My Favorite Writings
Growing a business.
This is what almost everyone in business wants.
You want more customers, more revenue, more freedom.
And for most people, when they are getting started, it’s just all about getting by.
Getting the first customers in the door.
Getting stable.
Getting marketing and lead generation working.
Yet once you finally figure out marketing… and you have a product that people want….
Then the game changes.
This post is NOT about how to generate new customers so your business can grow.
This post is about the challenges that come when your business starts to hit rapid growth… and what you can do to prepare for it.
Someday’s you slide…
This past week, I slid on my eating behavior.
Back to unhealthy habits.
I was triggered by back pain.
And I coped with food.
You know my favorite part of business...
It’s the thrill of selling a new offer.
Coming up with an idea out of thin air, or dialing in on exactly what the market wants to buy right now.
It’s that moment where you say, “Yes… we can offer this." You whip something together really fast... and then you sell it.
Gosh, it’s thrilling!
Dopamine hits to the brain to the max!
In this article, I’m going to walk through how I like to take new ideas to market.
“If you made this decision 10 years ago, would you be happy with that decision today?
If you make this decision today, do you think you will be happy 10 years from now?”
Give the market what it wants - Power & Wealth
Do work that gives me meaning - Integrity
The Fountainhead is my favorite book of all time.
Ayn Rand describes her objective with the book as portraying “The Ideal Man”.
There is no other book I have found which so encapsulates the raging battle that goes on inside an entrepreneur.
The rage between the creative part of the entrepreneur, and the part that must give the market what it wants.
In this article, I want to share what The Fountainhead means to me, and how it taught me deep lessons about Power, Wealth, and Integrity.
After building up Lead Cookie & Content Allies to a decent state, I am beginning to look at building up a third company with a business partner this time.
As I am doing this, I realized I needed to look back on what worked with my two successful companies, and what failed in the many attempts I made on other ventures.
I’ve tried a lot of things before Lead Cookie, while running these companies, and I even made a lot of mistakes in the first couple of years of Content Allies.
So this post… well it’s kind of for myself. To document what I have learned so I don’t repeat these same mistakes on my third company.
But hopefully you find some value in it as well.
When I started down the journey of entrepreneurship, no one told me that my own emotions would become one of the most difficult aspects to manage.
Yet, over the years, I've learned to see how my emotions can be detrimental to business and lead to very poor decision-making.
In this article, I'm going to talk through some of the emotional challenges that you may wrestle with as an entrepreneur, some of the pitfalls they got me in, and how I have done my best to overcome them.
Unique Ability. It's pretty wild but this simple concept (and those two words) have had a profound impact on my life, work, and happiness.
In the early days of Lead Cookie, I started studying the work of Dan Sullivan, of Strategic Coach, which has been around coaching entrepreneurs since the 1980s. One of the concepts that stuck out to me from Dan's work is the idea of Unique Ability.
"If you don't find some other outlet for your creative energy, you will just keep tinkering with your business." - Alex McClafferty
It's amazing how one simple statement can create a ripple effect that can change the course of your life. This quote above is one that my business advisor shared with me about a year ago. And the impacts of that statement has led to massive changes and an increased fulfillment in my life.
Culture.
In the entrepreneurial sense, it is an ambiguous thing about "how it feels to work at your company" that is rather hard to quantify.
Yet you hear entrepreneurs talk about it all the time.
While I don't believe there is any specific "how to" on building a great culture, I do think there are many things you can pick up, learn, and apply to your own company.
In this article, I am going to dive into how we have built a culture at Lead Cookie and how we are currently building one at Content Allies.
"I feel like I am on a roller coaster ride" - This was a consistent quote from me in the early days of building Lead Cookie as I had calls with my adviser, Alex McClafferty.
Each day I woke up early and worked insanely long days, in what felt like an endless cycle of just trying to keep my head above water.
And each week, during our advising calls, Alex would have to remind me of this simple lesson:
"You are not on a roller coaster. You are in the driver's seat. You choose what business you build."
There is a business concept that I learned recently which was a huge revelation for me.
It helped me optimize Lead Cookie, increase our profitability, and streamline our operations.
The concept is "The Queen Bee Role" and it actually comes from Mike Michalowicz's most recent book called Clockwork.
It may seem counterintuitive, but taking a vacation is one of the most productive things you can do as an entrepreneur.
As I write this, I just returned from a 1.5-week vacation where I did hardly any work. I will be honest, I checked in a couple of times, but for the most part, I was totally disconnected from my team.
On the surface, you would think that a vacation means you are not getting anything done.
"Your business is a reflection of you."
This simple lesson that I first learned from my adviser, Alex McClafferty, keeps proving to be true time and time again.
Over the past few months, I found myself rather stressed and ridden by anxiety.
And as a result, that flows onto my team, and eventually onto our customers.
About two years ago, I found myself frustrated.
I had been at the entrepreneurial game for 8 years at that point, and I still just didn't feel like I was "making it".
I was working countless hours.
I was making OK money, but not nearly what I had hoped for.
And I ultimately just felt like I should be doing better than I was.
Over the past 20 months, I went from being a consultant to running a productized service, generating over $50k MRR. During the first 6 months of that time, I worked with my advisor, Co-Founder of WP Curve Alex McClafferty, and I am currently working with him again.
During those 6 months, I took a total of 120 pages of notes from our calls. After each call, I would go back and highlight my key learnings and insights.
Recently, I decided to read through all 120 pages of notes and pull out the key insights.
Since starting up Lead Cookie I have had multiple people tell me “This is such a brilliant idea for a business.”
I always laugh because I have to tell them, “I didn’t think up any of this. I literally stole the concepts from others.”
No joke, almost everything about Lead Cookie is stolen.
But the truth is, that is why this business has succeeded while almost every business I have had before has failed.
In this article, I am going to share what I mean by the “stolen ideas” and give you a framework on how you can steal effectively and ethically.
Digital Agencies
These podcast production companies, agencies, and editing services will help you make a commercial-quality podcast. This list has all the options you need when considering a vendor for either a B2B or B2C podcast. We have analyzed every top agency, company, and service in the podcasting space to bring you the best.
When people think of podcast advertising, they think of sponsors and big brands paying to run ads on podcasts. For example, a midroll ad or a host-read opening spot. It is undoubtedly an effective way to generate revenue and if your B2B podcast has the traffic, go for it.
But maybe you don’t have the traffic to attract sponsors, you need to build an audience, or you’re starting a new podcast and you have the budget to launch with a bang. Or perhaps one of your key KPIs is downloads and you want to buy a boost to guarantee your budget moving forward.
Statistics show that 78% of people make buying decisions based on social media brand posts. This number may be high because according to BroadbandSearch, the average person spends 2,5 hours on social media every day, and more people are making online purchases.
Influencer marketing is a new way to reach customers in the digital age. This article takes a look at the best influencer marketing agencies.
With marketing budgets under pressure, many of the world’s biggest brands are using influencer marketing to reach their customer base. But it’s not as simple as working with any influencer. Discover the top influencer marketing platforms and software.
HR & Executive Search
Securing the right executive talent is a must for businesses to stay competitive.
Companies grapple with the complexities of finding suitable candidates and ensuring they align with the long-term vision and culture.
If you’re overwhelmed by the executive search task, you’re not alone.
Fortunately, you’ve landed on the right page to navigate this challenge confidently.
In this article, you'll discover:
The current trends in executive search
10 tips for improving your executive search strategies
Keep reading to make the most of these 10 insider tips for a successful executive search strategy.
Healthcare recruitment is facing unprecedented challenges. The demand for qualified professionals is outpacing supply.
In the United States, the average time to fill a healthcare position is 49 days, with each day's delay costing approximately $10,122, totaling nearly $500,000 over the hiring period.
Hiring delays disrupt patient care and operational efficiency. Traditional staffing methods struggle to keep up with urgent needs.
Here’s how RPO can help:
Access to specialized healthcare talent.
Faster time-to-fill for critical positions.
Cost savings through streamlined hiring processes.
Regulatory compliance built into every hire.
Scalable recruitment that adapts to your facility’s needs.
This article explores the key benefits of Healthcare RPO and how it delivers time and cost-saving advantages for your recruitment efforts.
Let’s dive in.
As a specialized business owner, identifying top Amazon ecommerce recruiters, staffing agencies, headhunters, and search firms is crucial.
Connecting with the right recruitment partner boosts your company’s potential by aligning you with leaders who can pivot strategies, drive significant growth, and shape market trends.
Recruiters specialize. They have a keen eye for talent that matches the unique demands of the Amazon marketplace. They possess expansive networks and deep insights into the industry. The right staffing agency tailors its approach, working hard to understand your business needs.
To help you connect with the right Amazon ecommerce recruiting partner, we’ve put together this list of the best.
Civil engineering demands a unique blend of skills, knowledge, and experience, making the role of recruiters and executive search firms particularly valuable. These professionals possess a deep understanding of the industry's nuances, allowing them to identify and attract talent that can not only fulfill the technical requirements of a role but also contribute to the visionary projects that define our built environment.
The importance of these firms extends beyond mere talent placement. They act as vital connectors in an industry where the right connections can mean the difference between a project's success and failure. By leveraging their extensive networks, these recruiters can bring together diverse skill sets and perspectives, fostering innovation and excellence in civil engineering projects.
Paralegals play an important role on legal teams, providing essential support that enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of legal services. Partnering with top paralegal recruiters and staffing agencies helps law firms and legal departments find qualified professionals who meet their needs.
In the casino and gambling world, finding the right talent can be as much of a gamble as the industry itself. The stakes are high, and the need for seasoned professionals who not only understand the intricacies of the business but can also drive innovation and growth is paramount. Enter the specialized world of casino and gambling recruiters, headhunters, and executive search firms.
These industry-specific power players excel at connecting top-tier talent with leading organizations, ensuring a perfect match that benefits both parties. In this article, we'll dive into the top 11 recruiters, headhunters, and executive search firms dedicated to the casino and gambling sectors, exploring how their expertise and networks can help businesses and professionals hit the jackpot in their career or talent search.
Cloud computing has become the backbone of modern businesses, driving efficiency and innovation in all kinds of industries. As a result, finding the right talent to manage and optimize cloud infrastructure has become an essential task. Cloud computing recruiters have the expertise and networks to identify candidates with specialized skills in cloud technologies like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud. These agencies have in-depth knowledge of the industry, and with access to a vast pool of qualified candidates, they can help companies find the right fit for both permanent and contract positions. When selecting a cloud computing recruiter, you’ll need to consider their experience in the tech industry, their knowledge of your company's specific requirements, and their overall recruitment process. To help you get started, we’ve put together a list of 11 of the best cloud computing recruiting partners out there.
The challenge of finding highly skilled NetSuite talent is best approached with the help of specialized recruiters, staffing agencies, headhunters, and search firms.
NetSuite, as a leading integrated cloud business software suite, requires a specific set of skills for its effective implementation, customization, and maintenance. This is where specialized NetSuite recruiters and staffing agencies come into play. They possess a deep understanding of the NetSuite ecosystem and have a vast network of professionals who are proficient in NetSuite.
There is a lot of choice here, so in this article, we’ll share 12 of the best Netsuite recruiters, staffing agencies, headhunters, and search firms to help narrow down your search.
SAP ERP systems are fundamental to the backbone of modern enterprise operations, integrating diverse functions into a unified system. Their efficacy hinges on the capabilities of SAP professionals, who ensure these systems not only function but drive business value. This article delves into the competencies that define top-tier SAP professionals, pivotal for both implementation and ongoing system optimization. We will explore the technical skills, certifications, and personal attributes that set these experts apart.
In an era where data is more valuable than oil, businesses are increasingly reliant on Business Intelligence (BI) to make informed decisions. BI recruiters, staffing agencies, headhunters, and search firms play a critical role in connecting top talent with organizations that need to analyze complex data to forecast, plan, and make strategic decisions.
These specialized recruitment agencies have a deep understanding of the BI market and access to a network of skilled professionals capable of transforming raw data into actionable insights.
Finding the right BI recruitment partner is essential for accessing top talent, and it can also be challenging. A specialized agency with a focus on BI can offer personalized service, understanding both the technical requirements of BI roles and the specific needs of your business.
In this article, we’ll introduce you to 11 of the best Business Intelligence (BI) recruiters, staffing agencies, headhunters, and search firms out there to help you make your choice.
By understanding the unique needs and culture of each company, these firms can identify and attract candidates who not only have the right skills but also share the company's vision and values. This level of specificity in recruitment is invaluable in building a strong, cohesive, and forward-moving industrial workforce. Moreover, these firms often have access to top-tier talent pools, including passive candidates who may not be actively seeking new opportunities but are open to the right offer. Their extensive networks and industry insights enable them to pinpoint individuals who can not only fulfill the current needs of a business but also contribute to its future success.
Data Science demands a unique blend of skills in computer science, statistics, and domain-specific knowledge. Finding talent in this interdisciplinary field can be as complex and nuanced as the work itself.
Recruiters, staffing agencies, headhunters, and search firms specializing in Data Science play a crucial role in bridging the gap between organizations seeking to harness data's power and the skilled professionals capable of turning data into actionable insights.
Selecting the right recruitment partner is critical to securing top Data Science talent. A good starting point is to look for agencies with a proven track record in the field, evidenced by successful placements and strong client testimonials. It is also important to assess their understanding of your specific industry and the unique challenges it presents.
In this article, we’ll introduce 12 of the best data science recruiters, staffing agencies, and search firms to help you make an informed decision.
If you want to get a competitive edge, you don’t just need awesome products; you need top talent.
Talent management is a strategic imperative whether you’re a global corporation, a budding startup, or anything in between.
But for that, you need the help of experts who can transform your talent strategy into a competitive advantage.
Companies across various industries seek to harness machine learning to analyze data, predict outcomes, and automate processes. This demand has led to a surge in the need for skilled professionals who understand machine learning, making the role of recruiters, staffing agencies, headhunters, and search firms more crucial than ever.
Machine learning recruiters and staffing agencies possess a deep understanding of the technical requirements and are adept at identifying candidates who not only have the necessary skills but also fit the company's culture and vision. By doing so, they ensure that companies are not just hiring employees, but are investing in future innovators who can drive their business forward.
In this article, we’ll explore 12 of the top machine learning recruiters, staffing agencies, headhunters, and search firms to help you make your choice.
In today's dynamic business world, a Chief Operating Officer (COO) is crucial for guiding companies to success. Opting for expert search firms ensures a perfect match in skills and organizational culture.
This article highlights leading COO executive search and recruiting firms, renowned for their expertise in executive compensation consulting. Gain quick insights into the unique offerings of these esteemed agencies.
AI (Artificial Intelligence) has quickly become a cornerstone for innovation and growth. As industries across the board scramble to integrate AI into their operations, the demand for skilled professionals who can navigate this complex field has skyrocketed.
This surge has given rise to a specialized niche within the recruitment sector, dedicated to connecting businesses with the best AI talent. AI recruiters, staffing agencies, headhunters, and search firms play a critical role in bridging the gap between AI companies and top-tier talent.
These entities specialize in understanding the nuanced requirements of AI roles, from data scientists and machine learning engineers to AI research scientists.
Selecting the appropriate AI recruitment partner is critical for both businesses looking to hire and professionals seeking new opportunities. In this article, we’ll introduce 12 of the best AI recruiters, staffing agencies, headhunters, and search firms to help you make a more informed choice.
The chief revenue officer (CRO) is a pivotal role that holds the reins of revenue generation and growth. The CRO is the visionary leader responsible for charting the course of a company's sales strategy, aligning its structure with that vision, and ultimately driving the teams that transform goals into realities. However, finding the right CRO is no small feat. It's a quest for a special breed of executive talent — individuals who possess not only a proven track record but also the unique blend of leadership, innovation, and adaptability required to thrive in today's dynamic markets.
Sales professionals play a crucial role in any business. Top sales recruiters, headhunters, and executive search firms excel in identifying and placing such talent, ensuring that companies can meet and exceed their sales objectives.
Excellent customer service isn't just a practice; it's a philosophy that can dramatically influence a company's success.
Finding the right talent to uphold this philosophy requires more than a standard recruitment process—it demands a specialized approach. This is where customer service and support recruiting, staffing agencies, headhunters, and search firms play a pivotal role.
Specialized recruiting agencies for customer service and support bring a valuable depth of knowledge and expertise to the hiring process. They understand the unique challenges and requirements of these roles, which range from exceptional communication skills to the ability to resolve conflicts and ensure customer satisfaction.
By tapping into their extensive networks and employing sophisticated screening processes, these firms can identify the best possible candidates.
In this article, we’ll take a look at 11 of the best customer service and customer support recruiting partners.
As companies strive to attract and retain customers in today's highly competitive market, the role of customer success professionals has skyrocketed in demand. These team members ensure customers are satisfied, engaged, and seeing the value in products or services, ultimately driving growth and reducing churn.
However, finding the right talent to fill these crucial roles can be a daunting task. This is where the expertise of specialized recruiters, headhunters, and staffing firms comes into play, acting as a bridge between top-tier customer success talent and leading companies seeking to enhance their customer engagement strategies.
The retail landscape transforms on a daily basis, led by emerging trends popping up, along with new regulations and influences. To remain competitive, successful retail professionals, including employees and managers, are characterized by their forward-thinking approach and adaptability to new market trends. They stay informed about the latest consumer behaviors and technological advancements, ensuring they remain competitive and relevant in a dynamic marketplace.
In the realm of engineering, the quest to match the brightest minds with the ideal projects or companies is a meticulous journey. Engineering recruiters, headhunters, and executive search firms play a crucial role in this process, serving as the bridge between innovative companies and top-tier talent.
By understanding the value these specialists bring and knowing how to choose the right partner, both companies and professionals can achieve their goals, fostering innovation and success in the engineering sector.
Processes… we all know it’s part of what we need to scale our businesses.
You hear people talk about Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) all the time.
I’m a huge believer in SOP’s and have been using them for a while… yet recently I’ve had some mindset shifts in how I think about processes.
In this article, I am going to share the mindset shifts and how I now think about building a process driven business.