelytics, about the power of visualizing complex marketing funnels to improve client communication, retention, and ultimately, agency profitability. Mikael shares how mapping out strategies visually helped him close deals faster, position his agency as an expert rather than a commodity, and keep clients engaged with clear, data-backed insights. They also dive into the challenges of transitioning from an agency owner to a SaaS founder, the hard lessons learned in product development, and the importance of rapid iteration and validating ideas before investing heavily. If you’re looking for smarter ways to communicate marketing strategies and streamline your agency’s workflow, this episode is packed with actionable insights! sales funnel, sales process, agency success, agency profitability, marketing analytics, marketing automation, product-market fit, digital agency, business coaching, business development, startup advice, business strategy, scaling a business, funnel optimization, conversion rate optimization, online marketing, agency growth, customer acquisition, software development, agency operations, lead generation, marketing tools, client retention, marketing funnels, saas business, visual communication, entrepreneurship, marketing strategy, saas growth, service-based business, digital marketing false full 169 0745e209-9083-4246-a2dd-ce6b5c8546d3 Why Most Reporting Systems Fail, & What to Do Instead, With Ben Zittlau Points of Interest
  • 01:00 – 01:45 – Guest Introduction: Marcel welcomes back his co-founder, Ben Zittlau, highlighting his expertise in data operations and agency growth strategies.
  • 03:35 – 05:50 – Scaling Data Operations: Lessons from Jobber: Ben shares insights from his experience at Jobber, detailing the challenges of building and scaling a data operations team in a fast-growing company.
  • 08:43 – 13:14 – Why Agencies Struggle to Get Insights from Their Data: Discussion on how agencies collect vast amounts of data across multiple tools but fail to derive meaningful insights due to fragmentation and inconsistency.
  • 13:15 – 16:05 – The Myth of a “Single Source of Truth: Marcel and Ben challenge the common belief that pushing all data into a single platform solves reporting issues, highlighting the reality of messy operational data.
  • 19:26 – 21:48 – The Limitations of All-in-One Software Solutions: Exploring why all-in-one agency management tools often fail to deliver on their promise of seamless reporting and data integration.
  • 24:43 – 27:44 – The Hidden Costs of Locking into a Single Platform: Discussion on how agencies become “trapped” by software providers, making it difficult to switch tools without major operational disruptions.
  • 30:29 – 35:53 – How to Integrate Data Without Sacrificing Flexibility: A deep dive into the challenges of stitching data from various tools while maintaining adaptability and historical accuracy.
  • 35:54 – 41:14 – Accuracy vs. Precision: Why Clean Data is a Myth: Why agencies should focus on broader trends instead of pursuing impossible data perfection, and how to handle data inconsistencies effectively.
  • 41:15 – 44:15 – A Modern Data Approach: Extract, Transform, Load (ETL): Introduction to the ETL process, which allows agencies to clean and transform data before reporting, improving reliability and flexibility.
  • 50:14 – 52:00 – Lessons from Finance: What Agencies Can Learn from Accounting: Marcel compares data operations to bookkeeping, explaining how structured financial workflows can serve as a model for better agency data management.

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]]> Wed, 12 Feb 2025 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 01:00 – 01:45 – Guest Introduction: Marcel welcomes back his co-founder, Ben Zittlau, highlighting his expertise in data operations and agency growth strategies.
  • 03:35 – 05:50 – Scaling Data Operations: Lessons from Jobber: Ben shares insights from his experience at Jobber, detailing the challenges of building and scaling a data operations team in a fast-growing company.
  • 08:43 – 13:14 – Why Agencies Struggle to Get Insights from Their Data: Discussion on how agencies collect vast amounts of data across multiple tools but fail to derive meaningful insights due to fragmentation and inconsistency.
  • 13:15 – 16:05 – The Myth of a “Single Source of Truth: Marcel and Ben challenge the common belief that pushing all data into a single platform solves reporting issues, highlighting the reality of messy operational data.
  • 19:26 – 21:48 – The Limitations of All-in-One Software Solutions: Exploring why all-in-one agency management tools often fail to deliver on their promise of seamless reporting and data integration.
  • 24:43 – 27:44 – The Hidden Costs of Locking into a Single Platform: Discussion on how agencies become “trapped” by software providers, making it difficult to switch tools without major operational disruptions.
  • 30:29 – 35:53 – How to Integrate Data Without Sacrificing Flexibility: A deep dive into the challenges of stitching data from various tools while maintaining adaptability and historical accuracy.
  • 35:54 – 41:14 – Accuracy vs. Precision: Why Clean Data is a Myth: Why agencies should focus on broader trends instead of pursuing impossible data perfection, and how to handle data inconsistencies effectively.
  • 41:15 – 44:15 – A Modern Data Approach: Extract, Transform, Load (ETL): Introduction to the ETL process, which allows agencies to clean and transform data before reporting, improving reliability and flexibility.
  • 50:14 – 52:00 – Lessons from Finance: What Agencies Can Learn from Accounting: Marcel compares data operations to bookkeeping, explaining how structured financial workflows can serve as a model for better agency data management.

Show Notes

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]]> Why Most Reporting Systems Fail, & What to Do Instead, With Ben Zittlau Marcel Petitpas 00:51:15 About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel and Ben dive deep into the challenges agencies face when managing data across multiple tools. They debunk the myth of a "source of truth" system, highlighting why rigid integrations and all-in-one solutions often fall short. Instead, they advocate for a modern data approach—extract, transform, and load (ETL)—that prioritizes flexibility, accuracy over precision, and adaptability to change. With insights from Ben's experience in scaling data operations at Jobber, they explore why agencies should focus on cleaning and structuring data post-collection rather than forcing compliance upfront. If you're tired of messy reporting and want a better way to turn raw data into actionable insights, this episode is a must-listen! About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel and Ben dive deep into the challenges agencies face when managing data across multiple tools. They debunk the myth of a "source of truth" system, highlighting why rigid integrations and all-in-one solutions often fall short. Instead, they advocate for a modern data approach—extract, transform, and load (ETL)—that prioritizes flexibility, accuracy over precision, and adaptability to change. With insights from Ben's experience in scaling data operations at Jobber, they explore why agencies should focus on cleaning and structuring data post-collection rather than forcing compliance upfront. If you're tired of messy reporting and want a better way to turn raw data into actionable insights, this episode is a must-listen! data-driven decision making, data operations, agency profitability, agency metrics, digital agency insights, data integration, data transformation, financial data management, data management, leadership data, agency growth, agency workflow optimization, agency operations, agency software, etl process, source of truth myth, business intelligence, business analytics, agency reporting, agency data false full 168 a914a7c2-3b5e-439b-8249-30e523a31e9c Is White Label The Future of Agencies?, With Manish Dudharejia Points of Interest
  • 01:02 – 01:28 – Introduction to Manish Dudharejia: Manish Dudharejia, founder of E2M, is introduced as a leader in white label agency services, serving over 300 agencies globally with a focus on profitability and scalability.
  • 01:34 – 02:45 – Manish’s Journey and E2M’s Growth: Manish shares how E2M evolved from serving diverse clients to specializing in white label services for agencies, growing to a 270+ member team over 12 years.
  • 03:04 – 04:36 – Building a Culture of Excellence: Manish credits E2M’s success to a strong team and culture, emphasizing the importance of effective communication, realistic expectations, and timely delivery of high-quality services.
  • 07:01 – 08:15 – Shifts in the White Label Industry: Manish identifies two major trends shaping the industry: combining local account management with offshore execution and leveraging AI to enhance efficiency and reduce costs.
  • 10:55 – 12:01 – Problem-Solving as the New Specialization: Marcel explains how agencies are shifting from service-specific specialization to solving broader problems, requiring partnerships with white label providers to expand their capabilities.
  • 15:14 – 17:11 – Hybrid Models for Scalable Agencies: Manish discusses the benefits of a hybrid model, where agencies maintain in-house teams for client-facing roles like sales and account management while outsourcing execution to white label partners.
  • 17:11 – 18:47 – Profitability through White Label Partnerships: Marcel highlights how white label partnerships allow agencies to focus on high-margin activities, scale efficiently, and achieve better profitability by outsourcing execution.
  • 22:43 – 24:02 – Flexibility and Scalability with White Label Models: Manish emphasizes the flexibility white label partners offer, allowing agencies to scale resources up or down based on demand while minimizing operational risks.
  • 31:02 – 32:43 – Specialization and Delegation: Marcel and Manish discuss the importance of focusing on core competencies and outsourcing non-core tasks to partners who excel in those areas, enabling agencies to scale effectively.
  • 34:28 – 36:07 – Outsourcing What You Don’t Enjoy: Manish shares two key frameworks for agency owners:
    • Outsource tasks that cost less than your billable rate.
    • Delegate tasks you dislike to partners who excel in those areas, creating win-win scenarios.

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]]> Wed, 5 Feb 2025 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 01:02 – 01:28 – Introduction to Manish Dudharejia: Manish Dudharejia, founder of E2M, is introduced as a leader in white label agency services, serving over 300 agencies globally with a focus on profitability and scalability.
  • 01:34 – 02:45 – Manish’s Journey and E2M’s Growth: Manish shares how E2M evolved from serving diverse clients to specializing in white label services for agencies, growing to a 270+ member team over 12 years.
  • 03:04 – 04:36 – Building a Culture of Excellence: Manish credits E2M’s success to a strong team and culture, emphasizing the importance of effective communication, realistic expectations, and timely delivery of high-quality services.
  • 07:01 – 08:15 – Shifts in the White Label Industry: Manish identifies two major trends shaping the industry: combining local account management with offshore execution and leveraging AI to enhance efficiency and reduce costs.
  • 10:55 – 12:01 – Problem-Solving as the New Specialization: Marcel explains how agencies are shifting from service-specific specialization to solving broader problems, requiring partnerships with white label providers to expand their capabilities.
  • 15:14 – 17:11 – Hybrid Models for Scalable Agencies: Manish discusses the benefits of a hybrid model, where agencies maintain in-house teams for client-facing roles like sales and account management while outsourcing execution to white label partners.
  • 17:11 – 18:47 – Profitability through White Label Partnerships: Marcel highlights how white label partnerships allow agencies to focus on high-margin activities, scale efficiently, and achieve better profitability by outsourcing execution.
  • 22:43 – 24:02 – Flexibility and Scalability with White Label Models: Manish emphasizes the flexibility white label partners offer, allowing agencies to scale resources up or down based on demand while minimizing operational risks.
  • 31:02 – 32:43 – Specialization and Delegation: Marcel and Manish discuss the importance of focusing on core competencies and outsourcing non-core tasks to partners who excel in those areas, enabling agencies to scale effectively.
  • 34:28 – 36:07 – Outsourcing What You Don’t Enjoy: Manish shares two key frameworks for agency owners:
    • Outsource tasks that cost less than your billable rate.
    • Delegate tasks you dislike to partners who excel in those areas, creating win-win scenarios.

Show Notes

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]]> Is White Label The Future of Agencies?, With Manish Dudharejia Marcel Petitpas 00:37:10 About this Episode On this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel sits down with Manish Dudharejia, founder of E2M Solutions, one of the leading white label agencies in the world. Manish shares his journey from starting in SEO nearly two decades ago to building a thriving white label business serving over 300 agencies globally. He discusses how focusing on operational efficiency, leveraging offshore talent, and creating win-win partnerships have been critical to scaling his agency while providing immense value to clients. They explore the evolving landscape of white label services, including the growing role of AI, the importance of specialization, and how agencies can stay profitable by outsourcing execution while focusing on strategy and client relationships. Manish’s insights are a goldmine for agency owners looking to streamline operations, improve margins, and scale sustainably. About this Episode On this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel sits down with Manish Dudharejia, founder of E2M Solutions, one of the leading white label agencies in the world. Manish shares his journey from starting in SEO nearly two decades ago to building a thriving white label business serving over 300 agencies globally. He discusses how focusing on operational efficiency, leveraging offshore talent, and creating win-win partnerships have been critical to scaling his agency while providing immense value to clients. They explore the evolving landscape of white label services, including the growing role of AI, the importance of specialization, and how agencies can stay profitable by outsourcing execution while focusing on strategy and client relationships. Manish’s insights are a goldmine for agency owners looking to streamline operations, improve margins, and scale sustainably. scaling agencies, agency profit podcast, remote team management, digital agency tips, agency profitability, agency ecosystem, profitability tips, scaling digital agencies, agency growth strategies, ai in agencies, outsourcing for agencies, manish dudharejia, outsourcing strategies, creative agency operations, white-label agencies, agency owners, agency operations, agency coaching, marcel petitpas, agency tools, seo agency tips, digital marketing agencies, white-label business model, white-label services, e2m solutions, agency sales and marketing false full 167 35f132eb-3f80-4769-91bf-df77e2c7b4d2 Breaking Down Earned Revenue to Drive Better Agency Decisions, With Ben Zittlau Points of Interest
  • 01:00 – 01:50 – Episode Kickoff and Guest Introduction: Marcel introduces Ben Zittlau, his co-founder and the “brains behind the operation” at Parakeeto, highlighting Ben’s instrumental role in shaping the company’s philosophies and tools.
  • 01:51 – 04:25 – Ben’s Background and Early Career: Ben shares his journey from studying electrical engineering to becoming deeply involved in startups, entrepreneurship, and eventually co-founding Parakeeto, along with his notable work at Jobber.
  • 04:26 – 06:44 – Lessons from Jobber and Shaping Profitability Frameworks: Ben reflects on his time at Jobber, where he observed how businesses transformed when they understood profitability over revenue, a realization that shaped Parakeeto’s focus.
  • 06:45 – 07:22 – Parakeeto’s Founding and Evolution: Ben discusses how he and Marcel connected over their shared passion for solving complex problems for service businesses, leading to the creation of Parakeeto.
  • 07:23 – 08:35 – Behind-the-Scenes Collaboration: Marcel highlights the depth of thought and iteration that he and Ben have poured into refining their profitability frameworks, setting the stage for their discussion.
  • 08:36 – 11:34 – Common Profitability Traps in Agencies: The duo dives into how agencies often fall into traps like relying on cash flow or revenue as proxies for profitability, leading to poor business decisions.
  • 11:35 – 14:14 – The Pitfalls of Cashflow-Based Decision Making: Ben and Marcel explain how focusing on cash flow can create illusions of profitability or mask underlying financial issues, illustrated by real client examples.
  • 14:15 – 17:04 – Revenue vs. Profitability Decisions: They highlight how agencies often conflate cash flow with profit, sharing examples of businesses choosing lower-margin work due to short-term cash needs.
  • 17:05 – 19:57 – Differentiating Revenue from Agency Gross Income (AGI): Ben explains the importance of isolating pass-through expenses to get a true picture of what’s left for an agency to operate and grow.
  • 19:58 – 23:17 – Misconceptions About Markup and Rates: The discussion shifts to how agencies often misunderstand the role of markup in profitability and why focusing on average billable rates is key.
  • 23:18 – 30:45 – The Problem with One-Size-Fits-All Frameworks: Ben and Marcel emphasize the risks of trying to unify operational, sales, and accounting frameworks, advocating for purpose-built tools tailored to each team’s needs.
  • 30:46 – 43:39 – The Future of Profitability Insights: They conclude by discussing how technology is making enterprise-level profitability analysis more accessible to smaller businesses, empowering agencies to make smarter, data-driven decisions.

Show Notes

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Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

]]> Wed, 29 Jan 2025 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 01:00 – 01:50 – Episode Kickoff and Guest Introduction: Marcel introduces Ben Zittlau, his co-founder and the “brains behind the operation” at Parakeeto, highlighting Ben’s instrumental role in shaping the company’s philosophies and tools.
  • 01:51 – 04:25 – Ben’s Background and Early Career: Ben shares his journey from studying electrical engineering to becoming deeply involved in startups, entrepreneurship, and eventually co-founding Parakeeto, along with his notable work at Jobber.
  • 04:26 – 06:44 – Lessons from Jobber and Shaping Profitability Frameworks: Ben reflects on his time at Jobber, where he observed how businesses transformed when they understood profitability over revenue, a realization that shaped Parakeeto’s focus.
  • 06:45 – 07:22 – Parakeeto’s Founding and Evolution: Ben discusses how he and Marcel connected over their shared passion for solving complex problems for service businesses, leading to the creation of Parakeeto.
  • 07:23 – 08:35 – Behind-the-Scenes Collaboration: Marcel highlights the depth of thought and iteration that he and Ben have poured into refining their profitability frameworks, setting the stage for their discussion.
  • 08:36 – 11:34 – Common Profitability Traps in Agencies: The duo dives into how agencies often fall into traps like relying on cash flow or revenue as proxies for profitability, leading to poor business decisions.
  • 11:35 – 14:14 – The Pitfalls of Cashflow-Based Decision Making: Ben and Marcel explain how focusing on cash flow can create illusions of profitability or mask underlying financial issues, illustrated by real client examples.
  • 14:15 – 17:04 – Revenue vs. Profitability Decisions: They highlight how agencies often conflate cash flow with profit, sharing examples of businesses choosing lower-margin work due to short-term cash needs.
  • 17:05 – 19:57 – Differentiating Revenue from Agency Gross Income (AGI): Ben explains the importance of isolating pass-through expenses to get a true picture of what’s left for an agency to operate and grow.
  • 19:58 – 23:17 – Misconceptions About Markup and Rates: The discussion shifts to how agencies often misunderstand the role of markup in profitability and why focusing on average billable rates is key.
  • 23:18 – 30:45 – The Problem with One-Size-Fits-All Frameworks: Ben and Marcel emphasize the risks of trying to unify operational, sales, and accounting frameworks, advocating for purpose-built tools tailored to each team’s needs.
  • 30:46 – 43:39 – The Future of Profitability Insights: They conclude by discussing how technology is making enterprise-level profitability analysis more accessible to smaller businesses, empowering agencies to make smarter, data-driven decisions.

Show Notes

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]]> Breaking Down Earned Revenue to Drive Better Agency Decisions, With Ben Zittlau Marcel Petitpas 00:42:35 About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel welcomes his business partner and co-founder, Ben Zittlau, to unpack the hidden traps that service-based businesses often fall into when managing their profitability. They explore how relying too heavily on cash flow or revenue as indicators can lead to misguided decisions, like overestimating profitability or taking on unprofitable work. Ben and Marcel emphasize the importance of focusing on true metrics like agency gross income (AGI) and delivery costs, rather than being misled by how services are packaged or presented to clients. By separating operational, accounting, and sales perspectives and using clear frameworks, agencies can make smarter decisions and better plan for sustainable growth. It’s a conversation full of practical insights for anyone looking to better understand and optimize their business finances. About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel welcomes his business partner and co-founder, Ben Zittlau, to unpack the hidden traps that service-based businesses often fall into when managing their profitability. They explore how relying too heavily on cash flow or revenue as indicators can lead to misguided decisions, like overestimating profitability or taking on unprofitable work. Ben and Marcel emphasize the importance of focusing on true metrics like agency gross income (AGI) and delivery costs, rather than being misled by how services are packaged or presented to clients. By separating operational, accounting, and sales perspectives and using clear frameworks, agencies can make smarter decisions and better plan for sustainable growth. It’s a conversation full of practical insights for anyone looking to better understand and optimize their business finances. agency profit podcast, operational efficiency for agencies, business decision-making, agency profitability, pass-through expenses, agency metrics, revenue vs profit, average billable rate, small business finance tips, ben zittlau, service business growth, service business tips, agency gross income, agency tools and frameworks, managing agency cash flow, cash flow vs profitability, improving agency profitability, scaling service businesses, marcel petitpas, financial management for agencies, agi, markup misconceptions, financial insights for agencies, parakeeto, business growth strategies false full 166 eba62e9a-c185-4fe9-978e-41c473b579a0 First Principles Software Implementation In Your Agency, With Henrik Becker Points of Interest
  • 00:51 – 01:29 – Introduction to Henrik Becker: Marcel introduces Henrik Becker, an expert in agency coaching, EOS implementation, and CRM systems, now leading Rev Hops to improve agency sales and marketing systems.
  • 01:30 – 02:13 – Henrik’s Career Journey: Henrik details his evolution from systematic marketing in 2010 to specializing in CRM platforms like Salesforce and HubSpot, emphasizing management systems for success.
  • 03:42 – 04:48 – Aligning CRM with Operations: Marcel and Henrik stress that CRMs and operational tools should address fundamental business issues, adopting a first-principles approach to technology.
  • 04:49 – 07:04 – Common CRM Problems: Henrik identifies signs of ineffective CRM use, such as Excel dependency, poor adoption, and data inaccuracies, which undermine sales and marketing efforts.
  • 09:18 – 11:24 – CRM Implementation is a Process, Not an Event: CRM implementation requires ongoing adjustments as the business evolves, rather than being treated as a one-time project.
  • 11:25 – 13:16 – Steps for a Successful CRM Setup: Henrik outlines a structured CRM setup approach: align on the problem, document processes, define requirements, design solutions, and implement incrementally.
  • 16:06 – 18:24 – Focus on Simplicity and Quick Wins: Starting with a simplified CRM setup to deliver quick wins builds momentum, avoiding over-engineered systems.
  • 18:25 – 20:42 – Avoiding Operational Complexity: Henrik and Marcel advise against overly complex systems, advocating for implementations aligned with team capabilities.
  • 20:43 – 23:08 – Agile vs. Waterfall in CRM Implementation: Henrik critiques improper Agile usage in CRM projects, recommending clear planning and incremental adjustments over chaotic trial-and-error.
  • 23:09 – 25:13 – Adapting to Change: Successful CRM implementations require regular updates to keep systems relevant and aligned with business evolution.
  • 29:24 – 32:08 – Marcel’s Choice to Build at Scale: Marcel shares his decision to scale Parakeeto, balancing cash flow, risk, and long-term enterprise value.
  • 36:06 – 38:54 – Final Words of Advice: Henrik emphasizes prioritizing processes, accountability, and alignment before choosing or changing a CRM system, as software is secondary to clear operations.

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]]> Wed, 22 Jan 2025 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 00:51 – 01:29 – Introduction to Henrik Becker: Marcel introduces Henrik Becker, an expert in agency coaching, EOS implementation, and CRM systems, now leading Rev Hops to improve agency sales and marketing systems.
  • 01:30 – 02:13 – Henrik’s Career Journey: Henrik details his evolution from systematic marketing in 2010 to specializing in CRM platforms like Salesforce and HubSpot, emphasizing management systems for success.
  • 03:42 – 04:48 – Aligning CRM with Operations: Marcel and Henrik stress that CRMs and operational tools should address fundamental business issues, adopting a first-principles approach to technology.
  • 04:49 – 07:04 – Common CRM Problems: Henrik identifies signs of ineffective CRM use, such as Excel dependency, poor adoption, and data inaccuracies, which undermine sales and marketing efforts.
  • 09:18 – 11:24 – CRM Implementation is a Process, Not an Event: CRM implementation requires ongoing adjustments as the business evolves, rather than being treated as a one-time project.
  • 11:25 – 13:16 – Steps for a Successful CRM Setup: Henrik outlines a structured CRM setup approach: align on the problem, document processes, define requirements, design solutions, and implement incrementally.
  • 16:06 – 18:24 – Focus on Simplicity and Quick Wins: Starting with a simplified CRM setup to deliver quick wins builds momentum, avoiding over-engineered systems.
  • 18:25 – 20:42 – Avoiding Operational Complexity: Henrik and Marcel advise against overly complex systems, advocating for implementations aligned with team capabilities.
  • 20:43 – 23:08 – Agile vs. Waterfall in CRM Implementation: Henrik critiques improper Agile usage in CRM projects, recommending clear planning and incremental adjustments over chaotic trial-and-error.
  • 23:09 – 25:13 – Adapting to Change: Successful CRM implementations require regular updates to keep systems relevant and aligned with business evolution.
  • 29:24 – 32:08 – Marcel’s Choice to Build at Scale: Marcel shares his decision to scale Parakeeto, balancing cash flow, risk, and long-term enterprise value.
  • 36:06 – 38:54 – Final Words of Advice: Henrik emphasizes prioritizing processes, accountability, and alignment before choosing or changing a CRM system, as software is secondary to clear operations.

Show Notes

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]]> First Principles Software Implementation In Your Agency, With Henrik Becker Marcel Petitpas 00:37:44 About this Episode Introducing this week’s Agency Profit Podcast, where we dive into the world of operational and CRM systems with the ever-insightful Henrik Becker, founder of RevHops. Henrik’s journey from agency life to coaching and implementing systems like EOS, HubSpot, and Salesforce has given him a unique perspective on what it takes to streamline sales and marketing processes effectively. Together, we break down the biggest mistakes agencies make when implementing technology—like jumping to tools before aligning on processes—and explore how to establish scalable, data-driven systems that truly serve your business. Whether you’re struggling with CRM adoption, data accuracy, or managing change, this episode is packed with practical advice and proven strategies to help you rethink and refine your systems. Tune in to learn how to align technology with your team’s day-to-day reality and drive meaningful results for your agency! About this Episode Introducing this week’s Agency Profit Podcast, where we dive into the world of operational and CRM systems with the ever-insightful Henrik Becker, founder of RevHops. Henrik’s journey from agency life to coaching and implementing systems like EOS, HubSpot, and Salesforce has given him a unique perspective on what it takes to streamline sales and marketing processes effectively. Together, we break down the biggest mistakes agencies make when implementing technology—like jumping to tools before aligning on processes—and explore how to establish scalable, data-driven systems that truly serve your business. Whether you’re struggling with CRM adoption, data accuracy, or managing change, this episode is packed with practical advice and proven strategies to help you rethink and refine your systems. Tune in to learn how to align technology with your team’s day-to-day reality and drive meaningful results for your agency! agency profit podcast, crm implementation, crm for agencies, data accuracy, crm best practices, business processes, henrik becker, sales processes, eos framework, sales and marketing systems, scalable systems, technology for agencies, crm strategy, agency growth, crm systems, hubspot vs salesforce, agency operations, agency coaching, marcel petitpas, salesforce implementation, revhops, marketing processes, crm adoption, data-driven systems, operational efficiency, hubspot implementation false full 165 ce202c7c-6fc9-4095-97f4-d0bd2c6ebe2b From Silos to Synergy: Building an Integrated Approach for Your Agency, With Kristen Kelly Points of Interest
  • 00:52 – 01:17 – Guest Introduction and Episode Overview: Marcel introduces Kristen Kelly, a member of the consulting team, and previews the episode’s focus on agency management trends, particularly on improving profitability and breaking down silos.
  • 02:57 – 05:00 – Challenges with Siloed Agency Models: Kristen explains how siloed operations between sales, delivery, and finance lead to fragmented data, inefficiencies, and breakdowns during planning and execution.
  • 05:00 – 07:30 – Modern Agency Realities and Challenges: Marcel highlights the need for integrated systems due to changing client relationships, dynamic pricing models, and rising economic pressures, which strain traditional agency structures.
  • 07:30 – 10:00 – What Integrated Agency Management Looks Like: Marcel introduces the concept of integrated management, where real-time alignment between sales, delivery, and finance drives profitability and operational efficiency.
  • 12:00 – 14:15 – Common Pitfalls of Over-Reliance on Finance: Kristen and Marcel discuss how relying solely on finance for insights often leads to delays, inaccuracies, and missed opportunities for timely interventions.
  • 16:30 – 19:40 – Starting with a Business Model: Marcel outlines the first step in building an integrated system: creating a dynamic business model that connects capacity, pricing, and operational structure.
  • 22:00 – 25:00 – Introducing the Feedback Loop: Marcel explains the importance of feedback loops that compare planned data to actual outcomes, enabling agencies to pinpoint areas needing improvement.
  • 25:00 – 28:00 – Avoiding the Pitfalls of Bad Data: Marcel discusses the importance of clean, structured data and why agencies often struggle when they attempt tracking without a proper framework.
  • 28:00 – 30:00 – The Three Elements of an Integrated System: Marcel introduces the three critical components of a successful system: accurate data, a deliberate framework, and an actionable process.
  • 30:00 – 32:30 – Implementing Cadences for Data Review: Kristen and Marcel emphasize the need for regular data review cadences tailored to an agency’s operational pace to maintain alignment and agility.
  • 32:30 – 36:00 – Costs of DIY vs. Professional Help: Marcel highlights the opportunity costs and challenges of attempting to build an integrated system internally compared to leveraging expert frameworks.
  • 36:00 – 38:53 – TLDR for 2025 Planning: Marcel summarizes the episode’s main takeaway: transitioning from siloed to integrated systems is crucial for improving agency profitability and operational alignment, starting with a simple business model.

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]]> Wed, 15 Jan 2025 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 00:52 – 01:17 – Guest Introduction and Episode Overview: Marcel introduces Kristen Kelly, a member of the consulting team, and previews the episode’s focus on agency management trends, particularly on improving profitability and breaking down silos.
  • 02:57 – 05:00 – Challenges with Siloed Agency Models: Kristen explains how siloed operations between sales, delivery, and finance lead to fragmented data, inefficiencies, and breakdowns during planning and execution.
  • 05:00 – 07:30 – Modern Agency Realities and Challenges: Marcel highlights the need for integrated systems due to changing client relationships, dynamic pricing models, and rising economic pressures, which strain traditional agency structures.
  • 07:30 – 10:00 – What Integrated Agency Management Looks Like: Marcel introduces the concept of integrated management, where real-time alignment between sales, delivery, and finance drives profitability and operational efficiency.
  • 12:00 – 14:15 – Common Pitfalls of Over-Reliance on Finance: Kristen and Marcel discuss how relying solely on finance for insights often leads to delays, inaccuracies, and missed opportunities for timely interventions.
  • 16:30 – 19:40 – Starting with a Business Model: Marcel outlines the first step in building an integrated system: creating a dynamic business model that connects capacity, pricing, and operational structure.
  • 22:00 – 25:00 – Introducing the Feedback Loop: Marcel explains the importance of feedback loops that compare planned data to actual outcomes, enabling agencies to pinpoint areas needing improvement.
  • 25:00 – 28:00 – Avoiding the Pitfalls of Bad Data: Marcel discusses the importance of clean, structured data and why agencies often struggle when they attempt tracking without a proper framework.
  • 28:00 – 30:00 – The Three Elements of an Integrated System: Marcel introduces the three critical components of a successful system: accurate data, a deliberate framework, and an actionable process.
  • 30:00 – 32:30 – Implementing Cadences for Data Review: Kristen and Marcel emphasize the need for regular data review cadences tailored to an agency’s operational pace to maintain alignment and agility.
  • 32:30 – 36:00 – Costs of DIY vs. Professional Help: Marcel highlights the opportunity costs and challenges of attempting to build an integrated system internally compared to leveraging expert frameworks.
  • 36:00 – 38:53 – TLDR for 2025 Planning: Marcel summarizes the episode’s main takeaway: transitioning from siloed to integrated systems is crucial for improving agency profitability and operational alignment, starting with a simple business model.

Show Notes

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]]> From Silos to Synergy: Building an Integrated Approach for Your Agency, With Kristen Kelly Marcel Petitpas 00:38:09 About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel Petitpas sits down with Kristen Kelly from the consulting team to tackle one of the biggest challenges agencies face today: breaking free from the "siloed agency" mindset. As agencies navigate rapid changes in client demands, pricing models, and workforce dynamics, the traditional, disconnected approach to managing sales, delivery, and finance is falling short. Marcel and Kristen share powerful insights on how to adopt a fully integrated system that drives alignment, improves decision-making, and transforms profitability. From building a dynamic business model to creating smarter forecasts and actionable feedback loops, they lay out a clear path to streamline operations and hit profit goals. Whether you're struggling with planning, data, or cross-functional collaboration, this episode is packed with actionable strategies to set your agency up for success in 2025 and beyond. Don’t miss it! About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel Petitpas sits down with Kristen Kelly from the consulting team to tackle one of the biggest challenges agencies face today: breaking free from the "siloed agency" mindset. As agencies navigate rapid changes in client demands, pricing models, and workforce dynamics, the traditional, disconnected approach to managing sales, delivery, and finance is falling short. Marcel and Kristen share powerful insights on how to adopt a fully integrated system that drives alignment, improves decision-making, and transforms profitability. From building a dynamic business model to creating smarter forecasts and actionable feedback loops, they lay out a clear path to streamline operations and hit profit goals. Whether you're struggling with planning, data, or cross-functional collaboration, this episode is packed with actionable strategies to set your agency up for success in 2025 and beyond. Don’t miss it! capacity planning, agency tools and systems, agency profitability, agency annual planning, average billable rate, agency data systems, project profitability, improving utilization, siloed agency model, agency growth strategies, data-driven decisions, agency management tips, agency operations, agency leadership, modern agency challenges, business forecasting, financial insights for agencies, profitability framework, financial planning for agencies, integrated agency management false full 164 42044723-d963-4896-adea-21c7f67e8c18 Lessons From the Operations Trenches, with Ryan McNamara Points of Interest
  • 00:49 – 01:50 – Introduction to Ryan McNamara: Marcel introduces Ryan McNamara, Head of Operations at Rise at Seven, and highlights his impressive journey from startup founder to agency leader.
  • 01:51 – 03:00 – Building Rise at Seven: Ryan discusses the rapid growth of Rise at Seven, their creative-first, search-driven approach, and their international presence in the UK and US.
  • 04:21 – 05:40 – Defining Operational Leadership: Ryan explains the challenges and responsibilities of operational leadership, emphasizing the importance of understanding finance, team dynamics, and business goals.
  • 08:11 – 09:20 – The Rise of Operations in Agencies: The growing emphasis on operations and finance as key to agency survival is discussed, with insights on how agencies are adapting to a more competitive and demanding market.
  • 10:41 – 12:00 – Leveraging Personal Development Plans: The importance of structured PDPs (Personal Development Plans) and appraisals to help team members see their growth trajectory and contribution to the business is explored.
  • 12:01 – 13:20 – Process vs. Flexibility: Ryan explains the balance between setting processes for consistency and allowing flexibility for creativity and innovation within teams.
  • 13:21 – 14:50 – Managing Team Growth and Churn: The challenge of managing team growth in alignment with business needs while mitigating churn and ensuring cultural fit is unpacked.
  • 17:21 – 18:40 – Balancing Risk and Innovation: The discussion explores how agencies can manage operational risks without stifling creativity, enabling teams to focus on outcomes while maintaining flexibility in their processes.
  • 21:31 – 22:50 – Fostering Team Accountability: Insights are shared on creating systems where every team member understands their role in driving the business forward and how their contributions impact overall performance.
  • 24:01 – 25:30 – The Evolving Role of Operations: The conversation shifts to how operations professionals are becoming pivotal thought leaders, connecting finance, delivery, and team dynamics in modern agencies.
  • 25:31 – 26:50 – Challenges in Standardizing Processes: Ryan discusses the difficulty of standardizing processes in a creative environment, where flexibility is often required to deliver exceptional outcomes.
  • 29:41 – 31:00 – Advice for Aspiring Operators: Ryan offers advice for those stepping into operational roles, encouraging them to focus on outcomes, embrace adaptability, and prioritize team empowerment.

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]]> Wed, 8 Jan 2025 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 00:49 – 01:50 – Introduction to Ryan McNamara: Marcel introduces Ryan McNamara, Head of Operations at Rise at Seven, and highlights his impressive journey from startup founder to agency leader.
  • 01:51 – 03:00 – Building Rise at Seven: Ryan discusses the rapid growth of Rise at Seven, their creative-first, search-driven approach, and their international presence in the UK and US.
  • 04:21 – 05:40 – Defining Operational Leadership: Ryan explains the challenges and responsibilities of operational leadership, emphasizing the importance of understanding finance, team dynamics, and business goals.
  • 08:11 – 09:20 – The Rise of Operations in Agencies: The growing emphasis on operations and finance as key to agency survival is discussed, with insights on how agencies are adapting to a more competitive and demanding market.
  • 10:41 – 12:00 – Leveraging Personal Development Plans: The importance of structured PDPs (Personal Development Plans) and appraisals to help team members see their growth trajectory and contribution to the business is explored.
  • 12:01 – 13:20 – Process vs. Flexibility: Ryan explains the balance between setting processes for consistency and allowing flexibility for creativity and innovation within teams.
  • 13:21 – 14:50 – Managing Team Growth and Churn: The challenge of managing team growth in alignment with business needs while mitigating churn and ensuring cultural fit is unpacked.
  • 17:21 – 18:40 – Balancing Risk and Innovation: The discussion explores how agencies can manage operational risks without stifling creativity, enabling teams to focus on outcomes while maintaining flexibility in their processes.
  • 21:31 – 22:50 – Fostering Team Accountability: Insights are shared on creating systems where every team member understands their role in driving the business forward and how their contributions impact overall performance.
  • 24:01 – 25:30 – The Evolving Role of Operations: The conversation shifts to how operations professionals are becoming pivotal thought leaders, connecting finance, delivery, and team dynamics in modern agencies.
  • 25:31 – 26:50 – Challenges in Standardizing Processes: Ryan discusses the difficulty of standardizing processes in a creative environment, where flexibility is often required to deliver exceptional outcomes.
  • 29:41 – 31:00 – Advice for Aspiring Operators: Ryan offers advice for those stepping into operational roles, encouraging them to focus on outcomes, embrace adaptability, and prioritize team empowerment.

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]]> Lessons From the Operations Trenches, with Ryan McNamara Marcel Petitpas 00:44:49 About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel sits down with Ryan McNamara, an experienced operator and Head of Operations at Rise at Seven, a fast-growing international agency specializing in creative search-first strategies. Ryan shares his journey from launching a startup during the 2008 recession to navigating the complexities of agency life, highlighting the evolving role of operations in today’s competitive landscape. Together, they unpack the growing importance of financial rigor, performance culture, and process efficiency in running successful agencies. Ryan also offers practical insights into creating frameworks that empower teams, balance risk, and foster growth, making this episode a must-listen for agency leaders and operators striving to scale sustainably. About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel sits down with Ryan McNamara, an experienced operator and Head of Operations at Rise at Seven, a fast-growing international agency specializing in creative search-first strategies. Ryan shares his journey from launching a startup during the 2008 recession to navigating the complexities of agency life, highlighting the evolving role of operations in today’s competitive landscape. Together, they unpack the growing importance of financial rigor, performance culture, and process efficiency in running successful agencies. Ryan also offers practical insights into creating frameworks that empower teams, balance risk, and foster growth, making this episode a must-listen for agency leaders and operators striving to scale sustainably. agency profit podcast, creative agencies, agency podcast, agency risk management, managing agency teams, operational leadership, agency finance strategies, agency innovation, rise at seven, financial discipline, agency scaling, scaling creative agencies, revenue recognition, ryan mcnamara, agency growth, team performance, agency operations, agency leadership, creative flexibility, marcel petitpas, modern agency challenges, talent retention, personal development plans, operational efficiency, agency management false full 163 2d42e607-044f-47ba-b7d9-73b4628c6040 The Problem With Benchmarking and What to Do Instead Points of Interest
  • 00:00 – 00:47 – Intro and Gratitude: Marcel thanks listeners and sets up the episode's focus on benchmarking traps and performance evaluation.
  • 00:47 – 01:33 – The Benchmarking Trap: Marcel introduces the risks of relying on external benchmarks instead of understanding your agency’s internal performance model.
  • 01:33 – 02:53 – Rate Benchmarking Limitations: Marcel explains why comparing rates fails to provide meaningful insights, especially with modern pricing models.
  • 02:53 – 05:00 – Flat Fees and Efficiency: He discusses the rise of value-based and project pricing, and how efficiency affects realized rates.
  • 05:00 – 06:08 – Realized Rates vs. Rate Cards: Marcel highlights that listed rates (rate cards) rarely reflect the actual rates agencies earn.
  • 06:08 – 07:29 – The Power of Average Billable Rate: Marcel introduces average billable rate as a more meaningful metric, blending efficiency and pricing insights.
  • 07:29 – 09:30 – Challenges in Measurement: Marcel explains why few firms measure key metrics like average billable rate and the inconsistencies in benchmarking them.
  • 09:30 – 12:26 – Revenue per FTE Caution: He critiques absolute revenue-per-FTE benchmarks, emphasizing cost structure and geography's role in profitability.
  • 12:26 – 14:00 – Look Inward First: Marcel urges agencies to focus inward on their business models instead of seeking external validation.
  • 14:00 – 17:33 – Understanding Your Agency Model: Marcel explains how to map team structure, capacity, and time allocation to determine delivery and utilization ceilings.
  • 17:33 – 19:48 – Budgets and Cost Breakdown: He emphasizes categorizing hard costs into delivery, sales, admin, and facilities to build a clear financial model.
  • 19:48 – 22:44 – Revenue Potential Example: Marcel demonstrates how capacity, utilization rate, and average billable rate determine an agency's revenue potential.
  • 22:44 – 25:00 – Delivery Margin and Overhead Benchmarks: He shares benchmarks for delivery margin (50–60%) and overhead costs (20–30% of AGI) to evaluate profitability.
  • 25:00 – 28:47 – Operating Profit Targets: Marcel outlines healthy operating profit margins (20–30%) and explains how utilization and billable rates interact within a model.
  • 28:47 – 31:00 – Beta Tool for Agencies: Marcel announces Parakeeto’s beta software for modeling agency performance, offering free access for listeners to analyze and improve their businesses.

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]]> Wed, 1 Jan 2025 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 00:00 – 00:47 – Intro and Gratitude: Marcel thanks listeners and sets up the episode's focus on benchmarking traps and performance evaluation.
  • 00:47 – 01:33 – The Benchmarking Trap: Marcel introduces the risks of relying on external benchmarks instead of understanding your agency’s internal performance model.
  • 01:33 – 02:53 – Rate Benchmarking Limitations: Marcel explains why comparing rates fails to provide meaningful insights, especially with modern pricing models.
  • 02:53 – 05:00 – Flat Fees and Efficiency: He discusses the rise of value-based and project pricing, and how efficiency affects realized rates.
  • 05:00 – 06:08 – Realized Rates vs. Rate Cards: Marcel highlights that listed rates (rate cards) rarely reflect the actual rates agencies earn.
  • 06:08 – 07:29 – The Power of Average Billable Rate: Marcel introduces average billable rate as a more meaningful metric, blending efficiency and pricing insights.
  • 07:29 – 09:30 – Challenges in Measurement: Marcel explains why few firms measure key metrics like average billable rate and the inconsistencies in benchmarking them.
  • 09:30 – 12:26 – Revenue per FTE Caution: He critiques absolute revenue-per-FTE benchmarks, emphasizing cost structure and geography's role in profitability.
  • 12:26 – 14:00 – Look Inward First: Marcel urges agencies to focus inward on their business models instead of seeking external validation.
  • 14:00 – 17:33 – Understanding Your Agency Model: Marcel explains how to map team structure, capacity, and time allocation to determine delivery and utilization ceilings.
  • 17:33 – 19:48 – Budgets and Cost Breakdown: He emphasizes categorizing hard costs into delivery, sales, admin, and facilities to build a clear financial model.
  • 19:48 – 22:44 – Revenue Potential Example: Marcel demonstrates how capacity, utilization rate, and average billable rate determine an agency's revenue potential.
  • 22:44 – 25:00 – Delivery Margin and Overhead Benchmarks: He shares benchmarks for delivery margin (50–60%) and overhead costs (20–30% of AGI) to evaluate profitability.
  • 25:00 – 28:47 – Operating Profit Targets: Marcel outlines healthy operating profit margins (20–30%) and explains how utilization and billable rates interact within a model.
  • 28:47 – 31:00 – Beta Tool for Agencies: Marcel announces Parakeeto’s beta software for modeling agency performance, offering free access for listeners to analyze and improve their businesses.

Show Notes

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]]> The Problem With Benchmarking and What to Do Instead Marcel Petitpas 00:32:04 About this Episode In this solo episode, Marcel tackles a big end-of-year question many agency owners face: Are we performing well? While it’s tempting to compare your agency to industry benchmarks like rates or revenue per FTE, Marcel explains why these absolute metrics are often misleading and rarely provide real answers. Instead, he highlights the power of focusing inward—building a clear understanding of your agency’s unique model, its capacity, and key performance drivers like utilization, delivery margins, and profitability. Marcel shares practical steps to map out your agency’s structure, set healthy targets, and measure performance against meaningful benchmarks that reflect your goals—not someone else’s. Plus, he introduces Parakeeto’s new modeling tool (now in beta) to help you simplify the process. If you’re ready to ditch unhelpful comparisons and take control of your agency’s success, this episode will give you the clarity and tools you need to start 2025 strong! About this Episode In this solo episode, Marcel tackles a big end-of-year question many agency owners face: Are we performing well? While it’s tempting to compare your agency to industry benchmarks like rates or revenue per FTE, Marcel explains why these absolute metrics are often misleading and rarely provide real answers. Instead, he highlights the power of focusing inward—building a clear understanding of your agency’s unique model, its capacity, and key performance drivers like utilization, delivery margins, and profitability. Marcel shares practical steps to map out your agency’s structure, set healthy targets, and measure performance against meaningful benchmarks that reflect your goals—not someone else’s. Plus, he introduces Parakeeto’s new modeling tool (now in beta) to help you simplify the process. If you’re ready to ditch unhelpful comparisons and take control of your agency’s success, this episode will give you the clarity and tools you need to start 2025 strong! agency profit margins, agency toolkit, capacity planning, delivery margin, pricing models, agency performance, average billable rate, q4 planning, digital agencies, relative benchmarks, operating profit, overhead costs, revenue potential, creative services, efficiency, agency gross income, project fees, agency model, beta software, value-based pricing, cost structure, benchmarking, rate benchmarking, performance evaluation, profitability metrics, business modeling, utilization rate, revenue per fte, parakeeto, financial benchmarks false full 162 816781cf-21e6-4ed5-961a-bbcd39f16b7e How to Prove Your Impact to Clients, with Chris Taylor Points of Interest
  • 00:47 – 01:38 – Chris’s Background: Chris shares his experience supporting consultants and facilitators in achieving measurable impact.
  • 02:07 – 03:04 – The Challenge of Change Management: Agencies face difficulty educating stakeholders and driving meaningful organizational change.
  • 04:03 – 05:26 – Behavior Change Precedes Results: Chris explains the importance of tracking behavior shifts that lead to KPI improvements.
  • 05:26 – 06:33 – Ambiguity in Brand Strategy: Marcel highlights challenges caused by subjective opinions and delayed results in brand strategy.
  • 08:31 – 09:44 – Three Requirements for Behavior Change: Chris identifies a clear path, motivation, and knowledge as key to driving behavioral change.
  • 13:43 – 15:06 – Chunking Tasks into Smaller Steps: Chris emphasizes reducing ambiguity with small, actionable steps to drive progress.
  • 19:01 – 20:14 – Feedback Loops and Impact Signals: Self-reported change helps measure progress before observable or KPI results emerge.
  • 21:56 – 23:10 – Connecting Daily Actions to Outcomes: Chris stresses clarifying small tasks that contribute to long-term project success.
  • 23:10 – 24:36 – KPIs and Leading Indicators: Identifying relevant KPIs and leading indicators creates measurable goals for success.
  • 26:04 – 27:45 – Aligning on Success Metrics: Chris highlights the importance of aligning with clients on clear success metrics and tracking progress.
  • 27:45 – 29:30 – Behavioral Change Before Visibility: Change begins internally and becomes externally observable over time.
  • 34:36 – 36:00 – Triple Double Framework: Chris introduces a structured approach—double down on strengths, double back on gaps, and double click on new information.

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]]> Wed, 25 Dec 2024 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 00:47 – 01:38 – Chris’s Background: Chris shares his experience supporting consultants and facilitators in achieving measurable impact.
  • 02:07 – 03:04 – The Challenge of Change Management: Agencies face difficulty educating stakeholders and driving meaningful organizational change.
  • 04:03 – 05:26 – Behavior Change Precedes Results: Chris explains the importance of tracking behavior shifts that lead to KPI improvements.
  • 05:26 – 06:33 – Ambiguity in Brand Strategy: Marcel highlights challenges caused by subjective opinions and delayed results in brand strategy.
  • 08:31 – 09:44 – Three Requirements for Behavior Change: Chris identifies a clear path, motivation, and knowledge as key to driving behavioral change.
  • 13:43 – 15:06 – Chunking Tasks into Smaller Steps: Chris emphasizes reducing ambiguity with small, actionable steps to drive progress.
  • 19:01 – 20:14 – Feedback Loops and Impact Signals: Self-reported change helps measure progress before observable or KPI results emerge.
  • 21:56 – 23:10 – Connecting Daily Actions to Outcomes: Chris stresses clarifying small tasks that contribute to long-term project success.
  • 23:10 – 24:36 – KPIs and Leading Indicators: Identifying relevant KPIs and leading indicators creates measurable goals for success.
  • 26:04 – 27:45 – Aligning on Success Metrics: Chris highlights the importance of aligning with clients on clear success metrics and tracking progress.
  • 27:45 – 29:30 – Behavioral Change Before Visibility: Change begins internally and becomes externally observable over time.
  • 34:36 – 36:00 – Triple Double Framework: Chris introduces a structured approach—double down on strengths, double back on gaps, and double click on new information.

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]]> How to Prove Your Impact to Clients, with Chris Taylor Marcel Petitpas 00:35:23 About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel sits down with Chris Taylor, founder of Actionable.co, to explore how agencies and consultants can drive lasting organizational change and prove the impact of their work. Chris shares insights on tackling the "data black hole" that often occurs between delivering a strategy and seeing measurable results, emphasizing the importance of setting clear, incremental actions and feedback loops. He highlights three critical components of successful change: aligning on why the work matters, establishing a clear how for implementation, and defining a step-by-step path to action. The conversation also dives into measuring impact effectively—moving beyond lagging KPIs to capture self-reported and observable changes that offer early signals of success. Packed with actionable tips, this episode provides a roadmap for agencies to move from delivering outputs to ensuring meaningful, measurable outcomes. About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel sits down with Chris Taylor, founder of Actionable.co, to explore how agencies and consultants can drive lasting organizational change and prove the impact of their work. Chris shares insights on tackling the "data black hole" that often occurs between delivering a strategy and seeing measurable results, emphasizing the importance of setting clear, incremental actions and feedback loops. He highlights three critical components of successful change: aligning on why the work matters, establishing a clear how for implementation, and defining a step-by-step path to action. The conversation also dives into measuring impact effectively—moving beyond lagging KPIs to capture self-reported and observable changes that offer early signals of success. Packed with actionable tips, this episode provides a roadmap for agencies to move from delivering outputs to ensuring meaningful, measurable outcomes. organizational change, client feedback, implementation path, agency profit, strategy implementation, behavior metrics, agency success, observable progress, proactive feedback, measurable outcomes, chris taylor, triple double framework, workshops, change management, brand strategy, sustaining change, client engagement, roi for agencies, measurable change, client outcomes, breaking change steps, kpis, leadership development, marcel petitpas, actionable.co, agency challenges, consulting impact, proving impact, behavior change, stakeholder alignment, client buy-in, data black hole false full 161 64b9a26f-de21-4604-9d69-6e43678c2ee5 Preparing Your Agency for 2025: Lessons from 2024 and Future Trends, with Carson Pierce Points of Interest
  • 00:42 – 01:16 – Industry Stats Nerd: Marcel highlights Carson’s expertise in analyzing agency reports and introduces the core topic of navigating the agency world’s "new normal."
  • 03:00 – 04:10 – Financial Challenges in 2024: Carson explains how financial tightening, including cash flow and reserve issues, has become a significant pain point for agencies in the past year.
  • 04:11 – 06:15 – The “New Normal” for Agencies: Discussion about how the agency landscape is stabilizing into a "new normal," marked by consistent challenges and tighter margins.
  • 06:16 – 10:10 – Impact of Market Maturity and Global Trends: Marcel outlines how market maturity, globalization, AI, and freelancing trends are reshaping the competitive environment for agencies.
  • 10:11 – 14:47 – The Metrics that Matter: Marcel and Carson identify the three core levers of agency profitability: cost per hour, utilization, and average billable rate.
  • 14:48 – 18:35 – Improving Average Billable Rate: Marcel shares strategies to increase average billable rates without raising prices, focusing on efficiency, quality, and offering high-value services.
  • 20:50 – 22:38 – Utilizing AI for Operational Efficiency: The conversation shifts to how AI can improve efficiency in content creation, client management, and operational workflows.
  • 22:39 – 27:18 – Effectively Measuring and Managing Utilization: Marcel explains how to measure and use utilization effectively, debunking myths and aligning it with realistic agency models.
  • 27:19 – 35:45 – Internal Specialization and Future-Proofing Agencies: Carson introduces the concept of internal specialization, where agencies focus on high-value tasks while outsourcing lower-margin, high-risk work to specialized partners. A case study of an SEO agency illustrates this model.
  • 24:44 – 26:10 – Balancing Overhead and Delivery Teams: Discussion on the importance of properly modeling agency teams to maintain a balance between delivery capacity and profitability.
  • 34:22 – 35:00 – Importance of Quality Over Quantity in Revenue: Carson and Marcel highlight the value of focusing on high-margin, high-quality work rather than expanding into low-margin offerings.

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]]> Wed, 18 Dec 2024 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 00:42 – 01:16 – Industry Stats Nerd: Marcel highlights Carson’s expertise in analyzing agency reports and introduces the core topic of navigating the agency world’s "new normal."
  • 03:00 – 04:10 – Financial Challenges in 2024: Carson explains how financial tightening, including cash flow and reserve issues, has become a significant pain point for agencies in the past year.
  • 04:11 – 06:15 – The “New Normal” for Agencies: Discussion about how the agency landscape is stabilizing into a "new normal," marked by consistent challenges and tighter margins.
  • 06:16 – 10:10 – Impact of Market Maturity and Global Trends: Marcel outlines how market maturity, globalization, AI, and freelancing trends are reshaping the competitive environment for agencies.
  • 10:11 – 14:47 – The Metrics that Matter: Marcel and Carson identify the three core levers of agency profitability: cost per hour, utilization, and average billable rate.
  • 14:48 – 18:35 – Improving Average Billable Rate: Marcel shares strategies to increase average billable rates without raising prices, focusing on efficiency, quality, and offering high-value services.
  • 20:50 – 22:38 – Utilizing AI for Operational Efficiency: The conversation shifts to how AI can improve efficiency in content creation, client management, and operational workflows.
  • 22:39 – 27:18 – Effectively Measuring and Managing Utilization: Marcel explains how to measure and use utilization effectively, debunking myths and aligning it with realistic agency models.
  • 27:19 – 35:45 – Internal Specialization and Future-Proofing Agencies: Carson introduces the concept of internal specialization, where agencies focus on high-value tasks while outsourcing lower-margin, high-risk work to specialized partners. A case study of an SEO agency illustrates this model.
  • 24:44 – 26:10 – Balancing Overhead and Delivery Teams: Discussion on the importance of properly modeling agency teams to maintain a balance between delivery capacity and profitability.
  • 34:22 – 35:00 – Importance of Quality Over Quantity in Revenue: Carson and Marcel highlight the value of focusing on high-margin, high-quality work rather than expanding into low-margin offerings.

Show Notes

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]]> Preparing Your Agency for 2025: Lessons from 2024 and Future Trends, with Carson Pierce Marcel Petitpas 00:34:19 About this Episode In this episode of The Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel sits down with Carson Pierce, Parakeeto’s lead consultant, to tackle the evolving agency landscape and what 2025 might hold. Together, they dive into the realities of tighter margins, the impact of AI, and the rise of internal specialization as agencies adapt to a "new normal." From cutting costs with smarter operations to optimizing delivery margins and utilization, this conversation is packed with actionable strategies to help you build a resilient, profitable agency. If you’re ready to stop waiting for “better days” and start thriving in today’s market, this episode is your roadmap. About this Episode In this episode of The Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel sits down with Carson Pierce, Parakeeto’s lead consultant, to tackle the evolving agency landscape and what 2025 might hold. Together, they dive into the realities of tighter margins, the impact of AI, and the rise of internal specialization as agencies adapt to a "new normal." From cutting costs with smarter operations to optimizing delivery margins and utilization, this conversation is packed with actionable strategies to help you build a resilient, profitable agency. If you’re ready to stop waiting for “better days” and start thriving in today’s market, this episode is your roadmap. scaling agencies, agency financial health, agency profit podcast, agency profitability, agency specialization, remote work for agencies, agency business model, average billable rate, agency margins, agency growth strategies, agency challenges 2024, ai in agencies, service-based businesses, agency efficiency, agency trends 2025, utilization metrics, agency operations, digital marketing trends, marcel petitpas, carson pierce, agency success tips, agency strategy., future of agencies, agency best practices, offshoring for agencies, parakeeto, agency management false full 160 6f28c781-8a0a-4a33-a49b-f627442aba46 Keys to Becoming a Profitable Creative, with Patrick O'Connell Points of Interest
  • 00:47 – 01:46 – Meet Patrick O’Connell: Marcel introduces Patrick and previews their discussion on building a profitable design or creative services business.
  • 01:46 – 02:41 – Patrick’s Journey to Success: Patrick shares how he transitioned from a nine-to-five to running a design agency, helping clients bring physical products to market while mentoring other designers.
  • 02:41 – 03:44 – The Chocolate and Broccoli Approach: Marcel and Patrick discuss the balance between delivering what clients want (chocolate) and the deeper strategies they need (broccoli).
  • 03:44 – 07:07 – Two Key Challenges for Creatives: Patrick outlines common struggles—spending too much time on craft over strategy and not understanding the math behind profitability.
  • 07:07 – 10:10 – Selling Outcomes, Not Features: Patrick explains the importance of focusing on the value of transformations for clients instead of relying on accolades, experience, or features to justify pricing.
  • 10:10 – 12:01 – Positioning for Success: The conversation shifts to the importance of starting with the client’s desired outcome and framing your services to match that need.
  • 12:01 – 14:34 – Value Pricing Done Right: Patrick emphasizes that charging based on value requires understanding the percentage of responsibility you’re taking for the client’s desired results.
  • 14:34 – 19:00 – Efficiency in Service Delivery: Patrick explains how focusing on reducing unnecessary steps in your processes leads to more profit and faster client results.
  • 19:00 – 21:31 – Solo vs. Team Business Models: Marcel and Patrick discuss the trade-offs between staying a solo consultant and scaling a team, emphasizing that the right choice depends on personal goals.
  • 21:31 – 25:55 – The Importance of Gross Margins: They dive into delivery margin basics, discussing the importance of average billable rates, efficiency, and cost control in scaling profits.
  • 25:55 – 33:54 – Creating Leverage with IP and Consulting: Patrick highlights how adding intellectual property or advisory components to your services can drastically increase value without adding significant cost.
  • 33:54 – 40:06 – Balancing Lifestyle and Growth: Patrick shares his personal experience of scaling down from a large team to a lean model to achieve more creative freedom and work-life balance.
  • 40:06 – 52:44 – Building Your Ideal Business: The episode closes with actionable advice on defining your ideal lifestyle and designing a business model that aligns with it, whether that’s staying solo or scaling strategically.

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]]> Wed, 11 Dec 2024 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 00:47 – 01:46 – Meet Patrick O’Connell: Marcel introduces Patrick and previews their discussion on building a profitable design or creative services business.
  • 01:46 – 02:41 – Patrick’s Journey to Success: Patrick shares how he transitioned from a nine-to-five to running a design agency, helping clients bring physical products to market while mentoring other designers.
  • 02:41 – 03:44 – The Chocolate and Broccoli Approach: Marcel and Patrick discuss the balance between delivering what clients want (chocolate) and the deeper strategies they need (broccoli).
  • 03:44 – 07:07 – Two Key Challenges for Creatives: Patrick outlines common struggles—spending too much time on craft over strategy and not understanding the math behind profitability.
  • 07:07 – 10:10 – Selling Outcomes, Not Features: Patrick explains the importance of focusing on the value of transformations for clients instead of relying on accolades, experience, or features to justify pricing.
  • 10:10 – 12:01 – Positioning for Success: The conversation shifts to the importance of starting with the client’s desired outcome and framing your services to match that need.
  • 12:01 – 14:34 – Value Pricing Done Right: Patrick emphasizes that charging based on value requires understanding the percentage of responsibility you’re taking for the client’s desired results.
  • 14:34 – 19:00 – Efficiency in Service Delivery: Patrick explains how focusing on reducing unnecessary steps in your processes leads to more profit and faster client results.
  • 19:00 – 21:31 – Solo vs. Team Business Models: Marcel and Patrick discuss the trade-offs between staying a solo consultant and scaling a team, emphasizing that the right choice depends on personal goals.
  • 21:31 – 25:55 – The Importance of Gross Margins: They dive into delivery margin basics, discussing the importance of average billable rates, efficiency, and cost control in scaling profits.
  • 25:55 – 33:54 – Creating Leverage with IP and Consulting: Patrick highlights how adding intellectual property or advisory components to your services can drastically increase value without adding significant cost.
  • 33:54 – 40:06 – Balancing Lifestyle and Growth: Patrick shares his personal experience of scaling down from a large team to a lean model to achieve more creative freedom and work-life balance.
  • 40:06 – 52:44 – Building Your Ideal Business: The episode closes with actionable advice on defining your ideal lifestyle and designing a business model that aligns with it, whether that’s staying solo or scaling strategically.

Show Notes

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]]> Keys to Becoming a Profitable Creative, with Patrick O'Connell Marcel Petitpas 00:52:58 About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel dives into a rich conversation with Patrick O’Connell, aka The Profitable Designer. Together, they explore what it truly takes to build a profitable design or creative services business. Patrick shares insights from his journey running a design agency in Australia and helping hundreds of design business owners refine their operations. They chat about how to move past the common creative trap of equating hard work with value and instead focus on outcomes that truly matter to clients. From practical tips on pricing your services to rethinking your processes for efficiency, they break down how to create a business model that works for you—whether that means scaling a team or staying lean and profitable. This episode is perfect for anyone trying to balance creativity with running a business that actually pays off. About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel dives into a rich conversation with Patrick O’Connell, aka The Profitable Designer. Together, they explore what it truly takes to build a profitable design or creative services business. Patrick shares insights from his journey running a design agency in Australia and helping hundreds of design business owners refine their operations. They chat about how to move past the common creative trap of equating hard work with value and instead focus on outcomes that truly matter to clients. From practical tips on pricing your services to rethinking your processes for efficiency, they break down how to create a business model that works for you—whether that means scaling a team or staying lean and profitable. This episode is perfect for anyone trying to balance creativity with running a business that actually pays off. false full 159 3edf6b51-889b-4f32-ae53-fad49f8bdcc5 Why Managing Ops Data is so Damn Hard... , With Kristen Kelly Points of Interest
  • 00:01 – 00:43 – Welcome and Introduction: Marcel introduces Kristen Kelly, Parakeeto's newest team member, highlighting her quick ramp-up and prior involvement with the company.
  • 00:44 – 01:40 – Kristen's Background: Kristen shares her 20 years of agency experience, spanning six agencies, with a focus on account/project management and operations.
  • 01:41 – 02:50 – The Role of Operations: Kristen reflects on falling in love with operations at a startup agency, emphasizing its analytical and leadership demands.
  • 02:51 – 03:48 – Challenges of Operations: Marcel describes the ambiguous and multifaceted nature of operations roles, with operators often stepping in to resolve the business's weak areas.
  • 03:49 – 05:07 – The Complexity of Data Integration: Marcel explains how operators are often tasked with merging financial, operational, and new business data into a cohesive system, highlighting its challenges.
  • 05:08 – 06:50 – Leadership Misconceptions: Kristen discusses the disconnect between leadership's expectations of seamless reporting and the reality of fragmented systems and messy data.
  • 06:51 – 09:05 – The Fallacy of Perfect Automation: Marcel outlines the unrealistic expectations of fully automated reporting systems and the need for human oversight in data management.
  • 09:06 – 11:45 – Interconnected Metrics: Marcel explores the challenges of creating accurate and consistent metrics like utilization, requiring alignment across various systems.
  • 11:46 – 13:12 – The Realities of Data Pipelines: Marcel highlights the need for structured data pipelines and dedicated resources, drawing parallels to enterprise-level operations.
  • 13:13 – 15:01 – The Role of Finance: The discussion shifts to the differing scopes of tax accounting, financial reporting, and management accounting, emphasizing the latter’s importance for decision-making.
  • 15:02 – 18:52 – Aligning Cadences and Processes: Kristen and Marcel address how agencies can harmonize data reporting cadences with operational and leadership rhythms for better insights.
  • 18:53 – 25:04 – Lessons from Kristen’s Journey: Kristen reflects on her previous challenges in tackling operations without external support, estimating the significant costs of trial-and-error approaches.
  • 25:05 – 35:40 – The Parakeeto Framework: The episode concludes with a deep dive into Parakeeto's three-pronged framework—data, metrics, and processes—and its ability to simplify and enhance agency operations.

Show Notes

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]]> Wed, 4 Dec 2024 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 00:01 – 00:43 – Welcome and Introduction: Marcel introduces Kristen Kelly, Parakeeto's newest team member, highlighting her quick ramp-up and prior involvement with the company.
  • 00:44 – 01:40 – Kristen's Background: Kristen shares her 20 years of agency experience, spanning six agencies, with a focus on account/project management and operations.
  • 01:41 – 02:50 – The Role of Operations: Kristen reflects on falling in love with operations at a startup agency, emphasizing its analytical and leadership demands.
  • 02:51 – 03:48 – Challenges of Operations: Marcel describes the ambiguous and multifaceted nature of operations roles, with operators often stepping in to resolve the business's weak areas.
  • 03:49 – 05:07 – The Complexity of Data Integration: Marcel explains how operators are often tasked with merging financial, operational, and new business data into a cohesive system, highlighting its challenges.
  • 05:08 – 06:50 – Leadership Misconceptions: Kristen discusses the disconnect between leadership's expectations of seamless reporting and the reality of fragmented systems and messy data.
  • 06:51 – 09:05 – The Fallacy of Perfect Automation: Marcel outlines the unrealistic expectations of fully automated reporting systems and the need for human oversight in data management.
  • 09:06 – 11:45 – Interconnected Metrics: Marcel explores the challenges of creating accurate and consistent metrics like utilization, requiring alignment across various systems.
  • 11:46 – 13:12 – The Realities of Data Pipelines: Marcel highlights the need for structured data pipelines and dedicated resources, drawing parallels to enterprise-level operations.
  • 13:13 – 15:01 – The Role of Finance: The discussion shifts to the differing scopes of tax accounting, financial reporting, and management accounting, emphasizing the latter’s importance for decision-making.
  • 15:02 – 18:52 – Aligning Cadences and Processes: Kristen and Marcel address how agencies can harmonize data reporting cadences with operational and leadership rhythms for better insights.
  • 18:53 – 25:04 – Lessons from Kristen’s Journey: Kristen reflects on her previous challenges in tackling operations without external support, estimating the significant costs of trial-and-error approaches.
  • 25:05 – 35:40 – The Parakeeto Framework: The episode concludes with a deep dive into Parakeeto's three-pronged framework—data, metrics, and processes—and its ability to simplify and enhance agency operations.

Show Notes

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Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

]]> Why Managing Ops Data is so Damn Hard... , With Kristen Kelly Marcel Petitpas 00:35:41 In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel introduces Kristen Kelly, the newest addition to the Parakeeto team. Kristen shares her 20 years of agency experience, particularly in account and project management, culminating in her recent passion for operations as a Director of Operations at a startup agency. Together, Marcel and Kristen unpack the nuanced challenges of operational roles in agencies, emphasizing the complexity of aligning data, frameworks, and processes to create actionable insights. They discuss the pitfalls of trying to piece together metrics like utilization and average billable rate without proper systems and the cost of doing so without expert guidance—both in lost profitability and wasted resources. Kristen reflects on her journey of trial and error, noting how Parakeeto’s simplified yet robust framework could have saved her team significant time and money. The episode serves as a guide for operators grappling with agency data challenges, offering practical advice on bridging the gaps between finance, operations, and leadership for better decision-making. In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel introduces Kristen Kelly, the newest addition to the Parakeeto team. Kristen shares her 20 years of agency experience, particularly in account and project management, culminating in her recent passion for operations as a Director of Operations at a startup agency. Together, Marcel and Kristen unpack the nuanced challenges of operational roles in agencies, emphasizing the complexity of aligning data, frameworks, and processes to create actionable insights. They discuss the pitfalls of trying to piece together metrics like utilization and average billable rate without proper systems and the cost of doing so without expert guidance—both in lost profitability and wasted resources. Kristen reflects on her journey of trial and error, noting how Parakeeto’s simplified yet robust framework could have saved her team significant time and money. The episode serves as a guide for operators grappling with agency data challenges, offering practical advice on bridging the gaps between finance, operations, and leadership for better decision-making. false full 158 e9440e4e-1850-4b54-b716-176c6b3375c7 The Future of Agency Positioning, with Chris DuBois Points of Interest
  • 02:02 – 02:20 – The Prism Model: Chris introduces his "Prism Model," a framework for evaluating if a problem is worth solving. The model focuses on identifying problems that are painful, recurring, impactful, solvable, and marketable, helping agencies vet business ideas and align their offerings with market needs.
  • 05:21 – 05:40 – Service Saturation: Chris discusses the dangers of service saturation, where agencies compete on price and deliverables instead of outcomes, often leading to commoditization and reduced profitability.
  • 09:32 – 09:50 – Niching Down with a Purpose: Marcel and Chris explore the common mistake agencies make when niching based on services or verticals, emphasizing the importance of centering on a specific problem and solution for positioning success.
  • 14:35 – 14:55 – Point of View Rants: Chris highlights a simple but effective exercise to identify an agency’s unique point of view—by encouraging founders to rant about industry problems and extract their core beliefs and perspectives.
  • 22:03 – 22:20 – Four Times MVP: Marcel shares his "Four Times MVP" framework, emphasizing the need to address a problem, develop a point of view, refine a process, and then build a product, to create scalable, impactful agency solutions.
  • 29:38 – 29:55 – Efficiency vs. Innovation Spectrum: Chris explains the "Efficiency-Innovation Continuum," where agencies balance streamlined processes and innovative experimentation, deciding where to focus resources based on their goals and growth stage.
  • 35:44 – 36:02 – Internal Specialization: Marcel highlights the importance of internal specialization for agencies, emphasizing the benefits of focusing on core strengths while partnering with other experts to deliver comprehensive solutions.
  • 41:59 – 42:20 – Monetizing Churn: Marcel shares an example of an agency that monetized client churn by maintaining revenue streams through partnerships, turning what is typically seen as a loss into an ongoing profit center.
  • 43:01 – 43:11 – Closing Insights: Chris emphasizes the importance of building partnerships and leveraging them to strengthen agency offerings while staying focused on core strengths, creating a sustainable model for growth and profitability.

Show Notes

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Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

]]> Wed, 27 Nov 2024 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 02:02 – 02:20 – The Prism Model: Chris introduces his "Prism Model," a framework for evaluating if a problem is worth solving. The model focuses on identifying problems that are painful, recurring, impactful, solvable, and marketable, helping agencies vet business ideas and align their offerings with market needs.
  • 05:21 – 05:40 – Service Saturation: Chris discusses the dangers of service saturation, where agencies compete on price and deliverables instead of outcomes, often leading to commoditization and reduced profitability.
  • 09:32 – 09:50 – Niching Down with a Purpose: Marcel and Chris explore the common mistake agencies make when niching based on services or verticals, emphasizing the importance of centering on a specific problem and solution for positioning success.
  • 14:35 – 14:55 – Point of View Rants: Chris highlights a simple but effective exercise to identify an agency’s unique point of view—by encouraging founders to rant about industry problems and extract their core beliefs and perspectives.
  • 22:03 – 22:20 – Four Times MVP: Marcel shares his "Four Times MVP" framework, emphasizing the need to address a problem, develop a point of view, refine a process, and then build a product, to create scalable, impactful agency solutions.
  • 29:38 – 29:55 – Efficiency vs. Innovation Spectrum: Chris explains the "Efficiency-Innovation Continuum," where agencies balance streamlined processes and innovative experimentation, deciding where to focus resources based on their goals and growth stage.
  • 35:44 – 36:02 – Internal Specialization: Marcel highlights the importance of internal specialization for agencies, emphasizing the benefits of focusing on core strengths while partnering with other experts to deliver comprehensive solutions.
  • 41:59 – 42:20 – Monetizing Churn: Marcel shares an example of an agency that monetized client churn by maintaining revenue streams through partnerships, turning what is typically seen as a loss into an ongoing profit center.
  • 43:01 – 43:11 – Closing Insights: Chris emphasizes the importance of building partnerships and leveraging them to strengthen agency offerings while staying focused on core strengths, creating a sustainable model for growth and profitability.

Show Notes

Love the Podcast

Leave us a review here.


Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

]]> The Future of Agency Positioning, with Chris DuBois Marcel Petitpas 00:43:48 About This Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel Petitpas sits down with Chris DuBois, a former agency executive turned coach, who’s redefining how agencies approach growth and positioning. Together, they unpack why traditional service-based niching often leads to “service saturation” and explore a game-changing shift toward problem-focused positioning. Chris shares his Dynamic Agency OS framework and the power of honing in on a single audience, problem, and solution to build scalable, efficient, and profitable processes. They also dive into the rising importance of agency partnerships, the future of specialization, and how focusing on quality over quantity of revenue can accelerate growth. Whether you're looking to refine your positioning, boost profitability, or stay ahead of industry trends, this conversation is packed with insights, practical strategies, and plenty of laughs. Tune in to learn how to unlock your agency’s full potential! About This Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel Petitpas sits down with Chris DuBois, a former agency executive turned coach, who’s redefining how agencies approach growth and positioning. Together, they unpack why traditional service-based niching often leads to “service saturation” and explore a game-changing shift toward problem-focused positioning. Chris shares his Dynamic Agency OS framework and the power of honing in on a single audience, problem, and solution to build scalable, efficient, and profitable processes. They also dive into the rising importance of agency partnerships, the future of specialization, and how focusing on quality over quantity of revenue can accelerate growth. Whether you're looking to refine your positioning, boost profitability, or stay ahead of industry trends, this conversation is packed with insights, practical strategies, and plenty of laughs. Tune in to learn how to unlock your agency’s full potential! false full 157 695feea1-1292-4d11-905b-b655cd214745 Why You're Failing at Profitability Reporting Points of Interest
  • 00:01 – 01:00 – Introduction to Data Systems: Marcel introduces the episode’s focus on designing data systems that empower agencies and businesses to make data-driven decisions with clarity and alignment.
  • 01:00 – 02:30 – Why Agencies Struggle with Data: Marcel explains why many agencies face challenges in getting value from their data, often due to incorrect frameworks and a lack of process around data management.
  • 03:00 – 04:20 – The Pendulum of Tools: Marcel discusses how agencies often swing between using specialized tools and all-in-one platforms, creating unnecessary change management that doesn’t solve core data issues.
  • 05:00 – 06:15 – Outdated Billing Models in Agency Systems: Marcel explains how traditional agency frameworks assume time-and-materials billing, which isn’t suitable for many agencies today that use retainer or project-based models.
  • 07:30 – 08:45 – Misconception: Data Problems are Tool Problems: Marcel describes how agencies mistakenly frame data issues as tool problems, leading to constant tool changes without solving underlying issues.
  • 09:15 – 10:45 – Introduction to the Core Framework: Marcel introduces the three key elements for a high-functioning data system: data, framework, and process, with each playing a unique role in creating reliable insights.
  • 11:30 – 12:45 – The Four Essential Data Sets: Marcel explains the four critical types of data needed: finance, people, projects, and time, and why these are fundamental to any data system.
  • 13:00 – 14:30 – Framework: Metrics, Formulas, and Relationships: Marcel breaks down the importance of a clear framework to define which metrics to track, their formulas, and how they relate to each other and the business.
  • 15:30 – 17:00 – Challenges with Data Hygiene and Consistency: Marcel highlights the need for a process to maintain clean data and handle changes in structure, such as renaming teams or changing project codes.
  • 17:15 – 18:45 – Importance of Change Management in Data Systems: Marcel emphasizes that change within the business, like adding new services or tools, can disrupt data systems, requiring adaptable frameworks.
  • 19:30 – 21:00 – Realistic Expectations for Automation: Marcel cautions against fully automated data reporting, explaining that human oversight is essential for data hygiene and quality, even with AI assistance.
  • 22:00 – 23:45 – Cadences for Accurate Reporting: Marcel discusses the need for regular cadences, such as weekly time tracking, to ensure data accuracy and completeness before analysis.
  • 24:00 – 25:45 – How Parakeeto Helps Agencies with Data Management: Marcel concludes by inviting agencies to reach out if they need support with data frameworks and processes, emphasizing that Parakeeto’s approach can save agencies time and improve profitability.

Show Notes

Connect with Marcel:

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]]> Wed, 20 Nov 2024 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 00:01 – 01:00 – Introduction to Data Systems: Marcel introduces the episode’s focus on designing data systems that empower agencies and businesses to make data-driven decisions with clarity and alignment.
  • 01:00 – 02:30 – Why Agencies Struggle with Data: Marcel explains why many agencies face challenges in getting value from their data, often due to incorrect frameworks and a lack of process around data management.
  • 03:00 – 04:20 – The Pendulum of Tools: Marcel discusses how agencies often swing between using specialized tools and all-in-one platforms, creating unnecessary change management that doesn’t solve core data issues.
  • 05:00 – 06:15 – Outdated Billing Models in Agency Systems: Marcel explains how traditional agency frameworks assume time-and-materials billing, which isn’t suitable for many agencies today that use retainer or project-based models.
  • 07:30 – 08:45 – Misconception: Data Problems are Tool Problems: Marcel describes how agencies mistakenly frame data issues as tool problems, leading to constant tool changes without solving underlying issues.
  • 09:15 – 10:45 – Introduction to the Core Framework: Marcel introduces the three key elements for a high-functioning data system: data, framework, and process, with each playing a unique role in creating reliable insights.
  • 11:30 – 12:45 – The Four Essential Data Sets: Marcel explains the four critical types of data needed: finance, people, projects, and time, and why these are fundamental to any data system.
  • 13:00 – 14:30 – Framework: Metrics, Formulas, and Relationships: Marcel breaks down the importance of a clear framework to define which metrics to track, their formulas, and how they relate to each other and the business.
  • 15:30 – 17:00 – Challenges with Data Hygiene and Consistency: Marcel highlights the need for a process to maintain clean data and handle changes in structure, such as renaming teams or changing project codes.
  • 17:15 – 18:45 – Importance of Change Management in Data Systems: Marcel emphasizes that change within the business, like adding new services or tools, can disrupt data systems, requiring adaptable frameworks.
  • 19:30 – 21:00 – Realistic Expectations for Automation: Marcel cautions against fully automated data reporting, explaining that human oversight is essential for data hygiene and quality, even with AI assistance.
  • 22:00 – 23:45 – Cadences for Accurate Reporting: Marcel discusses the need for regular cadences, such as weekly time tracking, to ensure data accuracy and completeness before analysis.
  • 24:00 – 25:45 – How Parakeeto Helps Agencies with Data Management: Marcel concludes by inviting agencies to reach out if they need support with data frameworks and processes, emphasizing that Parakeeto’s approach can save agencies time and improve profitability.

Show Notes

Connect with Marcel:

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]]> Why You're Failing at Profitability Reporting Marcel Petitpas 00:24:27 About this Episode In this solo episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel dives deep into the essential principles of designing effective data systems for agencies. Drawing on six years of experience and hundreds of agency collaborations, Marcel unpacks why so many companies struggle to get value from their data. He explores the key elements of building a sustainable data framework, explains common pitfalls of treating data management as a “tools problem,” and challenges some assumptions that might be holding your agency back. By breaking down the three pillars of successful data systems—data, framework, and process—Marcel offers actionable insights that will help you get the most out of your data and make it work for your agency’s unique needs. About this Episode In this solo episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel dives deep into the essential principles of designing effective data systems for agencies. Drawing on six years of experience and hundreds of agency collaborations, Marcel unpacks why so many companies struggle to get value from their data. He explores the key elements of building a sustainable data framework, explains common pitfalls of treating data management as a “tools problem,” and challenges some assumptions that might be holding your agency back. By breaking down the three pillars of successful data systems—data, framework, and process—Marcel offers actionable insights that will help you get the most out of your data and make it work for your agency’s unique needs. false full 156 f53dad19-f0de-417f-8232-a67d3b803ba6 How to Use Narrative Psychology in Service Design, With Kristian Aloma Points of Interest
  • 00:01 – 00:42 – Introduction to Guest: Marcel introduces Dr. Kristian Alomá, PhD, an expert in narrative psychology and author of Start With the Story, to discuss the power of storytelling in agency service design.
  • 00:48 – 01:14 – Background on Narrative Design: Kristian introduces his agency, Threadline, and explains narrative design as applying storytelling principles to branding, marketing, and business strategy.
  • 01:52 – 02:18 – What is Narrative Psychology? Kristian describes narrative psychology as the study of how people make sense of experiences through storytelling, emphasizing its importance in understanding client relationships.
  • 03:10 – 04:20 – Power of Storytelling: Marcel and Kristian discuss how storytelling resonates with both logical and emotional thinking, making it a powerful tool in sales and brand connection.
  • 05:38 – 06:30 – Changing Agency Landscape: Kristian explains how agency success has shifted from mere service delivery to forming meaningful client relationships that support brand values and identity.
  • 08:27 – 09:30 – Beyond Behavioral Marketing: Kristian discusses moving from a behavior-driven marketing approach to one focused on narratives that align with both client goals and agency values.
  • 10:23 – 11:33 – Client Relationships Across Career Stages: Kristian highlights the importance of adapting agency services to fit the evolving needs of clients as they grow from entry-level to executive roles.
  • 11:47 – 12:40 – Differentiation in a Specialized Market: Marcel and Kristian talk about how understanding clients’ unique stories allows agencies to differentiate in an increasingly specialized market.
  • 15:08 – 16:15 – Hero’s Paradox: Kristian explains the concept of the “hero’s paradox,” where placing the client as the hero ultimately strengthens the agency's role as a trusted partner.
  • 18:50 – 19:18 – Identifying Client Struggles: Marcel asks Kristian for tactical advice on understanding client struggles, which Kristian breaks down through his STORY framework.
  • 19:17 – 20:25 – Introduction to the STORY Framework: Kristian outlines his framework: Struggle, Tools, Objectives, Rewards, and Yearning (STORY), as a guide to designing client-centered services.
  • 23:29 – 24:45 – The Importance of Understanding Struggles: Marcel and Kristian discuss the importance of going beyond surface-level problems to truly understand a client’s struggle for deeper impact.
  • 27:39 – 28:32 – Focusing on Individual Challenges: Kristian emphasizes the need to view client challenges from the individual’s perspective within the organization, making service solutions more impactful and personalized.

Show Notes

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]]> Wed, 13 Nov 2024 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 00:01 – 00:42 – Introduction to Guest: Marcel introduces Dr. Kristian Alomá, PhD, an expert in narrative psychology and author of Start With the Story, to discuss the power of storytelling in agency service design.
  • 00:48 – 01:14 – Background on Narrative Design: Kristian introduces his agency, Threadline, and explains narrative design as applying storytelling principles to branding, marketing, and business strategy.
  • 01:52 – 02:18 – What is Narrative Psychology? Kristian describes narrative psychology as the study of how people make sense of experiences through storytelling, emphasizing its importance in understanding client relationships.
  • 03:10 – 04:20 – Power of Storytelling: Marcel and Kristian discuss how storytelling resonates with both logical and emotional thinking, making it a powerful tool in sales and brand connection.
  • 05:38 – 06:30 – Changing Agency Landscape: Kristian explains how agency success has shifted from mere service delivery to forming meaningful client relationships that support brand values and identity.
  • 08:27 – 09:30 – Beyond Behavioral Marketing: Kristian discusses moving from a behavior-driven marketing approach to one focused on narratives that align with both client goals and agency values.
  • 10:23 – 11:33 – Client Relationships Across Career Stages: Kristian highlights the importance of adapting agency services to fit the evolving needs of clients as they grow from entry-level to executive roles.
  • 11:47 – 12:40 – Differentiation in a Specialized Market: Marcel and Kristian talk about how understanding clients’ unique stories allows agencies to differentiate in an increasingly specialized market.
  • 15:08 – 16:15 – Hero’s Paradox: Kristian explains the concept of the “hero’s paradox,” where placing the client as the hero ultimately strengthens the agency's role as a trusted partner.
  • 18:50 – 19:18 – Identifying Client Struggles: Marcel asks Kristian for tactical advice on understanding client struggles, which Kristian breaks down through his STORY framework.
  • 19:17 – 20:25 – Introduction to the STORY Framework: Kristian outlines his framework: Struggle, Tools, Objectives, Rewards, and Yearning (STORY), as a guide to designing client-centered services.
  • 23:29 – 24:45 – The Importance of Understanding Struggles: Marcel and Kristian discuss the importance of going beyond surface-level problems to truly understand a client’s struggle for deeper impact.
  • 27:39 – 28:32 – Focusing on Individual Challenges: Kristian emphasizes the need to view client challenges from the individual’s perspective within the organization, making service solutions more impactful and personalized.

Show Notes

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]]> How to Use Narrative Psychology in Service Design, With Kristian Aloma Marcel Petitpas 00:35:35 In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel sits down with Dr. Kristian Alomá, PhD, a narrative design expert and author of Start with the Story. Together, they dive deep into how psychology and storytelling play pivotal roles in shaping effective agency services that stay aligned with client needs and shifting market demands. Kristian explains the impact of narrative psychology in understanding customer behavior, making the case that services aren’t just about solving immediate problems but creating long-term value by fitting seamlessly into clients’ broader stories. As the discussion unfolds, listeners gain actionable insights on how to design services around real client struggles, making them the "hero" of their own narratives, and fostering meaningful relationships that go beyond transactions. For agency leaders eager to deepen client connections, boost relevance, and differentiate in an increasingly competitive field, this episode is packed with fresh perspectives and practical steps. In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel sits down with Dr. Kristian Alomá, PhD, a narrative design expert and author of Start with the Story. Together, they dive deep into how psychology and storytelling play pivotal roles in shaping effective agency services that stay aligned with client needs and shifting market demands. Kristian explains the impact of narrative psychology in understanding customer behavior, making the case that services aren’t just about solving immediate problems but creating long-term value by fitting seamlessly into clients’ broader stories. As the discussion unfolds, listeners gain actionable insights on how to design services around real client struggles, making them the "hero" of their own narratives, and fostering meaningful relationships that go beyond transactions. For agency leaders eager to deepen client connections, boost relevance, and differentiate in an increasingly competitive field, this episode is packed with fresh perspectives and practical steps. false full 155 156f13ef-e979-469d-af54-64fa980a4a8b 20 Years of Agency Wisdom: Insights for Maximizing Client Success, with Carson Pierce Points of Interest
  • 00:01 – 00:41 – Introduction: Marcel kicks off the episode with excitement, announcing the podcast's new weekly schedule, alternating between general content and Parakeeto-focused episodes.
  • 00:42 – 01:27 – Introducing Carson Pierce: Marcel introduces Carson Pierce, Parakeeto’s head consultant, with over two decades of experience in the agency world, emphasizing his popularity and unique career journey.
  • 02:02 – 03:00 – Carson’s Background: Carson shares his unconventional path, starting as a daycare owner before transitioning into agency work, becoming a developer, and eventually leading in project management.
  • 06:21 – 07:03 – Struggles in Resourcing: Carson recounts the challenges of resource management early in his career, highlighting the stress and inefficiency caused by a lack of data visibility.
  • 08:56 – 09:58 – Importance of Data: Marcel and Carson discuss how agencies often track data but don’t know how to leverage it, focusing on the need for clarity in profitability and efficiency.
  • 10:45 – 11:47 – Precision vs. Accuracy: They highlight the common mistake of focusing too much on precision in data, leading to inefficiencies, when accuracy at a higher level is more effective for decision-making.
  • 13:38 – 14:20 – Utilization Misuse: Carson shares how the misuse of utilization metrics at the individual level can create unnecessary pressure and mislead the team about actual workload.
  • 18:54 – 19:34 – The Importance of a Framework: Marcel emphasizes how having a structured operational framework can help agencies align their metrics and make data-driven decisions to drive profitability.
  • 23:01 – 23:47 – Pricing Myths: Marcel discusses how agencies often believe pricing is their main issue when, in reality, operational inefficiencies and over-servicing are often the real problems.
  • 28:23 – 28:53 – Estimating Challenges: Carson shares that while agencies may be good at planning profitable projects on paper, the execution often falls short due to poor estimating and scoping.
  • 35:17 – 36:30 – Looking Ahead to 2025: Carson expresses optimism for 2025, noting that agencies that learned efficiency during the lean times will be better positioned for profitability in the coming years.
  • 37:25 – 38:11 – Conclusion: Marcel and Carson wrap up the episode, inviting listeners to connect with Carson and Parakeeto for more insights on optimizing agency operations and profitability.

Show Notes

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]]> Wed, 6 Nov 2024 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 00:01 – 00:41 – Introduction: Marcel kicks off the episode with excitement, announcing the podcast's new weekly schedule, alternating between general content and Parakeeto-focused episodes.
  • 00:42 – 01:27 – Introducing Carson Pierce: Marcel introduces Carson Pierce, Parakeeto’s head consultant, with over two decades of experience in the agency world, emphasizing his popularity and unique career journey.
  • 02:02 – 03:00 – Carson’s Background: Carson shares his unconventional path, starting as a daycare owner before transitioning into agency work, becoming a developer, and eventually leading in project management.
  • 06:21 – 07:03 – Struggles in Resourcing: Carson recounts the challenges of resource management early in his career, highlighting the stress and inefficiency caused by a lack of data visibility.
  • 08:56 – 09:58 – Importance of Data: Marcel and Carson discuss how agencies often track data but don’t know how to leverage it, focusing on the need for clarity in profitability and efficiency.
  • 10:45 – 11:47 – Precision vs. Accuracy: They highlight the common mistake of focusing too much on precision in data, leading to inefficiencies, when accuracy at a higher level is more effective for decision-making.
  • 13:38 – 14:20 – Utilization Misuse: Carson shares how the misuse of utilization metrics at the individual level can create unnecessary pressure and mislead the team about actual workload.
  • 18:54 – 19:34 – The Importance of a Framework: Marcel emphasizes how having a structured operational framework can help agencies align their metrics and make data-driven decisions to drive profitability.
  • 23:01 – 23:47 – Pricing Myths: Marcel discusses how agencies often believe pricing is their main issue when, in reality, operational inefficiencies and over-servicing are often the real problems.
  • 28:23 – 28:53 – Estimating Challenges: Carson shares that while agencies may be good at planning profitable projects on paper, the execution often falls short due to poor estimating and scoping.
  • 35:17 – 36:30 – Looking Ahead to 2025: Carson expresses optimism for 2025, noting that agencies that learned efficiency during the lean times will be better positioned for profitability in the coming years.
  • 37:25 – 38:11 – Conclusion: Marcel and Carson wrap up the episode, inviting listeners to connect with Carson and Parakeeto for more insights on optimizing agency operations and profitability.

Show Notes

Love the Podcast

Leave us a review here.


Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

]]> 20 Years of Agency Wisdom: Insights for Maximizing Client Success, with Carson Pierce Marcel Petitpas 00:38:13 About this Episode In this episode of The Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel brings the energy as he introduces an exciting shift for the show. Moving to weekly releases, every other week will focus on Parakeeto-specific content, diving deep into the framework of profitability and operational efficiency for agencies. Marcel is particularly thrilled to introduce Carson Pierce, a fan-favorite within the Parakeeto community. Carson, who has spent over 20 years in the agency world and is now Parakeeto’s head consultant, shares invaluable insights from his rich career. From running his own agency to working with some of the biggest names in the industry, Carson’s wealth of experience is sure to offer listeners practical, battle-tested lessons. Expect a deep dive into project management, the importance of data, and why agencies often unknowingly fly blind when it comes to profitability. Get ready for an episode packed with wisdom, humor, and actionable insights! About this Episode In this episode of The Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel brings the energy as he introduces an exciting shift for the show. Moving to weekly releases, every other week will focus on Parakeeto-specific content, diving deep into the framework of profitability and operational efficiency for agencies. Marcel is particularly thrilled to introduce Carson Pierce, a fan-favorite within the Parakeeto community. Carson, who has spent over 20 years in the agency world and is now Parakeeto’s head consultant, shares invaluable insights from his rich career. From running his own agency to working with some of the biggest names in the industry, Carson’s wealth of experience is sure to offer listeners practical, battle-tested lessons. Expect a deep dive into project management, the importance of data, and why agencies often unknowingly fly blind when it comes to profitability. Get ready for an episode packed with wisdom, humor, and actionable insights! false full 154 5e5a42af-fc5e-4c14-8bbc-0a7438665d98 The State of Selling Fractional CMO Services, With John Jantsch Points of Interest

00:44 – 01:55 – Evolution of Duct Tape Marketing: John explains how he developed a structured marketing system that focuses on strategy before tactics, addressing the unique challenges of smaller businesses.

02:43 – 03:09 – Growth of the Duct Tape Marketing Ecosystem: John talks about the expansion of his framework, which has now been adopted by over 400 certified agencies and consultants.

03:09 – 04:31 – Research on Fractional CMOs: John introduces his latest research on fractional CMOs and the increasing demand for this part-time, high-level marketing leadership role in the industry.

05:06 – 06:51 – Solo Consultants vs Larger Firms: John and Marcel discuss how fractional CMOs are typically solo consultants but are also being adopted by larger firms that are shifting toward more strategic offerings.

06:51 – 07:46 – Pressure on Agencies: Marcel and John address the challenges agencies face today, including AI-powered competition and offshore services, which force agencies to focus more on strategy and client relationships.

08:43 – 10:12 – Insight from Research: John shares key insights from his research, including how offering fractional CMO services enhances an agency’s strategic position, improves client relationships, and increases pricing power.

11:48 – 14:40 – Breadth vs. Depth of Experience: Marcel and John discuss the benefits of having broad marketing experience across industries versus being narrowly focused on one niche, and how this diversity brings fresh perspectives to clients.

17:20 – 19:09 – The Growing Demand for Fractional CMOs: John highlights how more small and midsized businesses are seeking fractional CMOs for strategic leadership as they recognize the need for high-level marketing guidance.

24:32 – 25:46 – Strategic Leadership Without Execution: Marcel and John explore how agencies can focus on strategy and project management while outsourcing execution, allowing for scalability and maintaining high margins.

30:29 – 32:16 – Growth of the Fractional CMO Role: John cites research showing that the fractional CMO role has grown by 60% in the past five years, predicting that this trend will continue as more businesses seek part-time strategic marketing leadership.

Show Notes

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]]> Wed, 30 Oct 2024 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest

00:44 – 01:55 – Evolution of Duct Tape Marketing: John explains how he developed a structured marketing system that focuses on strategy before tactics, addressing the unique challenges of smaller businesses.

02:43 – 03:09 – Growth of the Duct Tape Marketing Ecosystem: John talks about the expansion of his framework, which has now been adopted by over 400 certified agencies and consultants.

03:09 – 04:31 – Research on Fractional CMOs: John introduces his latest research on fractional CMOs and the increasing demand for this part-time, high-level marketing leadership role in the industry.

05:06 – 06:51 – Solo Consultants vs Larger Firms: John and Marcel discuss how fractional CMOs are typically solo consultants but are also being adopted by larger firms that are shifting toward more strategic offerings.

06:51 – 07:46 – Pressure on Agencies: Marcel and John address the challenges agencies face today, including AI-powered competition and offshore services, which force agencies to focus more on strategy and client relationships.

08:43 – 10:12 – Insight from Research: John shares key insights from his research, including how offering fractional CMO services enhances an agency’s strategic position, improves client relationships, and increases pricing power.

11:48 – 14:40 – Breadth vs. Depth of Experience: Marcel and John discuss the benefits of having broad marketing experience across industries versus being narrowly focused on one niche, and how this diversity brings fresh perspectives to clients.

17:20 – 19:09 – The Growing Demand for Fractional CMOs: John highlights how more small and midsized businesses are seeking fractional CMOs for strategic leadership as they recognize the need for high-level marketing guidance.

24:32 – 25:46 – Strategic Leadership Without Execution: Marcel and John explore how agencies can focus on strategy and project management while outsourcing execution, allowing for scalability and maintaining high margins.

30:29 – 32:16 – Growth of the Fractional CMO Role: John cites research showing that the fractional CMO role has grown by 60% in the past five years, predicting that this trend will continue as more businesses seek part-time strategic marketing leadership.

Show Notes

Love the Podcast

Leave us a review here.


Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

]]> The State of Selling Fractional CMO Services, With John Jantsch Marcel Petitpas 00:33:22 About this Episode On the latest episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, we’re welcoming back a true industry pioneer, John Jantsch, the mastermind behind the Duct Tape Marketing system and author of several influential books. John joins Marcel to dive into the fascinating world of fractional CMOs, a growing trend in marketing leadership. With over 30 years of experience, John shares his journey, insights, and key findings from his recent research on how agencies can position themselves strategically and profitably by offering high-level marketing leadership in a fractional capacity. Whether you're an agency veteran or new to the game, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways on how to stand out and build lasting client relationships by focusing on strategy before tactics. Don’t miss it! About this Episode On the latest episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, we’re welcoming back a true industry pioneer, John Jantsch, the mastermind behind the Duct Tape Marketing system and author of several influential books. John joins Marcel to dive into the fascinating world of fractional CMOs, a growing trend in marketing leadership. With over 30 years of experience, John shares his journey, insights, and key findings from his recent research on how agencies can position themselves strategically and profitably by offering high-level marketing leadership in a fractional capacity. Whether you're an agency veteran or new to the game, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways on how to stand out and build lasting client relationships by focusing on strategy before tactics. Don’t miss it! false full 153 59bdec79-ead2-408c-bd18-8a88ec25e62f How to Transition from Entrepreneur to CEO, with Jason Swenk Points of Interest
  • 00:01 – 00:44 – Marcel’s Introduction: Marcel Petitpas welcomes listeners to the Agency Profit Podcast and introduces Jason Swenk, a returning guest and friend of the show, known for his agency expertise and role as the founder of Agency Mastery 360.
  • 00:44 – 01:33 – Jason’s Background: Jason Swenk shares his journey of starting his first agency by accident in 1999, growing it to eight figures, and eventually selling it. He reflects on how he transitioned from agency founder to advisor and coach.
  • 02:20 – 02:55 – Success with Major Clients: Marcel highlights Jason’s success with major clients such as Lotus Cars and Hitachi, as Jason reflects on growing his agency into a multimillion-dollar business and the lessons learned.
  • 04:50 – 06:28 – Scaling with the Right Team: Jason explains the significance of building the right leadership team to scale and how to ensure the team is aligned with the company’s vision.
  • 07:35 – 09:55 – The Two "Whos" in Leadership: Jason outlines two key “whos” for agency growth: who do you need to hire to scale the agency, and who do you need to become as the leader to support that growth.
  • 12:19 – 14:35 – Shifting Focus to Long-Term Strategy: Jason shares how focusing on long-term strategy and empowering team members can unlock new levels of growth and how founders should stop managing day-to-day operations.
  • 16:07 – 19:25 – Empowering Your Team to Take Ownership: Marcel and Jason wrap up by discussing how to empower teams to take ownership of their roles, make decisions, and drive the agency forward without relying on the founder’s input for every decision.
  • 23:08 – 24:45 – Continuous Problem Solving: Marcel and Jason discuss how entrepreneurship is a constant process of solving bigger, more complex problems as the business grows, and how discipline and reinvention are key.
  • 25:52 – 27:54 – Core Values in Hiring: Jason shares the importance of aligning new hires with the company’s core values, ensuring that employees believe in the same vision and standards as the leadership.
  • 29:45 – 31:28 – Simplifying the Hiring Funnel: Marcel and Jason discuss how filtering applicants through creative processes like video submissions saves time and effort, allowing only the best candidates to move forward.
  • 32:55 – 34:45 – Trial Hiring for Leadership Roles: Jason advocates for hiring leaders as consultants for a 90-day trial period to assess their impact on the business before committing to a full-time position.
  • 34:45 – 35:52 – Measuring Success in Leadership Hires: Jason outlines how to measure success for leadership hires by focusing on how they streamline operations, save time, and work effectively with existing teams.
  • 37:25 – 38:45 – Invitation to Agency Mastery 360: Jason invites listeners to check out Agency Mastery 360 and his resources for agency owners, including upcoming events like Elevate in Arizona, where agency owners can learn to step back from day-to-day operations.
     

Show Notes

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]]> Wed, 16 Oct 2024 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 00:01 – 00:44 – Marcel’s Introduction: Marcel Petitpas welcomes listeners to the Agency Profit Podcast and introduces Jason Swenk, a returning guest and friend of the show, known for his agency expertise and role as the founder of Agency Mastery 360.
  • 00:44 – 01:33 – Jason’s Background: Jason Swenk shares his journey of starting his first agency by accident in 1999, growing it to eight figures, and eventually selling it. He reflects on how he transitioned from agency founder to advisor and coach.
  • 02:20 – 02:55 – Success with Major Clients: Marcel highlights Jason’s success with major clients such as Lotus Cars and Hitachi, as Jason reflects on growing his agency into a multimillion-dollar business and the lessons learned.
  • 04:50 – 06:28 – Scaling with the Right Team: Jason explains the significance of building the right leadership team to scale and how to ensure the team is aligned with the company’s vision.
  • 07:35 – 09:55 – The Two "Whos" in Leadership: Jason outlines two key “whos” for agency growth: who do you need to hire to scale the agency, and who do you need to become as the leader to support that growth.
  • 12:19 – 14:35 – Shifting Focus to Long-Term Strategy: Jason shares how focusing on long-term strategy and empowering team members can unlock new levels of growth and how founders should stop managing day-to-day operations.
  • 16:07 – 19:25 – Empowering Your Team to Take Ownership: Marcel and Jason wrap up by discussing how to empower teams to take ownership of their roles, make decisions, and drive the agency forward without relying on the founder’s input for every decision.
  • 23:08 – 24:45 – Continuous Problem Solving: Marcel and Jason discuss how entrepreneurship is a constant process of solving bigger, more complex problems as the business grows, and how discipline and reinvention are key.
  • 25:52 – 27:54 – Core Values in Hiring: Jason shares the importance of aligning new hires with the company’s core values, ensuring that employees believe in the same vision and standards as the leadership.
  • 29:45 – 31:28 – Simplifying the Hiring Funnel: Marcel and Jason discuss how filtering applicants through creative processes like video submissions saves time and effort, allowing only the best candidates to move forward.
  • 32:55 – 34:45 – Trial Hiring for Leadership Roles: Jason advocates for hiring leaders as consultants for a 90-day trial period to assess their impact on the business before committing to a full-time position.
  • 34:45 – 35:52 – Measuring Success in Leadership Hires: Jason outlines how to measure success for leadership hires by focusing on how they streamline operations, save time, and work effectively with existing teams.
  • 37:25 – 38:45 – Invitation to Agency Mastery 360: Jason invites listeners to check out Agency Mastery 360 and his resources for agency owners, including upcoming events like Elevate in Arizona, where agency owners can learn to step back from day-to-day operations.
     

Show Notes

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]]> How to Transition from Entrepreneur to CEO, with Jason Swenk Marcel Petitpas 00:38:24 About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel welcomes back the legendary Jason Swenk. Jason, a pioneer in agency growth and a seasoned mentor, shares his incredible journey from founding and selling his agency to now guiding hundreds of agency owners through his Agency Mastery 360 program. This conversation dives deep into the transition from being a hands-on entrepreneur to stepping into the CEO role, managing through others, and scaling your business. Jason brings fresh, insightful strategies to the table that will resonate with any agency owner navigating the challenges of growth. Tune in for an inspiring and practical discussion! About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel welcomes back the legendary Jason Swenk. Jason, a pioneer in agency growth and a seasoned mentor, shares his incredible journey from founding and selling his agency to now guiding hundreds of agency owners through his Agency Mastery 360 program. This conversation dives deep into the transition from being a hands-on entrepreneur to stepping into the CEO role, managing through others, and scaling your business. Jason brings fresh, insightful strategies to the table that will resonate with any agency owner navigating the challenges of growth. Tune in for an inspiring and practical discussion! false full 152 7657bb43-8188-4547-b69e-ba0fc60e0411 Using Client Stories to Increase Retention, With Ian Garlic Points of Interest
  • 00:01 – 00:44 – Marcel’s Introduction: Marcel Petitpas welcomes listeners to the Agency Profit Podcast and introduces his guest, Ian Garlic, founder of Video Case Story and author of Video Testimonials That Land the Big Fish.
  • 01:11 – 02:54 – Ian’s Background: Ian shares his journey, including nearly 20 years in marketing, starting in commercial real estate and evolving to become a marketing consultant for attorneys and agencies, focusing on YouTube and video case stories.
  • 03:35 – 04:53 – Understanding Client Impact Through Storytelling: Ian emphasizes the importance of understanding the transformation businesses create for clients, and how telling compelling stories of that transformation can attract new business and retain current clients.
  • 06:20 – 07:20 – Listening to Client Needs Through Video: Ian shares how listening to client stories through videos has helped his agency refine its processes and improve the services they offer by focusing on what matters most to clients.
  • 09:03 – 10:15 – Difference Between Case Studies and Case Stories: Ian explains the difference between case studies (which focus on logic and numbers) and case stories (which focus on client emotions and transformations), making the latter more impactful for long-term engagement.
  • 11:13 – 12:57 – Overcoming Client Buyer’s Remorse: Ian discusses how video case stories help overcome buyer’s remorse by keeping clients engaged and reminding them of their goals, especially in the first 100 days of working together.
  • 16:58 – 18:22 – Consistently Collecting and Using Case Stories: Ian outlines his process for regularly collecting client stories, analyzing patterns, and using them not just for client acquisition but also for ongoing marketing and team engagement.
  • 20:54 – 22:19 – The Importance of Regular Storytelling: Ian highlights the importance of consistently sharing client stories to reinforce trust and credibility, both with clients and internally within the agency’s team.
  • 22:20 – 24:06 – Strategic Storytelling for Business Growth: Marcel and Ian talk about how understanding and refining customer stories can help businesses focus on high-impact services and clients, driving profitability and business growth.
  • 27:23 – 28:23 – The Meta-Effect of Client Storytelling: Marcel shares how powerful it is when clients feel like they know each other through the stories shared on YouTube, creating a sense of community and trust among them.
  • 29:38 – 30:00 – Preparing Clients to Tell Their Story: Ian highlights the importance of preparing clients for storytelling by guiding them through the process and helping them articulate their journey, so that the story resonates with future clients.

Show Notes

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]]> Wed, 2 Oct 2024 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 00:01 – 00:44 – Marcel’s Introduction: Marcel Petitpas welcomes listeners to the Agency Profit Podcast and introduces his guest, Ian Garlic, founder of Video Case Story and author of Video Testimonials That Land the Big Fish.
  • 01:11 – 02:54 – Ian’s Background: Ian shares his journey, including nearly 20 years in marketing, starting in commercial real estate and evolving to become a marketing consultant for attorneys and agencies, focusing on YouTube and video case stories.
  • 03:35 – 04:53 – Understanding Client Impact Through Storytelling: Ian emphasizes the importance of understanding the transformation businesses create for clients, and how telling compelling stories of that transformation can attract new business and retain current clients.
  • 06:20 – 07:20 – Listening to Client Needs Through Video: Ian shares how listening to client stories through videos has helped his agency refine its processes and improve the services they offer by focusing on what matters most to clients.
  • 09:03 – 10:15 – Difference Between Case Studies and Case Stories: Ian explains the difference between case studies (which focus on logic and numbers) and case stories (which focus on client emotions and transformations), making the latter more impactful for long-term engagement.
  • 11:13 – 12:57 – Overcoming Client Buyer’s Remorse: Ian discusses how video case stories help overcome buyer’s remorse by keeping clients engaged and reminding them of their goals, especially in the first 100 days of working together.
  • 16:58 – 18:22 – Consistently Collecting and Using Case Stories: Ian outlines his process for regularly collecting client stories, analyzing patterns, and using them not just for client acquisition but also for ongoing marketing and team engagement.
  • 20:54 – 22:19 – The Importance of Regular Storytelling: Ian highlights the importance of consistently sharing client stories to reinforce trust and credibility, both with clients and internally within the agency’s team.
  • 22:20 – 24:06 – Strategic Storytelling for Business Growth: Marcel and Ian talk about how understanding and refining customer stories can help businesses focus on high-impact services and clients, driving profitability and business growth.
  • 27:23 – 28:23 – The Meta-Effect of Client Storytelling: Marcel shares how powerful it is when clients feel like they know each other through the stories shared on YouTube, creating a sense of community and trust among them.
  • 29:38 – 30:00 – Preparing Clients to Tell Their Story: Ian highlights the importance of preparing clients for storytelling by guiding them through the process and helping them articulate their journey, so that the story resonates with future clients.

Show Notes

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]]> Using Client Stories to Increase Retention, With Ian Garlic Marcel Petitpas 00:30:21 About this Episode On this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, host Marcel Petitpas is joined by Ian Garlic, founder of Video Case Story and author of Video Testimonials That Land the Big Fish. Ian, who has produced over 15,000 videos and runs The Garlic Marketing Show podcast, discusses how his agency helps businesses attract and retain clients by leveraging video case stories—transformative customer stories that go beyond simple testimonials. He explains the importance of crafting these stories in a way that emphasizes the client’s journey and success, highlighting how impactful storytelling builds trust, retains clients, and enhances team motivation. They also touch on how case stories offer unique insights into customer needs, transforming marketing strategies. About this Episode On this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, host Marcel Petitpas is joined by Ian Garlic, founder of Video Case Story and author of Video Testimonials That Land the Big Fish. Ian, who has produced over 15,000 videos and runs The Garlic Marketing Show podcast, discusses how his agency helps businesses attract and retain clients by leveraging video case stories—transformative customer stories that go beyond simple testimonials. He explains the importance of crafting these stories in a way that emphasizes the client’s journey and success, highlighting how impactful storytelling builds trust, retains clients, and enhances team motivation. They also touch on how case stories offer unique insights into customer needs, transforming marketing strategies. false full 151 52dba9fd-0cfc-4dad-8300-379864075dd9 How Positioning & Go to Market Impacts Agency Valuation, With Shiv Narayanan Points of Interest
  • 00:49 – 01:52 – Shiv's Background: Shiv shares his journey from building and selling a company to now running How To SaaS, where he works with private equity investors and software companies on marketing strategies.
  • 01:53 – 02:51 – Marketing for Private Equity: Shiv explains his company’s focus on providing marketing due diligence, strategy consulting, and fractional CMO services to private equity firms and software companies.
  • 02:52 – 03:41 – The Power of Positioning: Marcel highlights the uniqueness of Shiv’s focus on private equity, differentiating How to SaaS in the market by addressing specific investor needs.
  • 06:06 – 07:40 – Product Market Fit: Shiv talks about the creation of a new market category—marketing due diligence—and how this focus on strategy over tactics helped his firm differentiate itself.
  • 07:41 – 09:05 – Preparing for Exit: Shiv explains how businesses should prepare for a sale by focusing on predictable revenue, reducing customer concentration, and ensuring operational efficiency to appeal to buyers.
  • 9:06 – 12:02 – Identifying Ideal Clients: Shiv emphasizes the need to focus on ideal customers who bring in scalable, predictable revenue and why saying no to less ideal clients is key to long-term success.
  • 12:03 – 15:57 – Strategic Specialization: Shiv highlights how specializing in a narrow, focused market can lead to higher margins, better client retention, and an overall increase in business valuation.
  • 15:58 – 21:38 – Internal Efficiency and Gross Margins: Marcel and Shiv discuss how internal specialization and optimizing gross margins can make an agency more profitable and attractive for acquisition.
  • 21:39 – 27:25 – The Importance of Sales Conversations: Shiv stresses the importance of clear sales processes and managing client expectations upfront, ensuring alignment with the agency’s focused services.
  • 27:26 – 34:50 – Post-Acquisition Strategy: Shiv outlines how post-acquisition marketing strategies must align with the new owner’s goals, focusing on budget efficiency, strategic cross-selling opportunities, and operational improvements to drive value.

Show Notes

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]]> Wed, 18 Sep 2024 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 00:49 – 01:52 – Shiv's Background: Shiv shares his journey from building and selling a company to now running How To SaaS, where he works with private equity investors and software companies on marketing strategies.
  • 01:53 – 02:51 – Marketing for Private Equity: Shiv explains his company’s focus on providing marketing due diligence, strategy consulting, and fractional CMO services to private equity firms and software companies.
  • 02:52 – 03:41 – The Power of Positioning: Marcel highlights the uniqueness of Shiv’s focus on private equity, differentiating How to SaaS in the market by addressing specific investor needs.
  • 06:06 – 07:40 – Product Market Fit: Shiv talks about the creation of a new market category—marketing due diligence—and how this focus on strategy over tactics helped his firm differentiate itself.
  • 07:41 – 09:05 – Preparing for Exit: Shiv explains how businesses should prepare for a sale by focusing on predictable revenue, reducing customer concentration, and ensuring operational efficiency to appeal to buyers.
  • 9:06 – 12:02 – Identifying Ideal Clients: Shiv emphasizes the need to focus on ideal customers who bring in scalable, predictable revenue and why saying no to less ideal clients is key to long-term success.
  • 12:03 – 15:57 – Strategic Specialization: Shiv highlights how specializing in a narrow, focused market can lead to higher margins, better client retention, and an overall increase in business valuation.
  • 15:58 – 21:38 – Internal Efficiency and Gross Margins: Marcel and Shiv discuss how internal specialization and optimizing gross margins can make an agency more profitable and attractive for acquisition.
  • 21:39 – 27:25 – The Importance of Sales Conversations: Shiv stresses the importance of clear sales processes and managing client expectations upfront, ensuring alignment with the agency’s focused services.
  • 27:26 – 34:50 – Post-Acquisition Strategy: Shiv outlines how post-acquisition marketing strategies must align with the new owner’s goals, focusing on budget efficiency, strategic cross-selling opportunities, and operational improvements to drive value.

Show Notes

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Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

]]> How Positioning & Go to Market Impacts Agency Valuation, With Shiv Narayanan Marcel Petitpas 00:35:00 About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel Petitpas sits down with Shiv Narayanan, CEO of How To SaaS, to dive into the unique role marketing plays in mergers and acquisitions (M&A). Shiv shares his deep expertise in working with private equity investors and SaaS companies, highlighting how pre- and post-acquisition marketing can influence a company’s valuation and deal flow. From optimizing marketing due diligence to refining strategies that ensure a business is ready for exit, Shiv emphasizes the power of precise positioning and the critical importance of aligning marketing with investor objectives. His insights offer agency owners a clear roadmap to increase their business’s attractiveness and profitability in the context of an M&A event. About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel Petitpas sits down with Shiv Narayanan, CEO of How To SaaS, to dive into the unique role marketing plays in mergers and acquisitions (M&A). Shiv shares his deep expertise in working with private equity investors and SaaS companies, highlighting how pre- and post-acquisition marketing can influence a company’s valuation and deal flow. From optimizing marketing due diligence to refining strategies that ensure a business is ready for exit, Shiv emphasizes the power of precise positioning and the critical importance of aligning marketing with investor objectives. His insights offer agency owners a clear roadmap to increase their business’s attractiveness and profitability in the context of an M&A event. false full 150 4541bc60-e220-4808-bc75-1dbebea177c7 Sales Philosophies to Help Boost Your Agency, With Taylor Welch Points of Interest
  • 00:01 – 00:48 – Introduction: Marcel Petitpas welcomes Taylor Welch, a seasoned sales and marketing expert, to discuss aligning sales incentives with client success, sharing insights from Taylor’s extensive experience.
  • 00:48 – 01:20 – Background: Taylor Welch introduces himself, sharing his journey from a touring musician to building a portfolio of companies, and the challenges he faced balancing business growth with family life.
  • 01:20 – 03:43 – Early Business Struggles: Taylor discusses his initial struggles with scaling businesses, the pitfalls of rapid growth, and the realization that he needed to prioritize both business and family.
  • 03:43 – 04:44 – Scaling Challenges: Marcel and Taylor explore the challenges of scaling businesses too quickly, the risks of overextending, and the importance of operational re-engineering.
  • 04:44 – 06:30 – Market Cap Concept: Taylor introduces the concept of “market cap” in business growth, explaining how operational inefficiencies can limit scalability and lead to negative consequences.
  • 06:30 – 07:46 – Service Industry Risks: Marcel highlights the dangers of selling more services without addressing underlying operational issues, especially in cash-based accounting.
  • 07:46 – 08:38 – Sales Philosophy: Taylor outlines his sales philosophy, emphasizing the importance of helping clients make the best decisions for themselves, even when it’s outside their comfort zone.
  • 08:38 – 12:01 – Sales Process Alignment: Taylor discusses the alignment between sales, operations, and delivery, and how incentive structures impact client experience and long-term business success.
  • 12:01 – 17:11 – Revolving Price Model: Taylor introduces the “revolving price” model, which balances charging what you’re worth while giving more value than expected, and how it influences client retention.
  • 17:11 – 21:17 – Client Engagement: The conversation delves into the importance of tracking client engagement and using data points to ensure long-term client satisfaction and retention.
  • 21:17 – 29:45 – Tracking Metrics: Taylor and Marcel discuss the significance of tracking key metrics, including customer effort scores (CES) and activity scores, to enhance client experience and predict retention.
  • 29:45 – 40:55 – Moral Authority in Sales: The episode concludes with Taylor explaining the concept of “moral authority” in sales, where aligning business incentives with client success ensures sustainable growth and ethical business practices. Taylor also shares his online platforms for further content.

Show Notes

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]]> Wed, 4 Sep 2024 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 00:01 – 00:48 – Introduction: Marcel Petitpas welcomes Taylor Welch, a seasoned sales and marketing expert, to discuss aligning sales incentives with client success, sharing insights from Taylor’s extensive experience.
  • 00:48 – 01:20 – Background: Taylor Welch introduces himself, sharing his journey from a touring musician to building a portfolio of companies, and the challenges he faced balancing business growth with family life.
  • 01:20 – 03:43 – Early Business Struggles: Taylor discusses his initial struggles with scaling businesses, the pitfalls of rapid growth, and the realization that he needed to prioritize both business and family.
  • 03:43 – 04:44 – Scaling Challenges: Marcel and Taylor explore the challenges of scaling businesses too quickly, the risks of overextending, and the importance of operational re-engineering.
  • 04:44 – 06:30 – Market Cap Concept: Taylor introduces the concept of “market cap” in business growth, explaining how operational inefficiencies can limit scalability and lead to negative consequences.
  • 06:30 – 07:46 – Service Industry Risks: Marcel highlights the dangers of selling more services without addressing underlying operational issues, especially in cash-based accounting.
  • 07:46 – 08:38 – Sales Philosophy: Taylor outlines his sales philosophy, emphasizing the importance of helping clients make the best decisions for themselves, even when it’s outside their comfort zone.
  • 08:38 – 12:01 – Sales Process Alignment: Taylor discusses the alignment between sales, operations, and delivery, and how incentive structures impact client experience and long-term business success.
  • 12:01 – 17:11 – Revolving Price Model: Taylor introduces the “revolving price” model, which balances charging what you’re worth while giving more value than expected, and how it influences client retention.
  • 17:11 – 21:17 – Client Engagement: The conversation delves into the importance of tracking client engagement and using data points to ensure long-term client satisfaction and retention.
  • 21:17 – 29:45 – Tracking Metrics: Taylor and Marcel discuss the significance of tracking key metrics, including customer effort scores (CES) and activity scores, to enhance client experience and predict retention.
  • 29:45 – 40:55 – Moral Authority in Sales: The episode concludes with Taylor explaining the concept of “moral authority” in sales, where aligning business incentives with client success ensures sustainable growth and ethical business practices. Taylor also shares his online platforms for further content.

Show Notes

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Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

]]> Sales Philosophies to Help Boost Your Agency, With Taylor Welch Marcel Petitpas 00:40:53 About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel Petitpas sits down with Taylor Welch @ Welch Equities, a seasoned sales and marketing expert who has scaled multiple businesses and trained thousands in the art of selling. Taylor shares his journey from being a touring musician to becoming a powerhouse in the business world, emphasizing the importance of aligning sales incentives with the best interests of clients. The conversation dives deep into how to structure your business to ensure both growth and sustainability, with a focus on creating low-latency feedback loops that keep you accountable to your clients’ success. Taylor also introduces his concept of “revolving price,” a unique pricing model that balances charging what you’re worth while consistently delivering more value than expected. If you’re looking to refine your approach to sales, operations, and client delivery, this episode is packed with actionable insights that will help you grow your agency without losing sight of what truly matters. About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel Petitpas sits down with Taylor Welch @ Welch Equities, a seasoned sales and marketing expert who has scaled multiple businesses and trained thousands in the art of selling. Taylor shares his journey from being a touring musician to becoming a powerhouse in the business world, emphasizing the importance of aligning sales incentives with the best interests of clients. The conversation dives deep into how to structure your business to ensure both growth and sustainability, with a focus on creating low-latency feedback loops that keep you accountable to your clients’ success. Taylor also introduces his concept of “revolving price,” a unique pricing model that balances charging what you’re worth while consistently delivering more value than expected. If you’re looking to refine your approach to sales, operations, and client delivery, this episode is packed with actionable insights that will help you grow your agency without losing sight of what truly matters. false full 149 ee489042-386e-463f-84e1-2e929ea72bf1 Getting your EOS Scorecard Right, with Mark O’Donnell Points of Interest
  • 00:01 – 00:41 – Introduction: Marcel Petitpas welcomes Mark O'Donnell, the leader of EOS Worldwide, to discuss the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) and its impact on businesses, focusing specifically on data and scorecards.
  • 02:04 – 03:38 – What is EOS?: Mark O'Donnell provides an overview of EOS, explaining its core components—Vision, Traction, and Healthy—and how it helps businesses align their leadership teams and execute their vision effectively.
  • 04:37 – 07:08 – Mark’s Journey to EOS Leadership: Mark shares his background, including his transition from running a vertically integrated pharma and biotech services business to becoming the CEO of EOS Worldwide.
  • 07:08 – 08:18 – Data and Scorecards in EOS: The conversation shifts to the importance of data and scorecards within the EOS framework, with Mark emphasizing how these tools help track business performance and drive accountability.
  • 10:31 – 11:49 – The Importance of Weekly Metrics: Mark explains the significance of maintaining a weekly cadence in measuring business metrics, ensuring that issues are identified and addressed quickly to keep the business on track.
  • 14:15 – 14:57 – Measuring What Matters: Mark discusses the importance of focusing on a small number of key metrics that provide a clear pulse on the business’s health, rather than overwhelming the team with too much data.
  • 19:31 – 21:48 – Building Effective Scorecards: Mark and Marcel talk about the challenges businesses face when building scorecards, stressing the importance of starting with the end goal in mind and working backward to identify key metrics.
  • 26:58 – 28:58 – Accountability and Leadership: Mark explains how the scorecard is not just a tool for measurement but also a way to ensure accountability across the leadership team, emphasizing that every metric should have an owner responsible for its outcomes.
  • 32:52 – 35:44 – Aligning Metrics with Business Objectives: Mark and Marcel discuss the importance of aligning metrics at the ground level with the high-level objectives of the business, ensuring that data tracked at every level contributes to the overall vision and strategy.
  • 35:44 – 36:09 – Holistic Approach to EOS Implementation: Mark highlights the importance of viewing EOS as a complete system, where all components—vision, data, people, processes—work together to create a cohesive strategy for business success.
  • 36:09 – 37:58 – Final Thoughts and Resources: Mark concludes with advice on how businesses can effectively implement EOS, mentioning various resources available on the EOS Worldwide website, including free tools, software, and the directory of certified EOS Implementers.

Show Notes

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]]> Wed, 21 Aug 2024 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 00:01 – 00:41 – Introduction: Marcel Petitpas welcomes Mark O'Donnell, the leader of EOS Worldwide, to discuss the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) and its impact on businesses, focusing specifically on data and scorecards.
  • 02:04 – 03:38 – What is EOS?: Mark O'Donnell provides an overview of EOS, explaining its core components—Vision, Traction, and Healthy—and how it helps businesses align their leadership teams and execute their vision effectively.
  • 04:37 – 07:08 – Mark’s Journey to EOS Leadership: Mark shares his background, including his transition from running a vertically integrated pharma and biotech services business to becoming the CEO of EOS Worldwide.
  • 07:08 – 08:18 – Data and Scorecards in EOS: The conversation shifts to the importance of data and scorecards within the EOS framework, with Mark emphasizing how these tools help track business performance and drive accountability.
  • 10:31 – 11:49 – The Importance of Weekly Metrics: Mark explains the significance of maintaining a weekly cadence in measuring business metrics, ensuring that issues are identified and addressed quickly to keep the business on track.
  • 14:15 – 14:57 – Measuring What Matters: Mark discusses the importance of focusing on a small number of key metrics that provide a clear pulse on the business’s health, rather than overwhelming the team with too much data.
  • 19:31 – 21:48 – Building Effective Scorecards: Mark and Marcel talk about the challenges businesses face when building scorecards, stressing the importance of starting with the end goal in mind and working backward to identify key metrics.
  • 26:58 – 28:58 – Accountability and Leadership: Mark explains how the scorecard is not just a tool for measurement but also a way to ensure accountability across the leadership team, emphasizing that every metric should have an owner responsible for its outcomes.
  • 32:52 – 35:44 – Aligning Metrics with Business Objectives: Mark and Marcel discuss the importance of aligning metrics at the ground level with the high-level objectives of the business, ensuring that data tracked at every level contributes to the overall vision and strategy.
  • 35:44 – 36:09 – Holistic Approach to EOS Implementation: Mark highlights the importance of viewing EOS as a complete system, where all components—vision, data, people, processes—work together to create a cohesive strategy for business success.
  • 36:09 – 37:58 – Final Thoughts and Resources: Mark concludes with advice on how businesses can effectively implement EOS, mentioning various resources available on the EOS Worldwide website, including free tools, software, and the directory of certified EOS Implementers.

Show Notes

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Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

]]> Getting your EOS Scorecard Right, with Mark O’Donnell Marcel Petitpas 00:38:33 About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel Petitpas is joined by Mark O'Donnell, the visionary leader of EOS Worldwide. Mark delves into the intricacies of the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), a framework many businesses, especially agencies, have implemented to streamline operations and achieve their goals. He highlights the importance of data and scorecards within the EOS framework, explaining how these tools not only help measure success but also drive accountability and alignment within teams. With Mark's vast experience, including his journey from running his own companies to becoming the CEO of EOS Worldwide, listeners will gain valuable insights into how focusing on key metrics can propel their businesses forward. Whether you're already using EOS or considering it, this episode offers practical advice and inspiration to help you get more from your business. About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel Petitpas is joined by Mark O'Donnell, the visionary leader of EOS Worldwide. Mark delves into the intricacies of the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), a framework many businesses, especially agencies, have implemented to streamline operations and achieve their goals. He highlights the importance of data and scorecards within the EOS framework, explaining how these tools not only help measure success but also drive accountability and alignment within teams. With Mark's vast experience, including his journey from running his own companies to becoming the CEO of EOS Worldwide, listeners will gain valuable insights into how focusing on key metrics can propel their businesses forward. Whether you're already using EOS or considering it, this episode offers practical advice and inspiration to help you get more from your business. false full 148 a4ebda3d-4713-4ed1-803b-7d0ad54be3f1 Exit Planning Strategy, with David Tobin Points of Interest
  • 00:01 – 00:36 – Introduction: Marcel Petitpas welcomes David Tobin, a mergers and acquisitions expert, to discuss strategies for successful business exits.
  • 01:09 – 02:52 – David’s Background: David shares his journey from starting his first business in college to founding TobinLeff, focusing on his niche in financial services and exit planning.
  • 04:26 – 06:37 – Exit Strategies: David outlines various exit strategies, including selling to another agency, management buyouts, ESOPs, and financial sponsors.
  • 08:20 – 10:13 – Planning for Exit: David and Marcel discuss how firm owners can think through and plan for their exit, considering different options and what might be most applicable to them.
  • 13:58 – 15:58 – Current Market Conditions: David talks about how current economic conditions, such as interest rates and market performance, are impacting M&A activity in the professional services space.
  • 17:52 – 18:55 – Impact of Performance: Marcel and David discuss how a firm's recent performance can significantly impact its equity value and attractiveness to buyers.
  • 19:37 – 21:54 – Vision for Growth: David emphasizes the importance of having a clear vision for growth and being able to articulate how a company can continue to expand under new ownership.
  • 24:53 – 26:36 – Investments in the Business: Marcel and David talk about the importance of making strategic investments in the business to enhance value and how to manage these investments without negatively impacting EBITDA.
  • 29:04 – 30:20 – Building Relationships: David advises firm owners to build relationships with potential buyers and keep their companies on the radar of industry players to facilitate smoother future transactions.
  • 30:20 – 34:04 – Tax Considerations: David discusses how tax planning should not drive the exit strategy but highlights the importance of efficient tax treatment and managing working capital.

Show Notes

Connect with David through:

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Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

]]> Wed, 7 Aug 2024 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 00:01 – 00:36 – Introduction: Marcel Petitpas welcomes David Tobin, a mergers and acquisitions expert, to discuss strategies for successful business exits.
  • 01:09 – 02:52 – David’s Background: David shares his journey from starting his first business in college to founding TobinLeff, focusing on his niche in financial services and exit planning.
  • 04:26 – 06:37 – Exit Strategies: David outlines various exit strategies, including selling to another agency, management buyouts, ESOPs, and financial sponsors.
  • 08:20 – 10:13 – Planning for Exit: David and Marcel discuss how firm owners can think through and plan for their exit, considering different options and what might be most applicable to them.
  • 13:58 – 15:58 – Current Market Conditions: David talks about how current economic conditions, such as interest rates and market performance, are impacting M&A activity in the professional services space.
  • 17:52 – 18:55 – Impact of Performance: Marcel and David discuss how a firm's recent performance can significantly impact its equity value and attractiveness to buyers.
  • 19:37 – 21:54 – Vision for Growth: David emphasizes the importance of having a clear vision for growth and being able to articulate how a company can continue to expand under new ownership.
  • 24:53 – 26:36 – Investments in the Business: Marcel and David talk about the importance of making strategic investments in the business to enhance value and how to manage these investments without negatively impacting EBITDA.
  • 29:04 – 30:20 – Building Relationships: David advises firm owners to build relationships with potential buyers and keep their companies on the radar of industry players to facilitate smoother future transactions.
  • 30:20 – 34:04 – Tax Considerations: David discusses how tax planning should not drive the exit strategy but highlights the importance of efficient tax treatment and managing working capital.

Show Notes

Connect with David through:

Love the Podcast

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]]> Exit Planning Strategy, with David Tobin Marcel Petitpas 00:34:59 About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel Petitpas hosts David Tobin, an expert in mergers and acquisitions, to discuss strategies for a successful business exit. David shares his journey from starting a business in college to founding TobinLeff, a firm that specializes in helping business owners maximize their exit value. They discuss the importance of having a clear growth vision, preparing for different exit strategies, and the nuances of deal structures, including earn-out provisions and the impact of current market conditions. The conversation emphasizes the need for early planning, understanding tax implications, and focusing on creating a sustainable and transferable business. David also highlights the importance of building relationships with potential buyers and ensuring a company's financial health through effective working capital management. The episode offers valuable insights for business owners considering an exit, stressing that thoughtful preparation can significantly enhance their post-sale financial security. About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel Petitpas hosts David Tobin, an expert in mergers and acquisitions, to discuss strategies for a successful business exit. David shares his journey from starting a business in college to founding TobinLeff, a firm that specializes in helping business owners maximize their exit value. They discuss the importance of having a clear growth vision, preparing for different exit strategies, and the nuances of deal structures, including earn-out provisions and the impact of current market conditions. The conversation emphasizes the need for early planning, understanding tax implications, and focusing on creating a sustainable and transferable business. David also highlights the importance of building relationships with potential buyers and ensuring a company's financial health through effective working capital management. The episode offers valuable insights for business owners considering an exit, stressing that thoughtful preparation can significantly enhance their post-sale financial security. false full 147 4b33a777-2251-487c-80cf-c335f7575f35 Independence By Design, with Ryan Tansom Points of Interest
  • 02:02 – 02:20 – Ryan's Framework: Marcel explains how Ryan Tansom's "Independence by Design" framework has transformed his view on his own business.
  • 03:32 – 05:03 – Owner-Operator Challenges: Ryan describes the challenges of owner-operators and the importance of achieving true independence through sustainable business practices.
  • 05:09 – 06:47 – Systems for Independence: Ryan highlights various systems (EOS, scaling up, OKRs) that help owner-operators achieve freedom of time and money.
  • 08:13 – 09:19 – Understanding the Game: Ryan discusses the importance of understanding the true purpose of one's business and aligning it with personal goals.
  • 13:33 – 15:32 – Reverse Engineering Goals: Ryan and Marcel discuss the importance of reverse engineering lifestyle goals to determine necessary financial outcomes from the business.
  • 25:12 – 26:26 – Importance of Good Cash Flow: Ryan explains that good cash flow is essential for independence and attracting buyers, and how interest rates and the lending environment affect valuations.
  • 26:32 – 27:29 – Third-Party Sale Validity: Ryan highlights the validity of third-party sales and the importance of having a clear plan, whether it's raising money, scaling up, or focusing on cash flow.
  • 27:36 – 29:08 – Debt Service and Business Worth: Ryan and Marcel discuss calculating the business worth based on the debt it can service from its free cash flow, providing a rule of thumb for business valuation.
  • 29:14 – 30:21 – Choosing Your Game: Ryan emphasizes the importance of choosing the right game for your business and aligning your decisions with your personal and business goals.
  • 30:27 – 31:06 – Surround Yourself with the Right People: Ryan advises surrounding yourself with people who understand your goals and can provide relevant advice based on the game you are playing.
  • 31:12 – 32:10 – Influencing Decision-Making: Ryan and Marcel discuss how different business goals influence decision-making, using examples like hiring a legal firm or implementing an ERP system.

Show Notes

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]]> Wed, 24 Jul 2024 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 02:02 – 02:20 – Ryan's Framework: Marcel explains how Ryan Tansom's "Independence by Design" framework has transformed his view on his own business.
  • 03:32 – 05:03 – Owner-Operator Challenges: Ryan describes the challenges of owner-operators and the importance of achieving true independence through sustainable business practices.
  • 05:09 – 06:47 – Systems for Independence: Ryan highlights various systems (EOS, scaling up, OKRs) that help owner-operators achieve freedom of time and money.
  • 08:13 – 09:19 – Understanding the Game: Ryan discusses the importance of understanding the true purpose of one's business and aligning it with personal goals.
  • 13:33 – 15:32 – Reverse Engineering Goals: Ryan and Marcel discuss the importance of reverse engineering lifestyle goals to determine necessary financial outcomes from the business.
  • 25:12 – 26:26 – Importance of Good Cash Flow: Ryan explains that good cash flow is essential for independence and attracting buyers, and how interest rates and the lending environment affect valuations.
  • 26:32 – 27:29 – Third-Party Sale Validity: Ryan highlights the validity of third-party sales and the importance of having a clear plan, whether it's raising money, scaling up, or focusing on cash flow.
  • 27:36 – 29:08 – Debt Service and Business Worth: Ryan and Marcel discuss calculating the business worth based on the debt it can service from its free cash flow, providing a rule of thumb for business valuation.
  • 29:14 – 30:21 – Choosing Your Game: Ryan emphasizes the importance of choosing the right game for your business and aligning your decisions with your personal and business goals.
  • 30:27 – 31:06 – Surround Yourself with the Right People: Ryan advises surrounding yourself with people who understand your goals and can provide relevant advice based on the game you are playing.
  • 31:12 – 32:10 – Influencing Decision-Making: Ryan and Marcel discuss how different business goals influence decision-making, using examples like hiring a legal firm or implementing an ERP system.

Show Notes

Connect with Ryan through:

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Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

]]> Independence By Design, with Ryan Tansom Marcel Petitpas 00:37:22 About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel interviews Ryan Tansom, founder of Independence by Design, to explore the concept of business ownership and the importance of aligning business goals with personal freedom. They discuss the common pitfalls entrepreneurs face when they prioritize revenue and growth metrics over actual lifestyle outcomes, and how understanding the game of business valuation can lead to better decision-making. Ryan shares his journey of transforming his family business, the struggles of feeling trapped despite financial success, and the ultimate realization that true business success should enable personal freedom and fulfillment. Their conversation emphasizes the need for entrepreneurs to have a clear vision of the life they want and to make business decisions that support that vision. About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel interviews Ryan Tansom, founder of Independence by Design, to explore the concept of business ownership and the importance of aligning business goals with personal freedom. They discuss the common pitfalls entrepreneurs face when they prioritize revenue and growth metrics over actual lifestyle outcomes, and how understanding the game of business valuation can lead to better decision-making. Ryan shares his journey of transforming his family business, the struggles of feeling trapped despite financial success, and the ultimate realization that true business success should enable personal freedom and fulfillment. Their conversation emphasizes the need for entrepreneurs to have a clear vision of the life they want and to make business decisions that support that vision. false full 146 547905cd-7cd1-40de-b240-aa7a1b3c1efd How to Leverage M&A as a Growth Strategy for Your Agency, With Matt Bodnar Points of Interest
  • 00:54 – 01:39 – Matt’s Journey: Matt Bodnar shares his background, mentioning his experience at Goldman Sachs and his move to Nashville in 2011, where he bought his first IT service company.
  • 02:24 – 03:07 – M&A Realization: Matt explains how he stumbled into mergers and acquisitions and the importance of creative deal structures and the independent sponsor model.
  • 05:00 – 06:29 – Independent Sponsor Model: Matt discusses the independent sponsor model, which involves raising capital on a deal-by-deal basis, allowing him to start doing deals without needing a large fund.
  • 07:02 – 08:32 – Business Giveaway Deal: Matt shares an example of a 'business giveaway' deal where they acquired a data center, paying the seller a percentage of revenue over a few years, which was beneficial for both parties.
  • 08:33 – 10:42 – Cross-Selling Opportunities: Matt explains the benefits of cross-selling between the acquired data center and his existing IT business, which led to increased revenue and new opportunities.
  • 10:43 – 13:42 – Roll-Up Dynamics: Marcel talks about the concept of roll-up deals, using an example from the pharmacy space, and discusses the potential for similar strategies in the agency space.
  • 13:43 – 19:06 – Market Environment: Matt shares his perspective on the current market environment, emphasizing that interest rates are less of a concern than the impact of AI on agency valuations and M&A activity.
  • 19:07 – 23:51 – Creative Deal Structures: Matt discusses the importance of creative deal structures in mitigating risks and adapting to various market conditions, especially in the agency space.
  • 27:16 – 29:08 – Integration Challenges: Marcel and Matt discuss the challenges of integrating acquired businesses, with Matt emphasizing the importance of having a good operating infrastructure.
  • 30:50 – 33:58 – Understanding Seller Needs: Matt stresses the importance of understanding the seller's goals and desires to craft effective deal structures that work for both parties.
  • 33:59 – 36:04 – Structuring Deals: Matt provides examples of different deal structures, such as non-voting stock and liquidity preferences, to illustrate how creative approaches can facilitate complex acquisitions.

Show Notes

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]]> Wed, 10 Jul 2024 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 00:54 – 01:39 – Matt’s Journey: Matt Bodnar shares his background, mentioning his experience at Goldman Sachs and his move to Nashville in 2011, where he bought his first IT service company.
  • 02:24 – 03:07 – M&A Realization: Matt explains how he stumbled into mergers and acquisitions and the importance of creative deal structures and the independent sponsor model.
  • 05:00 – 06:29 – Independent Sponsor Model: Matt discusses the independent sponsor model, which involves raising capital on a deal-by-deal basis, allowing him to start doing deals without needing a large fund.
  • 07:02 – 08:32 – Business Giveaway Deal: Matt shares an example of a 'business giveaway' deal where they acquired a data center, paying the seller a percentage of revenue over a few years, which was beneficial for both parties.
  • 08:33 – 10:42 – Cross-Selling Opportunities: Matt explains the benefits of cross-selling between the acquired data center and his existing IT business, which led to increased revenue and new opportunities.
  • 10:43 – 13:42 – Roll-Up Dynamics: Marcel talks about the concept of roll-up deals, using an example from the pharmacy space, and discusses the potential for similar strategies in the agency space.
  • 13:43 – 19:06 – Market Environment: Matt shares his perspective on the current market environment, emphasizing that interest rates are less of a concern than the impact of AI on agency valuations and M&A activity.
  • 19:07 – 23:51 – Creative Deal Structures: Matt discusses the importance of creative deal structures in mitigating risks and adapting to various market conditions, especially in the agency space.
  • 27:16 – 29:08 – Integration Challenges: Marcel and Matt discuss the challenges of integrating acquired businesses, with Matt emphasizing the importance of having a good operating infrastructure.
  • 30:50 – 33:58 – Understanding Seller Needs: Matt stresses the importance of understanding the seller's goals and desires to craft effective deal structures that work for both parties.
  • 33:59 – 36:04 – Structuring Deals: Matt provides examples of different deal structures, such as non-voting stock and liquidity preferences, to illustrate how creative approaches can facilitate complex acquisitions.

Show Notes

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]]> How to Leverage M&A as a Growth Strategy for Your Agency, With Matt Bodnar Marcel Petitpas 00:38:28 About this Episode In this episode, Marcel sits down with Matt Bodnar, a "Forbes 30 Under 30" alum and Founding & Managing Partner at Eidolon Capital, to dive into the world of mergers and acquisitions in the agency space. Matt, a seasoned entrepreneur and investor, shares his expertise on growing businesses through strategic acquisitions and scaling. He discusses the crucial role of deal structure and creative financing in successful mergers and explains how AI is reshaping agency valuations. Matt’s real-world experiences and stories provide valuable insights for business owners aiming to expand via partnerships and acquisitions. This episode is packed with practical advice and strategic tips for anyone navigating the complex landscape of mergers and acquisitions. About this Episode In this episode, Marcel sits down with Matt Bodnar, a "Forbes 30 Under 30" alum and Founding & Managing Partner at Eidolon Capital, to dive into the world of mergers and acquisitions in the agency space. Matt, a seasoned entrepreneur and investor, shares his expertise on growing businesses through strategic acquisitions and scaling. He discusses the crucial role of deal structure and creative financing in successful mergers and explains how AI is reshaping agency valuations. Matt’s real-world experiences and stories provide valuable insights for business owners aiming to expand via partnerships and acquisitions. This episode is packed with practical advice and strategic tips for anyone navigating the complex landscape of mergers and acquisitions. false full 145 e82c3b75-148d-4433-b70d-a793f8e8ce06 Building a Vibrant Agency Culture, With Nicole Greer Points of Interest
  • 00:01 – 00:58 – Introduction: Marcel Petitpas introduces the episode and guest Nicole Greer, founder and CEO of Build a Vibrant CultureTM.
  • 00:59 – 02:14 – Guest Background: Nicole shares her journey and experience, highlighting her work with notable brands like State Farm and The Ohio State University.
  • 02:15 – 04:05 – Importance of Culture: Discussion on why culture is crucial for any organization and how it impacts team performance and business success.
  • 04:06 – 06:27 – Defining Culture: Marcel and Nicole explore what culture means in a workplace context, emphasizing behaviors, actions, and organizational values.
  • 06:28 – 08:11 – Challenges in Building Culture: Common challenges agencies face when trying to build and maintain a positive culture, especially as they grow.
  • 08:12 – 10:05 – Introduction to S.H.I.N.E. Coaching MethodologyTM: Nicole introduces her SHINE framework, outlining its five components: Self-Assessment, Habit Work, Integrity Work, Next Right Step Work, and Energy Work.
  • 10:06 – 12:22 – Self-Assessment: In-depth discussion on the importance of self-assessment for leaders and how understanding oneself can influence team dynamics.
  • 12:23 – 14:11 – Habit Work: Exploring the significance of developing good habits and communication skills within a team.
  • 14:12 – 16:20 – Integrity Work: Nicole explains how integrity and accountability play a vital role in maintaining a vibrant culture and why feedback is essential.
  • 16:21 – 18:34 – Next Right Step Work: The importance of continuous development and career progression for team members to keep them engaged and motivated.
  • 18:35 – 20:01 – Energy Work: Nicole discusses the six types of energy (intellectual, emotional, spiritual, physical, social, financial) and how leaders can harness these to power their teams effectively.
  • 20:02 – 32:15 – Leadership's Role in Culture: Marcel and Nicole delve into the responsibility of leaders in shaping and maintaining culture, practical steps for leaders, the importance of feedback and accountability, and personal stories illustrating the impact of a vibrant culture on organizational success.

Show Notes:

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]]> Wed, 26 Jun 2024 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 00:01 – 00:58 – Introduction: Marcel Petitpas introduces the episode and guest Nicole Greer, founder and CEO of Build a Vibrant CultureTM.
  • 00:59 – 02:14 – Guest Background: Nicole shares her journey and experience, highlighting her work with notable brands like State Farm and The Ohio State University.
  • 02:15 – 04:05 – Importance of Culture: Discussion on why culture is crucial for any organization and how it impacts team performance and business success.
  • 04:06 – 06:27 – Defining Culture: Marcel and Nicole explore what culture means in a workplace context, emphasizing behaviors, actions, and organizational values.
  • 06:28 – 08:11 – Challenges in Building Culture: Common challenges agencies face when trying to build and maintain a positive culture, especially as they grow.
  • 08:12 – 10:05 – Introduction to S.H.I.N.E. Coaching MethodologyTM: Nicole introduces her SHINE framework, outlining its five components: Self-Assessment, Habit Work, Integrity Work, Next Right Step Work, and Energy Work.
  • 10:06 – 12:22 – Self-Assessment: In-depth discussion on the importance of self-assessment for leaders and how understanding oneself can influence team dynamics.
  • 12:23 – 14:11 – Habit Work: Exploring the significance of developing good habits and communication skills within a team.
  • 14:12 – 16:20 – Integrity Work: Nicole explains how integrity and accountability play a vital role in maintaining a vibrant culture and why feedback is essential.
  • 16:21 – 18:34 – Next Right Step Work: The importance of continuous development and career progression for team members to keep them engaged and motivated.
  • 18:35 – 20:01 – Energy Work: Nicole discusses the six types of energy (intellectual, emotional, spiritual, physical, social, financial) and how leaders can harness these to power their teams effectively.
  • 20:02 – 32:15 – Leadership's Role in Culture: Marcel and Nicole delve into the responsibility of leaders in shaping and maintaining culture, practical steps for leaders, the importance of feedback and accountability, and personal stories illustrating the impact of a vibrant culture on organizational success.

Show Notes:

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]]> Building a Vibrant Agency Culture, With Nicole Greer Marcel Petitpas 00:46:17 About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel Petitpas welcomes Nicole Greer, the founder and CEO of Build a Vibrant CultureTM. With over 20 years of experience, Nicole has helped organizations, from major brands like State Farm and The Ohio State University to small businesses, cultivate thriving company cultures. She shares her insights on fostering a positive, engaging, and profitable work environment, emphasizing that culture is defined by behaviors and overall workplace experiences rather than just perks or written values. Nicole introduces her S.H.I.N.E. Coaching MethodologyTM—Self-Assessment, Habit Work, Integrity Work, Next Right Step Work, and Energy Work—as a framework for leaders to develop themselves and their teams. Listeners will learn how to define and assess their company's culture, the importance of feedback and accountability, and strategies to keep team members motivated and aligned with organizational goals. Tune in for practical advice on building and maintaining a vibrant culture that supports business growth and success. About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel Petitpas welcomes Nicole Greer, the founder and CEO of Build a Vibrant CultureTM. With over 20 years of experience, Nicole has helped organizations, from major brands like State Farm and The Ohio State University to small businesses, cultivate thriving company cultures. She shares her insights on fostering a positive, engaging, and profitable work environment, emphasizing that culture is defined by behaviors and overall workplace experiences rather than just perks or written values. Nicole introduces her S.H.I.N.E. Coaching MethodologyTM—Self-Assessment, Habit Work, Integrity Work, Next Right Step Work, and Energy Work—as a framework for leaders to develop themselves and their teams. Listeners will learn how to define and assess their company's culture, the importance of feedback and accountability, and strategies to keep team members motivated and aligned with organizational goals. Tune in for practical advice on building and maintaining a vibrant culture that supports business growth and success. false full 144 e6718b03-623c-462e-a31a-dfe367b09bbf How to Identify the Right Leadership Style, with Audrey Joy Kwan Points of Interest
  • 00:01 – 00:40 – Introduction: Marcel Petitpas introduces Audrey Joy Kwan, a seasoned leadership coach and agency consultant, discussing her extensive experience in agency leadership development. Audrey shares her transition from law to marketing, leading to a significant career in agency leadership.
  • 06:57 – 08:26 – Leadership Styles: Audrey discusses the selection of appropriate leadership styles for different agency scenarios, addressing common misconceptions.
  • 10:24 – 12:33 – Practical Example: Audrey provides an example from event management to demonstrate how leadership styles are adapted based on team competencies.
  • 14:51 – 16:00 – Leadership Framework: Discussion on a quadrant framework that helps identify appropriate leadership styles based on team member confidence and competence.
  • 18:50 – 20:09 – Flexibility in Leadership: Emphasis on the importance of adapting leadership approaches to individual team member needs and project dynamics.
  • 22:35 – 24:59 – Assessing Competence and Confidence: Audrey elaborates on methods for assessing team members' skills and confidence to select the most effective leadership style.
  • 226:28 – 27:50 – Do’s and Don’ts of Leadership Styles: Marcel and Audrey discuss best practices for implementing each leadership style to maximize effectiveness and team satisfaction.
  • 29:46 – 31:33 – Directive Leadership in Depth: Detailed breakdown of how and when to employ directive leadership effectively within an agency setting.
  • 31:33 – 33:57 – Coaching and Supporting Styles: Exploration of coaching and supporting leadership styles, including how to empower team members through these approaches.
  • 36:00 – 37:23 – Identifying Leadership Missteps: Techniques for identifying when a chosen leadership style isn't working and how to pivot effectively to support team success.
  • 38:25 – 39:28 – Building Team Confidence: Strategies for boosting team confidence through gradual increases in responsibility, helping team members grow effectively into their roles

Show Notes

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]]> Wed, 12 Jun 2024 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 00:01 – 00:40 – Introduction: Marcel Petitpas introduces Audrey Joy Kwan, a seasoned leadership coach and agency consultant, discussing her extensive experience in agency leadership development. Audrey shares her transition from law to marketing, leading to a significant career in agency leadership.
  • 06:57 – 08:26 – Leadership Styles: Audrey discusses the selection of appropriate leadership styles for different agency scenarios, addressing common misconceptions.
  • 10:24 – 12:33 – Practical Example: Audrey provides an example from event management to demonstrate how leadership styles are adapted based on team competencies.
  • 14:51 – 16:00 – Leadership Framework: Discussion on a quadrant framework that helps identify appropriate leadership styles based on team member confidence and competence.
  • 18:50 – 20:09 – Flexibility in Leadership: Emphasis on the importance of adapting leadership approaches to individual team member needs and project dynamics.
  • 22:35 – 24:59 – Assessing Competence and Confidence: Audrey elaborates on methods for assessing team members' skills and confidence to select the most effective leadership style.
  • 226:28 – 27:50 – Do’s and Don’ts of Leadership Styles: Marcel and Audrey discuss best practices for implementing each leadership style to maximize effectiveness and team satisfaction.
  • 29:46 – 31:33 – Directive Leadership in Depth: Detailed breakdown of how and when to employ directive leadership effectively within an agency setting.
  • 31:33 – 33:57 – Coaching and Supporting Styles: Exploration of coaching and supporting leadership styles, including how to empower team members through these approaches.
  • 36:00 – 37:23 – Identifying Leadership Missteps: Techniques for identifying when a chosen leadership style isn't working and how to pivot effectively to support team success.
  • 38:25 – 39:28 – Building Team Confidence: Strategies for boosting team confidence through gradual increases in responsibility, helping team members grow effectively into their roles

Show Notes

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Leave us a review here.


Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

]]> How to Identify the Right Leadership Style, with Audrey Joy Kwan Marcel Petitpas 00:40:08 About this Episode In this insightful episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel welcomes leadership coach Audrey Joy Kwan, a seasoned strategist and leadership coach. With a background in scaling agencies from fledgling start-ups to bustling organizations, Audrey shares invaluable insights into the evolution of leadership roles within these dynamic environments. Holding a Master's Degree in Communications with a focus on Organizational Development, she leads AJK Consulting in its mission to foster diverse leadership in the agency sector. Audrey delves into the common challenges new leaders face, particularly when they are promoted based on their individual achievements rather than their leadership capabilities. She stresses the importance of agency owners proactively equipping leaders with the necessary resources and training for success, highlighting the pitfalls of only responding to leadership shortcomings after issues have emerged. The discussion explores various leadership styles and strategic approaches that can strengthen leadership skills and enhance the performance of agencies in a fast-paced industry. About this Episode In this insightful episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel welcomes leadership coach Audrey Joy Kwan, a seasoned strategist and leadership coach. With a background in scaling agencies from fledgling start-ups to bustling organizations, Audrey shares invaluable insights into the evolution of leadership roles within these dynamic environments. Holding a Master's Degree in Communications with a focus on Organizational Development, she leads AJK Consulting in its mission to foster diverse leadership in the agency sector. Audrey delves into the common challenges new leaders face, particularly when they are promoted based on their individual achievements rather than their leadership capabilities. She stresses the importance of agency owners proactively equipping leaders with the necessary resources and training for success, highlighting the pitfalls of only responding to leadership shortcomings after issues have emerged. The discussion explores various leadership styles and strategic approaches that can strengthen leadership skills and enhance the performance of agencies in a fast-paced industry. false full 143 e76ba1db-cf65-4854-8e6b-6a5c145b05f8 How to Design the Perfect Client Experience, with Joey Tackett Points of Interest
  • 00:00 – 05:32 – Opening Discussion: Marcel and Joey highlight the critical role of clear communication and the art of building client relationships in agency settings.
  • 05:34 – 08:36 – Joey's Insights: Sharing his journey as an agency owner and creative director, Joey delves into why effective communication is foundational to strong client relationships.
  • 08:38 – 12:30 – Trust Building: Marcel and Joey explore the importance of understanding client needs and establishing trust at the start of any client engagement.
  • 12:33 – 16:34 – Vision and Communication: Early client meetings focus on clear communication and vision setting to foster trust and understand clients’ needs, as emphasized by Joey.
  • 16:36 – 20:34 – Managing Scope Creep: The duo addresses the challenges of scope creep, stressing the need for transparent communication and managing client expectations to prevent project pitfalls.
  • 20:37 – 25:22 – Strategic Communication: Joey provides tips and strategies for handling scope creep and managing expectations through effective communication and strategic discussions.
  • 25:24 – 30:41 – Extracting Value: Discussion on the importance of deriving high-value context from client meetings to fully grasp their pain points and project objectives.
  • 30:44 – 36:32 – Ongoing Engagement: The significance of continuous check-ins and communication to maintain trust and enhance the client experience throughout the project.
  • 36:34 – 42:14 – Emotional Engagement: Marcel and Joey talk about managing the emotional journey of client engagements, emphasizing the need to sustain excitement and vision.
  • 42:16 – 47:58 – Further Learning: Joey shares additional resources and underscores the importance of genuine human interaction in nurturing client relationships.

Show Notes

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]]> Wed, 29 May 2024 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 00:00 – 05:32 – Opening Discussion: Marcel and Joey highlight the critical role of clear communication and the art of building client relationships in agency settings.
  • 05:34 – 08:36 – Joey's Insights: Sharing his journey as an agency owner and creative director, Joey delves into why effective communication is foundational to strong client relationships.
  • 08:38 – 12:30 – Trust Building: Marcel and Joey explore the importance of understanding client needs and establishing trust at the start of any client engagement.
  • 12:33 – 16:34 – Vision and Communication: Early client meetings focus on clear communication and vision setting to foster trust and understand clients’ needs, as emphasized by Joey.
  • 16:36 – 20:34 – Managing Scope Creep: The duo addresses the challenges of scope creep, stressing the need for transparent communication and managing client expectations to prevent project pitfalls.
  • 20:37 – 25:22 – Strategic Communication: Joey provides tips and strategies for handling scope creep and managing expectations through effective communication and strategic discussions.
  • 25:24 – 30:41 – Extracting Value: Discussion on the importance of deriving high-value context from client meetings to fully grasp their pain points and project objectives.
  • 30:44 – 36:32 – Ongoing Engagement: The significance of continuous check-ins and communication to maintain trust and enhance the client experience throughout the project.
  • 36:34 – 42:14 – Emotional Engagement: Marcel and Joey talk about managing the emotional journey of client engagements, emphasizing the need to sustain excitement and vision.
  • 42:16 – 47:58 – Further Learning: Joey shares additional resources and underscores the importance of genuine human interaction in nurturing client relationships.

Show Notes

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Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

]]> How to Design the Perfect Client Experience, with Joey Tackett Marcel Petitpas 00:45:10 About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel and Joey explore how clear communication and exceptional client experience can transform agency success. Joey, with over 20 years of agency expertise, shares proven strategies to help owners captivate clients and elevate interactions. They stress the significance of architecting memorable client journeys that foster trust, uncover new opportunities, and deliver high-impact insights during meetings. Setting strong expectations from the outset and continuously reinforcing the project's vision are crucial for building lasting relationships. Plus, Joey offers tactical advice on conducting powerful check-ins that sustain project momentum and keep clients engaged. About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel and Joey explore how clear communication and exceptional client experience can transform agency success. Joey, with over 20 years of agency expertise, shares proven strategies to help owners captivate clients and elevate interactions. They stress the significance of architecting memorable client journeys that foster trust, uncover new opportunities, and deliver high-impact insights during meetings. Setting strong expectations from the outset and continuously reinforcing the project's vision are crucial for building lasting relationships. Plus, Joey offers tactical advice on conducting powerful check-ins that sustain project momentum and keep clients engaged. false full 142 3a2f2e97-73a5-44c1-b7f6-ef7254e9893d When, Who, and How to Hire for Success, With Jamie Van Cuyk Points of Interest
  • 00:01 – 00:40 – Introduction: Marcel Petitpas introduces the episode and guest Jamie van Cuyk, an expert in hiring and onboarding, who shares her extensive experience in helping entrepreneurs effectively grow their teams.
  • 01:20 – 02:43 – Company Overview: Jamie describes her role and the objectives of her company, Growing Your Team, emphasizing its focus on teaching small business owners to hire like professionals.
  • 02:43 – 05:12 – Hiring Challenges: The conversation shifts towards the challenges of hiring, the negative impacts of poor hiring decisions, and the potential positive outcomes of effective hiring practices.
  • 05:12 – 06:47 – Profitability through Hiring: Discussion on how proper hiring can lead to increased profitability and efficiency within a business.
  • 06:47 – 13:56 – When to Hire: Marcel and Jamie discuss the indicators and timing for when businesses should consider hiring new team members.
  • 13:56 – 18:45 – Financial Considerations in Hiring: They delve into the financial aspects of hiring, including budgeting and the economic impact on a business.
  • 18:45 – 26:49 – Role of Management: Focus shifts to the importance of hiring middle management and its role in business growth and employee management.
  • 26:49 – 35:35 – Role Design: Jamie explains the process of designing roles within a company to align with strategic business goals.
  • 35:35 – End – Recruitment Strategies: The final segment covers effective strategies for attracting the right candidates and the importance of a respectful and efficient hiring process.

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]]> Wed, 15 May 2024 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 00:01 – 00:40 – Introduction: Marcel Petitpas introduces the episode and guest Jamie van Cuyk, an expert in hiring and onboarding, who shares her extensive experience in helping entrepreneurs effectively grow their teams.
  • 01:20 – 02:43 – Company Overview: Jamie describes her role and the objectives of her company, Growing Your Team, emphasizing its focus on teaching small business owners to hire like professionals.
  • 02:43 – 05:12 – Hiring Challenges: The conversation shifts towards the challenges of hiring, the negative impacts of poor hiring decisions, and the potential positive outcomes of effective hiring practices.
  • 05:12 – 06:47 – Profitability through Hiring: Discussion on how proper hiring can lead to increased profitability and efficiency within a business.
  • 06:47 – 13:56 – When to Hire: Marcel and Jamie discuss the indicators and timing for when businesses should consider hiring new team members.
  • 13:56 – 18:45 – Financial Considerations in Hiring: They delve into the financial aspects of hiring, including budgeting and the economic impact on a business.
  • 18:45 – 26:49 – Role of Management: Focus shifts to the importance of hiring middle management and its role in business growth and employee management.
  • 26:49 – 35:35 – Role Design: Jamie explains the process of designing roles within a company to align with strategic business goals.
  • 35:35 – End – Recruitment Strategies: The final segment covers effective strategies for attracting the right candidates and the importance of a respectful and efficient hiring process.

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]]> When, Who, and How to Hire for Success, With Jamie Van Cuyk Marcel Petitpas 00:40:36 About this Episode In today’s insightful episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel Petitpas engages Jamie Van Cuyk, a seasoned expert in hiring and onboarding, to uncover the essentials of building a reliable and proficient team. Jamie, the founder and CEO of Growing Your Team, shares her extensive knowledge on strategically attracting and integrating talent into a business, emphasizing the importance of not just filling a position but ensuring the new hire significantly contributes to the company’s objectives. The conversation delves into common hiring pitfalls that could deter business growth and the profound impact of thoughtful hiring on both profitability and operational efficiency. By focusing on hiring as an investment rather than an expense, Jamie elucidates how properly placed personnel can enable entrepreneurs to transcend day-to-day operations and focus on broader business goals, thus cultivating a sustainable and thriving business environment. The episode serves as a critical reminder of the strategic role hiring plays in the foundational strength and agility of a company, particularly within the dynamic landscape of agency management. About this Episode In today’s insightful episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel Petitpas engages Jamie Van Cuyk, a seasoned expert in hiring and onboarding, to uncover the essentials of building a reliable and proficient team. Jamie, the founder and CEO of Growing Your Team, shares her extensive knowledge on strategically attracting and integrating talent into a business, emphasizing the importance of not just filling a position but ensuring the new hire significantly contributes to the company’s objectives. The conversation delves into common hiring pitfalls that could deter business growth and the profound impact of thoughtful hiring on both profitability and operational efficiency. By focusing on hiring as an investment rather than an expense, Jamie elucidates how properly placed personnel can enable entrepreneurs to transcend day-to-day operations and focus on broader business goals, thus cultivating a sustainable and thriving business environment. The episode serves as a critical reminder of the strategic role hiring plays in the foundational strength and agility of a company, particularly within the dynamic landscape of agency management. false full 141 00fc70b3-38d2-4ba3-9237-fa2968f396bc Revolutionizing Leadership Through Trauma Healing, with Kelly Campbell Points of Interest
  • 00:01 – 00:58 – Introduction: Marcel Petitpas introduces the episode and guest Kelly Campbell, a trauma-informed leadership coach. Discussion about Kelly’s new book, “Heal to Lead,” and their approach to trauma, leadership, and consciousness.
  • 01:03 – 01:21 – Kelly Campbell’s Professional Background: Kelly shares their professional journey from owning a digital marketing agency to becoming a trauma-informed leadership coach, focusing on the deeper motivations and fears that impact leaders.
  • 03:03 – 04:38 – The Importance of Addressing Trauma in Leadership: Marcel highlights the personal relevance of the discussion on trauma in leadership and its impact on personal development and business effectiveness.
  • 04:38 – 07:54 – Impact of Trauma on Leadership Styles: Kelly discusses how both small and large traumas shape leadership styles, personal relationships, and professional environments.
  • 18:03 – 19:42 – Personal Reflections on Growth and Impact of Trauma: Marcel reflects on his personal development journey, the impact of pausing growth activities, and the importance of continuous self-awareness.
  • 23:15 – 28:37 – Healing and Leadership Coaching Techniques: Kelly provides insights into the modalities and processes they use in their trauma-informed leadership coaching, emphasizing the integration of trauma for enhancing personal and professional growth.
  • 37:07 – 38:49 – Conclusion and Book Promotion: Where to find Kelly's book, the significance of supporting independent bookstores, and final thoughts on the necessity of addressing trauma in leadership for better overall effectiveness.

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]]> Wed, 1 May 2024 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 00:01 – 00:58 – Introduction: Marcel Petitpas introduces the episode and guest Kelly Campbell, a trauma-informed leadership coach. Discussion about Kelly’s new book, “Heal to Lead,” and their approach to trauma, leadership, and consciousness.
  • 01:03 – 01:21 – Kelly Campbell’s Professional Background: Kelly shares their professional journey from owning a digital marketing agency to becoming a trauma-informed leadership coach, focusing on the deeper motivations and fears that impact leaders.
  • 03:03 – 04:38 – The Importance of Addressing Trauma in Leadership: Marcel highlights the personal relevance of the discussion on trauma in leadership and its impact on personal development and business effectiveness.
  • 04:38 – 07:54 – Impact of Trauma on Leadership Styles: Kelly discusses how both small and large traumas shape leadership styles, personal relationships, and professional environments.
  • 18:03 – 19:42 – Personal Reflections on Growth and Impact of Trauma: Marcel reflects on his personal development journey, the impact of pausing growth activities, and the importance of continuous self-awareness.
  • 23:15 – 28:37 – Healing and Leadership Coaching Techniques: Kelly provides insights into the modalities and processes they use in their trauma-informed leadership coaching, emphasizing the integration of trauma for enhancing personal and professional growth.
  • 37:07 – 38:49 – Conclusion and Book Promotion: Where to find Kelly's book, the significance of supporting independent bookstores, and final thoughts on the necessity of addressing trauma in leadership for better overall effectiveness.

Show Notes

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]]> Revolutionizing Leadership Through Trauma Healing, with Kelly Campbell Marcel Petitpas 00:38:49 About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel Petitpas explores a topic rarely touched upon in typical business discussions—trauma and its profound impact on leadership. Joined by Kelly Campbell, a Trauma-Informed Leadership Coach and author of the newly released book “Heal to Lead,” they delve into how unresolved trauma shapes our professional behaviours and decisions. As Kelly unpacks the often invisible but significant effects of trauma on leaders, Marcel reflects on his personal journey, emphasizing the importance of addressing these deep-seated issues to foster healthier work environments and personal growth. This conversation marks a departure from the show’s usual focus on numbers and financials, instead offering a deeper, introspective look at the personal challenges that can impede a leader’s effectiveness and the transformative power of self-awareness and healing. About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel Petitpas explores a topic rarely touched upon in typical business discussions—trauma and its profound impact on leadership. Joined by Kelly Campbell, a Trauma-Informed Leadership Coach and author of the newly released book “Heal to Lead,” they delve into how unresolved trauma shapes our professional behaviours and decisions. As Kelly unpacks the often invisible but significant effects of trauma on leaders, Marcel reflects on his personal journey, emphasizing the importance of addressing these deep-seated issues to foster healthier work environments and personal growth. This conversation marks a departure from the show’s usual focus on numbers and financials, instead offering a deeper, introspective look at the personal challenges that can impede a leader’s effectiveness and the transformative power of self-awareness and healing. false full 140 c308460b-f190-4e07-9b52-335fa6166fa8 How to Price, Deliver & Sell Performance-Based Retainers, With Chris Rudolph Points of Interest
  • 00:01 - 00:21 - Introduction: Marcel introduces the episode and guest Chris Rudolph, a business coach specializing in helping agency owners grow their businesses and improve their lifestyles.
  • 00:21 - 01:05 - Chris’s Background: Chris shares his journey from starting in the fitness industry to coaching agency owners, emphasizing his accidental entry into the agency space.
  • 01:05 - 02:41 - Why Agencies?: Chris explains his focus on agencies, driven by their unique challenges and his passion for helping agency owners develop CEO skills they typically lack.
  • 02:41 - 03:11 - Changes in the Agency Landscape: Discussion on how COVID-19 and economic changes have affected agency pricing, scoping, and client retention strategies.
  • 03:11 - 06:17 - Opportunities from Disruption: Chris highlights how disruptions can open up opportunities for agencies ready to adapt, especially in terms of performance retainers.
  • 06:17 - 09:18 - Hybrid Retainer Model: Chris introduces his hybrid model combining flat fee retainers with performance-based components to balance risk and reward.
  • 09:18 - 11:09 - Determining the Base Retainer: The conversation dives into how to calculate a base retainer that covers costs and a margin, ensuring agencies don’t lose money on performance-based contracts.
  • 11:09 - 18:59 - Setting Performance Fees: Tips on simple and effective ways to structure performance fees based on net sales, ROAS, or cost per lead, depending on the agency’s services.
  • 18:59 - 27:09 - Audit Process for Client Acquisition: Chris describes the process of conducting audits for potential clients to assess fit and demonstrate value before proposing a retainer model.
  • 27:09 - 35:26 - Retaining Clients Through Transition: Strategies for transitioning existing clients facing churn or cancellations to the hybrid performance-based model as a way to retain their business.

Show Notes

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]]> Wed, 17 Apr 2024 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 00:01 - 00:21 - Introduction: Marcel introduces the episode and guest Chris Rudolph, a business coach specializing in helping agency owners grow their businesses and improve their lifestyles.
  • 00:21 - 01:05 - Chris’s Background: Chris shares his journey from starting in the fitness industry to coaching agency owners, emphasizing his accidental entry into the agency space.
  • 01:05 - 02:41 - Why Agencies?: Chris explains his focus on agencies, driven by their unique challenges and his passion for helping agency owners develop CEO skills they typically lack.
  • 02:41 - 03:11 - Changes in the Agency Landscape: Discussion on how COVID-19 and economic changes have affected agency pricing, scoping, and client retention strategies.
  • 03:11 - 06:17 - Opportunities from Disruption: Chris highlights how disruptions can open up opportunities for agencies ready to adapt, especially in terms of performance retainers.
  • 06:17 - 09:18 - Hybrid Retainer Model: Chris introduces his hybrid model combining flat fee retainers with performance-based components to balance risk and reward.
  • 09:18 - 11:09 - Determining the Base Retainer: The conversation dives into how to calculate a base retainer that covers costs and a margin, ensuring agencies don’t lose money on performance-based contracts.
  • 11:09 - 18:59 - Setting Performance Fees: Tips on simple and effective ways to structure performance fees based on net sales, ROAS, or cost per lead, depending on the agency’s services.
  • 18:59 - 27:09 - Audit Process for Client Acquisition: Chris describes the process of conducting audits for potential clients to assess fit and demonstrate value before proposing a retainer model.
  • 27:09 - 35:26 - Retaining Clients Through Transition: Strategies for transitioning existing clients facing churn or cancellations to the hybrid performance-based model as a way to retain their business.

Show Notes

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]]> How to Price, Deliver & Sell Performance-Based Retainers, With Chris Rudolph Marcel Petitpas 00:35:27 About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, host Marcel Petitpas and guest Chris Rudolph, Founder @ The Freedom Agency Coach dive into the nitty-gritty of performance-based retainers for agency services. Chris, a seasoned business coach with a knack for helping agency owners grow their businesses without the hustle, shares his journey from stumbling into coaching to becoming a passionate advocate for agency success. He discusses the evolution of agency pricing and scope, emphasizing the shift towards performance-based retainers amidst economic changes and client uncertainties. Chris introduces a hybrid model that combines a flat fee with a performance-based component, allowing agencies to cover costs while offering clients a lower-risk investment. This model aims to maintain client trust by adjusting as the agency-client relationship evolves, ensuring agencies don't overextend into high-risk situations or miss out on deserved revenue. The conversation also covers strategies for acquiring and retaining clients through audits, the importance of clear communication, and managing the balance between performance-based and traditional retainer clients. Chris’s insights offer a roadmap for agencies looking to adapt to changing market demands while fostering growth and sustainability. About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, host Marcel Petitpas and guest Chris Rudolph, Founder @ The Freedom Agency Coach dive into the nitty-gritty of performance-based retainers for agency services. Chris, a seasoned business coach with a knack for helping agency owners grow their businesses without the hustle, shares his journey from stumbling into coaching to becoming a passionate advocate for agency success. He discusses the evolution of agency pricing and scope, emphasizing the shift towards performance-based retainers amidst economic changes and client uncertainties. Chris introduces a hybrid model that combines a flat fee with a performance-based component, allowing agencies to cover costs while offering clients a lower-risk investment. This model aims to maintain client trust by adjusting as the agency-client relationship evolves, ensuring agencies don't overextend into high-risk situations or miss out on deserved revenue. The conversation also covers strategies for acquiring and retaining clients through audits, the importance of clear communication, and managing the balance between performance-based and traditional retainer clients. Chris’s insights offer a roadmap for agencies looking to adapt to changing market demands while fostering growth and sustainability. false full 139 2ee0ffa0-1f43-438b-bf0d-d3653ae58365 Unlocking Profits with Recurring Services, With Pete Everitt Points of Interest

  • 00:01-00:23 – Marcel kicks off the podcast by introducing Pete Everitt, a friend of the show, multi-agency owner, and coach specializing in helping agency owners with client acquisition and retention through recurring revenue.
  • 00:24-02:04 – Pete details his professional journey, from agency work in the UK to launching SEO Hive during the pandemic, and his coaching role for agency owners.
  • 02:04-02:25 – Discussion on the unique insights Pete offers by managing firms and coaching simultaneously.
  • 02:25-03:31 – Pete shares his career trajectory, including his start in agencies post-university and the eventual launch of his own agency in 2016.
  • 03:31-05:50 – The conversation shifts to Pete’s motivation for starting his own agency, spurred by a desire for more autonomy.
  • 05:50-08:56 – The evolution of agency models over the last decade, contrasting traditional firms with modern digital agencies.
  • 08:56-11:22 – The importance of providing value over simply reducing costs, especially in a post-COVID context, is discussed.
  • 11:22-13:57 – Pete emphasizes moving from an order-taker to a trusted advisor by closely understanding and evolving with clients' needs.
  • 13:57-17:16 – Marcel and Pete discuss how deep client understanding and problem-solving lead to better retention and expansion opportunities.
  • 17:16-34:39 – The final segment covers steps for agencies to become more strategic with clients, underscoring the role of account management and the necessity of adapting services to client needs continuously.

Show Notes

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]]> Wed, 3 Apr 2024 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest

  • 00:01-00:23 – Marcel kicks off the podcast by introducing Pete Everitt, a friend of the show, multi-agency owner, and coach specializing in helping agency owners with client acquisition and retention through recurring revenue.
  • 00:24-02:04 – Pete details his professional journey, from agency work in the UK to launching SEO Hive during the pandemic, and his coaching role for agency owners.
  • 02:04-02:25 – Discussion on the unique insights Pete offers by managing firms and coaching simultaneously.
  • 02:25-03:31 – Pete shares his career trajectory, including his start in agencies post-university and the eventual launch of his own agency in 2016.
  • 03:31-05:50 – The conversation shifts to Pete’s motivation for starting his own agency, spurred by a desire for more autonomy.
  • 05:50-08:56 – The evolution of agency models over the last decade, contrasting traditional firms with modern digital agencies.
  • 08:56-11:22 – The importance of providing value over simply reducing costs, especially in a post-COVID context, is discussed.
  • 11:22-13:57 – Pete emphasizes moving from an order-taker to a trusted advisor by closely understanding and evolving with clients' needs.
  • 13:57-17:16 – Marcel and Pete discuss how deep client understanding and problem-solving lead to better retention and expansion opportunities.
  • 17:16-34:39 – The final segment covers steps for agencies to become more strategic with clients, underscoring the role of account management and the necessity of adapting services to client needs continuously.

Show Notes

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]]> Unlocking Profits with Recurring Services, With Pete Everitt Marcel Petitpas 00:34:38 About this Episode Marcel Petitpas catches up with Pete Everitt, a multi-agency owner, a coach known for helping agency owners grow their businesses through recurring revenue models and the Co-Founder of SEOHive. They reminisce about their last meeting and marvel at how swiftly time flies in the dynamic agency industry. Pete shares his journey from working in agencies since 2004, through launching a white label SEO service at the start of the pandemic, to coaching agency owners on leveraging recurring services for growth. The conversation dives into the evolution of agency models, the importance of being a trusted advisor to clients rather than just a service provider, and how agencies can avoid the "race to the bottom" by offering value that aligns with client needs. Pete emphasizes the significance of evolving services to meet changing client demands, leveraging existing relationships for growth, and how agencies can use feedback to refine and expand their offerings, thus solidifying their role as strategic partners in their clients' success. About this Episode Marcel Petitpas catches up with Pete Everitt, a multi-agency owner, a coach known for helping agency owners grow their businesses through recurring revenue models and the Co-Founder of SEOHive. They reminisce about their last meeting and marvel at how swiftly time flies in the dynamic agency industry. Pete shares his journey from working in agencies since 2004, through launching a white label SEO service at the start of the pandemic, to coaching agency owners on leveraging recurring services for growth. The conversation dives into the evolution of agency models, the importance of being a trusted advisor to clients rather than just a service provider, and how agencies can avoid the "race to the bottom" by offering value that aligns with client needs. Pete emphasizes the significance of evolving services to meet changing client demands, leveraging existing relationships for growth, and how agencies can use feedback to refine and expand their offerings, thus solidifying their role as strategic partners in their clients' success. false full 138 4e334adb-2f2c-4a49-a3e0-f42c157386dc Building Systems that Grow with Your Agency, With David Jenyns Points of Interest
  • 00:01-00:46 – Marcel kicks off the podcast by introducing David Jenyns, the genius behind a global agency that specializes in building business systems.
  • 00:47-02:12 – David opens up about his journey in the business world and what inspired him to pen down the book SYSTEMology.
  • 02:13-03:07 – Marcel and David get real about the struggles small businesses face when trying to grow, and how SYSTEMology swoops in to save the day.
  • 03:08-06:33 – David shares his own rollercoaster ride of running a digital agency, tackling hurdles like delegation and scalability head-on.
  • 06:34-08:27 – They dive into the telltale signs that scream, “Hey, it’s time for SYSTEMology!”
  • 08:28-09:57 – David lays out the initial steps for busting through bottlenecks systematically.
  • 09:58-11:37 – They discuss the importance of nailing down the top 10-15 systems in a business as the first step towards embracing SYSTEMology.
  • 11:38-14:26 – Tackling the challenges of getting your team onboard with new processes and systems becomes the focus of the conversation.
  • 14:27-16:14 – David unveils the concept of a systems champion and how it can transform your business’s culture.
  • 16:15-18:45 – Practical leadership tips for cultivating systems thinking and ensuring system maintenance take center stage.
  • 18:46-19:01 – David wraps up by pointing listeners towards more SYSTEMology gold, including his book and other resources.

Show Notes

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]]> Wed, 20 Mar 2024 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 00:01-00:46 – Marcel kicks off the podcast by introducing David Jenyns, the genius behind a global agency that specializes in building business systems.
  • 00:47-02:12 – David opens up about his journey in the business world and what inspired him to pen down the book SYSTEMology.
  • 02:13-03:07 – Marcel and David get real about the struggles small businesses face when trying to grow, and how SYSTEMology swoops in to save the day.
  • 03:08-06:33 – David shares his own rollercoaster ride of running a digital agency, tackling hurdles like delegation and scalability head-on.
  • 06:34-08:27 – They dive into the telltale signs that scream, “Hey, it’s time for SYSTEMology!”
  • 08:28-09:57 – David lays out the initial steps for busting through bottlenecks systematically.
  • 09:58-11:37 – They discuss the importance of nailing down the top 10-15 systems in a business as the first step towards embracing SYSTEMology.
  • 11:38-14:26 – Tackling the challenges of getting your team onboard with new processes and systems becomes the focus of the conversation.
  • 14:27-16:14 – David unveils the concept of a systems champion and how it can transform your business’s culture.
  • 16:15-18:45 – Practical leadership tips for cultivating systems thinking and ensuring system maintenance take center stage.
  • 18:46-19:01 – David wraps up by pointing listeners towards more SYSTEMology gold, including his book and other resources.

Show Notes

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Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

]]> Building Systems that Grow with Your Agency, With David Jenyns Marcel Petitpas 00:36:57 About this Episode In this latest episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel Petitpas chats with David Jenyns, the brains behind the bestselling book SYSTEMology. They dive deep into the world of streamlining your business with killer systems. David shares insights from his journey, starting from the trenches of agency life to becoming a systemization guru. He breaks down the red flags that signal the need for better systems in your business. Plus, he offers valuable advice on how to overcome bottlenecks and cultivate a culture of transparency and accountability. David emphasizes the importance of identifying key processes and getting your team involved in documenting them. He also reveals the secret to maintaining strong systems as your business scales – appointing a systems champion to lead the charge. And guess what? He doesn’t leave you hanging without some practical leadership hacks to get your team thinking system-first. Wrapping it up, David shares where to find his book and other resources to turbocharge your business systems. Trust us, you don’t want to miss this! About this Episode In this latest episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel Petitpas chats with David Jenyns, the brains behind the bestselling book SYSTEMology. They dive deep into the world of streamlining your business with killer systems. David shares insights from his journey, starting from the trenches of agency life to becoming a systemization guru. He breaks down the red flags that signal the need for better systems in your business. Plus, he offers valuable advice on how to overcome bottlenecks and cultivate a culture of transparency and accountability. David emphasizes the importance of identifying key processes and getting your team involved in documenting them. He also reveals the secret to maintaining strong systems as your business scales – appointing a systems champion to lead the charge. And guess what? He doesn’t leave you hanging without some practical leadership hacks to get your team thinking system-first. Wrapping it up, David shares where to find his book and other resources to turbocharge your business systems. Trust us, you don’t want to miss this! false full 137 dd99ceda-e9ca-4cc4-a884-07a76d54e05a How to Build a 5 Million Dollar Agency, With Michael Wark Points of Interest
  • 00:01 – 00:40 – Introduction to the Episode and Guest: Marcel introduces Michael Wark and his expertise in finance for agencies.
  • 00:40-01:00 – Michael’s Background and Passion for Agency Finance: Michael shares his excitement for the topic and his background in financial services.
  • 01:00-01:45 – The Role of a Virtual CFO for Agencies: Discussion on how Michael serves as a virtual CFO for agencies worldwide, blending operations with finance.
  • 02:10-03:18 – Why Michael Started Trimline and Focus on Agencies: Michael’s journey from corporate to entrepreneurship, focusing on creative agencies.
  • 04:15-05:15 – The Importance of Management Accounting Over Tax Accounting: Insights on how focusing on management accounting can better support growth and strategic decision-making.
  • 05:15-06:41 – Stages of Agency Growth Towards $5 Million: Michael discusses the growth stages agencies face on their way to $5 million and beyond.
  • 06:59-08:00 – Common Financial Pitfalls for New Clients: Challenges new clients face, such as mixing personal and business finances.
  • 10:38-11:29 – Restructuring P&L for Operational Profit: Strategies to clean up the P&L for a true look at operational profit, separating out non-operational expenses.
  • 14:03-15:42 – Accrual Accounting in Agencies: The complexity of accrual accounting for agencies and the importance of accurate revenue recognition.
  • 19:19-22:08 – Investing for Growth and Understanding Unit Economics: The investment mindset required for sustainable growth and the significance of understanding unit economics.
  • 33:11-37:02 – Building Real Value and Preparing for Exit: Focusing on building a business that’s attractive to buyers by systemizing operations and documenting processes.

Show Notes


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]]> Wed, 6 Mar 2024 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
  • 00:01 – 00:40 – Introduction to the Episode and Guest: Marcel introduces Michael Wark and his expertise in finance for agencies.
  • 00:40-01:00 – Michael’s Background and Passion for Agency Finance: Michael shares his excitement for the topic and his background in financial services.
  • 01:00-01:45 – The Role of a Virtual CFO for Agencies: Discussion on how Michael serves as a virtual CFO for agencies worldwide, blending operations with finance.
  • 02:10-03:18 – Why Michael Started Trimline and Focus on Agencies: Michael’s journey from corporate to entrepreneurship, focusing on creative agencies.
  • 04:15-05:15 – The Importance of Management Accounting Over Tax Accounting: Insights on how focusing on management accounting can better support growth and strategic decision-making.
  • 05:15-06:41 – Stages of Agency Growth Towards $5 Million: Michael discusses the growth stages agencies face on their way to $5 million and beyond.
  • 06:59-08:00 – Common Financial Pitfalls for New Clients: Challenges new clients face, such as mixing personal and business finances.
  • 10:38-11:29 – Restructuring P&L for Operational Profit: Strategies to clean up the P&L for a true look at operational profit, separating out non-operational expenses.
  • 14:03-15:42 – Accrual Accounting in Agencies: The complexity of accrual accounting for agencies and the importance of accurate revenue recognition.
  • 19:19-22:08 – Investing for Growth and Understanding Unit Economics: The investment mindset required for sustainable growth and the significance of understanding unit economics.
  • 33:11-37:02 – Building Real Value and Preparing for Exit: Focusing on building a business that’s attractive to buyers by systemizing operations and documenting processes.

Show Notes


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]]> How to Build a 5 Million Dollar Agency, With Michael Wark Marcel Petitpas 00:39:00 About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel Petitpas dives into the world of agency finance with Michael Wark, a seasoned expert from the financial services sector specializing in helping agencies enhance their profitability, cash flow, and business valuation. Michael brings over 19 years of experience to the table, sharing insights on the intersection of operations and accounting to drive agency growth. The duo discusses the importance of moving beyond tax-focused accounting to embrace management accounting, offering a clearer picture of a business’s operational health. Michael’s approach to dissecting financial challenges, his strategic outlook on agency growth, and his journey from corporate to entrepreneurial success in focusing on creative agencies underline a conversation rich with advice for navigating the complexities of scaling an agency. They emphasize understanding the business model, managing cash flow efficiently, and preparing for a potential exit as foundational steps toward building a sustainable and potentially sellable business. This episode is not just a nerdy dive into agency finance but a roadmap for agency owners aiming to refine their financial strategies and scale their operations effectively. About this Episode In this episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel Petitpas dives into the world of agency finance with Michael Wark, a seasoned expert from the financial services sector specializing in helping agencies enhance their profitability, cash flow, and business valuation. Michael brings over 19 years of experience to the table, sharing insights on the intersection of operations and accounting to drive agency growth. The duo discusses the importance of moving beyond tax-focused accounting to embrace management accounting, offering a clearer picture of a business’s operational health. Michael’s approach to dissecting financial challenges, his strategic outlook on agency growth, and his journey from corporate to entrepreneurial success in focusing on creative agencies underline a conversation rich with advice for navigating the complexities of scaling an agency. They emphasize understanding the business model, managing cash flow efficiently, and preparing for a potential exit as foundational steps toward building a sustainable and potentially sellable business. This episode is not just a nerdy dive into agency finance but a roadmap for agency owners aiming to refine their financial strategies and scale their operations effectively. false full 136 5c673a4f-6c45-4d33-b39c-4271d4bb3f18 How to Increase Tax Efficiency in Your Agency, With Craig Cody Points of Interest

  • 0:00-1:20 - Introduction to Craig Cody, a tax strategy expert focused on helping agencies pay less tax.
  • 1:21-2:12 - The unique focus of tax planning for marketing agencies.
  • 2:13-3:04 - The role of business model in tax planning for agencies.
  • 3:05-4:29 - Understanding the tax code and the importance of tax planning.
  • 4:30-5:45 - The importance of proactive tax planning and thinking year-round.
  • 5:46-6:50 - The importance of tax efficiency and its impact on building wealth.
  • 6:51-7:30 - Thoughtful decisions and tax efficiency for agency owners.
  • 7:31-8:31 - The tension between making business tax efficient and the reality of business costs.
  • 8:32-9:45 -The impact of entities and location on tax planning.
  • 9:46-10:53 - Retirement planning as a key tax strategy for agency owners.
  • 10:54-12:18 -The value of documentation and proper planning for tax efficiency.
  • 12:19-14:00 - Strategies for maximizing tax benefits and expenses within the boundaries of the law.

Show Notes

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]]> Wed, 21 Feb 2024 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest

  • 0:00-1:20 - Introduction to Craig Cody, a tax strategy expert focused on helping agencies pay less tax.
  • 1:21-2:12 - The unique focus of tax planning for marketing agencies.
  • 2:13-3:04 - The role of business model in tax planning for agencies.
  • 3:05-4:29 - Understanding the tax code and the importance of tax planning.
  • 4:30-5:45 - The importance of proactive tax planning and thinking year-round.
  • 5:46-6:50 - The importance of tax efficiency and its impact on building wealth.
  • 6:51-7:30 - Thoughtful decisions and tax efficiency for agency owners.
  • 7:31-8:31 - The tension between making business tax efficient and the reality of business costs.
  • 8:32-9:45 -The impact of entities and location on tax planning.
  • 9:46-10:53 - Retirement planning as a key tax strategy for agency owners.
  • 10:54-12:18 -The value of documentation and proper planning for tax efficiency.
  • 12:19-14:00 - Strategies for maximizing tax benefits and expenses within the boundaries of the law.

Show Notes

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Leave is a review here.


Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

]]> How to Increase Tax Efficiency in Your Agency, With Craig Cody Marcel Petitpas 00:23:56 About this Episode In this latest episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, tax strategy expert Craig Cody sheds light on the critical importance of proactive tax planning for marketing agencies. Craig underscores the value of year-round strategic thinking, emphasizing the potential benefits of minimizing tax liabilities through proper documentation and aligning business expenses with tax-efficient strategies. From retirement planning to entity type selection and qualified business income deductions, Craig explores various tax-saving avenues tailored for agency owners. He delves into unconventional strategies like leveraging home office deductions, providing actionable advice to optimize tax efficiency. With a focus on avoiding common tax pitfalls and capitalizing on opportunities within the tax code, this episode offers invaluable insights for agency owners seeking to navigate the complex landscape of tax planning and compliance, ultimately empowering them to maximize wealth-building opportunities and achieve financial success. About this Episode In this latest episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, tax strategy expert Craig Cody sheds light on the critical importance of proactive tax planning for marketing agencies. Craig underscores the value of year-round strategic thinking, emphasizing the potential benefits of minimizing tax liabilities through proper documentation and aligning business expenses with tax-efficient strategies. From retirement planning to entity type selection and qualified business income deductions, Craig explores various tax-saving avenues tailored for agency owners. He delves into unconventional strategies like leveraging home office deductions, providing actionable advice to optimize tax efficiency. With a focus on avoiding common tax pitfalls and capitalizing on opportunities within the tax code, this episode offers invaluable insights for agency owners seeking to navigate the complex landscape of tax planning and compliance, ultimately empowering them to maximize wealth-building opportunities and achieve financial success. false full 135 323eea43-6ebc-40d2-90d0-47199611ac9e How to Create Process Without Killing Creativity, With Rob Sayles
  • 00:00 – 00:18 – Introduction and background information on Rob’s 25 years of experience in the agency industry.
  • 03:15 – 05:05 – Rob shares his experience transitioning into the digital industry and the challenges faced in the early years.
  • 08:22 – 13:02 – Rob shares two crazy experiences from his time in the digital industry, including a major website launch mistake.
  • 13:05 – 18:05 – Rob discusses the challenges of maintaining agency profitability and creativity and his transition into consulting.
  • 19:18 – 21:17 – Discussion on the challenges of balancing creativity and agency operations, and resistance to introducing processes.
  • 21:20 – 24:23 – Discussion on the need to introduce strategic consulting and the fear of process impacting creativity.
  • 24:23 – 29:20 – Discussion on the importance of feedback loops and creating a culture of feedback within the agency.
  • 29:20 – 34:00 – Addressing resistance during the implementation of processes and the need for organizational restructuring.
  • 34:00 – 36:17 – Final advice on taking incremental steps and involving the team in the process to create a harmonious work culture.
  • 36:17 – 38:00 – Conclusion and contact information for further follow-up.

    • Show Notes:

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    ]]>     Wed, 7 Feb 2024 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/
  • 00:00 – 00:18 – Introduction and background information on Rob’s 25 years of experience in the agency industry.
  • 03:15 – 05:05 – Rob shares his experience transitioning into the digital industry and the challenges faced in the early years.
  • 08:22 – 13:02 – Rob shares two crazy experiences from his time in the digital industry, including a major website launch mistake.
  • 13:05 – 18:05 – Rob discusses the challenges of maintaining agency profitability and creativity and his transition into consulting.
  • 19:18 – 21:17 – Discussion on the challenges of balancing creativity and agency operations, and resistance to introducing processes.
  • 21:20 – 24:23 – Discussion on the need to introduce strategic consulting and the fear of process impacting creativity.
  • 24:23 – 29:20 – Discussion on the importance of feedback loops and creating a culture of feedback within the agency.
  • 29:20 – 34:00 – Addressing resistance during the implementation of processes and the need for organizational restructuring.
  • 34:00 – 36:17 – Final advice on taking incremental steps and involving the team in the process to create a harmonious work culture.
  • 36:17 – 38:00 – Conclusion and contact information for further follow-up.

    • Show Notes:

    Love our Podcast? Leave us a review here!


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     How to Create Process Without Killing Creativity, With Rob Sayles Marcel Petitpas 00:40:57 In this latest episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, we had the privilege of hosting the seasoned creative advertising pro, Rob Sayles, boasting an impressive 25 years in the industry. Rob spilled the beans on the intricate dance between agency operations and creativity, urging a harmonious coexistence for maximum productivity and innovation. Sharing tales from the digital wild west of 1997 onwards, he touched on roles spanning design, development, project and studio management, emphasizing the pivotal role operations play in balancing profitability and creative freedom. With a candid story about a website launch gone awry, Rob stressed the need for meticulous attention to detail. He delved into the challenge of introducing processes without stifling creativity, shedding light on the psychological attachment creatives have to their work. The discussion also hit on the importance of agencies investing in strategic consulting, shifting their focus from just serving clients to developing internal processes for profitability. Rob rounded it off by emphasizing the need for teamwork in co-creating processes, integrating feedback loops, and regularly reviewing roles to align with goals. His insights serve as a compass for agency owners, navigating the intricate path of operations and creativity in an ever-evolving creative landscape. In this latest episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, we had the privilege of hosting the seasoned creative advertising pro, Rob Sayles, boasting an impressive 25 years in the industry. Rob spilled the beans on the intricate dance between agency operations and creativity, urging a harmonious coexistence for maximum productivity and innovation. Sharing tales from the digital wild west of 1997 onwards, he touched on roles spanning design, development, project and studio management, emphasizing the pivotal role operations play in balancing profitability and creative freedom. With a candid story about a website launch gone awry, Rob stressed the need for meticulous attention to detail. He delved into the challenge of introducing processes without stifling creativity, shedding light on the psychological attachment creatives have to their work. The discussion also hit on the importance of agencies investing in strategic consulting, shifting their focus from just serving clients to developing internal processes for profitability. Rob rounded it off by emphasizing the need for teamwork in co-creating processes, integrating feedback loops, and regularly reviewing roles to align with goals. His insights serve as a compass for agency owners, navigating the intricate path of operations and creativity in an ever-evolving creative landscape. false full 134     fc1540d3-189e-4cd5-b701-8ccbf7860efd Mastering Utilization and Capacity Planning for Agency Profits
  • 0:00-2:00  –  Introduction to the solo cast episode focusing on utilization rates, emphasizing its significance for agencies.
  • 2:00-6:00  –  Historical context of utilization, highlighting its relevance in the billable hour era and its evolving role in the modern agency landscape.
  • 6:00-11:30 – Challenges in measuring utilization, emphasizing variations in defining billable hours and capacity, hindering benchmarking efforts.
  • 11:30-15:00 – Emphasis on a comprehensive management framework and the interconnectedness of utilization with financial metrics.
  • 15:00-18:00 – Discussion on the impact of utilization on agency profitability and the absence of a universal benchmark.
  • 18:00-22:30 – Introduction to the Parakeeto framework and its consistent approach to calculating utilization within a broader context.
  • 22:30-26:00 – Insight into utilization as a lever affecting delivery margin, with examples highlighting potential discrepancies in profitability.
  • 26:00-30:00 – Exploration of the formula for utilization, defined as delivery hours over capacity, with detailed explanations of each component.
  • 30:00-34:00 – Importance of considering delivery hours over billable hours in the context of utilization, using examples to illustrate profitability discrepancies.
  • 34:00  – End Conclusion on the significance of a thoughtful and consistent metric aligned with a broader management framework, with a focus on the flexibility of the Parakeeto framework.

    • Show Notes:


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    ]]>     Wed, 24 Jan 2024 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/
  • 0:00-2:00  –  Introduction to the solo cast episode focusing on utilization rates, emphasizing its significance for agencies.
  • 2:00-6:00  –  Historical context of utilization, highlighting its relevance in the billable hour era and its evolving role in the modern agency landscape.
  • 6:00-11:30 – Challenges in measuring utilization, emphasizing variations in defining billable hours and capacity, hindering benchmarking efforts.
  • 11:30-15:00 – Emphasis on a comprehensive management framework and the interconnectedness of utilization with financial metrics.
  • 15:00-18:00 – Discussion on the impact of utilization on agency profitability and the absence of a universal benchmark.
  • 18:00-22:30 – Introduction to the Parakeeto framework and its consistent approach to calculating utilization within a broader context.
  • 22:30-26:00 – Insight into utilization as a lever affecting delivery margin, with examples highlighting potential discrepancies in profitability.
  • 26:00-30:00 – Exploration of the formula for utilization, defined as delivery hours over capacity, with detailed explanations of each component.
  • 30:00-34:00 – Importance of considering delivery hours over billable hours in the context of utilization, using examples to illustrate profitability discrepancies.
  • 34:00  – End Conclusion on the significance of a thoughtful and consistent metric aligned with a broader management framework, with a focus on the flexibility of the Parakeeto framework.

    • Show Notes:


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    ]]>     Mastering Utilization and Capacity Planning for Agency Profits Marcel Petitpas 00:40:26 In this special episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel Petitpas dives into the world of utilization rates in agencies, shedding light on a metric that often leaves people scratching their heads. Marcel stresses the importance of getting the calculation right, weaving it seamlessly into a broader management framework for agencies. He spills the beans on how utilization directly affects the bottom line and shares practical strategies for improvement, like tackling client dilution and fine-tuning team dynamics. The big takeaway? A consistent metric aligning with financial, capacity, and efficiency measures is the key to agency success. Perfect for agencies navigating changes, this episode provides down-to-earth insights for boosting productivity and profitability. In this special episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel Petitpas dives into the world of utilization rates in agencies, shedding light on a metric that often leaves people scratching their heads. Marcel stresses the importance of getting the calculation right, weaving it seamlessly into a broader management framework for agencies. He spills the beans on how utilization directly affects the bottom line and shares practical strategies for improvement, like tackling client dilution and fine-tuning team dynamics. The big takeaway? A consistent metric aligning with financial, capacity, and efficiency measures is the key to agency success. Perfect for agencies navigating changes, this episode provides down-to-earth insights for boosting productivity and profitability. false full 133     88d6ffca-727b-4d04-a0a0-bbe858f88833 How to Level Up Your Leadership as an Agency Owner, With Karl Sakas Points of Interest

    • 0:00-0:22 - Intro & background of guests and their expertise 
    • 0:21-1:22 - Four stages of day-to-day involvement in an agency
    • 1:23-1:18 - Six agency roles to consider delegating 
    • 2:20-5:05 - Clarifying swim lanes to define roles and responsibilities
    • 5:08-10:10 - Values, goals, and resources for decision-making
    • 10:11-11:00 - Developing high-functioning leadership within an agency 
    • 11:01-14:13 - Hiring strategies and delegation considerations 
    • 14:14-17:04 - Encouraging trust within the team and ongoing feedback
    • 17:05-18:13 - Importance of assuming positive intent and effective communication
    • 18:14-22:15 - The power and effectiveness of meetings, and leading by example
    • 22:16-23:13 - Resources and training for leadership development
    • 23:13 - 34:33 - Clarifying Swim Lanes and Evolution 
    • 34:33 - 48:41 - Leadership Coaching and Feedback
    • 48:41 - 49:56 - Conclusion and Additional Resources

    Show Notes


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    ]]>     Wed, 10 Jan 2024 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest

    • 0:00-0:22 - Intro & background of guests and their expertise 
    • 0:21-1:22 - Four stages of day-to-day involvement in an agency
    • 1:23-1:18 - Six agency roles to consider delegating 
    • 2:20-5:05 - Clarifying swim lanes to define roles and responsibilities
    • 5:08-10:10 - Values, goals, and resources for decision-making
    • 10:11-11:00 - Developing high-functioning leadership within an agency 
    • 11:01-14:13 - Hiring strategies and delegation considerations 
    • 14:14-17:04 - Encouraging trust within the team and ongoing feedback
    • 17:05-18:13 - Importance of assuming positive intent and effective communication
    • 18:14-22:15 - The power and effectiveness of meetings, and leading by example
    • 22:16-23:13 - Resources and training for leadership development
    • 23:13 - 34:33 - Clarifying Swim Lanes and Evolution 
    • 34:33 - 48:41 - Leadership Coaching and Feedback
    • 48:41 - 49:56 - Conclusion and Additional Resources

    Show Notes


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    ]]>     How to Level Up Your Leadership as an Agency Owner, With Karl Sakas Marcel Petitpas 00:49:59 About this Episode In this latest episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel Petitpas and Karl Sakas discuss agency management and leadership, with a focus on Karl's recent book, "Work Less, Earn More." They delve into the challenges of running an agency, emphasizing the importance of working smarter for increased earnings and effective leadership. The conversation highlights the need for clear organizational frameworks, including defining roles and fostering a positive work environment through positive intent and feedback. The podcast also explores delegation, internal promotion, and the challenges of external hiring as agencies grow. Overall, it underscores the vital role of management tools and training in nurturing leadership skills for sustainable success in the evolving business landscape, especially relevant for agencies adapting to remote work challenges. Hop into the new episode below. About this Episode In this latest episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel Petitpas and Karl Sakas discuss agency management and leadership, with a focus on Karl's recent book, "Work Less, Earn More." They delve into the challenges of running an agency, emphasizing the importance of working smarter for increased earnings and effective leadership. The conversation highlights the need for clear organizational frameworks, including defining roles and fostering a positive work environment through positive intent and feedback. The podcast also explores delegation, internal promotion, and the challenges of external hiring as agencies grow. Overall, it underscores the vital role of management tools and training in nurturing leadership skills for sustainable success in the evolving business landscape, especially relevant for agencies adapting to remote work challenges. Hop into the new episode below. false full 132     3f1e3a46-dbd8-4f83-b991-42abd9230618 How to Find Agency Success with 3rd Party Partnerships, With Tim Burke Points of Interest

    • 00:00 - 00:15: Introduction
    • 00:43 - 01:17: Significance of shared values and building relationships beyond transactions.
    • 01:17 - 01:37: Agency's role as an extension of the client and factors contributing to successful partnerships.
    • 15:03 - 15:54: Critical aspects of successful engagements and the role of expectations in sales relationships.
    • 15:54 - 16:48: Warning against agencies making unrealistic promises and the importance of setting proper expectations.
    • 16:48 - 17:25: Focusing on results through key performance activities and performance-based communication with clients.
    • 18:21 - 19:26: Importance of people in agency success, team longevity, and functional infrastructure.
    • 19:26 - 20:13: Recognition of external expertise impact and gratitude for positive collaboration.
    • 21:19 - 22:46: Retaining a team through proper hiring and the importance of shared vision and goals.
    • 22:46 - 26:15: Profiling jobs before hiring and developing team buy-in with shared goals.
    • 26:18 - 28:34: Shift in agency focus - efficiency vs. strategy and the importance of pricing models and valuing agency work.
    • 28:34 - 30:05: Delivering and receiving value in relationships and opportunities existing regardless of economic climate.
    • 30:05 - 31:01: Call to re-evaluate pricing models

    Guest Links


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    ]]>     Wed, 27 Dec 2023 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest

    • 00:00 - 00:15: Introduction
    • 00:43 - 01:17: Significance of shared values and building relationships beyond transactions.
    • 01:17 - 01:37: Agency's role as an extension of the client and factors contributing to successful partnerships.
    • 15:03 - 15:54: Critical aspects of successful engagements and the role of expectations in sales relationships.
    • 15:54 - 16:48: Warning against agencies making unrealistic promises and the importance of setting proper expectations.
    • 16:48 - 17:25: Focusing on results through key performance activities and performance-based communication with clients.
    • 18:21 - 19:26: Importance of people in agency success, team longevity, and functional infrastructure.
    • 19:26 - 20:13: Recognition of external expertise impact and gratitude for positive collaboration.
    • 21:19 - 22:46: Retaining a team through proper hiring and the importance of shared vision and goals.
    • 22:46 - 26:15: Profiling jobs before hiring and developing team buy-in with shared goals.
    • 26:18 - 28:34: Shift in agency focus - efficiency vs. strategy and the importance of pricing models and valuing agency work.
    • 28:34 - 30:05: Delivering and receiving value in relationships and opportunities existing regardless of economic climate.
    • 30:05 - 31:01: Call to re-evaluate pricing models

    Guest Links


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     How to Find Agency Success with 3rd Party Partnerships, With Tim Burke Marcel Petitpas 00:31:20 In this latest episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel Petitpas and Tim Burke dive into the transformative journey of Conduit Digital, Tim's agency that shifted gears from a broadcast media agency to serving other agencies. They tackle the ups and downs of scaling up, with Tim dishing out wisdom on hiring the right crew and setting realistic expectations. Tim's all about agencies delivering value, not just racing to the cheapest price. He points out lasting opportunities and pushes for strategic partnerships and top-notch expertise. The convo wraps up with Tim's vision for agencies thriving in a future where being smart and strategic beats playing the pricing game. It's like a roadmap for agencies to rock the changing industry scene. In this latest episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel Petitpas and Tim Burke dive into the transformative journey of Conduit Digital, Tim's agency that shifted gears from a broadcast media agency to serving other agencies. They tackle the ups and downs of scaling up, with Tim dishing out wisdom on hiring the right crew and setting realistic expectations. Tim's all about agencies delivering value, not just racing to the cheapest price. He points out lasting opportunities and pushes for strategic partnerships and top-notch expertise. The convo wraps up with Tim's vision for agencies thriving in a future where being smart and strategic beats playing the pricing game. It's like a roadmap for agencies to rock the changing industry scene. false full 131     b749e5d9-4436-4439-9277-aa576eac7b49 The 3 Steps for Creating Clarity in Your Agency Operations, With Melissa Morris Points of Interest
    • 0:00 - 2:26 - Introduction: Marcel introduces Melissa Morris and her background.
    • 2:26 - 4:48 - Importance of Operations: Discussion about the role of operations in agency success.
    • 4:48 - 8:21 - Common Challenges: Melissa talks about common challenges agencies face.
    • 8:21 - 11:30- The Scope Creep Issue: Marcel discusses the issue of scope creep.
    • 11:30 - 13:45 - Team Clarity and Training: Melissa emphasizes the importance of team clarity and training.
    • 13:45 - 15:27 - Integrating Operations Early: The conversation touches on integrating operations early in an agency.
    • 15:27 - 16:02 - Starting with Conversation: Melissa talks about starting with a conversation when dealing with agency owners.
    • 16:02 - 17:37 - Importance of Output: Discussion about focusing on the desired output and the quality of project management tools.
    • 17:37 - 19:23 - Documenting Processes: Marcel transitions to discussing the timing of documenting processes and the potential pitfalls.
    • 19:23 - 22:20 - Framework - DISCO: Melissa introduces her DISCO framework for refining workflows and processes.
    • 22:20 - 28:01 - SOPs and Training: Discussion on the right time to create Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and the importance of team training.
    • 28:01 - 32:55 - Additional Tips: Melissa suggests focusing on the tool stack and addressing team training.

    Show Notes


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    ]]>     Wed, 13 Dec 2023 10:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Points of Interest
    • 0:00 - 2:26 - Introduction: Marcel introduces Melissa Morris and her background.
    • 2:26 - 4:48 - Importance of Operations: Discussion about the role of operations in agency success.
    • 4:48 - 8:21 - Common Challenges: Melissa talks about common challenges agencies face.
    • 8:21 - 11:30- The Scope Creep Issue: Marcel discusses the issue of scope creep.
    • 11:30 - 13:45 - Team Clarity and Training: Melissa emphasizes the importance of team clarity and training.
    • 13:45 - 15:27 - Integrating Operations Early: The conversation touches on integrating operations early in an agency.
    • 15:27 - 16:02 - Starting with Conversation: Melissa talks about starting with a conversation when dealing with agency owners.
    • 16:02 - 17:37 - Importance of Output: Discussion about focusing on the desired output and the quality of project management tools.
    • 17:37 - 19:23 - Documenting Processes: Marcel transitions to discussing the timing of documenting processes and the potential pitfalls.
    • 19:23 - 22:20 - Framework - DISCO: Melissa introduces her DISCO framework for refining workflows and processes.
    • 22:20 - 28:01 - SOPs and Training: Discussion on the right time to create Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and the importance of team training.
    • 28:01 - 32:55 - Additional Tips: Melissa suggests focusing on the tool stack and addressing team training.

    Show Notes


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     The 3 Steps for Creating Clarity in Your Agency Operations, With Melissa Morris Marcel Petitpas 00:26:50 About this Episode In this latest episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel Petitpas engages in a insightful conversation with Melissa Morris, the brains behind Agency Authority. They dive into the nitty-gritty of how to level up your agency game and make it not just profitable but scalable too. Melissa underscores the critical role of meticulously defined scopes, game-changing project management tools, and the magic of well-documented processes to ditch the overwhelm and inefficiencies. But here's the real talk—Melissa and Marcel stress the need for your team to be all in, and they dish out the importance of good training. The secret sauce? Focus on clarity and organization to reduce overwhelm and drive profitability About this Episode In this latest episode of the Agency Profit Podcast, Marcel Petitpas engages in a insightful conversation with Melissa Morris, the brains behind Agency Authority. They dive into the nitty-gritty of how to level up your agency game and make it not just profitable but scalable too. Melissa underscores the critical role of meticulously defined scopes, game-changing project management tools, and the magic of well-documented processes to ditch the overwhelm and inefficiencies. But here's the real talk—Melissa and Marcel stress the need for your team to be all in, and they dish out the importance of good training. The secret sauce? Focus on clarity and organization to reduce overwhelm and drive profitability false full 130     e7a61d99-bcb3-4736-b5b8-ce4e1f9e533f How to Scale an Agency That Grows Without You, with Mandi Ellefson
  • 00:00 – 00:32: Introduction and background of the guest, Mandi Ellefson.
  • 00:32 – 03:42: Discussing the challenges faced by service-based businesses, especially agencies, in scaling beyond $1 million.
  • 03:42 – 07:38: Importance of creating an “irresistible offer” to enhance scalability and overcome common obstacles.
  • 07:38 – 12:12: Exploring the concept of crafting a compelling value proposition and aligning it with client needs.
  • 12:12 – 16:35: The significance of pricing strategy, client positioning, and delivering exceptional value to boost scalability.
  • 16:35 – 17:21: The role of mindset in scaling a business and embracing the concept of “thinking bigger.”
  • 18:56 – 19:15: Reflecting on the pivotal moment that transformed Parakeeto and the impact of reimagining the ultimate solution.
  • 19:15 – 19:38: Overnight transformation in deal size and business growth by focusing on solving bigger problems with more value.
  • 19:38 – 20:19: Zooming out to identify substantial problems, creating more value, and building a substantive process for better solutions.
  • 20:19 – 22:02: Recognizing the importance of transitioning from services to software and standardizing processes for scalability.
  • 22:02 – 22:49: Sharing experiences of intentionally under-engineering processes and the necessity of maturity in business decisions.
  • 22:49 – 23:23: Discussing the process of scaling a service firm and the service product positioning matrix.
  • 23:23 – 23:51: Emphasizing the impact of an irresistible offer on increasing prices and achieving a 300% or more price point increase.
  • 23:51 – 24:39: Introducing the client success map as a sales tool and developing the service management blueprint for scalable outcomes.
  • 24:39 – 26:50: Leveraging traffic light systems for internal evaluation, improving product quality, and enhancing client outcomes.
  • 26:50 – 29:22: Progressing through the five exits for scaling: project/account management, operations management, client strategy, sales, and executive leadership.
  • 29:22 – 30:39: Insights into the role of operations management in freeing up the CEO for growth and connecting operations with finance.
  • 30:44 – 31:50: The order of exits and the significance of separating client strategy from account and project management.
  • 31:50 – 32:51: The sequence of exits: sales as exit four and executive leadership as exit five, with a focus on building a scalable sales team.

    • Show Notes/Links


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Wed, 29 Nov 2023 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/
  • 00:00 – 00:32: Introduction and background of the guest, Mandi Ellefson.
  • 00:32 – 03:42: Discussing the challenges faced by service-based businesses, especially agencies, in scaling beyond $1 million.
  • 03:42 – 07:38: Importance of creating an “irresistible offer” to enhance scalability and overcome common obstacles.
  • 07:38 – 12:12: Exploring the concept of crafting a compelling value proposition and aligning it with client needs.
  • 12:12 – 16:35: The significance of pricing strategy, client positioning, and delivering exceptional value to boost scalability.
  • 16:35 – 17:21: The role of mindset in scaling a business and embracing the concept of “thinking bigger.”
  • 18:56 – 19:15: Reflecting on the pivotal moment that transformed Parakeeto and the impact of reimagining the ultimate solution.
  • 19:15 – 19:38: Overnight transformation in deal size and business growth by focusing on solving bigger problems with more value.
  • 19:38 – 20:19: Zooming out to identify substantial problems, creating more value, and building a substantive process for better solutions.
  • 20:19 – 22:02: Recognizing the importance of transitioning from services to software and standardizing processes for scalability.
  • 22:02 – 22:49: Sharing experiences of intentionally under-engineering processes and the necessity of maturity in business decisions.
  • 22:49 – 23:23: Discussing the process of scaling a service firm and the service product positioning matrix.
  • 23:23 – 23:51: Emphasizing the impact of an irresistible offer on increasing prices and achieving a 300% or more price point increase.
  • 23:51 – 24:39: Introducing the client success map as a sales tool and developing the service management blueprint for scalable outcomes.
  • 24:39 – 26:50: Leveraging traffic light systems for internal evaluation, improving product quality, and enhancing client outcomes.
  • 26:50 – 29:22: Progressing through the five exits for scaling: project/account management, operations management, client strategy, sales, and executive leadership.
  • 29:22 – 30:39: Insights into the role of operations management in freeing up the CEO for growth and connecting operations with finance.
  • 30:44 – 31:50: The order of exits and the significance of separating client strategy from account and project management.
  • 31:50 – 32:51: The sequence of exits: sales as exit four and executive leadership as exit five, with a focus on building a scalable sales team.

    • Show Notes/Links


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     How to Scale an Agency That Grows Without You, with Mandi Ellefson Marcel Petitpas 00:35:13 About this Episode In the latest episode of the Agency Profit podcast, Mandi Ellefson, founder of Hands CEO and author of a new book, shares practical insights for small agency owners to overcome challenges and achieve profitability. Based on her own experience, Mandi addresses common issues like agencies struggling with day-to-day operations and reaching a growth plateau. Her new book focuses on breaking the cycle of focusing solely on sales outcomes and advocates for becoming growth partners for clients through standardized processes. The guide provides fundamental frameworks for transitioning from a small agency to a multimillion-dollar company, emphasizing the importance of vision expansion and value delivery. Mandi introduces the concept of “exits,” offering steps for effective business growth, including communication strategies, operations management, role separation, and delegation. Overall, her book is a valuable resource for small agencies aiming for financial success while scaling effectively. About this Episode In the latest episode of the Agency Profit podcast, Mandi Ellefson, founder of Hands CEO and author of a new book, shares practical insights for small agency owners to overcome challenges and achieve profitability. Based on her own experience, Mandi addresses common issues like agencies struggling with day-to-day operations and reaching a growth plateau. Her new book focuses on breaking the cycle of focusing solely on sales outcomes and advocates for becoming growth partners for clients through standardized processes. The guide provides fundamental frameworks for transitioning from a small agency to a multimillion-dollar company, emphasizing the importance of vision expansion and value delivery. Mandi introduces the concept of “exits,” offering steps for effective business growth, including communication strategies, operations management, role separation, and delegation. Overall, her book is a valuable resource for small agencies aiming for financial success while scaling effectively. false full 129     57a7074b-668e-4b20-8471-259792feeacf Increasing Agency Profits With Client Lifetime Value, With Robert Patin Robert Patin is the founder of Creative Agency Success, a consulting firm dedicated to helping creative agencies scale. Robert is known for being a deeply inquisitive and analytical leader with a distinct ability to devise solutions that elevate companies and lifestyles.

    He is a two-time international best-selling author and is passionate about sharing his next-level strategies so that creative agency leaders will find fulfillment and growth.

    Find his books here:

    The Agency Blueprint
    The Practical Agency

    Points of Interest

    00:01:06 – 00:01:26

    Meet Robert Patin

    Marcel highlights Robert’s background and accomplishments, emphasizing his expertise and experience in operations, finance, and consulting for creative agencies.

    00:03:38 – 00:03:43

    Introduction to Client Lifetime Value

    Marcel initiates the discussion on Client Lifetime Value (CLV) and its importance, setting the stage for the main topic.

    00:04:01 – 00:05:17

    Importance of Increasing CLV

    Marcel and Robert discuss the significance of increasing CLV, especially in the context of expensive client acquisition, and outline key levers to maximize its impact on agency profitability.

    00:06:01 – 00:06:22

    The Churn Ceiling

    Robert introduces the concept of the “churn ceiling,” highlighting the critical role of client retention in agency growth.

    00:08:18 – 00:08:54

    Strategic Client Relationships

    Marcel and Robert delve into the importance of building strategic relationships with clients, emphasizing the value of being a trusted advisor.

    00:10:04 – 00:10:32

    Undermining Factors in Client Retention

    The discussion uncovers factors that undermine an agency’s ability to retain clients and improve CLV, focusing on delivering value and adapting to client needs.

    00:12:45 – 00:13:00

    Expanding Revenue without Operational Drag

    Marcel and Robert explore strategies to expand client revenue without adding operational complexities, emphasizing understanding client needs and navigating opportunities wisely.

    00:14:21 – 00:16:23

    Quality vs. Quantity of Revenue

    The conversation deepens into the tension between client lifetime revenue and gross profit, highlighting the importance of careful balance and considering long-term impact.

    00:17:53 – 00:18:18

    Creating Value through Adaptation

    Marcel and Robert emphasize the value of adapting agency operations to facilitate problem-solving for clients, creating goodwill and trust.

    00:18:55 – 00:19:15

    Value vs. Short-Term Gains

    The discussion reveals the pitfalls of contrived efforts to inflate CLV without providing genuine value, emphasizing the importance of solving customer problems.

    00:22:59 – 00:23:40

    Balancing Revenue and Profit

    The podcast concludes with insights into balancing revenue and profit, stressing the importance of reconciling price, scope, and cash flow for long-term agency success.


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Tue, 21 Nov 2023 21:12:59 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Robert Patin is the founder of Creative Agency Success, a consulting firm dedicated to helping creative agencies scale. Robert is known for being a deeply inquisitive and analytical leader with a distinct ability to devise solutions that elevate companies and lifestyles.

    He is a two-time international best-selling author and is passionate about sharing his next-level strategies so that creative agency leaders will find fulfillment and growth.

    Find his books here:

    The Agency Blueprint
    The Practical Agency

    Points of Interest

    00:01:06 – 00:01:26

    Meet Robert Patin

    Marcel highlights Robert’s background and accomplishments, emphasizing his expertise and experience in operations, finance, and consulting for creative agencies.

    00:03:38 – 00:03:43

    Introduction to Client Lifetime Value

    Marcel initiates the discussion on Client Lifetime Value (CLV) and its importance, setting the stage for the main topic.

    00:04:01 – 00:05:17

    Importance of Increasing CLV

    Marcel and Robert discuss the significance of increasing CLV, especially in the context of expensive client acquisition, and outline key levers to maximize its impact on agency profitability.

    00:06:01 – 00:06:22

    The Churn Ceiling

    Robert introduces the concept of the “churn ceiling,” highlighting the critical role of client retention in agency growth.

    00:08:18 – 00:08:54

    Strategic Client Relationships

    Marcel and Robert delve into the importance of building strategic relationships with clients, emphasizing the value of being a trusted advisor.

    00:10:04 – 00:10:32

    Undermining Factors in Client Retention

    The discussion uncovers factors that undermine an agency’s ability to retain clients and improve CLV, focusing on delivering value and adapting to client needs.

    00:12:45 – 00:13:00

    Expanding Revenue without Operational Drag

    Marcel and Robert explore strategies to expand client revenue without adding operational complexities, emphasizing understanding client needs and navigating opportunities wisely.

    00:14:21 – 00:16:23

    Quality vs. Quantity of Revenue

    The conversation deepens into the tension between client lifetime revenue and gross profit, highlighting the importance of careful balance and considering long-term impact.

    00:17:53 – 00:18:18

    Creating Value through Adaptation

    Marcel and Robert emphasize the value of adapting agency operations to facilitate problem-solving for clients, creating goodwill and trust.

    00:18:55 – 00:19:15

    Value vs. Short-Term Gains

    The discussion reveals the pitfalls of contrived efforts to inflate CLV without providing genuine value, emphasizing the importance of solving customer problems.

    00:22:59 – 00:23:40

    Balancing Revenue and Profit

    The podcast concludes with insights into balancing revenue and profit, stressing the importance of reconciling price, scope, and cash flow for long-term agency success.


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Increasing Agency Profits With Client Lifetime Value, With Robert Patin Marcel Petitpas 00:29:46 About This Episode The Agency Profit podcast, hosted by Marcel Petitpas, delves into the intricacies of agency operations, making it a must-listen for agency owners and industry enthusiasts. In this episode, Marcel is joined by Robert Patin, a respected consultant, author, and founder of Creative Agency Success. They discuss the critical concept of Client Lifetime Value (CLV) and its profound impact on an agency’s bottom line. About This Episode The Agency Profit podcast, hosted by Marcel Petitpas, delves into the intricacies of agency operations, making it a must-listen for agency owners and industry enthusiasts. In this episode, Marcel is joined by Robert Patin, a respected consultant, author, and founder of Creative Agency Success. They discuss the critical concept of Client Lifetime Value (CLV) and its profound impact on an agency’s bottom line. false full 128     423e5df0-7c40-4fa2-9d0c-a4798640d734 Mastering the Art of Hiring: How to Find the Perfect Freelancers for Your Agency, With Emily Hunkler QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog


    GUEST LINKS:


    ABOUT: 
    Emily is the Chief Operating Officer for GoWP, a company helping agencies grow through their dedicated staffing and via white-label WordPress service development.


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Wed, 1 Nov 2023 09:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Emily Huckler, Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog


    GUEST LINKS:


    ABOUT: 
    Emily is the Chief Operating Officer for GoWP, a company helping agencies grow through their dedicated staffing and via white-label WordPress service development.


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Mastering the Art of Hiring: How to Find the Perfect Freelancers for Your Agency, With Emily Hunkler Emily Huckler, Marcel Petitpas 00:20:32 This week, Marcel is joined by COO at GoWP, Emily Hunkler, to discuss the art of hiring. These include best practices for recruiting and working with contractors and freelancers in your agency. POINTS OF INTEREST: • GoWP and its white-label offerings 1:35 • The future of contractors and freelancers 3:30 • Drilling down into timing, mistakes, and contract arrangements 5:54 • Number 1: Timing 7:50 • Number 2: Mistakes/Misconceptions 11:09 • Number 3: Arranging those contracts 17:53 This week, Marcel is joined by COO at GoWP, Emily Hunkler, to discuss the art of hiring. These include best practices for recruiting and working with contractors and freelancers in your agency. POINTS OF INTEREST: • GoWP and its white-label offerings 1:35 • The future of contractors and freelancers 3:30 • Drilling down into timing, mistakes, and contract arrangements 5:54 • Number 1: Timing 7:50 • Number 2: Mistakes/Misconceptions 11:09 • Number 3: Arranging those contracts 17:53 strategic plan, higher profits, optimizing, account management, best practices for recruitment, agency profitability, processes, agency scaling, gowp, digital agency, improve profits, business strategy, finding focus, fixes, jason swenk, seo, agency growth, emily hunkler, the agency profit podcast, dealmaker wealth society, increase cash flow, agency owners, agency operations, increase your profit, podcast, marcel petitpas, plateauing business, collaboration, expert, how to build commercial knowledge, marketing, parakeeto.com, best business operations false full 127     7ba50c55-0aab-4467-a199-e1479b0f33e3 Growing Your Agency Through Acquisition, With Chris Moore QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog


    GUEST LINKS:


    ABOUT: 
    Chris Moore is an entrepreneur, investor, full-stack digital marketer, best-selling author, and business growth specialist. He has a strong background in business development, customer experience design, and business growth strategy. 


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    ]]>     Wed, 18 Oct 2023 09:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Chris Moore, Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog


    GUEST LINKS:


    ABOUT: 
    Chris Moore is an entrepreneur, investor, full-stack digital marketer, best-selling author, and business growth specialist. He has a strong background in business development, customer experience design, and business growth strategy. 


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Growing Your Agency Through Acquisition, With Chris Moore Chris Moore, Marcel Petitpas 00:24:46 This week, Marcel is joined by Chris Moore of Dealmaker Concierge and Dealmaker Wealth Society. They delve into acquiring marketing agencies and growth through acquisition, consulting for equity, plus the importance of recruiting staff to help grow your empire. POINTS OF INTEREST: • From solopreneurship to portfolio building 3:36 • Buying, acquiring, or merging to stimulate growth 5:59 • Financial vs strategic acquisitions 8:19 • Merit of strategic acquisitions 10:22 • Potential acquisition pitfalls 14:39 • Key principals for acquisition success 21:15 This week, Marcel is joined by Chris Moore of Dealmaker Concierge and Dealmaker Wealth Society. They delve into acquiring marketing agencies and growth through acquisition, consulting for equity, plus the importance of recruiting staff to help grow your empire. POINTS OF INTEREST: • From solopreneurship to portfolio building 3:36 • Buying, acquiring, or merging to stimulate growth 5:59 • Financial vs strategic acquisitions 8:19 • Merit of strategic acquisitions 10:22 • Potential acquisition pitfalls 14:39 • Key principals for acquisition success 21:15 strategic plan, higher profits, optimizing, account management, agency profitability, processes, agency scaling, digital agency, cactus, improve profits, business strategy, finding focus, fixes, jason swenk, seo, agency growth, the agency profit podcast, increase cash flow, agency owners, agency operations, increase your profit, podcast, marcel petitpas, plateauing business, collaboration, expert, how to build commercial knowledge, marketing, parakeeto.com, best business operations false full 126     8e8edef2-fa02-4a51-aefd-7a3f5187321a Transforming Agency Burden into an Asset, With Jason Swenk QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog


    GUEST LINKS:


    ABOUT: 
    Jason is one of the prominent thought leaders and coaches for digital agencies in the space. He's literally written the book for growing an agency from nothing to two eight-figure agencies.


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Wed, 4 Oct 2023 09:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Jason Swenk, Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog


    GUEST LINKS:


    ABOUT: 
    Jason is one of the prominent thought leaders and coaches for digital agencies in the space. He's literally written the book for growing an agency from nothing to two eight-figure agencies.


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Transforming Agency Burden into an Asset, With Jason Swenk Jason Swenk, Marcel Petitpas 00:21:07 This week, Marcel is joined by author and founder of Agency Mastery, Jason Swenk, to discuss transforming agency burden into an asset and how the agency space has evolved over the last few decades. POINTS OF INTEREST: • Running an agency in 1999 and how it's evolved 2:08 • The turning point for Jason's agency – CRM 8:06 • Facets of agency life that have become easier/trickier 9:20 • Priming yourself for success today 13:05 • Next frontier in specialization: streamlining internally 15:00 This week, Marcel is joined by author and founder of Agency Mastery, Jason Swenk, to discuss transforming agency burden into an asset and how the agency space has evolved over the last few decades. POINTS OF INTEREST: • Running an agency in 1999 and how it's evolved 2:08 • The turning point for Jason's agency – CRM 8:06 • Facets of agency life that have become easier/trickier 9:20 • Priming yourself for success today 13:05 • Next frontier in specialization: streamlining internally 15:00 strategic plan, higher profits, optimizing, account management, agency profitability, processes, agency scaling, digital agency, cactus, improve profits, business strategy, finding focus, fixes, jason swenk, seo, agency growth, the agency profit podcast, increase cash flow, agency owners, agency operations, increase your profit, podcast, marcel petitpas, plateauing business, collaboration, expert, how to build commercial knowledge, marketing, alfie wenegieme, parakeeto.com, best business operations false full 125     1fdb2a17-187f-44ba-800b-c6442b5f0652 The Ultimate Guide to Understanding Agency Rates, With Marcel Petitpas Check out the full blog post for this solocast here!

     

     

    ** FREE DOWNLOAD** The Agency Profitability Toolkit

    https://parakeeto.com/toolkit

    Get the templates, formulas and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.

    For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com

    Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice!

    https://lovethepodcast.com/AgencyProfit


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Wed, 27 Sep 2023 10:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Check out the full blog post for this solocast here!

     

     

    ** FREE DOWNLOAD** The Agency Profitability Toolkit

    https://parakeeto.com/toolkit

    Get the templates, formulas and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.

    For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com

    Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice!

    https://lovethepodcast.com/AgencyProfit


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     The Ultimate Guide to Understanding Agency Rates, With Marcel Petitpas Marcel Petitpas 00:27:25 TIMESTAMPS/POINTS OF INTEREST: • The history and evolution of rates in the professional services space: 1:40 • The three different types of rates (target rates, billable rates, actual rates): 5:00 • Understanding how to set your rates: 11:26 • Understanding how to improve your Average Billable Rate: 22:10 • Understanding how to monitor and adjust your rate 24:17 TIMESTAMPS/POINTS OF INTEREST: • The history and evolution of rates in the professional services space: 1:40 • The three different types of rates (target rates, billable rates, actual rates): 5:00 • Understanding how to set your rates: 11:26 • Understanding how to improve your Average Billable Rate: 22:10 • Understanding how to monitor and adjust your rate 24:17 false full 124     c700d577-6703-421d-af76-809af55cb706 How to Build Commercial Knowledge within Your Agency, With Alfie Wenegieme QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog


    GUEST LINKS:


    ABOUT: 
    Chartered accountant and Managing Partner at Cactus, Alife helps small to medium-sized agencies to achieve profitable growth organically through Mergers and acquisitions. He also trains agency staff to be more commercially aware.


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Wed, 20 Sep 2023 09:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Alfie Wenegieme, Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog


    GUEST LINKS:


    ABOUT: 
    Chartered accountant and Managing Partner at Cactus, Alife helps small to medium-sized agencies to achieve profitable growth organically through Mergers and acquisitions. He also trains agency staff to be more commercially aware.


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     How to Build Commercial Knowledge within Your Agency, With Alfie Wenegieme Alfie Wenegieme, Marcel Petitpas 00:24:18 This week, Marcel is joined by Alfie Wenegieme of Cactus to discuss how to build commercial knowledge within your agency to your agency’s advantage! POINTS OF INTEREST: • Why commercial knowledge is important in your agency 2:17 • Commercial knowledge and the role leadership plays in its success 5:24 • Understanding your agency model = better-informed commercial decisions 11:45 • What makes agencies dysfunctional (a rant) 16:34 • Pushback Alfie experiences during commerciality training 21:35 This week, Marcel is joined by Alfie Wenegieme of Cactus to discuss how to build commercial knowledge within your agency to your agency’s advantage! POINTS OF INTEREST: • Why commercial knowledge is important in your agency 2:17 • Commercial knowledge and the role leadership plays in its success 5:24 • Understanding your agency model = better-informed commercial decisions 11:45 • What makes agencies dysfunctional (a rant) 16:34 • Pushback Alfie experiences during commerciality training 21:35 strategic plan, higher profits, optimizing, account management, agency profitability, processes, agency scaling, digital agency, cactus, improve profits, business strategy, finding focus, fixes, seo, agency growth, the agency profit podcast, increase cash flow, agency owners, agency operations, increase your profit, podcast, marcel petitpas, plateauing business, collaboration, expert, the future of time tracking, how to build commercial knowledge, marketing, alfie wenegieme, parakeeto.com, best business operations false full 123     0d8caff0-db13-49b5-aa93-deebbb949d93 Finding Focus in Your Agency One Metric at a Time, With Ryan Watson QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog


    GUEST LINKS:


    ABOUT: 
    Ryan is an experienced operations and finance leader for creative agencies and venture-funded startups. As a partner at Upsourced, he helps scaling agencies build better plans, see the future, and drive profits.


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Wed, 6 Sep 2023 09:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Ryan Watson, Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog


    GUEST LINKS:


    ABOUT: 
    Ryan is an experienced operations and finance leader for creative agencies and venture-funded startups. As a partner at Upsourced, he helps scaling agencies build better plans, see the future, and drive profits.


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Finding Focus in Your Agency One Metric at a Time, With Ryan Watson Ryan Watson, Marcel Petitpas 00:27:09 Ryan Watson, of Upsourced, chats with Marcel about the Life Cycle of Agencies and how finding focus in your agency is your key to scaling successfully. POINTS OF INTEREST: • Ryan's work with Upsourced Accounting 2:08 • How finding focus within your KPIs builds momentum 3:39 • Identifying your mode to focus your agency 8:26 • Build Mode and the Hierarchy of Financial Needs 11:21 • Where agencies tend to get stuck 16:32 • Ryan's advice to those feeling stuck in Build Mode 23:06 Ryan Watson, of Upsourced, chats with Marcel about the Life Cycle of Agencies and how finding focus in your agency is your key to scaling successfully. POINTS OF INTEREST: • Ryan's work with Upsourced Accounting 2:08 • How finding focus within your KPIs builds momentum 3:39 • Identifying your mode to focus your agency 8:26 • Build Mode and the Hierarchy of Financial Needs 11:21 • Where agencies tend to get stuck 16:32 • Ryan's advice to those feeling stuck in Build Mode 23:06 strategic plan, higher profits, optimizing, account management, agency profitability, processes, agency scaling, digital agency, improve profits, business strategy, finding focus, fixes, seo, agency growth, the agency profit podcast, upsourced, ryan watson, increase cash flow, agency owners, agency operations, increase your profit, podcast, marcel petitpas, plateauing business, collaboration, expert, the future of time tracking, global brands, marketing, parakeeto.com, best business operations, p&l false full 122     f64ececd-d14e-4c49-b55a-8c13e72a56b2 Scaling a Technology Enabled Service Firm from $20-$150M, With Corey Quinn QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog


    GUEST LINKS:


    ABOUT: 
    Corey helps agencies break the cycle of flat sales by becoming a vertical market specialist. Host of the Vertical Go-To-Market podcast, Corey is also the author of Focus Vertical (Q3, 2023) and the former CMO at Scorpion (which he scaled from $20-$150M in 6 years).


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    ]]>     Wed, 23 Aug 2023 09:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Corey Quinn, Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog


    GUEST LINKS:


    ABOUT: 
    Corey helps agencies break the cycle of flat sales by becoming a vertical market specialist. Host of the Vertical Go-To-Market podcast, Corey is also the author of Focus Vertical (Q3, 2023) and the former CMO at Scorpion (which he scaled from $20-$150M in 6 years).


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Scaling a Technology Enabled Service Firm from $20-$150M, With Corey Quinn Corey Quinn, Marcel Petitpas 00:27:05 This week, Corey Quinn discusses scaling a technology-enabled service firm from $20 - $150 million. You see, it pays to stop saying 'yes' to clients. POINTS OF INTEREST: • 'Build Versus Buy' ethos when scaling a service firm 1:54 • Is software key to scaling your services firm? 6:29 • Where Corey sees services headed in the next decade 14:52 • Becoming a specialist in a specific vertical market 18:45 • The next frontier in specialization 21:10 This week, Corey Quinn discusses scaling a technology-enabled service firm from $20 - $150 million. You see, it pays to stop saying 'yes' to clients. POINTS OF INTEREST: • 'Build Versus Buy' ethos when scaling a service firm 1:54 • Is software key to scaling your services firm? 6:29 • Where Corey sees services headed in the next decade 14:52 • Becoming a specialist in a specific vertical market 18:45 • The next frontier in specialization 21:10 strategic plan, higher profits, optimizing, account management, corey quinn, agency profitability, processes, agency scaling, digital agency, improve profits, business strategy, fixes, seo, agency growth, the agency profit podcast, increase cash flow, agency owners, agency operations, increase your profit, podcast, marcel petitpas, plateauing business, collaboration, expert, the future of time tracking, global brands, marketing, parakeeto.com, results-only compensation model, best business operations, p&l false full 121     f8e952db-87b1-4c67-950f-d265bceb947f Unveiling The Future of Time Tracking, With Ilia Markov QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog


    GUEST LINKS:


    ABOUT: 
    Toggle might be well known for their time tracking software, but they also offer project management/resource and capacity management tools (Toggl Plan) plus hiring software (Toggl Hire) used by over 70,000 teams across the world.


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    ]]>     Wed, 9 Aug 2023 09:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Ilia Markov, Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog


    GUEST LINKS:


    ABOUT: 
    Toggle might be well known for their time tracking software, but they also offer project management/resource and capacity management tools (Toggl Plan) plus hiring software (Toggl Hire) used by over 70,000 teams across the world.


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Unveiling The Future of Time Tracking, With Ilia Markov Ilia Markov, Marcel Petitpas 00:23:19 This week, Ilia Markov joins Marcel to unveil the future of time tracking! He will discuss how to track and use your data to reach higher levels of growth. POINTS OF INTEREST: • How and why time tracking has changed 3:53 • Pushback and potential misuse of time tracking 7:51 • Blocks to achieving the time tracking feedback loop 11:39 • Turning time tracking into productive conversations 16:25 • The future of time tracking 18:05 This week, Ilia Markov joins Marcel to unveil the future of time tracking! He will discuss how to track and use your data to reach higher levels of growth. POINTS OF INTEREST: • How and why time tracking has changed 3:53 • Pushback and potential misuse of time tracking 7:51 • Blocks to achieving the time tracking feedback loop 11:39 • Turning time tracking into productive conversations 16:25 • The future of time tracking 18:05 strategic plan, higher profits, optimizing, account management, agency profitability, processes, agency scaling, digital agency, improve profits, business strategy, fixes, seo, agency growth, the agency profit podcast, increase cash flow, ilia markov, courtney tarrant, agency owners, agency operations, increase your profit, podcast, marcel petitpas, plateauing business, collaboration, expert, the future of time tracking, global brands, marketing, parakeeto.com, results-only compensation model, best business operations, p&l false full 120     964b0aab-3302-42c0-bdd9-bd186b928f8b Unpacking The Truth Behind The 4-Day Workweek, With Marcel Petitpas QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog


    MARCEL'S LINKS:


    ABOUT MARCEL: 
    Marcel is co-founder and CEO of Parakeeto and fractional COO at Gold Front – a creative agency working with top tech companies in San Francisco, including Uber, Slack, and Google. In addition to being an agency profitability consultant – specializing in helping agencies get a handle on their gains –he's also an in-demand keynote/virtual speaker and podcaster.


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    ]]>     Wed, 2 Aug 2023 10:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog


    MARCEL'S LINKS:


    ABOUT MARCEL: 
    Marcel is co-founder and CEO of Parakeeto and fractional COO at Gold Front – a creative agency working with top tech companies in San Francisco, including Uber, Slack, and Google. In addition to being an agency profitability consultant – specializing in helping agencies get a handle on their gains –he's also an in-demand keynote/virtual speaker and podcaster.


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Unpacking The Truth Behind The 4-Day Workweek, With Marcel Petitpas Marcel Petitpas 00:22:57 Doesn’t a 4 Day Work Week sound like a dream? Long weekends… indefinitely. If you run a company in the professional services space, you’ve probably been feeling some pressure around this idea. Your team might be asking about it, or you’re looking for an edge to compete for talent. The question is, how can you make it work? Here, Marcel showcases the mathematical merits of about a four-day-work-week! Doesn’t a 4 Day Work Week sound like a dream? Long weekends… indefinitely. If you run a company in the professional services space, you’ve probably been feeling some pressure around this idea. Your team might be asking about it, or you’re looking for an edge to compete for talent. The question is, how can you make it work? Here, Marcel showcases the mathematical merits of about a four-day-work-week! strategic plan, higher profits, optimizing, account management, agency profitability, processes, agency scaling, digital agency, improve profits, business strategy, fixes, seo, agency growth, the agency profit podcast, increase cash flow, agency owners, agency operations, increase your profit, 4-day-week, podcast, marcel petitpas, plateauing business, collaboration, expert, the future of time tracking, global brands, marketing, parakeeto.com, results-only compensation model, best business operations, p&l false full 119     70f753a7-7910-4841-8f20-5ac088ca2d0e How The Ad Girls Doubled Profitability with a Results Only Compensation Model, With Courtney Tarrent QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog


    GUEST LINKS:


    ABOUT: 
    Courtney Tarrant is the COO & Owner of The Ad Girls, a female-focused Facebook & Instagram Advertising agency. She has built a thriving business by catering to female-focused online entrepreneurs with a unique messaging-first methodology that has created over $40M in revenue for her clients. 


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    ]]>     Wed, 26 Jul 2023 09:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Courtney Tarrant, Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog


    GUEST LINKS:


    ABOUT: 
    Courtney Tarrant is the COO & Owner of The Ad Girls, a female-focused Facebook & Instagram Advertising agency. She has built a thriving business by catering to female-focused online entrepreneurs with a unique messaging-first methodology that has created over $40M in revenue for her clients. 


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     How The Ad Girls Doubled Profitability with a Results Only Compensation Model, With Courtney Tarrent Courtney Tarrant, Marcel Petitpas 00:45:31 Buckle up, for we have a bumper edition of The Agency Profit Podcast for you this week! Courtney Tarrant joins Marcel to divulge how The Ad Girls doubled profitability with a results-only compensation model. POINTS OF INTEREST: • How Ad Girls are breaking the agency mold 2:32 • What is a 'Results-Only Compensation Model'? 4:38 • How key performance indicators affect the model 8:30 • Trusting your employees – my soapbox moment 12:37 • Working backward from models to decipher compensation model 14:03 • Cost of delivery growing in lockstep with revenue 19:55 • Three prerequisites to the success of this model 23:28 • Spotting the optimum prospective employee 37:21 Buckle up, for we have a bumper edition of The Agency Profit Podcast for you this week! Courtney Tarrant joins Marcel to divulge how The Ad Girls doubled profitability with a results-only compensation model. POINTS OF INTEREST: • How Ad Girls are breaking the agency mold 2:32 • What is a 'Results-Only Compensation Model'? 4:38 • How key performance indicators affect the model 8:30 • Trusting your employees – my soapbox moment 12:37 • Working backward from models to decipher compensation model 14:03 • Cost of delivery growing in lockstep with revenue 19:55 • Three prerequisites to the success of this model 23:28 • Spotting the optimum prospective employee 37:21 strategic plan, higher profits, optimizing, account management, agency profitability, yellow pencil —, processes, agency scaling, darian kovacs, digital agency, improve profits, business strategy, the ad girls, fixes, recruiting diverse staff, seo, agency growth, the agency profit podcast, increase cash flow, courtney tarrant, agency owners, agency operations, increase your profit, podcast, marcel petitpas, plateauing business, collaboration, expert, jelly marketing, global brands, marketing, parakeeto.com, results-only compensation model, best business operations, p&l false full 118     baed4f5f-b6c4-4eb7-94bf-baed0f0c9c40 Selling Client Education and Credentialling, with Darian Kovacs QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog


    GUEST LINKS:


    ABOUT: 
    Darian Kovacs is the Indigenous (Metis Nation) founder of Vancouver-based PR, digital ads, and SEO company Jelly Digital Marketing & PR, alongside the digital marketing school, Jelly Academy. The host of the podcast Marketing News Canada, he’s also on the board of NPower Canada.


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    ]]>     Wed, 12 Jul 2023 09:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Darian Kovacs, Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog


    GUEST LINKS:


    ABOUT: 
    Darian Kovacs is the Indigenous (Metis Nation) founder of Vancouver-based PR, digital ads, and SEO company Jelly Digital Marketing & PR, alongside the digital marketing school, Jelly Academy. The host of the podcast Marketing News Canada, he’s also on the board of NPower Canada.


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Selling Client Education and Credentialling, with Darian Kovacs Darian Kovacs, Marcel Petitpas 00:26:31 We have the pleasure of being joined by Darian Kovacs, of Jelly Marketing, to discuss selling client education plus recruiting diverse staff with diverse voices and perspectives! POINTS OF INTEREST: • How Darian elevated the Jelly Marketing brand 1:48 • Pivotal digital marketing change over the last decade 3:55 • Importance of credentials in digital marketing 6:49 • Backing your operational strengths 9:26 • How credentialling is changing the industry landscape 12:18 • Industry diversity and the positivity it brings 20:25 We have the pleasure of being joined by Darian Kovacs, of Jelly Marketing, to discuss selling client education plus recruiting diverse staff with diverse voices and perspectives! POINTS OF INTEREST: • How Darian elevated the Jelly Marketing brand 1:48 • Pivotal digital marketing change over the last decade 3:55 • Importance of credentials in digital marketing 6:49 • Backing your operational strengths 9:26 • How credentialling is changing the industry landscape 12:18 • Industry diversity and the positivity it brings 20:25 paul bellows, strategic plan, higher profits, optimizing, account management, agency profitability, agency time and financial management, processes, agency scaling, darian kovacs, digital agency, improve profits, yellow pencil, business strategy, fixes, recruiting diverse staff, seo, agency growth, the agency profit podcast, increase cash flow, agency owners, niching, agency operations, increase your profit, podcast, marcel petitpas, plateauing business, collaboration, expert, jelly marketing, global brands, marketing, parakeeto.com, best business operations, p&l false full 117     20a0cc24-c08e-42f7-8c1e-81bff1eb8579 How Focusing on Your Niche Can Transform Your Agency, Paul Bellows QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog


    GUEST LINKS:


    ABOUT: 

    Paul Bellows is the President and co-founder of Yellow Pencil. Since 1996, his team has designed and built digital platforms and worked alongside public sector clients to develop the operational maturity and cloud infrastructure that power exceptional experiences and service journeys.


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    ]]>     Wed, 28 Jun 2023 09:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Paul Bellows, Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog


    GUEST LINKS:


    ABOUT: 

    Paul Bellows is the President and co-founder of Yellow Pencil. Since 1996, his team has designed and built digital platforms and worked alongside public sector clients to develop the operational maturity and cloud infrastructure that power exceptional experiences and service journeys.


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     How Focusing on Your Niche Can Transform Your Agency, Paul Bellows Paul Bellows, Marcel Petitpas 00:26:27 We have the pleasure of being joined by Paul Bellow of Yellow Pencil to chat all about building a niche agency and how transformative it can be. POINTS OF INTEREST: • Evolution of the agency space 3:35 • Realizing you need to niche your agency 6:07 • Fear is a great motivator to niche your agency 10:07 • Speaking to your potential client's pain point 18:02 • The power of positioning yourself 21:49 We have the pleasure of being joined by Paul Bellow of Yellow Pencil to chat all about building a niche agency and how transformative it can be. POINTS OF INTEREST: • Evolution of the agency space 3:35 • Realizing you need to niche your agency 6:07 • Fear is a great motivator to niche your agency 10:07 • Speaking to your potential client's pain point 18:02 • The power of positioning yourself 21:49 paul bellows, leveraging rest, strategic plan, higher profits, optimizing, account management, agency profitability, agency time and financial management, processes, agency scaling, alyson caffrey, digital agency, improve profits, yellow pencil, ecommerce, business strategy, improve your inbound strategy, fixes, seo, agency growth, the agency profit podcast, increase cash flow, operations agency, agency owners, niching, agency operations, increase your profit, podcast, marcel petitpas, plateauing business, collaboration, expert, global brands, marketing, parakeeto.com, best business operations, p&l false full 116     47a8eaed-958c-4b4b-8b55-c4ecb17dee8b Leveraging Rest to Amplify Agency Profitability, With Alyson Caffrey QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog


    GUEST LINKS:


    ABOUT: 

    Author of recently released book, The Sabbatical Method: How to Leverage Rest & Grow Your Business, Alyson focuses on helping her clients at Operations Agency to build scalability AND sustainability through ops.


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    ]]>     Wed, 14 Jun 2023 09:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Alyson Caffrey, Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog


    GUEST LINKS:


    ABOUT: 

    Author of recently released book, The Sabbatical Method: How to Leverage Rest & Grow Your Business, Alyson focuses on helping her clients at Operations Agency to build scalability AND sustainability through ops.


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Leveraging Rest to Amplify Agency Profitability, With Alyson Caffrey Alyson Caffrey, Marcel Petitpas 00:27:34 We have the pleasure of being joined by Alyson Caffrey this week to discuss how leveraging rest and recruiting staff is key to profitability POINTS OF INTEREST... • How Alyson’s Operations Agency helps Parakeeto 2:33 • What led Alyson to write The Sabbatical Method 5:15 • Core Thesis of The Sabbatical Method 8:48 • Successfully implementing the method 11:30 • Prepping for your first sabbatical 16:08 • Mitigating the inevitable relapse 21:35 We have the pleasure of being joined by Alyson Caffrey this week to discuss how leveraging rest and recruiting staff is key to profitability POINTS OF INTEREST... • How Alyson’s Operations Agency helps Parakeeto 2:33 • What led Alyson to write The Sabbatical Method 5:15 • Core Thesis of The Sabbatical Method 8:48 • Successfully implementing the method 11:30 • Prepping for your first sabbatical 16:08 • Mitigating the inevitable relapse 21:35 leveraging rest, strategic plan, higher profits, optimizing, account management, agency profitability, agency time and financial management, processes, agency scaling, alyson caffrey, digital agency, improve profits, ecommerce, business strategy, improve your inbound strategy, ashley carroll, fixes, seo, agency growth, the agency profit podcast, increase cash flow, operations agency, agency owners, agency operations, increase your profit, podcast, marcel petitpas, plateauing business, collaboration, expert, global brands, marketing, parakeeto.com, best business operations, p&l false full 115     3d07979d-dabe-4e7c-a091-dc8d3ae28d67 Strategies for Profitability and Client Satisfaction, With Ashley Carroll QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog


    GUEST LINKS:


    ABOUT: 

    Ashley Carroll is a solutions-focused COO at Momentum Accounting. Her passion? Helping CEOs bring their vision to life while prioritizing team wellbeing. 


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    ]]>     Wed, 31 May 2023 09:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Ashley Carroll, Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog


    GUEST LINKS:


    ABOUT: 

    Ashley Carroll is a solutions-focused COO at Momentum Accounting. Her passion? Helping CEOs bring their vision to life while prioritizing team wellbeing. 


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Strategies for Profitability and Client Satisfaction, With Ashley Carroll Ashley Carroll, Marcel Petitpas 00:19:35 Ashley Carroll joins Marcel to discuss how holistic people-first experiences, combined with the quantifiable aspect of strategy, will increase cash flow. POINTS OF INTEREST: • Why professional services businesses are unique 2:55 • Client misconceptions around increasing cash flow 5:44 • Finding the best business model to increase cash flow 9:39 • Importance of reverse engineering to increase cash flow 17:28 Ashley Carroll joins Marcel to discuss how holistic people-first experiences, combined with the quantifiable aspect of strategy, will increase cash flow. POINTS OF INTEREST: • Why professional services businesses are unique 2:55 • Client misconceptions around increasing cash flow 5:44 • Finding the best business model to increase cash flow 9:39 • Importance of reverse engineering to increase cash flow 17:28 strategic plan, higher profits, optimizing, account management, agency profitability, agency time and financial management, processes, agency scaling, digital agency, improve profits, ecommerce, business strategy, improve your inbound strategy, ashley carroll, fixes, seo, agency growth, the agency profit podcast, increase cash flow, nigel thomas, agency owners, agency operations, increase your profit, podcast, marcel petitpas, plateauing business, collaboration, expert, global brands, marketing, parakeeto.com, best business operations, p&l false full 114     edb64113-52dc-4a20-9294-b951017f26a6 Fireside Chat: Startup Agency Story, with Nigel Thomas QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog


    GUEST LINKS:


    ABOUT: 

    After leaving the corporate world aged 26, Nigel has spent the last four years building three marketing agencies – two of these agencies grew from nothing to 7-figure run rates within 12-month periods. As the CEO of Alpha Inbound, Nigel's now focused on building our reputation in the DTC landscape through business development, partnerships, and sales.
     


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    ]]>     Wed, 17 May 2023 09:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Nigel Thomas, Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog


    GUEST LINKS:


    ABOUT: 

    After leaving the corporate world aged 26, Nigel has spent the last four years building three marketing agencies – two of these agencies grew from nothing to 7-figure run rates within 12-month periods. As the CEO of Alpha Inbound, Nigel's now focused on building our reputation in the DTC landscape through business development, partnerships, and sales.
     


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    ]]>     Fireside Chat: Startup Agency Story, with Nigel Thomas Nigel Thomas, Marcel Petitpas 00:23:05 Marcel is joined by serial entrepreneur and CEO at Alpha Inbound, Nigel Thomas. Among the topics tackled; improving your inbound strategy while addressing the realities of what it means to be at such a transformational stage of growth. POINTS OF INTEREST... • How Nigel Became CEO of Alpha Inbound 3:09 • Initial Challenges to Improving Your Inbound Strategy 6:23 • Focusing on Retention for Improved Inbound Strategy 9:33 • Main Pain Point when Scaling Aggressively 12:38 • Measuring Margins for Improved Inbound Strategy 16:50 Marcel is joined by serial entrepreneur and CEO at Alpha Inbound, Nigel Thomas. Among the topics tackled; improving your inbound strategy while addressing the realities of what it means to be at such a transformational stage of growth. POINTS OF INTEREST... • How Nigel Became CEO of Alpha Inbound 3:09 • Initial Challenges to Improving Your Inbound Strategy 6:23 • Focusing on Retention for Improved Inbound Strategy 9:33 • Main Pain Point when Scaling Aggressively 12:38 • Measuring Margins for Improved Inbound Strategy 16:50 strategic plan, higher profits, peter levitan, optimizing, account management, agency profitability, agency time and financial management, processes, agency scaling, digital agency, improve profits, ecommerce, business strategy, improve your inbound strategy, fixes, seo, agency growth, the agency profit podcast, nigel thomas, agency owners, agency operations, increase your profit, podcast, marcel petitpas, plateauing business, dean soto, collaboration, expert, global brands, marketing, parakeeto.com, best business operations, p&l false full 113     897af05e-a243-4773-a155-07fd059d6318 Leveraging Processes for Profits, With Dean Soto QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog


    GUEST LINKS:


    ABOUT: 
    Dean is an expert at Systematizing Businesses while helping owners become truly wealthy – in all areas of life. All you have to do is commit to 5 minutes per day to help double your profits and reduce your workload by 70% – 80% in a matter of weeks.


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    ]]>     Wed, 3 May 2023 09:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Dean Soto, Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog


    GUEST LINKS:


    ABOUT: 
    Dean is an expert at Systematizing Businesses while helping owners become truly wealthy – in all areas of life. All you have to do is commit to 5 minutes per day to help double your profits and reduce your workload by 70% – 80% in a matter of weeks.


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    ]]>     Leveraging Processes for Profits, With Dean Soto Dean Soto, Marcel Petitpas 00:21:01 Dean Soto joins Marcel to discuss documenting and scaling your processes plus figuring out how to outsource your time. He helps all manner of businesses to leverage their processes to improve profits – all it takes is 5 Minutes a Day with Your VSA. POINTS OF INTEREST… • Dean’s ‘Aha Moment’ when Leveraging Processes to Improve Profit 1:45 • How Dean Offered Process Documentation as a Service 4:26 • Methodology Behind Process-Driven Profit Improvement 6:24 • Differentiating a Process from Principles 14:01 • Challenges of Changing Process to Improve Profits 16:29 Dean Soto joins Marcel to discuss documenting and scaling your processes plus figuring out how to outsource your time. He helps all manner of businesses to leverage their processes to improve profits – all it takes is 5 Minutes a Day with Your VSA. POINTS OF INTEREST… • Dean’s ‘Aha Moment’ when Leveraging Processes to Improve Profit 1:45 • How Dean Offered Process Documentation as a Service 4:26 • Methodology Behind Process-Driven Profit Improvement 6:24 • Differentiating a Process from Principles 14:01 • Challenges of Changing Process to Improve Profits 16:29 strategic plan, higher profits, peter levitan, optimizing, account management, agency profitability, processes, agency scaling, digital agency, improve profits, ecommerce, business strategy, fixes, seo, agency growth, the agency profit podcast, agency owners, agency operations, increase your profit, podcast, marcel petitpas, plateauing business, dean soto, collaboration, expert, global brands, marketing, parakeeto.com, best business operations, p&l false full 112     214d4f44-43b6-4516-a3de-4ca457f06e38 The Art & Science of Account Management, With Peter Levitan QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog


    GUEST LINKS:

    • Peter’s LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/peterlevitan/ 
    • Peter’s Twitter twitter.com/PeterLevitan 
    • peterlevitan.com 
    • peterlevitan.com/category/podcast/


    ABOUT: 
    During 16 years at Saatchi & Saatchi Advertising Worldwide, Peter ran business development across Europe and the USA. He was also EVP Management Director in London and New York, alongside being GM of the Minneapolis office.


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    ]]>     Wed, 19 Apr 2023 09:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Peter Levitan, Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog


    GUEST LINKS:

    • Peter’s LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/peterlevitan/ 
    • Peter’s Twitter twitter.com/PeterLevitan 
    • peterlevitan.com 
    • peterlevitan.com/category/podcast/


    ABOUT: 
    During 16 years at Saatchi & Saatchi Advertising Worldwide, Peter ran business development across Europe and the USA. He was also EVP Management Director in London and New York, alongside being GM of the Minneapolis office.


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    ]]>     The Art & Science of Account Management, With Peter Levitan Peter Levitan, Marcel Petitpas 00:22:48 This week, Marcel talks with advertising stalwart Peter Levitan about account management inflection points. POINTS OF INTEREST • Peter’s Definition of Account Management 1:38 • How Can Account Managers Leverage Client Relationships 5:47 • Internal Communications from Leadership 8:16 • Structuring an Account Management Team 14:32 This week, Marcel talks with advertising stalwart Peter Levitan about account management inflection points. POINTS OF INTEREST • Peter’s Definition of Account Management 1:38 • How Can Account Managers Leverage Client Relationships 5:47 • Internal Communications from Leadership 8:16 • Structuring an Account Management Team 14:32 adam rundle, strategic plan, higher profits, peter levitan, optimizing, account management, agency profitability, agency time and financial management, processes, agency scaling, brent weaver, digital agency, ecommerce, business strategy, fixes, seo, agency growth, the agency profit podcast, agency owners, agency operations, increase your profit, podcast, marcel petitpas, plateauing business, collaboration, expert, global brands, marketing, parakeeto.com, best business operations, p&l false full 111     d97882ac-0061-40ba-b67f-c81682f658b2 How to Attract and Acquire More Clients for Your Agency, With Brent Weaver QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog


    GUEST LINKS:


    ABOUT: 
    Brent is on a mission to help 10,000 digital agency owners achieve freedom in business and life by helping them own their market. He also happens to be the founder and CEO of uGurus – a business training and education company dedicated to this mission.
     


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    ]]>     Wed, 5 Apr 2023 09:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Brent Weaver, Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog


    GUEST LINKS:


    ABOUT: 
    Brent is on a mission to help 10,000 digital agency owners achieve freedom in business and life by helping them own their market. He also happens to be the founder and CEO of uGurus – a business training and education company dedicated to this mission.
     


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    ]]>     How to Attract and Acquire More Clients for Your Agency, With Brent Weaver Brent Weaver, Marcel Petitpas 00:26:56 This week, Marcel talks with the Founder and CEO of uGurus, Brent Weaver, about how to get more clients – and more freedom in the process. POINTS OF INTEREST: • What Led Brent to Start uGurus 2:39 • Introducing Brent's 'Five A Framework' to Get More Clients 6:37 • Step 2 to Getting More Clients – 'Awareness' 10:08 • Step 3 to Obtaining More Clients – 'Attract' 12:43 • Step 4 – 'Authority' 21:24 • Step 5 – 'Acquire' 24:45 This week, Marcel talks with the Founder and CEO of uGurus, Brent Weaver, about how to get more clients – and more freedom in the process. POINTS OF INTEREST: • What Led Brent to Start uGurus 2:39 • Introducing Brent's 'Five A Framework' to Get More Clients 6:37 • Step 2 to Getting More Clients – 'Awareness' 10:08 • Step 3 to Obtaining More Clients – 'Attract' 12:43 • Step 4 – 'Authority' 21:24 • Step 5 – 'Acquire' 24:45 adam rundle, get more clients, strategic plan, five a framework, higher profits, optimizing, agency profitability, agency time and financial management, processes, agency scaling, brent weaver, digital agency, ecommerce, business strategy, fixes, seo, agency growth, the agency profit podcast, agency owners, agency operations, increase your profit, podcast, marcel petitpas, plateauing business, niche, collaboration, expert, global brands, marketing, parakeeto.com, best business operations, p&l false full 110     2dbeba73-a4d0-4022-bfd6-d1ac9a8e535b The Perfect P&L for Service Businesses, With Adam Rundle QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog


    GUEST LINKS:


    ABOUT: 
    Adam and his team at CleverProfits build and implement world-class financial frameworks for fast-scaling online businesses. Through CFO services, his talented cohort of Chartered Accountants, Advisors, and Financial Experts bridge the gap between your company vision and tangible goals plus projections.
     


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    ]]>     Wed, 22 Mar 2023 09:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Adam Rundle, Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog


    GUEST LINKS:


    ABOUT: 
    Adam and his team at CleverProfits build and implement world-class financial frameworks for fast-scaling online businesses. Through CFO services, his talented cohort of Chartered Accountants, Advisors, and Financial Experts bridge the gap between your company vision and tangible goals plus projections.
     


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    ]]>     The Perfect P&L for Service Businesses, With Adam Rundle Adam Rundle, Marcel Petitpas 00:23:51 This week, Marcel chats with Adam Rundle (founder and CEO of CleverProfits) about the optimum P&L plus how best to comprehend and navigate your agency's financial metrics. POINTS OF INTEREST: • How CleverProfits aids Agency Owners with Financial Metrics 1:24 • How Adam Devised the “Perfect” P&L 7:19 • Methodology Behind the Perfect P&L 10:32 • There is No Right Vs Wrong in Financial Metrics 12:19 • Fixed Vs Variable Overhead 18:40 This week, Marcel chats with Adam Rundle (founder and CEO of CleverProfits) about the optimum P&L plus how best to comprehend and navigate your agency's financial metrics. POINTS OF INTEREST: • How CleverProfits aids Agency Owners with Financial Metrics 1:24 • How Adam Devised the “Perfect” P&L 7:19 • Methodology Behind the Perfect P&L 10:32 • There is No Right Vs Wrong in Financial Metrics 12:19 • Fixed Vs Variable Overhead 18:40 adam rundle, strategic plan, cleverprofits, higher profits, optimizing, agency account manager, agency profitability, agency time and financial management, processes, agency scaling, digital agency, ecommerce, business strategy, fixes, karsten rasmussen, seo, agency growth, the agency profit podcast, timejam, agency owners, agency operations, increase your profit, podcast, marcel petitpas, plateauing business, team time management, collaboration, expert, global brands, marketing, parakeeto.com, best business operations, p&l false full 109     4e8645e4-0417-48e4-bead-dca09d8a0c92 How to Keep Your Team Motivated to Track Time, With Karsten Rasmussen QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog


    GUEST LINKS:


    ABOUT: KARSTEN RASMUSSEN
    Karsten used to run a 30-people agency and is now the founder of TimeJam, which helps agencies motivate their team to track their time daily through engagement – such as gamification, humor, and by making it social.


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    ]]>     Wed, 8 Mar 2023 09:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Karsten Rasmussen, Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog


    GUEST LINKS:


    ABOUT: KARSTEN RASMUSSEN
    Karsten used to run a 30-people agency and is now the founder of TimeJam, which helps agencies motivate their team to track their time daily through engagement – such as gamification, humor, and by making it social.


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     How to Keep Your Team Motivated to Track Time, With Karsten Rasmussen Karsten Rasmussen, Marcel Petitpas 00:24:01 This week, Karsten Rasmussen – founder of Time Jam – joins Marcel to discuss how you can create a lot of engagement in your team – even around a chore like time tracking – by using gamification and leveraging platforms like Slack or MS Teams. POINTS OF INTEREST: • How TimeJam Differs to Other Time Management Tools 1:24 • Issues Behind Timesheet Compliance 4:41 • Psychological and Sociodynamics in Time Management 11:28 • Wording is Everything 16:00 • Clarity Around Timesheets is King 18:46 This week, Karsten Rasmussen – founder of Time Jam – joins Marcel to discuss how you can create a lot of engagement in your team – even around a chore like time tracking – by using gamification and leveraging platforms like Slack or MS Teams. POINTS OF INTEREST: • How TimeJam Differs to Other Time Management Tools 1:24 • Issues Behind Timesheet Compliance 4:41 • Psychological and Sociodynamics in Time Management 11:28 • Wording is Everything 16:00 • Clarity Around Timesheets is King 18:46 strategic plan, higher profits, optimizing, agency account manager, agency profitability, agency time and financial management, processes, agency scaling, digital agency, ecommerce, business strategy, jennifer plant, fixes, karsten rasmussen, seo, agency growth, the agency profit podcast, timejam, agency owners, agency operations, increase your profit, podcast, marcel petitpas, plateauing business, team time management, collaboration, expert, global brands, marketing, parakeeto.com, best business operations false full 108     5f2d2ec8-bf60-4b9b-a663-2a91281a0a7d How Account Managers are The Key to Growing Client Relationships, With Jennifer Plant QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog


    GUEST LINKS:


    ABOUT: JENNIFER PLANT
    Host of the Creative Agency Account Manager podcast, Jenny’s journey towards Account Management Acceleration commenced when she left her role as General Manager of Publicis LifeBrands in 2010, whereupon she set up her current business, Account Management Skills Ltd


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    ]]>     Wed, 22 Feb 2023 09:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Jennifer Plant, Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog


    GUEST LINKS:


    ABOUT: JENNIFER PLANT
    Host of the Creative Agency Account Manager podcast, Jenny’s journey towards Account Management Acceleration commenced when she left her role as General Manager of Publicis LifeBrands in 2010, whereupon she set up her current business, Account Management Skills Ltd


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    ]]>     How Account Managers are The Key to Growing Client Relationships, With Jennifer Plant Jennifer Plant, Marcel Petitpas 00:22:11 This week, Jennifer Plant – of Account Management Skills Ltd and the Creative Agency Account Manager podcast fame – joins Marcel to define the role of an agency account manager when growing an existing client business. POINTS OF INTEREST • What Led Jenny Towards Agency Account Managing 1:34 • Defining an Agency Account Manager 3:17 • Critical Skills for a Great Account Manager 7:53 • Setting your Agency Account Manager up for Success 11:52 This week, Jennifer Plant – of Account Management Skills Ltd and the Creative Agency Account Manager podcast fame – joins Marcel to define the role of an agency account manager when growing an existing client business. POINTS OF INTEREST • What Led Jenny Towards Agency Account Managing 1:34 • Defining an Agency Account Manager 3:17 • Critical Skills for a Great Account Manager 7:53 • Setting your Agency Account Manager up for Success 11:52 strategic plan, higher profits, optimizing, agency account manager, agency profitability, agency time and financial management, processes, agency scaling, digital agency, ecommerce, business strategy, paul higgins, jennifer plant, fixes, seo, agency growth, the agency profit podcast, agency owners, agency operations, increase your profit, legal + creative, ryan thrash, podcast, marcel petitpas, plateauing business, collaboration, modx, expert, global brands, marketing, parakeeto.com, best business operations false full 107     284b11cc-6c1b-4061-b57d-1ec51904b4ea How to Make More Money by Optimizing Your Website, With Ryan Thrash QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog


    GUEST LINKS:


    ABOUT: RYAN THRASH
    Ryan Thrash is the co-founder/CEO of MODX, which helps growing businesses crush SEO and conversion with a better, fully managed web platform.


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    ]]>     Wed, 8 Feb 2023 09:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Ryan Thrash, Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog


    GUEST LINKS:


    ABOUT: RYAN THRASH
    Ryan Thrash is the co-founder/CEO of MODX, which helps growing businesses crush SEO and conversion with a better, fully managed web platform.


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    ]]>     How to Make More Money by Optimizing Your Website, With Ryan Thrash Ryan Thrash, Marcel Petitpas 00:22:52 This week, the mind behind Make More Money by Getting Back to Basics on the Web™ – Ryan Thrash – chats with Marcel about what makes a good website, and ultimately what’s best for your customers. POINTS OF INTEREST • How MODX Helps to Make a Good Website 1:50 • Why Speed & Content is Key for a Good Website 3:30 • Ongoing Importance of Speed for Google Rankings 6:15 • Efficient Website Development Process 12:26 • Decoupling Your Data 17:32 This week, the mind behind Make More Money by Getting Back to Basics on the Web™ – Ryan Thrash – chats with Marcel about what makes a good website, and ultimately what’s best for your customers. POINTS OF INTEREST • How MODX Helps to Make a Good Website 1:50 • Why Speed & Content is Key for a Good Website 3:30 • Ongoing Importance of Speed for Google Rankings 6:15 • Efficient Website Development Process 12:26 • Decoupling Your Data 17:32 dan martell, strategic plan, higher profits, optimizing, agency profitability, agency time and financial management, processes, agency scaling, digital agency, ecommerce, business strategy, paul higgins, fixes, seo, agency growth, the agency profit podcast, agency owners, agency operations, increase your profit, legal + creative, ryan thrash, podcast, marcel petitpas, plateauing business, collaboration, modx, expert, client contract negotiations, global brands, marketing, parakeeto.com, best business operations false full 106     bbbd8eea-14df-405b-8004-061fbca74485 Buying Back Your Time, With Dan Martell QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog


    GUEST LINKS:


    ABOUT: DAN MARTELL

    Dan Martell is a serial entrepreneur, with five startups, three exits, an investor in some of the biggest, fastest-growing companies in the world, like Intercom, Udemy, AND an award-winning angel investor.


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    ]]>     Wed, 25 Jan 2023 09:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Dan Martell, Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog


    GUEST LINKS:


    ABOUT: DAN MARTELL

    Dan Martell is a serial entrepreneur, with five startups, three exits, an investor in some of the biggest, fastest-growing companies in the world, like Intercom, Udemy, AND an award-winning angel investor.


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    ]]>     Buying Back Your Time, With Dan Martell Dan Martell, Marcel Petitpas 00:22:48 This week, Dan Martell, founder and author of Buy Back Your Time joins Marcel to discuss something all agency owners should be focussed on – how to buy back your time. POINTS OF INTEREST • Dan's Ethos on Buying Back Time 4:01 • Moving Past the Entrepreneurial Pain Line 5:59 • When Best to Apply the Buyback Principle 9:10 • Calculating your Buyback Rate 11:51 • The Buyback Loop Framework 13:24 • Follow-Up & Ongoing Management 16:53 This week, Dan Martell, founder and author of Buy Back Your Time joins Marcel to discuss something all agency owners should be focussed on – how to buy back your time. POINTS OF INTEREST • Dan's Ethos on Buying Back Time 4:01 • Moving Past the Entrepreneurial Pain Line 5:59 • When Best to Apply the Buyback Principle 9:10 • Calculating your Buyback Rate 11:51 • The Buyback Loop Framework 13:24 • Follow-Up & Ongoing Management 16:53 strategic plan, higher profits, spyglass ops, optimizing, agency profitability, agency time and financial management, processes, agency scaling, stephen covey, digital agency, jhana li, ecommerce, business strategy, paul higgins, fixes, anchoradvisors.com, agency growth, coca-cola, the agency profit podcast, agency owners, agency operations, increase your profit, legal + creative, podcast, marcel petitpas, plateauing business, collaboration, expert, client contract negotiations, global brands, marketing, parakeeto.com, best business operations false full 105     996fadd2-e6ce-40b4-beb2-38eaafcc3a54 How to Optimize Your Agency's Business Model for More Profits, With Paul Higgins QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog


    GUEST LINKS:


    ABOUT: PAUL HIGGINS

    Paul Higgins is a sales strategist, lead generator, podcaster, author, and business growth strategist. With almost 30 years in the business under his belt, Paul is passionate about helping Cloud Business owners to do this – scale to live life with NO LIMITS! 


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    ]]>     Wed, 11 Jan 2023 09:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Paul Higgins, Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog


    GUEST LINKS:


    ABOUT: PAUL HIGGINS

    Paul Higgins is a sales strategist, lead generator, podcaster, author, and business growth strategist. With almost 30 years in the business under his belt, Paul is passionate about helping Cloud Business owners to do this – scale to live life with NO LIMITS! 


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    ]]>     How to Optimize Your Agency's Business Model for More Profits, With Paul Higgins Paul Higgins, Marcel Petitpas 00:30:34 This week, Paul Higgins, Community Owner at Cloud Consultants Collective, joins Marcel to discuss best business operations and how to optimize your agency’s business model for more profits. POINTS OF INTEREST • Paul’s Framework for Best Business Models 2:22 • Three Pillars to Defining a Best Business Model 5:14 • Identifying Viable Niches for your Business Model 8:22 • Offer Design & your Business Operations 12:20 • Sunk Costs in Terms of Best Business Operations 21:46 • Changing the Dynamics of Your Business Model 24:14 This week, Paul Higgins, Community Owner at Cloud Consultants Collective, joins Marcel to discuss best business operations and how to optimize your agency’s business model for more profits. POINTS OF INTEREST • Paul’s Framework for Best Business Models 2:22 • Three Pillars to Defining a Best Business Model 5:14 • Identifying Viable Niches for your Business Model 8:22 • Offer Design & your Business Operations 12:20 • Sunk Costs in Terms of Best Business Operations 21:46 • Changing the Dynamics of Your Business Model 24:14 strategic plan, higher profits, spyglass ops, optimizing, agency profitability, agency time and financial management, processes, agency scaling, stephen covey, digital agency, jhana li, ecommerce, business strategy, paul higgins, fixes, anchoradvisors.com, agency growth, coca-cola, the agency profit podcast, agency owners, agency operations, increase your profit, legal + creative, podcast, marcel petitpas, plateauing business, collaboration, expert, client contract negotiations, global brands, marketing, parakeeto.com, best business operations false full 104     9813984c-a927-4084-a192-f33d28027f1b The Value of Operations in Scaling Your Agency, With Jhana Li QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog


    GUEST LINKS:


    ABOUT: JHANA LI

    Jhana Li has over 4 years experience specializing in operations for digital startups. At the start of her career, she served as COO for two 7-figure businesses (an agency, followed by a coaching program for marketing agencies). Since then, she's become an operations consultant to dozens of agencies, plus Ops Coach to hundreds more!


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    ]]>     Wed, 28 Dec 2022 09:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Jhana Li, Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog


    GUEST LINKS:


    ABOUT: JHANA LI

    Jhana Li has over 4 years experience specializing in operations for digital startups. At the start of her career, she served as COO for two 7-figure businesses (an agency, followed by a coaching program for marketing agencies). Since then, she's become an operations consultant to dozens of agencies, plus Ops Coach to hundreds more!


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    ]]>     The Value of Operations in Scaling Your Agency, With Jhana Li Jhana Li, Marcel Petitpas 00:29:20 This week, Jhana Li, founder at Spyglass Ops, joins Marcel to discuss all things agency operations, not to mention its value in terms of scaling your agency. • Why Agency Operations are Often Ignored 1:12 • Defining Agency Operations Vs Project Management 4:21 • Critical Agency Operations Skill Sets 8:00 • Where Operations Managers Get Bogged Down 12:38 • Helping an Operations Manager Grow & Add Value 17:27 • How Ops Managers Contribute to Agency Profitability 23:28 This week, Jhana Li, founder at Spyglass Ops, joins Marcel to discuss all things agency operations, not to mention its value in terms of scaling your agency. • Why Agency Operations are Often Ignored 1:12 • Defining Agency Operations Vs Project Management 4:21 • Critical Agency Operations Skill Sets 8:00 • Where Operations Managers Get Bogged Down 12:38 • Helping an Operations Manager Grow & Add Value 17:27 • How Ops Managers Contribute to Agency Profitability 23:28 sharon toerek, strategic plan, higher profits, spyglass ops, optimizing, agency profitability, agency time and financial management, processes, agency scaling, digital agency, jhana li, ecommerce, business strategy, fixes, anchoradvisors.com, agency growth, the agency profit podcast, agency owners, agency operations, increase your profit, legal + creative, podcast, marcel petitpas, plateauing business, collaboration, expert, client contract negotiations, global brands, marketing, parakeeto.com false full 103     1841ebd7-07b2-4c81-aede-b1cdb178d8ec How to Create More Profitable and Less Risky Client Relationships, With Sharon Toerek QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog


    GUEST LINKS:


    ABOUT: SHARON TOEREK

    Sharon Toerek is a marketing law and intellectual property lawyer dedicated to serving agencies. She’s also the host of the Innovative Agency Podcast. A former President of the American Ad Federation (AAF) Cleveland, she serves on the American Association of Advertising Agencies (4A’s) Legal Consultant panel.


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    ]]>     Wed, 14 Dec 2022 09:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Sharon Toerek, Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog


    GUEST LINKS:


    ABOUT: SHARON TOEREK

    Sharon Toerek is a marketing law and intellectual property lawyer dedicated to serving agencies. She’s also the host of the Innovative Agency Podcast. A former President of the American Ad Federation (AAF) Cleveland, she serves on the American Association of Advertising Agencies (4A’s) Legal Consultant panel.


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    ]]>     How to Create More Profitable and Less Risky Client Relationships, With Sharon Toerek Sharon Toerek, Marcel Petitpas 00:26:49 This week, Sharon Toerek, Principle Owner of Legal + Creative, joins Marcel to discuss how to create more profitable and less risky relationships via faster and easier client contract negotiations. POINTS OF INTEREST • Defining the Client Contract Negotiation Phase 3:02 • Things to Consider for Contract Negotiations 9:00 • Ownership Vs Licensing in Contract Negotiations 15:20 • Pushing Back During Client Contract Negotiations 23:05 This week, Sharon Toerek, Principle Owner of Legal + Creative, joins Marcel to discuss how to create more profitable and less risky relationships via faster and easier client contract negotiations. POINTS OF INTEREST • Defining the Client Contract Negotiation Phase 3:02 • Things to Consider for Contract Negotiations 9:00 • Ownership Vs Licensing in Contract Negotiations 15:20 • Pushing Back During Client Contract Negotiations 23:05 sharon toerek, strategic plan, higher profits, optimizing, productized service, agency profitability, agency time and financial management, processes, agency scaling, digital agency, ecommerce, business strategy, fixes, anchoradvisors.com, agency growth, the agency profit podcast, agency owners, increase your profit, legal + creative, podcast, marcel petitpas, plateauing business, collaboration, expert, client contract negotiations, global brands, marketing, parakeeto.com, brad farris false full 102     b613926e-fbd1-436f-abcb-3bdc972d15fe The Key to Breaking Through the $1M Sales Barrier, With Brad Farris QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog


    GUEST LINKS:


    ABOUT: BRAD FARRIS

    Brad is known for helping owners of agencies and expert firms grow through the $1M barrier to be $3M – $5M thriving agencies. For over 20 years, Brad has worked alongside agency owners to help them to sharpen their focus, raise their prices, and hire better people so that their firm can scale. Find out more about the work he does at AnchorAdvisors.com


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    ]]>     Wed, 30 Nov 2022 09:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Brad Farris, Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog


    GUEST LINKS:


    ABOUT: BRAD FARRIS

    Brad is known for helping owners of agencies and expert firms grow through the $1M barrier to be $3M – $5M thriving agencies. For over 20 years, Brad has worked alongside agency owners to help them to sharpen their focus, raise their prices, and hire better people so that their firm can scale. Find out more about the work he does at AnchorAdvisors.com


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    ]]>     The Key to Breaking Through the $1M Sales Barrier, With Brad Farris Brad Farris, Marcel Petitpas 00:29:04 This week, Brad Farris of Anchor Advisors chats with Marcel about the key to breaking through the $1M Sales barrier in an agency. POINTS OF INTEREST... • Why $1M is a Hard Barrier to Breach 5:13 • Employee Infrastructure to Break the $1M Mark 6:35 • Importance of Performance Measure to Break $1M 12:55 • Standing Meetings to Help Break $1M Ceiling 18:01 • Progressing Towards $3M to $5M Mark 20:34 This week, Brad Farris of Anchor Advisors chats with Marcel about the key to breaking through the $1M Sales barrier in an agency. POINTS OF INTEREST... • Why $1M is a Hard Barrier to Breach 5:13 • Employee Infrastructure to Break the $1M Mark 6:35 • Importance of Performance Measure to Break $1M 12:55 • Standing Meetings to Help Break $1M Ceiling 18:01 • Progressing Towards $3M to $5M Mark 20:34 strategic plan, higher profits, optimizing, productized service, agency profitability, agency time and financial management, processes, agency scaling, digital agency, ecommerce, business strategy, fixes, anchoradvisors.com, agency growth, corina ludwig, the agency profit podcast, fractional-coo, agency owners, increase your profit, podcast, marcel petitpas, plateauing business, collaboration, expert, statwax, global brands, marketing, parakeeto.com, brad farris false full 101     9e486162-267e-46f5-b887-7a2651d8eb0c How to Increase Profitability and Agency Efficiency, With Corina Ludwig QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog


    GUEST LINKS:


    ABOUT: CORINA LUDWIG

    Corina Ludwig is the President of FunctionFox – the undisputed leader in Timesheet and Project Management Software for creative professionals worldwide. Now in its 22nd year, FunctionFox aids clients with productivity, profitability, and workflow management.


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    ]]>     Wed, 16 Nov 2022 09:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog


    GUEST LINKS:


    ABOUT: CORINA LUDWIG

    Corina Ludwig is the President of FunctionFox – the undisputed leader in Timesheet and Project Management Software for creative professionals worldwide. Now in its 22nd year, FunctionFox aids clients with productivity, profitability, and workflow management.


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     How to Increase Profitability and Agency Efficiency, With Corina Ludwig Marcel Petitpas 00:23:37 This week, Corina Ludwig joins us to talk all things agency time and financial management. What could agencies be doing better in terms of time and financial MGMT to help increase client business while maintaining internal employee satisfaction? Corina will chart some of the top trends she’s seeing across agencies FunctionFox work with that result in increased profitability. POINTS OF INTEREST • Agency trends Corina has witnessed 3:11 • Requirement for Integrating Payroll and Finance 8:29 • Time Management and Project Management 12:46 • Workflow Management 18:54 This week, Corina Ludwig joins us to talk all things agency time and financial management. What could agencies be doing better in terms of time and financial MGMT to help increase client business while maintaining internal employee satisfaction? Corina will chart some of the top trends she’s seeing across agencies FunctionFox work with that result in increased profitability. POINTS OF INTEREST • Agency trends Corina has witnessed 3:11 • Requirement for Integrating Payroll and Finance 8:29 • Time Management and Project Management 12:46 • Workflow Management 18:54 false full 100     5e82cb3c-f268-4881-8034-63b43c756a2a How Your People Empower Your Profits, With Lindsey Groepper QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog


    GUEST LINKS:


    ABOUT: LINDSEY GROEPPER

    As President of BLASTmedia (recently named AdAge top place to work 2022), Lindsey is responsible for overseeing the strategic direction and operations of the B2B SaaS PR agency, as well as driving client acquisition


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    ]]>     Wed, 2 Nov 2022 09:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Lindsey Groepper, Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog


    GUEST LINKS:


    ABOUT: LINDSEY GROEPPER

    As President of BLASTmedia (recently named AdAge top place to work 2022), Lindsey is responsible for overseeing the strategic direction and operations of the B2B SaaS PR agency, as well as driving client acquisition


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     How Your People Empower Your Profits, With Lindsey Groepper Lindsey Groepper, Marcel Petitpas 00:27:39 This week, Lindsey Groepper of BLASTmedia joins us to discuss employee churn. What is the cost of it? More importantly, how can you decrease employee churn while increasing your staying power? Read on to find out how... POINTS OF INTEREST • What is Employee Churn? 1:50 • Preventing Employee Churn 6:38 • Developing Effective Training Plans to Prevent Churn 9:04 • Framework to Maximize Employee Retention 13:54 • Helping New Managers to Avoid Employee Churn 23:17 This week, Lindsey Groepper of BLASTmedia joins us to discuss employee churn. What is the cost of it? More importantly, how can you decrease employee churn while increasing your staying power? Read on to find out how... POINTS OF INTEREST • What is Employee Churn? 1:50 • Preventing Employee Churn 6:38 • Developing Effective Training Plans to Prevent Churn 9:04 • Framework to Maximize Employee Retention 13:54 • Helping New Managers to Avoid Employee Churn 23:17 strategic plan, higher profits, optimizing, juliana marulanda, tatiyana cure, productized service, agency profitability, scaletime, processes, agency scaling, digital agency, ecommerce, business strategy, fixes, agency growth, the agency profit podcast, fractional-coo, agency owners, increase your profit, podcast, marcel petitpas, coaching, plateauing business, collaboration, expert, global brands, marketing, parakeeto.com, hire to win false full 99     74845438-2c3f-4974-b863-3e323a5e5d0c How to Stop Your Agency From Plateauing, With Juliana Marulanda QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog


    GUEST LINKS:


    ABOUT: JULIANA  MARULANDA

    With over 19 years of experience across Wall Street, the nonprofit sector, technology startups, and family-owned businesses, Juliana Marulanda, founder at ScaleTime, has served over 300 digital agencies.


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    ]]>     Wed, 19 Oct 2022 09:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Juliana Marulanda, Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog


    GUEST LINKS:


    ABOUT: JULIANA  MARULANDA

    With over 19 years of experience across Wall Street, the nonprofit sector, technology startups, and family-owned businesses, Juliana Marulanda, founder at ScaleTime, has served over 300 digital agencies.


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    ]]>     How to Stop Your Agency From Plateauing, With Juliana Marulanda Juliana Marulanda, Marcel Petitpas 00:30:16 This Wednesday, we welcome Juliana Marulanda who is a firm believer that “you can’t scale chaos.” Join us, as we unpick how best to stop the plateauing of your business… POINTS OF INTEREST • Business Plateau and How it happens 3:32 • Why $1.3Million is a Common Plateau 5:06 • Getting Through the First Plateau 8:48 • Defining Mature Process to Negate Business Plateau 13:59 • Potential Post $3M Plateau Pitfalls 21:56 This Wednesday, we welcome Juliana Marulanda who is a firm believer that “you can’t scale chaos.” Join us, as we unpick how best to stop the plateauing of your business… POINTS OF INTEREST • Business Plateau and How it happens 3:32 • Why $1.3Million is a Common Plateau 5:06 • Getting Through the First Plateau 8:48 • Defining Mature Process to Negate Business Plateau 13:59 • Potential Post $3M Plateau Pitfalls 21:56 strategic plan, higher profits, optimizing, juliana marulanda, tatiyana cure, productized service, agency profitability, scaletime, processes, agency scaling, digital agency, ecommerce, business strategy, fixes, agency growth, the agency profit podcast, fractional-coo, agency owners, increase your profit, podcast, marcel petitpas, coaching, plateauing business, collaboration, expert, global brands, marketing, parakeeto.com, hire to win false full 98     57840a19-7477-4dff-9bf4-bb5a6ae1bcfd The Evolution of Hiring in the Modern World, With Tatiyana Cure QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog


    GUEST LINKS:


    ABOUT: TATIYANA CURE

    We’re joined this week by Tatiyana Cure to discuss the evolution of hiring in the modern world today. She helps managers and HR teams evaluate their talent/hiring strategies – a lot of which she has shared via her book, Hire to Win.


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    ]]>     Wed, 5 Oct 2022 09:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Tatiyana Cure, Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog


    GUEST LINKS:


    ABOUT: TATIYANA CURE

    We’re joined this week by Tatiyana Cure to discuss the evolution of hiring in the modern world today. She helps managers and HR teams evaluate their talent/hiring strategies – a lot of which she has shared via her book, Hire to Win.


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     The Evolution of Hiring in the Modern World, With Tatiyana Cure Tatiyana Cure, Marcel Petitpas 00:25:38 We’re joined this week by Tatiyana Cure to discuss the evolution of hiring in the modern world today. She helps managers and HR teams evaluate their talent/hiring strategies – a lot of which she has shared via her book, Hire to Win. POINTS OF INTEREST • Starting an effective hiring strategy 2:21 • Tatiyana’s two key components when hiring 3:35 • Misconceptions made by firms when hiring 5:26 • Detailed job descriptions can aid diversity 14:50 • The merits of Test Projects when hiring 18:45 We’re joined this week by Tatiyana Cure to discuss the evolution of hiring in the modern world today. She helps managers and HR teams evaluate their talent/hiring strategies – a lot of which she has shared via her book, Hire to Win. POINTS OF INTEREST • Starting an effective hiring strategy 2:21 • Tatiyana’s two key components when hiring 3:35 • Misconceptions made by firms when hiring 5:26 • Detailed job descriptions can aid diversity 14:50 • The merits of Test Projects when hiring 18:45 strategic plan, higher profits, optimizing, tatiyana cure, productized service, agency profitability, processes, agency scaling, digital agency, ecommerce, business strategy, fixes, greg hickman, agency growth, the agency profit podcast, fractional-coo, agency owners, increase your profit, podcast, marcel petitpas, coaching, collaboration, expert, global brands, marketing, parakeeto.com, hire to win false full 97     1d863db1-22ab-4ffb-96c6-98cd508a17d7 How to Leverage Productized Services to Increase Your Profits, With Greg Hickman QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog


    GUEST LINKS:


    ABOUT: GREG HICKMAN

    Greg is the Founder and CEO of AltAgency™, one of the top coaching and training companies for agencies looking to grow and scale by packaging their expertise. This involves installing systems for growth and leveraging automation to save time, with the end goal of divorcing their time from their income.


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    ]]>     Wed, 21 Sep 2022 09:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Agency Growth, agency scaling, Business Strategy, Coaching, Collaboration, eCommerce, ecommerceagencygrowth.com, ecommercepartnerships.com, Expert, fixes, Fractional-COO, Global Brands, Higher Profits, Increase your profit, marcel petitpas, marketing, Optimizing, Parakeeto.com, podcast, Productized Service, Shopify Plus, Strategic plan, The Agency Profit Podcast, processes, agency owners, digital agency, agency profitability, Rachel Jacobs, Marcel Petitpas, Greg Hickman) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog


    GUEST LINKS:


    ABOUT: GREG HICKMAN

    Greg is the Founder and CEO of AltAgency™, one of the top coaching and training companies for agencies looking to grow and scale by packaging their expertise. This involves installing systems for growth and leveraging automation to save time, with the end goal of divorcing their time from their income.


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    ]]>     How to Leverage Productized Services to Increase Your Profits, With Greg Hickman Agency Growth, agency scaling, Business Strategy, Coaching, Collaboration, eCommerce, ecommerceagencygrowth.com, ecommercepartnerships.com, Expert, fixes, Fractional-COO, Global Brands, Higher Profits, Increase your profit, marcel petitpas, marketing, Optimizing, Parakeeto.com, podcast, Productized Service, Shopify Plus, Strategic plan, The Agency Profit Podcast, processes, agency owners, digital agency, agency profitability, Rachel Jacobs, Marcel Petitpas, Greg Hickman 00:29:47 We’re joined this week by Greg Hickman to discuss all things Coaching, Consulting, and how to leverage Productized Services to maximize those profits! POINTS OF INTEREST: • Defining productization or systemization services 3:20 • Mistakes made when starting to productize services 5:27 • Misconceptions when productizing services 11:13 • Framework for successful productized services 22:58 We’re joined this week by Greg Hickman to discuss all things Coaching, Consulting, and how to leverage Productized Services to maximize those profits! POINTS OF INTEREST: • Defining productization or systemization services 3:20 • Mistakes made when starting to productize services 5:27 • Misconceptions when productizing services 11:13 • Framework for successful productized services 22:58 false full 96     53df8e04-4785-439e-9a00-ad5b94c41392 The Key Phases for Efficient Agency Growth, with Rachel Jacobs QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog


    GUEST LINKS:


    ABOUT: RACHEL JACOBS

    Jacobs is the number one trusted advisor for e-commerce agencies across the globe. Her business (ecommercepartnerships.com / ecommerceagencygrowth.com) is dedicated to maximizing agency efficiency and enabling agency owners to get out of the day-to-day of running their agency so they can focus on taking it to the next level.


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    ]]>     Wed, 7 Sep 2022 09:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Rachel Jacobs, Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog


    GUEST LINKS:


    ABOUT: RACHEL JACOBS

    Jacobs is the number one trusted advisor for e-commerce agencies across the globe. Her business (ecommercepartnerships.com / ecommerceagencygrowth.com) is dedicated to maximizing agency efficiency and enabling agency owners to get out of the day-to-day of running their agency so they can focus on taking it to the next level.


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    ]]>     The Key Phases for Efficient Agency Growth, with Rachel Jacobs Rachel Jacobs, Marcel Petitpas 00:23:58 This Wednesday, e-commerce aficionado, Rachel Jacobs, joins us to discuss bringing value around the key phases for efficient agency growth. Usually, this occurs in the following order: pipeline, people, process, and profit. POINTS OF INTEREST: • Why Rachel niched into e-commerce 1:44 • Key phases for efficient agency growth 6:09 • Moving from Pipeline to subsequent phases 8:54 • Knowing who to hire for efficient agency growth 12:15 • Process for establishing efficient agency growth 20:32 This Wednesday, e-commerce aficionado, Rachel Jacobs, joins us to discuss bringing value around the key phases for efficient agency growth. Usually, this occurs in the following order: pipeline, people, process, and profit. POINTS OF INTEREST: • Why Rachel niched into e-commerce 1:44 • Key phases for efficient agency growth 6:09 • Moving from Pipeline to subsequent phases 8:54 • Knowing who to hire for efficient agency growth 12:15 • Process for establishing efficient agency growth 20:32 strategic plan, higher profits, optimizing, agency profitability, processes, agency scaling, digital agency, ecommerce, business strategy, fixes, ecommercepartnerships.com, agency growth, the agency profit podcast, fractional-coo, agency owners, employer branding, shopify plus, increase your profit, podcast, hamilton raye, marcel petitpas, collaboration, rachel jacobs, expert, amanda hamilton, global brands, marketing, parakeeto.com, ecommerceagencygrowth.com false full 95     f0e6b4c8-fb9c-40bb-9f44-38d3c9fa2fd5 How to Hire Your First Assistant and Reclaim Your Time, With Amanda Hamilton QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog


    GUEST LINKS:


    ABOUT: AMANDA HAMILTON

    Amanda Hamilton is the founder of Hamilton Raye, Your Outsourced Admin®, which brings professional remote administrative support to startup organizations and businesses! 


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    ]]>     Wed, 24 Aug 2022 09:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Amanda Hamilton, Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog


    GUEST LINKS:


    ABOUT: AMANDA HAMILTON

    Amanda Hamilton is the founder of Hamilton Raye, Your Outsourced Admin®, which brings professional remote administrative support to startup organizations and businesses! 


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    ]]>     How to Hire Your First Assistant and Reclaim Your Time, With Amanda Hamilton Amanda Hamilton, Marcel Petitpas 00:26:08 This Wednesday, we're joined by Amanda Hamilton of Hamilton Raye to discuss how best to hire an assistant. Why should you onboard an outsourced admin? To finally buy back your time, of course! POINTS OF INTEREST • When to hire a personal assistant 1:46 • Common misconceptions when hiring an assistant 5:51 • Can't afford to hire an assistant? Think again! 9:58 • Importance of process when hiring an assistant 17:49 • Potential pitfalls when first hiring an assistant 18:57 This Wednesday, we're joined by Amanda Hamilton of Hamilton Raye to discuss how best to hire an assistant. Why should you onboard an outsourced admin? To finally buy back your time, of course! POINTS OF INTEREST • When to hire a personal assistant 1:46 • Common misconceptions when hiring an assistant 5:51 • Can't afford to hire an assistant? Think again! 9:58 • Importance of process when hiring an assistant 17:49 • Potential pitfalls when first hiring an assistant 18:57 strategic plan, higher profits, optimizing, agency profitability, processes, agency scaling, digital agency, business strategy, fixes, agency growth, give & get, the agency profit podcast, bryan adams, agency owners, employer branding, increase your profit, podcast, marcel petitpas, collaboration, extract yourself from running an agency, employer reputation, expert, ph creative, global brands, marketing, parakeeto.com false full 94     dc3b0e93-4c0d-4b98-8b2f-3c6b9481b51d The Strategy Behind Defining Your Reputation as an Employer, with Bryan Adams QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog


    GUEST LINKS:


    ABOUT BRYAN ADAMS:

    CEO and founder of PH Creative, there are many strings to Bryan’s bow – bestselling author, podcaster, creative strategist, specialist speaker – the list goes on! A recognized employer brand thought leader, Bryan changes the landscape of how it’s done with his ‘Give & Get’ philosophy and framework


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    ]]>     Wed, 10 Aug 2022 09:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Bryan Adams, Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog


    GUEST LINKS:


    ABOUT BRYAN ADAMS:

    CEO and founder of PH Creative, there are many strings to Bryan’s bow – bestselling author, podcaster, creative strategist, specialist speaker – the list goes on! A recognized employer brand thought leader, Bryan changes the landscape of how it’s done with his ‘Give & Get’ philosophy and framework


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    ]]>     The Strategy Behind Defining Your Reputation as an Employer, with Bryan Adams Bryan Adams, Marcel Petitpas 00:24:27 Regardless of company size, there is an employer brand. You should leverage that inherent reputation/brand to attract the right employee to your company... This Wednesday, Bryan Adams of PH Creative discusses all things strategy in terms of defining your reputation as an employer! POINTS OF INTEREST • How Bryan got into the Employer Reputation Space 3:01 • Defining Employer Reputation 4:20 • Specific Symptoms Indicating an Issue with Employer Reputation 7:38 • Key Component of the Give & Take Philosophy 14:17 • Common Pitfalls when Trying to Build Employer Reputation 19:10 Regardless of company size, there is an employer brand. You should leverage that inherent reputation/brand to attract the right employee to your company... This Wednesday, Bryan Adams of PH Creative discusses all things strategy in terms of defining your reputation as an employer! POINTS OF INTEREST • How Bryan got into the Employer Reputation Space 3:01 • Defining Employer Reputation 4:20 • Specific Symptoms Indicating an Issue with Employer Reputation 7:38 • Key Component of the Give & Take Philosophy 14:17 • Common Pitfalls when Trying to Build Employer Reputation 19:10 strategic plan, higher profits, optimizing, american airlines, agency profitability, brad smith, processes, agency scaling, digital agency, wordable, business strategy, fixes, agency growth, give & get, the agency profit podcast, bryan adams, apple, agency owners, employer branding, increase your profit, podcast, marcel petitpas, collaboration, extract yourself from running an agency, employer reputation, expert, ph creative, global brands, marketing, parakeeto.com false full 93     58389e80-3fcf-4444-89d6-733aa524e2fc How to Extract Yourself f rom Running an Agency with Brad Smith QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.

    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out parakeeto.com

    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog

    GUEST LINKS:

    ABOUT BRAD SMITH:

    Brad helps marketers save 90%+ on publishing with Wordable. He's also the founder of Codeless and founding partner at uSERP; content production and distribution agencies that work with fast-growing brands


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    ]]>     Wed, 27 Jul 2022 09:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Brad Smith, Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.

    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out parakeeto.com

    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog

    GUEST LINKS:

    ABOUT BRAD SMITH:

    Brad helps marketers save 90%+ on publishing with Wordable. He's also the founder of Codeless and founding partner at uSERP; content production and distribution agencies that work with fast-growing brands


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    ]]>     How to Extract Yourself f rom Running an Agency with Brad Smith Brad Smith, Marcel Petitpas 00:22:34 Brad Smith of Wordable fame is on hand to discuss how to extract yourself from running your agency. He'll share his story of building and essentially exiting two agencies, and how he's now building Wordable into a new SaaS platform. POINTS OF INTEREST • How Wordable helps clients to free up time 2:26 • Codelist and its scaling timeline 4:46 • Three Steps to extract yourself from your agency 8:15 • Merits of extracting from your agency instead of selling 11:34 • Business Area Brad Found Trickiest to Extract From 15:34 Brad Smith of Wordable fame is on hand to discuss how to extract yourself from running your agency. He'll share his story of building and essentially exiting two agencies, and how he's now building Wordable into a new SaaS platform. POINTS OF INTEREST • How Wordable helps clients to free up time 2:26 • Codelist and its scaling timeline 4:46 • Three Steps to extract yourself from your agency 8:15 • Merits of extracting from your agency instead of selling 11:34 • Business Area Brad Found Trickiest to Extract From 15:34 mandi elefson, strategic plan, higher profits, optimizing, productized service, agency profitability, brad smith, processes, agency scaling, hands-off ceo, digital agency, wordable, business strategy, fixes, agency growth, the agency profit podcast, agency owners, scale to freedom, increase your profit, podcast, marcel petitpas, how to scale your marketing agency, collaboration, extract yourself from running an agency, expert, marketing, parakeeto.com false full 92     6e920d4c-dbb9-4b0a-a237-fed6e1583f7c The 5 Exits to Help Scale Your Agency with Mandi Elefson QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.

    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out parakeeto.com

    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog

    GUEST LINKS:

    ABOUT MANDI ELLEFSON:

    Mandi helps agency owners scale their business, thus allowing it to run profitably without them. She's the host of another great podcast called The Hands-Off CEO podcast. Her upcoming book, Scale to Freedom is coming out soon and will be generating proceeds for a good cause.


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    ]]>     Wed, 13 Jul 2022 09:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Mandi Ellefson, Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.

    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out parakeeto.com

    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog

    GUEST LINKS:

    ABOUT MANDI ELLEFSON:

    Mandi helps agency owners scale their business, thus allowing it to run profitably without them. She's the host of another great podcast called The Hands-Off CEO podcast. Her upcoming book, Scale to Freedom is coming out soon and will be generating proceeds for a good cause.


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     The 5 Exits to Help Scale Your Agency with Mandi Elefson Mandi Ellefson, Marcel Petitpas 00:28:59 This week, founder of Hands Off CEO and creator of Scale to Freedom, Mandi Ellefson, discusses how to scale your marketing agency – without you having to be there! POINTS OF INTEREST: • Scaling Your Marketing Agency in a Global Environment 3:55 • Common Challenges When Scaling Your Marketing Agency 5:40 • Client Management to Scale Your Marketing Agency 9:05 • Operations Management to Scale Your Agency 14:25 • Client Strategy When Scaling Your Agency 24:14 • Potentially Exiting Your Company 25:16 This week, founder of Hands Off CEO and creator of Scale to Freedom, Mandi Ellefson, discusses how to scale your marketing agency – without you having to be there! POINTS OF INTEREST: • Scaling Your Marketing Agency in a Global Environment 3:55 • Common Challenges When Scaling Your Marketing Agency 5:40 • Client Management to Scale Your Marketing Agency 9:05 • Operations Management to Scale Your Agency 14:25 • Client Strategy When Scaling Your Agency 24:14 • Potentially Exiting Your Company 25:16 mandi elefson, strategic plan, higher profits, optimizing, productized service, agency profitability, processes, agency scaling, hands-off ceo, digital agency, business strategy, fixes, agency growth, the agency profit podcast, agency owners, scale to freedom, increase your profit, podcast, marcel petitpas, how to scale your marketing agency, collaboration, expert, marketing, parakeeto.com false full 91     d2d64771-67be-4b10-86ad-9f06cec5400a How to Build a Productized Service Business to Sell with Tyler Gillespie QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.

    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out parakeeto.com

    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog

    GUEST LINKS:

    Tyler is circling back to his first love, that being the concept of creating a more tech-enabled content agency. Right from Google Chrome, you can get matched with an industry-specific human writer within 10 minutes. If that sounds of interest, do reach out to him via the below!

    ABOUT TYLER GILLESPIE:

    Noted founder with two successful exits under his belt, Tyler loves building and scaling productized service businesses! Currently, he shares his thoughts via productized.services. He enjoys traveling regularly, with home bases in Medellin, Colombia, and his hometown in Colorado. Passions include Latin culture, speaking Spanish, playing chess, and salsa dancing.


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    ]]>     Wed, 29 Jun 2022 09:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Tyler Gillespie, Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.

    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out parakeeto.com

    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog

    GUEST LINKS:

    Tyler is circling back to his first love, that being the concept of creating a more tech-enabled content agency. Right from Google Chrome, you can get matched with an industry-specific human writer within 10 minutes. If that sounds of interest, do reach out to him via the below!

    ABOUT TYLER GILLESPIE:

    Noted founder with two successful exits under his belt, Tyler loves building and scaling productized service businesses! Currently, he shares his thoughts via productized.services. He enjoys traveling regularly, with home bases in Medellin, Colombia, and his hometown in Colorado. Passions include Latin culture, speaking Spanish, playing chess, and salsa dancing.


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    ]]>     How to Build a Productized Service Business to Sell with Tyler Gillespie Tyler Gillespie, Marcel Petitpas 00:20:46 Tyler Gillespie of Productized.Services joins us to outline how best to build a productized service business with the intention of selling it. Or not selling it. It's up to you. Either way, you'll have a kick-ass well-oiled company! POINTS OF INTEREST • What set Tyler on the Strategic Path to Productized Services? 1:06 • Implementing a Strategic Plan for a Productized Service 4:21 • Strategic Plan Leading to Unconventional Acquisition 6:33 • Applying Learnings from First Business to Second Business 8:59 • Tyler’s Productized Services Checklist 13:31 Tyler Gillespie of Productized.Services joins us to outline how best to build a productized service business with the intention of selling it. Or not selling it. It's up to you. Either way, you'll have a kick-ass well-oiled company! POINTS OF INTEREST • What set Tyler on the Strategic Path to Productized Services? 1:06 • Implementing a Strategic Plan for a Productized Service 4:21 • Strategic Plan Leading to Unconventional Acquisition 6:33 • Applying Learnings from First Business to Second Business 8:59 • Tyler’s Productized Services Checklist 13:31 strategic plan, higher profits, optimizing, productized service, agency profitability, processes, agency scaling, digital agency, jon morris, business strategy, fixes, tyler gillespie, agency growth, the agency profit podcast, agency owners, increase your profit, podcast, marcel petitpas, collaboration, ramsay innovations, expert, marketing, parakeeto.com false full 90     7cf18cf5-f037-4977-93b5-95f45fc60c7b How to Develop a Strategic Plan to Grow Your Agency with Jon Morris QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.

    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out parakeeto.com

    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog

    GUEST LINKS:

    ABOUT JON MORRIS:

    Jon is the founder & CEO of Ramsay Innovations and a serial entrepreneur.  Prior to Ramsay, he established Rise Interactive in 2004, as a result of his second-place finish in the University of Chicago's prestigious New Venture Challenge.  Over the next 16 years, he grew Rise from a one-person shop to one of the largest independent marketing agencies globally.  After selling Rise, Jon pondered his next move and realized he was most energized when connecting and helping fellow entrepreneurs grow their businesses!


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    ]]>     Wed, 15 Jun 2022 09:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Jon Morris, Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.

    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out parakeeto.com

    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog

    GUEST LINKS:

    ABOUT JON MORRIS:

    Jon is the founder & CEO of Ramsay Innovations and a serial entrepreneur.  Prior to Ramsay, he established Rise Interactive in 2004, as a result of his second-place finish in the University of Chicago's prestigious New Venture Challenge.  Over the next 16 years, he grew Rise from a one-person shop to one of the largest independent marketing agencies globally.  After selling Rise, Jon pondered his next move and realized he was most energized when connecting and helping fellow entrepreneurs grow their businesses!


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    ]]>     How to Develop a Strategic Plan to Grow Your Agency with Jon Morris Jon Morris, Marcel Petitpas 00:24:39 Jon Morris joins us this week to discuss how to develop a budgetary and/or strategic plan to fuel the growth of your agency. Points of Interest… • The Origin Story of Ramsay Innovations 2:12 • Money Indicates Your Strategic Plan 5:19 • Calculating Gross Margin for Your Strategic Plan 11:03 • Defining Pass-Through Revenue 16:10 Jon Morris joins us this week to discuss how to develop a budgetary and/or strategic plan to fuel the growth of your agency. Points of Interest… • The Origin Story of Ramsay Innovations 2:12 • Money Indicates Your Strategic Plan 5:19 • Calculating Gross Margin for Your Strategic Plan 11:03 • Defining Pass-Through Revenue 16:10 strategic plan, higher profits, optimizing, agency profitability, processes, agency scaling, digital agency, mike moll, jon morris, business strategy, fixes, agency growth, the agency profit podcast, market me, agency owners, increase your profit, podcast, marcel petitpas, collaboration, ramsay innovations, expert, marketing, parakeeto.com false full 89     6a97e2ca-48b1-48a8-bb4c-5acfa9a072fd Agency Profit Podcast #88 - How to Increase Your Profit While Working Less Hours w/ Mike Moll  

    QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.

    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com

    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog

     

    GUEST LINKS:

    Website: mikemoll.co,  

    Instagram: @themikemoll  

    Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themikemoll/  

    Facebook: @mikeajmoll6  

    YouTube: @mikemoll7468


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    ]]>     Sat, 4 Jun 2022 22:47:11 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/  

    QUICK LINKS:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.

    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com

    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog

     

    GUEST LINKS:

    Website: mikemoll.co,  

    Instagram: @themikemoll  

    Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themikemoll/  

    Facebook: @mikeajmoll6  

    YouTube: @mikemoll7468


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    ]]>     Agency Profit Podcast #88 - How to Increase Your Profit While Working Less Hours w/ Mike Moll Marcel Petitpas 00:25:59 Mike Moll joins us to chronicle how you can increase your profit while working far fewer hours! Points of Interest… How Market Me Came to Be 1:30 Transitioning to Working Less while Increasing Profit 6:03 Create a Client-Centric Package 14:43 Believing in Your Pricing by Mapping Backwards 16:18 Humanizing the Pricing Process 20:55 Mike Moll joins us to chronicle how you can increase your profit while working far fewer hours! Points of Interest… How Market Me Came to Be 1:30 Transitioning to Working Less while Increasing Profit 6:03 Create a Client-Centric Package 14:43 Believing in Your Pricing by Mapping Backwards 16:18 Humanizing the Pricing Process 20:55 false full 88     9d206fe2-2f35-4990-ba51-05a69721a098 Improving Client Retention, With Shaun Clark Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog

    Guest Links:


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    ]]>     Wed, 18 May 2022 09:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Shaun Clark, Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog

    Guest Links:


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    ]]>     Improving Client Retention, With Shaun Clark Shaun Clark, Marcel Petitpas 00:23:22 This week, we’re delighted to have CEO of HighLevel – Shaun Clark – on hand to help us learn about a very important and often overlooked metric in retention, especially if you have recurring services. Points of Interest… Client Retention and the Metric of ‘Churn’ 1:17 The Two Types of Churn 3:43 Agency Benchmark for Churn in Terms of Client Retention 5:30 Retention & Churn as a Project-Based Shop 7:26 Communication of Value & Price Point 9:14 Closing the Gap Between Control & Visibility 11:49 Pricing & Client Retention 16:56 This week, we’re delighted to have CEO of HighLevel – Shaun Clark – on hand to help us learn about a very important and often overlooked metric in retention, especially if you have recurring services. Points of Interest… Client Retention and the Metric of ‘Churn’ 1:17 The Two Types of Churn 3:43 Agency Benchmark for Churn in Terms of Client Retention 5:30 Retention & Churn as a Project-Based Shop 7:26 Communication of Value & Price Point 9:14 Closing the Gap Between Control & Visibility 11:49 Pricing & Client Retention 16:56 higher profits, optimizing, white lable, agency profitability, worstofall design, processes, agency scaling, digital agency, pia silva, business strategy, no bs agency mastery, fixes, client onboarding experience, agency growth, the agency profit podcast, shaun clarke, agency owners, client retention, podcast, marcel petitpas, no bs agency podcast, highlevel, collaboration, onboarding, expert, marketing, parakeeto.com, badass your brand, new business outreach false full 87     e2c119ba-b745-4958-bb13-c2a54576d2d5 How to Build An Agency For Financial Freedom, With Pia Silva Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog

    Guest Links:

    About Pia Silva
    Pia Silva is a partner and brand strategist at Worstofall Design where they build entire brands via 1-3 day intensives. She’s also the founder of No BS Agency Mastery where she helps small branding agencies increase profits and freedom without hiring employees. She’s a TEDx speaker, a Forbes contributor, the podcast host of NO BS AGENCY PODCAST, plus the author of Badass Your Brand.


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    ]]>     Wed, 4 May 2022 09:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Pia Silva, Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog

    Guest Links:

    About Pia Silva
    Pia Silva is a partner and brand strategist at Worstofall Design where they build entire brands via 1-3 day intensives. She’s also the founder of No BS Agency Mastery where she helps small branding agencies increase profits and freedom without hiring employees. She’s a TEDx speaker, a Forbes contributor, the podcast host of NO BS AGENCY PODCAST, plus the author of Badass Your Brand.


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    ]]>     How to Build An Agency For Financial Freedom, With Pia Silva Pia Silva, Marcel Petitpas 00:21:52 This episode sees Pia Silva outline the fundamentals of how best to build an agency that brings you financial freedom via her highly profitable and succinct No BS Agency Model! Points of Interest... • How Pia Devised the No BS Agency Model 2:13 • No BS Agency Model Fundamentals 5:21 • Client Concerns Around No BS Agency Model 10:16 • No BS Agency Model Pricing 12:53 • De-risking The No BS Agency Model 14:57 This episode sees Pia Silva outline the fundamentals of how best to build an agency that brings you financial freedom via her highly profitable and succinct No BS Agency Model! Points of Interest... • How Pia Devised the No BS Agency Model 2:13 • No BS Agency Model Fundamentals 5:21 • Client Concerns Around No BS Agency Model 10:16 • No BS Agency Model Pricing 12:53 • De-risking The No BS Agency Model 14:57 higher profits, optimizing, agency profitability, worstofall design, processes, agency scaling, digital agency, pia silva, business strategy, no bs agency mastery, fixes, client onboarding experience, agency growth, the agency profit podcast, agency owners, tim kilroy, podcast, marcel petitpas, no bs agency podcast, collaboration, onboarding, expert, marketing, parakeeto.com, the 4 w's, badass your brand, new business outreach false full 86     0fc0b2bf-cfdd-4804-b2bd-afa69daeaf83 The 4 W's for Transitioning from a Freelancer to an Agency, With Tim Kilroy Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog

    Guest Links:


    About Tim Kilroy
    Tim Kilroy and his team create individualized frameworks, so that agency owners and management teams to make better decisions – and drive dramatic growth.

    To date, he has worked with over 100 agencies, helping them solve problems ranging from “How do I get my first client?” to “How do we maximize our exit value?” This results in amazing things such as growing by eight times in a year, or by three times in 90 days. Like we said – dramatic growth!


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    ]]>     Wed, 20 Apr 2022 09:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Tim Kilroy, Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to parakeeto.com/blog

    Guest Links:


    About Tim Kilroy
    Tim Kilroy and his team create individualized frameworks, so that agency owners and management teams to make better decisions – and drive dramatic growth.

    To date, he has worked with over 100 agencies, helping them solve problems ranging from “How do I get my first client?” to “How do we maximize our exit value?” This results in amazing things such as growing by eight times in a year, or by three times in 90 days. Like we said – dramatic growth!


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    ]]>     The 4 W's for Transitioning from a Freelancer to an Agency, With Tim Kilroy Tim Kilroy, Marcel Petitpas 00:23:55 Are you a freelancer itching to take things to the next level? Well, maybe it’s time to consider Tim Kilroy‘s 4 W’s for transitioning from freelancing to being an agency owner. Tim helps digital agencies (and their owners) generate more revenue, more profit (and, by extension, more happiness) without working a million hours – or having to be overtly “sales-y” in the process. Points of Interest… • The Importance of The 4’Ws 2:36 • Main Sticking Point Agencies Encounter when Transitioning 14:22 • Agency Growth Via Creating Teams and Systems 18:35 • Pinpointing the Next Stage of Agency Growth 19:59 Are you a freelancer itching to take things to the next level? Well, maybe it’s time to consider Tim Kilroy‘s 4 W’s for transitioning from freelancing to being an agency owner. Tim helps digital agencies (and their owners) generate more revenue, more profit (and, by extension, more happiness) without working a million hours – or having to be overtly “sales-y” in the process. Points of Interest… • The Importance of The 4’Ws 2:36 • Main Sticking Point Agencies Encounter when Transitioning 14:22 • Agency Growth Via Creating Teams and Systems 18:35 • Pinpointing the Next Stage of Agency Growth 19:59 higher profits, optimizing, agency profitability, processes, agency scaling, digital agency, business strategy, fixes, client onboarding experience, agency growth, the agency profit podcast, agency owners, tim kilroy, sales schema, podcast, marcel petitpas, collaboration, onboarding, expert, dan englander, marketing, parakeeto.com, the 4 w's, new business outreach false full 85     fea277e1-5b64-46b8-a0b1-a82ccb7addf0 How to do Personalized New Business Outreach at Scale, With Dan Englander Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to https://parakeeto.com/blog

    Guest Links:


    About Dan Englander
    Dan is CEO and founder of Sales Schema, a fractional new business team for marketing agencies and B2B service companies. He also hosts the digital agency growth podcast and is the author of a slew of books, including Mastering Account Management, The B2B Sales Blueprint, and a new book in the pipeline entitled Relationship Sales at Scale!


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    ]]>     Wed, 6 Apr 2022 09:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Dan Englander, Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to https://parakeeto.com/blog

    Guest Links:


    About Dan Englander
    Dan is CEO and founder of Sales Schema, a fractional new business team for marketing agencies and B2B service companies. He also hosts the digital agency growth podcast and is the author of a slew of books, including Mastering Account Management, The B2B Sales Blueprint, and a new book in the pipeline entitled Relationship Sales at Scale!


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    ]]>     How to do Personalized New Business Outreach at Scale, With Dan Englander Dan Englander, Marcel Petitpas 00:25:01 This week, our guest is Sales Schema CEO and founder Dan Englander who outlines how to orchestrate new business outreach at scale. Points of Interest… • What Dan Does at Sales Schema 1:23 • How to Sell Complex Services 3:24 • De-risking Conversations and Cold Outreach Pitfalls 6:00 • New Business Outreach Scaleable Sweet Spot 9:42 This week, our guest is Sales Schema CEO and founder Dan Englander who outlines how to orchestrate new business outreach at scale. Points of Interest… • What Dan Does at Sales Schema 1:23 • How to Sell Complex Services 3:24 • De-risking Conversations and Cold Outreach Pitfalls 6:00 • New Business Outreach Scaleable Sweet Spot 9:42 dot & company, higher profits, optimizing, agency profitability, processes, agency scaling, digital agency, taylor mcmaster, business strategy, fixes, client onboarding experience, the agency profit podcast, agency owners, sales schema, podcast, marcel petitpas, collaboration, onboarding, expert, dan englander, marketing, parakeeto.com, new business outreach false full 84     b49e66cf-7ac4-45c2-b09b-ce938f1f9532 How to Perfect the Client Onboarding Experience, with Taylor McMaster Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to https://parakeeto.com/blog

    Guest Links:

    About Taylor McMaster:

    Taylor leads a team of Client Account Managers at DOT & Company, training the CAMs to work with different agencies. To date, they have helped dozens of digital marketing agencies free up their time to prioritize the money-makers in their businesses, all while the DOT team ensures their client experience runs super smooth.

    Taylor spends her spare time renovating houses around Nova Scotia, Canada.

     


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    ]]>     Wed, 23 Mar 2022 09:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to https://parakeeto.com/blog

    Guest Links:

    About Taylor McMaster:

    Taylor leads a team of Client Account Managers at DOT & Company, training the CAMs to work with different agencies. To date, they have helped dozens of digital marketing agencies free up their time to prioritize the money-makers in their businesses, all while the DOT team ensures their client experience runs super smooth.

    Taylor spends her spare time renovating houses around Nova Scotia, Canada.

     


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    ]]>     How to Perfect the Client Onboarding Experience, with Taylor McMaster Marcel Petitpas 00:22:32 This week, our guest is the founder of DOT & Company, Taylor McMaster. With full-service client account management services, Taylor and her team help digital marketing agencies keep their clients happy – and, by extension, keep agency owners focused on what they do best! Points of Interest… • How DOT Specializes in Account Management 1:31 • The Role of an Account Manager 3:03 • Keys to Account Management 8:00 • Managing Client Expectation 11:35 • How to Better Your Account Management 13:06 This week, our guest is the founder of DOT & Company, Taylor McMaster. With full-service client account management services, Taylor and her team help digital marketing agencies keep their clients happy – and, by extension, keep agency owners focused on what they do best! Points of Interest… • How DOT Specializes in Account Management 1:31 • The Role of an Account Manager 3:03 • Keys to Account Management 8:00 • Managing Client Expectation 11:35 • How to Better Your Account Management 13:06 false full 83     c29b2a0e-0ee9-4bdb-8ac7-d707f17ffb45 Hiring, Salaries and Geo-Arbitrage in a Remote World, With Noel Andrews Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to https://parakeeto.com/blog

    Guest Links:

    About Noel Andrews:

    After 15 years of recruiting and leading teams within large corporate technology functions, Noel bought JobRack to help bring the wonders of Eastern European remote workers to business owners all over the world!

    JobRack has been helping business owners get access to Eastern European remote workers since 2015 and over 500 businesses have hired successfully, many of them returning again and again, as they build their teams with great hires.

    His expertise includes outsourcing, outsourcing to Eastern Europe, online business development, online business growth, hiring mastery, finding A-players for remote companies, finding job seekers, finding quality workers, online education, growing business, connecting people, management, brand culture, and team building.

     


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    ]]>     Wed, 9 Mar 2022 09:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas, Taylor McMaster) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.
    • Want to see/read more about this episode? Then do make your way to https://parakeeto.com/blog

    Guest Links:

    About Noel Andrews:

    After 15 years of recruiting and leading teams within large corporate technology functions, Noel bought JobRack to help bring the wonders of Eastern European remote workers to business owners all over the world!

    JobRack has been helping business owners get access to Eastern European remote workers since 2015 and over 500 businesses have hired successfully, many of them returning again and again, as they build their teams with great hires.

    His expertise includes outsourcing, outsourcing to Eastern Europe, online business development, online business growth, hiring mastery, finding A-players for remote companies, finding job seekers, finding quality workers, online education, growing business, connecting people, management, brand culture, and team building.

     


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    ]]>     Hiring, Salaries and Geo-Arbitrage in a Remote World, With Noel Andrews Marcel Petitpas, Taylor McMaster 00:22:40 This week, we’re super excited to be joined by Noel Andrews of JobRack. He’s going to help us break down how to think about hiring and talent in a global remote work world, where everything has changed. ***Please note this podcast recording took place before the invasion of Ukraine and we recognize that business is not as usual in this country and its neighbors*** Points of Interest… • What is JobRack? 1:41 • How COVID Changed Remote Working 4:26 • Insights Re Large Companies Compensating Remote Talent 7:00 • Putting Together the Optimum Compensation Plan 12:07 • Process to Decide Appropriate Pay Range 16:47 This week, we’re super excited to be joined by Noel Andrews of JobRack. He’s going to help us break down how to think about hiring and talent in a global remote work world, where everything has changed. ***Please note this podcast recording took place before the invasion of Ukraine and we recognize that business is not as usual in this country and its neighbors*** Points of Interest… • What is JobRack? 1:41 • How COVID Changed Remote Working 4:26 • Insights Re Large Companies Compensating Remote Talent 7:00 • Putting Together the Optimum Compensation Plan 12:07 • Process to Decide Appropriate Pay Range 16:47 dot & company, higher profits, optimizing, agency profitability, processes, agency scaling, digital agency, taylor mcmaster, business strategy, fixes, geo-arbitrage, the agency profit podcast, agency owners, podcast, marcel petitpas, collaboration, onboarding, expert, marketing, parakeeto.com false full 82     0b5d7d3a-36bd-471a-b21e-8c8f4f52366a Helping Agencies Improve Their Financial Visibility, With Russell Benaroya Quick Links

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    Guest Links:

     –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

    Entrepreneur, author, coach, and co-founder of Stride Services, the highly accomplished Russell Benaroya joins us this week to help agencies improve their financial visibility.

    About Russell Benaroya

    Russell Benaroya is an entrepreneur, author, and coach focused on helping people achieve their highest and best use by staying in their genius zones. Having spent the last twenty years in investment banking, private equity, and entrepreneurship, Russell was in the optimum position to cofound Stride Services, an outsourced accounting and strategic finance firm helping business owners use their data for better decision-making. Russell regularly speaks about a range of topics designed to help leaders build successful businesses through a combination of self-discovery and tactical financial tools. A recipient of the 40 Under 40 recognition from the Puget Sound Business Journal in Seattle, his writing has appeared in Forbes. He’s additionally authored Free Yourself to Work on Your Business and, more recently, One Life to Lead. Russell is a business school graduate of the Anderson School at UCLA.

    On the weekends you can find Russell trail running in the mountains! An avid ultra-runner, he recently completed the Cascade Crest 100 mile ultra-marathon in 30 hours.


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    ]]>     Wed, 23 Feb 2022 09:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Russell Benaroya, Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Quick Links

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    Guest Links:

     –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

    Entrepreneur, author, coach, and co-founder of Stride Services, the highly accomplished Russell Benaroya joins us this week to help agencies improve their financial visibility.

    About Russell Benaroya

    Russell Benaroya is an entrepreneur, author, and coach focused on helping people achieve their highest and best use by staying in their genius zones. Having spent the last twenty years in investment banking, private equity, and entrepreneurship, Russell was in the optimum position to cofound Stride Services, an outsourced accounting and strategic finance firm helping business owners use their data for better decision-making. Russell regularly speaks about a range of topics designed to help leaders build successful businesses through a combination of self-discovery and tactical financial tools. A recipient of the 40 Under 40 recognition from the Puget Sound Business Journal in Seattle, his writing has appeared in Forbes. He’s additionally authored Free Yourself to Work on Your Business and, more recently, One Life to Lead. Russell is a business school graduate of the Anderson School at UCLA.

    On the weekends you can find Russell trail running in the mountains! An avid ultra-runner, he recently completed the Cascade Crest 100 mile ultra-marathon in 30 hours.


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    ]]>     Helping Agencies Improve Their Financial Visibility, With Russell Benaroya Russell Benaroya, Marcel Petitpas 00:23:46 The highly accomplished entrepreneur, author, coach, and co-founder of Stride Services, Russell Benaroya joins us this week to help agencies improve their financial visibility. Points of Interest… What Russell Does 2:00 How Stride Services Came About 4:00 Owning the Financial Professional Services Space 7:44 General Accounting Vs Your Specific Needs 11:05 Delivering Revenue Recognition 16:57 The highly accomplished entrepreneur, author, coach, and co-founder of Stride Services, Russell Benaroya joins us this week to help agencies improve their financial visibility. Points of Interest… What Russell Does 2:00 How Stride Services Came About 4:00 Owning the Financial Professional Services Space 7:44 General Accounting Vs Your Specific Needs 11:05 Delivering Revenue Recognition 16:57 one life to lead, websites, higher profits, optimizing, specialization, agency profitability, processes, agency scaling, stride services, digital agency, business strategy, forbes, fixes, russell benaroya, the agency profit podcast, agency owners, liston witherill, crm, podcast, marcel petitpas, professional service firms, collaboration, expert, marketing, parakeeto.com false full 81     8f38c741-4a21-419d-bb6d-d18fee2ed82e Case Study: 3 Years of Working With Parakeeto Part 2, With Josh Lowman Quick Links:

    Guest Links:

    -----

    About Josh Lowman | Gold Front

    As you may recall from our previous episode with Josh, he is an incredible creative director and entrepreneur. As Founder and Chief Creative Officer at Gold Front, he’s a long-term client of Parakeeto,

    A category design studio, GF is based in SanFran but also has other locations strewn across America. Their primary goal? To help growth-stage startups define and own their own category.

    How did Josh get into this space? Well, Gold Front started as a Brand Studio before branching out into Category Strategy, with Josh then realizing the need to combine Brand Execution with Category Creation Strategy. This has led to collaborations with Uber, Robinhood, Newsela, plus oodles more to build category-defining brands.

    When Josh isn’t changing the branding landscape, he’s enjoying downtime with his wife, daughters, and his dog!


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    ]]>     Wed, 9 Feb 2022 09:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas, Josh Lowman) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Quick Links:

    Guest Links:

    -----

    About Josh Lowman | Gold Front

    As you may recall from our previous episode with Josh, he is an incredible creative director and entrepreneur. As Founder and Chief Creative Officer at Gold Front, he’s a long-term client of Parakeeto,

    A category design studio, GF is based in SanFran but also has other locations strewn across America. Their primary goal? To help growth-stage startups define and own their own category.

    How did Josh get into this space? Well, Gold Front started as a Brand Studio before branching out into Category Strategy, with Josh then realizing the need to combine Brand Execution with Category Creation Strategy. This has led to collaborations with Uber, Robinhood, Newsela, plus oodles more to build category-defining brands.

    When Josh isn’t changing the branding landscape, he’s enjoying downtime with his wife, daughters, and his dog!


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    ]]>     Case Study: 3 Years of Working With Parakeeto Part 2, With Josh Lowman Marcel Petitpas, Josh Lowman 00:23:04 As promised, here is Part 2 of our case study featuring Josh Lowman of Gold Front. Josh and I have joined forces to examine the last three years working in tandem, which have been quite the ride – hence the two installments! In part one, we talked about how Josh figured out that he needed help in his agency with profitability, how he came to that conclusion, how he found us, and the origin story of us working together. In this second part, we’re going to unpack some of the things we’ve encountered, the major milestones, the progress we’ve achieved, and some of the mindset shifts that have occurred along the way. Points of Interest… • The Current State of Gold Front 1:21 • Metrics that Provided Effectiveness 5:56 • Accurately Calculating Effectiveness 10:07 • Josh Turns the Tables on Me… 14:13 • Challenges in the Partnership 16:35 As promised, here is Part 2 of our case study featuring Josh Lowman of Gold Front. Josh and I have joined forces to examine the last three years working in tandem, which have been quite the ride – hence the two installments! In part one, we talked about how Josh figured out that he needed help in his agency with profitability, how he came to that conclusion, how he found us, and the origin story of us working together. In this second part, we’re going to unpack some of the things we’ve encountered, the major milestones, the progress we’ve achieved, and some of the mindset shifts that have occurred along the way. Points of Interest… • The Current State of Gold Front 1:21 • Metrics that Provided Effectiveness 5:56 • Accurately Calculating Effectiveness 10:07 • Josh Turns the Tables on Me… 14:13 • Challenges in the Partnership 16:35 josh lowman, websites, david c. baker, higher profits, optimizing, specialization, agency profitability, online business startup, processes, agency scaling, gold front, digital agency, business strategy, fixes, pricing, the agency profit podcast, case study, agency owners, liston witherill, crm, podcast, marcel petitpas, gorilla experiment builder, collaboration, expert, marketing, parakeeto.com false full 80     20bcf63c-a640-49d1-908f-95ea63f5e17d Case Study: 3 Years of Working With Parakeeto Part 1, With Josh Lowman Quick Links:

    Guest Links:

     –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 

    We’re switching things up a bit in this edition of Agency Profit Podcast.

    Josh Lowman of Gold Front and myself have joined forces to examine the last three years working in tandem. It’s been quite the ride, hence we’re providing it in two installments…

    About Josh Lowman

    Gold Front Founder and Chief Creative Officer at Gold Front, Josh is a long-term client of Parakeeto, an incredible creative director and entrepreneur. If Gold Front sounds familiar to you, it might be because their Head of Growth, Liston Witherill, appeared on the show last fall. As you may recall, I’m the COO (fractionally) at Gold Front, and therefore have had the pleasure of working alongside Josh for a number of years. A category design studio, GF is based in SanFran but also has other locations strewn across America. Their primary goal? To help growth-stage startups define and own their own category.

    How did Josh get into this space? Well, Gold Front started as a Brand Studio before branching out into Category Strategy, with Josh then realizing the need to combine Brand Execution with Category Creation Strategy. This has led to collaborations with Uber, Robinhood, Newsela, plus oodles more to build category-defining brands.

    When Josh isn’t changing the branding landscape, he’s enjoying downtime with his wife, daughters, and his dog!

     


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    ]]>     Wed, 26 Jan 2022 09:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Josh Lowman, Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Quick Links:

    Guest Links:

     –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 

    We’re switching things up a bit in this edition of Agency Profit Podcast.

    Josh Lowman of Gold Front and myself have joined forces to examine the last three years working in tandem. It’s been quite the ride, hence we’re providing it in two installments…

    About Josh Lowman

    Gold Front Founder and Chief Creative Officer at Gold Front, Josh is a long-term client of Parakeeto, an incredible creative director and entrepreneur. If Gold Front sounds familiar to you, it might be because their Head of Growth, Liston Witherill, appeared on the show last fall. As you may recall, I’m the COO (fractionally) at Gold Front, and therefore have had the pleasure of working alongside Josh for a number of years. A category design studio, GF is based in SanFran but also has other locations strewn across America. Their primary goal? To help growth-stage startups define and own their own category.

    How did Josh get into this space? Well, Gold Front started as a Brand Studio before branching out into Category Strategy, with Josh then realizing the need to combine Brand Execution with Category Creation Strategy. This has led to collaborations with Uber, Robinhood, Newsela, plus oodles more to build category-defining brands.

    When Josh isn’t changing the branding landscape, he’s enjoying downtime with his wife, daughters, and his dog!

     


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    ]]>     Case Study: 3 Years of Working With Parakeeto Part 1, With Josh Lowman Josh Lowman, Marcel Petitpas 00:19:41 We’re switching things up a bit in this edition of Agency Profit Podcast. Josh Lowman of Gold Front and myself have joined forces to examine the last three years working in tandem. It’s been quite the ride, hence we’re providing it in two installments… Points of Interest… • What led Josh Towards Agency Ownership? 2:56 • Josh’s Self-Taught Agency MBA 7:10 • 2018 Gold Front, Via an Operations & Profitability Perspective 11:53 • Embracing the Counterintuitive 14:25 • What Josh Learned from Parakeeto 16:19 We’re switching things up a bit in this edition of Agency Profit Podcast. Josh Lowman of Gold Front and myself have joined forces to examine the last three years working in tandem. It’s been quite the ride, hence we’re providing it in two installments… Points of Interest… • What led Josh Towards Agency Ownership? 2:56 • Josh’s Self-Taught Agency MBA 7:10 • 2018 Gold Front, Via an Operations & Profitability Perspective 11:53 • Embracing the Counterintuitive 14:25 • What Josh Learned from Parakeeto 16:19 megan kuethen, josh lowman, websites, higher profits, optimizing, specialization, agency profitability, online business startup, processes, agency scaling, gold front, digital agency, queen of ops, business strategy, fixes, pricing, the agency profit podcast, case study, agency owners, crm, ditto, podcast, marcel petitpas, gorilla experiment builder, collaboration, expert, marketing, parakeeto.com false full 79     d17c97b5-b502-44be-a652-48c1d7aacc47 Why Your Agency Should Always Be Hiring, With Megan Kuethen .

    Quick Links

    Guest Links

    –––––––––––––––––––––––––––

    This week, dear readers, we are joined by hiring, operations, and leadership expert Megan Keuthen. Via her agency Queen of Ops, Megan brings her unique knowledge and experience across a range of areas, including psychology and behavior, physics and biology, plus marketing and sales. She’s here today to help us figure out how to hire and retain amazing talent in our business so we can have smooth operations.

    About Megan Kuethen… 

    Megan started her career in the corporate world. She enjoyed various roles, from Process Writer to HR Director, working with boutique firms, Fortune 50 companies, plus everything in between. She placed over 1,500 professionals before striking out to start her own business. In 2020, Megan launched Queen of Ops, a team and hiring consultancy known for building the teams, culture, and leadership of online-based businesses. Megan is an expert on hiring, operations, and leadership, and applies her bespoke blend of knowledge and experience to her consulting and coaching work.

    Points of Interest…

    • Hiring, Retention, and Resulting Challenges 1:08
    • Breaking the Vicious Cycle of Hiring 4:20
    • Starting on the path to Retention 7:10
    • Conversational Framework Example 10:00
    • Leveraging Insight in the Hiring Process 12:11
    • Honing your Hiring Intuition 16:36

     


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    ]]>     Wed, 12 Jan 2022 09:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Megan Kuethen, Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ .

    Quick Links

    Guest Links

    –––––––––––––––––––––––––––

    This week, dear readers, we are joined by hiring, operations, and leadership expert Megan Keuthen. Via her agency Queen of Ops, Megan brings her unique knowledge and experience across a range of areas, including psychology and behavior, physics and biology, plus marketing and sales. She’s here today to help us figure out how to hire and retain amazing talent in our business so we can have smooth operations.

    About Megan Kuethen… 

    Megan started her career in the corporate world. She enjoyed various roles, from Process Writer to HR Director, working with boutique firms, Fortune 50 companies, plus everything in between. She placed over 1,500 professionals before striking out to start her own business. In 2020, Megan launched Queen of Ops, a team and hiring consultancy known for building the teams, culture, and leadership of online-based businesses. Megan is an expert on hiring, operations, and leadership, and applies her bespoke blend of knowledge and experience to her consulting and coaching work.

    Points of Interest…

    • Hiring, Retention, and Resulting Challenges 1:08
    • Breaking the Vicious Cycle of Hiring 4:20
    • Starting on the path to Retention 7:10
    • Conversational Framework Example 10:00
    • Leveraging Insight in the Hiring Process 12:11
    • Honing your Hiring Intuition 16:36

     


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    ]]>     Why Your Agency Should Always Be Hiring, With Megan Kuethen Megan Kuethen, Marcel Petitpas 00:21:16 This week, dear readers, we are joined by hiring, operations, and leadership expert Megan Keuthen. Via her agency Queen of Ops, Megan brings her unique knowledge and experience across a range of areas, including psychology and behavior, physics and biology, plus marketing and sales. She’s here today to help us figure out how to hire and retain amazing talent in our business so we can have smooth operations. Points of Interest… Hiring, Retention, and Resulting Challenges 1:08 Breaking the Vicious Cycle of Hiring 4:20 Starting on the path to Retention 7:10 Conversational Framework Example 10:00 Leveraging Insight in the Hiring Process 12:11 Honing your Hiring Intuition 16:36 This week, dear readers, we are joined by hiring, operations, and leadership expert Megan Keuthen. Via her agency Queen of Ops, Megan brings her unique knowledge and experience across a range of areas, including psychology and behavior, physics and biology, plus marketing and sales. She’s here today to help us figure out how to hire and retain amazing talent in our business so we can have smooth operations. Points of Interest… Hiring, Retention, and Resulting Challenges 1:08 Breaking the Vicious Cycle of Hiring 4:20 Starting on the path to Retention 7:10 Conversational Framework Example 10:00 Leveraging Insight in the Hiring Process 12:11 Honing your Hiring Intuition 16:36 megan kuethen, asana solutions, websites, higher profits, marquis murray, optimizing, specialization, agency profitability, online business startup, jo evershed, geoff smart, processes, agency scaling, digital agency, queen of ops, business strategy, fixes, pricing, the agency profit podcast, agency owners, crm, ditto, podcast, hiring, marcel petitpas, gorilla experiment builder, expert, randy street, marketing, parakeeto.com, who: the a method for hiring false full 78     0172973e-e5e1-43a4-b3cb-7d5ccdcc0038 How to Create and Maintain Your Processes, With Marquis Murray Quick Links

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link!

    Guest Links

    Firstly, Happy Holidays and Merry impending New Year to all! Thank you for listening. As we bid farewell to the year that was 2021, we’re talking about what makes us happy here at the Agency Profit Podcast – the importance of documenting the process! 

    Today, we’re joined by Marquis Murray as he guides us through how to get our processes started, plus how to maintain them in a bid to attain the holy grail – higher profits.

    About Marquis Murray…

    Marquis Murray is the Founder of Ditto, an Asana Solutions Partner. He works with agencies to create clarity around the work done inside of organizations through creating SOPs, systems, plus processes and automation to make work easier while optimizing higher profits. When he’s not optimizing workflows, you can find him either reading a book, honing his keen photography skills, kayaking, or playing bass. He also enjoys heading out for a walk with his family, getting to know more about the small town they call home.


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    ]]>     Wed, 29 Dec 2021 09:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marquis Murray, Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Quick Links

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link!

    Guest Links

    Firstly, Happy Holidays and Merry impending New Year to all! Thank you for listening. As we bid farewell to the year that was 2021, we’re talking about what makes us happy here at the Agency Profit Podcast – the importance of documenting the process! 

    Today, we’re joined by Marquis Murray as he guides us through how to get our processes started, plus how to maintain them in a bid to attain the holy grail – higher profits.

    About Marquis Murray…

    Marquis Murray is the Founder of Ditto, an Asana Solutions Partner. He works with agencies to create clarity around the work done inside of organizations through creating SOPs, systems, plus processes and automation to make work easier while optimizing higher profits. When he’s not optimizing workflows, you can find him either reading a book, honing his keen photography skills, kayaking, or playing bass. He also enjoys heading out for a walk with his family, getting to know more about the small town they call home.


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    ]]>     How to Create and Maintain Your Processes, With Marquis Murray Marquis Murray, Marcel Petitpas 00:21:36 Today, we’re joined by Marquis Murray as he guides us through how to get our processes started, plus how to maintain them in a bid to attain the holy grail – higher profits. Points of Interest… • How Ditto Helps Agencies 1:50 • Process Issues Ditto Has Witnessed 7:17 • Steps to Documenting Processes 10:17 • Ensuring Team Buy-In for Process 16:34 Today, we’re joined by Marquis Murray as he guides us through how to get our processes started, plus how to maintain them in a bid to attain the holy grail – higher profits. Points of Interest… • How Ditto Helps Agencies 1:50 • Process Issues Ditto Has Witnessed 7:17 • Steps to Documenting Processes 10:17 • Ensuring Team Buy-In for Process 16:34 asana solutions, websites, higher profits, marquis murray, optimizing, specialization, agency profitability, online business startup, processes, agency scaling, digital agency, business strategy, fixes, pricing, episode 77, hubspot, the agency profit podcast, agency owners, niching, crm, podcast, marcel petitpas, expert, marketing, parakeeto.com false full 77     5e606ee3-34fe-4ca7-8ca5-30956233e41d How to Transition From Agency Craftsman to Business Leader, With Chris Bantock Quick Links

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link!

    Guest Links

    About Chris Bantock…

    An ex-agency owner for 12 years, Chris sold the business in 2018 and now works to help other agencies to develop their business and grow into business leaders.

    Chris then founded Agency Local in 2019; a development community targeted towards the marketing and creative sector. The mission is to help marketing agencies become better businesses and the owners better leaders.  

    When Chris isn’t coming to the aid of marketing agencies, he is a certified MAMIL (middle-aged man in lycra) and can be found hurtling around hillsides at the weekend.


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    ]]>     Wed, 15 Dec 2021 09:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Chris Bantock, Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Quick Links

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link!

    Guest Links

    About Chris Bantock…

    An ex-agency owner for 12 years, Chris sold the business in 2018 and now works to help other agencies to develop their business and grow into business leaders.

    Chris then founded Agency Local in 2019; a development community targeted towards the marketing and creative sector. The mission is to help marketing agencies become better businesses and the owners better leaders.  

    When Chris isn’t coming to the aid of marketing agencies, he is a certified MAMIL (middle-aged man in lycra) and can be found hurtling around hillsides at the weekend.


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    ]]>     How to Transition From Agency Craftsman to Business Leader, With Chris Bantock Chris Bantock, Marcel Petitpas 00:20:37 We talk a lot about Agencies here, but what if you’re currently a freelancer who wants to make the transition to agency owner? This episode of the Agency Profit Podcast should give you some insight into how to move from craftsman to business leader. Points of Interest… • Challenges When Running an Agency 1:58 • Ceiling Encountered When Running a Business Longterm 5:22 • Business is Always Broken 7:57 • Keys to Making a Successful Transition to Business Leader 17:23 We talk a lot about Agencies here, but what if you’re currently a freelancer who wants to make the transition to agency owner? This episode of the Agency Profit Podcast should give you some insight into how to move from craftsman to business leader. Points of Interest… • Challenges When Running an Agency 1:58 • Ceiling Encountered When Running a Business Longterm 5:22 • Business is Always Broken 7:57 • Keys to Making a Successful Transition to Business Leader 17:23 websites, optimizing, agency profitability, online business startup, processes, agency scaling, digital agency, business strategy, fixes, pricing, the agency profit podcast, agency owners, chris bantock, podcast, marcel petitpas, expert, marketing, parakeeto.com, agency local false full 76     2be398ab-8f71-4abb-9ce9-9e8b67f4c707 How to Build The Perfect Website Project Framework, With Vito Peleg Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link!

    Guest Links:

     

    About Vito Peleg…

    Vito is the founder and CEO of Atarim. Building his first website when he was 14-years-old via GeoCities for his skateboarding crew from high school, Vito then started building websites for clients as a freelancer – from the back of a van while touring the world as the leader of a hard rock band.

    He subsequently grew his London-based digital agency to a team of 12, before creating a small plugin that would change the way the industry collaborates within websites – WP FeedBack. That plugin evolved into Atarim – the first dedicated web agency management platform. Today, he’s got over 5,000 agencies using it to build their websites and over 130 clients running on top of it.

    When he’s not helping the great and the good to wizard up highly functioning websites, Vito relaxes by strumming the guitar and making his daughter giggle (not necessarily in that order).
     


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    ]]>     Wed, 1 Dec 2021 09:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Vito Peleg, Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link!

    Guest Links:

     

    About Vito Peleg…

    Vito is the founder and CEO of Atarim. Building his first website when he was 14-years-old via GeoCities for his skateboarding crew from high school, Vito then started building websites for clients as a freelancer – from the back of a van while touring the world as the leader of a hard rock band.

    He subsequently grew his London-based digital agency to a team of 12, before creating a small plugin that would change the way the industry collaborates within websites – WP FeedBack. That plugin evolved into Atarim – the first dedicated web agency management platform. Today, he’s got over 5,000 agencies using it to build their websites and over 130 clients running on top of it.

    When he’s not helping the great and the good to wizard up highly functioning websites, Vito relaxes by strumming the guitar and making his daughter giggle (not necessarily in that order).
     


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    ]]>     How to Build The Perfect Website Project Framework, With Vito Peleg Vito Peleg, Marcel Petitpas 00:30:58 Do you want to drop 80% of your project delivery time while keeping the client engaged and satisfied throughout the process? This week, we chat with Vito Peleg of Atarim about how to build the optimum project framework for your website – resulting in websites being built faster, more efficiently, and with better margins. Points of Interest… • How Atarim Came to Fruition 1:51 • The Evolution of Atarim as a Project Framework Tool 5:45 • Components for The Perfect Project Framework 9:41 • Project Framework Touchpoints 12:16 • Typical Project Framework Pitfalls/Grenades 15:43 Do you want to drop 80% of your project delivery time while keeping the client engaged and satisfied throughout the process? This week, we chat with Vito Peleg of Atarim about how to build the optimum project framework for your website – resulting in websites being built faster, more efficiently, and with better margins. Points of Interest… • How Atarim Came to Fruition 1:51 • The Evolution of Atarim as a Project Framework Tool 5:45 • Components for The Perfect Project Framework 9:41 • Project Framework Touchpoints 12:16 • Typical Project Framework Pitfalls/Grenades 15:43 websites, optimizing, agency profitability, online business startup, processes, agency scaling, da costa coaching, digital agency, project framework, business strategy, fixes, pricing, the agency profit podcast, atarim, the agency accelerator podcast, agency owners, episode 73, podcast, marcel petitpas, pricing services, vito peleg, expert, episode 74, marketing, parakeeto.com false full 75     332552db-29fc-4664-b67f-346b4b85210f How Can Niching And Specialization Lead Your Agency To Higher Profits, With Rob Da Costa Quick Links

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link!

    Guest Links:

    About Rob Da Costa…

     In 1991 Rob left his marketing manager role and started his own tech-focused marketing agency. Over the next 11 years built an award-winning business with 25 staff and revenues in excess of £1.5m. He sold the business in 2002 and then retrained to become a coach and mentor. In 2007, Rob started Da Costa Coaching, working with SME agency owners and leaders to help them grow their agencies in a profitable, sustainable, and enjoyable way. Over the past 15 years, he has worked with over 300 agencies including Digital start-ups, PR, Design, Web development, and full-service marketing agencies. Rob is the author of The Self-Running Agency and also runs his podcast, The Agency Accelerator.

    An avid traveler and wannabe digital nomad, when Rob isn’t advising agencies, he’s out walking his dog on a nearby beach!


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    ]]>     Wed, 17 Nov 2021 09:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Rob Da Costa, Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Quick Links

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link!

    Guest Links:

    About Rob Da Costa…

     In 1991 Rob left his marketing manager role and started his own tech-focused marketing agency. Over the next 11 years built an award-winning business with 25 staff and revenues in excess of £1.5m. He sold the business in 2002 and then retrained to become a coach and mentor. In 2007, Rob started Da Costa Coaching, working with SME agency owners and leaders to help them grow their agencies in a profitable, sustainable, and enjoyable way. Over the past 15 years, he has worked with over 300 agencies including Digital start-ups, PR, Design, Web development, and full-service marketing agencies. Rob is the author of The Self-Running Agency and also runs his podcast, The Agency Accelerator.

    An avid traveler and wannabe digital nomad, when Rob isn’t advising agencies, he’s out walking his dog on a nearby beach!


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    ]]>     How Can Niching And Specialization Lead Your Agency To Higher Profits, With Rob Da Costa Rob Da Costa, Marcel Petitpas 00:22:07 Welcome back! This week, we chat with Rob Da Costa of Da Costa Coaching about how to lead your agency towards higher profit by way of niching and specialization. Points of Interest… • Strategies Involved in Specialization for Higher Profits 2:03 • Key Mindset Shifts to Aid Specialization 5:00 • Specialization and Niching 6:53 • Applying Specialization to Leverage Fees 13:59 Welcome back! This week, we chat with Rob Da Costa of Da Costa Coaching about how to lead your agency towards higher profit by way of niching and specialization. Points of Interest… • Strategies Involved in Specialization for Higher Profits 2:03 • Key Mindset Shifts to Aid Specialization 5:00 • Specialization and Niching 6:53 • Applying Specialization to Leverage Fees 13:59 rob da costa, optimizing, specialization, agency profitability, online business startup, processes, agency scaling, da costa coaching, digital agency, business strategy, fixes, pricing, the agency profit podcast, the agency accelerator podcast, agency owners, niching, episode 73, podcast, marcel petitpas, pricing services, social media, expert, episode 74, productize, marketing, parakeeto.com, robin waite false full 74     f686778d-86a3-4b4a-93d3-e5361d4eaff0 How To Fearlessly Productize & Price Your Services, With Robin Waite Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link!

    Guest Links:

    About Robin Waite…

    In addition to Robin being founder of Fearless Business, he is also a regular speaker at various business events and the bestselling author of several books, including Online Business Startup, Marketing Machine, and the recent popular release Take Your Shot. He puts his 2 decades of business experience to work, coaching clients to reach their goals while creating more time and increasing their revenue.  

    From 2004 to 2016, Robin led a successful marketing agency serving over 250 clients. During this time, he delivered workshops and masterclasses aiding over 1,000 business owners to improve not just their marketing and product architecture, but also their pricing, their websites, plus their digital advertising.

    Behind the scenes, Robin is a husband and father to two young girls, a surfer, and “Sunday warrior” (road cyclist). He has also – in the last four years alone – raised over £5k for a local Children’s charity, and imposed a goal to help remove 100kg of plastic from the World’s Oceans within the next 12 months via another charity he supports – 4Ocean. Furthermore, he holds a Guinness World Record for participating in the largest ever speed networking event.


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    ]]>     Wed, 3 Nov 2021 09:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Robin Waite, Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link!

    Guest Links:

    About Robin Waite…

    In addition to Robin being founder of Fearless Business, he is also a regular speaker at various business events and the bestselling author of several books, including Online Business Startup, Marketing Machine, and the recent popular release Take Your Shot. He puts his 2 decades of business experience to work, coaching clients to reach their goals while creating more time and increasing their revenue.  

    From 2004 to 2016, Robin led a successful marketing agency serving over 250 clients. During this time, he delivered workshops and masterclasses aiding over 1,000 business owners to improve not just their marketing and product architecture, but also their pricing, their websites, plus their digital advertising.

    Behind the scenes, Robin is a husband and father to two young girls, a surfer, and “Sunday warrior” (road cyclist). He has also – in the last four years alone – raised over £5k for a local Children’s charity, and imposed a goal to help remove 100kg of plastic from the World’s Oceans within the next 12 months via another charity he supports – 4Ocean. Furthermore, he holds a Guinness World Record for participating in the largest ever speed networking event.


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    ]]>     How To Fearlessly Productize & Price Your Services, With Robin Waite Robin Waite, Marcel Petitpas 00:22:37 Welcome back! This week, we chat with Robin Waite of Fearless Business. Today, we’re digging into the nuances of how best to Productize and Price your services. Points of Interest… • What Productizing Your Services Entails 2:53 • Identifying Best Candidates For Productization 6:14 • Cultivating Creativity when Productizing Services 9:08 • Standardizing Scope When Pricing Your Services 13:14 • Gross Profit Margins When Pricing Services 17:46 Welcome back! This week, we chat with Robin Waite of Fearless Business. Today, we’re digging into the nuances of how best to Productize and Price your services. Points of Interest… • What Productizing Your Services Entails 2:53 • Identifying Best Candidates For Productization 6:14 • Cultivating Creativity when Productizing Services 9:08 • Standardizing Scope When Pricing Your Services 13:14 • Gross Profit Margins When Pricing Services 17:46 optimizing, agency profitability, online business startup, agorapulse, processes, agency scaling, marketing machine, digital agency, business strategy, gig promotion, fixes, pricing, the agency profit podcast, fearless business, agency owners, episode 73, take your shot, podcast, marcel petitpas, pricing services, social media, episode 72, expert, productize, marketing, parakeeto.com, robin waite false full 73     c380205c-95ac-4f4d-860d-1742a22e0b8a How to Offer High-Value & Profitable Social Media Services, With Emeric Ernoult Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    Guest Links:

    About Emeric Ernoult…

    In short, Emeric is founder and CEO of AgoraPulse, one of the leading social media management platforms that is defining the future of Social Media Management. Among their users, such names as Ogilvy, Digital Butter, West Virginia University, and more.

    A self-confessed kitesurfing addict, Emeric also enjoys global jaunts in his camper van!


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    ]]>     Wed, 20 Oct 2021 09:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Emeric Ernoult, Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    Guest Links:

    About Emeric Ernoult…

    In short, Emeric is founder and CEO of AgoraPulse, one of the leading social media management platforms that is defining the future of Social Media Management. Among their users, such names as Ogilvy, Digital Butter, West Virginia University, and more.

    A self-confessed kitesurfing addict, Emeric also enjoys global jaunts in his camper van!


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     How to Offer High-Value & Profitable Social Media Services, With Emeric Ernoult Emeric Ernoult, Marcel Petitpas 00:22:21 Welcome back! This week, we chat with Emeric Ernoult of AgoraPulse about how best to offer world-class social media services – with huge margins. Points of Interest… • Client expectation around Social Media Services 1:29 • When to offer Social Media Services to clients 6:10 • Creating Value in your Social Media Services 7:16 • Pricing and Margins around Social Media Services 12:41 • Sourcing Content for Social Media Services 16:33 Welcome back! This week, we chat with Emeric Ernoult of AgoraPulse about how best to offer world-class social media services – with huge margins. Points of Interest… • Client expectation around Social Media Services 1:29 • When to offer Social Media Services to clients 6:10 • Creating Value in your Social Media Services 7:16 • Pricing and Margins around Social Media Services 12:41 • Sourcing Content for Social Media Services 16:33 optimizing, agency profitability, agorapulse, processes, thought leadership, agency scaling, emeric ernoult, digital agency, business strategy, gig promotion, fixes, the agency profit podcast, agency owners, podcast, marcel petitpas, social media, digital solutions, episode 72, expert, episode 71, marketing, parakeeto.com, social media services false full 72     b0f119d0-079b-4dd4-9f0e-95ddfc6fdf9b Breaking Down the Cost of New Business Development, With Christian Banach Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    Guest Links:

    About Christian Banach…

    Christian Banach is a business development and growth consultancy company that helps advertising and marketing agencies land 6/7-figure opportunities predictably.

    Clients – including BBDO, Jack Morton, Vice Media, and Barkley – come to him to get more right-fit opportunities, thus bypassing the expensive and time-consuming RFP process, plus win even bigger deals!

    Through his consulting and outbound lead generation services, Christian’s clients build relationships with C-Suite/VP decision-makers at the world’s leading brands. He does this by using his PROPEL™ account-based sales process.

    When Christian isn’t working his brand of magic for clients, you can find him staying fit and active, or chasing the Chicago Cubs around the country!


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    ]]>     Wed, 6 Oct 2021 09:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    Guest Links:

    About Christian Banach…

    Christian Banach is a business development and growth consultancy company that helps advertising and marketing agencies land 6/7-figure opportunities predictably.

    Clients – including BBDO, Jack Morton, Vice Media, and Barkley – come to him to get more right-fit opportunities, thus bypassing the expensive and time-consuming RFP process, plus win even bigger deals!

    Through his consulting and outbound lead generation services, Christian’s clients build relationships with C-Suite/VP decision-makers at the world’s leading brands. He does this by using his PROPEL™ account-based sales process.

    When Christian isn’t working his brand of magic for clients, you can find him staying fit and active, or chasing the Chicago Cubs around the country!


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Breaking Down the Cost of New Business Development, With Christian Banach Marcel Petitpas 00:21:59 Welcome back! This week, we discuss how agencies are using outbound business development to rebound and/or accelerate their growth. Points of Interest… How Christian Banach Helps New Business Development 1:55 The Economics of Your Sales Process 4:51 Navigating New Business Developments 7:52 Managing New Business Development Outreach 12:51 Financial Benchmarks for In-House Outreach Processes 17:33 Welcome back! This week, we discuss how agencies are using outbound business development to rebound and/or accelerate their growth. Points of Interest… How Christian Banach Helps New Business Development 1:55 The Economics of Your Sales Process 4:51 Navigating New Business Developments 7:52 Managing New Business Development Outreach 12:51 Financial Benchmarks for In-House Outreach Processes 17:33 false full 71     b02c69f0-0958-47f8-99e5-0ef224d14f41 How to Sell Like You Don't Need the Work, With Liston Witherill Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    Guest Links:

    About Liston Witherill…

    Liston Witherill is the founder of Serve Don’t Sell and creator of the Serve Don’t Sell Method. He works with expert service providers like designers, accountants, agency owners, consultants, and coaches who are great at delivering services but require help selling it. Liston also hosts the Modern Sales podcast and regularly publishes articles on the Serve Don’t Sell blog.

    When he’s not working – or enjoying some downtime by way of hiking, weightlifting, or creating hip-hop music – Liston is on a mission to change the way 100 million people sell so that buying services can feel as good as the day the world is fully vaccinated from COVID. He hopes you’ll join him on his mission.

     


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    ]]>     Wed, 22 Sep 2021 09:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas, Liston Witherall) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    Guest Links:

    About Liston Witherill…

    Liston Witherill is the founder of Serve Don’t Sell and creator of the Serve Don’t Sell Method. He works with expert service providers like designers, accountants, agency owners, consultants, and coaches who are great at delivering services but require help selling it. Liston also hosts the Modern Sales podcast and regularly publishes articles on the Serve Don’t Sell blog.

    When he’s not working – or enjoying some downtime by way of hiking, weightlifting, or creating hip-hop music – Liston is on a mission to change the way 100 million people sell so that buying services can feel as good as the day the world is fully vaccinated from COVID. He hopes you’ll join him on his mission.

     


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    ]]>     How to Sell Like You Don't Need the Work, With Liston Witherill Marcel Petitpas, Liston Witherall 00:22:28 This episode sees me and the multi-faceted Liston Witherill discuss how to build your agency with the Science of Habit. In short, how best to engage prospects using actionable steps to create sustained impact. You, as a firm owner, can utilize these to increase outreach for marketing, prospecting, and business development. Points of Interest… Liston Witherill… The Backstory Core Thesis Behind Serve Don’t Sell 5:05 Getting to that ‘Ample Pipeline’ Space 11:18 Transitioning to this Counter-Intuitive Way to Sell 19:54 This episode sees me and the multi-faceted Liston Witherill discuss how to build your agency with the Science of Habit. In short, how best to engage prospects using actionable steps to create sustained impact. You, as a firm owner, can utilize these to increase outreach for marketing, prospecting, and business development. Points of Interest… Liston Witherill… The Backstory Core Thesis Behind Serve Don’t Sell 5:05 Getting to that ‘Ample Pipeline’ Space 11:18 Transitioning to this Counter-Intuitive Way to Sell 19:54 optimizing, agency profitability, processes, thought leadership, agency scaling, episode 70, gold front, digital agency, business strategy, fixes, how to sell creativity, the agency profit podcast, episode 69, agency owners, liston witherill, podcast, marcel petitpas, serve don't sell, digital solutions, expert, marketing, parakeeto.com false full 70     a31f3075-f16d-4ac9-821d-5ef063406d20 The 3 Keys to Becoming A Sales Driven Agency, With Joey Gilkey Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    Guest Links:

    Joey hosts THE Best Damn Agency podcast. Every Wednesday, he interviews a “bad-ass seven or eight-figure agency.” Additionally, Joey’s mastermind director interviews him every Friday in a segment entitled Sales On The Rocks.

    About Joey Gilkey…

    Joey Gilkey is the CEO of Sales Driven Agency, which helps digital marketing agencies actually get sales right. Having built in the region of 350 agency sales operations and driven nearly half a billion dollars in agency revenue, Joey believes every successful agency could – and should – be driven by their sales operation.

    When he’s not helping agencies scale via their sales department, Joey enjoys shooting guns, sampling bourbon, and riding 4-wheelers. In unrelated news; we’re particularly enthused to be joined by him for this rescheduled podcast as he’s recently recovered from an unfortunate accident.


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    ]]>     Wed, 8 Sep 2021 09:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas, Joey Gilkey) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    Guest Links:

    Joey hosts THE Best Damn Agency podcast. Every Wednesday, he interviews a “bad-ass seven or eight-figure agency.” Additionally, Joey’s mastermind director interviews him every Friday in a segment entitled Sales On The Rocks.

    About Joey Gilkey…

    Joey Gilkey is the CEO of Sales Driven Agency, which helps digital marketing agencies actually get sales right. Having built in the region of 350 agency sales operations and driven nearly half a billion dollars in agency revenue, Joey believes every successful agency could – and should – be driven by their sales operation.

    When he’s not helping agencies scale via their sales department, Joey enjoys shooting guns, sampling bourbon, and riding 4-wheelers. In unrelated news; we’re particularly enthused to be joined by him for this rescheduled podcast as he’s recently recovered from an unfortunate accident.


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     The 3 Keys to Becoming A Sales Driven Agency, With Joey Gilkey Marcel Petitpas, Joey Gilkey 00:25:44 In this episode, we’re delighted to welcome Joey Gilkey to discuss how to get and drive sales for the digital agency, through his tried and tested blend of processes, people, and enablement. Points of Interest… Main Issue Holding Agencies Back 4:18 What Does it Mean to be a Sales Driven Agency? 6:58 Keys to Becoming a Sales Driven Agency 10:39 Process 12:15 People 17:04 Enablement 20:43 In this episode, we’re delighted to welcome Joey Gilkey to discuss how to get and drive sales for the digital agency, through his tried and tested blend of processes, people, and enablement. Points of Interest… Main Issue Holding Agencies Back 4:18 What Does it Mean to be a Sales Driven Agency? 6:58 Keys to Becoming a Sales Driven Agency 10:39 Process 12:15 People 17:04 Enablement 20:43 optimizing, agency profitability, processes, agency scaling, agency pricing quadrants, digital agency, business strategy, fixes, episode 69, agency owners, podcast, marcel petitpas, episode 68, pricing strategies, digital solutions, expert, sales driven agency, the agency profit podcast —, marketing, parakeeto.com, joey gilkey false full 69     e63cc73c-b73b-4d60-95b7-295ff010d5b8 How to Identify the Right Pricing Strategy for Your Agency, With Marcel Petitpas Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    Marcel's Links:

    About Me…

    I am co-founder and CEO of Parakeeto and fractional COO at Gold Front – a creative agency working with top tech companies in San Francisco, including Uber, Slack, and Google.

    In addition to being an agency profitability consultant – specializing in helping agencies get a handle on their gains – I’m also an in-demand keynote/virtual speaker and podcaster.

    When I’m not helping agencies make more money, I’m binge-watching soothing sitcoms while consuming my own weight in breakfast confections.


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    ]]>     Wed, 25 Aug 2021 09:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    Marcel's Links:

    About Me…

    I am co-founder and CEO of Parakeeto and fractional COO at Gold Front – a creative agency working with top tech companies in San Francisco, including Uber, Slack, and Google.

    In addition to being an agency profitability consultant – specializing in helping agencies get a handle on their gains – I’m also an in-demand keynote/virtual speaker and podcaster.

    When I’m not helping agencies make more money, I’m binge-watching soothing sitcoms while consuming my own weight in breakfast confections.


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     How to Identify the Right Pricing Strategy for Your Agency, With Marcel Petitpas Marcel Petitpas 00:15:17 Welcome back to our Solo Casts, where I jump in here with our super explanatory graphs! This piece of content is designed to help you identify the right pricing strategy for your product, whether it be Value-Based, Flat-Rate, or the slightly more antiquated Time & Materials Billing process… Points of Interest… Agency Pricing Quadrant 2:25 Verticle Axis: ‘High Value’ and ‘Low Value’ 3:15 Horizontal Axis: Identifying ‘Risk’ 5:56 Different Pricing Strategies and When They Apply 7:12 Welcome back to our Solo Casts, where I jump in here with our super explanatory graphs! This piece of content is designed to help you identify the right pricing strategy for your product, whether it be Value-Based, Flat-Rate, or the slightly more antiquated Time & Materials Billing process… Points of Interest… Agency Pricing Quadrant 2:25 Verticle Axis: ‘High Value’ and ‘Low Value’ 3:15 Horizontal Axis: Identifying ‘Risk’ 5:56 Different Pricing Strategies and When They Apply 7:12 optimizing, data-driven decision making, agency profitability, processes, agency scaling, agency pricing quadrants, digital agency, business strategy, fixes, solocast, the agency profit podcast, agency owners, podcast, marcel petitpas, episode 68, pricing strategies, digital solutions, expert, marketing, parakeeto.com true full 68     b65ee99b-5c5e-444f-b2ac-4bb2ee1150ed Data-Driven Decision Making, With Robert Patin Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    Guest Links:

    About Robert Patin…

    Robert is Managing Partner at Patin & Associates, a Los Angeles-based business management and consultancy firm. He and his team help creative services agencies to grow their business, become more profitable and develop better strategies, a field in which he’s excelled for two decades.

    Not only has he been name-checked in both Forbes Entrepreneur, and The New York Post, he is someone I’ve really enjoyed talking to offline about all of these nerdy processed profitability finance questions that we enjoy tackling so much on the show!


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    ]]>     Wed, 11 Aug 2021 09:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Robert Patin, Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    Guest Links:

    About Robert Patin…

    Robert is Managing Partner at Patin & Associates, a Los Angeles-based business management and consultancy firm. He and his team help creative services agencies to grow their business, become more profitable and develop better strategies, a field in which he’s excelled for two decades.

    Not only has he been name-checked in both Forbes Entrepreneur, and The New York Post, he is someone I’ve really enjoyed talking to offline about all of these nerdy processed profitability finance questions that we enjoy tackling so much on the show!


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Data-Driven Decision Making, With Robert Patin Robert Patin, Marcel Petitpas 00:21:01 Welcome back! In this episode, we chat with Robert Patin of Patin & Associates. He specializes in helping agencies grow by utilizing data-driven decision-making – while aiding agency owners to maximize profits, and reclaim their lives in the process! Points of Interest… Creating Simplicity in Your Business 2.44 Diagnosing Business Bloat 4:10 Data-Driven Price Building 7:33 Using Data to Redefine Time 9:05 Estimating Projects and Setting Profitability 16:00 Welcome back! In this episode, we chat with Robert Patin of Patin & Associates. He specializes in helping agencies grow by utilizing data-driven decision-making – while aiding agency owners to maximize profits, and reclaim their lives in the process! Points of Interest… Creating Simplicity in Your Business 2.44 Diagnosing Business Bloat 4:10 Data-Driven Price Building 7:33 Using Data to Redefine Time 9:05 Estimating Projects and Setting Profitability 16:00 optimizing, data-driven decision making, agency profitability, processes, agency scaling, agency pricing quadrants, personal profits, digital agency, episode 67, business strategy, fixes, the agency profit podcast, https://www.creativeagencysuccess.com/, agency owners, podcast, marcel petitpas, digital solutions, expert, patin & associates, marketing, parakeeto.com, robert patin false full 67     20b6605e-a488-4cfe-b0ee-10c8b2bae13c Using Focused Niches to Increase Price and Drive Down Costs, with Rahul Alim Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    Guest Links:

    About Rahul Alim…

    Rahul Alim is the founder of Custom Creatives, a Digital Marketing Agency that connects companies with their dream clients. Throughout his career, he has helped brands such as Realtor.com, Geico, Advertise.com, Reach Local, and 1,000’s of local businesses.

    With 16+ years of experience running his agency, Rahul now coaches agency owners to grow 6 figure businesses with his proven G$D Sales Method. In short, his real talk yields real results.

    When he’s not helping to connect dream clients, he spends time with family at Dodgers games and Galaxy games. 
    Want more from Rahul? Check out…


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    ]]>     Wed, 28 Jul 2021 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Rahul Alim, Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    Guest Links:

    About Rahul Alim…

    Rahul Alim is the founder of Custom Creatives, a Digital Marketing Agency that connects companies with their dream clients. Throughout his career, he has helped brands such as Realtor.com, Geico, Advertise.com, Reach Local, and 1,000’s of local businesses.

    With 16+ years of experience running his agency, Rahul now coaches agency owners to grow 6 figure businesses with his proven G$D Sales Method. In short, his real talk yields real results.

    When he’s not helping to connect dream clients, he spends time with family at Dodgers games and Galaxy games. 
    Want more from Rahul? Check out…


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Using Focused Niches to Increase Price and Drive Down Costs, with Rahul Alim Rahul Alim, Marcel Petitpas 00:18:16 In this here episode, Rahul Alim discusses identifying and validating a niche, plus how to optimize focussed niches to scale your business. Points of Interest… How Rahul Cornered Agency Niches 1:18 Key Aspects for Agencies to Consider when they Niche Down 4:13 Vertical and Horizontal Niches… 6:04 View Problems as an Opportunity to Niche 9:16 Niches; What They Could Mean for a Company 11:19 In this here episode, Rahul Alim discusses identifying and validating a niche, plus how to optimize focussed niches to scale your business. Points of Interest… How Rahul Cornered Agency Niches 1:18 Key Aspects for Agencies to Consider when they Niche Down 4:13 Vertical and Horizontal Niches… 6:04 View Problems as an Opportunity to Niche 9:16 Niches; What They Could Mean for a Company 11:19 optimizing, linkedin, agency profitability, processes, agency scaling, personal profits, digital agency, business strategy, fixes, exit strategy, the agency profit podcast, focussed niches, agency owners, podcast, marcel petitpas, playlouder, digital solutions, expert, rahul alim, episode 66, custom creatives, marketing, parakeeto.com false full 66     d60db258-f71b-4b89-9741-82ad984166f1 Optimizing for Business and Personal Profits, With Joe DiSanto Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    Guest Links:

    About Joe DiSanto…

    Joe has built multi-million dollar businesses, produced critically acclaimed documentaries and an Emmy-winning TV show, invested millions in real estate, and semi-retired aged 43.

    Now, he’s sharing a lifetime of fiscal know-how via Play Louder, an invaluable resource helping individuals and business owners increase their net worth, plus plan better for their future.

    Joe and his family love to travel. Whether it’s house-swapping or buying a property in Belize – which, incidentally, he turned a decent profit on.

     

    Check out some of Play Louder’s most popular content…

    Play Louder's free courses…


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    ]]>     Wed, 14 Jul 2021 11:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Joe DiSanto, Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    Guest Links:

    About Joe DiSanto…

    Joe has built multi-million dollar businesses, produced critically acclaimed documentaries and an Emmy-winning TV show, invested millions in real estate, and semi-retired aged 43.

    Now, he’s sharing a lifetime of fiscal know-how via Play Louder, an invaluable resource helping individuals and business owners increase their net worth, plus plan better for their future.

    Joe and his family love to travel. Whether it’s house-swapping or buying a property in Belize – which, incidentally, he turned a decent profit on.

     

    Check out some of Play Louder’s most popular content…

    Play Louder's free courses…


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    ]]>     Optimizing for Business and Personal Profits, With Joe DiSanto Joe DiSanto, Marcel Petitpas 00:21:15 Joe DiSanto is (by his own admission) a bit of a finance nerd, and has always fascinated by making the most of personal profits. Therefore, we were only too happy to pick his brain about how best to optimize business and personal profits holistically as an agency owner. Points of Interest… How Joe Semi-Retired at 43 via Personal Profits… 1:40 Looking at Your Profits Holistically 4:52 Utilizing Personal Profits for Retirement 6:38 Profit and Reward 10:06 Focusing On The Gross Profitability 13:56 Joe DiSanto is (by his own admission) a bit of a finance nerd, and has always fascinated by making the most of personal profits. Therefore, we were only too happy to pick his brain about how best to optimize business and personal profits holistically as an agency owner. Points of Interest… How Joe Semi-Retired at 43 via Personal Profits… 1:40 Looking at Your Profits Holistically 4:52 Utilizing Personal Profits for Retirement 6:38 Profit and Reward 10:06 Focusing On The Gross Profitability 13:56 play louder, optimizing, episode 65, linkedin, agency profitability, processes, agency scaling, personal profits, digital agency, business strategy, fixes, exit strategy, the agency profit podcast, agency owners, podcast, marcel petitpas, playlouder, digital solutions, expert, marketing, parakeeto.com, joe disanto false full 65     7efc4455-7e07-4523-b9cf-d77921bfcf62 How to use "Zero Risk" Freelancers in Your Agency, With Ross Kimbarovsky Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    Guest Links:

    About Ross Kimbarovsky…

    Ross is the founder and CEO at Crowdspring, which provides creative services for creative projects. The platform has in the region of 220,000+ creatives helping 60,000+ agencies, businesses, startups, and nonprofits. Their specialty? Creative prowess across high-quality custom logos, web and graphic design, product design, and more.

    In addition to founding a slew of startups (including a Startup Studio), Ross loves to read (incidentally, he’s co-penned some books himself ) and cycling (clocking up approximately 9,000 miles every year). When he’s not innovating, reading, or astride a saddle, he enjoys tennis, fly fishing, and hiking!


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    ]]>     Wed, 30 Jun 2021 11:31:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas, Ross Kimbarovsky) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    Guest Links:

    About Ross Kimbarovsky…

    Ross is the founder and CEO at Crowdspring, which provides creative services for creative projects. The platform has in the region of 220,000+ creatives helping 60,000+ agencies, businesses, startups, and nonprofits. Their specialty? Creative prowess across high-quality custom logos, web and graphic design, product design, and more.

    In addition to founding a slew of startups (including a Startup Studio), Ross loves to read (incidentally, he’s co-penned some books himself ) and cycling (clocking up approximately 9,000 miles every year). When he’s not innovating, reading, or astride a saddle, he enjoys tennis, fly fishing, and hiking!


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    ]]>     How to use "Zero Risk" Freelancers in Your Agency, With Ross Kimbarovsky Marcel Petitpas, Ross Kimbarovsky 00:27:27 Ross Kimbarovsky, from Crowdspring, shares how agencies are leveraging his platform to create an elastic workforce through a curated pool of highly talented Freelancers. This can augment your existing work, or even add new services to your agency offering – without any additional risk or operational complexity. Fact. Points of Interest… How Crowdspring Differs to Other Freelancer Platforms 1:42 Common Use Cases for Crowdspring Freelancers 5:20 Fixed-Cost Deliverable Relationships With Freelancers 12:25 Innovating Via Ross’s ‘Big Questions’ 17:49 Ross Kimbarovsky, from Crowdspring, shares how agencies are leveraging his platform to create an elastic workforce through a curated pool of highly talented Freelancers. This can augment your existing work, or even add new services to your agency offering – without any additional risk or operational complexity. Fact. Points of Interest… How Crowdspring Differs to Other Freelancer Platforms 1:42 Common Use Cases for Crowdspring Freelancers 5:20 Fixed-Cost Deliverable Relationships With Freelancers 12:25 Innovating Via Ross’s ‘Big Questions’ 17:49 linkedin, crowdspring, agency profitability, processes, agency scaling, wfh, digital agency, business strategy, fixes, exit strategy, the agency profit podcast, agency owners, podcast, marcel petitpas, digital solutions, expert, ross kimbarovsky, marketing, parakeeto.com, freelancers false full 64     fd83b972-a657-4732-be08-c9dceb7f19b8 The 6 P's to Maximize Your Agency's Valuation, With Michelle Seiler Tucker Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    Guest Links:

    About Michelle Seiler Tucker...

    Michelle Seiler Tucker is the Founder and CEO of Seiler Tucker Incorporated. One of three women in the U.S. holding an M&AMI (Mergers & Acquisitions Master Intermediary) title, she is a 20-year veteran in the M&A industry.

    Michelle and her firm have a remarkable track record when it comes to buying, selling, fixing, and growing businesses in almost every vertical. Not only has she facilitated thousands of businesses to reach their dream exit, she also helps them get ready for a sale, optimizing their operations, their profitability, and really preparing everything that needs to be true, to get the best possible exit price.

    When Michelle isn’t helping entrepreneurs sell their businesses, she’s hanging out with her daughter.


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    ]]>     Wed, 16 Jun 2021 09:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas, Michelle Seiler Tucker) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    Guest Links:

    About Michelle Seiler Tucker...

    Michelle Seiler Tucker is the Founder and CEO of Seiler Tucker Incorporated. One of three women in the U.S. holding an M&AMI (Mergers & Acquisitions Master Intermediary) title, she is a 20-year veteran in the M&A industry.

    Michelle and her firm have a remarkable track record when it comes to buying, selling, fixing, and growing businesses in almost every vertical. Not only has she facilitated thousands of businesses to reach their dream exit, she also helps them get ready for a sale, optimizing their operations, their profitability, and really preparing everything that needs to be true, to get the best possible exit price.

    When Michelle isn’t helping entrepreneurs sell their businesses, she’s hanging out with her daughter.


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    ]]>     The 6 P's to Maximize Your Agency's Valuation, With Michelle Seiler Tucker Marcel Petitpas, Michelle Seiler Tucker 00:26:02 Michelle Seiler Tucker, of Seiler Tucker Incorporated, discusses maximizing the valuation of your agency by always having an exit strategy. She will provide invaluable insight into building a sustainable, scalable, and sellable business utilizing her proven techniques outlined in her latest book, Exit Rich®. Points of Interest… How Michelle got into Mergers & Acquisitions 1:42 Determining a Valuation 4:09 The 6 P’s For Your Valuation 5:31 EBITDA Versus Non-EBITDA Valuation 12:53 Diligence Process for the Optimum Valuation 15:38 Michelle Seiler Tucker, of Seiler Tucker Incorporated, discusses maximizing the valuation of your agency by always having an exit strategy. She will provide invaluable insight into building a sustainable, scalable, and sellable business utilizing her proven techniques outlined in her latest book, Exit Rich®. Points of Interest… How Michelle got into Mergers & Acquisitions 1:42 Determining a Valuation 4:09 The 6 P’s For Your Valuation 5:31 EBITDA Versus Non-EBITDA Valuation 12:53 Diligence Process for the Optimum Valuation 15:38 linkedin, agency profitability, processes, agency scaling, digital agency, m&a, michelle seiler tucker, business strategy, fixes, exit strategy, business valuations, the agency profit podcast, exit rich, agency owners, podcast, marcel petitpas, digital solutions, expert, marketing, parakeeto.com false full 63     069b5e19-b041-4e6e-9cd8-57c2c53acaa4 How to Make Unpredictable Projects More Predictable, With Ben Aston Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    Guest Links:

    About Ben Aston...

    Armed with an x386 PC and a 33k dial-up modem, Ben launched his first (terrible) website, aged 14. Needless to say, he was hooked. Now, he is a digital project manager, online entrepreneur, and founder of Black + White Zebra, an indie media company on a mission to help people and organizations succeed.

    Ben is also founder of the largest and one of the fastest-growing communities for digital project managers – TheDigitalProjectManager.com

    A PRINCE2 Practitioner and Certified Scrum Master, Ben has 15+ years experience in project delivery and PMO leadership at top agencies – including Dare, Wunderman, DDB, plus clients including Honda, Unilever, & Sony.

    When he’s not working, you can find him running, swimming, on a ski hill, or flying planes! You’re not going to want to miss this one!


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    ]]>     Wed, 2 Jun 2021 09:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Ben Aston, Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    Guest Links:

    About Ben Aston...

    Armed with an x386 PC and a 33k dial-up modem, Ben launched his first (terrible) website, aged 14. Needless to say, he was hooked. Now, he is a digital project manager, online entrepreneur, and founder of Black + White Zebra, an indie media company on a mission to help people and organizations succeed.

    Ben is also founder of the largest and one of the fastest-growing communities for digital project managers – TheDigitalProjectManager.com

    A PRINCE2 Practitioner and Certified Scrum Master, Ben has 15+ years experience in project delivery and PMO leadership at top agencies – including Dare, Wunderman, DDB, plus clients including Honda, Unilever, & Sony.

    When he’s not working, you can find him running, swimming, on a ski hill, or flying planes! You’re not going to want to miss this one!


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    ]]>     How to Make Unpredictable Projects More Predictable, With Ben Aston Ben Aston, Marcel Petitpas 00:26:22 Episode 62 sees Ben Aston, of TheDigitalProjectManager.com, display just how one can make the unpredictable more predictable leading to optimum project outcomes. How can this be? Why, through levers and tools to make projects less risky and more profitable, of course! *Points of Interest… How Ben Became an Expert in Predictable Project Management 2:30 The Importance of Digital Project Management 6:30 Defining What Makes a Project ‘Risky’ 9:11 Levers You Should be Looking to Pull 12:30 When to Bring in a Project Manager 17:26 Episode 62 sees Ben Aston, of TheDigitalProjectManager.com, display just how one can make the unpredictable more predictable leading to optimum project outcomes. How can this be? Why, through levers and tools to make projects less risky and more profitable, of course! *Points of Interest… How Ben Became an Expert in Predictable Project Management 2:30 The Importance of Digital Project Management 6:30 Defining What Makes a Project ‘Risky’ 9:11 Levers You Should be Looking to Pull 12:30 When to Bring in a Project Manager 17:26 linkedin, thedigitalprojectmanager.com, agency profitability, agency scaling, digital agency, business strategy, fixes, project management, the agency profit podcast, blackandwhitezebra.com, agency owners, digital marketer, predictable projects, project manager, podcast, marcel petitpas, digital solutions, expert, project risk, ben aston, marketing, parakeeto.com false full 62     773e0f7f-9d2a-4672-8f11-7571671b050b How to Start a Podcast for Your Agency, with Charles Wood Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    Guest Links:

    About Charles Wood:

    Charles Max Wood is the CEO and podcast host at Devchat.tv – a podcast network for software developers, which reaches over 70,000 every week. Podcasting since 2008, Charles has done over 3,100 podcast episodes across 25+ shows.

    He’s the instructor at the Podcast Playbook, providing step-by-step procedures to producing podcasts – while growing your business.

    As if that weren’t enough, Charles also casts on Video Games, Songwriting, Harry Potter, and Star Wars, which he produces with four of his five kids.


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    ]]>     Wed, 19 May 2021 09:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas, Charles Max Wood) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    Guest Links:

    About Charles Wood:

    Charles Max Wood is the CEO and podcast host at Devchat.tv – a podcast network for software developers, which reaches over 70,000 every week. Podcasting since 2008, Charles has done over 3,100 podcast episodes across 25+ shows.

    He’s the instructor at the Podcast Playbook, providing step-by-step procedures to producing podcasts – while growing your business.

    As if that weren’t enough, Charles also casts on Video Games, Songwriting, Harry Potter, and Star Wars, which he produces with four of his five kids.


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    ]]>     How to Start a Podcast for Your Agency, with Charles Wood Marcel Petitpas, Charles Max Wood 00:29:24 Episode 61 sees master podcaster Charles Max Wood, of Devchat.tv, outline how best to start an engaging podcast to help bolster your agency. Join us, won’t you! **Points of Interest… How Charles got into Podcasting 2:07 Creating Opportunity/Pricing for Podcast Sponsorship 4:33 Is the Podcast Space Already Saturated? 9:06 Creating Niche Podcast Content 9:35 Efficiency of Podcasting from a Content Production Perspective 13:34 Firmly On the Podcast Train? Here’s What You Need… 19:19 Episode 61 sees master podcaster Charles Max Wood, of Devchat.tv, outline how best to start an engaging podcast to help bolster your agency. Join us, won’t you! **Points of Interest… How Charles got into Podcasting 2:07 Creating Opportunity/Pricing for Podcast Sponsorship 4:33 Is the Podcast Space Already Saturated? 9:06 Creating Niche Podcast Content 9:35 Efficiency of Podcasting from a Content Production Perspective 13:34 Firmly On the Podcast Train? Here’s What You Need… 19:19 linkedin, agency profitability, agency scaling, digital agency, podcast playbook, business strategy, fixes, messaging strategy, the agency profit podcast, agency owners, digital marketer, podcast, marcel petitpas, charles max wood, devchat.tv, digital solutions, expert, charles wood, podcasting, marketing, parakeeto.com false full 61     202d7615-4475-406f-9f55-586f477104f9 The 4 Steps to Becoming a Key Person of Influence, With Mike Reid Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    Guest Links:

    About Mike Reid:

    In addition to co-authoring Key Person of Influence, Mike co-founded Dent Global. Dent is a business accelerator company known for helping founders of service firms to establish themselves as industry experts. By the age of 26, Mike was running highly successful large-scale promotional campaigns – contributing to Dent‘s placement at 63rd on BRW’s ‘Fast Starters’ List, 2014.

    Operating in 4 cities, Dent has a team of 40+ and acquired businesses in web development, video production, and publishing. This formed a full-service strategy and implementation group for established entrepreneurs. Mike is now helping lead the next wave of Dent’s expansion into Canada.

    Mike is originally from Australia, but now lives in Toronto because he fell for a Canadian – and Canada’s frosty peaks.


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    ]]>     Wed, 5 May 2021 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas, Mike Reid) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    Guest Links:

    About Mike Reid:

    In addition to co-authoring Key Person of Influence, Mike co-founded Dent Global. Dent is a business accelerator company known for helping founders of service firms to establish themselves as industry experts. By the age of 26, Mike was running highly successful large-scale promotional campaigns – contributing to Dent‘s placement at 63rd on BRW’s ‘Fast Starters’ List, 2014.

    Operating in 4 cities, Dent has a team of 40+ and acquired businesses in web development, video production, and publishing. This formed a full-service strategy and implementation group for established entrepreneurs. Mike is now helping lead the next wave of Dent’s expansion into Canada.

    Mike is originally from Australia, but now lives in Toronto because he fell for a Canadian – and Canada’s frosty peaks.


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    ]]>     The 4 Steps to Becoming a Key Person of Influence, With Mike Reid Marcel Petitpas, Mike Reid 00:30:35 This week, I’m excited to introduce another person who has exceptional taste in eyewear! Mike Reid outlines how to position yourself as a go-to person in your industry, or a Key Person of Influence in an increasingly uncertain world. Points of Interest… The Story Behind Key Person of Influence 2:02 How Dent Can Raise Your Industry Influence 3:44 Key Person of Influence Concept 5:42 4 Steps to Becoming a Key Person of Influence 9:13 5th and Final Step to becoming a Key Person of Influence 23:55 This week, I’m excited to introduce another person who has exceptional taste in eyewear! Mike Reid outlines how to position yourself as a go-to person in your industry, or a Key Person of Influence in an increasingly uncertain world. Points of Interest… The Story Behind Key Person of Influence 2:02 How Dent Can Raise Your Industry Influence 3:44 Key Person of Influence Concept 5:42 4 Steps to Becoming a Key Person of Influence 9:13 5th and Final Step to becoming a Key Person of Influence 23:55 linkedin, agency profitability, agency scaling, digital agency, business strategy, fixes, messaging strategy, key person of influence, the agency profit podcast, agency owners, digital marketer, accrual accounting, dent global, marcel petitpas, digital solutions, expert, mike reid, marketing, parakeeto.com false full 60     50ad5029-7cf9-448d-9639-de92aa8950e5 Agency Finance is Broken, Here's How to Fix It with Andrey Baskov Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    Guest Links:

    About Andrey Baskov:

    Andrey and his team at Metric.ai have been busy building software to analyze and plan financials for agencies and consultancies. Simply put; they take the weight of data management off your shoulders, so you focus on actual planning and decision making.

    In the business of saving clients literally tens of thousands of dollars in manual management labor costs, Metric.ai gives you tools to increase your profit margin and utilization, potentially recovering hundreds of thousands of dollars of missing profit.

    When Andrey isn’t saving clients potentially millions of dollars, he’s an avid skydiver (specifically a wingsuit enthusiast), plus he’s on the path to becoming a private pilot.


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    ]]>     Wed, 21 Apr 2021 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    Guest Links:

    About Andrey Baskov:

    Andrey and his team at Metric.ai have been busy building software to analyze and plan financials for agencies and consultancies. Simply put; they take the weight of data management off your shoulders, so you focus on actual planning and decision making.

    In the business of saving clients literally tens of thousands of dollars in manual management labor costs, Metric.ai gives you tools to increase your profit margin and utilization, potentially recovering hundreds of thousands of dollars of missing profit.

    When Andrey isn’t saving clients potentially millions of dollars, he’s an avid skydiver (specifically a wingsuit enthusiast), plus he’s on the path to becoming a private pilot.


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    ]]>     Agency Finance is Broken, Here's How to Fix It with Andrey Baskov Marcel Petitpas 00:21:46 This week, we have the pleasure of talking to the founder of Metric.ai, Andrey Baskov, about the importance of having a solid financial system in place. You see, Andrey and his team connect time-tracking, resource planning, and CRM software – while creating an automated system that tracks and forecasts your revenue, cost, profit, utilization, and other metrics critical for agency success – all in real-time. If that sounds good (and it should), do read on! Points of Interest… Benefits of Properly Structured Financials 2:29 Defining The Differences Between Cash and Accrual Accounting 4:39 Fidelity for Financials 6:44 Employee Growth Inflection Points 10:15 Building Blocks to Optimum Accrual Accounting 12:26 Key Takeaway – The Power of Accrual Accounting Metrics 16:17 This week, we have the pleasure of talking to the founder of Metric.ai, Andrey Baskov, about the importance of having a solid financial system in place. You see, Andrey and his team connect time-tracking, resource planning, and CRM software – while creating an automated system that tracks and forecasts your revenue, cost, profit, utilization, and other metrics critical for agency success – all in real-time. If that sounds good (and it should), do read on! Points of Interest… Benefits of Properly Structured Financials 2:29 Defining The Differences Between Cash and Accrual Accounting 4:39 Fidelity for Financials 6:44 Employee Growth Inflection Points 10:15 Building Blocks to Optimum Accrual Accounting 12:26 Key Takeaway – The Power of Accrual Accounting Metrics 16:17 false full 59     baa037ca-fa34-4852-9ee4-8fd3843755c4 How to Make Big Profits on Small Budgets, With Zach Rego Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    Guest Links:

    About Zach:

    Prior to becoming VP of Sales and Marketing at Unstack, Zach was a General Manager at search marketing company WordStream. In short, he’s helped thousands of agencies to improve their business and services for a vast array of clients, both big and small.

    When he’s not working, Zach is either golfing or heading to car shows. Soon – he’ll be hanging out with his new baby!


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    ]]>     Wed, 7 Apr 2021 08:50:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Zach Rego, Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    Guest Links:

    About Zach:

    Prior to becoming VP of Sales and Marketing at Unstack, Zach was a General Manager at search marketing company WordStream. In short, he’s helped thousands of agencies to improve their business and services for a vast array of clients, both big and small.

    When he’s not working, Zach is either golfing or heading to car shows. Soon – he’ll be hanging out with his new baby!


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    ]]>     How to Make Big Profits on Small Budgets, With Zach Rego Zach Rego, Marcel Petitpas 00:21:50 When it comes to clients and your profitability, you can’t simply raise your prices all the time. Some people have small businesses with limited budgets and yet still require services. They still need agencies… So, today we’re talking to Zach Rego, VP of Sales and Marketing at Unstack.com about how best to deliver for Small Budget Clients while also running a profitable business for yourself. Points of Interest… How Unstack helps agency’s accommodate small budget clients 1:46 Overcoming Misconception of Small Budgets = Small Profits 4:47 Utilizing Your Ecosystem of Tools for Small Budgets 7:08 Using SaaS to Bolster SMB’s with Small Budgets 16:33 When it comes to clients and your profitability, you can’t simply raise your prices all the time. Some people have small businesses with limited budgets and yet still require services. They still need agencies… So, today we’re talking to Zach Rego, VP of Sales and Marketing at Unstack.com about how best to deliver for Small Budget Clients while also running a profitable business for yourself. Points of Interest… How Unstack helps agency’s accommodate small budget clients 1:46 Overcoming Misconception of Small Budgets = Small Profits 4:47 Utilizing Your Ecosystem of Tools for Small Budgets 7:08 Using SaaS to Bolster SMB’s with Small Budgets 16:33 niching down, linkedin, agency profitability, agency scaling, digital agency, zach rego, business strategy, smbs, messaging strategy, small budgets, the agency profit podcast, sass, agency owners, digital marketer, facebook, marcel petitpas, cac, unstack.com, bing, expert, marketing, wordstream, parakeeto.com, ppc false full 58     ea507bd6-9490-455f-b360-02d487b65805 How to Buy Back Your Time Using Virtual Assistants, With Nathan Hirsch- Episode 57 Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    Guest Links:

    About Nathan:

    Nathan Hirsch is an entrepreneur plus an expert in remote hiring and eCommerce. He co-founded FreeeUp in 2015 with an initial $5,000 investment, scaled it to $12M per year in revenue, before its 2019 acquisition.

    Today, Nathan is co-founder of OutsourceSchool.com, a company working to educate entrepreneurs on how to effectively hire and scale with virtual assistants through in-depth courses. Additionally, Nathan is a social media personality and loves sharing advice on scaling remote businesses via a range of platforms, including the 300+ podcasts he’s appeared on.

    A serious baseball lover, Nathan is also partial to The Office and gaming (specifically playing Last of Us 2 on PS4).


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    ]]>     Wed, 24 Mar 2021 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Nathan Hirsch, Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    Guest Links:

    About Nathan:

    Nathan Hirsch is an entrepreneur plus an expert in remote hiring and eCommerce. He co-founded FreeeUp in 2015 with an initial $5,000 investment, scaled it to $12M per year in revenue, before its 2019 acquisition.

    Today, Nathan is co-founder of OutsourceSchool.com, a company working to educate entrepreneurs on how to effectively hire and scale with virtual assistants through in-depth courses. Additionally, Nathan is a social media personality and loves sharing advice on scaling remote businesses via a range of platforms, including the 300+ podcasts he’s appeared on.

    A serious baseball lover, Nathan is also partial to The Office and gaming (specifically playing Last of Us 2 on PS4).


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    ]]>     How to Buy Back Your Time Using Virtual Assistants, With Nathan Hirsch- Episode 57 Nathan Hirsch, Marcel Petitpas 00:18:45 When is the right time to start hiring for your business? How do you decide what to take off your plate first? How do you set up a strong communication pathway with virtual assistants and freelancers? What should you be focused on as the business owner? So many (many) questions… Never fear, Nathan Hirsch of OutsourceSchool.com is here! Points of Interest… How Nathan Got Into The Virtual Assistant/SOP Game 1:50 The Four Phases of Hiring a Virtual Assistant 4:34 Prioritizing When Outsourcing to Virtual Assistants 8:13 Freelance/VA Economy and The Way Work is Changing 15:12 Key Takeaway 17:30 When is the right time to start hiring for your business? How do you decide what to take off your plate first? How do you set up a strong communication pathway with virtual assistants and freelancers? What should you be focused on as the business owner? So many (many) questions… Never fear, Nathan Hirsch of OutsourceSchool.com is here! Points of Interest… How Nathan Got Into The Virtual Assistant/SOP Game 1:50 The Four Phases of Hiring a Virtual Assistant 4:34 Prioritizing When Outsourcing to Virtual Assistants 8:13 Freelance/VA Economy and The Way Work is Changing 15:12 Key Takeaway 17:30 nathan hirsch, ceo, linkedin, agency profitability, agency scaling, freeeup, business strategy, messaging strategy, outsourceschool.com, va, the agency profit podcast, the office, agency owners, marcel petitpas, outsourcing, virtual assistants, expert, parakeeto.com, freelancers false full 57     0cb5d4c8-99c9-4248-a695-c256fa562769 How to Build and Leverage Thought Leadership in Your Agency, With Peter Winick- Episode 56 Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    Guest Links:

    About Peter:

    For the past two decades, Peter has helped both individuals and organizations build revenue streams through cultivating their thought leadership platforms. Additionally, he acts as a guide and advisor for increasing B2B sales of thought leadership products.

    His clients come from a diverse set of backgrounds and include New York Times bestselling book authors, Speakers’ Hall of Fame members, Thinkers50 Award recipients, CEOs of public and privately held companies, plus academics at prestigious institutions such as Yale, Wharton, Dartmouth, and London School of Business.

    Peter uses a combination of art, science, logic, focus, passion, and creativity to transform a thought leader’s ideas into a platform – and a practice. The aim? To effectively reach business leaders and executives, while serving the tools they and their organizations require. So, who exactly does he help?

    CEOs, business owners, and internal practice leaders looking to grow revenue, revitalize marketing, and improve customer experience through applying the principles of thought leadership.

    Business leaders and experts seeking to build out their ideas into a platform, so they can launch content and products to create a lasting impact in various companies around the globe.

    “Traditional” thought leaders who want to build or grow their practice, increase their effectiveness in content creation and marketing as well as extend their reach into existing and new clients.

    When Peter’s not revolutionising the realm of thought leadership, he enjoys immersing himself in a good book.
     


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    ]]>     Wed, 10 Mar 2021 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    Guest Links:

    About Peter:

    For the past two decades, Peter has helped both individuals and organizations build revenue streams through cultivating their thought leadership platforms. Additionally, he acts as a guide and advisor for increasing B2B sales of thought leadership products.

    His clients come from a diverse set of backgrounds and include New York Times bestselling book authors, Speakers’ Hall of Fame members, Thinkers50 Award recipients, CEOs of public and privately held companies, plus academics at prestigious institutions such as Yale, Wharton, Dartmouth, and London School of Business.

    Peter uses a combination of art, science, logic, focus, passion, and creativity to transform a thought leader’s ideas into a platform – and a practice. The aim? To effectively reach business leaders and executives, while serving the tools they and their organizations require. So, who exactly does he help?

    CEOs, business owners, and internal practice leaders looking to grow revenue, revitalize marketing, and improve customer experience through applying the principles of thought leadership.

    Business leaders and experts seeking to build out their ideas into a platform, so they can launch content and products to create a lasting impact in various companies around the globe.

    “Traditional” thought leaders who want to build or grow their practice, increase their effectiveness in content creation and marketing as well as extend their reach into existing and new clients.

    When Peter’s not revolutionising the realm of thought leadership, he enjoys immersing himself in a good book.
     


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    ]]>     How to Build and Leverage Thought Leadership in Your Agency, With Peter Winick- Episode 56 Marcel Petitpas 00:18:00 Peter Winick, founder @ Thought Leadership Leverage, is here to demystify one of the most questioned terms being bandied about over the last decade… Peter, who’s been at the forefront of Thought Leadership for over 20 years, walks us through exactly what it is and how it can be utilized to help you stand out from your competition. Points of Interest… How Peter defines thought leadership 1:36 Developing thought leadership in your Network 4:43 Executing your thought leadership strategy 7:59 Gaining traction on thought leadership content 9:58 Utilization of thought leadership to boost business 13.22 Peter Winick, founder @ Thought Leadership Leverage, is here to demystify one of the most questioned terms being bandied about over the last decade… Peter, who’s been at the forefront of Thought Leadership for over 20 years, walks us through exactly what it is and how it can be utilized to help you stand out from your competition. Points of Interest… How Peter defines thought leadership 1:36 Developing thought leadership in your Network 4:43 Executing your thought leadership strategy 7:59 Gaining traction on thought leadership content 9:58 Utilization of thought leadership to boost business 13.22 false full 56     016d933c-71f4-4605-b6c5-05e6e03a68d8 How to Operationalize New Business, With Jody Sutter- Episode 55 Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    Guest Links:

    About Jody:

    Owner of consultancy agency, The Sutter Company, Jody advises agencies – both big and small – on how best to organize and operationalize their growth strategy. This has led to more than two decades running business development teams for various agencies, spanning a diverse list of disciplines and including such high-profile names as R/GA, OMD, Havas Media, and The VIA Agency.

    Jody frequently speaks at leading global industry events, including INBOUND, the ICA’s Agency Transformation Summit, The Drum’s Pitch Perfect new business conference, and is a featured instructor in the 4As Learning & Development Program. Her book, A Small Agency’s Guide to Winning New Business: 8 Steps to Winning More of the Right Kinds of Clients, is now available on Amazon.com.

    After chucking in ‘city life’, moving from Manhattan to the Hamptons, Jody can be found engaging in her other passions. These include sailing and open-water swimming, alongside her partner, Rudy.


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    ]]>     Wed, 24 Feb 2021 10:30:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    Guest Links:

    About Jody:

    Owner of consultancy agency, The Sutter Company, Jody advises agencies – both big and small – on how best to organize and operationalize their growth strategy. This has led to more than two decades running business development teams for various agencies, spanning a diverse list of disciplines and including such high-profile names as R/GA, OMD, Havas Media, and The VIA Agency.

    Jody frequently speaks at leading global industry events, including INBOUND, the ICA’s Agency Transformation Summit, The Drum’s Pitch Perfect new business conference, and is a featured instructor in the 4As Learning & Development Program. Her book, A Small Agency’s Guide to Winning New Business: 8 Steps to Winning More of the Right Kinds of Clients, is now available on Amazon.com.

    After chucking in ‘city life’, moving from Manhattan to the Hamptons, Jody can be found engaging in her other passions. These include sailing and open-water swimming, alongside her partner, Rudy.


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    ]]>     How to Operationalize New Business, With Jody Sutter- Episode 55 Marcel Petitpas 00:26:26 This here episode sees Jody Sutter, of The Sutter Company, discuss how routines and rituals lead to new business revenue! Jody has worked with dozens of agency owners who have the best of intentions to improve how they win new business but are, sadly, stuck in an endless, unfulfilling cycle of all planning and no doing. Jody knows agencies can only see results from concrete action. So, let her help you form the foundation of a sustainable approach to business development success. Points of Interest… Keys to a successful new business strategy 3:09 Tailoring a bespoke business strategy 5:13 Defining the correct cadence for your New Business Ecosystem 10:36 New business plan accountability 15:05 Avoid the ‘Sexy Unicorn Sales Person’ 22:30 This here episode sees Jody Sutter, of The Sutter Company, discuss how routines and rituals lead to new business revenue! Jody has worked with dozens of agency owners who have the best of intentions to improve how they win new business but are, sadly, stuck in an endless, unfulfilling cycle of all planning and no doing. Jody knows agencies can only see results from concrete action. So, let her help you form the foundation of a sustainable approach to business development success. Points of Interest… Keys to a successful new business strategy 3:09 Tailoring a bespoke business strategy 5:13 Defining the correct cadence for your New Business Ecosystem 10:36 New business plan accountability 15:05 Avoid the ‘Sexy Unicorn Sales Person’ 22:30 false full 55     12f4b8ee-beb5-429d-83c3-26ebdce1ae95 How to Audit Your Agency in 15 Minutes, With Dev Basu- Episode 54 Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    Guest Links:

    About Dev:

    Founder of one of Canada’s fastest-growing agencies – Powered By Search – Dev is also the founder of Million Dollar Agency and a Professor at the Seneca College School of Marketing. In fact, you may remember him from Episode 18 of the Agency Profit Podcast.

    After growing Powered By Search to multi seven-figure revenue, he has shifted his focus to Coaching. Currently, he helps other agencies move towards, and beyond, the seven-figure mark by accelerating their growth.

    What’s so exciting about Dev is that he’s in the trenches. He knows the tactical stuff when it comes to marketing; he’s still operating Powered By Search (at a world-class level, I should add) making his Agency coaching beyond relevant. I’ll also note that he’s one of the best educators I’ve come across in this space. His ability to educate, especially in the crucial webinar space, is unparalleled. I’m just really excited to extract as much gold from his brain as possible!


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    ]]>     Wed, 10 Feb 2021 09:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas, Dev Basu) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    Guest Links:

    About Dev:

    Founder of one of Canada’s fastest-growing agencies – Powered By Search – Dev is also the founder of Million Dollar Agency and a Professor at the Seneca College School of Marketing. In fact, you may remember him from Episode 18 of the Agency Profit Podcast.

    After growing Powered By Search to multi seven-figure revenue, he has shifted his focus to Coaching. Currently, he helps other agencies move towards, and beyond, the seven-figure mark by accelerating their growth.

    What’s so exciting about Dev is that he’s in the trenches. He knows the tactical stuff when it comes to marketing; he’s still operating Powered By Search (at a world-class level, I should add) making his Agency coaching beyond relevant. I’ll also note that he’s one of the best educators I’ve come across in this space. His ability to educate, especially in the crucial webinar space, is unparalleled. I’m just really excited to extract as much gold from his brain as possible!


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     How to Audit Your Agency in 15 Minutes, With Dev Basu- Episode 54 Marcel Petitpas, Dev Basu 00:40:12 Welcome to a very special installment of the Agency Profit Podcast. Does the term ‘Agency Audit’ fill you with fear? How would you feel if I told you there was a way to audit your agency in way less than an hour. This week, we continue to make the impossible possible by introducing you to the founder at Agency Academy, Dev Basu, a man who holds the key to auditing your agency in a mere 15 minutes. Dev breaks down the Nine Systems Every Agency Needs to Grow and Scale – because he’s sound like that. So, with that, let’s buckle ourselves up for a special bumper edition of #APP! Points of Interest… • The Importance of an Agency Audit process 3:36 • Have you Downloaded the Audit yet??? 6:50 • Understanding How Well You Can Scale 8:44 • Attract: Building Your Authority… 15:44 • Convert: Auditioning Prospects… 18:37 • Deliver: Leverage Talent… 27:14 • Deciphering Your Score for Self Assessment 33:18 Welcome to a very special installment of the Agency Profit Podcast. Does the term ‘Agency Audit’ fill you with fear? How would you feel if I told you there was a way to audit your agency in way less than an hour. This week, we continue to make the impossible possible by introducing you to the founder at Agency Academy, Dev Basu, a man who holds the key to auditing your agency in a mere 15 minutes. Dev breaks down the Nine Systems Every Agency Needs to Grow and Scale – because he’s sound like that. So, with that, let’s buckle ourselves up for a special bumper edition of #APP! Points of Interest… • The Importance of an Agency Audit process 3:36 • Have you Downloaded the Audit yet??? 6:50 • Understanding How Well You Can Scale 8:44 • Attract: Building Your Authority… 15:44 • Convert: Auditioning Prospects… 18:37 • Deliver: Leverage Talent… 27:14 • Deciphering Your Score for Self Assessment 33:18 sas, dan martell, scale, agency profitability, agency scaling, convert, agency academy, selling processes, deliver, self assessment, attract, million dollar agency, the agency profit podcast, agency audit, agency owners, facebook, audit, marcel petitpas, employees, powered by search, dev basu, expert, product, framework, parakeeto.com false full 54     30676ff9-5ab6-40ef-a7d6-412ab49f34a3 How to Make Processes So Good You Can Sell Them, With Trent Dyrsmid – Episode 53. Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    Guest Links:

    About Trent:

    As you may (or may not be) aware; I pride myself on delivering energetic introductions to each guest we have on APP, so it’s my absolute pleasure to give Trent the enthused-Marcel-intro-treatment, which goes a little something like this…

    A serial entrepreneur, husband, and father, Trent hosts the Bright Ideas Podcast. Additionally, he’s founder of Flowster; a business process improvement application used by thousands of businesses globally, and ranked 254 on the 2019 Inc 5000 of America’s Fastest-Growing Companies.

    When he’s not running his businesses, you can find them careering around with his family, on dirt bikes and mountain bikes.

     


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    ]]>     Wed, 27 Jan 2021 09:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Trent Dyrsmid, Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    Guest Links:

    About Trent:

    As you may (or may not be) aware; I pride myself on delivering energetic introductions to each guest we have on APP, so it’s my absolute pleasure to give Trent the enthused-Marcel-intro-treatment, which goes a little something like this…

    A serial entrepreneur, husband, and father, Trent hosts the Bright Ideas Podcast. Additionally, he’s founder of Flowster; a business process improvement application used by thousands of businesses globally, and ranked 254 on the 2019 Inc 5000 of America’s Fastest-Growing Companies.

    When he’s not running his businesses, you can find them careering around with his family, on dirt bikes and mountain bikes.

     


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    ]]>     How to Make Processes So Good You Can Sell Them, With Trent Dyrsmid – Episode 53. Trent Dyrsmid, Marcel Petitpas 00:21:33 This week, Trent Dyrsmid – founder of Flowster and host of the Bright Ideas podcast – joins us to share what he’s learned from helping thousands of businesses improve their processes – to the point where you can monetize them. Oh, and if you like the sound of $300 worth of FREE growth processes via Flowster, do read on! Points of Interest… • Knitting Digital Marketing with E-Commerce 2:39 • Being Processes Focused & Applying the ‘Mom Test’ 6:42 • Monetizing your existing processes 13:54 • The process for reviewing your processes 15:50 • Key Takeaway Re Monetizing Processes… This week, Trent Dyrsmid – founder of Flowster and host of the Bright Ideas podcast – joins us to share what he’s learned from helping thousands of businesses improve their processes – to the point where you can monetize them. Oh, and if you like the sound of $300 worth of FREE growth processes via Flowster, do read on! Points of Interest… • Knitting Digital Marketing with E-Commerce 2:39 • Being Processes Focused & Applying the ‘Mom Test’ 6:42 • Monetizing your existing processes 13:54 • The process for reviewing your processes 15:50 • Key Takeaway Re Monetizing Processes… linkedin, agency profitability, agency scaling, brightideas.co, trent dyrsmid, selling processes, the agency profit podcast, services, agency owners, michael gerber, marcel petitpas, flowster, employees, expert, product, parakeeto.com false full 53     319456ff-08f5-4bee-a742-e1a85f2b5ff2 Building an Agency with No Employees, with LaunchTeam’s Jesse Tevelow – Episode 52. Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    Guest Links:

    About Jesse:

    This is the mother of all intros… you ready? *John Cena background music optional* Jesse Tevelow is the founder and CEO of LaunchTeam – a collective of expert consultants who launch books, sites, apps, courses, events podcasts, and entire companies. He’s also a founding partner at BlockTeam Venture, which focuses on strategic investment fund blockchain, DLT, and emerging tech. To date, he’s helped clients raise over $500 million dollars in venture funding. As well as being alumni of TechStars – where he built and exited his gaming company PlayQ – Jesse also now acts as a mentor to others moving up the entrepreneurial ladder.


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    ]]>     Wed, 13 Jan 2021 02:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Jesse Tevelow) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    Guest Links:

    About Jesse:

    This is the mother of all intros… you ready? *John Cena background music optional* Jesse Tevelow is the founder and CEO of LaunchTeam – a collective of expert consultants who launch books, sites, apps, courses, events podcasts, and entire companies. He’s also a founding partner at BlockTeam Venture, which focuses on strategic investment fund blockchain, DLT, and emerging tech. To date, he’s helped clients raise over $500 million dollars in venture funding. As well as being alumni of TechStars – where he built and exited his gaming company PlayQ – Jesse also now acts as a mentor to others moving up the entrepreneurial ladder.


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    ]]>     Building an Agency with No Employees, with LaunchTeam’s Jesse Tevelow – Episode 52. Jesse Tevelow 00:23:03 Can you imagine building an agency, to over eight figures in revenue, with zero employees? It is possible. Founder and CEO of LaunchTeam, plus founding partner at BlockTeam Ventures – Jesse Tevelow – built an entirely remote, service-based business with no full-time employees. Zip. Nada. Diddly squat… Wanna find out how?! Read on. Points of Interest… Outlining the premise behind LaunchTeams 1:40 • Operational structure of a company like LaunchTeam 6:27 • Don’t fear “giving away” your value 11:57 • How LaunchTeams‘ Growth Summit can help you 16:24 • Key Takeaway – pay attention to your brand! Can you imagine building an agency, to over eight figures in revenue, with zero employees? It is possible. Founder and CEO of LaunchTeam, plus founding partner at BlockTeam Ventures – Jesse Tevelow – built an entirely remote, service-based business with no full-time employees. Zip. Nada. Diddly squat… Wanna find out how?! Read on. Points of Interest… Outlining the premise behind LaunchTeams 1:40 • Operational structure of a company like LaunchTeam 6:27 • Don’t fear “giving away” your value 11:57 • How LaunchTeams‘ Growth Summit can help you 16:24 • Key Takeaway – pay attention to your brand! jesse tevelow, david c. baker, linkedin, blockteam ventures, agency profitability, launchteam, leonard armato, agency scaling, blair enns, lt growth summit 2021, erik huberman, seo, the agency profit podcast, leveraging, services, brad feld, agency owners, crm, oscar de la hoya, marcel petitpas, employees, expert, automation, product, parakeeto.com false full 52     a633f6cf-1ce3-4234-bf10-d1fee7a3e63b 67% Growth in 3 Months from Productized Services, with Vince D’Eletto – Episode 51. Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    Guest Links:

    About Vince:

    As sole founder of Word Agents, Vince has been in the SEO and digital marketing space since 2009, managing a portfolio of SEO websites, some of which have exited. Additionally, he owns a noodle bar called Bakuta, in Lindenhurst New York. When he’s not running his businesses, you can find him playing guitar and hanging out with his family in Long Island.


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    ]]>     Wed, 30 Dec 2020 09:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Vince D’Eletto, Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    Guest Links:

    About Vince:

    As sole founder of Word Agents, Vince has been in the SEO and digital marketing space since 2009, managing a portfolio of SEO websites, some of which have exited. Additionally, he owns a noodle bar called Bakuta, in Lindenhurst New York. When he’s not running his businesses, you can find him playing guitar and hanging out with his family in Long Island.


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     67% Growth in 3 Months from Productized Services, with Vince D’Eletto – Episode 51. Vince D’Eletto, Marcel Petitpas 00:11:25 Who wouldn’t want to have the option to streamline their services? True, bespoke offerings are great, but they can be time-consuming… Meet Vince D’Eletto, founder of Word Agents (an SEO content writing/copywriting service provider) who pivoted his agency services, from bespoke to standardized. In this here podcast – he chronicles how he found the transition. Points of Interest… • Transitioning from bespoke to productized services 2:11 • Recovering from niching down your services 4:28 • Figuring when/how much you need to hire 6:09 • Standardizing costs of services 8:15 • Advice for those considering productizing services 11:04 Who wouldn’t want to have the option to streamline their services? True, bespoke offerings are great, but they can be time-consuming… Meet Vince D’Eletto, founder of Word Agents (an SEO content writing/copywriting service provider) who pivoted his agency services, from bespoke to standardized. In this here podcast – he chronicles how he found the transition. Points of Interest… • Transitioning from bespoke to productized services 2:11 • Recovering from niching down your services 4:28 • Figuring when/how much you need to hire 6:09 • Standardizing costs of services 8:15 • Advice for those considering productizing services 11:04 copywriting, niching down, standardizing costs, linkedin, agency profitability, agency scaling, service provider pro, bakooto, seo, the agency profit podcast, leveraging, word agents, services, agency owners, crm, marcel petitpas, vince d’eletto, expert, geckoboard, product, google sheets, parakeeto.com, wicked reports, digital marketing false full 51     c50bd78f-57a8-4c17-b5b7-a2f676747ed7 Critical Agency Metrics for Scale and Profit, with Drew McLellan – Episode 50. Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    Guest Links:

    About Drew:

    Drew McLellan has spent over 30 years in the realms of marketing and advertising, over 25 years running his own firm, and almost 10 years being head honcho at the Agency Management Institute, helping hundreds of firms run a better business.

    The host of one of the top podcasts in our space, Build a Better Agency, Drew has been featured among the 10 Bloggers Every Business Owner Should Read, as chronicled by the Wall Street Journal.

    When he’s not helping his clients, you can find him combing over baseball stats in De Moines, Iowa.


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    ]]>     Wed, 9 Dec 2020 09:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    Guest Links:

    About Drew:

    Drew McLellan has spent over 30 years in the realms of marketing and advertising, over 25 years running his own firm, and almost 10 years being head honcho at the Agency Management Institute, helping hundreds of firms run a better business.

    The host of one of the top podcasts in our space, Build a Better Agency, Drew has been featured among the 10 Bloggers Every Business Owner Should Read, as chronicled by the Wall Street Journal.

    When he’s not helping his clients, you can find him combing over baseball stats in De Moines, Iowa.


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    ]]>     Critical Agency Metrics for Scale and Profit, with Drew McLellan – Episode 50. Marcel Petitpas 00:26:48 I seem to be in a perpetual state of heightened enthusiasm for my guests of late – and understandably so! This week, I’m exceptionally excited to bring you someone whose podcasts I’ve been listening to for the longest time. Now he’s here to discuss how best to make a profit AND scale your firm – so we’re experiencing some Inception levels of meta right now. Points of Interest… * Common challenges Drew has seen Agencies encounter 5:17 * Why AGI is so Fundamental for Profit 7:10 * Tracking Metrics for Profit 10:57 * Price Hikes Don’t Convert to Profit 17:42 The Importance of Tools to Drive Profit 22:14 I seem to be in a perpetual state of heightened enthusiasm for my guests of late – and understandably so! This week, I’m exceptionally excited to bring you someone whose podcasts I’ve been listening to for the longest time. Now he’s here to discuss how best to make a profit AND scale your firm – so we’re experiencing some Inception levels of meta right now. Points of Interest… * Common challenges Drew has seen Agencies encounter 5:17 * Why AGI is so Fundamental for Profit 7:10 * Tracking Metrics for Profit 10:57 * Price Hikes Don’t Convert to Profit 17:42 The Importance of Tools to Drive Profit 22:14 false full 50     26626742-fe4a-4616-a552-82923e172548 Running an 8 Figure Agency in 5 Hours per Week, with Chris Evans – Episode 49. Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    Guest Links:

    About Chris:

    Chris Evans is co-founder of Traffic and Funnels, which helps high-level consultants, coaches, and experts develop lead generation machines to scale their businesses to seven figures a year. He’s also co-founder of Wealth Cap Holdings and Sales Mentor. He’s scaled his companies to over eight figures in less than five years, alongside his partner, Taylor, on just a few hours per week. When he’s not running his businesses, you can find him hanging out with his wife and four kids in North Carolina


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    ]]>     Wed, 25 Nov 2020 09:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas, Chris Evans) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    Guest Links:

    About Chris:

    Chris Evans is co-founder of Traffic and Funnels, which helps high-level consultants, coaches, and experts develop lead generation machines to scale their businesses to seven figures a year. He’s also co-founder of Wealth Cap Holdings and Sales Mentor. He’s scaled his companies to over eight figures in less than five years, alongside his partner, Taylor, on just a few hours per week. When he’s not running his businesses, you can find him hanging out with his wife and four kids in North Carolina


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    ]]>     Running an 8 Figure Agency in 5 Hours per Week, with Chris Evans – Episode 49. Marcel Petitpas, Chris Evans 00:16:22 Meet the “Don Draper” of modern-day advertising, Chris Evans.Author of The Intelligent Advertiser, Evans is an entrepreneur, a real estate investor, the CEO of Wealth Cap Holdings™, and co-founder of three international companies. How – as a father of four – does he find the time to make all these impressive agency maneuvers?! Let us count the ways… Points of Interest… The catalyst for Traffic and Funnels‘ figure growth 1:29 Reinvesting Agency Profits 4:35 Scaling a Fast Growth Agency With Minimal Involvement 8:04 Leveraging Your Agency 10:35 Multiple Agency Mindset 13:08 Meet the “Don Draper” of modern-day advertising, Chris Evans.Author of The Intelligent Advertiser, Evans is an entrepreneur, a real estate investor, the CEO of Wealth Cap Holdings™, and co-founder of three international companies. How – as a father of four – does he find the time to make all these impressive agency maneuvers?! Let us count the ways… Points of Interest… The catalyst for Traffic and Funnels‘ figure growth 1:29 Reinvesting Agency Profits 4:35 Scaling a Fast Growth Agency With Minimal Involvement 8:04 Leveraging Your Agency 10:35 Multiple Agency Mindset 13:08 agency profitability, agency scaling, wealth cap holdings, fast company, collaborative, sales mentor, the agency profit podcast, leveraging, agency owners, traffic and funnels, marcel petitpas, chris evans, inc magazine, expert, parakeeto.com false full 49     abc0cd57-33a2-4826-865b-8019f0a9d907 How to Become an ‘Expert’ Agency with David C. Baker – Episode 48. Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    Guest Links:

    About David:

    Author of several books (five, in fact) – including The Financial Management of a Marketing Firm and The Business of Expertise – you may recognize him from the countless conferences he’s spoken at, including TEDx talks.

    In addition to being featured in The Wall Street Journal, Fast Company, USA Today, NY Times, Inc Magazine, Forbes, CBS (the list is endless), he’s worked with over 900 firms in this space.

    When he’s not helping experts and agencies, he’s teaching motorcycle racing at the Superbike School, Flying Planes and Helicopters around the world to shoot photography or doing custom woodworking at his home in Tennessee.


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    ]]>     Wed, 11 Nov 2020 09:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas, David C Baker) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    Guest Links:

    About David:

    Author of several books (five, in fact) – including The Financial Management of a Marketing Firm and The Business of Expertise – you may recognize him from the countless conferences he’s spoken at, including TEDx talks.

    In addition to being featured in The Wall Street Journal, Fast Company, USA Today, NY Times, Inc Magazine, Forbes, CBS (the list is endless), he’s worked with over 900 firms in this space.

    When he’s not helping experts and agencies, he’s teaching motorcycle racing at the Superbike School, Flying Planes and Helicopters around the world to shoot photography or doing custom woodworking at his home in Tennessee.


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     How to Become an ‘Expert’ Agency with David C. Baker – Episode 48. Marcel Petitpas, David C Baker 00:15:04 It’s a special one this week, dear viewers. We have the utmost pleasure to bring you the expert’s expert, David C. Baker. He’ll be discussing how best to fix your positioning and lead generation. Points of Interest… Behold the following ponder points… David’s Definition of ‘Expertise’ 2:26 Why Do Agencies Struggle to Place Themselves as Experts? 6:04 Knowing When To Position Yourself as an Expert 7:28 Leveraging Your Expertise for Profitability 8:44 Financial Timekeeping to Gauge Utilization Rate 10:35 It’s a special one this week, dear viewers. We have the utmost pleasure to bring you the expert’s expert, David C. Baker. He’ll be discussing how best to fix your positioning and lead generation. Points of Interest… Behold the following ponder points… David’s Definition of ‘Expertise’ 2:26 Why Do Agencies Struggle to Place Themselves as Experts? 6:04 Knowing When To Position Yourself as an Expert 7:28 Leveraging Your Expertise for Profitability 8:44 Financial Timekeeping to Gauge Utilization Rate 10:35 the business of expertise, the financial management of a marketing firm, forbes, fast company, ny times, cbs, usa today, inc magazine, tedx talks, the wall street journal false full 48     d38e7520-9523-435f-bc84-1a1ce745ba69 Forecasting the Future of Your Agency, with Rob Harr – Episode 47. Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    Guest Links:

    About Rob:

    Rob is the VP and Co-Founder of Sparkbox, a web design and development firm that crafts responsive websites and web applications. Here, his superpowers including overseeing operations and finance. He’s also the co-host of the Overly Human podcast.

    When he’s not beavering away at Sparkbox, helping others be awesome, he can be found hanging around Dayton, Ohio with his wife, their two kids, and a crazy Aussie dog. That or he’s golfing, weightlifting, or cooking meat over an open flame.
     


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    ]]>     Wed, 28 Oct 2020 09:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Rob Harr, Marcel Petipas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    Guest Links:

    About Rob:

    Rob is the VP and Co-Founder of Sparkbox, a web design and development firm that crafts responsive websites and web applications. Here, his superpowers including overseeing operations and finance. He’s also the co-host of the Overly Human podcast.

    When he’s not beavering away at Sparkbox, helping others be awesome, he can be found hanging around Dayton, Ohio with his wife, their two kids, and a crazy Aussie dog. That or he’s golfing, weightlifting, or cooking meat over an open flame.
     


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Forecasting the Future of Your Agency, with Rob Harr – Episode 47. Rob Harr, Marcel Petipas 00:15:20 We’re delighted to bring you something really special this week – extractions from Rob Harr’s brain. His mission is simple. He wants to help you learn the fundamental systems required to achieve forward visibility in your agency. In this episode, we discuss how best to lay the foundation to be able to forecast within your agency, and the critical systems you must have in place to make that possible. Points of Interest Include... . How Rob became ‘The Forecasting Guy’ 1:44 . The Building Blocks of Forecasting 4:13 . Feedback Loops Are Your Friend 6:27 . The Importance of Utilization 8:05 . Comparing Historical Data 9:41 We’re delighted to bring you something really special this week – extractions from Rob Harr’s brain. His mission is simple. He wants to help you learn the fundamental systems required to achieve forward visibility in your agency. In this episode, we discuss how best to lay the foundation to be able to forecast within your agency, and the critical systems you must have in place to make that possible. Points of Interest Include... . How Rob became ‘The Forecasting Guy’ 1:44 . The Building Blocks of Forecasting 4:13 . Feedback Loops Are Your Friend 6:27 . The Importance of Utilization 8:05 . Comparing Historical Data 9:41 agency profitability, processes, agency scaling, overly human, building blocks, covid-19, forecasting, cadence, collaborative, the agency profit podcast, agency owners, buy-in, sparkbox, marcel petitpas, rob harr, parakeeto.com false full 47     65d2c5cf-6acc-4341-b996-c0f4c878425d Making Your Estimates Fast and Accurate, with Marcel Petitpas – Episode 46. Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    Marcel Links:

    About Me:

    I am co-founder and CEO of Parakeeto and fractional COO at Gold Front – a creative agency working with top tech companies in San Francisco, including Uber, Slack, and Google.

    In addition to being an agency profitability consultant – specializing in helping agencies get a handle on their gains – I’m also an in-demand keynote/virtual speaker and podcaster.

    When I’m not helping agencies make more money, I’m probably binge-watching soothing sitcoms while consuming my own weight in breakfast confections. I mean, who isn’t at this point?


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    ]]>     Wed, 14 Oct 2020 09:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    Marcel Links:

    About Me:

    I am co-founder and CEO of Parakeeto and fractional COO at Gold Front – a creative agency working with top tech companies in San Francisco, including Uber, Slack, and Google.

    In addition to being an agency profitability consultant – specializing in helping agencies get a handle on their gains – I’m also an in-demand keynote/virtual speaker and podcaster.

    When I’m not helping agencies make more money, I’m probably binge-watching soothing sitcoms while consuming my own weight in breakfast confections. I mean, who isn’t at this point?


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Making Your Estimates Fast and Accurate, with Marcel Petitpas – Episode 46. Marcel Petitpas 00:10:04 This week, I’m divulging the framework we use to help our clients become more efficient and accurate in their Estimates Process. I’ll outline how you can install this process so that your estimating system improves over time. So, get ready to spend less time creating estimates while getting increasingly accurate outcomes! Points of Interest… You know the drill… there’s more info regarding each point in the blog notes below! The Necessity of Estimates Process 0:40 Scoping Metrics 2:35 Collecting Estimates Data 3:41 Garnering Team Feedback 5:47 Installing your Estimates Process 6:28 ‘Estimate By Parakeeto’ tool 9:27 This week, I’m divulging the framework we use to help our clients become more efficient and accurate in their Estimates Process. I’ll outline how you can install this process so that your estimating system improves over time. So, get ready to spend less time creating estimates while getting increasingly accurate outcomes! Points of Interest… You know the drill… there’s more info regarding each point in the blog notes below! The Necessity of Estimates Process 0:40 Scoping Metrics 2:35 Collecting Estimates Data 3:41 Garnering Team Feedback 5:47 Installing your Estimates Process 6:28 ‘Estimate By Parakeeto’ tool 9:27 agency profitability, processes, agency scaling, gold front, accurate, cadence, collaborative, the agency profit podcast, fast estimates, agency owners, digital marketer, buy-in, marcel petitpas, estimates, parakeeto.com false full 46     6d2bfc1a-6e8b-40d6-ad38-f5921ea75972 4 Steps to Forging Indispensable Client Relationships, with John Jantsch – Episode 45. Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    Guest Links:

    About John...

    John Jantsch is a marketing consultant, speaker, and author of several books, including Duct Tape Marketing; Duct Tape Selling; The Commitment Engine; SEO for Growth; and The Referral Engine.

    His latest book, The Self-Reliant Entrepreneur: 366 Daily Meditations to Feed Your Soul and Grow Your Business, is a daily reminder to entrepreneurs that a better you makes a better business!

    He doesn’t spend all his time speaking and writing books; he’s also the founder of the Duct Tape Marketing Consultant Network and has had the honor of being featured in a TEDx Talk.

    In his spare time, John can mostly be found outdoors enjoying nature, woodworking, and strumming his guitar.


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    ]]>     Wed, 30 Sep 2020 09:00:11 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (John Jantsch, Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    Guest Links:

    About John...

    John Jantsch is a marketing consultant, speaker, and author of several books, including Duct Tape Marketing; Duct Tape Selling; The Commitment Engine; SEO for Growth; and The Referral Engine.

    His latest book, The Self-Reliant Entrepreneur: 366 Daily Meditations to Feed Your Soul and Grow Your Business, is a daily reminder to entrepreneurs that a better you makes a better business!

    He doesn’t spend all his time speaking and writing books; he’s also the founder of the Duct Tape Marketing Consultant Network and has had the honor of being featured in a TEDx Talk.

    In his spare time, John can mostly be found outdoors enjoying nature, woodworking, and strumming his guitar.


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    ]]>     4 Steps to Forging Indispensable Client Relationships, with John Jantsch – Episode 45. John Jantsch, Marcel Petitpas 00:14:46 This week, we’re really thrilled to bring you the contents of John Jantsch’s brain! After founding his Marketing Consultancy Network 35 years ago, he has become something of an expert in agency/client relationships. In this episode, John is going to help you to build lasting relationships with your clients, particularly during this uncertain time. Points of Interest… You know the drill… there’s more info regarding each point in the notes below! Maintaining client relationships during COVID 1:42 Reinforcing optimum client relationships 4:41 Removing uncertainty around client expectation 7:54 Reverse engineering the client experience 9:54 This week, we’re really thrilled to bring you the contents of John Jantsch’s brain! After founding his Marketing Consultancy Network 35 years ago, he has become something of an expert in agency/client relationships. In this episode, John is going to help you to build lasting relationships with your clients, particularly during this uncertain time. Points of Interest… You know the drill… there’s more info regarding each point in the notes below! Maintaining client relationships during COVID 1:42 Reinforcing optimum client relationships 4:41 Removing uncertainty around client expectation 7:54 Reverse engineering the client experience 9:54 agency profitability, processes, agency scaling, the referral engine, covid-19, cadence, collaborative, the agency profit podcast, duct tape marketing, agency owners, digital marketer, buy-in, scope creep, marcel petitpas, seo for growth, parakeeto.com, john jantsch false full 45     2aa6e63b-54b0-42e5-8874-c3a13508acf0 Collaborative Process Improvement, with Marcel Petipas – Episode 44. Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    About Me:

    I am co-founder and CEO of Parakeeto and fractional COO at Gold Front – a creative agency working with top tech companies in San Francisco, including Uber, Slack, and Google.

    In addition to being an agency profitability consultant – specializing in helping agencies get a handle on their gains – I’m also an in-demand keynote/virtual speaker and podcaster.

    When I’m not helping agencies make more money, I’m either watching The Office or Parks & Rec on a loop.

    Want to see more from me? You can do that @…


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    ]]>     Wed, 16 Sep 2020 09:00:08 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petipas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    About Me:

    I am co-founder and CEO of Parakeeto and fractional COO at Gold Front – a creative agency working with top tech companies in San Francisco, including Uber, Slack, and Google.

    In addition to being an agency profitability consultant – specializing in helping agencies get a handle on their gains – I’m also an in-demand keynote/virtual speaker and podcaster.

    When I’m not helping agencies make more money, I’m either watching The Office or Parks & Rec on a loop.

    Want to see more from me? You can do that @…


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Collaborative Process Improvement, with Marcel Petipas – Episode 44. Marcel Petipas 00:12:06 In this week’s solo cast, I’m going to walk you through what I’ve learned from helping agencies to Install what I’ve dubbed the Qualitative Feedback Loop. This, dear readers, is a collaborative process that will help you systematically improve profitability. Points of Interest… You know the drill… there’s more info regarding each point in the blog notes below! Challenges Around Qualitative Feedback Loops 1:00 Collaborative Process Improvement Framework 1:54 Gathering Your Data 2:30 Define a Cadance 4:14 Get Team Buy-In 6:25 Create Ideas Backlog 8:07 In this week’s solo cast, I’m going to walk you through what I’ve learned from helping agencies to Install what I’ve dubbed the Qualitative Feedback Loop. This, dear readers, is a collaborative process that will help you systematically improve profitability. Points of Interest… You know the drill… there’s more info regarding each point in the blog notes below! Challenges Around Qualitative Feedback Loops 1:00 Collaborative Process Improvement Framework 1:54 Gathering Your Data 2:30 Define a Cadance 4:14 Get Team Buy-In 6:25 Create Ideas Backlog 8:07 process, agency profit podcast, agency profitability, gold front, solocast, collaborative, quantitative feedback loops, profitability, qualitative feedback loops, parakeeto.com false full 44     04444545-b678-44bf-9d7e-141cc0d0f473 Lessons From Documenting over 100K Processes, with Chris Ronzio – Episode 43. Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    Guest Links:

    About Chris:

    Chris Ronzio is the founder and CEO of Trainual, the leading SaaS company helping fast-growing businesses automate their onboarding and training.

    Chris is also the host of the Process Makes Perfect podcast, author of 100 Hacks To Improve Your Business, and contributor to Inc. Magazine.

    On the weekends, Chris and his wife take their two kids on little adventures to lakes and hiking trails. He’s enjoyed getting out of the house with COVID going on!

     

    Did you learn anything new from this episode? If so, let us know in the comments below – we value your feedback! Our next featured expert appearing via our #APP is John Jantsch on September 16th. Meanwhile, Marcel will share more agency profitability insights on September 9th. To view our previous blogs – with Marcel and Jeremy Jackson – please make your way here…


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    ]]>     Wed, 2 Sep 2020 09:00:27 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Chris Ronzio, Marcel Petipas, Trainual) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    Guest Links:

    About Chris:

    Chris Ronzio is the founder and CEO of Trainual, the leading SaaS company helping fast-growing businesses automate their onboarding and training.

    Chris is also the host of the Process Makes Perfect podcast, author of 100 Hacks To Improve Your Business, and contributor to Inc. Magazine.

    On the weekends, Chris and his wife take their two kids on little adventures to lakes and hiking trails. He’s enjoyed getting out of the house with COVID going on!

     

    Did you learn anything new from this episode? If so, let us know in the comments below – we value your feedback! Our next featured expert appearing via our #APP is John Jantsch on September 16th. Meanwhile, Marcel will share more agency profitability insights on September 9th. To view our previous blogs – with Marcel and Jeremy Jackson – please make your way here…


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Lessons From Documenting over 100K Processes, with Chris Ronzio – Episode 43. Chris Ronzio, Marcel Petipas, Trainual 00:16:52 Meet Chris – the ‘Ultimate Process Nerd’. He is on a mission to make small business easier by empowering leaders to document and delegate – so they can do more of what they love! Therefore, in this episode, we dive into the documentation of processes, and why it’s important for every business owner to get systemized and organized. Points of interest… How Trainual came to be… 1:51 Why processes are important 3:28 Common mistakes made when implementing processes 5:15 What do great processes look like? 8:00 You hack to becoming a Process Ninja 9:54 Advice for keeping processes current and accessible 14:56 Meet Chris – the ‘Ultimate Process Nerd’. He is on a mission to make small business easier by empowering leaders to document and delegate – so they can do more of what they love! Therefore, in this episode, we dive into the documentation of processes, and why it’s important for every business owner to get systemized and organized. Points of interest… How Trainual came to be… 1:51 Why processes are important 3:28 Common mistakes made when implementing processes 5:15 What do great processes look like? 8:00 You hack to becoming a Process Ninja 9:54 Advice for keeping processes current and accessible 14:56 process makes perfect podcast, ceo, agency profitability, 100 hacks to improve your business, agency scaling, founder, delegation, the agency profit podcast, business, chris ronzio, #app, agency owners, facebook, trainual, inc. magazine, scope creep, podcast, creative agency, marcel petipas, covid false full 43     c8389157-5b5d-46f7-9267-cc5529d6340d The Right Way to Track Time, with Marcel Petipas – Episode 42. Parakeeto Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    Marcel's Quick Links:

    About Me:

    I am co-founder and CEO of Parakeeto and fractional COO at Gold Front.

    In addition to being an agency profitability consultant – specializing in helping agencies get a handle on their gains – I’m also a respected keynote/virtual speaker and podcaster.

     

     


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Wed, 26 Aug 2020 09:00:22 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Parakeeto Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    Marcel's Quick Links:

    About Me:

    I am co-founder and CEO of Parakeeto and fractional COO at Gold Front.

    In addition to being an agency profitability consultant – specializing in helping agencies get a handle on their gains – I’m also a respected keynote/virtual speaker and podcaster.

     

     


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     The Right Way to Track Time, with Marcel Petipas – Episode 42. Marcel Petitpas 00:16:48 In this week’s solo cast, I’m going to walk you through the merits of time tracking. Having worked with dozens of agencies on this very subject, I can help you incorporate time tracking in your business – in a way that works for you. This includes ensuring how to best implement the right structure, so you can pull reports, answer questions quickly, and how to bring your team into this process. I’ll even show you how you can do time tracking without using timesheets at all! Points of Interest… What Is The Purpose of Time Tracking? 2:30 How Do You Structure Your Data? 3:58 Selecting The Correct Methodology 9:01 Encouraging Team Compliance 11:51 Busting Time Tracking Myths 14:32 In this week’s solo cast, I’m going to walk you through the merits of time tracking. Having worked with dozens of agencies on this very subject, I can help you incorporate time tracking in your business – in a way that works for you. This includes ensuring how to best implement the right structure, so you can pull reports, answer questions quickly, and how to bring your team into this process. I’ll even show you how you can do time tracking without using timesheets at all! Points of Interest… What Is The Purpose of Time Tracking? 2:30 How Do You Structure Your Data? 3:58 Selecting The Correct Methodology 9:01 Encouraging Team Compliance 11:51 Busting Time Tracking Myths 14:32 false full 42     6ccbabd4-4a55-4d47-8cae-dc7a81ac1f24 Transitioning from Creator to Agency Owner, with Jeremy Jackson – Episode 41. Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    Guest Links:

    About Jeremy:

    As the founder of Shift Lab, Jeremy focuses on projects that couple excellent design and technology, resulting in beautifully-designed digital products for clients as wide-ranging as Google, Comcast, Microsoft, and BreastCancer.org.

    Jeremy has worked in product development, UX, graphic design, and development for the web since the mid-’90s and was previously Director of Technology at Method.

    In his spare time, he’s allegedly a magnet enthusiast…


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Wed, 19 Aug 2020 09:00:05 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petipas, jeremy Jackson) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    Guest Links:

    About Jeremy:

    As the founder of Shift Lab, Jeremy focuses on projects that couple excellent design and technology, resulting in beautifully-designed digital products for clients as wide-ranging as Google, Comcast, Microsoft, and BreastCancer.org.

    Jeremy has worked in product development, UX, graphic design, and development for the web since the mid-’90s and was previously Director of Technology at Method.

    In his spare time, he’s allegedly a magnet enthusiast…


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Transitioning from Creator to Agency Owner, with Jeremy Jackson – Episode 41. Marcel Petipas, jeremy Jackson 00:13:46 In this episode, we talk about the transition Jeremy Jackson had to make to take his agency, Shift Lab, to the next level. From being a creative with an agency, to being an agency owner first, he recounts the additional discipline he had to apply to create a more successful business model. We dive into some of the more critical metrics, the changes he started paying attention to, and the results it had on his agency. Points of interest… There’s more information regarding each point in our blog notes below. Making the move to agency owner 1:57 Agency growing pains 4:18 Scaling your agency 6:00 Advice for novice agency owners 10:36 Your Take-Away 12:56 In this episode, we talk about the transition Jeremy Jackson had to make to take his agency, Shift Lab, to the next level. From being a creative with an agency, to being an agency owner first, he recounts the additional discipline he had to apply to create a more successful business model. We dive into some of the more critical metrics, the changes he started paying attention to, and the results it had on his agency. Points of interest… There’s more information regarding each point in our blog notes below. Making the move to agency owner 1:57 Agency growing pains 4:18 Scaling your agency 6:00 Advice for novice agency owners 10:36 Your Take-Away 12:56 shift lab, jeremy jackson, agency profitability, agency scaling, delegation, breastcancer.org, the agency profit podcast, business, #app, agency owners, digital marketer, transitioning, facebook, scope creep, creative agency, marcel petipas, project risk, columbia artists false full 41     255d5f1e-0223-4230-8cb8-310bcbba4a25 The Agency Profitability Flywheel, Marcel Petipas – Episode 40 About Marcel:

    Marcel Petitpas is co-founder and CEO of Parakeeto.

    In addition to being an agency profitability consultant – specializing in helping agencies get a handle on their gains – Marcel is also a renowned keynote/virtual speaker and podcaster.

    Expect to see more from Marcel over the coming weeks, as he shares important insights for agency owners who want to earn more while working less.
     

    Points of Interest…

    There’s more information regarding each point in our blog notes beneath below.

    • Identifying high ROI processes 2:12
    • Four-step Flywheel Framework 3:20
    • The Benefits of Tracking Tools 7:57


    Identifying High ROI Processes

    Most agencies struggle at some point with going over budget on projects and potentially working evenings and weekends due to a looming deadline.

    Unfortunately, things can take longer than expected. Since the deadline isn’t moving, you and your team inevitably find yourselves trying to make up time by working late or weekends. Obviously, this isn’t sustainable.

    There are processes to help deal with such situations, ones you could be building and optimizing, but you never seem to have time to define and implement them – or identify which ones are going to generate the highest return on investment.

    Well, all that is about to change!

     

    Four-Step Flywheel Framework

    I want to share with you our tried and tested Flywheel Framework which will help you identify the highest ROI investments. Its implementation will, in turn, help you protect your time – and your team’s time – as well and your profits.

    Then, I’m going to show you how you can embed this in your business. Over time, your team will learn how to run this process and tune your business for you – essentially making your agency self-optimizing, because it’s a feedback loop.

    Our four-step Flywheel Framework consists of…

    • Capturing Assumptions
    • Measuring Reality
    • Running Meetings
    • Investing in Your Process

     

    Assumption > Measure > Meetings > Process = Profit + Predictability


    Capturing Assumptions

    Irrespective of what your agency does, assumptions will be made pre-project. From ‘time and materials’ projects, to ‘flat rate’ projects; from how much time a project is going to take, to prospective external costs – blind assumption-making can seem part and parcel of a project, but it doesn’t have to be.

    You need to analyze IF those assumptions were correct or not. By capturing these assumptions, and ensuring there’s a consistent format to how they’re tracked, you can compare how your pre-project presumptions stack up against reality over time – horizontally.

     

    Measuring the Reality of Assumptions

    Whether it’s a spreadsheet or a tool like Parakeeto, define a consistent format and methodology by which you can estimate – or capture – the assumptions about your projects.

    Now that you have a reference point, measure the accuracy of those assumptions. By way of example; compare your assumed costs to your actual costs; compare the time logged in your estimate against the true time spent; and so on. Then you can ascertain if there is a mismatch between your initial assumptions and the actual data. This process is simpler than it sounds – especially if you use an accounting tool, or a time tracking tool.

    Make sure, when tracking your time, that it’s mapping back to the original assumption because that’s the purpose of the exercise!

     

    Run Team Meetings

    The goal of these meetings is to sit down with your team to measure quantitative data. Discuss what matched up to your initial assumptions and, more importantly, what didn’t match. That’s where we’re going to surface qualitative data.

    For example, you might ascertain that you went over budget on design hours. Why was that? Did you assign too many designers to that task, resulting in duplicated work?

    In short, the objective of these meetings is to identify what is going well, what is going poorly, and what is taking a different path to what was expected!

     

    Invest in Your Process

    The result of these captured insights include ideas on how you can overcome those things, then how best to implement them in your process backlog.

    This will inform you what needs to be done in order to solve these problems that we’re seeing in our data and in our meetings that will help us make more accurate assumptions over time. Over time, if you continue using the Flywheel process, you’re going to have more profit and increased predictability.

    In our business, profit and predictability are the holy grail of goals! While profit obviously means there’s more money in the bank for you, for your team, and for potential investments, predictability denotes less time spent working on weekends and evenings, better resource planning, more accurate timelines, etc. Simply put, predictability gives you better visibility into your business.

     

    Key Takeaway: The Benefit of Tracking Tools

    Time Tracking and Cost Tracking are two of the most important pieces of data for you as a service business owner – or as an agency owner – to optimize your business.

    It’s about shifting your mindset regarding Time Tracking. Tell yourself it’s not just something you do for a client. Applying time tracking to your team will, in the long run, lead to an enhanced work/life balance.

    If you want to dig deeper into this stuff and get some free resources to help you implement this flywheel in your business, download our Agency Profitability Tool Kit – it’s loaded with free resources to help you do everything described in this video!
     

    Want to see more from Marcel? You’re in the right place! Follow him @…

    Did you learn anything new from this episode? If so, let us know in the comments below – we value your feedback! Our next installment of #APP, on August 19th, will see us chat with Jeremy Jackson. To view our previous blog with Rachel Gertz, make your way here…
     


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Wed, 12 Aug 2020 09:00:05 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ About Marcel:

    Marcel Petitpas is co-founder and CEO of Parakeeto.

    In addition to being an agency profitability consultant – specializing in helping agencies get a handle on their gains – Marcel is also a renowned keynote/virtual speaker and podcaster.

    Expect to see more from Marcel over the coming weeks, as he shares important insights for agency owners who want to earn more while working less.
     

    Points of Interest…

    There’s more information regarding each point in our blog notes beneath below.

    • Identifying high ROI processes 2:12
    • Four-step Flywheel Framework 3:20
    • The Benefits of Tracking Tools 7:57


    Identifying High ROI Processes

    Most agencies struggle at some point with going over budget on projects and potentially working evenings and weekends due to a looming deadline.

    Unfortunately, things can take longer than expected. Since the deadline isn’t moving, you and your team inevitably find yourselves trying to make up time by working late or weekends. Obviously, this isn’t sustainable.

    There are processes to help deal with such situations, ones you could be building and optimizing, but you never seem to have time to define and implement them – or identify which ones are going to generate the highest return on investment.

    Well, all that is about to change!

     

    Four-Step Flywheel Framework

    I want to share with you our tried and tested Flywheel Framework which will help you identify the highest ROI investments. Its implementation will, in turn, help you protect your time – and your team’s time – as well and your profits.

    Then, I’m going to show you how you can embed this in your business. Over time, your team will learn how to run this process and tune your business for you – essentially making your agency self-optimizing, because it’s a feedback loop.

    Our four-step Flywheel Framework consists of…

    • Capturing Assumptions
    • Measuring Reality
    • Running Meetings
    • Investing in Your Process

     

    Assumption > Measure > Meetings > Process = Profit + Predictability


    Capturing Assumptions

    Irrespective of what your agency does, assumptions will be made pre-project. From ‘time and materials’ projects, to ‘flat rate’ projects; from how much time a project is going to take, to prospective external costs – blind assumption-making can seem part and parcel of a project, but it doesn’t have to be.

    You need to analyze IF those assumptions were correct or not. By capturing these assumptions, and ensuring there’s a consistent format to how they’re tracked, you can compare how your pre-project presumptions stack up against reality over time – horizontally.

     

    Measuring the Reality of Assumptions

    Whether it’s a spreadsheet or a tool like Parakeeto, define a consistent format and methodology by which you can estimate – or capture – the assumptions about your projects.

    Now that you have a reference point, measure the accuracy of those assumptions. By way of example; compare your assumed costs to your actual costs; compare the time logged in your estimate against the true time spent; and so on. Then you can ascertain if there is a mismatch between your initial assumptions and the actual data. This process is simpler than it sounds – especially if you use an accounting tool, or a time tracking tool.

    Make sure, when tracking your time, that it’s mapping back to the original assumption because that’s the purpose of the exercise!

     

    Run Team Meetings

    The goal of these meetings is to sit down with your team to measure quantitative data. Discuss what matched up to your initial assumptions and, more importantly, what didn’t match. That’s where we’re going to surface qualitative data.

    For example, you might ascertain that you went over budget on design hours. Why was that? Did you assign too many designers to that task, resulting in duplicated work?

    In short, the objective of these meetings is to identify what is going well, what is going poorly, and what is taking a different path to what was expected!

     

    Invest in Your Process

    The result of these captured insights include ideas on how you can overcome those things, then how best to implement them in your process backlog.

    This will inform you what needs to be done in order to solve these problems that we’re seeing in our data and in our meetings that will help us make more accurate assumptions over time. Over time, if you continue using the Flywheel process, you’re going to have more profit and increased predictability.

    In our business, profit and predictability are the holy grail of goals! While profit obviously means there’s more money in the bank for you, for your team, and for potential investments, predictability denotes less time spent working on weekends and evenings, better resource planning, more accurate timelines, etc. Simply put, predictability gives you better visibility into your business.

     

    Key Takeaway: The Benefit of Tracking Tools

    Time Tracking and Cost Tracking are two of the most important pieces of data for you as a service business owner – or as an agency owner – to optimize your business.

    It’s about shifting your mindset regarding Time Tracking. Tell yourself it’s not just something you do for a client. Applying time tracking to your team will, in the long run, lead to an enhanced work/life balance.

    If you want to dig deeper into this stuff and get some free resources to help you implement this flywheel in your business, download our Agency Profitability Tool Kit – it’s loaded with free resources to help you do everything described in this video!
     

    Want to see more from Marcel? You’re in the right place! Follow him @…

    Did you learn anything new from this episode? If so, let us know in the comments below – we value your feedback! Our next installment of #APP, on August 19th, will see us chat with Jeremy Jackson. To view our previous blog with Rachel Gertz, make your way here…
     


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     The Agency Profitability Flywheel, Marcel Petipas – Episode 40 Marcel Petitpas 00:09:34 How do you engineer profitability and scalability into your agency? In this episode, Marcel Petitpas breaks down the Agency Profitability Flywheel – the same model we’ve been using with our consulting clients – to rapidly improve their profitability! Since The Agency Profit Podcast launched 39 episodes ago – Marcel has increasingly been asked to go on other people’s shows and stages to speak about agency profitability. And yet, it’s something he never does our own show (apart from this one time…) This, dear reader, is a lost opportunity, both for Marcel and for all who come here for insights on how to scale a business. How do you engineer profitability and scalability into your agency? In this episode, Marcel Petitpas breaks down the Agency Profitability Flywheel – the same model we’ve been using with our consulting clients – to rapidly improve their profitability! Since The Agency Profit Podcast launched 39 episodes ago – Marcel has increasingly been asked to go on other people’s shows and stages to speak about agency profitability. And yet, it’s something he never does our own show (apart from this one time…) This, dear reader, is a lost opportunity, both for Marcel and for all who come here for insights on how to scale a business. false full 40     b174ae8b-19a1-4aa8-9440-dc717aa89029 How Project Management Can Support Profitability, with Rachel Gertz – Episode 39 Quick Links:
    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    Guest Links:

    About Rachel:

    As well as being the co-founder of Louder Than Ten, Rachel is also a digital PM trainer at the company. Louder Than Ten helps digital agencies and product studios train their Project and Operations Managers to deliver healthy and profitable projects. 

    Rachel trains tech com­pa­nies how to knock their old project man­age­ment flows upside down, by refin­ing the most valu­able steps in the process. She helps com­pa­nies under­stand what project num­bers real­ly mean, and how to turn blocks into oppor­tu­ni­ties.

    Her mis­sion is to trans­form the tech indus­try by train­ing dig­i­tal com­pa­nies how to give back pow­er to the peo­ple lead­ing their projects.

     


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Wed, 5 Aug 2020 09:00:09 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Rachel Gertz, Marcel Petipas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Quick Links:
    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    Guest Links:

    About Rachel:

    As well as being the co-founder of Louder Than Ten, Rachel is also a digital PM trainer at the company. Louder Than Ten helps digital agencies and product studios train their Project and Operations Managers to deliver healthy and profitable projects. 

    Rachel trains tech com­pa­nies how to knock their old project man­age­ment flows upside down, by refin­ing the most valu­able steps in the process. She helps com­pa­nies under­stand what project num­bers real­ly mean, and how to turn blocks into oppor­tu­ni­ties.

    Her mis­sion is to trans­form the tech indus­try by train­ing dig­i­tal com­pa­nies how to give back pow­er to the peo­ple lead­ing their projects.

     


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     How Project Management Can Support Profitability, with Rachel Gertz – Episode 39 Rachel Gertz, Marcel Petipas 00:15:09 This week, we pick the brain of Louder Than Ten co-founder, Rachel Gertz. We discuss how project management supports the profitability of the business, plus some of the key ways we can train our project managers to be better stewards of profitability. This week, we pick the brain of Louder Than Ten co-founder, Rachel Gertz. We discuss how project management supports the profitability of the business, plus some of the key ways we can train our project managers to be better stewards of profitability. pm, agency profitability, louderthanten.com, agency scaling, project management, the agency profit podcast, @thestraymuse, superhi.com, agency owners, digital marketer, project manager, scope creep, project risk, client alignment matrix, team alignment, swoop and poop, rachel gertz, future backwards false full 39     f0ba0ee4-78b6-41d6-a361-cbc4e78df05e Training Clients to Follow Your Processes, with James Rose – Episode 38. Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    Guest Links:

    About James:

    James (Jimmy to his pals) is the founder of Aktura Tech, ContentSnare, and the host of the Agency Highway podcast.

    Via his Zapier Mastery automation course, he enjoys finding and sharing ways for you to automate parts of your business so you can spend your precious time tackling things that really matter.

    In addition to sharing his knowledge of better processes via automation, James co-founded a tool for digital agencies to get content from their clients via ContentSnare, while Aktura builds custom software and mobile apps. One of his previous projects, SaaS application SilverSiphon, was sold to an angel investment firm based in Silicon Valley.

    When this Brisbanite isn’t informing people just how much “automation freaking rocks”, he can be found conversing with dogs; something he’s particularly skilled in.
     

     


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Wed, 22 Jul 2020 09:00:12 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    Guest Links:

    About James:

    James (Jimmy to his pals) is the founder of Aktura Tech, ContentSnare, and the host of the Agency Highway podcast.

    Via his Zapier Mastery automation course, he enjoys finding and sharing ways for you to automate parts of your business so you can spend your precious time tackling things that really matter.

    In addition to sharing his knowledge of better processes via automation, James co-founded a tool for digital agencies to get content from their clients via ContentSnare, while Aktura builds custom software and mobile apps. One of his previous projects, SaaS application SilverSiphon, was sold to an angel investment firm based in Silicon Valley.

    When this Brisbanite isn’t informing people just how much “automation freaking rocks”, he can be found conversing with dogs; something he’s particularly skilled in.
     

     


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Training Clients to Follow Your Processes, with James Rose – Episode 38. Marcel Petitpas 00:14:44 In this episode, we had the pleasure of talking to automation wizard James Rose about the most important processes you need to have in your agency, and how to help train your clients to follow those processes. Points of interest… There’s more information regarding each point in our blog notes beneath the video. Key processes to avoid scope creep with clients: 1:35 Principles for creating streamlined processes: 4:04 Importance of positioning processes from the offset: 6:38 Getting clients onboard with new processes: 8:18 Proposal pitfalls to avoid: 12:08 In this episode, we had the pleasure of talking to automation wizard James Rose about the most important processes you need to have in your agency, and how to help train your clients to follow those processes. Points of interest… There’s more information regarding each point in our blog notes beneath the video. Key processes to avoid scope creep with clients: 1:35 Principles for creating streamlined processes: 4:04 Importance of positioning processes from the offset: 6:38 Getting clients onboard with new processes: 8:18 Proposal pitfalls to avoid: 12:08 false full 38     2a12628d-e187-41b8-9bbd-dbea4c636fed From Start to 7 Figure Acquisition in Under 3 Years; Andy Cabasso – Episode 37 About Andy:

    Today, Andy is the co-founder of Postaga.com; an all-in-one SEO research platform for link building and email outreach that helps agencies and marketers build traffic and relationships.

    Aside from being a digital marketing professional, he is a speaker, lawyer, running enthusiast, and has enjoyed cooking up a storm for the family during Lockdown in New York.

    Plus, he’s officiated quite a few weddings on occasions (available for bookings!)

    Quick Links

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.
       

    Guest Links


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Wed, 8 Jul 2020 09:00:01 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petipas, Andy Cabasso) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ About Andy:

    Today, Andy is the co-founder of Postaga.com; an all-in-one SEO research platform for link building and email outreach that helps agencies and marketers build traffic and relationships.

    Aside from being a digital marketing professional, he is a speaker, lawyer, running enthusiast, and has enjoyed cooking up a storm for the family during Lockdown in New York.

    Plus, he’s officiated quite a few weddings on occasions (available for bookings!)

    Quick Links

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.
       

    Guest Links


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     From Start to 7 Figure Acquisition in Under 3 Years; Andy Cabasso – Episode 37 Marcel Petipas, Andy Cabasso 00:13:46 In this episode, Andy walks us through how he started a digital marketing agency in 2013, and then sold it – for 7 figures – less than three years later. Yep. You read that right. • Keys to his agency’s success included… • Finding the right niche • Innovating their marketing strategy • Building the right partnerships Additionally, Andy dives into what his acquisition experience entailed. In this episode, Andy walks us through how he started a digital marketing agency in 2013, and then sold it – for 7 figures – less than three years later. Yep. You read that right. • Keys to his agency’s success included… • Finding the right niche • Innovating their marketing strategy • Building the right partnerships Additionally, Andy dives into what his acquisition experience entailed. agency profit, duress page, fixed scope, agency scaling, acquisition process, operations, industry referrals, design agency, digital agency, content marketing, optimization, software, covid-19, web designers, transparency, seo, productizing services, digital, podcast, marcel petitpas, agency, creative agency, acquisition, profitability, andy cabasso, marketing, parakeeto, postaga false full 37     3bd2ce4e-1590-44e6-8fcf-4e8da1e93615 Land and Expand More Deals Via ‘D.S.S.P’ Framework, With John Doherty – Episode 36  

    About John...

    As well as being Founder and CEO of Credo, John is also an independent growth marketing and SEO consultant, who’s work has been featured in publications such as The New York Times, TheNextWeb, Moz, TechCrunch, CNBC, WIRED, Entrepreneur, and many more.

    When he’s not beavering away at work, John’s probably spending time with wife Courtney, daughter Tatum, and dog Butterbean, or cycling the mountain ranges of Denver, Colorado!

    Guest Links

    Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Wed, 24 Jun 2020 09:00:01 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (John Doherty, Marcel Petipas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/  

    About John...

    As well as being Founder and CEO of Credo, John is also an independent growth marketing and SEO consultant, who’s work has been featured in publications such as The New York Times, TheNextWeb, Moz, TechCrunch, CNBC, WIRED, Entrepreneur, and many more.

    When he’s not beavering away at work, John’s probably spending time with wife Courtney, daughter Tatum, and dog Butterbean, or cycling the mountain ranges of Denver, Colorado!

    Guest Links

    Quick Links:

    • The Agency Profitability Toolkit - Get the templates, formulas, and frameworks we've used with our consulting clients to help them double their profitability in under 60 days, absolutely free.
    • For more information on our Agency Profitability Systems and Consulting, check out https://parakeeto.com
    • Love the podcast? Leave us a review on the platform of your choice at this link.

    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Land and Expand More Deals Via ‘D.S.S.P’ Framework, With John Doherty – Episode 36 John Doherty, Marcel Petipas 00:13:01 In this episode, we chat with Credo‘s John Doherty about his D.S.S.P framework; a four-step-plan helping agency partners to close more business. Credo is a platform that connects global brands – such as Google, Airbnb, Adobe, The New York Times, and Atlassian – with vetted agencies to fulfill their digital marketing needs. In this episode, we chat with Credo‘s John Doherty about his D.S.S.P framework; a four-step-plan helping agency partners to close more business. Credo is a platform that connects global brands – such as Google, Airbnb, Adobe, The New York Times, and Atlassian – with vetted agencies to fulfill their digital marketing needs. communication, the agency profit podcast, sales, closing more business, d.s.s.p framework, credo false full 36     8a0102c0-a318-4af8-ad64-76ff33567bd2 Streamlining Client Communication with Keith Perhac – Episode 35 About Keith:

    Keith Perhac is the founder of SegMetrics.io, a Saas company helping course authors, product creators, and self-funded businesses increase their revenue from their existing traffic.

    Unlike most marketers, Keith is also a developer, which facilitated his transition from DevelopYourMarketing.com to “the dark side” (AKA SaaS). This gives him an innate understanding of two key things: the marketing strategies required to grow, and how to implement said strategies for your business.

    Currently, his online software helps marketers and agency owners get 100% clarity on where their leads come from, how they act, and how much their marketing is really worth.

    In his spare time, you can find Keith buried in Dungeons & Dragons.

    SegMetrics.io and How it Started

    Like all good software solutions, it was born from an itch that needed scratching.

    Keith started out as an agency owner, and had been doing funnel optimization and campaign optimization for a number of digital marketers. As his client base grew, so did the time spent on pulling the required numbers for the reporting process.

    “Pulling numbers is not what I got into marketing for… Understanding what to do with those numbers is why I got into marketing.”

    Numbers are vitally important to any business, particularly marketing, yet Keith and his colleagues were finding it to be a “huge time suck.” Being developers by nature, they committed to finding a more functional way forward.

    So, they built the first version internally, based on the premise of “Hey, can we drop these numbers into a
    database and then calculate them automatically?” As it turns out, you can!

     

    The Importance of Client Communication and Reporting

    Think about it… a client comes to work with you because they need guidance in a certain area. The more communication you have with a client, the more you can alleviate any lurking fears regarding your expertise in your field.

    “The number one thing I’ve found working with agencies, and things that we did internally, was to create a process. The stronger the communication process, the more confidence a client has in your agency.”

    Conversely, it’s worth bearing in mind that over-communication can have the opposite effect. It indicates a lack of structure and a certain malleability. When a client feels they should take control of a project, you’re in danger of losing your cache – that being your expertise.

    There are other pitfalls leading from that. For example, you could find yourself dealing with items that aren’t in the project scope; fixing up “little things” that need tweaking, and – as Keith attests – “suddenly, you’re a development shop instead of a marketing agency.”

    So, a set process is key to working well with clients from the offset. You can start this by ensuring…

    • Every step is documented for both parties
    • Each step is part of a set process, showcasing how things are progressing/improving
    • Every step then has a subsequent action

    This way, the client never feels in the dark, constantly wondering ‘What’s going on next?!’

     

    Value Communication During COVID-19

    Right now, it’s more critical than ever to be communicating value to clients. It can actually be bad for your clients to cut you right now if you’re driving results for them, particularly online.

    “If you can keep revenue the same, or keep it from tanking, that’s your agency fee paid for right there. That’s the value you need to show and that’s what we try to do with our funnel optimizations.”

    You need to show them you’re not a cost, but an investment and a value-add, and you do that through your concise communication and reporting process.

    “Look, here’s what we did this last month, here’s where you would have been without us, and here’s where you are with us. We’re only taking 5% of all the improvements we’ve made; so we’re definitely worth keeping on.”

    Set processes creates clarity, continuously reinforcing the value the client is getting. This, in turn, creates client confidence that you’re producing results.

     

    Streamlining Your Client Communication Process

    Keeping that pertinent word in mind (value), how should agencies think about setting up a process for communicating with clients that’s going to be efficient, streamlined and not take up a ton of their time?

    Depending on how much the client is paying you, create a cadence of a weekly call and/or email that updates them on where the stats are.

    When Keith signed a new client via his first company, he would follow a set schedule – core for clients that turned out to be a good fit.

    “They got a packet, a list saying, ‘go do this now. Go do this, go do this. This is going to give us all the information for our kickoff call…’ Then, give them a list of everything you’re going to do in that first six weeks – because it’s a process, right?!”

    A simple example of such a process should go a little something like this…

    • Schedule weekly calls to review results, plus the next steps required
    • Host meetings every six weeks to discuss strategy, and roadmap for the subsequent six weeks
    • Ensure there’s a meeting two weeks before the renewal of the contract
    • Never underestimate the importance of inserting yourself into the strategic decision-making process

       

    Automating Streamlined Reporting

    When should you consider automating the processes that feel like they might be quite tricky to streamline? According to Keith, there is one golden rule:

    “Never try to use software to automate the first time around, it is such a bad idea.”

    Instead, implement the below process before attempting to automate:

    • Start with a paper and/or checklist of the Standard Operating Procedures
    • Give that SOP to someone who preferably hasn’t undertaken this process before; their different POV should be able to highlight any holes and redundancies (plus it means you’re delegating and possibly putting your time towards something more valuable!)
    • Once that SOP is solid and proven, then you can work on automating parts that are consistently the same

       

    Your Take-Away…

    By way of summary, find ways of building more value into your relationships with your clients during COVID-19. Now is as good a time as any, according to Keith…

    “You are going to see a decline in revenue, that’s a given; don’t panic, take that extra time to make your business stronger… Now is the time.”

    So, take the imminent lull in customer interaction to refine your processes and, in turn, improve your value to both your existing and future clients.

    Go plug those holes! That way, you’ll be better prepared for whatever lies ahead…


     

    Want to see more of Keith? Follow him @…

     

    Did you learn anything new from this episode? If so, let us know in the comments below – we value your feedback! Our next instalment of #APP, on June 10th, will see us chat with John Doherty. To view our previous blog with Alex Glenn, make your way here…
     

    Agency Profitability Tool Kit

    If you’re looking for more resources to help you improve your agency’s profitability, then check out the Agency Profitability Tool Kit – it’s full of the same templates and checklists we’ve used with consulting clients to help them improve their profitability by over 100% in under 60 days.

    Download the Agency Profitability Toolkit!

    Get the same templates & guides we use with consulting clients to get them results fast.

    DOWNLOAD FREE

     


     

     


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Wed, 10 Jun 2020 09:00:17 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petipas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ About Keith:

    Keith Perhac is the founder of SegMetrics.io, a Saas company helping course authors, product creators, and self-funded businesses increase their revenue from their existing traffic.

    Unlike most marketers, Keith is also a developer, which facilitated his transition from DevelopYourMarketing.com to “the dark side” (AKA SaaS). This gives him an innate understanding of two key things: the marketing strategies required to grow, and how to implement said strategies for your business.

    Currently, his online software helps marketers and agency owners get 100% clarity on where their leads come from, how they act, and how much their marketing is really worth.

    In his spare time, you can find Keith buried in Dungeons & Dragons.

    SegMetrics.io and How it Started

    Like all good software solutions, it was born from an itch that needed scratching.

    Keith started out as an agency owner, and had been doing funnel optimization and campaign optimization for a number of digital marketers. As his client base grew, so did the time spent on pulling the required numbers for the reporting process.

    “Pulling numbers is not what I got into marketing for… Understanding what to do with those numbers is why I got into marketing.”

    Numbers are vitally important to any business, particularly marketing, yet Keith and his colleagues were finding it to be a “huge time suck.” Being developers by nature, they committed to finding a more functional way forward.

    So, they built the first version internally, based on the premise of “Hey, can we drop these numbers into a
    database and then calculate them automatically?” As it turns out, you can!

     

    The Importance of Client Communication and Reporting

    Think about it… a client comes to work with you because they need guidance in a certain area. The more communication you have with a client, the more you can alleviate any lurking fears regarding your expertise in your field.

    “The number one thing I’ve found working with agencies, and things that we did internally, was to create a process. The stronger the communication process, the more confidence a client has in your agency.”

    Conversely, it’s worth bearing in mind that over-communication can have the opposite effect. It indicates a lack of structure and a certain malleability. When a client feels they should take control of a project, you’re in danger of losing your cache – that being your expertise.

    There are other pitfalls leading from that. For example, you could find yourself dealing with items that aren’t in the project scope; fixing up “little things” that need tweaking, and – as Keith attests – “suddenly, you’re a development shop instead of a marketing agency.”

    So, a set process is key to working well with clients from the offset. You can start this by ensuring…

    • Every step is documented for both parties
    • Each step is part of a set process, showcasing how things are progressing/improving
    • Every step then has a subsequent action

    This way, the client never feels in the dark, constantly wondering ‘What’s going on next?!’

     

    Value Communication During COVID-19

    Right now, it’s more critical than ever to be communicating value to clients. It can actually be bad for your clients to cut you right now if you’re driving results for them, particularly online.

    “If you can keep revenue the same, or keep it from tanking, that’s your agency fee paid for right there. That’s the value you need to show and that’s what we try to do with our funnel optimizations.”

    You need to show them you’re not a cost, but an investment and a value-add, and you do that through your concise communication and reporting process.

    “Look, here’s what we did this last month, here’s where you would have been without us, and here’s where you are with us. We’re only taking 5% of all the improvements we’ve made; so we’re definitely worth keeping on.”

    Set processes creates clarity, continuously reinforcing the value the client is getting. This, in turn, creates client confidence that you’re producing results.

     

    Streamlining Your Client Communication Process

    Keeping that pertinent word in mind (value), how should agencies think about setting up a process for communicating with clients that’s going to be efficient, streamlined and not take up a ton of their time?

    Depending on how much the client is paying you, create a cadence of a weekly call and/or email that updates them on where the stats are.

    When Keith signed a new client via his first company, he would follow a set schedule – core for clients that turned out to be a good fit.

    “They got a packet, a list saying, ‘go do this now. Go do this, go do this. This is going to give us all the information for our kickoff call…’ Then, give them a list of everything you’re going to do in that first six weeks – because it’s a process, right?!”

    A simple example of such a process should go a little something like this…

    • Schedule weekly calls to review results, plus the next steps required
    • Host meetings every six weeks to discuss strategy, and roadmap for the subsequent six weeks
    • Ensure there’s a meeting two weeks before the renewal of the contract
    • Never underestimate the importance of inserting yourself into the strategic decision-making process

       

    Automating Streamlined Reporting

    When should you consider automating the processes that feel like they might be quite tricky to streamline? According to Keith, there is one golden rule:

    “Never try to use software to automate the first time around, it is such a bad idea.”

    Instead, implement the below process before attempting to automate:

    • Start with a paper and/or checklist of the Standard Operating Procedures
    • Give that SOP to someone who preferably hasn’t undertaken this process before; their different POV should be able to highlight any holes and redundancies (plus it means you’re delegating and possibly putting your time towards something more valuable!)
    • Once that SOP is solid and proven, then you can work on automating parts that are consistently the same

       

    Your Take-Away…

    By way of summary, find ways of building more value into your relationships with your clients during COVID-19. Now is as good a time as any, according to Keith…

    “You are going to see a decline in revenue, that’s a given; don’t panic, take that extra time to make your business stronger… Now is the time.”

    So, take the imminent lull in customer interaction to refine your processes and, in turn, improve your value to both your existing and future clients.

    Go plug those holes! That way, you’ll be better prepared for whatever lies ahead…


     

    Want to see more of Keith? Follow him @…

     

    Did you learn anything new from this episode? If so, let us know in the comments below – we value your feedback! Our next instalment of #APP, on June 10th, will see us chat with John Doherty. To view our previous blog with Alex Glenn, make your way here…
     

    Agency Profitability Tool Kit

    If you’re looking for more resources to help you improve your agency’s profitability, then check out the Agency Profitability Tool Kit – it’s full of the same templates and checklists we’ve used with consulting clients to help them improve their profitability by over 100% in under 60 days.

    Download the Agency Profitability Toolkit!

    Get the same templates & guides we use with consulting clients to get them results fast.

    DOWNLOAD FREE

     


     

     


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Streamlining Client Communication with Keith Perhac – Episode 35 Marcel Petipas 00:35:39 If you’ve worked in an agency, you know how time consuming reporting (and the associated repetitive tasks) can be. Hence, we were thrilled to talk with Keith Perhac, of SegMetrics.io, about streamlining client communication and reporting – without it monopolizing your time! If you’ve worked in an agency, you know how time consuming reporting (and the associated repetitive tasks) can be. Hence, we were thrilled to talk with Keith Perhac, of SegMetrics.io, about streamlining client communication and reporting – without it monopolizing your time! agency profitability, dungeons and dragons, segmetrics.io, covid-19, funnel optimizations, online software, pre-covid19, agency owners, keith perhac, develop your marketing, saas, streamlining, marketing, client communication false full 35     d173e1b0-b5e6-43af-876c-f71268073647 Using Partnerships to Increase Profits with Alex Glenn – Episode 34 Explaining Partnerprograms.io

    Their aim is ensuring that software and agencies can connect and become more successful together.

    The overall mission is just better partnerships; more connection, more interaction inside of the ecosystem, while optimizing communication and clarity, and therefore a faster turnaround for the client.

     

    Core Tenets of Good Partnerships

    So, what’s at the core of a partnership between a software company and an agency? According to Alex, partnerships can really help you define your operating procedures, helping you get more organized as a team…
     

    “Those partnerships can help you really streamline and optimize the services that you offer as an agency, which means higher ticket value, because customer retention is higher.”
     

    What should you be aware of in terms of how partnerships ought to be structured? Below are some pointers; there’s more info on the podcast at the 2:10 mark…

    • Co-marketing or co-selling opportunities can help the software company enable their clients
    • Sometimes, you may look for tools to help you run more efficiently, thus optimizing service delivery on top of back-end systems
    • Always go through the partnerships funnel on a website, not the regular sign-up form
    • Feature roadmap inclusion and early access
    • Seek a dedicated phone number, or support channel, for agency partners to receive priority support
    • Remember: referral fees are not the foundation of a successful partnership, they are generally not going to be the primary value of the partnership
    • Feature sets, enabling agencies to onboard new clients and build-out services on top of it – like white-labeling, client portals etc.
    • Look for partners who have training – and systems – on how to build and sell services on top of their software

       

    Partnership Opportunities Agencies Should Seek

    Assuming you’re an agency looking to build out some services on top of software solution, let’s address some signals indicating a great partner you can really trust – and grow with – going forward.

    For instance, if you’re more of a creative agency and don’t sell services on top of tools, look for co-marketing opportunities to add value to software companies that serve the same customer as you. An example would be Wistia’s partnership with Sandwich Video

    If you’re more of a digital or marketing shop, and have a process for how you deliver value to customers, look at the funnel and process that you use consistently. Then, look for partnership opportunities at each step of said funnel or process. An example of this would be using CallRail in a PPC campaign. 

    While you’re growing, try to stay vertical and use the partnership to increase revenue and margin; this is achieved by going deeper into a single vertical service offering – before you try to go too wide.

     

    “Tech-Enabled” and “Tech-Stacked” Partnership Services

    Productizing your services allows you to have a streamlined, scalable workflow, thus building out extremely deep relationships with your partnerships and support teams.

    This can develop some awesome co-marketing opportunities to reach more clients.

    Speed to value is key for both SaaS and agencies. Great SaaS partnerships should enable you, as an agency, to get your clients the outcome they want much faster – with higher margins and less work. 

    The SaaS company is incentivized to help you do that, and your clients will get additional value from reaching their desired outcome faster. 

    In some cases, you can essentially charge more for something that takes less time because the value of getting the outcome faster of high importance to your client.

    Some SaaS companies actually NEED agencies to scale. For example…

    • Activation and retention are some of the most important metrics for SaaS companies
    • Agencies can be essential in helping clients get complex tools set-up and implemented in their workflows so they can get successful 
       

    Understand that, as an agency, you can bring a lot of value to a SaaS company by helping them make their clients successful, sticking around in the long-term, and building case studies for the value of their product.

     

    How to Start Adding Partnership Services to Your Business

    How do you start evaluating partners? Where should you go? How do you start selling this to my clients? What’s the roadmap here?!

    What Alex recommends you do is: look at tools you can create from those replicable stacks.

    For example, Alex works with a partner called The.com, an awesome new tool that allows you – in your backend – to spin up. Using a very simple editor that’s database driven, you can give a client access to the backend so they populate it with all sorts of cool stuff.
     

    “You can create these templates for lawyers, you can create these templates for real estate agents; when you have a new client, not only do you immediately load them with an amazing SEO driven website, you can add on tools and snippets on top of those websites. “
     

    For instance, you can launch a cookie cutter website that’s optimized already, that has chat already, and uses Smith.ai.

     

    Building Recurring, High Margin Services Via Partnerships

    If an agency is looking to find some good opportunities to build recurring, high-margin services into their agency through partnerships – where should they go? This is exactly what partnerprograms.io helps agencies figure out! As Alex says…
     

    “Just look for partnerships. Don’t look at this as a vendorship. Don’t look at this as, you know, I’m just going to be asked to refer business all day long. Find a partnership. You have to grow with this company. Just like any partnership, it has to be mutually beneficial.”
     

    Take a look at all the steps in your service delivery process. Start identifying opportunities to streamline each step of the process with software, and then evaluate the partner programs for each of those software solutions.

    This will help you create a very predictable scope of work, so you can give clear pricing to your clients, as well as a clear process, plus a commitment to getting a solution to them in a timely manner!

     

    Want to see more of Alex? Follow him @…


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Wed, 27 May 2020 09:00:23 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Alex Glenn, Marcel Petipas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Explaining Partnerprograms.io

    Their aim is ensuring that software and agencies can connect and become more successful together.

    The overall mission is just better partnerships; more connection, more interaction inside of the ecosystem, while optimizing communication and clarity, and therefore a faster turnaround for the client.

     

    Core Tenets of Good Partnerships

    So, what’s at the core of a partnership between a software company and an agency? According to Alex, partnerships can really help you define your operating procedures, helping you get more organized as a team…
     

    “Those partnerships can help you really streamline and optimize the services that you offer as an agency, which means higher ticket value, because customer retention is higher.”
     

    What should you be aware of in terms of how partnerships ought to be structured? Below are some pointers; there’s more info on the podcast at the 2:10 mark…

    • Co-marketing or co-selling opportunities can help the software company enable their clients
    • Sometimes, you may look for tools to help you run more efficiently, thus optimizing service delivery on top of back-end systems
    • Always go through the partnerships funnel on a website, not the regular sign-up form
    • Feature roadmap inclusion and early access
    • Seek a dedicated phone number, or support channel, for agency partners to receive priority support
    • Remember: referral fees are not the foundation of a successful partnership, they are generally not going to be the primary value of the partnership
    • Feature sets, enabling agencies to onboard new clients and build-out services on top of it – like white-labeling, client portals etc.
    • Look for partners who have training – and systems – on how to build and sell services on top of their software

       

    Partnership Opportunities Agencies Should Seek

    Assuming you’re an agency looking to build out some services on top of software solution, let’s address some signals indicating a great partner you can really trust – and grow with – going forward.

    For instance, if you’re more of a creative agency and don’t sell services on top of tools, look for co-marketing opportunities to add value to software companies that serve the same customer as you. An example would be Wistia’s partnership with Sandwich Video

    If you’re more of a digital or marketing shop, and have a process for how you deliver value to customers, look at the funnel and process that you use consistently. Then, look for partnership opportunities at each step of said funnel or process. An example of this would be using CallRail in a PPC campaign. 

    While you’re growing, try to stay vertical and use the partnership to increase revenue and margin; this is achieved by going deeper into a single vertical service offering – before you try to go too wide.

     

    “Tech-Enabled” and “Tech-Stacked” Partnership Services

    Productizing your services allows you to have a streamlined, scalable workflow, thus building out extremely deep relationships with your partnerships and support teams.

    This can develop some awesome co-marketing opportunities to reach more clients.

    Speed to value is key for both SaaS and agencies. Great SaaS partnerships should enable you, as an agency, to get your clients the outcome they want much faster – with higher margins and less work. 

    The SaaS company is incentivized to help you do that, and your clients will get additional value from reaching their desired outcome faster. 

    In some cases, you can essentially charge more for something that takes less time because the value of getting the outcome faster of high importance to your client.

    Some SaaS companies actually NEED agencies to scale. For example…

    • Activation and retention are some of the most important metrics for SaaS companies
    • Agencies can be essential in helping clients get complex tools set-up and implemented in their workflows so they can get successful 
       

    Understand that, as an agency, you can bring a lot of value to a SaaS company by helping them make their clients successful, sticking around in the long-term, and building case studies for the value of their product.

     

    How to Start Adding Partnership Services to Your Business

    How do you start evaluating partners? Where should you go? How do you start selling this to my clients? What’s the roadmap here?!

    What Alex recommends you do is: look at tools you can create from those replicable stacks.

    For example, Alex works with a partner called The.com, an awesome new tool that allows you – in your backend – to spin up. Using a very simple editor that’s database driven, you can give a client access to the backend so they populate it with all sorts of cool stuff.
     

    “You can create these templates for lawyers, you can create these templates for real estate agents; when you have a new client, not only do you immediately load them with an amazing SEO driven website, you can add on tools and snippets on top of those websites. “
     

    For instance, you can launch a cookie cutter website that’s optimized already, that has chat already, and uses Smith.ai.

     

    Building Recurring, High Margin Services Via Partnerships

    If an agency is looking to find some good opportunities to build recurring, high-margin services into their agency through partnerships – where should they go? This is exactly what partnerprograms.io helps agencies figure out! As Alex says…
     

    “Just look for partnerships. Don’t look at this as a vendorship. Don’t look at this as, you know, I’m just going to be asked to refer business all day long. Find a partnership. You have to grow with this company. Just like any partnership, it has to be mutually beneficial.”
     

    Take a look at all the steps in your service delivery process. Start identifying opportunities to streamline each step of the process with software, and then evaluate the partner programs for each of those software solutions.

    This will help you create a very predictable scope of work, so you can give clear pricing to your clients, as well as a clear process, plus a commitment to getting a solution to them in a timely manner!

     

    Want to see more of Alex? Follow him @…


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Using Partnerships to Increase Profits with Alex Glenn – Episode 34 Alex Glenn, Marcel Petipas 00:41:17 Welcome to Episode 34 of our #APP, which sees us chat with founder of PartnerPrograms.io and host of Partnered 2020 Podcast, Alex Glenn, about all things partnerships. Topics up for discussion include… The ‘core tenets’ of a good partnership Possible partnership opportunities for agencies The importance of productizing service offerings Welcome to Episode 34 of our #APP, which sees us chat with founder of PartnerPrograms.io and host of Partnered 2020 Podcast, Alex Glenn, about all things partnerships. Topics up for discussion include… The ‘core tenets’ of a good partnership Possible partnership opportunities for agencies The importance of productizing service offerings partnerprograms.io, agency profit, core tenants, communication channels, creative process, productizing services, the agency profit podcast, agenda management, software tools, saas, partnered 2020 podcast, service partnerships, stacked partnerships, alex glenn false full 34     ddcedd87-85fb-4edf-bf2a-b65958893fb6 Get Reach and Results on LinkedIn, with Marcus Murphy – Episode 33 About Marcus: 

    A recognized instructor and speaker at LinkedIn, Marcus Murphy cares deeply about the flourishing of fellow sales experts and entrepreneurs.

    Currently, he’s Head of Partnerships at DigitalMarketer.com, which arms its ‘insiders’ with strategic insights from industry experts, while also providing templates, tools and swipe files to help you become a better marketer.

    Marcus previously worked for Yelp in San Francisco, going from start-up to multi-billion dollar giant. He’s also honed his expertise at Infusionsoft as Global Partner Development Manager. There, he developed and broadened new international markets through strategic partnerships.

    When not at work, he’s either spending quality time with wife, Gina, and his daughters – or he’s working out!

    So, Why LinkedIn…? 

    What makes LinkedIn such a unique opportunity right now? The answer to that is – basically – there are 675 million people on the platform.

    Additionally, organic reach across other social platforms is essentially dead, while LinkedIn still excels at this. Why? Because its algorithm loves engagement.

    Start having conversations on there to up your engagement, and the platform will show these posts to more people. This, in turn, motivates yet more users to get involved in your conversation.

    If your content is not starting the right conversations with potential connections, then it’s just noise, a distraction, a therefore a waste of your time.

    In short… content is King.
     

    Optimize your LinkedIn Profile to Start Conversations

    The three initial motivators for people to connect with you and your brand on LinkedIn are: your profile picture, your header image, and your byline/title. So, make them count.

    You have a unique opportunity in your profile photo right away. If possible, invest $50 in the headshot. Do it 60% of the frame against a clean background.

    More importantly, Marcus says…

    “Make sure you’re not Catfishing people with your 1989 headshot… It’s tough to have integrity built and trust built into that.”

    If potential connections see your photo and what you have positioned yourself as – plus, if you ask a question in your ‘Summary‘ – then there’s your conversation starter.

    Always remember…

    • Everything on your profile should be driven to start conversations
    • Get a good professional headshot that takes up 60% of the frame
    • Optimize your headline to start a conversation – and be specific
    • Use your Summary to hook the visitor; sell your story, share what you’re about / what your mission is
    • Put a call to action in your Summary, invite people to join your journey
       

    If you do those things, then you’re better prepared to be part of the massive growth that’s happening on LinkedIn right now.
     

    Personal LinkedIn Profile and Brand Page Relationship

    Chances are, if you’re an agency owner on LinkedIn, you have both a personal profile and a business page. Now, how can you actually leverage and create momentum by using both? As Marcus says…

    “You gotta have a business page, you have to have a showcase page, and you have to have a website as a business – because everybody wants to see that you are who you say you are. They want to have those integrity pieces and something to anchor to.”

    Below is a strategy behind utilizing those assets together.

    • Use your business page as the anchor
    • The business page is designed to inform what your business is about
    • Post content and updates, but don’t expect it to drive organic growth
    • Pay to boost content that is doing well organically
    • Your personal page will drive the growth of your business page

    Your personal page should be used to generate ‘reach’, while your business page will provide conversion (i.e. website visits) and build buyer confidence.

    Optimizing Content for Organic Reach on LinkedIn

    Let’s talk core strategies to consider when trying to optimize the content you’re posting on LinkedIn to obtain organic reach / drive results.

    Every piece of content Marcus generates is put through the lens of who Digital Marketer is as an organization. You need to create a ‘Character Diamond’ highlighting what your agency excels at, and then what balances that. Or, to put it another way…

    “No one would like Superman if there was no Kryptonite and he wasn’t a nerd – because none of us can fly, and we’d think he’s an asshole – ‘Oh, he’s flying again, well, screw that guy!’ We are marketing savants at Digital Marketer, but we are also highly irreverent and that’s a good balance; it helps people to go ‘Oh, these guys are really smart – but they’re human beings’.”

    In order to optimize your content for organic reach on LinkedIn, and therefore boost your ‘connections’ above 500 and beyond…

    • Be authentic with your content; don’t be too staunch on LinkedIn
    • Build a Character Diamond for yourself and your personal brand
    • Ask yourself how your content can start conversations…
    • Comments trump ‘likes’, and are heavily weighed in organic reach
    • Responding to comments is tremendously important
    • Consistency and quality content is key
    • Engage and comment on posts written by people who have a big following

    Again, it’s advantageous to have more (and more) people engage with, and comment on, the post as it takes it so much further.

     

    Specific LinkedIn Tips for the Agency Owner

    So, you’re running an agency, you’ve got a small team, and looking at LinkedIn as the next channel you want to double down on. What’s the execution plan?

    • Have a client profile. Who’s your ideal? Ask yourself where they live, what do they care about?
    • Ensure clarity about who your audience is and what kind of content they would get value from
    • Try decipher/preempt the issues that ‘your people’ are trying to solve, then go create content to resolve said issues
    • Nail your strategy for LinkedIn, and then productize that strategy for your clients – do it for them
    • As an agency owner, you should be exceptional at this so you can advise your clients

    By way of summary; it’s great to be professional on LinkedIn, but also bring it down to a human level.

    Take a “buyer first” approach and simply try to be helpful; the million dollar question for a potential client is usually something simple like “What can I help you with right now?”

    Lastly, don’t be afraid to connect them to someone who may be a better fit!

     

    Want to see more of Marcus? Follow him @…

    Did you learn anything new from this episode? If so, let us know in the comments below – we value your feedback! Our next instalment of #APP, on May 27th, will see us chat with Alex Glenn. To view our previous blog with Chris Badget, make your way here…
     

    Agency Profitability Tool Kit

    If you’re looking for more resources to help you improve your agency’s profitability, then check out the Agency Profitability Tool Kit – it’s full of the same templates and checklists we’ve used with consulting clients to help them improve their profitability by over 100% in under 60 days.


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Wed, 13 May 2020 09:00:06 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcus Murphy) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ About Marcus: 

    A recognized instructor and speaker at LinkedIn, Marcus Murphy cares deeply about the flourishing of fellow sales experts and entrepreneurs.

    Currently, he’s Head of Partnerships at DigitalMarketer.com, which arms its ‘insiders’ with strategic insights from industry experts, while also providing templates, tools and swipe files to help you become a better marketer.

    Marcus previously worked for Yelp in San Francisco, going from start-up to multi-billion dollar giant. He’s also honed his expertise at Infusionsoft as Global Partner Development Manager. There, he developed and broadened new international markets through strategic partnerships.

    When not at work, he’s either spending quality time with wife, Gina, and his daughters – or he’s working out!

    So, Why LinkedIn…? 

    What makes LinkedIn such a unique opportunity right now? The answer to that is – basically – there are 675 million people on the platform.

    Additionally, organic reach across other social platforms is essentially dead, while LinkedIn still excels at this. Why? Because its algorithm loves engagement.

    Start having conversations on there to up your engagement, and the platform will show these posts to more people. This, in turn, motivates yet more users to get involved in your conversation.

    If your content is not starting the right conversations with potential connections, then it’s just noise, a distraction, a therefore a waste of your time.

    In short… content is King.
     

    Optimize your LinkedIn Profile to Start Conversations

    The three initial motivators for people to connect with you and your brand on LinkedIn are: your profile picture, your header image, and your byline/title. So, make them count.

    You have a unique opportunity in your profile photo right away. If possible, invest $50 in the headshot. Do it 60% of the frame against a clean background.

    More importantly, Marcus says…

    “Make sure you’re not Catfishing people with your 1989 headshot… It’s tough to have integrity built and trust built into that.”

    If potential connections see your photo and what you have positioned yourself as – plus, if you ask a question in your ‘Summary‘ – then there’s your conversation starter.

    Always remember…

    • Everything on your profile should be driven to start conversations
    • Get a good professional headshot that takes up 60% of the frame
    • Optimize your headline to start a conversation – and be specific
    • Use your Summary to hook the visitor; sell your story, share what you’re about / what your mission is
    • Put a call to action in your Summary, invite people to join your journey
       

    If you do those things, then you’re better prepared to be part of the massive growth that’s happening on LinkedIn right now.
     

    Personal LinkedIn Profile and Brand Page Relationship

    Chances are, if you’re an agency owner on LinkedIn, you have both a personal profile and a business page. Now, how can you actually leverage and create momentum by using both? As Marcus says…

    “You gotta have a business page, you have to have a showcase page, and you have to have a website as a business – because everybody wants to see that you are who you say you are. They want to have those integrity pieces and something to anchor to.”

    Below is a strategy behind utilizing those assets together.

    • Use your business page as the anchor
    • The business page is designed to inform what your business is about
    • Post content and updates, but don’t expect it to drive organic growth
    • Pay to boost content that is doing well organically
    • Your personal page will drive the growth of your business page

    Your personal page should be used to generate ‘reach’, while your business page will provide conversion (i.e. website visits) and build buyer confidence.

    Optimizing Content for Organic Reach on LinkedIn

    Let’s talk core strategies to consider when trying to optimize the content you’re posting on LinkedIn to obtain organic reach / drive results.

    Every piece of content Marcus generates is put through the lens of who Digital Marketer is as an organization. You need to create a ‘Character Diamond’ highlighting what your agency excels at, and then what balances that. Or, to put it another way…

    “No one would like Superman if there was no Kryptonite and he wasn’t a nerd – because none of us can fly, and we’d think he’s an asshole – ‘Oh, he’s flying again, well, screw that guy!’ We are marketing savants at Digital Marketer, but we are also highly irreverent and that’s a good balance; it helps people to go ‘Oh, these guys are really smart – but they’re human beings’.”

    In order to optimize your content for organic reach on LinkedIn, and therefore boost your ‘connections’ above 500 and beyond…

    • Be authentic with your content; don’t be too staunch on LinkedIn
    • Build a Character Diamond for yourself and your personal brand
    • Ask yourself how your content can start conversations…
    • Comments trump ‘likes’, and are heavily weighed in organic reach
    • Responding to comments is tremendously important
    • Consistency and quality content is key
    • Engage and comment on posts written by people who have a big following

    Again, it’s advantageous to have more (and more) people engage with, and comment on, the post as it takes it so much further.

     

    Specific LinkedIn Tips for the Agency Owner

    So, you’re running an agency, you’ve got a small team, and looking at LinkedIn as the next channel you want to double down on. What’s the execution plan?

    • Have a client profile. Who’s your ideal? Ask yourself where they live, what do they care about?
    • Ensure clarity about who your audience is and what kind of content they would get value from
    • Try decipher/preempt the issues that ‘your people’ are trying to solve, then go create content to resolve said issues
    • Nail your strategy for LinkedIn, and then productize that strategy for your clients – do it for them
    • As an agency owner, you should be exceptional at this so you can advise your clients

    By way of summary; it’s great to be professional on LinkedIn, but also bring it down to a human level.

    Take a “buyer first” approach and simply try to be helpful; the million dollar question for a potential client is usually something simple like “What can I help you with right now?”

    Lastly, don’t be afraid to connect them to someone who may be a better fit!

     

    Want to see more of Marcus? Follow him @…

    Did you learn anything new from this episode? If so, let us know in the comments below – we value your feedback! Our next instalment of #APP, on May 27th, will see us chat with Alex Glenn. To view our previous blog with Chris Badget, make your way here…
     

    Agency Profitability Tool Kit

    If you’re looking for more resources to help you improve your agency’s profitability, then check out the Agency Profitability Tool Kit – it’s full of the same templates and checklists we’ve used with consulting clients to help them improve their profitability by over 100% in under 60 days.


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Get Reach and Results on LinkedIn, with Marcus Murphy – Episode 33 Marcus Murphy 00:46:36 In this episode, we dive deep into LinkedIn with executive leader and Head of Partnerships at Digital Marketer, Marcus Murphy. Our chinwag sees us discuss just some of the following… * Why the platform is a unique opportunity to grow your company * The relationship between your LinkedIn profile and business page * How to optimize your content in order to drive the highest possible results and ROI for your agency In this episode, we dive deep into LinkedIn with executive leader and Head of Partnerships at Digital Marketer, Marcus Murphy. Our chinwag sees us discuss just some of the following… * Why the platform is a unique opportunity to grow your company * The relationship between your LinkedIn profile and business page * How to optimize your content in order to drive the highest possible results and ROI for your agency true full 33     490a9c51-27bc-40c6-b29e-f4a5059246c0 Selling Productized Services, with Chris Badgett – Episode 32 By way of background; LifterLMS encompasses the needs of modern membership course creators, allowing you to create an integrated membership site.

    Chances are, you have a productized service option lurking within your current agency resources; this could be launched quickly, thus opening up a new, easier revenue source.

    About Chris:

    A natural and authentic teacher, Chris uses his innate ability to hone every business he’s started or mentored. 

    Creating a Learning Management System for WordPress, he helps online course creators launch, and scale. The LifterLMS community includes agencies who build learning management systems, membership sites, and courses for clients.

    When he’s not working in his cabin, or homeschooling his kids, you can find Chris on his organic farm spending time in nature, and wowing his family with magic tricks.

    Points of Interest...

    • Maintaining cash-flow to fund products 3:35
    • Sustaining your product over time 6:34
    • Deciding when to start productizing services 10:04
    • Measuring the impact 11:38
    • Tips for agencies transitioning to productized services 12:07
       

    Maintaining Cash-flow to Fund Products
     

    Once you’ve built out your SaaS product, complete with making the often necessary concessions on profit, there are other ways to maintain cash flow.

    For example, Chris has a knack at talent scouting; investing in someone who may be less experienced, but has the potential to become a leader if given the opportunity to grow while making mistakes. This is the foundation of an economical team engine.

    Additional ways to maintain cash-flow as discussed by Chris include…

    • Move up-market, ensuring good payment terms
    • Get used to pre-selling and receiving cash upfront
    • Live below your means where possible, ensuring you survive any dips
       

    Sustaining Your Product

    It’s one thing transitioning from an agency to a software company, but – once there – how can you (frankly) survive that transition and ease some of the cash-flow constraints?

    In short, it’s worth reminding yourself (often) that moving to productizing services is a “process not an event”. As it happens, this is a mantra Chris uses frequently…

    “I say that about a lot of different things, but transitioning from an agency to a software company was definitely a multi-year process, not an event – like, it happened on Tuesday on this date…”

    Therefore, it’s necessary to get good at scoping projects and forecasting cash-flow.

    Based on his experience in delivering high-end, custom web dev solutions for membership sites, Chris also challenged himself to create and productize, while “using mostly our tool, plus some templated sites, with limited customization”, that still delivered ALL the value and a medium price point.
     

    Deciding When to Start Productizing Services

    Given price points vary across the board, your productized service is likely going to be the customer. Bear in mind, the ideal customer or client is going to have different attributes than your custom high-end work.

    Five years ago, Chris’s process included some of the below…

    • Firstly, he considered how to improve upon scope control, plus drive-up margins
    • Then, he experimented for a year
    • He learned that clients for productized services are going to be very different to high-end clients, with “productized services, sort of a halfway point between agency and product”
    • He also referenced the work of Brian Castle (generally considered a leader in terms of creating productized services out of an agency) and Mandi Ellefson, the mind behind the Hands-Off CEO programme
       

    Measuring The Impact

    Realizing he was a product person and packaging services that way made sense, it aided a shift in thinking from services to the product – on the way to SaaS.

    “When you really get clear on productized service offerings, you don’t have to put your best people on it.”

    Indeed, productized services don’t tend to require a number of high-talent staff. You may need their help to develop the templates, processes and to brainstorm, but in a standard operating procedures way of implementation, resulting in value for the client that feels customized and bespoke.

    Additionally, Chris was able to price on value and create great margins, plus he realised productized services brought far less stress.

    Regarding the resulting data and reporting, plus profitability, gross margin, and PR from the product; there was a lot of iteration to get to Product/Market fit. Oh, and margins flipped from 20% to 80%… Result.
     

    Tips for Transitioning to Productized Services

    So, if you’re reading this at home – with a few ideas ruminating and therefore “product curious” – here are some points to consider if you’re pondering a similar move.

    • Do a deep dive into your soul
    • Get better at running a profitable agency so you can afford to invest in the product
    • Figure out how you’re going to bridge that gap
    • Be open to challenging your assumptions about what the product is, versus what it needs to be

    That’s the key to unlocking value in a really good offer; don’t get too attached to your assumptions, instead help your clients and your customers uncover their own cause.
     

    Want to see more of Chris? Follow him online @


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Wed, 29 Apr 2020 08:55:07 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ By way of background; LifterLMS encompasses the needs of modern membership course creators, allowing you to create an integrated membership site.

    Chances are, you have a productized service option lurking within your current agency resources; this could be launched quickly, thus opening up a new, easier revenue source.

    About Chris:

    A natural and authentic teacher, Chris uses his innate ability to hone every business he’s started or mentored. 

    Creating a Learning Management System for WordPress, he helps online course creators launch, and scale. The LifterLMS community includes agencies who build learning management systems, membership sites, and courses for clients.

    When he’s not working in his cabin, or homeschooling his kids, you can find Chris on his organic farm spending time in nature, and wowing his family with magic tricks.

    Points of Interest...

    • Maintaining cash-flow to fund products 3:35
    • Sustaining your product over time 6:34
    • Deciding when to start productizing services 10:04
    • Measuring the impact 11:38
    • Tips for agencies transitioning to productized services 12:07
       

    Maintaining Cash-flow to Fund Products
     

    Once you’ve built out your SaaS product, complete with making the often necessary concessions on profit, there are other ways to maintain cash flow.

    For example, Chris has a knack at talent scouting; investing in someone who may be less experienced, but has the potential to become a leader if given the opportunity to grow while making mistakes. This is the foundation of an economical team engine.

    Additional ways to maintain cash-flow as discussed by Chris include…

    • Move up-market, ensuring good payment terms
    • Get used to pre-selling and receiving cash upfront
    • Live below your means where possible, ensuring you survive any dips
       

    Sustaining Your Product

    It’s one thing transitioning from an agency to a software company, but – once there – how can you (frankly) survive that transition and ease some of the cash-flow constraints?

    In short, it’s worth reminding yourself (often) that moving to productizing services is a “process not an event”. As it happens, this is a mantra Chris uses frequently…

    “I say that about a lot of different things, but transitioning from an agency to a software company was definitely a multi-year process, not an event – like, it happened on Tuesday on this date…”

    Therefore, it’s necessary to get good at scoping projects and forecasting cash-flow.

    Based on his experience in delivering high-end, custom web dev solutions for membership sites, Chris also challenged himself to create and productize, while “using mostly our tool, plus some templated sites, with limited customization”, that still delivered ALL the value and a medium price point.
     

    Deciding When to Start Productizing Services

    Given price points vary across the board, your productized service is likely going to be the customer. Bear in mind, the ideal customer or client is going to have different attributes than your custom high-end work.

    Five years ago, Chris’s process included some of the below…

    • Firstly, he considered how to improve upon scope control, plus drive-up margins
    • Then, he experimented for a year
    • He learned that clients for productized services are going to be very different to high-end clients, with “productized services, sort of a halfway point between agency and product”
    • He also referenced the work of Brian Castle (generally considered a leader in terms of creating productized services out of an agency) and Mandi Ellefson, the mind behind the Hands-Off CEO programme
       

    Measuring The Impact

    Realizing he was a product person and packaging services that way made sense, it aided a shift in thinking from services to the product – on the way to SaaS.

    “When you really get clear on productized service offerings, you don’t have to put your best people on it.”

    Indeed, productized services don’t tend to require a number of high-talent staff. You may need their help to develop the templates, processes and to brainstorm, but in a standard operating procedures way of implementation, resulting in value for the client that feels customized and bespoke.

    Additionally, Chris was able to price on value and create great margins, plus he realised productized services brought far less stress.

    Regarding the resulting data and reporting, plus profitability, gross margin, and PR from the product; there was a lot of iteration to get to Product/Market fit. Oh, and margins flipped from 20% to 80%… Result.
     

    Tips for Transitioning to Productized Services

    So, if you’re reading this at home – with a few ideas ruminating and therefore “product curious” – here are some points to consider if you’re pondering a similar move.

    • Do a deep dive into your soul
    • Get better at running a profitable agency so you can afford to invest in the product
    • Figure out how you’re going to bridge that gap
    • Be open to challenging your assumptions about what the product is, versus what it needs to be

    That’s the key to unlocking value in a really good offer; don’t get too attached to your assumptions, instead help your clients and your customers uncover their own cause.
     

    Want to see more of Chris? Follow him online @


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Selling Productized Services, with Chris Badgett – Episode 32 Marcel Petitpas 00:41:16 This edition of the #APP brings an enlightening conversation with Chris Badgett, CEO of LifterLMS. He shares the story of how he used high-profit margin productized services to create the cash-flow to build a successful SaaS company out of his digital agency. During the chat he breaks down just some of the following: * How he transitioned from big-budget websites with small margins to high-profit margin productized service * The challenges of building a SaaS company out of your agency * How to identify opportunities for productized services and if they’re a good fit for you * How to save money on talent This edition of the #APP brings an enlightening conversation with Chris Badgett, CEO of LifterLMS. He shares the story of how he used high-profit margin productized services to create the cash-flow to build a successful SaaS company out of his digital agency. During the chat he breaks down just some of the following: * How he transitioned from big-budget websites with small margins to high-profit margin productized service * The challenges of building a SaaS company out of your agency * How to identify opportunities for productized services and if they’re a good fit for you * How to save money on talent sas, chris badgett, agency profit, ceo, mandi ellefson, brian castle, communication channels, hands-off ceo, creative process, the agency profit podcast, agenda management, statistical analysis system, saas, lifterlms false full 32     2e77aebf-d219-4bf0-88bf-8c4418e21050 The Top Three Time Wasters for Agencies, with Jennifer Kikkert – Episode 31 In Episode 31, Jennifer and Marcel address three potential time traps: superfluous meetings, email distraction, and issues around functional silos.

    Buckle up as we do a deep dive on making communication more efficient; how to map processes so they work optimally; plus how to implement them so they become part of your agency’s long-term process.

    About Jennifer Kikkert:

    Jennifer  is a seasoned process facilitator and energizing public speaker, with 15 years of experience in process improvement and optimization, culture change, and operational excellence.

    Having spent 12 years working in the public sector, and then transitioning to the private sector, Jen has a wealth of experience in knowledge and service industries – where processes are hard to visualise. Hence the birth of her company Visualiiz Management Consulting Inc, which helps organizations ‘see’ opportunities for improvement that often go unnoticed.

     

    Points of interest…

    Below are some notable time stamps you can fast track to. There’s more information in our blog notes beneath the video.

    • Principle of time efficient meetings 10:46
    • Defining SLA around communication 15:22
    • Utilizing your least productive time 22:16
    • Cross function process mapping 24:27
    • Common mistakes made when writing processes 28:08
    • Implementing process mapping within your business 37:38

       

     



    Principles of Time Efficient Meetings

    Over the last decade, Jennifer has noticed a similar pattern emerging across the knowledge, services, manufacturing industries she’s worked with… inefficient meetings.

    By way of example; Harvard Business Review recently revealed that – in the last 10 years – meetings have increased by 65%. In short, some people favour talking over doing.

    To this point, Jennifer gets her clients to visualise the following scenario:
     

    “What if you had to run your meeting like the NBA or the NFL in a 62nd time out? What if you only had 60 seconds to get your point across, to have everyone discuss the issue, to come up with a solution, and have everyone to know exactly what they need to do, and then go back to work… Would you be able to do it?”

    So, what is the checklist to ensure more time efficient meetings?

    • Do not run a meeting without an agenda
    • Meetings should only be held to answer questions, not define questions
    • Update meetings should be omitted
    • Ask meeting attendees not to bring phones; firstly, they won’t be distracted by their devices, secondly, they will be more inclined wrap a meeting efficiently to return to their phones!
    • Use 5-10 minute (virtual) huddles at the start and/or end of each day, this can eliminate the need for a lot of additional meetings
       

    We don’t need everyone to sit for two hours and have everyone “go around the room.” It’s not a good use of people’s time. Time is our number one resource.

     

    Defining SLA Around Communication

    During our chat, Jennifer mentions that the “majority of workers check their email 77 times a day” and “can spend up to two-and-a-half hours just reading and sorting through email.” Sadly, the likelihood of this time adding any value to the client’s end product is limited.

    People are literally drowning in their inbox, however, there are proven strategies to help. The most notable one is simply “turn off all notifications.” Those who constantly succumb to the pinging and buzzing claim they’re “multitasking”. One could argue they’re not doing anything very efficiently because of continuous distraction.

    Every interruption leads to a loss of production, with it taking “seven-to-15-minutes to get back to where you were.” By disabling notifications, you control when you see your email, not the other way around.

    If possible, give yourself set times to check mail, ideally three times a day. For example, Jennifer tends to her inbox at 8:30am in the morning, then 11:45am, and lastly 4pm before the usual COB. You can give anyone emailing you a heads up by stating in your signature that your inbox is checked at these specific times. That way, you’re setting expectations.
     

    Within your organization, have an SLA around communication:

    • Let those in the channel know when to expect a response
    • Define what is an acceptable response time; within 12, 24, 48 hours?
    • Have an escalation process in place if something is important

    Time is precious, so people shouldn’t feel obligated to be at the behest of every communication channel fighting for our attention.

     

    Utilizing Your Least Productive Time

    In his book The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing, author Dan Pink states the two most unproductive hours of your entire day occur between 2pm and 4pm.

    Research shows that productivity, mental alertness and judgement lags at this time, so important work between those hours should be avoided. If you have the luxury of choice, perhaps use those hours to catch up on those emails!

     

    Cross Function Process Mapping

    Most organizations evolve over time. Due to vertical silos, all of our deadlines and priorities are also vertical. However, work generally flows horizontally.

    This can potentially lead to the following issues:

    • Duplication/reworking
    • Miscommunication
    • Increased errors
    • Wasted time/energy

    Ways of tackling functional silos include simply getting representatives from each department – working across said horizontal process – together to visually map the process. It should chronicle the process, from request for service to service delivered, for all to see.

    Only then can everyone see where the issues are.

     

    Common Mistakes When Writing Processes

    One of the biggest mistakes made by organizations is failing to physically map their process out, instead going by “what’s in their head.” While it’s easier for manufacturers to deal with potential issues on an assembly line situation, the same can’t be said for service and knowledge industries.

    Assumptions will be made unless the process is visually mapped with the people who actually do the work. Only then can the root of an issue be thoroughly investigated.

    I see this a lot in the creative space; people rejecting the idea that there’s even a process behind what they do under the veil of it being too creative…. there’s still a set of steps requiring accomplishment, or at least a set of outcomes that need to be met in order to get a product to the client.

    The more we embrace that, then the more we can start to understand our specific process to being more efficient.

     

    Implementing Process Mapping Within your Business

    Firstly, you don’t need to improve on your process if it’s not an issue. If it’s not a critical thing that needs immediate attention, then mapping all of your processes just for the sake of mapping it is in itself inefficient and unproductive. Focus on what’s going to make an impact.

    Secondly, directly involve the people undertaking the work. When people are given the autonomy to say how they think work should be done – in the most efficient and productive way for the customer – they’ll own it as they helped create it.

    Get the team involved in measuring the results afterwards. Don’t just set it and forget it.
     

    Thirdly, daily management is key. Not the extensive, overbearing performance management type thing, more a daily check in that is visual. Have quick (virtual) huddles to discuss your project in terms of:

    • What got in the way of it not working?
    • What was the impact?
    • Should any process amendments be made at that time?

    Make sure you have a process leader, and monitor/measure the results and make sure you capture modifications. Have a management cadence to harden the process after you launch it.

    Remember, we’re not performance managing the people involved; rather the process involved.

     

    Want to see more from Jennifer? Follow her online via…

    Did you learn anything new from this episode? If so, let us know in the comments below – we value your feedback! Our next instalment of the Agency Profit Podcast, on April 29th, will see us chat with Chris Badgett, CEO at LifterLMS. To see our previous blog, make your way here…

    Agency Profitability Tool Kit

    If you’re looking for more resources to help you improve your agency’s profitability, then check out the Agency Profitability Tool Kit – it’s full of the same templates and checklists we’ve used with consulting clients to help them improve their profitability by over 100% in under 60 days.


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Wed, 15 Apr 2020 08:55:16 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Jennifer Kikkert) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ In Episode 31, Jennifer and Marcel address three potential time traps: superfluous meetings, email distraction, and issues around functional silos.

    Buckle up as we do a deep dive on making communication more efficient; how to map processes so they work optimally; plus how to implement them so they become part of your agency’s long-term process.

    About Jennifer Kikkert:

    Jennifer  is a seasoned process facilitator and energizing public speaker, with 15 years of experience in process improvement and optimization, culture change, and operational excellence.

    Having spent 12 years working in the public sector, and then transitioning to the private sector, Jen has a wealth of experience in knowledge and service industries – where processes are hard to visualise. Hence the birth of her company Visualiiz Management Consulting Inc, which helps organizations ‘see’ opportunities for improvement that often go unnoticed.

     

    Points of interest…

    Below are some notable time stamps you can fast track to. There’s more information in our blog notes beneath the video.

    • Principle of time efficient meetings 10:46
    • Defining SLA around communication 15:22
    • Utilizing your least productive time 22:16
    • Cross function process mapping 24:27
    • Common mistakes made when writing processes 28:08
    • Implementing process mapping within your business 37:38

       

     



    Principles of Time Efficient Meetings

    Over the last decade, Jennifer has noticed a similar pattern emerging across the knowledge, services, manufacturing industries she’s worked with… inefficient meetings.

    By way of example; Harvard Business Review recently revealed that – in the last 10 years – meetings have increased by 65%. In short, some people favour talking over doing.

    To this point, Jennifer gets her clients to visualise the following scenario:
     

    “What if you had to run your meeting like the NBA or the NFL in a 62nd time out? What if you only had 60 seconds to get your point across, to have everyone discuss the issue, to come up with a solution, and have everyone to know exactly what they need to do, and then go back to work… Would you be able to do it?”

    So, what is the checklist to ensure more time efficient meetings?

    • Do not run a meeting without an agenda
    • Meetings should only be held to answer questions, not define questions
    • Update meetings should be omitted
    • Ask meeting attendees not to bring phones; firstly, they won’t be distracted by their devices, secondly, they will be more inclined wrap a meeting efficiently to return to their phones!
    • Use 5-10 minute (virtual) huddles at the start and/or end of each day, this can eliminate the need for a lot of additional meetings
       

    We don’t need everyone to sit for two hours and have everyone “go around the room.” It’s not a good use of people’s time. Time is our number one resource.

     

    Defining SLA Around Communication

    During our chat, Jennifer mentions that the “majority of workers check their email 77 times a day” and “can spend up to two-and-a-half hours just reading and sorting through email.” Sadly, the likelihood of this time adding any value to the client’s end product is limited.

    People are literally drowning in their inbox, however, there are proven strategies to help. The most notable one is simply “turn off all notifications.” Those who constantly succumb to the pinging and buzzing claim they’re “multitasking”. One could argue they’re not doing anything very efficiently because of continuous distraction.

    Every interruption leads to a loss of production, with it taking “seven-to-15-minutes to get back to where you were.” By disabling notifications, you control when you see your email, not the other way around.

    If possible, give yourself set times to check mail, ideally three times a day. For example, Jennifer tends to her inbox at 8:30am in the morning, then 11:45am, and lastly 4pm before the usual COB. You can give anyone emailing you a heads up by stating in your signature that your inbox is checked at these specific times. That way, you’re setting expectations.
     

    Within your organization, have an SLA around communication:

    • Let those in the channel know when to expect a response
    • Define what is an acceptable response time; within 12, 24, 48 hours?
    • Have an escalation process in place if something is important

    Time is precious, so people shouldn’t feel obligated to be at the behest of every communication channel fighting for our attention.

     

    Utilizing Your Least Productive Time

    In his book The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing, author Dan Pink states the two most unproductive hours of your entire day occur between 2pm and 4pm.

    Research shows that productivity, mental alertness and judgement lags at this time, so important work between those hours should be avoided. If you have the luxury of choice, perhaps use those hours to catch up on those emails!

     

    Cross Function Process Mapping

    Most organizations evolve over time. Due to vertical silos, all of our deadlines and priorities are also vertical. However, work generally flows horizontally.

    This can potentially lead to the following issues:

    • Duplication/reworking
    • Miscommunication
    • Increased errors
    • Wasted time/energy

    Ways of tackling functional silos include simply getting representatives from each department – working across said horizontal process – together to visually map the process. It should chronicle the process, from request for service to service delivered, for all to see.

    Only then can everyone see where the issues are.

     

    Common Mistakes When Writing Processes

    One of the biggest mistakes made by organizations is failing to physically map their process out, instead going by “what’s in their head.” While it’s easier for manufacturers to deal with potential issues on an assembly line situation, the same can’t be said for service and knowledge industries.

    Assumptions will be made unless the process is visually mapped with the people who actually do the work. Only then can the root of an issue be thoroughly investigated.

    I see this a lot in the creative space; people rejecting the idea that there’s even a process behind what they do under the veil of it being too creative…. there’s still a set of steps requiring accomplishment, or at least a set of outcomes that need to be met in order to get a product to the client.

    The more we embrace that, then the more we can start to understand our specific process to being more efficient.

     

    Implementing Process Mapping Within your Business

    Firstly, you don’t need to improve on your process if it’s not an issue. If it’s not a critical thing that needs immediate attention, then mapping all of your processes just for the sake of mapping it is in itself inefficient and unproductive. Focus on what’s going to make an impact.

    Secondly, directly involve the people undertaking the work. When people are given the autonomy to say how they think work should be done – in the most efficient and productive way for the customer – they’ll own it as they helped create it.

    Get the team involved in measuring the results afterwards. Don’t just set it and forget it.
     

    Thirdly, daily management is key. Not the extensive, overbearing performance management type thing, more a daily check in that is visual. Have quick (virtual) huddles to discuss your project in terms of:

    • What got in the way of it not working?
    • What was the impact?
    • Should any process amendments be made at that time?

    Make sure you have a process leader, and monitor/measure the results and make sure you capture modifications. Have a management cadence to harden the process after you launch it.

    Remember, we’re not performance managing the people involved; rather the process involved.

     

    Want to see more from Jennifer? Follow her online via…

    Did you learn anything new from this episode? If so, let us know in the comments below – we value your feedback! Our next instalment of the Agency Profit Podcast, on April 29th, will see us chat with Chris Badgett, CEO at LifterLMS. To see our previous blog, make your way here…

    Agency Profitability Tool Kit

    If you’re looking for more resources to help you improve your agency’s profitability, then check out the Agency Profitability Tool Kit – it’s full of the same templates and checklists we’ve used with consulting clients to help them improve their profitability by over 100% in under 60 days.


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     The Top Three Time Wasters for Agencies, with Jennifer Kikkert – Episode 31 Jennifer Kikkert 00:42:10 Pre COVID-19 lockdown, Marcel chatted with fellow “operations nerd” and Moncton resident, Jennifer Kikkert. President & Founder at Visualiiz Management Consulting, Jennifer specializes in improving time management optimization and mapping work processes. Pre COVID-19 lockdown, Marcel chatted with fellow “operations nerd” and Moncton resident, Jennifer Kikkert. President & Founder at Visualiiz Management Consulting, Jennifer specializes in improving time management optimization and mapping work processes. agency profit podcast, profit, process mapping, optimization, agency life, time management, dan pink, improvement consultancy, jennifer kikkert, marcel petipas, ad agency, profitability false full 31     e5785add-63b4-4f82-b383-22b093b98b98 The Metrics that Matter During COVID-19 with Marcel Petitpas - Episode 30 About Marcel:

    Marcel Petitpas is co-founder and CEO of Parakeeto. Indeed you do recognize him from The Agency Profit Podcast!

    In addition to being an agency profitability consultant – specializing in helping agencies get a handle on their gains – Marcel is also a renowned keynote/virtual speaker and podcaster.

     

    Time Stamps: points of interest

    • Intro     0:00

    • Behind The Agency Profit Podcast     3:35

    • Focusing on the numbers     6:37

    • Where should your focus be right now?     9:42

    • Implementing and utilizing changes    10:55

    • Identifying goals     13:27

    • Importance of both internal and billable time     16:17

    • Cost performance indexing     18:57

    • Increasing efficiency and profitability     22:15

    • Helpful tools!     25:00

    • Outro    30:30
     


    Blog:

     

    Today’s episode of the Agency Profit Podcast is a bit different for you guys. Since we’re living in very uncertain times due to COVID-19, I decided to pause the usual podcast (on't worry; we've content in the can for the next few months!) and personally address how this outbreak impacts our lives – as well as all the agencies and businesses out there. 

     

    Whether you're an agency that had an office and had to send everybody home, or you were already a remote agency, this is probably impacting you and/or your clients.

     

    I want to discuss some of the things I've addressed with our clients in the midst of this COVID-19 crisis. There are three really particular opportunities that exist around this situation, especially if you're in a position where you’re having to make a lot of changes to the way that your team operates.

     

    First, I want to talk about how to increase your focus on numbers; the opportunity to implement new changes in your agency; and how to make your business more efficient.

     

    Behind The Agency Profit Podcast  

    Before we dive into the things, I want to share a few things: I am an agency profitability consultant, specializing in helping agencies essentially get a handle on their basic numbers. 
     


    Most of our income as a company has been from consulting revenue, public speaking, appearing on other people's podcasts and speaking in virtual events. 
     


    If you’re an avid listener to our bi-monthly APP, you probably know I always have a guest on the show to discuss how they've honed their business into a profitable agency and tackled potential pitfalls along the way.

     

    Focussing on the Numbers   

    If you've been a frequent listener of the Agency Profit Podcast, you know the topic of increasing number focus is a hot topic. The three key foundations of the economic model of an agency are capacity, utilization, and average billable rates. 
     

    • Capacity is defined as the amount of time your team could contribute towards doing billable work in any given time period. It’s determined by how many people you have access to on your team – from, freelancers or contractors – as well as how much of that time you expect them to work. This can quantify it in terms of dollars using an average billable rate.
     

    Essentially, if I know I've got 10,000 hours of billable time this year which I can sell, then that's good. You must invest time to earn revenue. It’s important to know what your capacity is and how much revenue you could potentially earn in a given time period. 
     

    • Utilization is how much time your agency actually uses for things that result in payment from clients. This is the true and straightforward definition of the term. We'll discuss how there are a couple of different definitions of utilization that get used in the industry, and how to best use those with your team to avoid complications.
     

    • Average bill rate is basically every hour that my team invests working on projects for the agency or their client/s.
     

    When you have a really good handle on capacity, utilization, and average bill rate, it's easy to start modeling things such as:
     

    • What are our best clients or services?
    • How much revenue could we potentially earn in a given time period?
    • What kind of revenue are we looking to earn in the future?

     

    Always remember; as an agency, the moment you sell a project, you have to start earning the revenue as there's already a gap due to liability. Interestingly, a lot of agency owners forget about this principle. 
     

    Then, there's the cost of earning revenue; where you have to invest time and resources to earn said revenue. As much as possible, you must shorten that latency of when you close the revenue (when contract or bookings happened), and when you actually earn the revenue. You want to decrease that cost as much as possible.
     

    This should be the objective of your operational model when it comes to delivery. Gross profit or gross margin, for most people, is going to be a bit more challenging to follow accurately. Depending on how your systems are set up, generally you're going to want to do that via accounting software, or by spreadsheets.
     

    However, undertaking this exactly is usually more expensive than tracking the average bill rate, which is a super simple number to pinpoint. 
     


    Where Should Your Focus be Right Now?

    Well, your focus really should be on utilization. This is probably the biggest and most important number, especially in this current economic downturn.
     

    Whether you're losing clients or experiencing a massive influx of clients due to the pandemic, then your focus should be actually on your average bill rate and your capacity.
     

    Another important note for agency owners; ensure you actually have enough people to service the work that's coming in. Make sure you're not causing your business indigestion: losing out on potential cash flow and profit by taking on projects you're not going to be able to earn efficiently from.
     

    That's where you, as an agency owner, should be focused on your average below rate and your capacity, because your utilization is going to be high – or low – depending on your company’s working schedule, whether it's busy or not. However, it’s very important to keep your rate of utilization as high as possible.
     

    This means taking on as much work possible and ensuring you adjust capacity to keep your utilization high. Unfortunately, this could mean potential layoffs. You may need to cut back on the hours for contractors you've been working with for a while.

     

    Implementing and Utilizing Changes

    Implementing and utilizing necessary changes, while obviously tough, can bring a sense of opportunity and excitement. In fact, a mentor of mine – Dan – has a great exercise he made us do in his coaching program; he basically sits us down and says, “I want you to write down everybody that's on your team. Now, imagine you have a blank slate and you're hiring everybody back.”
     

    If you're not excited to hire somebody back on the list, then you need to think really long and hard about whether they should still be on the team. Who, in the back of your mind, do you know isn't the right fit...


    This is an opportunity to potentially save the people you see yourself working with while providing those – who may not be such a good fit – the opportunity to find somewhere better suited for them. In essence, that's really the focus if you're in the situation of utilization.

     

    Now, I want to address the pure definition of utilization and how much of my team’s time is being used working on clients. The reason for its hard definition is because of the context of how we're using it on the operational side.

     

    Therefore, it's really useful to know:

    • How much of our available time is being used to serve clients?
    • What does that number look like on average?
    • What has that number been previously?

     

    We can use this data to assess whether your agency is ready to have a new and improved operational process set up! Through this assessment, you can also estimate your maximum utilization, which must be around 80% or 85%.

     

    We require our team to take a certain amount of time off, to sit in certain internal meetings, work on certain internal projects, and so on. However, I observe a lot of agencies inflating utilization to make their team feel good. 

     

    Personally speaking, we need to take a step back to consider utilization and the context of how we're sharing it with our team.

     

    Identifying Goals

    Time tracking compliance is an excellent tool for assessing or adjusting utilizations. It's perfectly fine to be holding your team accountable. In fact, it's encouraged for time tracking. Compliance shows agency owners the time you're investing through the week and where it's going.
     

    All of your employees must be honest about that. Hold people to a billable utilization goal; if we do that without also holding them to project profitability or average billable rate goal, it can become a bad habit. Your team may start logging extra billable hours against unnecessary projects just to hit a billable utilization goal.

     

    It's also going to distort your time tracking data, making it seem like it takes a lot longer to earn revenue than it actually does. It's important to protect the quality and reliability of our data.
     

    Whether you're transitioning your business model to a new one, or if you're starting to expose more numbers to your team, I wouldn't encourage you to hold people accountable for a billable utilization goal rate without having full transparency about project profitability – or, at the very least, average billable rate. 
     

    The reason being, at least those two things will counterbalance themselves. However, if you simply say, “Hey, I need you to hit 65% billable utilization at the end of the week.” 99% of the time, if they're not able to hit that goal, it's not their fault. It's yours. As an agency owner, you are responsible for giving your employees enough work to do and provide enough clarity. 
     

    A good example is when your team is supposed to work for 40 hours a week. You must instruct them to track those 40 hours a week, even if two of those are vacation days. It is also very helpful to build transparency amongst your team. Ask them to leave notes in the time tracking system so that you have a good, clean, reliable time tracking data.
     

    That is one of the most valuable resources for your agency as it relates to your visibility as a management team. In order to make it more profitable. you're going to start holding your team accountable, which translates to increased visibility. 

     

    Importance of Both Internal and Billable Time    

     

    The importance of internal time and billable time stems from questions such as:

    • Where did your time go? In order for you to make informed decisions about how to reprioritize.
    • Why did this go well?
    • What didn't go well, and why?

     

    Agency owners can ensure people are aligned with what their priorities are as a business, and have the necessary data to back it up. If you're trying to get your team onto utilization, do not hold them exclusively to an arbitrary Billable Utilization Goal.
     

    Once you have a clean time tracking data, first,  you can use it to get an understanding of where your team's time is going. Based on that information, you can have conversations with your team leaders or your project managers. You can really glean an understanding of what internal projects are important to your agency at any given moment.
     

    It's important to use your clean and reliable time tracking data to indicate the risk of a potential project. This helps you and your management team understand where best to invest time and energy.
     

    In a remote environment, one of the biggest keys to success is being very intentional about conversations because you can't just wheel your chair down to somebody's office and have a quick chat, or just call an impromptu meeting.
     

    You're now dealing with other people's calendars and they're moving around. You need to have an agenda, and you need to schedule it. Intent becomes very important around where you focus on energy as a manager or owner.
     


    Cost Performance Indexing    

    You take a piece of work, and the amount of time you're expecting it will take. Then, when you compare that to the amount of time that's been invested thus far, you then give that project 8% of the complete number.
     

    As an agency owner, you might ask whoever's leading the project to report on progress or roadblocks. 
     

    Let's say you had 400 hours tracked, and you were expecting 800 hours to get the project done; that gets you to 50% of the project. Then, it's like, okay: do we feel we're ahead or behind at this 50% benchmark? They might report that said project may be a little bit behind, currently at 45%. 
     

    In this instance, what we would essentially do is divide the total amount of time we're expecting the project to take by the delta between the amount of time you used and the percentage completed. That gives us a projection of how many hours we think it's actually gonna take to get a certain project done. 
     

    In such a case, it's going to be about a 5% increase. Then we can look at what that does to our average billable rate. We can do this for all of our projects very quickly. This helps us get informed as a management team on where we should focus and who needs our help, plus where we might need to make some investments and catch fires before they start burning too hot. 

     

    Increasing Efficiency and Profitability

    In a time like this, it's beneficial for us agency owners, and project leaders of organizations, to get our team involved in helping us become more efficient. This means having regularly scheduled cadences to review the profitability of projects and our project management process.
     

    Since you’re already implementing new tools and procedures, this is an opportunity for you to ask your team:

    • What's working?
    • What's not working?
    • Where can we improve?

     

    Urge them to provide feedback. Their input provides an opportunity to implement more efficient practices. 
     

    If we don't do a good job of scoping initially, the protection of project profitability can become tricky. It can be difficult to make sure we are planning our resources well – that's how we own business situations where our team is working overtime.
     

    For example, if I’m noticing that all of our current website projects are going over budget, or have the potential to go over budget, we can surface that on our next team meeting. When reviewing project profitability, we ask ourselves:
     

    • Why do we think this might be happening?
    • Is it that we didn't do a great job of scoping from the offset?
    • Did something unexpected arise while doing this project?
    • Are we having trouble handing things off from one department to another?
    • Are we aware of potential challenges?

     

    From that conversation, a lot of feedback can surface and will help you understand what your company needs to do to make a certain project more efficient, more profitable, more streamlined, and easier for our team to undertake. 

    As your team is already primed for things being in flux, they're going to be more receptive to changes because that's what they're expecting.
     

    This is an opportunity to change employee habits, and I believe getting them involved in the conversation – and therefore bringing ideas to the table – you're really just facilitating and managing who is going to take the lead going forward.
     

    It's important to build a foundation for your numbers and I highly encourage you to get a time tracking tool in place – if you don't already have one. If you do have one in place, the best way for us to have visibility into how well the business is running is for everyone to be proficient at tracking their time. 
     

    Then, use that information to decipher what's going well in terms of projects; where people’s time is going; and use that data to inform us how we can improve as a business, making our processes more efficient.
     


    Helpful Tools We Use  

    We at Parakeeto have been a remote-first company since day zero. Our team is scattered right now between, Edmonton, Alberta, Monkton Canada, and Harlem, New York. We also have people in the Philippines, Ireland, as well as South Africa. In short, the team is all over the place!
     

    We coordinate across multiple time zones, so there are few important tools enabling us to function productively in this way. The first is Zoom. I use Zoom every single day – for many, many hours – and I think they're doing a lot right now to make Zoom more accessible to teams that haven't used it before. Video conferencing is an important part and plays a major role in communicating with my team. 
     

    We also use Acuity Scheduling, which is how I do all of my external scheduling. You might find yourself scheduling a lot of meetings right now, and some people on the team are also using X.AI – a virtual assistant AI bot, which works incredibly well. So, if you're looking for better solutions for scheduling meetings, within your team or with clients, definitely check those out.
     

    For documentation and knowledge-base tools, we're using Notion, which I'm a very big fan of. For collaboration and running meetings, especially our solution design meetings that we do for product management, and for our executive brainstorming and an offsite type of work we use Miro. We use it feverishly – Lee and I highly recommend it.
     

    We use Google Drive, and use Harvest for time tracking. We use QuickBooks online extensively to see where our expenses are going, plus track the profitability of our clients and projects. And of course, we use Parakeeto! 

     

    Want to See More of Marcel? Follow him online via…


    Agency Profitability Tool Kit

    If you're looking for more resources to help you improve your agency's profitability, then check out the Agency Profitability Tool Kit - it's full of the same templates and checklists we've used with consulting clients to help them improve their profitability by over 100% in under 60 days.


     


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Wed, 1 Apr 2020 10:19:14 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ About Marcel:

    Marcel Petitpas is co-founder and CEO of Parakeeto. Indeed you do recognize him from The Agency Profit Podcast!

    In addition to being an agency profitability consultant – specializing in helping agencies get a handle on their gains – Marcel is also a renowned keynote/virtual speaker and podcaster.

     

    Time Stamps: points of interest

    • Intro     0:00

    • Behind The Agency Profit Podcast     3:35

    • Focusing on the numbers     6:37

    • Where should your focus be right now?     9:42

    • Implementing and utilizing changes    10:55

    • Identifying goals     13:27

    • Importance of both internal and billable time     16:17

    • Cost performance indexing     18:57

    • Increasing efficiency and profitability     22:15

    • Helpful tools!     25:00

    • Outro    30:30
     


    Blog:

     

    Today’s episode of the Agency Profit Podcast is a bit different for you guys. Since we’re living in very uncertain times due to COVID-19, I decided to pause the usual podcast (on't worry; we've content in the can for the next few months!) and personally address how this outbreak impacts our lives – as well as all the agencies and businesses out there. 

     

    Whether you're an agency that had an office and had to send everybody home, or you were already a remote agency, this is probably impacting you and/or your clients.

     

    I want to discuss some of the things I've addressed with our clients in the midst of this COVID-19 crisis. There are three really particular opportunities that exist around this situation, especially if you're in a position where you’re having to make a lot of changes to the way that your team operates.

     

    First, I want to talk about how to increase your focus on numbers; the opportunity to implement new changes in your agency; and how to make your business more efficient.

     

    Behind The Agency Profit Podcast  

    Before we dive into the things, I want to share a few things: I am an agency profitability consultant, specializing in helping agencies essentially get a handle on their basic numbers. 
     


    Most of our income as a company has been from consulting revenue, public speaking, appearing on other people's podcasts and speaking in virtual events. 
     


    If you’re an avid listener to our bi-monthly APP, you probably know I always have a guest on the show to discuss how they've honed their business into a profitable agency and tackled potential pitfalls along the way.

     

    Focussing on the Numbers   

    If you've been a frequent listener of the Agency Profit Podcast, you know the topic of increasing number focus is a hot topic. The three key foundations of the economic model of an agency are capacity, utilization, and average billable rates. 
     

    • Capacity is defined as the amount of time your team could contribute towards doing billable work in any given time period. It’s determined by how many people you have access to on your team – from, freelancers or contractors – as well as how much of that time you expect them to work. This can quantify it in terms of dollars using an average billable rate.
     

    Essentially, if I know I've got 10,000 hours of billable time this year which I can sell, then that's good. You must invest time to earn revenue. It’s important to know what your capacity is and how much revenue you could potentially earn in a given time period. 
     

    • Utilization is how much time your agency actually uses for things that result in payment from clients. This is the true and straightforward definition of the term. We'll discuss how there are a couple of different definitions of utilization that get used in the industry, and how to best use those with your team to avoid complications.
     

    • Average bill rate is basically every hour that my team invests working on projects for the agency or their client/s.
     

    When you have a really good handle on capacity, utilization, and average bill rate, it's easy to start modeling things such as:
     

    • What are our best clients or services?
    • How much revenue could we potentially earn in a given time period?
    • What kind of revenue are we looking to earn in the future?

     

    Always remember; as an agency, the moment you sell a project, you have to start earning the revenue as there's already a gap due to liability. Interestingly, a lot of agency owners forget about this principle. 
     

    Then, there's the cost of earning revenue; where you have to invest time and resources to earn said revenue. As much as possible, you must shorten that latency of when you close the revenue (when contract or bookings happened), and when you actually earn the revenue. You want to decrease that cost as much as possible.
     

    This should be the objective of your operational model when it comes to delivery. Gross profit or gross margin, for most people, is going to be a bit more challenging to follow accurately. Depending on how your systems are set up, generally you're going to want to do that via accounting software, or by spreadsheets.
     

    However, undertaking this exactly is usually more expensive than tracking the average bill rate, which is a super simple number to pinpoint. 
     


    Where Should Your Focus be Right Now?

    Well, your focus really should be on utilization. This is probably the biggest and most important number, especially in this current economic downturn.
     

    Whether you're losing clients or experiencing a massive influx of clients due to the pandemic, then your focus should be actually on your average bill rate and your capacity.
     

    Another important note for agency owners; ensure you actually have enough people to service the work that's coming in. Make sure you're not causing your business indigestion: losing out on potential cash flow and profit by taking on projects you're not going to be able to earn efficiently from.
     

    That's where you, as an agency owner, should be focused on your average below rate and your capacity, because your utilization is going to be high – or low – depending on your company’s working schedule, whether it's busy or not. However, it’s very important to keep your rate of utilization as high as possible.
     

    This means taking on as much work possible and ensuring you adjust capacity to keep your utilization high. Unfortunately, this could mean potential layoffs. You may need to cut back on the hours for contractors you've been working with for a while.

     

    Implementing and Utilizing Changes

    Implementing and utilizing necessary changes, while obviously tough, can bring a sense of opportunity and excitement. In fact, a mentor of mine – Dan – has a great exercise he made us do in his coaching program; he basically sits us down and says, “I want you to write down everybody that's on your team. Now, imagine you have a blank slate and you're hiring everybody back.”
     

    If you're not excited to hire somebody back on the list, then you need to think really long and hard about whether they should still be on the team. Who, in the back of your mind, do you know isn't the right fit...


    This is an opportunity to potentially save the people you see yourself working with while providing those – who may not be such a good fit – the opportunity to find somewhere better suited for them. In essence, that's really the focus if you're in the situation of utilization.

     

    Now, I want to address the pure definition of utilization and how much of my team’s time is being used working on clients. The reason for its hard definition is because of the context of how we're using it on the operational side.

     

    Therefore, it's really useful to know:

    • How much of our available time is being used to serve clients?
    • What does that number look like on average?
    • What has that number been previously?

     

    We can use this data to assess whether your agency is ready to have a new and improved operational process set up! Through this assessment, you can also estimate your maximum utilization, which must be around 80% or 85%.

     

    We require our team to take a certain amount of time off, to sit in certain internal meetings, work on certain internal projects, and so on. However, I observe a lot of agencies inflating utilization to make their team feel good. 

     

    Personally speaking, we need to take a step back to consider utilization and the context of how we're sharing it with our team.

     

    Identifying Goals

    Time tracking compliance is an excellent tool for assessing or adjusting utilizations. It's perfectly fine to be holding your team accountable. In fact, it's encouraged for time tracking. Compliance shows agency owners the time you're investing through the week and where it's going.
     

    All of your employees must be honest about that. Hold people to a billable utilization goal; if we do that without also holding them to project profitability or average billable rate goal, it can become a bad habit. Your team may start logging extra billable hours against unnecessary projects just to hit a billable utilization goal.

     

    It's also going to distort your time tracking data, making it seem like it takes a lot longer to earn revenue than it actually does. It's important to protect the quality and reliability of our data.
     

    Whether you're transitioning your business model to a new one, or if you're starting to expose more numbers to your team, I wouldn't encourage you to hold people accountable for a billable utilization goal rate without having full transparency about project profitability – or, at the very least, average billable rate. 
     

    The reason being, at least those two things will counterbalance themselves. However, if you simply say, “Hey, I need you to hit 65% billable utilization at the end of the week.” 99% of the time, if they're not able to hit that goal, it's not their fault. It's yours. As an agency owner, you are responsible for giving your employees enough work to do and provide enough clarity. 
     

    A good example is when your team is supposed to work for 40 hours a week. You must instruct them to track those 40 hours a week, even if two of those are vacation days. It is also very helpful to build transparency amongst your team. Ask them to leave notes in the time tracking system so that you have a good, clean, reliable time tracking data.
     

    That is one of the most valuable resources for your agency as it relates to your visibility as a management team. In order to make it more profitable. you're going to start holding your team accountable, which translates to increased visibility. 

     

    Importance of Both Internal and Billable Time    

     

    The importance of internal time and billable time stems from questions such as:

    • Where did your time go? In order for you to make informed decisions about how to reprioritize.
    • Why did this go well?
    • What didn't go well, and why?

     

    Agency owners can ensure people are aligned with what their priorities are as a business, and have the necessary data to back it up. If you're trying to get your team onto utilization, do not hold them exclusively to an arbitrary Billable Utilization Goal.
     

    Once you have a clean time tracking data, first,  you can use it to get an understanding of where your team's time is going. Based on that information, you can have conversations with your team leaders or your project managers. You can really glean an understanding of what internal projects are important to your agency at any given moment.
     

    It's important to use your clean and reliable time tracking data to indicate the risk of a potential project. This helps you and your management team understand where best to invest time and energy.
     

    In a remote environment, one of the biggest keys to success is being very intentional about conversations because you can't just wheel your chair down to somebody's office and have a quick chat, or just call an impromptu meeting.
     

    You're now dealing with other people's calendars and they're moving around. You need to have an agenda, and you need to schedule it. Intent becomes very important around where you focus on energy as a manager or owner.
     


    Cost Performance Indexing    

    You take a piece of work, and the amount of time you're expecting it will take. Then, when you compare that to the amount of time that's been invested thus far, you then give that project 8% of the complete number.
     

    As an agency owner, you might ask whoever's leading the project to report on progress or roadblocks. 
     

    Let's say you had 400 hours tracked, and you were expecting 800 hours to get the project done; that gets you to 50% of the project. Then, it's like, okay: do we feel we're ahead or behind at this 50% benchmark? They might report that said project may be a little bit behind, currently at 45%. 
     

    In this instance, what we would essentially do is divide the total amount of time we're expecting the project to take by the delta between the amount of time you used and the percentage completed. That gives us a projection of how many hours we think it's actually gonna take to get a certain project done. 
     

    In such a case, it's going to be about a 5% increase. Then we can look at what that does to our average billable rate. We can do this for all of our projects very quickly. This helps us get informed as a management team on where we should focus and who needs our help, plus where we might need to make some investments and catch fires before they start burning too hot. 

     

    Increasing Efficiency and Profitability

    In a time like this, it's beneficial for us agency owners, and project leaders of organizations, to get our team involved in helping us become more efficient. This means having regularly scheduled cadences to review the profitability of projects and our project management process.
     

    Since you’re already implementing new tools and procedures, this is an opportunity for you to ask your team:

    • What's working?
    • What's not working?
    • Where can we improve?

     

    Urge them to provide feedback. Their input provides an opportunity to implement more efficient practices. 
     

    If we don't do a good job of scoping initially, the protection of project profitability can become tricky. It can be difficult to make sure we are planning our resources well – that's how we own business situations where our team is working overtime.
     

    For example, if I’m noticing that all of our current website projects are going over budget, or have the potential to go over budget, we can surface that on our next team meeting. When reviewing project profitability, we ask ourselves:
     

    • Why do we think this might be happening?
    • Is it that we didn't do a great job of scoping from the offset?
    • Did something unexpected arise while doing this project?
    • Are we having trouble handing things off from one department to another?
    • Are we aware of potential challenges?

     

    From that conversation, a lot of feedback can surface and will help you understand what your company needs to do to make a certain project more efficient, more profitable, more streamlined, and easier for our team to undertake. 

    As your team is already primed for things being in flux, they're going to be more receptive to changes because that's what they're expecting.
     

    This is an opportunity to change employee habits, and I believe getting them involved in the conversation – and therefore bringing ideas to the table – you're really just facilitating and managing who is going to take the lead going forward.
     

    It's important to build a foundation for your numbers and I highly encourage you to get a time tracking tool in place – if you don't already have one. If you do have one in place, the best way for us to have visibility into how well the business is running is for everyone to be proficient at tracking their time. 
     

    Then, use that information to decipher what's going well in terms of projects; where people’s time is going; and use that data to inform us how we can improve as a business, making our processes more efficient.
     


    Helpful Tools We Use  

    We at Parakeeto have been a remote-first company since day zero. Our team is scattered right now between, Edmonton, Alberta, Monkton Canada, and Harlem, New York. We also have people in the Philippines, Ireland, as well as South Africa. In short, the team is all over the place!
     

    We coordinate across multiple time zones, so there are few important tools enabling us to function productively in this way. The first is Zoom. I use Zoom every single day – for many, many hours – and I think they're doing a lot right now to make Zoom more accessible to teams that haven't used it before. Video conferencing is an important part and plays a major role in communicating with my team. 
     

    We also use Acuity Scheduling, which is how I do all of my external scheduling. You might find yourself scheduling a lot of meetings right now, and some people on the team are also using X.AI – a virtual assistant AI bot, which works incredibly well. So, if you're looking for better solutions for scheduling meetings, within your team or with clients, definitely check those out.
     

    For documentation and knowledge-base tools, we're using Notion, which I'm a very big fan of. For collaboration and running meetings, especially our solution design meetings that we do for product management, and for our executive brainstorming and an offsite type of work we use Miro. We use it feverishly – Lee and I highly recommend it.
     

    We use Google Drive, and use Harvest for time tracking. We use QuickBooks online extensively to see where our expenses are going, plus track the profitability of our clients and projects. And of course, we use Parakeeto! 

     

    Want to See More of Marcel? Follow him online via…


    Agency Profitability Tool Kit

    If you're looking for more resources to help you improve your agency's profitability, then check out the Agency Profitability Tool Kit - it's full of the same templates and checklists we've used with consulting clients to help them improve their profitability by over 100% in under 60 days.


     


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     The Metrics that Matter During COVID-19 with Marcel Petitpas - Episode 30 Marcel Petitpas 00:32:13 Welcome to our 30th edition of the Agency Profit Podcast. This installment features our very own Marcel Petitpas, sharing helpful metrics that matter during COVID-19. Plus, the tools his team uses to run a profitable agency! His invaluable insights will highlight what is required when restrategizing your agency to make it more efficient and profitable during this troubling time. Welcome to our 30th edition of the Agency Profit Podcast. This installment features our very own Marcel Petitpas, sharing helpful metrics that matter during COVID-19. Plus, the tools his team uses to run a profitable agency! His invaluable insights will highlight what is required when restrategizing your agency to make it more efficient and profitable during this troubling time. agency profit, goals, profit, utilization, coronavirus, focus, covid19, business goals, cost performance indexing, capacity, billable time, internal time, profitability, average bill rate false full 30     8eff118f-660f-471f-ad61-5dae2cefad47 Surviving and Thriving Through a Recession with Keith Scandone - Episode 29 About Keith:

    Keith Scandone is co-founder and CEO of O3 World, a 15-year-old Digital Product Agency. Additionally, he’s co-founder of O3 Ventures – a spin-off of O3 World dedicated to investing in, and partnering with, existing Digital Product companies, aiding them to accelerate their businesses.

    As well as being a busy go-getter, Keith is co-founder of the Forge Conference, a 300 person UX and Design seminar. If that wasn’t enough, he’s co-founder of 1682; an invite-only Business of Innovation Conference, which they hosted this year. Wait, there’s more!

    Last, but certainly not least, he co-founded the Philadelphia chapter of the Awesome Foundation, and has sat on countless boards and committees, most notably the Philadelphia Global Identity Project, helping Philadelphia's global position.

    Time Stamps: points of interest

    • Intro   0:00

    • Keith’s unorthodox beginnings   2:43

    • O3 World’s business culture and their services   7:00

    • Identifying and overcoming the agency ‘growing pains’   12:00

    • Importance of managing cash-flow  16:20

    • Knowing your strengths   19:27

    • Understanding the competition   24:05

    • Decision making plus executing strategic changes   30:01

    • Scaling your agency    35:12

    • Outro    47:22

    Blog:

    Keith Scandone is proof you don’t need a degree to start a string of businesses. A successful partner of O3 World and co-founder of 1682, Keith shares his humble start; the many challenges the ’08 recession brought the company; and how they overcame it. Most importantly, he pinpoints how to understand your company’s strong points while building a niche market.

    Before Keith found business success, acting was his passion. He was cast in a play while attending Loyola University, Maryland, and was swiftly bitten by ‘the bug', resulting in a move to Los Angeles. 

    However, after seven years in showbiz, Keith realized he preferred working behind the scenes. Packing his bags once more, he headed to Philadelphia, whereupon he was hired as a marketing consultant for an online entertainment city guide. His soon-to-be business partners were freelancing at the same company…

    While their employers weren’t keen on working for bigger clients, Keith and Co knew they could do more. Spotting a gap in the market regarding client expansion, he and his partners set up O3 World 15 years ago, and haven’t looked back.

    Being involved in a tech-related industry means having to adapt to a continuously changing environment – a challenge for any tech agency owner. Humbled by his company’s tenacity, Keith reflects on how some of the businesses he used to aspire to no longer exist.

    O3 World’s Business Culture and Services

    O3 World currently has in the region of 50 full-time in-house employees, with Keith saying the company’s culture and collaborative nature plays a massive role in producing quality work. With innovation at its core, O3 World adapts to new technological changes and career opportunities.

    Constantly pushes boundaries with regards to new business and opportunities, Keith and his team ensure they’re astride their game when providing their range of services, including…

    • Brand Communications

    • Identity Development

    • API Development

    • Custom Integration

    • Account Strategy

    • Digital Content Strategy

    A go-getting and detail-oriented office culture is important, with Keith saying: “We don’t really like working project to project. We want to have more impact and influence on the work that we do…”

    It’s well documented that acquiring new clients tends to be more expensive than retaining existing ones (unless, of course, you’ve been letting 'scope creep' kill your margins that entire time).

    Another important consideration is that a mix of long-term or recurring income is critical to bolstering an agency’s valuation, and creating a strong foundation for cash-flow long-term. 

    So, how are you going to extend the relationship with a new client once the project is over? Great question! Keith says you should reach out to your current client/s to consult with them on their future needs.

    With this in mind, O3 World honed an account strategy layer, selling on to clients, which turned out to be a successful venture.

    Identifying and Overcoming ‘Growing Pains’

    Unfortunately, there are no shortcuts in life. I can’t think of an agency that hasn’t encountered challenges. In fact, facing difficulties in your business is normal – the result actually depends on how you handle these issues. 

    In Keith’s case, his biggest challenge was going through a recession.

    He recalls 2008 and 2009 as one of the toughest periods in his career  – when he almost went out of business. Like many business owners at the time, he remembers sitting down with his partners, looking at each other, and having no idea how they were going to make payroll.

    It’s tough enough building a business, but it’s obviously more challenging during a global recession. Not only will there be difficulty in finding new investors or clients, but it’s also tough risking whatever money you may have in your business.

    Luckily, while one of Keith’s partners was looking into their bank account, an unexpected deposit of $5,000.00 landed. This turned out to be a referral fee they had no idea was coming. According to Keith, it was the “closest we’ve ever come to being out of business.”

    When building a business, people usually play to their strengths – whether they’re a great writer, a great designer, or a great developer – while finding the right talent they’re comfortable working with. And that’s just for starters.

    As Keith puts it: “Most people don’t realize that running a business is a lot of the things you don’t like doing.”

    There are lots of operational pieces, the most obvious being finance. Managing finances appropriately – in conjunction with legal documents, and staff benefits – is paramount. Plus, you need to understand the 'scope creep' every agency deals with.

    Keith adds: “The only way you get better at managing your agency is by getting burned by it a bunch of times.”

    Another beneficial point; it’s worth investing time, energy, and money ensuring the right people are in place for non-billable roles – it's something too many agencies procrastinate on. One of the more imperative moves is hiring a project manager to help you keep track of your business progress.

    Importance of Managing Cash-flow

    Having a successful agency means taking smart risks while managing cash flow. Being critical and objective when working with clients is necessary to fulfill a job successfully. Therefore, try putting realistic budgets on certain projects, while maintaining it in line with a client’s usual work process.

    Additionally, manage your resources appropriately and strategize ahead to have solutions available if/when the project experiences setbacks. Fluctuation in business is normal, but it’s best to try avoiding potential layoffs by having enough runway!

    It’s important to hire someone who has a background in finance and operations, so you can properly elaborate on various strategies that will work within your agency.  Again, an agency owners’ goal is not solely to make money and pay money; there are a lot of metrics associated with knowing when you should hire people, when you may have to lay off people.

    Knowing Your Strengths…

    Being completely honest with yourself when recognizing your strengths or weaknesses it key, says Keith. All too often, businesses avoid being honest with clients as they fear losing business, that’s not the case, however. Learn how to communicate and define your remit, as simply saying ‘YES’ to everything may result in unrealistic client expectations. 

    Keith wants to dig in on that point specifically, as he’s currently going through this with an agency: “I’m on our next call and planning to sit the team down and give them the feedback; ‘You guys are doing an amazing job over here. But, you really shouldn’t be doing these other two things, cause I’ve had to rewrite the copy you wrote and I had to find a designer to fix the designs that you did. But, you’re doing really good on this stuff over here. I would still pay you the same amount of money if you didn’t do this other stuff’."

    From an operational perspective, this is not a good look for your brand... You say 'yes', you can do the job and get it done, but you may not have a process for it and, all of a sudden, the scope on that goes out of whack.

    You may not make a profit on this particular project because it ties up your team, taking their time away from working on other things that actually make more money or gross margin.

    Understanding The Competition

    Finding the right balance in scoping or scaling your agency can be tedious. Did you know that being open to working with other agencies will help you find that balance?

    Keith says they partner with many complimentary agencies, so they can work on things they’re not as experienced in. He and his team have no problem being brought in to work with different agencies as long as there’s a level of respect and a clear understanding of who’s doing what developmentally.

    Remarking on this, Keith says that “It’s very, very helpful for them and helpful for us, and vice versa. There’s also an aspect of not being greedy. Sometimes we’re okay coming in and not having to be the only agency. As long as we’re respectful of one another.”

    He adds, “In general, it’s important to be friendly with a lot of agency owners in town and actually outside of town, and be open with one another.”

    Keith has his own 'leadership philosophy' but admits he’s still inexperienced – in life and business. Therefore, meeting with other industry minds inspires him, and – by extension – builds the company's existing skillset and burgeoning ideas.

    Having spoken to a lot of people from the same field, it’s great to cultivate conversations and connections, so you can navigate your niche. Through this, you will be able to further understand your strength and use it to your advantage.

    As time goes by, your company will evolve as will your competitors. Therefore, it’s very important to adapt to new technologies and advances – while still being open to 'the competition.'

    Decision Making, Plus Executing Strategic Changes

    An agency owner must implement strategic changes or decision making on an ongoing basis. On this point, Keith says:

    “I don’t think there should just be like the end of the year thing that you focus on. It should be ongoing… Everybody should be curious. They should be curious about how they can do things better, things differently, how they could make their clients happier, and how they can make each other happier.”

    Before you start implementing changes it is important that business or agency owners are mindful with regards to the following... 

    “Everybody should be curious. They should be curious about how they can do things better, how they can do things differently, how they could make their clients happier, and how they can make each other happier.”

    Before you start implementing changes it is important that business or agency owners are mindful with regards to:

    • Client engagement: communication is key; ask if they’re satisfied with the end-product of your collaboration?
    • Revenue: were you able to bring in additional revenue? Do I need to hire a person who has a great background in finance?
    • Employee satisfaction: do your employees still enjoy working with you and your company?
    • Employee and company performance: did your company deliver on your client’s expectations? Do you need to hire additional experts in certain fields? Do you need to acquire new technology – such as software, tools, or machinery? Do your employees require additional training?

    Answering these questions will help in deciding the next step your agency must take.

    A combination of teamwork, keeping eyes and ears on the ground, and being aware of what’s happening within your organization can contribute to radical change. Be mindful of what’s happening with your clients, and what’s happening across the industry.

    Keep your curiosity going!

     

    Want to See More of Keith? Follow him online via…

    Agency Profitability Tool Kit

    If you're looking for more resources to help you improve your agency's profitability, then check out the Agency Profitability Tool Kit - it's full of the same templates and checklists we've used with consulting clients to help them improve their profitability by over 100% in under 60 days. 


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Wed, 18 Mar 2020 07:00:04 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Keith Scandone, Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ About Keith:

    Keith Scandone is co-founder and CEO of O3 World, a 15-year-old Digital Product Agency. Additionally, he’s co-founder of O3 Ventures – a spin-off of O3 World dedicated to investing in, and partnering with, existing Digital Product companies, aiding them to accelerate their businesses.

    As well as being a busy go-getter, Keith is co-founder of the Forge Conference, a 300 person UX and Design seminar. If that wasn’t enough, he’s co-founder of 1682; an invite-only Business of Innovation Conference, which they hosted this year. Wait, there’s more!

    Last, but certainly not least, he co-founded the Philadelphia chapter of the Awesome Foundation, and has sat on countless boards and committees, most notably the Philadelphia Global Identity Project, helping Philadelphia's global position.

    Time Stamps: points of interest

    • Intro   0:00

    • Keith’s unorthodox beginnings   2:43

    • O3 World’s business culture and their services   7:00

    • Identifying and overcoming the agency ‘growing pains’   12:00

    • Importance of managing cash-flow  16:20

    • Knowing your strengths   19:27

    • Understanding the competition   24:05

    • Decision making plus executing strategic changes   30:01

    • Scaling your agency    35:12

    • Outro    47:22

    Blog:

    Keith Scandone is proof you don’t need a degree to start a string of businesses. A successful partner of O3 World and co-founder of 1682, Keith shares his humble start; the many challenges the ’08 recession brought the company; and how they overcame it. Most importantly, he pinpoints how to understand your company’s strong points while building a niche market.

    Before Keith found business success, acting was his passion. He was cast in a play while attending Loyola University, Maryland, and was swiftly bitten by ‘the bug', resulting in a move to Los Angeles. 

    However, after seven years in showbiz, Keith realized he preferred working behind the scenes. Packing his bags once more, he headed to Philadelphia, whereupon he was hired as a marketing consultant for an online entertainment city guide. His soon-to-be business partners were freelancing at the same company…

    While their employers weren’t keen on working for bigger clients, Keith and Co knew they could do more. Spotting a gap in the market regarding client expansion, he and his partners set up O3 World 15 years ago, and haven’t looked back.

    Being involved in a tech-related industry means having to adapt to a continuously changing environment – a challenge for any tech agency owner. Humbled by his company’s tenacity, Keith reflects on how some of the businesses he used to aspire to no longer exist.

    O3 World’s Business Culture and Services

    O3 World currently has in the region of 50 full-time in-house employees, with Keith saying the company’s culture and collaborative nature plays a massive role in producing quality work. With innovation at its core, O3 World adapts to new technological changes and career opportunities.

    Constantly pushes boundaries with regards to new business and opportunities, Keith and his team ensure they’re astride their game when providing their range of services, including…

    • Brand Communications

    • Identity Development

    • API Development

    • Custom Integration

    • Account Strategy

    • Digital Content Strategy

    A go-getting and detail-oriented office culture is important, with Keith saying: “We don’t really like working project to project. We want to have more impact and influence on the work that we do…”

    It’s well documented that acquiring new clients tends to be more expensive than retaining existing ones (unless, of course, you’ve been letting 'scope creep' kill your margins that entire time).

    Another important consideration is that a mix of long-term or recurring income is critical to bolstering an agency’s valuation, and creating a strong foundation for cash-flow long-term. 

    So, how are you going to extend the relationship with a new client once the project is over? Great question! Keith says you should reach out to your current client/s to consult with them on their future needs.

    With this in mind, O3 World honed an account strategy layer, selling on to clients, which turned out to be a successful venture.

    Identifying and Overcoming ‘Growing Pains’

    Unfortunately, there are no shortcuts in life. I can’t think of an agency that hasn’t encountered challenges. In fact, facing difficulties in your business is normal – the result actually depends on how you handle these issues. 

    In Keith’s case, his biggest challenge was going through a recession.

    He recalls 2008 and 2009 as one of the toughest periods in his career  – when he almost went out of business. Like many business owners at the time, he remembers sitting down with his partners, looking at each other, and having no idea how they were going to make payroll.

    It’s tough enough building a business, but it’s obviously more challenging during a global recession. Not only will there be difficulty in finding new investors or clients, but it’s also tough risking whatever money you may have in your business.

    Luckily, while one of Keith’s partners was looking into their bank account, an unexpected deposit of $5,000.00 landed. This turned out to be a referral fee they had no idea was coming. According to Keith, it was the “closest we’ve ever come to being out of business.”

    When building a business, people usually play to their strengths – whether they’re a great writer, a great designer, or a great developer – while finding the right talent they’re comfortable working with. And that’s just for starters.

    As Keith puts it: “Most people don’t realize that running a business is a lot of the things you don’t like doing.”

    There are lots of operational pieces, the most obvious being finance. Managing finances appropriately – in conjunction with legal documents, and staff benefits – is paramount. Plus, you need to understand the 'scope creep' every agency deals with.

    Keith adds: “The only way you get better at managing your agency is by getting burned by it a bunch of times.”

    Another beneficial point; it’s worth investing time, energy, and money ensuring the right people are in place for non-billable roles – it's something too many agencies procrastinate on. One of the more imperative moves is hiring a project manager to help you keep track of your business progress.

    Importance of Managing Cash-flow

    Having a successful agency means taking smart risks while managing cash flow. Being critical and objective when working with clients is necessary to fulfill a job successfully. Therefore, try putting realistic budgets on certain projects, while maintaining it in line with a client’s usual work process.

    Additionally, manage your resources appropriately and strategize ahead to have solutions available if/when the project experiences setbacks. Fluctuation in business is normal, but it’s best to try avoiding potential layoffs by having enough runway!

    It’s important to hire someone who has a background in finance and operations, so you can properly elaborate on various strategies that will work within your agency.  Again, an agency owners’ goal is not solely to make money and pay money; there are a lot of metrics associated with knowing when you should hire people, when you may have to lay off people.

    Knowing Your Strengths…

    Being completely honest with yourself when recognizing your strengths or weaknesses it key, says Keith. All too often, businesses avoid being honest with clients as they fear losing business, that’s not the case, however. Learn how to communicate and define your remit, as simply saying ‘YES’ to everything may result in unrealistic client expectations. 

    Keith wants to dig in on that point specifically, as he’s currently going through this with an agency: “I’m on our next call and planning to sit the team down and give them the feedback; ‘You guys are doing an amazing job over here. But, you really shouldn’t be doing these other two things, cause I’ve had to rewrite the copy you wrote and I had to find a designer to fix the designs that you did. But, you’re doing really good on this stuff over here. I would still pay you the same amount of money if you didn’t do this other stuff’."

    From an operational perspective, this is not a good look for your brand... You say 'yes', you can do the job and get it done, but you may not have a process for it and, all of a sudden, the scope on that goes out of whack.

    You may not make a profit on this particular project because it ties up your team, taking their time away from working on other things that actually make more money or gross margin.

    Understanding The Competition

    Finding the right balance in scoping or scaling your agency can be tedious. Did you know that being open to working with other agencies will help you find that balance?

    Keith says they partner with many complimentary agencies, so they can work on things they’re not as experienced in. He and his team have no problem being brought in to work with different agencies as long as there’s a level of respect and a clear understanding of who’s doing what developmentally.

    Remarking on this, Keith says that “It’s very, very helpful for them and helpful for us, and vice versa. There’s also an aspect of not being greedy. Sometimes we’re okay coming in and not having to be the only agency. As long as we’re respectful of one another.”

    He adds, “In general, it’s important to be friendly with a lot of agency owners in town and actually outside of town, and be open with one another.”

    Keith has his own 'leadership philosophy' but admits he’s still inexperienced – in life and business. Therefore, meeting with other industry minds inspires him, and – by extension – builds the company's existing skillset and burgeoning ideas.

    Having spoken to a lot of people from the same field, it’s great to cultivate conversations and connections, so you can navigate your niche. Through this, you will be able to further understand your strength and use it to your advantage.

    As time goes by, your company will evolve as will your competitors. Therefore, it’s very important to adapt to new technologies and advances – while still being open to 'the competition.'

    Decision Making, Plus Executing Strategic Changes

    An agency owner must implement strategic changes or decision making on an ongoing basis. On this point, Keith says:

    “I don’t think there should just be like the end of the year thing that you focus on. It should be ongoing… Everybody should be curious. They should be curious about how they can do things better, things differently, how they could make their clients happier, and how they can make each other happier.”

    Before you start implementing changes it is important that business or agency owners are mindful with regards to the following... 

    “Everybody should be curious. They should be curious about how they can do things better, how they can do things differently, how they could make their clients happier, and how they can make each other happier.”

    Before you start implementing changes it is important that business or agency owners are mindful with regards to:

    • Client engagement: communication is key; ask if they’re satisfied with the end-product of your collaboration?
    • Revenue: were you able to bring in additional revenue? Do I need to hire a person who has a great background in finance?
    • Employee satisfaction: do your employees still enjoy working with you and your company?
    • Employee and company performance: did your company deliver on your client’s expectations? Do you need to hire additional experts in certain fields? Do you need to acquire new technology – such as software, tools, or machinery? Do your employees require additional training?

    Answering these questions will help in deciding the next step your agency must take.

    A combination of teamwork, keeping eyes and ears on the ground, and being aware of what’s happening within your organization can contribute to radical change. Be mindful of what’s happening with your clients, and what’s happening across the industry.

    Keep your curiosity going!

     

    Want to See More of Keith? Follow him online via…

    Agency Profitability Tool Kit

    If you're looking for more resources to help you improve your agency's profitability, then check out the Agency Profitability Tool Kit - it's full of the same templates and checklists we've used with consulting clients to help them improve their profitability by over 100% in under 60 days. 


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Surviving and Thriving Through a Recession with Keith Scandone - Episode 29 Keith Scandone, Marcel Petitpas 00:46:41 Welcome to our 29th edition of the Agency Profit Podcast. This installment features Keith Scandone, of O3 World and 1682 fame, sharing his inspirational (if a little unorthodox) beginnings. Plus, enduring the 2008-2009 recession, and the importance of being cordial with the competition! His invaluable insights will highlight what you need to know about growing an agency from a team of three into a team of 60 awesome employees. Welcome to our 29th edition of the Agency Profit Podcast. This installment features Keith Scandone, of O3 World and 1682 fame, sharing his inspirational (if a little unorthodox) beginnings. Plus, enduring the 2008-2009 recession, and the importance of being cordial with the competition! His invaluable insights will highlight what you need to know about growing an agency from a team of three into a team of 60 awesome employees. agency profit, business culture, surviving recession, profit, recession, competition, cash-flow, agency, scaling false full 29     d1543acf-b5a2-4918-b5cb-860aa10a64ed How to Scope Projects & Protect Profits with Chip Griffin - Episode 28 About Chip:

    Chip Griffin is dubbed as “The Agency Whisper” in the industry. He’s the host of the Agency Leadership Podcast and Chats with Chip and helps PR and marketing agencies reach their goals and increase their efficiency. 

    Chip became the CEO of Townhall.com when he was in his early twenties. And since that time he has built and sold several companies, both in tech, and he started and sold several agencies and consultancies. Today he spends his time educating, coaching, consulting, and speaking to agency owners on how to run and scale their agencies. 

    Want to see more of Chip? Follow him online:

    Resources

    Timestamps:

    Intro   0:00

    How did Chip go from Building and Selling Businesses to 

    Coaching Businesses?   3:28

    How to Properly Scope Projects and Create your Budgets   6:04

    When Should an Agency Evaluate the Cost Aspect of a Project   8:35

    Scoping and creating accurate budgets inside your agency?   11:59

    Expenses that Agencies Must Watch Out For    13:57

    Contingency Reserves Based on People’s Risk    14:52

    How to Reduce the Amount of Scope Creep Once 

    the Projects Gets Underway   24:08

    Gross Profit Margin Target for Agencies   25:11

    Core Principles to Remember in Managing Relationship with a Client   36:55

    Outro   44:21

    How to Scope Projects & Protect Profits with Chip Griffin - Episode 28

    The foundation of running a successful agency lies in charging more money to clients than it takes for us to deliver outcomes to them. Ideally, we’re consistently achieving 50-70% gross margins on projects, which sets us up to have reasonable overhead and continue to cash-flow our growth.

    Unfortunately, we’ve all found ourselves losing our shirts and in some cases even spending money to work with a client. Most often, the culprit is a combination of poor scoping and scope creep leading to a dumpster fire of a project that leaves us with lots of work to do and very little profit to show for it.

    For some of us, this still happens more often than we’d like to admit.

    That’s why I decided to invite my friend Chip Griffin onto the show to share his knowledge and experiences in scoping projects and protecting profits. 

    He didn’t disappoint, as he broke down what he’s learned from years of running and scaling his own agencies to multiple exits, and helping clients do the same.

    How to Properly Scope Projects and Create Your Budgets

    There are a lot of factors that play in when properly scoping projects and creating budgets. It’s a complex process that often requires some analytical savvy.

    According to Chip “The agency community is filled with really creative people who are fantastic at client service, but a lot of them just don't have a lot of business experience.”

    It comes as no surprise that many of the agencies I speak to have a difficult time getting a handle on scoping, and spend most of their careers feeling like they’ve never found a reliable way to do it accurately.

    When it comes to getting a handle on estimate, Chip states that agency owners must create a project plan with their clients that will be beneficial for both parties. From billing clients based on an hourly rate, flat-rate pricing, or value-based pricing; there are a lot more factors that you, as an agency owner must take into consideration. 

    So it becomes increasingly important to get really good at figuring out how much or how long will it take to deliver the project with our desired outcome to our clients while making sure to stay within the budget and submitting them on-time. This means tracking actuals against estimates over time to feed that information back to whatever supporting data/documents you might use to create estimates in the first place.

    With that being said is it important to answer these questions before signing a contract to a client:

    • How long will this project take?
    • Do I need to hire new people?
    • How much will all these expenses cost?
    • Have we done this kind of work before? 
    • How much uncertainty exists around what the client is asking of us?
    • What’s our gut-feel on the client, and how demanding they might become?
    • Do I need to travel to meet up with my clients or remote employees?
    • Are we importing assets / materials from the client?
    • Will I be able to deliver and accomplish my clients’ expectations?
    • What type of billing method is most beneficial for my agency and the client?
    • etc.

    Being thorough in the discovery process and really assessing the risk of a project is key in establishing the right level of contingency and padding in your estimation.

    Chip is also a big fan of doing paid discovery, giving you the ability to get compensated for the time it takes to properly assess your client’s needs. 

    Project Budgeting for Accurate Profitability

    If you want an overall profitable business, you need to sit down and take note of all the expenses and other factors into consideration before pricing a project. This will drastically help in determining how much it will cost because as I’ve stated earlier it can’t just be about dollars and cents. 

    It is more about coming up with the scope and if you’re putting together a budget that will help you think about the scope and what you’re going to deliver to your clients.

    According to Chip, he has seen a lot of agencies that start doing value-based pricing or they start doing flat-rate pricing and then since they do not have any use for timesheets when billing their clients they throw them away. Often, they also abandon the idea of actually assessing the client’s needs thoroughly in the sales process.

    For example, a client is willing to pay us $100,000 to build their website, and they have certain expectations, of course, like they want the website to look or function a certain way or they want the website to be up and running on this specific date.

    But, based on the client’s expectations and factor in the cost and time to deliver their expectations, will this project still be profitable for my business? 

    Chip states that it’s important to dig deeper into what point their agency should start to evaluate the cost aspect of a project. At what point in that sales cycle should they start to have that conversation, and who should generally be involved in that conversation to make sure that the estimate is actually realistic, accurate, and transparent to all the stakeholders.

    When Should an Agency Evaluate the Cost Aspect of a Project?

    Chip advised that agency owners need to do a thorough cost evaluation of a project before giving the client a price. And based on his experience, a lot of agencies don't go about building a budget for their projects, and if they do, they do it after they've already submitted the proposal, the scope, and the price.

    And, when you've got the contract in place, but it turns out the fund is not sufficient to be able to run the project successfully can be a tad bit stressful to deal with. So you really need to have it in advance. 

    “I'm not saying that you should take the budget and price solely based on it, instead the budget should be used to establish the minimum or maximum amount that you can charge for this project in order to be profitable.” he says

    “hat doesn't mean that you shouldn't charge more than that, because you also want to charge for the value that you're delivering. It's a very popular way to do agency pricing now, but you need to know what that bottom line is, that you just simply can't go below without.” 

    It is extremely important that you involve the people who are going to manage the project in the budgeting process. This way, you will be sure that everyone understands the scope of a certain project and how they can be more efficient to be able to work on another project.

    It's also important to get those different ideas out on the table so that you can try to figure out what is a reasonable expectation for this particular piece of work or this particular process that this project needs to be successful. 

    Creating Accurate Budgets Inside Your Agency

    According to Chip Griffin, the first thing agency owners need to do is to start creating these budgets. They also need to make sure that they are closely monitoring and collaborating with their project managers to determine the factors that block their progress. And to create an accurate agency budget you must consider these factors:

    • Cost of Labor, you’ll be surprised that agencies miscalculate the cost of labor. Quite frankly, labor is by far the largest expense for just about every agency out there. And estimating your agency’s labor time is challenging, and you need to consistently ask and get feedback to improve. 

      Click here for our blog post on calculating Labor Cost-Per-Hour.
    • Pass-Through, Production & Travel Costs, Of course, it’s also critical to factor in the more obvious costs to delivering a project. Things like contractors, equipment rental, material costs, ad spend, etc. 

      One of the things that a lot of business owners forget to put in a budget is the travel costs related to client work, and particularly as more agencies are virtual and more people are having clients who are not just a car to drive away. 

    Chip recalls a specific example: “I had a client who would pay me $75,000 annually with a condition to fly to Australia on a bi-monthly basis, but when I started digging in and it turned out that I was spending $15,00 to $20,000 a year on travels alone. And, all of a sudden, there’s  10% or so of the revenue being eaten up just by travel costs.”

    Make sure you’re thinking about all the costs of delivering outcomes to the client, and maintaining your relationship with them.

    Contingency Reserves Based on People’s Risk

    Chip has seen a lot of agencies estimate with their rose colored glasses on. He says the first thing you need to do is create a budget without being wildly optimistic about how quickly you can get things done. It’s more important to be realistic, instead of conceptualizing an “ideal word scenario” where everything goes as planned.

    As we all know, they rarely do.

    Chip recommends having contingency factored into estimates based on the level of uncertainty around the work. Often, this will come down to how many times it’s been done in the past, and how consistent it was in scope. The objective should be to get estimates within 10% of reality over time. 

    This is why having a cadence in place allows you to monitor how much time did it actually take to complete the project versus how long did you estimate the project is going to take and adjust estimating processes & documents accordingly.

    Another thing that you need to consider is building your agency’s culture and the rules on defining your initial scope of work. There's a wide range of agency approaches to this. And, in general, there's a lot of over-servicing that takes place. 

    I personally believe in the importance of time tracking inside of an agency, because you will be able to get insights as to whether you are doing well or not, which can be challenging to estimate when you’re using a flat-rate or value-based pricing. 

    And then that brings me to another point, which is the way that you structure your projects or deliverables or tasks within a time tracking software is important because it's like setting up your chart of accounts inside of your agency. Because, you need to track cost, not with a blended rate.

    Chip stated that “I know it's really popular in the agency world to charge clients a blended rate, and that's fine, but from a budgeting perspective, you need to make sure that you've got at least several bands. I'm not saying you need to go in and figure out each employee's individual costs and all that, but have at least three bands so that you can appropriately account for the different types of workers that you'll have on a project because it'll make a huge difference in your pricing and profitability.”

    If you want to make sure that it's not leaving money on the table. Make sure you do that piece of it.

    Core Principles to Remember in Managing Relationship with a Client

    The core principles that are really important when it comes to managing that relationship with your client:

    • Having a backbone with a client that sometimes has a little too much power from an economic perspective in their business. 
    • Start by thinking about how you're structuring your client base and making sure what type of clients you've got. It's generally better to have a bunch of clients all in the same range than have small ones and big ones mixed together. Because that tends to create an imbalance.
    • You need to be creating a culture in which the team is comfortable withdrawing the line with clients. Often, over-servicing occurs when the client asks a team member to do something directly, and they do it without ever running it up the chain of command for approval.
    • Establish an organized and easy-to-follow way of time tracking.
    • Use resource planning to make sure you’ve got the right people protected for the right amount of time to deliver expected outcomes to the client.
    • Establish a clear process for communicating and approving changes in scope, and processing requests from clients for changes/additional work.

    The point of all of this is to learn how to create better systems in your business to become more efficient. To create processes that can scale, that can be repeatable, that can protect your margins, protect your team's time, and ultimately give you a business that is sustainable in the long term. 

    And ultimately this all comes back to communication. It's ironic that in an industry where communication and collaboration is the key to success, communication tends to be the place where things break down. 

    You need to have good communication amongst your team members and between your agency and the client. And the more of this communication that you have, the more accurate your budgets are going to be, the more accurate your scopes of work are going to be. The better your profitability is going to be.

    Agency Profitability Tool Kit

    If you're looking for more resources to help you improve your agency's profitability, then check out the Agency Profitability Tool Kit - it's full of the same templates and checklists we've used with consulting clients to help them improve their profitability by over 100% in under 60 days.


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Wed, 4 Mar 2020 07:00:06 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Chip Griffin, Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ About Chip:

    Chip Griffin is dubbed as “The Agency Whisper” in the industry. He’s the host of the Agency Leadership Podcast and Chats with Chip and helps PR and marketing agencies reach their goals and increase their efficiency. 

    Chip became the CEO of Townhall.com when he was in his early twenties. And since that time he has built and sold several companies, both in tech, and he started and sold several agencies and consultancies. Today he spends his time educating, coaching, consulting, and speaking to agency owners on how to run and scale their agencies. 

    Want to see more of Chip? Follow him online:

    Resources

    Timestamps:

    Intro   0:00

    How did Chip go from Building and Selling Businesses to 

    Coaching Businesses?   3:28

    How to Properly Scope Projects and Create your Budgets   6:04

    When Should an Agency Evaluate the Cost Aspect of a Project   8:35

    Scoping and creating accurate budgets inside your agency?   11:59

    Expenses that Agencies Must Watch Out For    13:57

    Contingency Reserves Based on People’s Risk    14:52

    How to Reduce the Amount of Scope Creep Once 

    the Projects Gets Underway   24:08

    Gross Profit Margin Target for Agencies   25:11

    Core Principles to Remember in Managing Relationship with a Client   36:55

    Outro   44:21

    How to Scope Projects & Protect Profits with Chip Griffin - Episode 28

    The foundation of running a successful agency lies in charging more money to clients than it takes for us to deliver outcomes to them. Ideally, we’re consistently achieving 50-70% gross margins on projects, which sets us up to have reasonable overhead and continue to cash-flow our growth.

    Unfortunately, we’ve all found ourselves losing our shirts and in some cases even spending money to work with a client. Most often, the culprit is a combination of poor scoping and scope creep leading to a dumpster fire of a project that leaves us with lots of work to do and very little profit to show for it.

    For some of us, this still happens more often than we’d like to admit.

    That’s why I decided to invite my friend Chip Griffin onto the show to share his knowledge and experiences in scoping projects and protecting profits. 

    He didn’t disappoint, as he broke down what he’s learned from years of running and scaling his own agencies to multiple exits, and helping clients do the same.

    How to Properly Scope Projects and Create Your Budgets

    There are a lot of factors that play in when properly scoping projects and creating budgets. It’s a complex process that often requires some analytical savvy.

    According to Chip “The agency community is filled with really creative people who are fantastic at client service, but a lot of them just don't have a lot of business experience.”

    It comes as no surprise that many of the agencies I speak to have a difficult time getting a handle on scoping, and spend most of their careers feeling like they’ve never found a reliable way to do it accurately.

    When it comes to getting a handle on estimate, Chip states that agency owners must create a project plan with their clients that will be beneficial for both parties. From billing clients based on an hourly rate, flat-rate pricing, or value-based pricing; there are a lot more factors that you, as an agency owner must take into consideration. 

    So it becomes increasingly important to get really good at figuring out how much or how long will it take to deliver the project with our desired outcome to our clients while making sure to stay within the budget and submitting them on-time. This means tracking actuals against estimates over time to feed that information back to whatever supporting data/documents you might use to create estimates in the first place.

    With that being said is it important to answer these questions before signing a contract to a client:

    • How long will this project take?
    • Do I need to hire new people?
    • How much will all these expenses cost?
    • Have we done this kind of work before? 
    • How much uncertainty exists around what the client is asking of us?
    • What’s our gut-feel on the client, and how demanding they might become?
    • Do I need to travel to meet up with my clients or remote employees?
    • Are we importing assets / materials from the client?
    • Will I be able to deliver and accomplish my clients’ expectations?
    • What type of billing method is most beneficial for my agency and the client?
    • etc.

    Being thorough in the discovery process and really assessing the risk of a project is key in establishing the right level of contingency and padding in your estimation.

    Chip is also a big fan of doing paid discovery, giving you the ability to get compensated for the time it takes to properly assess your client’s needs. 

    Project Budgeting for Accurate Profitability

    If you want an overall profitable business, you need to sit down and take note of all the expenses and other factors into consideration before pricing a project. This will drastically help in determining how much it will cost because as I’ve stated earlier it can’t just be about dollars and cents. 

    It is more about coming up with the scope and if you’re putting together a budget that will help you think about the scope and what you’re going to deliver to your clients.

    According to Chip, he has seen a lot of agencies that start doing value-based pricing or they start doing flat-rate pricing and then since they do not have any use for timesheets when billing their clients they throw them away. Often, they also abandon the idea of actually assessing the client’s needs thoroughly in the sales process.

    For example, a client is willing to pay us $100,000 to build their website, and they have certain expectations, of course, like they want the website to look or function a certain way or they want the website to be up and running on this specific date.

    But, based on the client’s expectations and factor in the cost and time to deliver their expectations, will this project still be profitable for my business? 

    Chip states that it’s important to dig deeper into what point their agency should start to evaluate the cost aspect of a project. At what point in that sales cycle should they start to have that conversation, and who should generally be involved in that conversation to make sure that the estimate is actually realistic, accurate, and transparent to all the stakeholders.

    When Should an Agency Evaluate the Cost Aspect of a Project?

    Chip advised that agency owners need to do a thorough cost evaluation of a project before giving the client a price. And based on his experience, a lot of agencies don't go about building a budget for their projects, and if they do, they do it after they've already submitted the proposal, the scope, and the price.

    And, when you've got the contract in place, but it turns out the fund is not sufficient to be able to run the project successfully can be a tad bit stressful to deal with. So you really need to have it in advance. 

    “I'm not saying that you should take the budget and price solely based on it, instead the budget should be used to establish the minimum or maximum amount that you can charge for this project in order to be profitable.” he says

    “hat doesn't mean that you shouldn't charge more than that, because you also want to charge for the value that you're delivering. It's a very popular way to do agency pricing now, but you need to know what that bottom line is, that you just simply can't go below without.” 

    It is extremely important that you involve the people who are going to manage the project in the budgeting process. This way, you will be sure that everyone understands the scope of a certain project and how they can be more efficient to be able to work on another project.

    It's also important to get those different ideas out on the table so that you can try to figure out what is a reasonable expectation for this particular piece of work or this particular process that this project needs to be successful. 

    Creating Accurate Budgets Inside Your Agency

    According to Chip Griffin, the first thing agency owners need to do is to start creating these budgets. They also need to make sure that they are closely monitoring and collaborating with their project managers to determine the factors that block their progress. And to create an accurate agency budget you must consider these factors:

    • Cost of Labor, you’ll be surprised that agencies miscalculate the cost of labor. Quite frankly, labor is by far the largest expense for just about every agency out there. And estimating your agency’s labor time is challenging, and you need to consistently ask and get feedback to improve. 

      Click here for our blog post on calculating Labor Cost-Per-Hour.
    • Pass-Through, Production & Travel Costs, Of course, it’s also critical to factor in the more obvious costs to delivering a project. Things like contractors, equipment rental, material costs, ad spend, etc. 

      One of the things that a lot of business owners forget to put in a budget is the travel costs related to client work, and particularly as more agencies are virtual and more people are having clients who are not just a car to drive away. 

    Chip recalls a specific example: “I had a client who would pay me $75,000 annually with a condition to fly to Australia on a bi-monthly basis, but when I started digging in and it turned out that I was spending $15,00 to $20,000 a year on travels alone. And, all of a sudden, there’s  10% or so of the revenue being eaten up just by travel costs.”

    Make sure you’re thinking about all the costs of delivering outcomes to the client, and maintaining your relationship with them.

    Contingency Reserves Based on People’s Risk

    Chip has seen a lot of agencies estimate with their rose colored glasses on. He says the first thing you need to do is create a budget without being wildly optimistic about how quickly you can get things done. It’s more important to be realistic, instead of conceptualizing an “ideal word scenario” where everything goes as planned.

    As we all know, they rarely do.

    Chip recommends having contingency factored into estimates based on the level of uncertainty around the work. Often, this will come down to how many times it’s been done in the past, and how consistent it was in scope. The objective should be to get estimates within 10% of reality over time. 

    This is why having a cadence in place allows you to monitor how much time did it actually take to complete the project versus how long did you estimate the project is going to take and adjust estimating processes & documents accordingly.

    Another thing that you need to consider is building your agency’s culture and the rules on defining your initial scope of work. There's a wide range of agency approaches to this. And, in general, there's a lot of over-servicing that takes place. 

    I personally believe in the importance of time tracking inside of an agency, because you will be able to get insights as to whether you are doing well or not, which can be challenging to estimate when you’re using a flat-rate or value-based pricing. 

    And then that brings me to another point, which is the way that you structure your projects or deliverables or tasks within a time tracking software is important because it's like setting up your chart of accounts inside of your agency. Because, you need to track cost, not with a blended rate.

    Chip stated that “I know it's really popular in the agency world to charge clients a blended rate, and that's fine, but from a budgeting perspective, you need to make sure that you've got at least several bands. I'm not saying you need to go in and figure out each employee's individual costs and all that, but have at least three bands so that you can appropriately account for the different types of workers that you'll have on a project because it'll make a huge difference in your pricing and profitability.”

    If you want to make sure that it's not leaving money on the table. Make sure you do that piece of it.

    Core Principles to Remember in Managing Relationship with a Client

    The core principles that are really important when it comes to managing that relationship with your client:

    • Having a backbone with a client that sometimes has a little too much power from an economic perspective in their business. 
    • Start by thinking about how you're structuring your client base and making sure what type of clients you've got. It's generally better to have a bunch of clients all in the same range than have small ones and big ones mixed together. Because that tends to create an imbalance.
    • You need to be creating a culture in which the team is comfortable withdrawing the line with clients. Often, over-servicing occurs when the client asks a team member to do something directly, and they do it without ever running it up the chain of command for approval.
    • Establish an organized and easy-to-follow way of time tracking.
    • Use resource planning to make sure you’ve got the right people protected for the right amount of time to deliver expected outcomes to the client.
    • Establish a clear process for communicating and approving changes in scope, and processing requests from clients for changes/additional work.

    The point of all of this is to learn how to create better systems in your business to become more efficient. To create processes that can scale, that can be repeatable, that can protect your margins, protect your team's time, and ultimately give you a business that is sustainable in the long term. 

    And ultimately this all comes back to communication. It's ironic that in an industry where communication and collaboration is the key to success, communication tends to be the place where things break down. 

    You need to have good communication amongst your team members and between your agency and the client. And the more of this communication that you have, the more accurate your budgets are going to be, the more accurate your scopes of work are going to be. The better your profitability is going to be.

    Agency Profitability Tool Kit

    If you're looking for more resources to help you improve your agency's profitability, then check out the Agency Profitability Tool Kit - it's full of the same templates and checklists we've used with consulting clients to help them improve their profitability by over 100% in under 60 days.


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     How to Scope Projects & Protect Profits with Chip Griffin - Episode 28 Chip Griffin, Marcel Petitpas 00:44:04 In this episode of Agency Profit Podcast, Chip Griffin shares his expertise in scoping projects and protecting profit margins on client work. This episode breaks down everything you need to know to properly scope projects, create your budgets, evaluate the cost aspect of a project, reduce scope creep and much more! In this episode of Agency Profit Podcast, Chip Griffin shares his expertise in scoping projects and protecting profit margins on client work. This episode breaks down everything you need to know to properly scope projects, create your budgets, evaluate the cost aspect of a project, reduce scope creep and much more! profit, budget, agency profitability, scoping, gross margin profit target, time tracking, gross margin, cost, agency budget, scope creep, evaluating project cost, cost accounting false full 28     be57ad64-7532-4ce7-a936-34d069317a1c Agency Accounting 101 with Chris Hervochon - Episode 27 About Chris Hervocohon:

    Chris Hervochon is often referred to as the Michael Jordan of accounting. A graduate from Elon University with a degree in Accounting and minor in Finance. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in South Carolina and Pennsylvania, and also holds the Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA) certification. A Certified QuickBooks Online ProAdvisor, and have earned the Data Analytics Executive Certificate from the AICPA.

    In 2018, he was one of only 41 CPAs honored by the AICPA as a member of the Leadership Academy’s tenth graduating class. In 2019, I was named as one of CPA Practice Advisor's "40 Under 40" in the accounting profession.

    He started his firm called Better Way CPA, where he helps creative, digital marketing agencies, and service-based businesses with intelligent, actionable accounting.

    Follow Chris Online:

    Resources:

    Timestamps:

    Intro 0:00

    Who is Chris 01:00

    How Chris Started in the Service Business Industry 2:20

    What Makes Accounting Service Businesses Unique 4:48

    Why is it Important for Agencies to Have a Clean Accounting Data 8:58

    Common Mistakes Agencies Commit in Terms of Accounting 10:04

    Why Service Businesses Must Use Accrual Basis 13:53

    Revenue Recognition for Accrual Accounting 17:25

    Benefits of Cloud-Based Accounting 19:48

    Cash Reserves for Agency’s Survival 22:30

    The Right Corporate Entity for Your Business 28:10

    Biggest Problem for Service Agencies’ Chart of Accounts 30:35

    Freelancers Vs. Full-Time Employees 35:00

    Allocating Your Salaries 39:48

    Gross Profit Vs. Net Profit 41:50

    Maximizing Profit: Pricing and Operating Perspective 45:50

    Outro 50:00

     

    Often, we base an agency’s success on its profitability. However, we tend to forget the financial aspect of things. And, why agencies need to understand the importance of accounting. And so there's just so many things that I want to talk to you about. And, I want you to ask yourselves why you chose to run or work on a service business.

    And according to Chris Hervechon:

    “Marketing agencies are a lot like accounting firms. How they operate. It’s a different service. Sure, it’s more creative, generally speaking. But they’re both service-based businesses.”

    What Makes Accounting for Service Businesses Unique

    According to Chris Hervochon, there’s a lot of agency owners that do not realize that running a service business when it comes to accounting, which is very different than almost every other service business.

    And, its main difference happens above the margin. So your margin is your gross revenue minus all the variable costs that go into generating that gross revenue.

    If you think about a retail store that tends to have lower margins, your gross revenue is gonna be all the stuff that you sell. Let’s say you sold a television for $850, then that’s already your gross revenue. If it cost you $500 to buy the television, including taxes and licenses, then your gross profit is $350.

    On the other hand, service-based businesses tend to have higher margins. There is not much variable cost going into generating the revenue. It is solely based on human capital, on the amount of effort agency owners and their employees put into to generate profits.

    Why is it Important for Agencies to Have a Clean Accounting Data?

    The entire purpose of accounting is so that you can ask questions about your business and get accurate and reliable answers.

    According to Chris, you must ask yourselves these questions while also knowing how to answer them to see whether your business/es are properly tracked and documented:

    • Is this project profitable?
    • Is this service profitable?
    • Is this niche profitable?
    • What are the fixed expenses?
    • Where can I cut costs to be more profitable?
    • What's too expensive?
    • What's not expensive enough?
    • Am I spending enough or too much on my marketing?

    Through these questions, you will be able to know your agency’s trajectory and what to expect.

    Common Mistakes Agencies Commit in Terms of Accounting

    You will be surprised at how agencies commit the same mistakes.

    Let's start with how often you sit down with your accountant. Agency owners are usually the creative type who is good at marketing and promotion. However, it is important that you, as an agency owner know to hire someone who has proven knowledge in accounting.

    Not having organized and systematic documentation of your expenses and revenue. Make sure that you keep track of the inflows and outflows of your money.

    They did not start using the accrual basis. From an accrual accounting perspective. I've got somebody who comes and goes. My clients come every week on a Monday, we hope, but they come every week nonetheless. That's a real base accounting. It's matching the activity with the expense of the revenue when it happened.

    Why Service Businesses Must Use Accrual Basis

    Looking at things on an accrual basis is certainly a change for a lot of people, especially small businesses. But it's something that you need to do. Because there's no way to forecast cash accurately. And, it will answer the questions:

    • How is my business doing?
    • How is it looking for next month?

    In a service-based business, accrual accounting is important because it's reflective of the business model. It's reflective of the way that value is earned and value is actually accrued over time. So if you run a service-based business, you should be doing your books and you're counting on an accrual basis so that you can get accurate insights into your business.

    Accrual-based accounting is more time-intensive. It does require more expertise and so to do it is more expensive. But there is a line where the business is big enough.

    Revenue Recognition for Accrual Accounting

    Chris said that before anyone starts with what accounting method they’re going to use, you must start with what your contract stipulates. If the contract says that it's going to be based on specific deliverables, then you base your revenue recognition on those specific deliverables.

    If the contract says it's gonna be there's one deliverable and you're doing it over some time. If it were me, I would allocate it based on the amount of time it's been spent on that particular project. But, to get down to the real nitty-gritty. Look at the contract for the contract is going to dictate it and then go to some sort of another allocation method.

    Benefits of Cloud-Based Accounting

    Chris states that as an agency owner, you need actual accounting software, you need applications that play well with that software, and most importantly your accounting software should be cloud-based instead not desktop based.

    The reason being is if you have an accountant who's halfway across the country, you could be looking at the same numbers in real-time while doing the same thing

    And, what you can effectively do with cloud-based accounting systems is offload the security to somebody who's probably a lot better at it than you are. You must protect your business information and there has been a lot of hackers targeting these hosted type platforms like QuickBooks.

    The third thing is that cloud-based accounting systems make it easier to plug-in other applications. Whether it’s a bill pay system or an expense tracking system or maybe it's just other marketing data that you can then combine with your financial data to make it leverage data.

    Non-financial data equals leverage data. When you can combine these two things, you can get greater insights out of it. That's near and dear to your heart as well.

    Cash Reserves for Agency’s Survival

    Chris Hervochon recommends that agencies must set aside between two to six months’ worth of fixed expenses before investing in a new venture or offering new services. Fixed expenses are expenses that are going to exist in the business, whether or not you generate revenue for the whole month.

    Earlier we talked about margins, on how they’re a variable. Your revenue variable is the uncertainty of earning revenue for tomorrow. And the expenses to generate that revenue which are expenses that bring down to a margin. Because if you don't have the revenue, you're not going to have those expenses. So fixed expenses are all that inevitable expenses that come along with the operation of your business.

    Biggest Problem for Service Agencies’ Chart of Accounts

    The chard of accounts is the foundation on which the insights that you get from your accounting data is built, or from which you get to the insights that you want to build. This is something that a lot of people don't think about a whole lot when they're setting up books for the first time or if they're hiring an accountant that doesn't know a lot about service businesses.

    Chris mentioned to try and answer the questions that they want to answer, they've got to sift through a ton of data and do a bunch of math. So when it comes to setting up your chart of accounts as a service business where some of the best practices we want to make sure we're keeping an eye on the inflows and outflows of our businesses.

    The biggest problem Chris generally sees is what we would refer to as a sprawling chart of accounts where you've got a separate account. When we say account, what we need is a bucket, a bucket where you would put activity. So in other words, it goes in a rent bucket and where a rent account and the chart of accounts is the total listing of all of the accounts that you have for your business.

    That said, the biggest mistake is a sprawling chart of accounts where you've got one account for every little transaction. So if you have accounts that you know, on a very regular basis have one transaction per month or one transaction per year, you've got way too many accounts.

    Charter accounts make it very difficult to manage. It makes it very difficult to do the accounting because now you're splitting hairs on how you're going to classify this transaction of that transaction.

    The two biggest things, according to Chris Hervochon are:

    • You've got to be able to get to a good margin. And we talked about that a little bit earlier. The gross profit margin is everything variable. Revenue is variable, Revenue is variable and all the expenses that need to achieve that gross margin.
    • You’ve got to break out your salaries and wages.
    • And, make sure that your chart of accounts isn't enormous because it is going to be impossible to manage.

    Freelancers Vs. Full-Time Employees

    Freelancers, generally speaking, are going to go above the line because you're only going to bring them on for certain projects, certain clients, certain services, whatever it is. They're 100% variable because you've already generated some sort of revenue or you think that you're going to generate revenue because you have a signed contract. So there should be some sort of a contract labor line in your chart of accounts to get you to that gross profit number.

    Chris said that a lot of people are tied up with the idea of the relationship or the contractual relationship they have with an individual as it relates to “Are they an employee? Or are they a contractor?”

    There are four components that you must ask yourself to determine if they’re an employee or a contractor:

    • Are they fixed or are they variable?
    • Are they contractors or are they employees?
    • Are you controlling when and where they do the work?
    • Are you providing them with tools or software?

    This is an important point that you're making about the relationship that that person has with variability. If you have a person that isn't technically an employee of the company, but you pay them $2000 a month which is going to be more of a fixed cost.

    And, this is how you classify people between contractors and employees. If you control how, when and why they do their work and you provide training and you provide the equipment and the software and all of that stuff, they’re an employee. If they can do the work unsupervised, they're going to provide you a deliverable. You're not controlling where they work or when they work. Then they're a contractor.

    Most businesses want more contractors because contractors are cheaper. And the reason that they're cheaper is that you don't have to pay benefits. You don't have to pay employee-employer taxes. You've got to be careful because that's a really good way to get yourself in trouble.

    Allocating Your Salaries

    According to Chris, time tracking will help you accurately allocate salaries within your agency. You can either ask your freelancer or contractors to either track time or give an estimate on how much time they need to complete the project or how much will that certain project costs, whichever works.

    There's no data-based way to go and allocate it aside from using a time tracker. At the end of the day, it's cost accounting and then you could allocate anything based on any model that you come up with. But if it's gonna be a data-driven approach, if it's gonna be based on reality.

    Chris mentioned that you’ve got to make sure that when you're allocating those expenses that you're allocating the fully loaded expenses which include salaries, benefits, and taxes. The full cost of having that employee is what you want to allocate. You can't just allocate the salary.

    Gross Profit Vs. Net Profit

    It's important to define what is gross profit and what is net profit because I think a lot of agencies now are starting to look at gross profits on projects I think is a good thing. But then a lot of them are not clear on what that means and what should and shouldn't be factored into that.

    So gross profit is gross revenue while net profit is gross revenue minus all of the variable costs that go into generating that revenue to revenue or so expenses that you would not generate otherwise if it were not for generating that revenue.

    Maximizing Profit: Pricing and Operating Perspective

    Agencies should be pricing not based on the time that they spend, they should be pricing based on the value that they deliver. And that's different for the different forms of agencies.

    Chris mentioned a really good example is a digital direct marketing agency that is running ads. “You should be charging higher if your ads are more effective than the next agency down the street. You should be pricing based on the value that you deliver and you should not need to be measurable.”

    As an example, while not all 20 of those industries are going to be profitable and you can't take the products or the service that you delivered for “Industry 1” and then apply that to “Industry 10.” Every age or every industry is different. You need to know about the business.

    And being diligent and paying close attention to the expenses in your business because they can get out of control quickly, especially in a software-heavy society that we have now. By being vigilant about where all those numbers go and that gets back to the point, you need to be looking at your finances with somebody qualified to walk you through and tell you the status on a very regular basis.

    From making sure that you're sitting down with your accountant regularly, reviewing these things, managing your expenses, the value-based pricing, which I think for most agencies need to do is probably a great way to increase the amount of money that you make for the amount of time that your team has to invest and the number of costs that you get.

    There you have it, folks! I hope you’re getting so much value from this episode. And, if you’re looking for more checkout our Agency Profitability Tool Kit, and find awesome resources such as downloadable spreadsheet templates, KPI cheat sheets, benchmarks, and other awesome stuff you need in running a profitable agency.

    And, we have Parakeeto, our software product which helps you keep track of all of your most important metrics in real-time without changing your software and processes. Things like bill rates, utilization, profitability capacity across your whole business, and even let you run simulations to help you gauge and understand business decisions before making them. All you have to do is request an early process to start earning more profits!


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Wed, 19 Feb 2020 07:00:01 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas, Chris Hervochon) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ About Chris Hervocohon:

    Chris Hervochon is often referred to as the Michael Jordan of accounting. A graduate from Elon University with a degree in Accounting and minor in Finance. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in South Carolina and Pennsylvania, and also holds the Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA) certification. A Certified QuickBooks Online ProAdvisor, and have earned the Data Analytics Executive Certificate from the AICPA.

    In 2018, he was one of only 41 CPAs honored by the AICPA as a member of the Leadership Academy’s tenth graduating class. In 2019, I was named as one of CPA Practice Advisor's "40 Under 40" in the accounting profession.

    He started his firm called Better Way CPA, where he helps creative, digital marketing agencies, and service-based businesses with intelligent, actionable accounting.

    Follow Chris Online:

    Resources:

    Timestamps:

    Intro 0:00

    Who is Chris 01:00

    How Chris Started in the Service Business Industry 2:20

    What Makes Accounting Service Businesses Unique 4:48

    Why is it Important for Agencies to Have a Clean Accounting Data 8:58

    Common Mistakes Agencies Commit in Terms of Accounting 10:04

    Why Service Businesses Must Use Accrual Basis 13:53

    Revenue Recognition for Accrual Accounting 17:25

    Benefits of Cloud-Based Accounting 19:48

    Cash Reserves for Agency’s Survival 22:30

    The Right Corporate Entity for Your Business 28:10

    Biggest Problem for Service Agencies’ Chart of Accounts 30:35

    Freelancers Vs. Full-Time Employees 35:00

    Allocating Your Salaries 39:48

    Gross Profit Vs. Net Profit 41:50

    Maximizing Profit: Pricing and Operating Perspective 45:50

    Outro 50:00

     

    Often, we base an agency’s success on its profitability. However, we tend to forget the financial aspect of things. And, why agencies need to understand the importance of accounting. And so there's just so many things that I want to talk to you about. And, I want you to ask yourselves why you chose to run or work on a service business.

    And according to Chris Hervechon:

    “Marketing agencies are a lot like accounting firms. How they operate. It’s a different service. Sure, it’s more creative, generally speaking. But they’re both service-based businesses.”

    What Makes Accounting for Service Businesses Unique

    According to Chris Hervochon, there’s a lot of agency owners that do not realize that running a service business when it comes to accounting, which is very different than almost every other service business.

    And, its main difference happens above the margin. So your margin is your gross revenue minus all the variable costs that go into generating that gross revenue.

    If you think about a retail store that tends to have lower margins, your gross revenue is gonna be all the stuff that you sell. Let’s say you sold a television for $850, then that’s already your gross revenue. If it cost you $500 to buy the television, including taxes and licenses, then your gross profit is $350.

    On the other hand, service-based businesses tend to have higher margins. There is not much variable cost going into generating the revenue. It is solely based on human capital, on the amount of effort agency owners and their employees put into to generate profits.

    Why is it Important for Agencies to Have a Clean Accounting Data?

    The entire purpose of accounting is so that you can ask questions about your business and get accurate and reliable answers.

    According to Chris, you must ask yourselves these questions while also knowing how to answer them to see whether your business/es are properly tracked and documented:

    • Is this project profitable?
    • Is this service profitable?
    • Is this niche profitable?
    • What are the fixed expenses?
    • Where can I cut costs to be more profitable?
    • What's too expensive?
    • What's not expensive enough?
    • Am I spending enough or too much on my marketing?

    Through these questions, you will be able to know your agency’s trajectory and what to expect.

    Common Mistakes Agencies Commit in Terms of Accounting

    You will be surprised at how agencies commit the same mistakes.

    Let's start with how often you sit down with your accountant. Agency owners are usually the creative type who is good at marketing and promotion. However, it is important that you, as an agency owner know to hire someone who has proven knowledge in accounting.

    Not having organized and systematic documentation of your expenses and revenue. Make sure that you keep track of the inflows and outflows of your money.

    They did not start using the accrual basis. From an accrual accounting perspective. I've got somebody who comes and goes. My clients come every week on a Monday, we hope, but they come every week nonetheless. That's a real base accounting. It's matching the activity with the expense of the revenue when it happened.

    Why Service Businesses Must Use Accrual Basis

    Looking at things on an accrual basis is certainly a change for a lot of people, especially small businesses. But it's something that you need to do. Because there's no way to forecast cash accurately. And, it will answer the questions:

    • How is my business doing?
    • How is it looking for next month?

    In a service-based business, accrual accounting is important because it's reflective of the business model. It's reflective of the way that value is earned and value is actually accrued over time. So if you run a service-based business, you should be doing your books and you're counting on an accrual basis so that you can get accurate insights into your business.

    Accrual-based accounting is more time-intensive. It does require more expertise and so to do it is more expensive. But there is a line where the business is big enough.

    Revenue Recognition for Accrual Accounting

    Chris said that before anyone starts with what accounting method they’re going to use, you must start with what your contract stipulates. If the contract says that it's going to be based on specific deliverables, then you base your revenue recognition on those specific deliverables.

    If the contract says it's gonna be there's one deliverable and you're doing it over some time. If it were me, I would allocate it based on the amount of time it's been spent on that particular project. But, to get down to the real nitty-gritty. Look at the contract for the contract is going to dictate it and then go to some sort of another allocation method.

    Benefits of Cloud-Based Accounting

    Chris states that as an agency owner, you need actual accounting software, you need applications that play well with that software, and most importantly your accounting software should be cloud-based instead not desktop based.

    The reason being is if you have an accountant who's halfway across the country, you could be looking at the same numbers in real-time while doing the same thing

    And, what you can effectively do with cloud-based accounting systems is offload the security to somebody who's probably a lot better at it than you are. You must protect your business information and there has been a lot of hackers targeting these hosted type platforms like QuickBooks.

    The third thing is that cloud-based accounting systems make it easier to plug-in other applications. Whether it’s a bill pay system or an expense tracking system or maybe it's just other marketing data that you can then combine with your financial data to make it leverage data.

    Non-financial data equals leverage data. When you can combine these two things, you can get greater insights out of it. That's near and dear to your heart as well.

    Cash Reserves for Agency’s Survival

    Chris Hervochon recommends that agencies must set aside between two to six months’ worth of fixed expenses before investing in a new venture or offering new services. Fixed expenses are expenses that are going to exist in the business, whether or not you generate revenue for the whole month.

    Earlier we talked about margins, on how they’re a variable. Your revenue variable is the uncertainty of earning revenue for tomorrow. And the expenses to generate that revenue which are expenses that bring down to a margin. Because if you don't have the revenue, you're not going to have those expenses. So fixed expenses are all that inevitable expenses that come along with the operation of your business.

    Biggest Problem for Service Agencies’ Chart of Accounts

    The chard of accounts is the foundation on which the insights that you get from your accounting data is built, or from which you get to the insights that you want to build. This is something that a lot of people don't think about a whole lot when they're setting up books for the first time or if they're hiring an accountant that doesn't know a lot about service businesses.

    Chris mentioned to try and answer the questions that they want to answer, they've got to sift through a ton of data and do a bunch of math. So when it comes to setting up your chart of accounts as a service business where some of the best practices we want to make sure we're keeping an eye on the inflows and outflows of our businesses.

    The biggest problem Chris generally sees is what we would refer to as a sprawling chart of accounts where you've got a separate account. When we say account, what we need is a bucket, a bucket where you would put activity. So in other words, it goes in a rent bucket and where a rent account and the chart of accounts is the total listing of all of the accounts that you have for your business.

    That said, the biggest mistake is a sprawling chart of accounts where you've got one account for every little transaction. So if you have accounts that you know, on a very regular basis have one transaction per month or one transaction per year, you've got way too many accounts.

    Charter accounts make it very difficult to manage. It makes it very difficult to do the accounting because now you're splitting hairs on how you're going to classify this transaction of that transaction.

    The two biggest things, according to Chris Hervochon are:

    • You've got to be able to get to a good margin. And we talked about that a little bit earlier. The gross profit margin is everything variable. Revenue is variable, Revenue is variable and all the expenses that need to achieve that gross margin.
    • You’ve got to break out your salaries and wages.
    • And, make sure that your chart of accounts isn't enormous because it is going to be impossible to manage.

    Freelancers Vs. Full-Time Employees

    Freelancers, generally speaking, are going to go above the line because you're only going to bring them on for certain projects, certain clients, certain services, whatever it is. They're 100% variable because you've already generated some sort of revenue or you think that you're going to generate revenue because you have a signed contract. So there should be some sort of a contract labor line in your chart of accounts to get you to that gross profit number.

    Chris said that a lot of people are tied up with the idea of the relationship or the contractual relationship they have with an individual as it relates to “Are they an employee? Or are they a contractor?”

    There are four components that you must ask yourself to determine if they’re an employee or a contractor:

    • Are they fixed or are they variable?
    • Are they contractors or are they employees?
    • Are you controlling when and where they do the work?
    • Are you providing them with tools or software?

    This is an important point that you're making about the relationship that that person has with variability. If you have a person that isn't technically an employee of the company, but you pay them $2000 a month which is going to be more of a fixed cost.

    And, this is how you classify people between contractors and employees. If you control how, when and why they do their work and you provide training and you provide the equipment and the software and all of that stuff, they’re an employee. If they can do the work unsupervised, they're going to provide you a deliverable. You're not controlling where they work or when they work. Then they're a contractor.

    Most businesses want more contractors because contractors are cheaper. And the reason that they're cheaper is that you don't have to pay benefits. You don't have to pay employee-employer taxes. You've got to be careful because that's a really good way to get yourself in trouble.

    Allocating Your Salaries

    According to Chris, time tracking will help you accurately allocate salaries within your agency. You can either ask your freelancer or contractors to either track time or give an estimate on how much time they need to complete the project or how much will that certain project costs, whichever works.

    There's no data-based way to go and allocate it aside from using a time tracker. At the end of the day, it's cost accounting and then you could allocate anything based on any model that you come up with. But if it's gonna be a data-driven approach, if it's gonna be based on reality.

    Chris mentioned that you’ve got to make sure that when you're allocating those expenses that you're allocating the fully loaded expenses which include salaries, benefits, and taxes. The full cost of having that employee is what you want to allocate. You can't just allocate the salary.

    Gross Profit Vs. Net Profit

    It's important to define what is gross profit and what is net profit because I think a lot of agencies now are starting to look at gross profits on projects I think is a good thing. But then a lot of them are not clear on what that means and what should and shouldn't be factored into that.

    So gross profit is gross revenue while net profit is gross revenue minus all of the variable costs that go into generating that revenue to revenue or so expenses that you would not generate otherwise if it were not for generating that revenue.

    Maximizing Profit: Pricing and Operating Perspective

    Agencies should be pricing not based on the time that they spend, they should be pricing based on the value that they deliver. And that's different for the different forms of agencies.

    Chris mentioned a really good example is a digital direct marketing agency that is running ads. “You should be charging higher if your ads are more effective than the next agency down the street. You should be pricing based on the value that you deliver and you should not need to be measurable.”

    As an example, while not all 20 of those industries are going to be profitable and you can't take the products or the service that you delivered for “Industry 1” and then apply that to “Industry 10.” Every age or every industry is different. You need to know about the business.

    And being diligent and paying close attention to the expenses in your business because they can get out of control quickly, especially in a software-heavy society that we have now. By being vigilant about where all those numbers go and that gets back to the point, you need to be looking at your finances with somebody qualified to walk you through and tell you the status on a very regular basis.

    From making sure that you're sitting down with your accountant regularly, reviewing these things, managing your expenses, the value-based pricing, which I think for most agencies need to do is probably a great way to increase the amount of money that you make for the amount of time that your team has to invest and the number of costs that you get.

    There you have it, folks! I hope you’re getting so much value from this episode. And, if you’re looking for more checkout our Agency Profitability Tool Kit, and find awesome resources such as downloadable spreadsheet templates, KPI cheat sheets, benchmarks, and other awesome stuff you need in running a profitable agency.

    And, we have Parakeeto, our software product which helps you keep track of all of your most important metrics in real-time without changing your software and processes. Things like bill rates, utilization, profitability capacity across your whole business, and even let you run simulations to help you gauge and understand business decisions before making them. All you have to do is request an early process to start earning more profits!


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Agency Accounting 101 with Chris Hervochon - Episode 27 Marcel Petitpas, Chris Hervochon 00:49:58 In this episode, Chris Hervochon from Better Way CPA shares his expertise and passion for running a service-based business and how to make it successful with having clean and accurate accounting records. This episode also tackles why agencies need to hire accounting experts and use accounting software to keep track of the inflows and outflows in their company. In this episode, Chris Hervochon from Better Way CPA shares his expertise and passion for running a service-based business and how to make it successful with having clean and accurate accounting records. This episode also tackles why agencies need to hire accounting experts and use accounting software to keep track of the inflows and outflows in their company. agency profit, profit, cloud-based accounting, accounting, salary allocation, service-based businesses, accounting data, cash, agency, cash reserves, profitability false full 27     1224b79f-265b-48a0-9608-ac4286ac7420 Scaling Hawke Media to 20 million + in under 6 years with Erik Huberman- Episode 26 About Erik: 

    Erik Huberman is the Founder & CEO of Hawke Media, a full-service Outsourced CMO based in Santa Monica, CA that launched in 2014 and has been valued at $80 million. In just 5 years, Hawke Media has grown from 7 to over 120 employees and has serviced 400+ brands including Raden, BeautyCon, The Ridge Wallet, Buscemi, Red Bull, Evite, Verizon Wireless, HP. 

    Want to See More of Erik? Follow him Online:

    Time Stamps:

    Useful insights and questions from this episode:

    Introduction 0:00

    Who is Erik Huberman?     2:12

    Starting Hawke Media     3:01

    Challenges in Growing an Agency    4:17

    How Important is Understanding the 

    Cash Flow of Your Agency    8:05

    Figuring Out Your Business Goals     10:43

    How to Increase the Value of Your Agency     12:23

    How to Know the Right Time to 

    Offer More Services to Your Clients     16:38

    Process of Adding New Services to the Agency     18:06

    How to Manage Employee’s Capacity     19:24

    Ensuring Your Team’s Well-Being     21:27

    Different Tools and Systems to Ensure 

    the Performance of Your Business     23:02

    Convenient Automated Profitability Software     24:29

    What are the Important Core Metrics in an Agency     26:12

    Advice to Start-Up Agency Owners     28:14

    Blog: 

    Hawke Media is one of the Top 20 Most Promising Digital Marketing Solution Providers in 2017 and was named at the Top Inc 5,000 fastest growing companies in 2017 as well. Hawke Media has worked with over 400+ brands including Evite, Red Bull, Verizon, HP. 

    Today, Hawke Media continuously provides exceptional marketing services to the business owner along with their team of top tier experts that helps the different aspects of a business.

    Erik began consulting and advising and it was organic when he started an agency. He first sought out help, hired people, until it grew into an agency with over 170 people and is continuously growing up to this day. Understanding a niche that is completely under-served and needed help drove Erik into building the agency that is now Hawke Media.

    Despite being offered to sell the company quite a few times, Erik liked the idea of continuing. He loves the idea of working with different companies, helping entrepreneurs, and most importantly he is truly passionate about what he does. 

    What are the Challenges in Growing an Agency? 

    It’s not always smooth sailing when it comes to running an agency. And, according to Erik, here are the challenges he faced while growing his company:

    • People are volatile and emotional. People have different personalities, wants, goals, and needs. 
    • Even though their payroll is similar to their monthly revenue five years ago, there are times where they get thin on cash wherein it took a while to catch up with the revenue to make money for the team.

    He also shared a challenging experience when they had a $400,000 payroll and $800,000 for a month while having only $13,000 in the bank. Entrepreneurs also said that it could happen again so he better get ready for his business. 

    “That is very rare that you when you're growing a business like this and you don't have a ton of outside funding and you're not publicly traded, you’ll have so much cash that you're never gonna get thin.”

    Erik added, “Don't just let your money sit on the bank, invest it.”

    How Important is Understanding the Cash Flow of Your Agency

    The very first model Erik used to start his business was paying the flat base salary then giving 30% of what they get paid by the clients.

    On the next batch of talented individuals he hired, Erik said that they followed the same payroll model of which they give 30% of what they made in addition to their agreed flat rate. Erik found out that his employees are reactive. 

    Erik added that they also looked at their amount of expenses on their first year to see how much they spent on overhead, advertisements, payroll, etc. He had a profit of 40% in the first year and from then, he knew it wasn’t sustainable. And, from the data which they have gathered, Erik and his team decided to change their business model, and see which works best for them.

    Figuring Our Your Business Goals

    The team experienced hitting their benchmark early so they had to find ways to maintain it. Erik's original plan was to get into 10 million in revenue. He didn't have a grandiose plan and now he has a multinational, multi-billion-dollar company plan.

    According to Erik, “I had a very clear path to 10 million, very clear what was going to take. In my head. We're going to do it. It's going to take four years. And that's what happened. And then two years, almost two years ago, we hit it.”

    It is really important to be objective, innovative, and realistic when you’re still figuring out your goals for your business. It’s not enough to conceptualize, and you have to actually put your time and effort into it. 

    How to Increase the Value of Your Agency

    Luckily, Erik is married to a person who is in private equity. His partner gives him constructive advice on how he can make his business more profitable.  Now, here are the ways on how to increase the value of your agency according to Erik Huberman:

    1. Long Term Contracts

    Long term contracts value consistency and reliability. And, it is a must that the moment you sign an agreement you are fully aware of what you’re getting yourself into. Make sure that you create appealing contracts for your stakeholders which you both can benefit from. 

    Having long term contracts with your clients not only guarantees profits but it is also a gateway to meeting and attracting more clients and investors. 

    2. Client Concentration

    It is important that you have multiple revenue sources, meaning you have a good amount of investors who are taking a chance on your product or you have multiple businesses where you earn profits from. And, as the saying goes, “Do not put all the eggs in one basket.”’”

    3. Recurring Revenue

    Recurring revenue shows how much investors or consumers are sticking around your business model and of course, the business’s capacity to be profitable.

    4. Profitability and Gross Margin

    These are both massive and important. These factors, play-in with profitability too. Everybody knows that if you run an agency and you own the whole entity. 

    There are a lot of expenses that aren't necessarily needed but somehow, they are essential to keep your agency up and running. Erik also stated that profitability and growth rate are the kind of equation that you need to see and carefully analyze. Erik said that in order to consider a business profitable, it needs to have at least a 40% increase in profit. 

    How to Know the Right Time to Offer More Services to Your Clients

    The person running an agency needs to understand how to build a brand in their business. Thus, he or she must also understand what his or her client needs.

    1. Know the Clients Needs

    The reason why Hawke Media is on top of their game because they truly understand what their clients need. However, before they venture into new services and offerings, they carefully analyze the risk of the said venture while making sure that their level of profitability is at least at a 40% margin. 

    And of course, they also need to know how much or how little they’re going to charge in their new services to make sure that it will be profitable. 

    2. Take Risks

    "We'll take some risk." Says Erik. "It doesn't have to be perfect at the beginning of the scale. It is what you have to get better at to achieve perfection on those margins. And that's how we build it out. So it's finding that expert that we can build a team around finding someone that's amazing in that field."

    As an agency owner. You must know when and how to take risks. And, make sure that you are doing it the “smarter” way. Hiring and finding the right people is very essential, but never forget to learn, teach, and adapt to new trends and techniques that are essential to improve your business and profitability. This way your employees will be more efficient.

    How to Manage Employee’s Capacity 

    Now, Erik's team has four full-time recruiters so they always have people on deck. They're constantly interviewing and ready to hire whether they have to replace people or bring in people as quickly as possible. They also have a full-training onboarding system that they've built so people can ramp up pretty quickly.

    According to Erik, it is important to establish your team’s and the individual’s strength and weaknesses. Through this process, you will be able to determine:

    • Who you are going to hire?
    • When do you need to hire?
    • When do you need to train them?
    • Who can take-up more tasks/roles?

    Ensuring Your Team's Well-Being 

    One of the things that we agree on is making sure you are not burning your team. Erik ensures that his agency is a fun place to work.

    "People feel very at home here, which is super fun and that’s what we want. I think that's part of the culture.”

    "If we want this to be a place people want to work and we want this to be a place that my partner calls it as “people want to be from” where it's like if Hawke Media is on a rabid resumé, you're known as a badass and that's something we felt we get." He added.

    Different Tools and Systems to Ensure the Performance of Your Business

    Erik uses real-time reporting on all his business matters. They built their own ERP system that pulls everything from their CRM to their project management, to their timesheets. They don't charge for the time but they track time allocation on QuickBooks to their client data where they can log in. These will consistently create processes around the time when they are not retaining clients and clients who are performing well.

    Convenient Automated Profitability Software 

    Everyone who owns an agency knows that it is difficult to keep track of their agency’s profitability, growth, risks, losses, and even productivity. Granted that some of our data are spread out on different tools, files, and platforms, and it’s almost impossible to keep track. This is why I started Parakeeto, to makes transactions within agencies in just one place. 

    What are the Important Core Metrics in an Agency

    The important core metrics are sales and marketing. Even lead generation. On the services side, it's retaining clients, it's upselling their growth that they are getting as well as what they are returning. Erik keeps it simple as possible within his five departments:

    • Sales - New monthly recurrent business.
    • Marketing - New leads.
    • Accounting and Finance - Keeping track of growth and profitability.
    • H.R. - Employee retention and sentiment.

    Erik said that his job is to visualize and predict the things that the company is lacking which hinders it from being profitable and whether they’re leaders of innovation of not.

    The second part is promotional. Speaking, doing podcasts, trying to keep the brand out there and keeping it top of mind. And third is expansion. 

    Advice to Start-Up Agency Owners 

    Erik's advance is pretty simple when it comes to start-up agency owners.

    "Either find that person, be that person or partner with that person, basically."

    Pretty straight-forward. But, if you’re planning to start an agency or expand your agency you must be genuinely passionate about it, make sure to hire the right people for the job and treat them the way you would want to be treated. 

    And, always remember to take risks wisely!


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Wed, 5 Feb 2020 07:00:16 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas, Erik Huberman) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ About Erik: 

    Erik Huberman is the Founder & CEO of Hawke Media, a full-service Outsourced CMO based in Santa Monica, CA that launched in 2014 and has been valued at $80 million. In just 5 years, Hawke Media has grown from 7 to over 120 employees and has serviced 400+ brands including Raden, BeautyCon, The Ridge Wallet, Buscemi, Red Bull, Evite, Verizon Wireless, HP. 

    Want to See More of Erik? Follow him Online:

    Time Stamps:

    Useful insights and questions from this episode:

    Introduction 0:00

    Who is Erik Huberman?     2:12

    Starting Hawke Media     3:01

    Challenges in Growing an Agency    4:17

    How Important is Understanding the 

    Cash Flow of Your Agency    8:05

    Figuring Out Your Business Goals     10:43

    How to Increase the Value of Your Agency     12:23

    How to Know the Right Time to 

    Offer More Services to Your Clients     16:38

    Process of Adding New Services to the Agency     18:06

    How to Manage Employee’s Capacity     19:24

    Ensuring Your Team’s Well-Being     21:27

    Different Tools and Systems to Ensure 

    the Performance of Your Business     23:02

    Convenient Automated Profitability Software     24:29

    What are the Important Core Metrics in an Agency     26:12

    Advice to Start-Up Agency Owners     28:14

    Blog: 

    Hawke Media is one of the Top 20 Most Promising Digital Marketing Solution Providers in 2017 and was named at the Top Inc 5,000 fastest growing companies in 2017 as well. Hawke Media has worked with over 400+ brands including Evite, Red Bull, Verizon, HP. 

    Today, Hawke Media continuously provides exceptional marketing services to the business owner along with their team of top tier experts that helps the different aspects of a business.

    Erik began consulting and advising and it was organic when he started an agency. He first sought out help, hired people, until it grew into an agency with over 170 people and is continuously growing up to this day. Understanding a niche that is completely under-served and needed help drove Erik into building the agency that is now Hawke Media.

    Despite being offered to sell the company quite a few times, Erik liked the idea of continuing. He loves the idea of working with different companies, helping entrepreneurs, and most importantly he is truly passionate about what he does. 

    What are the Challenges in Growing an Agency? 

    It’s not always smooth sailing when it comes to running an agency. And, according to Erik, here are the challenges he faced while growing his company:

    • People are volatile and emotional. People have different personalities, wants, goals, and needs. 
    • Even though their payroll is similar to their monthly revenue five years ago, there are times where they get thin on cash wherein it took a while to catch up with the revenue to make money for the team.

    He also shared a challenging experience when they had a $400,000 payroll and $800,000 for a month while having only $13,000 in the bank. Entrepreneurs also said that it could happen again so he better get ready for his business. 

    “That is very rare that you when you're growing a business like this and you don't have a ton of outside funding and you're not publicly traded, you’ll have so much cash that you're never gonna get thin.”

    Erik added, “Don't just let your money sit on the bank, invest it.”

    How Important is Understanding the Cash Flow of Your Agency

    The very first model Erik used to start his business was paying the flat base salary then giving 30% of what they get paid by the clients.

    On the next batch of talented individuals he hired, Erik said that they followed the same payroll model of which they give 30% of what they made in addition to their agreed flat rate. Erik found out that his employees are reactive. 

    Erik added that they also looked at their amount of expenses on their first year to see how much they spent on overhead, advertisements, payroll, etc. He had a profit of 40% in the first year and from then, he knew it wasn’t sustainable. And, from the data which they have gathered, Erik and his team decided to change their business model, and see which works best for them.

    Figuring Our Your Business Goals

    The team experienced hitting their benchmark early so they had to find ways to maintain it. Erik's original plan was to get into 10 million in revenue. He didn't have a grandiose plan and now he has a multinational, multi-billion-dollar company plan.

    According to Erik, “I had a very clear path to 10 million, very clear what was going to take. In my head. We're going to do it. It's going to take four years. And that's what happened. And then two years, almost two years ago, we hit it.”

    It is really important to be objective, innovative, and realistic when you’re still figuring out your goals for your business. It’s not enough to conceptualize, and you have to actually put your time and effort into it. 

    How to Increase the Value of Your Agency

    Luckily, Erik is married to a person who is in private equity. His partner gives him constructive advice on how he can make his business more profitable.  Now, here are the ways on how to increase the value of your agency according to Erik Huberman:

    1. Long Term Contracts

    Long term contracts value consistency and reliability. And, it is a must that the moment you sign an agreement you are fully aware of what you’re getting yourself into. Make sure that you create appealing contracts for your stakeholders which you both can benefit from. 

    Having long term contracts with your clients not only guarantees profits but it is also a gateway to meeting and attracting more clients and investors. 

    2. Client Concentration

    It is important that you have multiple revenue sources, meaning you have a good amount of investors who are taking a chance on your product or you have multiple businesses where you earn profits from. And, as the saying goes, “Do not put all the eggs in one basket.”’”

    3. Recurring Revenue

    Recurring revenue shows how much investors or consumers are sticking around your business model and of course, the business’s capacity to be profitable.

    4. Profitability and Gross Margin

    These are both massive and important. These factors, play-in with profitability too. Everybody knows that if you run an agency and you own the whole entity. 

    There are a lot of expenses that aren't necessarily needed but somehow, they are essential to keep your agency up and running. Erik also stated that profitability and growth rate are the kind of equation that you need to see and carefully analyze. Erik said that in order to consider a business profitable, it needs to have at least a 40% increase in profit. 

    How to Know the Right Time to Offer More Services to Your Clients

    The person running an agency needs to understand how to build a brand in their business. Thus, he or she must also understand what his or her client needs.

    1. Know the Clients Needs

    The reason why Hawke Media is on top of their game because they truly understand what their clients need. However, before they venture into new services and offerings, they carefully analyze the risk of the said venture while making sure that their level of profitability is at least at a 40% margin. 

    And of course, they also need to know how much or how little they’re going to charge in their new services to make sure that it will be profitable. 

    2. Take Risks

    "We'll take some risk." Says Erik. "It doesn't have to be perfect at the beginning of the scale. It is what you have to get better at to achieve perfection on those margins. And that's how we build it out. So it's finding that expert that we can build a team around finding someone that's amazing in that field."

    As an agency owner. You must know when and how to take risks. And, make sure that you are doing it the “smarter” way. Hiring and finding the right people is very essential, but never forget to learn, teach, and adapt to new trends and techniques that are essential to improve your business and profitability. This way your employees will be more efficient.

    How to Manage Employee’s Capacity 

    Now, Erik's team has four full-time recruiters so they always have people on deck. They're constantly interviewing and ready to hire whether they have to replace people or bring in people as quickly as possible. They also have a full-training onboarding system that they've built so people can ramp up pretty quickly.

    According to Erik, it is important to establish your team’s and the individual’s strength and weaknesses. Through this process, you will be able to determine:

    • Who you are going to hire?
    • When do you need to hire?
    • When do you need to train them?
    • Who can take-up more tasks/roles?

    Ensuring Your Team's Well-Being 

    One of the things that we agree on is making sure you are not burning your team. Erik ensures that his agency is a fun place to work.

    "People feel very at home here, which is super fun and that’s what we want. I think that's part of the culture.”

    "If we want this to be a place people want to work and we want this to be a place that my partner calls it as “people want to be from” where it's like if Hawke Media is on a rabid resumé, you're known as a badass and that's something we felt we get." He added.

    Different Tools and Systems to Ensure the Performance of Your Business

    Erik uses real-time reporting on all his business matters. They built their own ERP system that pulls everything from their CRM to their project management, to their timesheets. They don't charge for the time but they track time allocation on QuickBooks to their client data where they can log in. These will consistently create processes around the time when they are not retaining clients and clients who are performing well.

    Convenient Automated Profitability Software 

    Everyone who owns an agency knows that it is difficult to keep track of their agency’s profitability, growth, risks, losses, and even productivity. Granted that some of our data are spread out on different tools, files, and platforms, and it’s almost impossible to keep track. This is why I started Parakeeto, to makes transactions within agencies in just one place. 

    What are the Important Core Metrics in an Agency

    The important core metrics are sales and marketing. Even lead generation. On the services side, it's retaining clients, it's upselling their growth that they are getting as well as what they are returning. Erik keeps it simple as possible within his five departments:

    • Sales - New monthly recurrent business.
    • Marketing - New leads.
    • Accounting and Finance - Keeping track of growth and profitability.
    • H.R. - Employee retention and sentiment.

    Erik said that his job is to visualize and predict the things that the company is lacking which hinders it from being profitable and whether they’re leaders of innovation of not.

    The second part is promotional. Speaking, doing podcasts, trying to keep the brand out there and keeping it top of mind. And third is expansion. 

    Advice to Start-Up Agency Owners 

    Erik's advance is pretty simple when it comes to start-up agency owners.

    "Either find that person, be that person or partner with that person, basically."

    Pretty straight-forward. But, if you’re planning to start an agency or expand your agency you must be genuinely passionate about it, make sure to hire the right people for the job and treat them the way you would want to be treated. 

    And, always remember to take risks wisely!


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Scaling Hawke Media to 20 million + in under 6 years with Erik Huberman- Episode 26 Marcel Petitpas, Erik Huberman 00:29:38 In this episode of The Agency Profit Podcast, we're joined by the CEO of Hawke Media, Erik Huberman. Discover how Erik built one the fastest growing marketing company in the world that has reached a valuation of $80 million in under 6 years. We break down the challenges he's faced growing so quickly, increasing your agency's value, understanding profit, gross margin and more. In this episode of The Agency Profit Podcast, we're joined by the CEO of Hawke Media, Erik Huberman. Discover how Erik built one the fastest growing marketing company in the world that has reached a valuation of $80 million in under 6 years. We break down the challenges he's faced growing so quickly, increasing your agency's value, understanding profit, gross margin and more. profit, business, growth, agency, digital agency growth, profitability, scaling false full 26     abb0a965-5469-4e4e-af5c-b0584415ed28 Building a World-Class Culture in Your Agency with Clodagh Higgins - Episode 25 About This Episode: 

    In this episode, Clodagh Higgins, a digital agency director, consultant, coach, and the author of A Happy & Healthy Digital Agency joined us to share her knowledge and experience as an ex-Hubspotter who has worked with 500+ agencies around the world. We get into why agencies must build and scale company culture, useful tips and techniques to hiring the right people, and how to retain talented employees in the long run.

    About Clodagh: 

    Clodagh S.Higgins is a Digital Agency Director, Consultant & Coach with the Growit Group based in Ireland and works globally. An ex-HubSpotter, she has worked with over 500+ agencies around the world, helping them in the areas of sales, marketing, services, scaling and growth in their businesses so that they can deliver exceptional results for their clients.

    From working in Hubspot, she is now an agency coach and Consultant that has owned her own digital agency for 8+ years in Sydney & Dublin. She is also the author of A Happy & Healthy Digital Agency and hosts a weekly podcast, interviewing agency owners about the highs and lows of running a professional services business, Agency Life.

    Clodagh believes that agency owners can have a profitable business of their dreams, with an expert team that is happy, while getting great results for their clients.

    When Clodagh is not helping agencies you will find her training for Powerlifting competitions and she has a World Record in Strict Curl and a National Record in Bench Press. She lives in the West of Ireland in her retreat in progress called Isleen Cottage. 

    Want to See More of Clodagh? Follow her Online:

    Resources:

    • Traction by Geno Wickman
    • Agency Life Podcast
    • Agency Life YouTube Channel
    • A Happy & Healthy Digital Agency by Clodagh Higgins 

    Time Stamps:

    You can now repeat or jump to parts with ease!

    1. Introduction    1:09
    2. Who is Clodagh Higgins?    2:55
    3. Challenges Agencies Face  6:24
    4. Building and Scaling Company Culture   10:22
    5. How to Attract High-Quality Talent    16:21
    6. Hiring the Right Talent   21:31
    7. Interview Techniques and Strategy   22:26
    8. Onboarding New Employees the Right Way   28:17
    9. How to Retain a Talent in the Long Run   32:51
    10. Giving Up Control, Empowering Leaders, and Building Trust Inside Your Team    41:16
    11. Conclusion/Outro    45:07

    Blog: 

    Running a profitable agency is no easy task. There are no shortage of challenges when it comes to managing projects, maintaining profitability, getting results for clients, closing deals and managing clients. 

    But one challenge shared by all agencies is the complexity of managing their team. As my friend Rob likes to say “The best part about our businesses is that they’re made up of people. The worst part about our businesses, is that they’re made up of people” 

     

    Why? Because people are unpredictable. Each person has their needs, wants, and capabilities. Let’s dive in and learn about the biggest challenges agencies face. How to scale company culture, how to hire, empower and retain employees in the long run. 

    Entrepreneur’s Mindset vs. Their Employees’

    Now, I’m not going to take sides or tell you that the other one’s better than the other. The truth is, entrepreneurs and their talents have a different way of thinking. This causes struggles for the agency. 

    Entrepreneurs are risk-takers. They work day in and day out, they’re usually not concerned with having a future nor structure. When entrepreneurs see that their idea isn’t working for their favor or they lose interest in a project, they often ditch the project and move on to the next one.

    The same cannot be said about employees. They often want to know details about their job. From their job description, company culture, and compensation. With that being said, employees prefer to have a structure. Why? It reassures their stability, they want to know whether they can take vacations or work from home. Employees want to start a project, work on it, and finish it. 

    Entrepreneurs need employees to have a successful business. While employees do not need entrepreneurs since they can go get a job at the bank.

    According to Clodagh, when an employee decides to work for you they’re eager to learn more about you and your company. They believe in your vision and mission. And they find your company’s dynamic exciting because it's different. Without a proper business structure, policies, or training, you’ll run into scaling and retention problems over time.

    This is why it’s best to communicate both you and your employees’ needs, ideas, and expectations. To be able to move forward, collaborate, and work on your common goals. 

    How to Avoid Idea Fatigue

    Idea fatigue? Is that even a thing? Well, yes. I’m looking at you, Mr./Mrs. CEO! As entrepreneurs we’re often ready to move on to the next big idea before the last one has been fully implemented. Often, our team has a lot more trouble reconciling enthusiasm for new ideas against the need to tie up loose ends and complete the last big initiative we put on their plate.

    Avoiding this scenario can be easy, and if you’re suffering from it, act on it, ASAP! First, talk to your employees about the changes which you want to implement in your business. If you have new ideas and want to start new projects, collaborate with your employees to figure out what to prioritize and keep expectations clear and simple. they'll be more than happy to help to make sure what’s truly important gets done, and more importantly; gets completed.

    This will not only help your company’s profitability. But it will be a great foundation to build a good relationship with your employees as they can feel a sense of accomplishment in being a part of successful initiatives that drive the business forward.

    How to Build a Strong Company Culture

    Company culture starts with the agency’s owner. Clodagh advises business owners to grab and read the book written by Geno Wickman called Traction. The book will help you implement the fundamental systems in your business to build high performing teams and retain great talent.

    1. Determine your core values

    Clodagh says the foundation of your culture is the values to set within the company. Values act as both guiding principles for the trajectory of your company, as well as a filter for the employees and clients that come along for the ride.

    Clodagh recommends going through an exercise to determine your company values and to make them a central part of your hiring process to ensure the right people “get on the bus.”

    2. Organize your company’s culture committee

    Organizing a small culture committee in your company will be a great start to not only make your team feel valued and welcomed. This will also help them to push their limits and be better team members. 

    From knowing all your employees’ birthdays, organizing the end of the month celebration, company outings, Friendsgiving, Halloween/Christmas parties, to set aside a budget to decorate the office, will make a huge difference in boosting your employees’ morale. 

    These company perks, will not only boost your employees’ morale but it's also a way for them to take responsibility. And that, they will be merited for all the good things they do for the company from hitting the sales target or helping the team produce awesome content.

    3. Do not punish your employees

    However, never punish your employees as well. Even if your team did not hit the month’s targeted sale. You should still acknowledge their hard work by ordering free lunch or snacks for everyone. As a business owner, you must always show your employees that you care and appreciate them.

    4. Send care packages to your remote team members

    Distance will never be a problem and it will be nice to send your remote team members gift cards, company merch, books/ebooks, Netflix/Hulu/HBO/Spotify/Amazon Prime subscriptions, and even give them free paid training to show them that you care. 

    5. Hire People who are Hungry To Grow

    One important interview question Clodagh highlights is about extracurriculars. What are you doing outside of work? What kind of thought leaders are you following? Figuring out if people have the initiative to grow themselves and their skills on their own time is an important factor in building a team of superstars that can grow with your business.

    How To Attract High-Quality Talents

    Now that we've got a great culture. And we're selling lots of stuff. We're making loads of money. And we've got to attract more talents. We've got to attract amazing people to come work at our agency. Which is something that I hear lots of people struggling with all the time! Here are some useful tips and strategies which you can try when hiring talents, as told by Clodagh.

    • Always have a hiring approach. Dedicate a page on your website where people can send their résumé, contact details, and portfolio. Do not let any opportunity slip when it comes to finding the right person for your company.
    • Create an “about” page on your website which includes a brief history of your company. This includes your vision, mission, reviews, and core values. It’s important to have information accessible by end-users. For them have a good grasp of what your company is. 
    • Be social. We’re living in the digital age. Maximize social media platforms to boost brand awareness. Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter are awesome platforms to market the products and services your company offers.
    • Do not rush the hiring process, it’s unfair to hire somebody at the last minute. Not to mention, you’re setting yourself and the employee up for failure. Don’t be afraid to work with talent as contractors, or run top applicants through a test project before committing for the long haul.
    • Give your employees access to training portals before their start date. It's essential to let your soon-to-be employees learn more about your company’s culture and dynamics, strategies, and tools. And, by the time you hire them, it won’t be as difficult for you, your team, and for the newly hired employee to adjust. 
    • Statistics show that 63% of newly hired employees tend to quit their job within the first 90 days. That’s why Clodagh likes to create 90 day onboarding calendars to optimize the process and make sure the experience is consistent. According to Clodagh, the first 90 days are crucial, ensuring you and the team have a clear plan on how to make that first experience successful is the key to hanging on to great hires. 

     

    How to Choose the Right Person for the Job

    Let's assume now that you've got lots of great people that are willing to be a part of your team or work with your team. And now the question is how do we figure out who is the best fit? How do we make sure that they're successful in our organization?

    Interview Techniques and Strategy

    • Check out their résumé and portfolio. Through this, you will be able to learn more about the applicant’s skill set and expertise while being able to verify them.
    • Ask the applicant to send a video of themselves explaining why they are a great fit for this job. This will give you great leverage when assessing the applicant’s creativity and personality.
    • Ask them about their goals and values. It is best to hire people with the same goals and values.
    • Listen to your gut feeling, which in most instances is a misalignment of values between the employer and applicant.
    • Ask about their hobbies, interest, which personalities do they follow, and what activities do they usually do in their free time. By asking these questions, you can determine whether this person is dedicated to their craft or not. 
    • Organize a group interview and project with your five best applicants. This allows you to see and assess their emotional intelligence and to see which of them is a team player. This is also a great way to unravel their hidden skills and see where they excel in.

    Onboarding Process

    In 2019, It’s an employee market out there. Talent that doesn’t feel excited in the first 3 months of starting a new job will almost certainly continue looking elsewhere. Planning their onboarding with your team is important. There’s nothing worse than showing up on your first day of work and feeling like the team forgot you were starting today.

    Clodagh recommends clearly communicating to everyone on your team about new hires and making sure that their workstation is set up with a care package to make that first experience a memorable one. With your 90 day onboarding plan, you’ll have meetings and activities to introduce them to the team planned weeks ahead of time, so nobody is caught off guard.

    Prepare a list of FAQs about the company and their tasks. To help her navigate the company with ease. Instruct their team leaders and set up a mentorship cadence to help them feel supported.

    Get them to create a Google document with the list of questions that they want to ask you. Which you or their team lead can answer at the end of each day. 

    These tips will help you pre-plan your employee’s onboarding process and make sure their transition to your company is successful.

    How to Retain Your Employees

    As agencies, we’re often talent creator (not consumers) and we invest a lot into growing our teams and building their skillsets. So how do you make sure that your team isn’t constantly turning over?

    • Have a meeting with your team and discuss what are your current plans/goals for your company.
    • Don’t be afraid to give them constructive criticism to make them a better employee.
    • Allow them to get promoted at least every six months if they hit goals set out on a predetermined ascension plan.
    • Ask about their needs, personal goals, and not just their professional goals.
    • Make them feel appreciated by giving them bonuses and other additional perks for outstanding work.
    • Empower them to become fierce leaders while giving them your trust and support.
    • Help them understand what they want based on their career goals. This will align incentives and career paths around those things.
    • Understand that most of the time, it is NOT all about the money.
    • Making your employees feel truly heard and valued will build loyalty for the long run.

    Giving Up Control, Empowering Leaders, and Building Trust Inside Your Team

    How do you as an agency owner, get better at giving up control and empowering leaders and building that trust inside your team?

    Clodagh recommends reading Traction and looking at the Entrepreneurial Operating System for guidance on building out a structure, meeting cadence and metrics to build a foundation for scale in your agency. 

    Having systems in place to ensure the right people are doing the right things, and metrics in place to hold them accountable to performance will give you the confidence to start letting go of responsibilities and empowering your team with them instead.

    She recommends meeting with your team once a month to implement accountability tasks to the entrepreneurial operating system and determine the right business structure and initiatives to fit your goals.

    Then, decide on what you want to do, whether you want to work and go to the office five or two days a week. Write about the assets and liabilities to understand the ins and outs of your business even if you are not as hands-on as you used to be. 

    Designate tasks in accordance to your team’s expertise. Empower and motivate leaders and top performers to push their limits.

    Now that you are armed with knowledge and techniques on how to manage and build your agency's culture. And you've learned how to nurture a long lasting relationship with your employees, you're all set to start and build your empire. 


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Wed, 22 Jan 2020 07:00:25 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Clodagh Higgins, Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ About This Episode: 

    In this episode, Clodagh Higgins, a digital agency director, consultant, coach, and the author of A Happy & Healthy Digital Agency joined us to share her knowledge and experience as an ex-Hubspotter who has worked with 500+ agencies around the world. We get into why agencies must build and scale company culture, useful tips and techniques to hiring the right people, and how to retain talented employees in the long run.

    About Clodagh: 

    Clodagh S.Higgins is a Digital Agency Director, Consultant & Coach with the Growit Group based in Ireland and works globally. An ex-HubSpotter, she has worked with over 500+ agencies around the world, helping them in the areas of sales, marketing, services, scaling and growth in their businesses so that they can deliver exceptional results for their clients.

    From working in Hubspot, she is now an agency coach and Consultant that has owned her own digital agency for 8+ years in Sydney & Dublin. She is also the author of A Happy & Healthy Digital Agency and hosts a weekly podcast, interviewing agency owners about the highs and lows of running a professional services business, Agency Life.

    Clodagh believes that agency owners can have a profitable business of their dreams, with an expert team that is happy, while getting great results for their clients.

    When Clodagh is not helping agencies you will find her training for Powerlifting competitions and she has a World Record in Strict Curl and a National Record in Bench Press. She lives in the West of Ireland in her retreat in progress called Isleen Cottage. 

    Want to See More of Clodagh? Follow her Online:

    Resources:

    • Traction by Geno Wickman
    • Agency Life Podcast
    • Agency Life YouTube Channel
    • A Happy & Healthy Digital Agency by Clodagh Higgins 

    Time Stamps:

    You can now repeat or jump to parts with ease!

    1. Introduction    1:09
    2. Who is Clodagh Higgins?    2:55
    3. Challenges Agencies Face  6:24
    4. Building and Scaling Company Culture   10:22
    5. How to Attract High-Quality Talent    16:21
    6. Hiring the Right Talent   21:31
    7. Interview Techniques and Strategy   22:26
    8. Onboarding New Employees the Right Way   28:17
    9. How to Retain a Talent in the Long Run   32:51
    10. Giving Up Control, Empowering Leaders, and Building Trust Inside Your Team    41:16
    11. Conclusion/Outro    45:07

    Blog: 

    Running a profitable agency is no easy task. There are no shortage of challenges when it comes to managing projects, maintaining profitability, getting results for clients, closing deals and managing clients. 

    But one challenge shared by all agencies is the complexity of managing their team. As my friend Rob likes to say “The best part about our businesses is that they’re made up of people. The worst part about our businesses, is that they’re made up of people” 

     

    Why? Because people are unpredictable. Each person has their needs, wants, and capabilities. Let’s dive in and learn about the biggest challenges agencies face. How to scale company culture, how to hire, empower and retain employees in the long run. 

    Entrepreneur’s Mindset vs. Their Employees’

    Now, I’m not going to take sides or tell you that the other one’s better than the other. The truth is, entrepreneurs and their talents have a different way of thinking. This causes struggles for the agency. 

    Entrepreneurs are risk-takers. They work day in and day out, they’re usually not concerned with having a future nor structure. When entrepreneurs see that their idea isn’t working for their favor or they lose interest in a project, they often ditch the project and move on to the next one.

    The same cannot be said about employees. They often want to know details about their job. From their job description, company culture, and compensation. With that being said, employees prefer to have a structure. Why? It reassures their stability, they want to know whether they can take vacations or work from home. Employees want to start a project, work on it, and finish it. 

    Entrepreneurs need employees to have a successful business. While employees do not need entrepreneurs since they can go get a job at the bank.

    According to Clodagh, when an employee decides to work for you they’re eager to learn more about you and your company. They believe in your vision and mission. And they find your company’s dynamic exciting because it's different. Without a proper business structure, policies, or training, you’ll run into scaling and retention problems over time.

    This is why it’s best to communicate both you and your employees’ needs, ideas, and expectations. To be able to move forward, collaborate, and work on your common goals. 

    How to Avoid Idea Fatigue

    Idea fatigue? Is that even a thing? Well, yes. I’m looking at you, Mr./Mrs. CEO! As entrepreneurs we’re often ready to move on to the next big idea before the last one has been fully implemented. Often, our team has a lot more trouble reconciling enthusiasm for new ideas against the need to tie up loose ends and complete the last big initiative we put on their plate.

    Avoiding this scenario can be easy, and if you’re suffering from it, act on it, ASAP! First, talk to your employees about the changes which you want to implement in your business. If you have new ideas and want to start new projects, collaborate with your employees to figure out what to prioritize and keep expectations clear and simple. they'll be more than happy to help to make sure what’s truly important gets done, and more importantly; gets completed.

    This will not only help your company’s profitability. But it will be a great foundation to build a good relationship with your employees as they can feel a sense of accomplishment in being a part of successful initiatives that drive the business forward.

    How to Build a Strong Company Culture

    Company culture starts with the agency’s owner. Clodagh advises business owners to grab and read the book written by Geno Wickman called Traction. The book will help you implement the fundamental systems in your business to build high performing teams and retain great talent.

    1. Determine your core values

    Clodagh says the foundation of your culture is the values to set within the company. Values act as both guiding principles for the trajectory of your company, as well as a filter for the employees and clients that come along for the ride.

    Clodagh recommends going through an exercise to determine your company values and to make them a central part of your hiring process to ensure the right people “get on the bus.”

    2. Organize your company’s culture committee

    Organizing a small culture committee in your company will be a great start to not only make your team feel valued and welcomed. This will also help them to push their limits and be better team members. 

    From knowing all your employees’ birthdays, organizing the end of the month celebration, company outings, Friendsgiving, Halloween/Christmas parties, to set aside a budget to decorate the office, will make a huge difference in boosting your employees’ morale. 

    These company perks, will not only boost your employees’ morale but it's also a way for them to take responsibility. And that, they will be merited for all the good things they do for the company from hitting the sales target or helping the team produce awesome content.

    3. Do not punish your employees

    However, never punish your employees as well. Even if your team did not hit the month’s targeted sale. You should still acknowledge their hard work by ordering free lunch or snacks for everyone. As a business owner, you must always show your employees that you care and appreciate them.

    4. Send care packages to your remote team members

    Distance will never be a problem and it will be nice to send your remote team members gift cards, company merch, books/ebooks, Netflix/Hulu/HBO/Spotify/Amazon Prime subscriptions, and even give them free paid training to show them that you care. 

    5. Hire People who are Hungry To Grow

    One important interview question Clodagh highlights is about extracurriculars. What are you doing outside of work? What kind of thought leaders are you following? Figuring out if people have the initiative to grow themselves and their skills on their own time is an important factor in building a team of superstars that can grow with your business.

    How To Attract High-Quality Talents

    Now that we've got a great culture. And we're selling lots of stuff. We're making loads of money. And we've got to attract more talents. We've got to attract amazing people to come work at our agency. Which is something that I hear lots of people struggling with all the time! Here are some useful tips and strategies which you can try when hiring talents, as told by Clodagh.

    • Always have a hiring approach. Dedicate a page on your website where people can send their résumé, contact details, and portfolio. Do not let any opportunity slip when it comes to finding the right person for your company.
    • Create an “about” page on your website which includes a brief history of your company. This includes your vision, mission, reviews, and core values. It’s important to have information accessible by end-users. For them have a good grasp of what your company is. 
    • Be social. We’re living in the digital age. Maximize social media platforms to boost brand awareness. Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter are awesome platforms to market the products and services your company offers.
    • Do not rush the hiring process, it’s unfair to hire somebody at the last minute. Not to mention, you’re setting yourself and the employee up for failure. Don’t be afraid to work with talent as contractors, or run top applicants through a test project before committing for the long haul.
    • Give your employees access to training portals before their start date. It's essential to let your soon-to-be employees learn more about your company’s culture and dynamics, strategies, and tools. And, by the time you hire them, it won’t be as difficult for you, your team, and for the newly hired employee to adjust. 
    • Statistics show that 63% of newly hired employees tend to quit their job within the first 90 days. That’s why Clodagh likes to create 90 day onboarding calendars to optimize the process and make sure the experience is consistent. According to Clodagh, the first 90 days are crucial, ensuring you and the team have a clear plan on how to make that first experience successful is the key to hanging on to great hires. 

     

    How to Choose the Right Person for the Job

    Let's assume now that you've got lots of great people that are willing to be a part of your team or work with your team. And now the question is how do we figure out who is the best fit? How do we make sure that they're successful in our organization?

    Interview Techniques and Strategy

    • Check out their résumé and portfolio. Through this, you will be able to learn more about the applicant’s skill set and expertise while being able to verify them.
    • Ask the applicant to send a video of themselves explaining why they are a great fit for this job. This will give you great leverage when assessing the applicant’s creativity and personality.
    • Ask them about their goals and values. It is best to hire people with the same goals and values.
    • Listen to your gut feeling, which in most instances is a misalignment of values between the employer and applicant.
    • Ask about their hobbies, interest, which personalities do they follow, and what activities do they usually do in their free time. By asking these questions, you can determine whether this person is dedicated to their craft or not. 
    • Organize a group interview and project with your five best applicants. This allows you to see and assess their emotional intelligence and to see which of them is a team player. This is also a great way to unravel their hidden skills and see where they excel in.

    Onboarding Process

    In 2019, It’s an employee market out there. Talent that doesn’t feel excited in the first 3 months of starting a new job will almost certainly continue looking elsewhere. Planning their onboarding with your team is important. There’s nothing worse than showing up on your first day of work and feeling like the team forgot you were starting today.

    Clodagh recommends clearly communicating to everyone on your team about new hires and making sure that their workstation is set up with a care package to make that first experience a memorable one. With your 90 day onboarding plan, you’ll have meetings and activities to introduce them to the team planned weeks ahead of time, so nobody is caught off guard.

    Prepare a list of FAQs about the company and their tasks. To help her navigate the company with ease. Instruct their team leaders and set up a mentorship cadence to help them feel supported.

    Get them to create a Google document with the list of questions that they want to ask you. Which you or their team lead can answer at the end of each day. 

    These tips will help you pre-plan your employee’s onboarding process and make sure their transition to your company is successful.

    How to Retain Your Employees

    As agencies, we’re often talent creator (not consumers) and we invest a lot into growing our teams and building their skillsets. So how do you make sure that your team isn’t constantly turning over?

    • Have a meeting with your team and discuss what are your current plans/goals for your company.
    • Don’t be afraid to give them constructive criticism to make them a better employee.
    • Allow them to get promoted at least every six months if they hit goals set out on a predetermined ascension plan.
    • Ask about their needs, personal goals, and not just their professional goals.
    • Make them feel appreciated by giving them bonuses and other additional perks for outstanding work.
    • Empower them to become fierce leaders while giving them your trust and support.
    • Help them understand what they want based on their career goals. This will align incentives and career paths around those things.
    • Understand that most of the time, it is NOT all about the money.
    • Making your employees feel truly heard and valued will build loyalty for the long run.

    Giving Up Control, Empowering Leaders, and Building Trust Inside Your Team

    How do you as an agency owner, get better at giving up control and empowering leaders and building that trust inside your team?

    Clodagh recommends reading Traction and looking at the Entrepreneurial Operating System for guidance on building out a structure, meeting cadence and metrics to build a foundation for scale in your agency. 

    Having systems in place to ensure the right people are doing the right things, and metrics in place to hold them accountable to performance will give you the confidence to start letting go of responsibilities and empowering your team with them instead.

    She recommends meeting with your team once a month to implement accountability tasks to the entrepreneurial operating system and determine the right business structure and initiatives to fit your goals.

    Then, decide on what you want to do, whether you want to work and go to the office five or two days a week. Write about the assets and liabilities to understand the ins and outs of your business even if you are not as hands-on as you used to be. 

    Designate tasks in accordance to your team’s expertise. Empower and motivate leaders and top performers to push their limits.

    Now that you are armed with knowledge and techniques on how to manage and build your agency's culture. And you've learned how to nurture a long lasting relationship with your employees, you're all set to start and build your empire. 


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Building a World-Class Culture in Your Agency with Clodagh Higgins - Episode 25 Clodagh Higgins, Marcel Petitpas 00:44:53 In this episode, Clodagh Higgins, a digital agency director, consultant, coach, and the author of A Happy & Healthy Digital Agency joined us to share her knowledge and experience as an ex-Hubspotter who has worked with 500+ agencies around the world. We get into why agencies must build and scale company culture, useful tips and techniques to hiring the right people, and how to retain talented employees in the long run. In this episode, Clodagh Higgins, a digital agency director, consultant, coach, and the author of A Happy & Healthy Digital Agency joined us to share her knowledge and experience as an ex-Hubspotter who has worked with 500+ agencies around the world. We get into why agencies must build and scale company culture, useful tips and techniques to hiring the right people, and how to retain talented employees in the long run. profit, hiring, agency, strategy, culture, scaling false full 25     6be17156-4d87-4aba-9fdc-f76c9608258c Scaling Canada’s Fastest-Growing White-label Service Team at Vendasta with Troy Wruck - Episode 24 About This Episode:

    In this episode of The Agency Profit Podcast, we invited Troy Wruck, GM of Services at Vendasta to discuss how he runs and scales one of the fastest-growing white-label service teams in Canada. We talk about people, processes, metrics, scaling and everything in between. You won’t want to miss this episode.

    About Troy Wruck:

    Troy Wruck is the General Manager of Marketing Services at Vendasta, where he leads a large team of digital agents who provide social media, website creation, digital advertising, and other services in English and French to thousands of businesses worldwide.

    He has a successful track record in accounting, sales, marketing, and leadership, and has worked in a variety of organizations over his two-and-a-half decade career – from non-profit groups to small businesses, and enterprise companies. He has served in a variety of operational and management positions with Toastmasters International and worked closely with Tourism Saskatoon as a member of their National Strategic Advisory Committee.

    Follow Troy Online:

    Vendasta’s Website

    Troy’s LinkedIn

    Troy’s Twitter

    Timestamps

    Valuable Insights and Questions from this Episode:

    • Introduction - 0:08
    • What is Vendasa? - 2:20
    • The Importance of Excellent Whitelabel Delivery Team - 4:00
    • Creating and Documenting Services/Processes - 5:55
    • Keeping a Small and Effective Team - 8:32
    • Ensuring the Team and Processes are Up-to-Date - 9:25
    • How Does Process Improvements Work? - 12:00
    • How to Add New Services Successfully - 14:42
    • Ensuring Your Team’s Quality of Work - 18:32
    • Scaling and Managing Your Team - 27:11
    • Hiring Process - 31:00
    • Creating Trust Within Your Team and Letting Go of Control - 34:00
    • Importance of Reporting and Data - 39:34
    • Conclusion/Outro - 42:55

    Blog:

    They say starting an agency is hard. While that is certainly true, most agency owners can attest that growing an agency is much harder.

    While a growing agency means getting more clients, it also means having to deal with more work, as well as more workers. For some agencies, this is where plateaus are hit, and progress stops. At times, scaling too fast can even be the reason things fall apart. For those that are prepared and/or are flexible enough to scale and adapt, they start to achieve the elusive feeling of “scaling” their service business.

    That’s why we invited Troy Wruck onto the show. Troy Wruck oversees marketing services at Vendasta and is scaling one of the largest and fastest-growing whitelabel services teams in the country.

    I’ve always known that scaling a white-label shop, even focused on just a single service offering (ie: facebook ads) requires operational excellence. When I found out Troy was doing it across multiple services, in multiple languages for clients of all different shapes and sizes; I knew I had to bring him on the show to see how he was doing it.

    The Secrets to a Successful Agency

    Being witness to the rise and fall of multiple agencies (and the success of Vendasta), we asked Troy about the qualities of successful agencies and what makes them different from those who failed.


    According to Troy, it all boils down to being able to offer what your customer needs. As an agency, it should be your goal to understand the pains and goals of your customers. You should be able to create a service for that customer that addresses all those points. Also, it helps if you accept the fact that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to service and that every customer will have different needs.

    He also added that one of the secrets to Vendasta’s success was that they veered away from hiring generalists. He explained that while generalists, on paper, are great hires - they often become the reason why businesses can’t scale properly. This is because generalists tend to spread themselves too thin doing multiple things at the same time. 

    If you want to grow as an agency, it should be your goal to hire and/or develop experts. This ensures that you have one or a team of individuals who are good at what they do and that you can trust them enough to create excellent output.

    Another thing that Troy mentioned which caught my attention was that keeping your teams small helps as well. This makes them manageable and allows enough flexibility while still being able to provide consistent output. The number will vary depending on the roles, but generally Troy recommends having no more than 8 direct reports per manager or team lead.

    How to Improve Your Business

    Improving one’s business is crucial, not only to earn profits. But, to have a structured and ever-developing business process to deliver consistent results and services to our clients. 

    How do You Expand Your Service Offerings Profitably?

    Let's assume you have your first few clients and you see that business is doing good. You’re thinking about expanding and adding a few more services to your agency. This is a very exciting phase in a growing business but for many agencies, this becomes a slippery slope that starts causing “delivery indigestion.” 

    Since Vendasta has successfully added many services over the years, we asked Troy about his thoughts on how an agency can add service offerings while mitigating the downside risk.

    While on the surface, it looks like these services are added on a whim, Troy claims new service offerings go through a thorough process before they are made available to all their clients.

    For starters, the service needs to be scalable. Troy’s team has to ensure that a process can be developed that will be consistent in scope and deliver repeatable results to clients. This is the first and most important criteria for new services being evaluated.

    Next, Vendasta does some market research to find out who is offering these services, how they do it, what the going rates are and how the unit economics works out.

    Once they have a solid business case built that is approved by the rest of their executive team and team leads. It goes through a pilot process where it’s tested with select clients so the process can be battle-tested and hardened before scaling out to more clients.

    Troy also added that when you are adding a new service, or trying new strategies in your agency then you should accept the fact that it may not work. Sometimes they discover during this process that service just can’t be reliably scaled, or doesn’t have the economics to work as a white-label offering. 

    Lastly, he claims that the best way to mitigate risk with new services is to rely on process and documentation. Through process and strategy documentation, you will be able to take note of the problems, issues, and successes as you develop service offerings. 

    Troy also recommends running pilot projects and tests with long term clients or on your own business to tailor such processes to what works best for your clients’ business. He added that using white-label service providers (like Vendasta) to deliver new services can be a great low-risk way to start proving out the process and de-risking the sales pipeline before taking a new service offering in-house and investing in staff, tools and process. 

    The Importance of Processes

    It has been established that one of the many things that differentiate a successful agency from one that struggles to scale its use off processes. They say that the right processes will always be core in every agency. 

    We asked Troy to tell us about what he can say to agency owners who are having a hard time creating and keeping up with processes. Troy mentions that agency owners should not hesitate to use tools. Tools are there to follow processes and create strategies easier. He added that when creating new processes, owners should ensure that the process can easily be replicated and/or scaled depending on the needs of the customers.

    He also highlighted the importance of having a rhythm in the business to document new processes and review outdated ones. At Vendasta, every team is regularly meeting to review their process to ensure it’s delivering the right outcome and working for their team and clients.

    They’ve also developed a host of internal tools - some of which are now available to their clients to use, to help them manage their processes and teams.

    How Do You Deliver Consistent Results and Service to All Your Clients?

    As a white-label service provider, the ability to generate predictable and consistent results is paramount. For some agency owners, this seems like an impossible wish as they get marred by inconsistency, change, and other challenges from one client to the next.

    When we asked Troy about their secret to be providing quality service to customers at all times, he said that the secret lies in knowing your customers. In their case, they have multiple types of businesses but they have efficiently grouped them into certain categories. 

    Now, each category more or less shares the same qualities and they require the same kind of service. For an agency to be successful, you have to understand each client (or at least each category of the client).

    You have to look for your customer's pain points and try to create a service to answer that specific pain point. You should also be able to convince yourself and your team that pivoting regularly will be a thing if you want to keep your customers happy. This also means having to update a process for a specific client if needed.

    In essence, it’s finding a balance between having processes (which create the consistency) and flexibility to document the nuances that lead to success for specific clients.

    Keeping Consistency Amidst the Challenges of an Agency

    From an agency owner’s point of view, there are a number of challenges that can shake the status quo of businesses. One excellent example is with regards to handling talent within the agency. 

    While it’s always exciting to have a team of individuals working together, it’s not always rainbows and butterflies. Some people perform better than others. These things can severely affect the team dynamics and consistency of an agency.

    Troy says that managing people will always be a challenge for agency owners. That’s why you have to create processes that newly hired employees can follow to achieve success in their roles.

    This means developing very specific training and onboarding plans for new hires based on their role and measuring how quickly they get up to speed so they can be benchmarked against previous hires.

    Another important factor is the team size, Troy prefers keeping teams of 5-7 per manager. He says they’ve found this size works best for them as it allows the team to have redundancy in the case that someone quits or has to take time off but doesn’t sacrifice agility and adaptability. 

    Troy also emphasized the importance of having a business forecast. This means looking at your business from a high vantage point and using data to see where your company is heading. This allows you to have a good grasp of your agency’s capacity. When you’re likely to exceed that capacity and get a lead time on hiring additional people to support your growth and put them through a full training process.

    He also mentioned that the best way to prevent any issues with management is to ensure you get the right people from the start. Fine-tuning your hiring process can get pretty tricky but it is a surefire way of saving you headaches in the future. With a good hiring process and a standardized training program, you can get your agency stable and ready for any challenges in no time.

    Challenges of Being an Agency Owner

    The life of an agency owner is tough. As a matter of fact, it’s not a life you would wish on your friends and Troy agrees. For him, it is always hard to be an agency owner because you have to learn how to balance growing the business, making sure it’s profitable, making sure you are offering consistent and efficient services while being able to keep up-to-date with new business trends/models and tools. 

    This is why Vendasta was created in the first place. To offer a service that takes some load off the agency owners so they can focus on the important things. By letting a whitelabel program handle some of the work, the agency owner can focus on what they’re great at.

    Scaling Means Giving Up Control

    A lot of the agency owners we know have a tendency to hover and monitor (even do everything by themselves). As the business grows, agency owners often need to let go and let the team handle the tasks. This step is a big one for a lot of owners and it can get pretty scary. To them, it’s like letting another person hold your baby for you.

    For Troy, one of the biggest blockers for an agency owner is his/her self. Oftentimes, the owners limit themselves and their agency because of their own processes. This is mostly because owners believe they can do things better themselves so they don’t trust their team to handle everything.

    While it is true that there will be growing pains when you pass on tasks to your team, it will pick up speed as time passes by. Being patient is key. You also should be able to understand that mistakes happen. Your team might do something wrong and that should be fine as long as they learn. However, you should go and ensure you instill a fear of making mistakes. Troy mentioned that just trusting people can often push them to do things better.

    At the foundation of scale is a process that gives you the confidence that when followed properly, outcomes should remain consistent. Having structured processes in your agency should give you a base of confidence to start letting go of delivery and scaling your team.

    Importance of Data and Reporting?

    Towards the end, we talked with Troy about the importance of data and reporting. Troy explained that data is absolutely critical to Vendasta’s success. Without it, they’d be running blind.

    He explains that it's normal to see you've got a lot of clutter when you are using different tools and processes. Looking at data as an agency owner lets you see the company from a vantage point that allows you to see who's performing well, who is encountering what problem, and who might need a little bit of coaching. It allows you to pinpoint the specific parts of your company that needs checking.

    He added that data helps you make decisions. There is also a misconception that data has to be totally accurate for it to affect the owners’ decision making. Truthfully it doesn’t have to be 100% accurate but it should be directionally accurate (80%) It's the smoke signal before the fire which allows you to see where your business requires attention before it’s too late.

     


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Wed, 8 Jan 2020 07:00:05 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Troy Wruck, Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ About This Episode:

    In this episode of The Agency Profit Podcast, we invited Troy Wruck, GM of Services at Vendasta to discuss how he runs and scales one of the fastest-growing white-label service teams in Canada. We talk about people, processes, metrics, scaling and everything in between. You won’t want to miss this episode.

    About Troy Wruck:

    Troy Wruck is the General Manager of Marketing Services at Vendasta, where he leads a large team of digital agents who provide social media, website creation, digital advertising, and other services in English and French to thousands of businesses worldwide.

    He has a successful track record in accounting, sales, marketing, and leadership, and has worked in a variety of organizations over his two-and-a-half decade career – from non-profit groups to small businesses, and enterprise companies. He has served in a variety of operational and management positions with Toastmasters International and worked closely with Tourism Saskatoon as a member of their National Strategic Advisory Committee.

    Follow Troy Online:

    Vendasta’s Website

    Troy’s LinkedIn

    Troy’s Twitter

    Timestamps

    Valuable Insights and Questions from this Episode:

    • Introduction - 0:08
    • What is Vendasa? - 2:20
    • The Importance of Excellent Whitelabel Delivery Team - 4:00
    • Creating and Documenting Services/Processes - 5:55
    • Keeping a Small and Effective Team - 8:32
    • Ensuring the Team and Processes are Up-to-Date - 9:25
    • How Does Process Improvements Work? - 12:00
    • How to Add New Services Successfully - 14:42
    • Ensuring Your Team’s Quality of Work - 18:32
    • Scaling and Managing Your Team - 27:11
    • Hiring Process - 31:00
    • Creating Trust Within Your Team and Letting Go of Control - 34:00
    • Importance of Reporting and Data - 39:34
    • Conclusion/Outro - 42:55

    Blog:

    They say starting an agency is hard. While that is certainly true, most agency owners can attest that growing an agency is much harder.

    While a growing agency means getting more clients, it also means having to deal with more work, as well as more workers. For some agencies, this is where plateaus are hit, and progress stops. At times, scaling too fast can even be the reason things fall apart. For those that are prepared and/or are flexible enough to scale and adapt, they start to achieve the elusive feeling of “scaling” their service business.

    That’s why we invited Troy Wruck onto the show. Troy Wruck oversees marketing services at Vendasta and is scaling one of the largest and fastest-growing whitelabel services teams in the country.

    I’ve always known that scaling a white-label shop, even focused on just a single service offering (ie: facebook ads) requires operational excellence. When I found out Troy was doing it across multiple services, in multiple languages for clients of all different shapes and sizes; I knew I had to bring him on the show to see how he was doing it.

    The Secrets to a Successful Agency

    Being witness to the rise and fall of multiple agencies (and the success of Vendasta), we asked Troy about the qualities of successful agencies and what makes them different from those who failed.


    According to Troy, it all boils down to being able to offer what your customer needs. As an agency, it should be your goal to understand the pains and goals of your customers. You should be able to create a service for that customer that addresses all those points. Also, it helps if you accept the fact that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to service and that every customer will have different needs.

    He also added that one of the secrets to Vendasta’s success was that they veered away from hiring generalists. He explained that while generalists, on paper, are great hires - they often become the reason why businesses can’t scale properly. This is because generalists tend to spread themselves too thin doing multiple things at the same time. 

    If you want to grow as an agency, it should be your goal to hire and/or develop experts. This ensures that you have one or a team of individuals who are good at what they do and that you can trust them enough to create excellent output.

    Another thing that Troy mentioned which caught my attention was that keeping your teams small helps as well. This makes them manageable and allows enough flexibility while still being able to provide consistent output. The number will vary depending on the roles, but generally Troy recommends having no more than 8 direct reports per manager or team lead.

    How to Improve Your Business

    Improving one’s business is crucial, not only to earn profits. But, to have a structured and ever-developing business process to deliver consistent results and services to our clients. 

    How do You Expand Your Service Offerings Profitably?

    Let's assume you have your first few clients and you see that business is doing good. You’re thinking about expanding and adding a few more services to your agency. This is a very exciting phase in a growing business but for many agencies, this becomes a slippery slope that starts causing “delivery indigestion.” 

    Since Vendasta has successfully added many services over the years, we asked Troy about his thoughts on how an agency can add service offerings while mitigating the downside risk.

    While on the surface, it looks like these services are added on a whim, Troy claims new service offerings go through a thorough process before they are made available to all their clients.

    For starters, the service needs to be scalable. Troy’s team has to ensure that a process can be developed that will be consistent in scope and deliver repeatable results to clients. This is the first and most important criteria for new services being evaluated.

    Next, Vendasta does some market research to find out who is offering these services, how they do it, what the going rates are and how the unit economics works out.

    Once they have a solid business case built that is approved by the rest of their executive team and team leads. It goes through a pilot process where it’s tested with select clients so the process can be battle-tested and hardened before scaling out to more clients.

    Troy also added that when you are adding a new service, or trying new strategies in your agency then you should accept the fact that it may not work. Sometimes they discover during this process that service just can’t be reliably scaled, or doesn’t have the economics to work as a white-label offering. 

    Lastly, he claims that the best way to mitigate risk with new services is to rely on process and documentation. Through process and strategy documentation, you will be able to take note of the problems, issues, and successes as you develop service offerings. 

    Troy also recommends running pilot projects and tests with long term clients or on your own business to tailor such processes to what works best for your clients’ business. He added that using white-label service providers (like Vendasta) to deliver new services can be a great low-risk way to start proving out the process and de-risking the sales pipeline before taking a new service offering in-house and investing in staff, tools and process. 

    The Importance of Processes

    It has been established that one of the many things that differentiate a successful agency from one that struggles to scale its use off processes. They say that the right processes will always be core in every agency. 

    We asked Troy to tell us about what he can say to agency owners who are having a hard time creating and keeping up with processes. Troy mentions that agency owners should not hesitate to use tools. Tools are there to follow processes and create strategies easier. He added that when creating new processes, owners should ensure that the process can easily be replicated and/or scaled depending on the needs of the customers.

    He also highlighted the importance of having a rhythm in the business to document new processes and review outdated ones. At Vendasta, every team is regularly meeting to review their process to ensure it’s delivering the right outcome and working for their team and clients.

    They’ve also developed a host of internal tools - some of which are now available to their clients to use, to help them manage their processes and teams.

    How Do You Deliver Consistent Results and Service to All Your Clients?

    As a white-label service provider, the ability to generate predictable and consistent results is paramount. For some agency owners, this seems like an impossible wish as they get marred by inconsistency, change, and other challenges from one client to the next.

    When we asked Troy about their secret to be providing quality service to customers at all times, he said that the secret lies in knowing your customers. In their case, they have multiple types of businesses but they have efficiently grouped them into certain categories. 

    Now, each category more or less shares the same qualities and they require the same kind of service. For an agency to be successful, you have to understand each client (or at least each category of the client).

    You have to look for your customer's pain points and try to create a service to answer that specific pain point. You should also be able to convince yourself and your team that pivoting regularly will be a thing if you want to keep your customers happy. This also means having to update a process for a specific client if needed.

    In essence, it’s finding a balance between having processes (which create the consistency) and flexibility to document the nuances that lead to success for specific clients.

    Keeping Consistency Amidst the Challenges of an Agency

    From an agency owner’s point of view, there are a number of challenges that can shake the status quo of businesses. One excellent example is with regards to handling talent within the agency. 

    While it’s always exciting to have a team of individuals working together, it’s not always rainbows and butterflies. Some people perform better than others. These things can severely affect the team dynamics and consistency of an agency.

    Troy says that managing people will always be a challenge for agency owners. That’s why you have to create processes that newly hired employees can follow to achieve success in their roles.

    This means developing very specific training and onboarding plans for new hires based on their role and measuring how quickly they get up to speed so they can be benchmarked against previous hires.

    Another important factor is the team size, Troy prefers keeping teams of 5-7 per manager. He says they’ve found this size works best for them as it allows the team to have redundancy in the case that someone quits or has to take time off but doesn’t sacrifice agility and adaptability. 

    Troy also emphasized the importance of having a business forecast. This means looking at your business from a high vantage point and using data to see where your company is heading. This allows you to have a good grasp of your agency’s capacity. When you’re likely to exceed that capacity and get a lead time on hiring additional people to support your growth and put them through a full training process.

    He also mentioned that the best way to prevent any issues with management is to ensure you get the right people from the start. Fine-tuning your hiring process can get pretty tricky but it is a surefire way of saving you headaches in the future. With a good hiring process and a standardized training program, you can get your agency stable and ready for any challenges in no time.

    Challenges of Being an Agency Owner

    The life of an agency owner is tough. As a matter of fact, it’s not a life you would wish on your friends and Troy agrees. For him, it is always hard to be an agency owner because you have to learn how to balance growing the business, making sure it’s profitable, making sure you are offering consistent and efficient services while being able to keep up-to-date with new business trends/models and tools. 

    This is why Vendasta was created in the first place. To offer a service that takes some load off the agency owners so they can focus on the important things. By letting a whitelabel program handle some of the work, the agency owner can focus on what they’re great at.

    Scaling Means Giving Up Control

    A lot of the agency owners we know have a tendency to hover and monitor (even do everything by themselves). As the business grows, agency owners often need to let go and let the team handle the tasks. This step is a big one for a lot of owners and it can get pretty scary. To them, it’s like letting another person hold your baby for you.

    For Troy, one of the biggest blockers for an agency owner is his/her self. Oftentimes, the owners limit themselves and their agency because of their own processes. This is mostly because owners believe they can do things better themselves so they don’t trust their team to handle everything.

    While it is true that there will be growing pains when you pass on tasks to your team, it will pick up speed as time passes by. Being patient is key. You also should be able to understand that mistakes happen. Your team might do something wrong and that should be fine as long as they learn. However, you should go and ensure you instill a fear of making mistakes. Troy mentioned that just trusting people can often push them to do things better.

    At the foundation of scale is a process that gives you the confidence that when followed properly, outcomes should remain consistent. Having structured processes in your agency should give you a base of confidence to start letting go of delivery and scaling your team.

    Importance of Data and Reporting?

    Towards the end, we talked with Troy about the importance of data and reporting. Troy explained that data is absolutely critical to Vendasta’s success. Without it, they’d be running blind.

    He explains that it's normal to see you've got a lot of clutter when you are using different tools and processes. Looking at data as an agency owner lets you see the company from a vantage point that allows you to see who's performing well, who is encountering what problem, and who might need a little bit of coaching. It allows you to pinpoint the specific parts of your company that needs checking.

    He added that data helps you make decisions. There is also a misconception that data has to be totally accurate for it to affect the owners’ decision making. Truthfully it doesn’t have to be 100% accurate but it should be directionally accurate (80%) It's the smoke signal before the fire which allows you to see where your business requires attention before it’s too late.

     


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Scaling Canada’s Fastest-Growing White-label Service Team at Vendasta with Troy Wruck - Episode 24 Troy Wruck, Marcel Petitpas 00:43:52 In this episode of The Agency Profit Podcast, we invited Troy Wruck, GM of Services at Vendasta to discuss how he runs and scales one of the fastest-growing white-label service teams in Canada. We talk about people, processes, metrics, scaling and everything in between. You won’t want to miss this episode. In this episode of The Agency Profit Podcast, we invited Troy Wruck, GM of Services at Vendasta to discuss how he runs and scales one of the fastest-growing white-label service teams in Canada. We talk about people, processes, metrics, scaling and everything in between. You won’t want to miss this episode. profit, operations, digital, agency, white-label, marketing false full 24     78cb784f-9af9-4ebc-a4f4-a1b4231fcecd How to Maximize your Agency’s Value in an Acquisition with John Garuti About John:

    John Garuti is a partner at digitalacquisitions.co specializing in M&A for digital agencies, ecommerce and other digital businesses.

    He found M&A after running his family manufacturing business for 15 years and eventually selling it, becoming fascinated with he M&A process.

    Since then digital acquisitions has helped hundreds of digital businesses reach successful exits and spends most of his time helping his clients prepare for exits and maximize their sale price.

    Resources:


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Wed, 11 Dec 2019 09:55:04 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ About John:

    John Garuti is a partner at digitalacquisitions.co specializing in M&A for digital agencies, ecommerce and other digital businesses.

    He found M&A after running his family manufacturing business for 15 years and eventually selling it, becoming fascinated with he M&A process.

    Since then digital acquisitions has helped hundreds of digital businesses reach successful exits and spends most of his time helping his clients prepare for exits and maximize their sale price.

    Resources:


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     How to Maximize your Agency’s Value in an Acquisition with John Garuti Marcel Petitpas 00:37:54 In this episode, John Garuti from DigitalAcquisitions.co joins us to discuss how agencies can set themselves up to maximize their valuation in a merger or acquisition, getting great terms, understanding what buyers are looking for, why 80% of businesses are not sellable, and much more. In this episode, John Garuti from DigitalAcquisitions.co joins us to discuss how agencies can set themselves up to maximize their valuation in a merger or acquisition, getting great terms, understanding what buyers are looking for, why 80% of businesses are not sellable, and much more. false full 23     1da1ba2a-e9b6-4aa0-9312-1f23a17dbd45 How to Eliminate Scope Creep, Improve Profits and Get Paid Faster with Jason Swenk About Jason Swenk:

    After working at Arthur Anderson (a big 5 consulting firm) Jason realized he needed to be his own boss and launched his first digital agency Solar Velocity. He grew it to over 100 employees and worked with big brands like AT&T, Hitachi and Lotus Cars. After 12 years of growth he sold it in 2012.

    Now he helps agencies replicate his success.

    He’s the bestselling author of Accelerate Your Agency, the 8 Systems playbook for growing your agency faster.

    He’s the host of the Smart Agency Master Class Podcast - the #1 Digital Marketing Agency owner Podcast for sharing stories and strategies from real world agency owners that are working today

    In his free time, he races cars and competes in IronMan’s.

    Resources:


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Wed, 27 Nov 2019 09:55:22 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ About Jason Swenk:

    After working at Arthur Anderson (a big 5 consulting firm) Jason realized he needed to be his own boss and launched his first digital agency Solar Velocity. He grew it to over 100 employees and worked with big brands like AT&T, Hitachi and Lotus Cars. After 12 years of growth he sold it in 2012.

    Now he helps agencies replicate his success.

    He’s the bestselling author of Accelerate Your Agency, the 8 Systems playbook for growing your agency faster.

    He’s the host of the Smart Agency Master Class Podcast - the #1 Digital Marketing Agency owner Podcast for sharing stories and strategies from real world agency owners that are working today

    In his free time, he races cars and competes in IronMan’s.

    Resources:


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     How to Eliminate Scope Creep, Improve Profits and Get Paid Faster with Jason Swenk Marcel Petitpas 00:28:30 In this episode, Jason Swenk joins us to share what he’s learned from building and selling his own agency - and now coaching hundreds of other agencies do the same. We dig into strategies for limiting scope creep, getting better at scoping and hitting budgets, how to improve cash flow and get paid faster and much more. In this episode, Jason Swenk joins us to share what he’s learned from building and selling his own agency - and now coaching hundreds of other agencies do the same. We dig into strategies for limiting scope creep, getting better at scoping and hitting budgets, how to improve cash flow and get paid faster and much more. false full 22     5ca35d77-47c1-4f6b-94c8-553a4fa090e9 Fireside Chat on Agency Growth, Positioning and New Business with Zach Hyder About Zach Hyder:

    Zach Hyder is an advisor and coach to professional services agencies in advertising, marketing, media, and public relations. He’s the founder of ThinkDendro and the host of The Dendro Cast - The podcast about the disruption of the agency business

    He spent his career working on agency business development and marketing, skills he now uses to help agency owners and executive teams rethink how they position and grow their business.

    Resources:


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Wed, 13 Nov 2019 09:55:16 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas, Zach Hyder) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ About Zach Hyder:

    Zach Hyder is an advisor and coach to professional services agencies in advertising, marketing, media, and public relations. He’s the founder of ThinkDendro and the host of The Dendro Cast - The podcast about the disruption of the agency business

    He spent his career working on agency business development and marketing, skills he now uses to help agency owners and executive teams rethink how they position and grow their business.

    Resources:


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Fireside Chat on Agency Growth, Positioning and New Business with Zach Hyder Marcel Petitpas, Zach Hyder 00:48:01 In this episode Zach Hyder from ThinkDendro.com joins us to talk about how to prepare for a looming recession, how to position yourself, niching vs adding services, creating predictable pipeline, working with coaches & consultants, and more. In this episode Zach Hyder from ThinkDendro.com joins us to talk about how to prepare for a looming recession, how to position yourself, niching vs adding services, creating predictable pipeline, working with coaches & consultants, and more. zach hyder, agency profit, agency profitability, digital agency, agency operations, creative agency, digital agency profitability, dendro, dendrocast, dendro group false full 21     c2678874-bb22-4fde-8b9b-224ce2f99bc3 Fireside Chat on The Agency Model, Freelancing and Feeling Less Alone as a Creative with Justin Gignac About Justin:

    Justin Gignac is the co-founder of Working Not Working, a curated, global platform connecting the world’s best creative talent with the most innovative companies. Apple, Google, Droga5, Wieden+Kennedy, Airbnb, Nike, and thousands of other companies are now using Working Not Working to staff their creative teams with freelance and full-time talent.

    Prior to Working Not Working, Justin was an award-winning Art Director and Creative Director at ad agencies around the United States. Perhaps he’s best known for helping create the original ElfYourself.com and unexpectedly unleashing the world’s elf fetish, with over 1.5 billion elves created since its inception in 2006. He also has gained notoriety for his various art projects, including NYC Garbage, Wants for Sale and Needs for Sale.

    Justin was named one of the 50 Most Creative People of 2015 by AdAge Magazine and Class Dancer by the Norwich Free Academy Class of ’98. He currently resides in Brooklyn, NY with his pet ping pong table.

    Follow Justin Online:


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Wed, 23 Oct 2019 09:55:10 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ About Justin:

    Justin Gignac is the co-founder of Working Not Working, a curated, global platform connecting the world’s best creative talent with the most innovative companies. Apple, Google, Droga5, Wieden+Kennedy, Airbnb, Nike, and thousands of other companies are now using Working Not Working to staff their creative teams with freelance and full-time talent.

    Prior to Working Not Working, Justin was an award-winning Art Director and Creative Director at ad agencies around the United States. Perhaps he’s best known for helping create the original ElfYourself.com and unexpectedly unleashing the world’s elf fetish, with over 1.5 billion elves created since its inception in 2006. He also has gained notoriety for his various art projects, including NYC Garbage, Wants for Sale and Needs for Sale.

    Justin was named one of the 50 Most Creative People of 2015 by AdAge Magazine and Class Dancer by the Norwich Free Academy Class of ’98. He currently resides in Brooklyn, NY with his pet ping pong table.

    Follow Justin Online:


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Fireside Chat on The Agency Model, Freelancing and Feeling Less Alone as a Creative with Justin Gignac Marcel Petitpas 00:38:53 In this episode, Justin Gignac from Working Not Working stops by to share his incredible story. From working at some of the most reputable agencies in the world, to selling cubes of trash on the streets of New York City and eventually creating a community that connects the worlds best creatives to brands and agencies around the world. We get into why agency employees are overworked, the changing landscape of agency talent & recruiting and the power of connecting creatives together to discuss the dark side of the creative industry. In this episode, Justin Gignac from Working Not Working stops by to share his incredible story. From working at some of the most reputable agencies in the world, to selling cubes of trash on the streets of New York City and eventually creating a community that connects the worlds best creatives to brands and agencies around the world. We get into why agency employees are overworked, the changing landscape of agency talent & recruiting and the power of connecting creatives together to discuss the dark side of the creative industry. false full 20     c168f3d3-88e0-488f-b62e-7f5242961af0 Creating a Culture of Operational Excellence with Melanie Chandruang About Melanie:

    Melanie is the founder of WeConsult and helps agencies scale their business by focusing on improving their financials, business administration infrastructure, and performance management / culture within the organization.

    Not only do I help you carve out the initiatives and goals, I’m also available to do the work to execute on those goals and metrics, which is something valuable that you can’t get from a coach.

    She’s spent her entire career in finance and operations helping companies be their best and has had two of her clients go through successful acquisitions.

    Follow Melanie Online:


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Wed, 9 Oct 2019 09:55:05 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ About Melanie:

    Melanie is the founder of WeConsult and helps agencies scale their business by focusing on improving their financials, business administration infrastructure, and performance management / culture within the organization.

    Not only do I help you carve out the initiatives and goals, I’m also available to do the work to execute on those goals and metrics, which is something valuable that you can’t get from a coach.

    She’s spent her entire career in finance and operations helping companies be their best and has had two of her clients go through successful acquisitions.

    Follow Melanie Online:


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Creating a Culture of Operational Excellence with Melanie Chandruang Marcel Petitpas 00:24:53 In this episode, Melanie Chandruang from WeConsult joins us to discuss best practices for developing process in your agency and a culture that lends itself to adopting, developing and maintaining new processes. She also shares the most important processes for agencies to get in place to prepare for an exit. In this episode, Melanie Chandruang from WeConsult joins us to discuss best practices for developing process in your agency and a culture that lends itself to adopting, developing and maintaining new processes. She also shares the most important processes for agencies to get in place to prepare for an exit. false full 19     dda203fe-d30f-497c-857b-86dc8b028f7d The 9 Systems Every Agency Needs to Grow and Scale with Dev Basu About Dev:

    Dev Basu is the founder of one of Canada’s fastest growing agencies - Powered By Search, he’s also the founder of Million Dollar Agency and is a Professor at the Seneca College School of Marketing.

    After growing powered by search to to multi 7 figure revenue he’s shifted his focus to helping other agencies move to and beyond the 7 figure mark and accelerate their growth.

    He’s truly one of the best agency operators I’ve met through my years of working with agencies and one of the best teachers in the coaching space.

    Follow Dev Online:


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Wed, 25 Sep 2019 09:55:06 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ About Dev:

    Dev Basu is the founder of one of Canada’s fastest growing agencies - Powered By Search, he’s also the founder of Million Dollar Agency and is a Professor at the Seneca College School of Marketing.

    After growing powered by search to to multi 7 figure revenue he’s shifted his focus to helping other agencies move to and beyond the 7 figure mark and accelerate their growth.

    He’s truly one of the best agency operators I’ve met through my years of working with agencies and one of the best teachers in the coaching space.

    Follow Dev Online:


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     The 9 Systems Every Agency Needs to Grow and Scale with Dev Basu Marcel Petitpas 00:42:27 In this episode, Dev Basu from Powered By Search and Million Dollar Search stops by to share the 9 systems every agency needs to grow and scale that he developed growing Powered by Search to one of the fastest growing digital agencies in Canada. We get into everything from lead generation to sales, operations, positioning and more. You won’t want to miss this episode! In this episode, Dev Basu from Powered By Search and Million Dollar Search stops by to share the 9 systems every agency needs to grow and scale that he developed growing Powered by Search to one of the fastest growing digital agencies in Canada. We get into everything from lead generation to sales, operations, positioning and more. You won’t want to miss this episode! false full 18     b121c361-8814-45c5-9b67-337d7f0a4fea How to Leverage Directories to Acquire Clients for Your Agency with Robby Berthume About Robby:

    Robby is a former digital agency owner. He started it at 14 and eventually was named top 20 in their 20s by LA Biz Journal and achieved seven figure revenue.

    Since 2013, He’s been the CEO of Bull Beard, an agency collective that helps large brands get vouched and vetted talent for their products.

    They recently launched Agency Match, which connects brands with vetted and vouched-for specialized agencies, shortcutting the shortlist and breaking down the barriers and brinkmanship.

    He’s been featured in Forbes, Fortune, Success, Entrepreneur, Fox News, Inc., HuffPost, Mashable and just about every where else.

    Follow Robby Online:


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Wed, 11 Sep 2019 10:00:07 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ About Robby:

    Robby is a former digital agency owner. He started it at 14 and eventually was named top 20 in their 20s by LA Biz Journal and achieved seven figure revenue.

    Since 2013, He’s been the CEO of Bull Beard, an agency collective that helps large brands get vouched and vetted talent for their products.

    They recently launched Agency Match, which connects brands with vetted and vouched-for specialized agencies, shortcutting the shortlist and breaking down the barriers and brinkmanship.

    He’s been featured in Forbes, Fortune, Success, Entrepreneur, Fox News, Inc., HuffPost, Mashable and just about every where else.

    Follow Robby Online:


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    ]]>     How to Leverage Directories to Acquire Clients for Your Agency with Robby Berthume Marcel Petitpas 00:42:09 In this episode, Robby Berthume from Bull and Beard stops by to share his expertise on using agency directories to drive new business for creative agencies. He shares his perspective from running an agency collective and facilitating the matchmaking process for large brands and takes us inside the mind of the brand as they search for their next agency. In this episode, Robby Berthume from Bull and Beard stops by to share his expertise on using agency directories to drive new business for creative agencies. He shares his perspective from running an agency collective and facilitating the matchmaking process for large brands and takes us inside the mind of the brand as they search for their next agency. false full 17     f0a6324b-f27c-4f2f-89b6-36f00ee53af8 The 3 Most Important Processes for Agency Success with Alyson Caffrey About Alyson Caffrey:
    Alyson is the Founder and Chief Operator of Operations Agency. She founded the agency back in 2015 to help digital agencies and service providers grow their capacity for more clients and experience a less stressful workflow. Her efforts and expertise have helped six figure agencies get to seven figures and above. Alyson has been featured on the Digital Agency Show and One Hour Funnel live to talk about how to implement processes into agencies and use them to scale.

    Resources From Alyson:

    Follow Alyson Online:


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Wed, 28 Aug 2019 09:00:27 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ About Alyson Caffrey:
    Alyson is the Founder and Chief Operator of Operations Agency. She founded the agency back in 2015 to help digital agencies and service providers grow their capacity for more clients and experience a less stressful workflow. Her efforts and expertise have helped six figure agencies get to seven figures and above. Alyson has been featured on the Digital Agency Show and One Hour Funnel live to talk about how to implement processes into agencies and use them to scale.

    Resources From Alyson:

    Follow Alyson Online:


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     The 3 Most Important Processes for Agency Success with Alyson Caffrey Marcel Petitpas 00:34:52 In this episode, Alyson Caffrey from Operations Agency stops by to share her experience helping agencies create processes & procedures to scale run more profitably. She shares the symptoms you might be experiencing if your processes are failing, the 3 most important processes every agency should dial in to start scaling more efficiently and the keys to having a killer client on boarding and kickoff process. In this episode, Alyson Caffrey from Operations Agency stops by to share her experience helping agencies create processes & procedures to scale run more profitably. She shares the symptoms you might be experiencing if your processes are failing, the 3 most important processes every agency should dial in to start scaling more efficiently and the keys to having a killer client on boarding and kickoff process. false full 16     66c176d1-7fff-4333-9a57-827f7690ae1b How to Win Bigger Deals with Higher Prices, all Without Pitching with Blair Enns In this episode we're joined by the brilliant Blair Enns from Win Without Pitching to explore his innovative approach to new business for agencies. He shares some of the fundamentals required to sell based on value to command higher prices and close more deals. We also discuss how the sales process can make or break your delivery process by setting precedents in the client relationship and so much more.

    About Blair Enns
    Blair Enns is the author of The Win Without Pitching Manifesto and Pricing Creativity: A Guide to Profit Beyond the Billable Hour. He co-hosts, along with David C. Baker, and the podcast 2Bobs: Conversations on the Art of Creative Entrepreneurship. Based in the remote mountain village of Kaslo, British Columbia, Canada, Blair lectures throughout the world on how creative professionals can win more business at higher prices and lower cost of sale. 

    Resources from Blair:

    Follow Blair Online:


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Wed, 14 Aug 2019 09:00:16 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas, Blair Enns) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ In this episode we're joined by the brilliant Blair Enns from Win Without Pitching to explore his innovative approach to new business for agencies. He shares some of the fundamentals required to sell based on value to command higher prices and close more deals. We also discuss how the sales process can make or break your delivery process by setting precedents in the client relationship and so much more.

    About Blair Enns
    Blair Enns is the author of The Win Without Pitching Manifesto and Pricing Creativity: A Guide to Profit Beyond the Billable Hour. He co-hosts, along with David C. Baker, and the podcast 2Bobs: Conversations on the Art of Creative Entrepreneurship. Based in the remote mountain village of Kaslo, British Columbia, Canada, Blair lectures throughout the world on how creative professionals can win more business at higher prices and lower cost of sale. 

    Resources from Blair:

    Follow Blair Online:


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     How to Win Bigger Deals with Higher Prices, all Without Pitching with Blair Enns Marcel Petitpas, Blair Enns 00:41:03 In this episode we're joined by the brilliant Blair Enns from Win Without Pitching to explore his innovative approach to new business for agencies. He shares some of the fundamentals required to sell based on value to command higher prices and close more deals. We also discuss how the sales process can make or break your delivery process by setting precedents in the client relationship and so much more. In this episode we're joined by the brilliant Blair Enns from Win Without Pitching to explore his innovative approach to new business for agencies. He shares some of the fundamentals required to sell based on value to command higher prices and close more deals. We also discuss how the sales process can make or break your delivery process by setting precedents in the client relationship and so much more. creative agencies, blair enns, digital agencies, value based pricing, agency pitching, consulting, agency operations, agency, professional services, agency pricing, agency new business, agency sales, win without pitching false full 15     b4e99581-7930-41f6-a9a5-64c1ed73759c How to Find Talent in Unexpected Places with Chris Martinez In this episode Chris Martinez from DUDE agency joins us to share how he's found affordable agency talent in an unconventional place. We talk about the keys to successfully building an offshore team, details on DUDE's hiring process and keys to running a whitelabel agency.

    About Chris Martinez

    Chris Martinez is the CEO and Co-founder of DUDE which partners with digital agencies to provide them the people and processes to help them scale profitably. He's also the author of Hacking Mexico.

    Chris owned a digital agency for over 6 years and in 2013 moved all of his web design and development to Tijuana Mexico and it was a total game-changer for his agency.

    He quickly learned that Tijuana gives agencies all the benefits of outsourcing and none of the downsides.

    In 2017, Chris launched DUDE and is now providing the perfect outsourcing solution for digital agencies.

    Follow Chris Online

    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrismartinez13/
    • Website: https://dudeagency.io/
    • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dudeagency.io/
    • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dudeagency/
    • Email Chris: chris@dudeagency.io
    • Book: https://www.amazon.com/Hacking-Mexico-Outsource-Development-Tijuana/dp/0692148485

    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Wed, 31 Jul 2019 08:00:05 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Chris Martinez, Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ In this episode Chris Martinez from DUDE agency joins us to share how he's found affordable agency talent in an unconventional place. We talk about the keys to successfully building an offshore team, details on DUDE's hiring process and keys to running a whitelabel agency.

    About Chris Martinez

    Chris Martinez is the CEO and Co-founder of DUDE which partners with digital agencies to provide them the people and processes to help them scale profitably. He's also the author of Hacking Mexico.

    Chris owned a digital agency for over 6 years and in 2013 moved all of his web design and development to Tijuana Mexico and it was a total game-changer for his agency.

    He quickly learned that Tijuana gives agencies all the benefits of outsourcing and none of the downsides.

    In 2017, Chris launched DUDE and is now providing the perfect outsourcing solution for digital agencies.

    Follow Chris Online

    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrismartinez13/
    • Website: https://dudeagency.io/
    • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dudeagency.io/
    • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dudeagency/
    • Email Chris: chris@dudeagency.io
    • Book: https://www.amazon.com/Hacking-Mexico-Outsource-Development-Tijuana/dp/0692148485

    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     How to Find Talent in Unexpected Places with Chris Martinez Chris Martinez, Marcel Petitpas 00:39:33 In this episode Chris Martinez from DUDE agency joins us to share how he's found affordable agency talent in an unconventional place. We talk about the keys to successfully building an offshore team, details on DUDE's hiring process that took them from 5 to 30 employees in less than a year and keys to running a successful whitelabel agency. In this episode Chris Martinez from DUDE agency joins us to share how he's found affordable agency talent in an unconventional place. We talk about the keys to successfully building an offshore team, details on DUDE's hiring process that took them from 5 to 30 employees in less than a year and keys to running a successful whitelabel agency. agency profit, whitelabel agency, web agency, chris martinez, agency operations, marcel petitpas, outsourced agency, agency, dude agency, marketing agency false full 14     2e7d1ff3-6c19-40d6-a3ae-3a519e8cadf6 Fireside Chat on Agency Growth & Profitability with Chris Johnson In this episode Chris Johnson from Upscale Method joins us for a fireside chat to discuss how to chose between adding services or niching down, how to niche down, developing a sales strategy, optimizing for profitability and more.

    About Chris Johnson
    Chris Johnson is a Web Agency Coach in Canada and the founder of Upscale Method. His Agency helped his clients earn $160M+ in revenue over 12 years. Today he helps other web agencies in his agency coaching program where he teaches them how to scale their revenues quickly and land more high ticket clients.

    Follow Chris Online:

    • Website: https://upscalemethod.com/
    • LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/chrisjohnsonmarketing
    • Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/257690278442113/
    • Email: chris@upscalemethod.com

    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Wed, 17 Jul 2019 08:00:04 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Chris Johnson, Marcel Petitpas) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ In this episode Chris Johnson from Upscale Method joins us for a fireside chat to discuss how to chose between adding services or niching down, how to niche down, developing a sales strategy, optimizing for profitability and more.

    About Chris Johnson
    Chris Johnson is a Web Agency Coach in Canada and the founder of Upscale Method. His Agency helped his clients earn $160M+ in revenue over 12 years. Today he helps other web agencies in his agency coaching program where he teaches them how to scale their revenues quickly and land more high ticket clients.

    Follow Chris Online:

    • Website: https://upscalemethod.com/
    • LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/chrisjohnsonmarketing
    • Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/257690278442113/
    • Email: chris@upscalemethod.com

    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Fireside Chat on Agency Growth & Profitability with Chris Johnson Chris Johnson, Marcel Petitpas 01:02:51 In this episode Chris Johnson from Upscale Method joins us for a fireside chat to discuss how to chose between adding services or niching down, how to niche down, developing a sales strategy, optimizing for profitability and more. In this episode Chris Johnson from Upscale Method joins us for a fireside chat to discuss how to chose between adding services or niching down, how to niche down, developing a sales strategy, optimizing for profitability and more. agency profitability, design agency, agency niche, agency operations, agency, creative agency, marketing agency, agency sales false full 13     2b9eb30d-c13b-4e1e-845d-b861b1d212e4 How to Connect People, Process and Systems to Scale Your Agency with Scott Gellatly In this episode, Scott Gellatly from Scale My Empire joins us to discuss his experience helping 100's of service businesses, consultancies and agencies systemize their business to increase their profitability and scale faster. Tune is to hear us talk tools, process, org charts and everything in between.

    About Scott Gellatly
    Scott Gellatly has helped 100's of mid market businesses in Engineering, Marketing, IT and Consulting to scale by systemising their operations and project delivery through his company Scale My Empire.

    They build systems for fast growth, project services based businesses that are ready to transition into mid market. They do this by integrating people, process and technology together in a cohesive framework.

    Connect with Scott Online
    LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/scottgellatly/
    Website: https://www.scalemyempire.com/
    email: go@scalemyempire.com


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Wed, 26 Jun 2019 09:00:24 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Marcel Petitpas, Parakeeto, Scott Gellatly) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ In this episode, Scott Gellatly from Scale My Empire joins us to discuss his experience helping 100's of service businesses, consultancies and agencies systemize their business to increase their profitability and scale faster. Tune is to hear us talk tools, process, org charts and everything in between.

    About Scott Gellatly
    Scott Gellatly has helped 100's of mid market businesses in Engineering, Marketing, IT and Consulting to scale by systemising their operations and project delivery through his company Scale My Empire.

    They build systems for fast growth, project services based businesses that are ready to transition into mid market. They do this by integrating people, process and technology together in a cohesive framework.

    Connect with Scott Online
    LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/scottgellatly/
    Website: https://www.scalemyempire.com/
    email: go@scalemyempire.com


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     How to Connect People, Process and Systems to Scale Your Agency with Scott Gellatly Marcel Petitpas, Parakeeto, Scott Gellatly 00:43:59 In this episode, Scott Gellatly from Scale My Empire joins us to discuss his experience helping 100's of service businesses, consultancies and agencies systemize their business to increase their profitability and scale faster. Tune is to hear us talk tools, process, org charts and everything in between. In this episode, Scott Gellatly from Scale My Empire joins us to discuss his experience helping 100's of service businesses, consultancies and agencies systemize their business to increase their profitability and scale faster. Tune is to hear us talk tools, process, org charts and everything in between. agency profit, scale my empire, operations, agency operations, agency, creative agency, agency ops, professional services, parakeeto, agency process false full 12     4f343e67-dd11-4598-bdd7-e2f87f0be178 How to Create a Culture That Grows Your People and Your Business with Bob Ruffolo In this episode, Bob Ruffolo from IMPACT joins us to share the story behind IMPACT - an award winning marketing agency. Among his lessons, he shares the struggle of getting stuck in the 20 ish employee range, and how he finally broke out of that to grow to over 60 employees today.

    About Bob Ruffolo

    Bob is the founder and CEO of IMPACT, a company focused on helping people find success with inbound marketing through education, events, and agency services. In 2017, IMPACT was recognized as HubSpot's Partner Agency of the Year.

    Personally, Bob is a graduate of Central Connecticut State University and was inducted into their School of Business Hall of Honor in 2014 for entrepreneurial excellence. In the same year, he was also recognized as one of Hartford Business Journal's 40 Under Forty. Beyond being driven to grow IMPACT, Bob strives to be at the forefront of the inbound marketing movement and loves helping similar agencies execute their growth.

    In his spare time, he is a regular speaker at HubSpot's annual Inbound Conference and local universities, an active member of several entrepreneurial groups, and sits on the boards of local educational and community foundations. He is also an avid Yankees and Jets fan.

    Resources from Bob

    • Jim Collins Books: http://bit.ly/JimCollinsBooks
    • EOS System: https://www.eosworldwide.com/what-is-eos
    • The Game of Business: http://bit.ly/GreatGameofBiz
    • IMPACT Elite FB Group: http://bit.ly/IMPACTElite
    • IMPACT LIVE: https://www.impactbnd.com/live

    Follow Bob Online

    • Impact Website: https://www.impactbnd.com
    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobruffolo/
    • Twitter: https://twitter.com/BobRuffolo

    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Thu, 16 May 2019 13:22:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Parakeeto) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ In this episode, Bob Ruffolo from IMPACT joins us to share the story behind IMPACT - an award winning marketing agency. Among his lessons, he shares the struggle of getting stuck in the 20 ish employee range, and how he finally broke out of that to grow to over 60 employees today.

    About Bob Ruffolo

    Bob is the founder and CEO of IMPACT, a company focused on helping people find success with inbound marketing through education, events, and agency services. In 2017, IMPACT was recognized as HubSpot's Partner Agency of the Year.

    Personally, Bob is a graduate of Central Connecticut State University and was inducted into their School of Business Hall of Honor in 2014 for entrepreneurial excellence. In the same year, he was also recognized as one of Hartford Business Journal's 40 Under Forty. Beyond being driven to grow IMPACT, Bob strives to be at the forefront of the inbound marketing movement and loves helping similar agencies execute their growth.

    In his spare time, he is a regular speaker at HubSpot's annual Inbound Conference and local universities, an active member of several entrepreneurial groups, and sits on the boards of local educational and community foundations. He is also an avid Yankees and Jets fan.

    Resources from Bob

    • Jim Collins Books: http://bit.ly/JimCollinsBooks
    • EOS System: https://www.eosworldwide.com/what-is-eos
    • The Game of Business: http://bit.ly/GreatGameofBiz
    • IMPACT Elite FB Group: http://bit.ly/IMPACTElite
    • IMPACT LIVE: https://www.impactbnd.com/live

    Follow Bob Online

    • Impact Website: https://www.impactbnd.com
    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobruffolo/
    • Twitter: https://twitter.com/BobRuffolo

    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     How to Create a Culture That Grows Your People and Your Business with Bob Ruffolo Parakeeto 00:40:59 In this episode, Bob Ruffolo from IMPACT joins us to share the story behind IMPACT - an award winning marketing agency. Among his lessons, he shares the struggle of getting stuck in the 20 ish employee range, and how he finally broke out of that to grow to over 60 employees today. In this episode, Bob Ruffolo from IMPACT joins us to share the story behind IMPACT - an award winning marketing agency. Among his lessons, he shares the struggle of getting stuck in the 20 ish employee range, and how he finally broke out of that to grow to over 60 employees today. false full 11     2662da21-9209-4e28-ac1f-6934cd5b6a9c Lessons from Growing a 7 Figure Agency with Kim Barrett In this episode, Kim Barrett shares some of the most important lessons from his journey growing Your Social Voice. He shares how things got out of hand, and how he scaled back his team, dramatically increased his profitability and systemized his business to take up less of his time.

    About Kim

    Kim Barrett is a world renown Social Media Marketer, focussing on Facebook. He Is an International Best Selling Author, Speaker and Trainer, having taught marketing around the world and helping businesses grow to 6 and 7 figures. He's also the founder of Your Social Voice, which helps businesses get heard on social media, and most importantly, build engagement, generate more leads and more sales.

    Follow Kim Online

    • Website: http://www.kimbarrett.com.au/
    • Your Social Voice: https://www.yoursocialvoice.com.au
    • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realkimbarrett/
    • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mrkimbarrett/

    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Wed, 3 Apr 2019 07:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Parakeeto) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ In this episode, Kim Barrett shares some of the most important lessons from his journey growing Your Social Voice. He shares how things got out of hand, and how he scaled back his team, dramatically increased his profitability and systemized his business to take up less of his time.

    About Kim

    Kim Barrett is a world renown Social Media Marketer, focussing on Facebook. He Is an International Best Selling Author, Speaker and Trainer, having taught marketing around the world and helping businesses grow to 6 and 7 figures. He's also the founder of Your Social Voice, which helps businesses get heard on social media, and most importantly, build engagement, generate more leads and more sales.

    Follow Kim Online

    • Website: http://www.kimbarrett.com.au/
    • Your Social Voice: https://www.yoursocialvoice.com.au
    • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realkimbarrett/
    • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mrkimbarrett/

    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Lessons from Growing a 7 Figure Agency with Kim Barrett Parakeeto 00:35:00 In this episode, Kim Barrett shares some of the most important lessons from his journey growing Your Social Voice. He shares how things got out of hand, and how he scaled back his team, dramatically increased his profitability and systemized his business to take up less of his time. In this episode, Kim Barrett shares some of the most important lessons from his journey growing Your Social Voice. He shares how things got out of hand, and how he scaled back his team, dramatically increased his profitability and systemized his business to take up less of his time. kim barrett, agency scaling, facebook agency, 7 figure agency, your social voice, agency process false full 10     91ab954c-f8fd-40ec-8cb0-ac7d5b7dde9e Are you Building to Sell or Building to Own? with Karl Sakas In this episode, Karl Sakas walks us through the differences in strategy for agencies who want to sell their business vs those who want to own it and fund their lifestyle. We talk specific metrics to measure & optimize, strategy changes and actionable tips to achieve your goals.

    About Karl

    Karl Sakas helps agency owners increase profits and reduce stress, by conquering growing pains. As a management consultant and executive coach at Sakas & Company, Karl has advised hundreds of agencies on every inhabited continent.

    He is the author of "Made to Lead," "The In-Demand Marketing Agency," and more than 300 articles on agency management on what we believe is one of the best agency blogs on the internet.

    When he’s not helping clients, Karl is an award-winning Past President of AMA Triangle and volunteers as a bartender on a 1930s railroad car.

    Resources from Karl

    1. Agency Growth Style (Lifestyle vs. Equity) blog: https://sakasandcompany.com/agency-growth-style/
    2. Making yourself "needed but not necessary" blog: https://sakasandcompany.com/needed-but-not-necessary/
    3. The "pile of crack" analogy, on sales pipeline strength: https://sakasandcompany.com/feast-or-famine/
    4. Preparing to sell, by building a "Dream 100 Acquirer" list: https://sakasandcompany.com/get-acquired/
    5. Free weekly tips: https://sakasandcompany.com/newsletter/
    6. Agency Resource Library (50+ time-saving agency tools, templates, and SOPs): https://sakasandcompany.com/agency-resource-library/

    Follow Karl Online

    • Website: https://sakasandcompany.com/
    • Twitter: https://twitter.com/KarlSakas
    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karlsakas/

    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Wed, 20 Mar 2019 07:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Parakeeto) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ In this episode, Karl Sakas walks us through the differences in strategy for agencies who want to sell their business vs those who want to own it and fund their lifestyle. We talk specific metrics to measure & optimize, strategy changes and actionable tips to achieve your goals.

    About Karl

    Karl Sakas helps agency owners increase profits and reduce stress, by conquering growing pains. As a management consultant and executive coach at Sakas & Company, Karl has advised hundreds of agencies on every inhabited continent.

    He is the author of "Made to Lead," "The In-Demand Marketing Agency," and more than 300 articles on agency management on what we believe is one of the best agency blogs on the internet.

    When he’s not helping clients, Karl is an award-winning Past President of AMA Triangle and volunteers as a bartender on a 1930s railroad car.

    Resources from Karl

    1. Agency Growth Style (Lifestyle vs. Equity) blog: https://sakasandcompany.com/agency-growth-style/
    2. Making yourself "needed but not necessary" blog: https://sakasandcompany.com/needed-but-not-necessary/
    3. The "pile of crack" analogy, on sales pipeline strength: https://sakasandcompany.com/feast-or-famine/
    4. Preparing to sell, by building a "Dream 100 Acquirer" list: https://sakasandcompany.com/get-acquired/
    5. Free weekly tips: https://sakasandcompany.com/newsletter/
    6. Agency Resource Library (50+ time-saving agency tools, templates, and SOPs): https://sakasandcompany.com/agency-resource-library/

    Follow Karl Online

    • Website: https://sakasandcompany.com/
    • Twitter: https://twitter.com/KarlSakas
    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karlsakas/

    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Are you Building to Sell or Building to Own? with Karl Sakas Parakeeto 00:34:59 In this episode, Karl Sakas walks us through the differences in strategy for agencies who want to sell their business vs those who want to own it and fund their lifestyle. We talk specific metrics to measure & optimize, strategy changes and actionable tips to achieve your goals. In this episode, Karl Sakas walks us through the differences in strategy for agencies who want to sell their business vs those who want to own it and fund their lifestyle. We talk specific metrics to measure & optimize, strategy changes and actionable tips to achieve your goals. false full 9     0ce0e253-0433-47e6-b17c-8f7a418014d2 How to Document Your Process so you can Scale Faster with Andrew Dymski In this episode, Andrew Dymski walks us through his process for creating beautifully documented processes your entire team can follow. We'll get into the how, who, when, where and why of documenting process, and cover some other great tips for agency scalability along the way.

    About Andrew Dymski

    Andrew is a Founder at ZenPilot where he helps marketing agencies buy back time by developing the processes and systems they need to scale without reinventing the wheel for every client. He's also co-host of the Agency Journey podcast where each week he interviews an agency owner, consultant, or author.

    He's also a founder at GuavaBox, an inbound marketing agency.

    Formerly he ran DoInbound, a software platform that helped agencies manage their projects and process and is truly a master when it comes to setting agencies up for scale and profitability.

    Follow Andrew Online

    • Website: https://www.zenpilot.com/
    • Podcast: https://www.zenpilot.com/inbound-agency-journey
    • Twitter: https://twitter.com/AndrewJDymski
    • Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewdymski/

    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Wed, 6 Mar 2019 08:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Parakeeto) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ In this episode, Andrew Dymski walks us through his process for creating beautifully documented processes your entire team can follow. We'll get into the how, who, when, where and why of documenting process, and cover some other great tips for agency scalability along the way.

    About Andrew Dymski

    Andrew is a Founder at ZenPilot where he helps marketing agencies buy back time by developing the processes and systems they need to scale without reinventing the wheel for every client. He's also co-host of the Agency Journey podcast where each week he interviews an agency owner, consultant, or author.

    He's also a founder at GuavaBox, an inbound marketing agency.

    Formerly he ran DoInbound, a software platform that helped agencies manage their projects and process and is truly a master when it comes to setting agencies up for scale and profitability.

    Follow Andrew Online

    • Website: https://www.zenpilot.com/
    • Podcast: https://www.zenpilot.com/inbound-agency-journey
    • Twitter: https://twitter.com/AndrewJDymski
    • Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewdymski/

    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     How to Document Your Process so you can Scale Faster with Andrew Dymski Parakeeto 00:36:07 In this episode, Andrew Dymski walks us through his process for creating beautifully documented processes your entire team can follow. We'll get into the how, who, when, where and why of documenting process, and cover some other great tips for agency scalability along the way. In this episode, Andrew Dymski walks us through his process for creating beautifully documented processes your entire team can follow. We'll get into the how, who, when, where and why of documenting process, and cover some other great tips for agency scalability along the way. zenpilot, process documentation, agency playbook, andrew dymski, doinbound, documenting process, agency process false full 8     ce9d8b7f-8181-42fe-90ac-4ca231b457dc The 3 Pillars of a World Class Agency Strategy with Robert Craven In this episode, Robert Craven walks us through what he's learned from helping 100's of agencies develop market-proof strategies that lead their companies to success. From the long term vision and plan, to pricing and positioning and even how to plan and communicate to your team, we cover it all.

    About Robert

    Robert Craven is the bestselling author of 8 books on how to grow a profitable service business, including his newest book "Grow Your Digital Agency". He's also an international keynote speaker, the director of the Google Partners Business Coaching Program, the President of the GYDA Initiative (Grow Your Digital Agency) and the President of the Director's Center.

    Needless to say, he's a respected authority when it comes to helping agencies reach peak performance and has helped 100's do so through his consulting, training programs and content.

    Resources from Robert

    • GYDA Book: http://bit.ly/GYDABook
    • Free GYDA Facebook Group: http://bit.ly/GYDAFBGroup

    Follow Robert Online

    • Website: https://robert-craven.com
    • Twitter: https://twitter.com/Robert_Craven
    • Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertcraven/

    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Wed, 20 Feb 2019 08:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Parakeeto) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ In this episode, Robert Craven walks us through what he's learned from helping 100's of agencies develop market-proof strategies that lead their companies to success. From the long term vision and plan, to pricing and positioning and even how to plan and communicate to your team, we cover it all.

    About Robert

    Robert Craven is the bestselling author of 8 books on how to grow a profitable service business, including his newest book "Grow Your Digital Agency". He's also an international keynote speaker, the director of the Google Partners Business Coaching Program, the President of the GYDA Initiative (Grow Your Digital Agency) and the President of the Director's Center.

    Needless to say, he's a respected authority when it comes to helping agencies reach peak performance and has helped 100's do so through his consulting, training programs and content.

    Resources from Robert

    • GYDA Book: http://bit.ly/GYDABook
    • Free GYDA Facebook Group: http://bit.ly/GYDAFBGroup

    Follow Robert Online

    • Website: https://robert-craven.com
    • Twitter: https://twitter.com/Robert_Craven
    • Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertcraven/

    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     The 3 Pillars of a World Class Agency Strategy with Robert Craven Parakeeto 00:38:05 In this episode, Robert Craven walks us through what he's learned from helping 100's of agencies develop market-proof strategies that lead their companies to success. From the long term vision and plan, to pricing and positioning and even how to plan and communicate to your team, we cover it all. In this episode, Robert Craven walks us through what he's learned from helping 100's of agencies develop market-proof strategies that lead their companies to success. From the long term vision and plan, to pricing and positioning and even how to plan and communicate to your team, we cover it all. agency strategy, agency pricing, robert craven, gyda false full 7     f2708614-c6d8-49c8-8e24-f2a842aef7da Transitioning from Agency to Saas with Kyle Racki In this episode, CEO and founder of Proposify Kyle Racki joins us to share the story of how he transitioned from running an agency to running a fast-growing startup. You'll hear the pitfalls to avoid, some great advice for mitigating risk and a few pro tips on sending better proposals.

    ** About Kyle Racki**

    Kyle Racki is the CEO and Founder of Proposify, an angel investor, speaker, host of the LTV Podcast and author of his newest book: Free Trials and Tribulations - How To Build A Business While Getting Punched In The Mouth.

    He went from running a small digital agency back in the early 2000's to building a software platform as a side project that eventually turned into Proposify, a company that now serves over 6,000 businesses worldwide.

    ** Follow Kyle Online**

    • Website: https://www.kyleracki.com/
    • Proposify: https://www.proposify.com/
    • Twitter: https://twitter.com/kyleracki
    • New Book: https://www.kyleracki.com/book/

    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Wed, 6 Feb 2019 08:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Parakeeto) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ In this episode, CEO and founder of Proposify Kyle Racki joins us to share the story of how he transitioned from running an agency to running a fast-growing startup. You'll hear the pitfalls to avoid, some great advice for mitigating risk and a few pro tips on sending better proposals.

    ** About Kyle Racki**

    Kyle Racki is the CEO and Founder of Proposify, an angel investor, speaker, host of the LTV Podcast and author of his newest book: Free Trials and Tribulations - How To Build A Business While Getting Punched In The Mouth.

    He went from running a small digital agency back in the early 2000's to building a software platform as a side project that eventually turned into Proposify, a company that now serves over 6,000 businesses worldwide.

    ** Follow Kyle Online**

    • Website: https://www.kyleracki.com/
    • Proposify: https://www.proposify.com/
    • Twitter: https://twitter.com/kyleracki
    • New Book: https://www.kyleracki.com/book/

    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Transitioning from Agency to Saas with Kyle Racki Parakeeto 00:30:45 In this episode, CEO and founder of Proposify Kyle Racki joins us to share the story of how he transitioned from running an agency to running a fast-growing startup. You'll hear the pitfalls to avoid, some great advice for mitigating risk and a few pro tips on sending better proposals. In this episode, CEO and founder of Proposify Kyle Racki joins us to share the story of how he transitioned from running an agency to running a fast-growing startup. You'll hear the pitfalls to avoid, some great advice for mitigating risk and a few pro tips on sending better proposals. agency to saas, proposify, agency to startup, kyle racki, agency saas false full 6     e65fe783-678c-4c91-b872-ce0ca7a0a086 How to Become a Hands Off CEO and Make More Profit Doing It with Mandi Ellefson In this episode, Mandi Ellefson walks us through step by step tactics for agency owners who want to increase their prices and profits, while spending less time running day to day operations and build a business that can scale without them.

    About Mandi

    Mandi Ellefson is the founder of The Hands-Off CEO and a Scalable Freedom Strategist.

    She works with owner managed 7 and 8 figure consultancies, agencies, tech businesses, and B2B service business owners to first recover 20-40 extra hours per month. Then use that time to scale up without working more hours. When you’re removed as the bottleneck, you can sustain dramatic growth in a way where quality increases. She also offers a program for fast growing 6 figure businesses called Scale to Freedom.

    She got into this line of work to solve a problem she had. She was a manager at the time, but with an entrepreneurial spirit. She wanted freedom to play and travel, but also wanted to make a big impact.

    So she found another way, and simplified and systematized their business for them. In the process, she worked a quarter of the time, and got to travel around the world when it suited her. Now she helps other agency owners create the same lifestyle.

    Follow Mandi Online

    • Website: http://handsoffceo.com/
    • Twitter: https://twitter.com/mandiellefson?lang=en
    • Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mandiellefson/

    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Tue, 18 Dec 2018 13:57:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Parakeeto) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ In this episode, Mandi Ellefson walks us through step by step tactics for agency owners who want to increase their prices and profits, while spending less time running day to day operations and build a business that can scale without them.

    About Mandi

    Mandi Ellefson is the founder of The Hands-Off CEO and a Scalable Freedom Strategist.

    She works with owner managed 7 and 8 figure consultancies, agencies, tech businesses, and B2B service business owners to first recover 20-40 extra hours per month. Then use that time to scale up without working more hours. When you’re removed as the bottleneck, you can sustain dramatic growth in a way where quality increases. She also offers a program for fast growing 6 figure businesses called Scale to Freedom.

    She got into this line of work to solve a problem she had. She was a manager at the time, but with an entrepreneurial spirit. She wanted freedom to play and travel, but also wanted to make a big impact.

    So she found another way, and simplified and systematized their business for them. In the process, she worked a quarter of the time, and got to travel around the world when it suited her. Now she helps other agency owners create the same lifestyle.

    Follow Mandi Online

    • Website: http://handsoffceo.com/
    • Twitter: https://twitter.com/mandiellefson?lang=en
    • Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mandiellefson/

    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     How to Become a Hands Off CEO and Make More Profit Doing It with Mandi Ellefson Parakeeto 00:44:54 In this episode, Mandi Ellefson walks us through step by step tactics for agency owners who want to increase their prices and profits, while spending less time running day to day operations and build a business that can scale without them. In this episode, Mandi Ellefson walks us through step by step tactics for agency owners who want to increase their prices and profits, while spending less time running day to day operations and build a business that can scale without them. agency profit, mandi ellefson, agency growth, creative agency, hands off ceo, agency management false full 5     e537701c-e475-4fd4-941c-b2f80c6a67b1 Carl Smiths' Biggest Lessons from a Lifetime of the #AgencyLife Carl Smith has done and seen it all. He's worked his way up the ladder at a big agency. He's gone off to start his own agency, growing it to millions in revenue with thought leadership in his niche. Finally, he's taken over an organization that brings together agency owners all over the country. What's the most important thing he's learned through his trials and tribulations? Tune in to find out.

    About Carl

    A theater major who decided to act like he understood business, Carl spent 14 years in advertising before launching his digital agency, nGen Works, in 2003.

    nGen ran for 12 years, constantly experimenting with different models of management and team structure, including the Jellyfish Model which was flat before flat was cool.

    Towards the end of nGen’s run, Carl attended the very first Bureau event and fell madly in love with the concept of building community in the web industry. So much so that a few years later he closed nGen to take over the Bureau in 2016. Now Carl spends every day connecting digital professionals to give them the support they need.

    Follow Carl Online:

    • Website: https://bureauofdigital.com
    • Twitter: https://twitter.com/carlsmith
    • Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carl-smith-4b46a32/

    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Mon, 3 Dec 2018 13:44:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Parakeeto) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Carl Smith has done and seen it all. He's worked his way up the ladder at a big agency. He's gone off to start his own agency, growing it to millions in revenue with thought leadership in his niche. Finally, he's taken over an organization that brings together agency owners all over the country. What's the most important thing he's learned through his trials and tribulations? Tune in to find out.

    About Carl

    A theater major who decided to act like he understood business, Carl spent 14 years in advertising before launching his digital agency, nGen Works, in 2003.

    nGen ran for 12 years, constantly experimenting with different models of management and team structure, including the Jellyfish Model which was flat before flat was cool.

    Towards the end of nGen’s run, Carl attended the very first Bureau event and fell madly in love with the concept of building community in the web industry. So much so that a few years later he closed nGen to take over the Bureau in 2016. Now Carl spends every day connecting digital professionals to give them the support they need.

    Follow Carl Online:

    • Website: https://bureauofdigital.com
    • Twitter: https://twitter.com/carlsmith
    • Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carl-smith-4b46a32/

    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Carl Smiths' Biggest Lessons from a Lifetime of the #AgencyLife Parakeeto 00:46:11 Carl Smith shares his biggest lessons from a lifetime of working at agencies, building and selling an agency of his own, and now bringing together agencies at events all over the country through the Bureau of Digital. Carl Smith shares his biggest lessons from a lifetime of working at agencies, building and selling an agency of his own, and now bringing together agencies at events all over the country through the Bureau of Digital. advertising agency, bureau of digital, agency growth, agency, carl smith, creative agency false full 4     36bc326a-71da-40fa-ae4b-4304eb601f46 How to Double Your Profits and Half your Workload through Agency Productization with Lee Goff Tune in to learn from Lee Goff on how you can start doubling your profits, cutting down your workload and setting your agency up for scale through productization.

    In this episode, we discuss what productization really means, how to do it, and what mistakes to avoid.

    About Lee Goff:

    Since founding GetUWired in 2003 in Lee’s upstairs bedroom, GetUWired has helped thousands of business owners around the world break through the glass ceiling and live the lives they deserve — making more money with less work and having more time for all the things they love. Lee is living proof that his formula works.

    In May 2016 he sold out his remaining shares to his longtime partners to pursue his lifelong passion of mentoring small businesses. His motto is “Success using vision, leadership and shared knowledge”. He shares everything he learned while building GetUWired. His new venture is leegoff.com and is in business to help small businesses grow faster and more profitable than they could have ever imagined.

    Follow Lee Online:

    • Website: https://marketingagencycoach.com
    • Twitter: @Agency_Coaching
    • Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/digitalmarketingagencygroup/

    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Tue, 27 Nov 2018 13:19:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Parakeeto) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Tune in to learn from Lee Goff on how you can start doubling your profits, cutting down your workload and setting your agency up for scale through productization.

    In this episode, we discuss what productization really means, how to do it, and what mistakes to avoid.

    About Lee Goff:

    Since founding GetUWired in 2003 in Lee’s upstairs bedroom, GetUWired has helped thousands of business owners around the world break through the glass ceiling and live the lives they deserve — making more money with less work and having more time for all the things they love. Lee is living proof that his formula works.

    In May 2016 he sold out his remaining shares to his longtime partners to pursue his lifelong passion of mentoring small businesses. His motto is “Success using vision, leadership and shared knowledge”. He shares everything he learned while building GetUWired. His new venture is leegoff.com and is in business to help small businesses grow faster and more profitable than they could have ever imagined.

    Follow Lee Online:

    • Website: https://marketingagencycoach.com
    • Twitter: @Agency_Coaching
    • Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/digitalmarketingagencygroup/

    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     How to Double Your Profits and Half your Workload through Agency Productization with Lee Goff Parakeeto 00:36:05 Lee Goff from marketingagencycoach.com joins us to talk about productization can transform how you run your agency. Lee Goff from marketingagencycoach.com joins us to talk about productization can transform how you run your agency. lee goff, agency profitability, agency efficiency, agency productization, agency growth, productizing services false full 3     3aab312b-aff8-4c22-8a10-a3dc081a039e The Most Important Metrics for Agency Profitability with Jody Grunden Jody Grunden is CEO & C0-Founder of Summit CPA Group - an accounting firm that works exclusively with Agencies. He's also an industry speaker, and a published author. He started Summit CPA Group in 2002, bringing more than 23 years of public and corporate accounting leadership, tax expertise, and executive management experience to his role with the company.

    With the mission of changing the way that people think about accounting, Summit CPA Group specializes in helping digital agencies manage and scale their financial health through solid forecasting based on both financial and non-financial metrics through its Virtual CFO Services.

    His latest book, Digital Dollars and Cents: A Virtual CFO's Playbook to help Digital Companies Create a Financial Roadmap to Success can be read on Kindle.


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Wed, 31 Oct 2018 21:08:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Parakeeto) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ Jody Grunden is CEO & C0-Founder of Summit CPA Group - an accounting firm that works exclusively with Agencies. He's also an industry speaker, and a published author. He started Summit CPA Group in 2002, bringing more than 23 years of public and corporate accounting leadership, tax expertise, and executive management experience to his role with the company.

    With the mission of changing the way that people think about accounting, Summit CPA Group specializes in helping digital agencies manage and scale their financial health through solid forecasting based on both financial and non-financial metrics through its Virtual CFO Services.

    His latest book, Digital Dollars and Cents: A Virtual CFO's Playbook to help Digital Companies Create a Financial Roadmap to Success can be read on Kindle.


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     The Most Important Metrics for Agency Profitability with Jody Grunden Parakeeto 00:44:15 Ever wonder what the most important metrics for your agency's profitability are? Jody Grunden from Summit CPA shares his insights from working with over 75 agencies as a virtual CFO. Ever wonder what the most important metrics for your agency's profitability are? Jody Grunden from Summit CPA shares his insights from working with over 75 agencies as a virtual CFO. digital dollars and cents, summit cpa, digital agency, jody grunden, agency, creative agency, profitability false full 2     40bd9e65-b0cf-45b6-9073-c363285446fd Double Your Agency's Profits Through Great Positioning with Kelly Campbell In this episode, we chat with Kelly Campbell about the power of positioning.

    Tune in to find out how positioning can help you attract higher quality clients, increase your profitability, shorten your sales cycle, increase your rates, and streamline your operations (among other things).

    About Kelly Campbell:

    After 15 years of starting, scaling and selling my own digital agency in New York, she loves helping other agency leaders do the same. She works with established agencies in the creative and tech industries, typically with $2-30MM in annual revenue, looking to transform and committed to investing in the significant growth of their organization.

    As a consultant, she takes a unique and holistic approach to helping agencies level-up (and helping CEOs define the life they want to live). Maybe it’s because she's one of the only women working in this space, or from experience, she understands that agency ownership transcends numbers— it’s a journey that can be an emotional roller coaster or lead to a spiritual awakening.

    She has two superpowers. Intent, active listening helps me understand the nuances of what’s being said and more importantly what’s not being said within your agency.

    • Follow Kelly's THRIVE podcast: https://klcampbell.com/category/podcast/
    • Follow Kelly on Twitter: https://twitter.com/agencyscaler
    • Follow Kelly on LinkeIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellylcampbell

    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Sat, 13 Oct 2018 15:00:00 +0000 marcel@parakeeto.com (Parakeeto) https://parakeeto.com/blog/ In this episode, we chat with Kelly Campbell about the power of positioning.

    Tune in to find out how positioning can help you attract higher quality clients, increase your profitability, shorten your sales cycle, increase your rates, and streamline your operations (among other things).

    About Kelly Campbell:

    After 15 years of starting, scaling and selling my own digital agency in New York, she loves helping other agency leaders do the same. She works with established agencies in the creative and tech industries, typically with $2-30MM in annual revenue, looking to transform and committed to investing in the significant growth of their organization.

    As a consultant, she takes a unique and holistic approach to helping agencies level-up (and helping CEOs define the life they want to live). Maybe it’s because she's one of the only women working in this space, or from experience, she understands that agency ownership transcends numbers— it’s a journey that can be an emotional roller coaster or lead to a spiritual awakening.

    She has two superpowers. Intent, active listening helps me understand the nuances of what’s being said and more importantly what’s not being said within your agency.

    • Follow Kelly's THRIVE podcast: https://klcampbell.com/category/podcast/
    • Follow Kelly on Twitter: https://twitter.com/agencyscaler
    • Follow Kelly on LinkeIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellylcampbell

    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ]]>     Double Your Agency's Profits Through Great Positioning with Kelly Campbell Parakeeto 00:39:23 In this episode, we chat with Kelly Campbell about the power of positioning. Tune in to find out how positioning can help you attract higher quality clients, increase your profitability, shorten your sales cycle, increase your rates, and streamline your operations (among other things). In this episode, we chat with Kelly Campbell about the power of positioning. Tune in to find out how positioning can help you attract higher quality clients, increase your profitability, shorten your sales cycle, increase your rates, and streamline your operations (among other things). kelly campbell, digital agency, agency profits, agency positioning, agencycon, increasing profits false full 1