Chris Out’s Post

𝘼𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙮 𝙊𝙬𝙣𝙚𝙧: 𝙎𝙩𝙤𝙥 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙉𝙚𝙚𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨, 𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘽𝙤𝙡𝙙𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 Needy isn't a good look—whether you're chasing clients, cobbling together a team, or seeking out new partners. When you're needy, you're often in the worst position to attract what you really want. So, what should you do instead? Understand the true essence of the business you're really in. Adopt a "Hell Yes" mindset. Engage only with "Hell Yes" clients, collaborate only with "Hell Yes" partners, and hire only "Hell Yes" team members. Define in detail what makes a client, a partner, or a team member a "Hell Yes" for you, and resolve to accept nothing less. This approach requires you to be crystal clear about what you want to attract and to have the courage to say no to anything that doesn't meet your strict criteria. I know this is a massive mindset shift for many agency owners who have built their businesses by saying yes to everything. But to evolve and elevate your agency, saying no is not just an option—it's a necessity. The time to level up is now. Stop being needy. Start being selective. Transform neediness into boldness and watch as the quality of your business relationships transforms along with it. P.S. Want to learn more about this? Read Pitch Anything from Oren Klaff

𝘼𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙮 𝙊𝙬𝙣𝙚𝙧: 𝙎𝙩𝙤𝙥 𝙎𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙒𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝘾𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨 Selecting the right clients is an art that can drastically alter the performance of your agency. It’s the difference between good and bad margins, a happy team or a stressed one, and whether you experience freedom or constant headaches. We've all faced the temptation to take on a client, knowing it might get messy—because those invoices help pay the salaries. Stop taking these clients on! But what about the clients that push us to our limits? While challenging, these clients can stretch your capabilities, refine your processes, and enhance your credibility, setting you up to attract even more desirable projects. There's a fine line to walk. Working with the wrong clients can drain your energy and divert your focus from where it could be most effectively applied. It’s crucial to master the art and science of agency growth, and a significant part of that mastery involves making strategic choices about who you work with. Remember, it’s okay to say no. It’s okay to part ways with clients who aren't the right fit for your agency. Making these tough choices frees up space to attract and retain clients who align with your values and goals, ultimately making your agency more successful and your life significantly better. Start valuing your peace of mind as much as your bottom line. After all, the right clients aren't just good for business—they're essential for it.

𝘼𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙮 𝙊𝙬𝙣𝙚𝙧: 𝙔𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙎𝙪𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙥𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧 𝙃𝙖𝙨 𝙖 𝘿𝙖𝙧𝙠 𝙎𝙞𝙙𝙚 Your superpower as an agency owner is your ability to see that things can always be done better. It’s why your clients love your work and why you excel in your role. But are you aware that this superpower has a dark side that could be stifling your agency’s growth and your personal happiness? The downside is this: your constant drive for improvement may prevent you from recognizing and celebrating your achievements. This relentless pursuit of better can make it difficult to appreciate what you’ve already accomplished, leading you to undervalue your own success. Worse yet, it might leave you feeling insecure, which can be a sales killer. It might sound odd, but people often choose to buy from those who exude confidence in their capabilities. Just yesterday, one of my agency clients mentioned they’re about to enter a very prestigious list at an impressively high rank. They brought it up halfway through our conversation as if it were just another piece of news, because they had already moved on to the next challenge. But moments like these deserve massive celebration! They boost your confidence and enhance your appeal to current and potential clients. So here’s my message to you: Learn to recognize the dark side of your superpower. Understand how it impacts your view of your achievements and your business's growth. By acknowledging what you've already accomplished and allowing yourself to truly celebrate those wins, you'll boost your confidence and in turn, enhance your sales effectiveness. See how simple and transformative managing this aspect of your superpower can be?

𝘼𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙮 𝙊𝙬𝙣𝙚𝙧: 𝙒𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙒𝙤𝙧𝙠 𝙇𝙚𝙨𝙨? 𝙁𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙔𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙁𝙧𝙚𝙚 𝙏𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙒𝙞𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙮 𝙁𝙞𝙧𝙨𝙩! Many agency owners dream of working fewer hours but often find this goal just out of reach. Why? They overlook a universal law: an empty space will always fill itself. Just like how every nook and cranny in your home eventually finds its purpose, or how nature abhors a vacuum, any free time you carve out without a plan will quickly be swallowed up by the unexpected. Here’s the secret to genuinely working less: actively decide what will fill the time you free up. If you don't intentionally plan how to spend your non-working hours, they'll inevitably be consumed by more work or trivial activities that don't enrich your life. What’s your recharge activity? Cooking, reading, golfing, fitness—whatever it is, make sure it’s something that revitalizes you. This isn’t just about filling time; it’s about enhancing the quality of your life outside work. Start by mapping out how you want to spend your free hours. This isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity for anyone aiming for a sustainable work-life balance. By setting these boundaries, you create a buffer that protects your personal time and leads to greater productivity and satisfaction during your working hours. So, ask yourself: What will fill your newfound free time? Define this, and you’ll unlock the door to true freedom and a fulfilling life.

𝘼𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙮 𝙊𝙬𝙣𝙚𝙧: 𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙠 𝙔𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙨 𝘼𝙧𝙚 𝘽𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧? 𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙠 𝘼𝙜𝙖𝙞𝙣! Do you find yourself often overestimating the capabilities of your competitors and underestimating your own? If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Many agency owners I work with fall into this trap, leading them to charge lower prices and remain stuck in the relentless agency rat race. Is this you? Here’s something you might not realize: if you're doubting your capabilities and constantly comparing yourself to others, you're likely delivering above-market-standard work. That's right, the very fact that you're questioning your worth is often a sign of your competence and dedication. 𝙃𝙚𝙧𝙚'𝙨 𝙢𝙮 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙪𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙜𝙮 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙: Every three months, take a moment to review the quality of work you were doing a year ago. If you see consistent improvement, give yourself a pat on the back. This isn’t just about feeling good— it’s concrete evidence that you are growing and adapting faster than you realize. This self-review serves a crucial purpose: it builds your confidence in your own abilities and helps you to realize that if there's something you can't do now, chances are you'll be able to tackle it in the near future. Start trusting in your own value. It’s time to stop underselling your services and start charging what you truly deserve. Break free from the rat race, get compensated fairly, and rediscover the joy in what you do. If you need a second opinion on your position against the rest of the market, feel free to reach out!

𝘿𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙚𝙩𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙂𝙞𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙨? 𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝙎𝙢𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝘼𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝘾𝙖𝙣 𝙒𝙞𝙣 𝘽𝙞𝙜 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙏𝙖𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙂𝙖𝙢𝙚 Ever feel like you’re competing with giants like McKinsey, Unilever, and Google for the best talent? You’re not alone. Many agency owners nail their sales systems but hit a a big rock when it comes to building a team strong enough to delegate client work and still wow their customers. Here’s the thing: I’ve been there. The secret? Aim high. Attract the best by offering something even better than a top salary. Imagine a place where learning and growth are so intense, it’s like nowhere else. That was our pitch. We couldn’t lead with the biggest paycheck, but we could offer a ride on a rocketship of growth—real responsibility, deep dives into growth consulting, entrepreneurship, and the ins and outs of running a successful business. All without the usual risks. Our team members didn’t just come for a job; they came for a transformation. The right people know that the money will follow if they learn the crucial lessons. And despite what you might think, even the biggest names can’t match a work environment where people truly thrive. Are you creating a space that turns jobs into career-defining adventures? If you do, you might find that the best talent is drawn to where they can grow, not just where they can earn. Let’s make our agencies the launching pads for the next wave of business leaders. Is your agency ready to be more than another job option? Can you compete with the giants?

𝙀𝙢𝙗𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙏𝙧𝙪𝙚 𝙁𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙙𝙤𝙢: 𝘼 𝙋𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙙𝙞𝙜𝙢 𝙎𝙝𝙞𝙛𝙩 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝘼𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙮 𝙊𝙬𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙨 Are you familiar with the Agency Owner Freedom Illusion? It’s a powerful concept that every entrepreneur in the agency world should understand. Starting an agency often springs from a desire for independence and prosperity—the promise of freedom. However, too many agency owners find themselves caught in an endless cycle, perpetually chasing milestones and benchmarks with the hope that they will someday lead to freedom and the so-called 'good life.' Here’s what I often hear: "I’ll have freedom when my team achieves X." "Once our revenue hits Y, I'll take a vacation." "Selling my agency will be my ticket to freedom." Yet, what happens if that day never comes? Worse still, what if the pursuit itself costs you your passion for the business, and your hope for freedom dwindles? This week alone, I've engaged with five agency owners who've experienced this exact scenario. What started as enthusiasm has morphed into frustration and a loss of hope. If this resonates with you, know this: you are not alone. More importantly, there is a way out. I’ve seen transformative shifts happen in just four weeks. Are you ready to break free from the illusion and reclaim your agency’s potential? Reach out directly, and let’s discuss strategies tailored for your specific circumstances.

Congrats to all agencies getting a spot in the EMERCE 100!

Making 2023 Tax work as least painful as possible. Luckily the new office helps a lot.