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Hands-Off CEO

Business & Economics Podcasts

They said getting started was the hardest part, but no one told you how hard it is to scale a custom service business. It’s time for your team to step up, but your clients want YOU. Discover how to scale to 7 figures and beyond by freeing up time and getting your team to run whole parts of the company so you can focus on scaling profits. That means more income, more time with your family, and more ability to make impact in the community and beyond. This is the Hands OFF CEO Podcast with Mandi Ellefson.

Location:

United States

Description:

They said getting started was the hardest part, but no one told you how hard it is to scale a custom service business. It’s time for your team to step up, but your clients want YOU. Discover how to scale to 7 figures and beyond by freeing up time and getting your team to run whole parts of the company so you can focus on scaling profits. That means more income, more time with your family, and more ability to make impact in the community and beyond. This is the Hands OFF CEO Podcast with Mandi Ellefson.

Language:

English

Contact:

4699198271


Episodes
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Copy This Strategy to 6X Your Profit — Without Hiring a Big Team

7/10/2025
If you're stuck at capacity, pricing too low, and feel like growth means burnout — this video shows you a smarter path to scale. In this episode, Mandi Ellefson shares how two consulting firms 2X’d their prices and 6X’d their profits without hiring or hustling harder. They didn’t need a bigger team — they needed a better offer. This strategy helped them reposition around outcomes, simplify delivery, and close premium deals with confidence. If you’re delivering great results but not getting paid what you’re worth — you’ll want to see how they did it. 🔍 You’ll Learn: 🚀 Want Help Repackaging Your Offer to Scale Without a Bigger Team? 1/ Book a Free Strategy Call If you’re ready to reposition your firm and start closing premium deals, let’s talk. 👉 handsoffceo.com/scale 2/ Read the Book – *The Hands-Off CEO Learn the framework behind scaling premium consulting engagements — without doing it all yourself. 📘 handsoffceo.com/book 3/ Download the Free Revenue Recovery Map Unlock hidden revenue in your firm and learn how to command premium fees without more complexity. 📄 handsoffceo.com/map Watch the episode on YouTube here: YOUTUBE PODCAST

Duration:00:06:13

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Copy This Process to Save 20 Hours a Week in Your Company

7/8/2025
Are you the one holding your agency together — and holding it back? If you’ve hired a team, built some systems, and delegated tasks… but you still can’t step away without things stalling — you're not scaling, you're surviving. In this video, Mandi Ellefson breaks down why founders become the bottleneck in their agency’s growth — even when it looks like they’re doing everything right — and how to fix it. You’ll learn: ✅ The real reason your team still leans on you for everything ✅ Why systems alone don’t create scale ✅ How to shift from managing work to leading a high-performance team ✅ A case study of a founder who stepped away during a launch — and came back to everything running better without her ✅ What has to change if you want to scale profitably without sacrificing quality or growth Whether you're stuck in meetings, reviewing work, or constantly catching problems before they hit the client, this is your invitation to finally step out — and level up. 🎯 Ready to stop being the bottleneck and start scaling forward? 1/ Book a Free Strategy Call If you’re ready to reposition your firm and start closing premium deals, let’s talk. 👉 handsoffceo.com/scale 2/ Read the Book – *The Hands-Off CEO Learn the framework behind scaling premium consulting engagements — without doing it all yourself. 📘 handsoffceo.com/book 3/ Download the Free Revenue Recovery Map Unlock hidden revenue in your firm and learn how to command premium fees without more complexity. 📄 handsoffceo.com/map ⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 – You’ve Hired and Delegated — But It’s Still on You 00:27 – What Being the Bottleneck Really Looks Like 01:20 – Real Story: Sharon’s Team Handles It Without Her 01:55 – Why Most Agencies Stay Stuck 02:18 – The Shift: From Delegating Tasks to Owning Outcomes 02:45 – How to Rebuild a Business That Runs Without You 03:10 – Next Steps to Scale Without Sacrificing Growth Watch the episode on YouTube here: YOUTUBE PODCAST

Duration:00:02:52

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Why Clients Say No to Your $20K Offer — and Yes to Your $100K One

6/28/2025
Your $20K proposal isn’t failing because of the price — it’s failing because your consulting firm’s value proposition isn’t landing. And ironically? The same clients who ghost your $20K pitch might eagerly say “yes” to $100K — if you position it the right way. In this video, Mandi Ellefson shares the agency positioning strategy that helped one firm move from stalled $30K deals to consistently closing $100K+ engagements — with the same clients. 🎯 You’ll learn: 1. Why smaller offers feel riskier than premium ones 2. The #1 reason your “reasonable” price is still getting rejected 3. How to reframe your services into strategic growth outcomes 4. A client-tested approach to selling $100K+ projects with confidence 5. What premium buyers actually look for before they say yes 🚀 Want to Work With Hands-Off CEO? 1/ Book a Free Strategy Call If you’re ready to reposition your firm and start closing premium deals, let’s talk. 👉 handsoffceo.com/scale 2/ Read the Book – *The Hands-Off CEO Learn the framework behind scaling premium consulting engagements — without doing it all yourself. 📘 handsoffceo.com/book 3/ Download the Free Revenue Recovery Map Unlock hidden revenue in your firm and learn how to command premium fees without more complexity. 📄 handsoffceo.com/map 📍 Chapters: 00:00 - Intro: From $20K Grind to $100K+ Deals 00:38 - Shift #1: Own the Sales Process (Without Overexplaining) 01:27 - Shift #2: Reposition Around Results — Not Scope 02:18 - Shift #3: Speak to Bigger Problems 03:14 - Shift #4: Make Your Offer Obvious (and Premium) 04:30 - What Happens When You Shift All 4 05:02 - Want Help? Here’s Where to Start

Duration:00:06:00

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High-Paying Clients Keep Passing You Over — Here’s Why (And How to Stop It)

6/26/2025
Still stuck trying to sell $20K projects… while your competitors are landing $100K+ deals? In this video, Mandi Ellefson breaks down the 4 strategic shifts consulting agency CEOs are using to close premium, high-trust engagements — without chasing leads, discounting your fees, or getting stuck in the weeds of delivery. If you’re delivering great results but getting ghosted, undercut, or passed over for bigger firms… this will change how you sell forever. ⏱️ What You’ll Learn: actually 🚀 Want to Work With Hands-Off CEO? 1/ Book a Free Strategy Call If you’re ready to reposition your firm and start closing premium deals, let’s talk. 👉 handsoffceo.com/scale 2/ Read the Book – *The Hands-Off CEO Learn the framework behind scaling premium consulting engagements — without doing it all yourself. 📘 handsoffceo.com/book 3/ Download the Free Revenue Recovery Map Unlock hidden revenue in your firm and learn how to command premium fees without more complexity. 📄 handsoffceo.com/map 📍 Chapters: 00:00 - Intro: From $20K Grind to $100K+ Deals 00:38 - Shift #1: Own the Sales Process (Without Overexplaining) 01:27 - Shift #2: Reposition Around Results — Not Scope 02:18 - Shift #3: Speak to Bigger Problems 03:14 - Shift #4: Make Your Offer Obvious (and Premium) 04:30 - What Happens When You Shift All 4 05:02 - Want Help? Here’s Where to Start Youtube Podcast Episode: 👉 youtube.com/watch

Duration:00:03:14

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Struggling to Sell $20K? These 4 Shifts Close $100K Deals Instead

6/24/2025
Trying to sell $20K projects — but clients keep ghosting, lowballing, or dragging their feet? This video breaks down 4 powerful shifts that will help you close $100K+ consulting deals with confidence — without chasing leads, discounting your fees, or working more hours. Mandi Ellefson (founder of Hands-Off CEO) shares the exact mindset, offer, and positioning strategies top consulting and agency owners are using to consistently close high-ticket clients — even in a tight market. 💥 If you’ve been stuck in $10K–$30K projects that drain your time and don’t reflect your value — this is your wake-up call. ⏱️ What You’ll Learn: 🚀 Want to Work With Hands-Off CEO? 1/ Book a Free Strategy Call If you’re ready to reposition your firm and start closing premium deals, let’s talk. 👉 handsoffceo.com/scale 2/ Read the Book – *The Hands-Off CEO Learn the framework behind scaling premium consulting engagements — without doing it all yourself. 📘 handsoffceo.com/book 3/ Download the Free Revenue Recovery Map Unlock hidden revenue in your firm and learn how to command premium fees without more complexity. 📄 handsoffceo.com/map 📍 Chapters: 00:00 - Intro: Why Bigger Deals Aren’t About Doing More 00:32 - Who This Is For: From $10K Projects to Premium Pricing 01:00 - Meet Mandi Ellefson & Hands-Off CEO 01:23 - Why High-Ticket Is Easier in a Tough Market 01:58 - Get Paid to Sell: The Power of Discovery 02:45 - Make Your Offer Sexy (Without Adding More Stuff) 03:42 - Sell Outcomes, Not Deliverables 04:09 - Engineer a Sales Process for Trust and Control 04:50 - Want Help? Build Your High-Ticket Sales Process Are your prospects not seeing your worth? This video highlights the importance of value perception and how it impacts your business growth. Learn how to communicate value effectively and understand consumer behavior to make sure you're not being overlooked. Youtube Podcast Episode: 👉 youtube.com/watch

Duration:00:04:27

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How to Inspire Clients to Unlock Bigger Budgets (Even When They Say "No")

5/26/2025
In this episode, Mandi Ellefson reveals why you don’t need to search for "clients with bigger budgets" - they’re already right in front of you! Discover how to inspire existing clients to unlock budgets they didn’t even know they had. Mandi shows exactly how to transform your business from charging $5K per month on 3-month engagements to commanding $90K for a 90-day ROI builder offer. This is how our clients are building breathtaking case studies that naturally justify premium pricing. 0:00 - Why clients resist higher fees (and what to do about it) 1:29 - The myth of "finding clients with bigger budgets" 3:08 - How to unlock hidden client budgets 4:14 - The ROI Builder Offer explained 6:54 - From $60K/year to $90K/90 days: A real client story 9:10 - The key to selling premium services with confidence 10:27 - What you’ll learn in the Quantum Leap Workshop #ConsultingAgency #PricingStrategy #AgencyGrowth #ProfitMargins #ServiceAgency #BusinessWorkshop #ScaleYourBusiness

Duration:00:12:11

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Growing Faster by Hiring Managers from Eastern Europe with Noel Andrews - E115

2/25/2025
It’s a common misconception in North America and the UK that talent from Eastern Europe isn’t as qualified as job candidates from local markets. But is it actually true? (Hint: it’s not). You can grow your business faster when you tap into remote markets like Eastern Europe or South Africa. On average, hiring talented remote workers from these markets costs only 50-60% of hiring locally. And with the freed-up capital from hiring remote workers, you might be able to fully staff your business with good people before your team burns out. In this episode, Noel Andrews from JobRack joins me to share the secret weapon for helping clients find and train top-performing leaders. We discuss important topics, including: Importance of taking your time during the hiring process [10:12] Learn why rushing to fill roles might end up backfiring on you, and why it’s important to plan when hiring your next employee. The best roles for remote workers [23:17] Discover which roles are most commonly filled by remote workers (it might surprise you). Who to hire first [26:05] Understand how hiring an operations manager first can help you build out your team and backfill roles later. The importance of training and onboarding remote workers [40:47] Learn why being extra intentional when onboarding remote workers can help create a strong company culture. A free resource for our listeners [43:08] Reach out to Noel and gain access to Hands-Off CEO’s 90-day training roadmap template. Key Quotes: The Entitlement of Local Hiring Markets:‘people can’t do it as well as us,’ The Benefit of Hiring Overseas Talent: Resources: Noel Andrews on LinkedIn JobRack Mandi Ellefson on LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook Hands-Off CEO – Executive Briefing

Duration:00:40:49

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The Winning Consultancies of 2024: What They're Doing in 2025 - E114

2/19/2025
In this insightful solo episode of Hands-Off CEO, Mandi Ellefson shares critical insights from her extensive experience working with thousands of consulting companies over the past 12 years. She reveals the four key strategies that distinguish thriving consulting firms from those struggling to scale. Drawing from real-world examples and case studies, Mandi breaks down how successful consultancies are adapting to market changes and positioning themselves for sustainable growth. She emphasizes that 2024 has been a challenging year for many companies, making these strategies even more crucial for success in 2025. The episode deep dives into four fundamental areas: Mandi shares several compelling case studies, including how one agency increased their fees by 367% by shifting their focus to long-term client transformations. She explains how Jamie Birch's company positioned themselves to add $10 million in new sales for DTC brands over three years, demonstrating the power of clear, focused value propositions. A particularly valuable section discusses the common profit delusion in consulting agencies, where owners often underestimate their true profitability by not accounting for market-rate compensation for their own roles. Mandi provides practical guidance on how to evaluate and improve real profit margins. The episode also tackles the critical distinction between growth and scale, explaining why simply working harder or hiring more people often leads to diminishing returns. Instead, Mandi advocates for creating "unfair advantages" that compound over time, allowing firms to command premium fees while delivering superior results. Throughout the discussion, Mandi emphasizes that scaling doesn't have to mean sacrificing quality or becoming "mediocre." She presents a compelling vision for how consulting firms can maintain their excellence while becoming more profitable and less dependent on the owner's direct involvement. Want to implement these strategies in your consulting firm? Book a complementary Scalable Growth Session at handsoffceo.com/scale to have Mandi's team analyze your business and identify your biggest opportunities for sustainable growth. Ready to transform your consulting agency into a valuable asset that grows without you? Get your copy of "The Hands-Off CEO" at handsoffceo.com/book and access the proven framework that's helped countless agency owners triple their fees while working less. Don't miss out on the audiobook, PDF version, and valuable bonus materials – all for just $4.99.

Duration:00:30:03

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Dream Big and Win: Creating a Billion-Dollar Business – with Liz Elting – E113

12/4/2024
In this episode of Hands-Off CEO, Mandi Ellefson interviews Liz Elting, author of “Dream Big and Win” and founder of TransPerfect, which she built into the world’s largest language solutions company. Starting from an NYU dorm room at age 26, Liz shares her journey of scaling a business while maintaining exceptional service quality. Liz discusses how she transformed her company by implementing innovative strategies to empower employees to think and act like owners. She emphasizes the importance of building world-class sales and production teams early, with compensation structures that align employee incentives with company goals. Rather than traditional fixed salaries, she advocates for arrangements that offer lower base pay but significant upside potential tied to performance. A key insight from the conversation is Liz’s approach to fostering innovation within her organization. She regularly asked employees: “What would you do differently if you owned the company?” and, importantly, gave them the authority to implement their ideas. This created a culture of ownership and continuous improvement. The discussion also tackles the challenges of stepping back as a CEO. Liz candidly shares her early mistakes, including working through maternity leave due to lack of proper delegation systems. She stresses the importance of establishing succession plans early, noting that it becomes more difficult to step away as the company grows larger. Throughout the interview, both Liz and Mandi emphasize that scaling actually makes business easier when done right, challenging the common assumption that bigger means more complicated. Liz’s parting advice: “Don’t think small – it can be easy to run a small or big company. It actually got easier over time because we had more options.” The episode provides practical insights for business owners looking to scale while maintaining quality and creating a sustainable organization that doesn’t depend solely on the founder’s involvement. Listeners can find Liz’s book “Dream Big and Win” on Amazon and major retailers, and connect with her on various social media platforms including LinkedIn, Instagram, and X (Twitter). Want to transform your agency from a resource-heavy operation to a streamlined, profitable machine? This episode provides the blueprint for making that transition while actually increasing client satisfaction and results. Ready to become a true Hands-Off CEO? Grab your copy of “The Hands-Off CEO” at handsoffceo.com/book and unlock the proven framework that’s helped countless agency owners triple their fees while working less. Get the audiobook, PDF version, and valuable bonus materials – all for just $4.99. Don’t wait to start your journey to freedom and scalable growth! Resources: Mandi Ellefson on LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook Hands-Off CEO – Instagram | Executive Briefing Liz Elting on LinkedIn | Instagram | Website Elizabeth Elting Foundation – Website | LinkedIn TransPerfect – Website

Duration:00:53:57

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How Digital Agency Increased Profits by Doing Less - with Ralph Burns and Ryan Hodges of Tier 11 - E112

11/15/2024
How Digital Agency Increased Profits by Doing Less - with Ralph Burns and Ryan Hodges of Tier 11 - E112How Digital Agency Increased Profits by Doing Less - with Ralph Burns and Ryan Hodges of Tier 11 - E112In this strategic conversation, Mandi interviews Ralph Burns and Ryan Hodges of Tier 11, a digital marketing agency managing over $105M in annual ad spend. They discuss their journey of transforming from a chaotic 70-person agency to a streamlined, more profitable operation with 40 team members. Key Topics Discussed: [00:00-03:45] Introduction [03:46-09:30] Growth Stages & Breaking Points [09:31-15:45] Acquisition Strategy [15:46-24:15] Operational Transformation [24:16-32:30] Client-Centric Model [32:31-39:45] Profitability & Team Optimization [39:46-44:15] Vision & Leadership [44:16-50:02] Key Insights & Closing Notable Achievements: Key Business Insights: Actionable Takeaways: Resources Mentioned: Perfect For: Agency owners generating $1M-$5M+ in revenue who want to transition from chaos to operational excellence while increasing profitability and reducing personal involvement. Want to transform your agency from a resource-heavy operation to a streamlined, profitable machine? This episode provides the blueprint for making that transition while actually increasing client satisfaction and results. Ready to become a true Hands-Off CEO? Grab your copy of "The Hands-Off CEO" at handsoffceo.com/book and unlock the proven framework that's helped countless agency owners triple their fees while working less. Get the audiobook, PDF version, and valuable bonus materials - all for just $4.99. Don't wait to start your journey to freedom and scalable growth!

Duration:00:50:18

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Spooky Podcast: Should I Blow Up My Business? - E111

10/31/2024
Are you playing it too safe with your agency's growth? In this thought-provoking episode, Mandi Ellefson challenges agency owners to think bigger about transformation. Drawing from her experience helping agencies scale, Mandi explains why staying "safe" might be the riskiest strategy in today's market. This episode explores: Fear of Business TransformationMarket Pressures and CompetitionCase Study: Ralph Burns' SuccessThe Growth Journey RealityPlaying to Win vs. Not to LoseCreating a Self-Running AgencyDon't miss this opportunity to understand why playing it safe might be holding your agency back from its true potential. If you're ready to transform your agency, this episode provides the inspiration and strategic insight you need. This episode is essential listening for agency owners who want to break free from the "safe" path and create transformational growth in 2024-2025. Mandi invites you to reach out for more information on scaling your business, and mentions her new book 'The Hands-Off CEO'. With insights to help you rethink your approach to growth in 2024-2025, this episode is essential for ambitious owners, founders and CEOs of 8-figure agencies. Resources: Available HEREBook a Scalable Growth Session HEREMandi Ellefson on LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook Hands-Off CEO – Executive Briefing

Duration:00:11:04

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Want rapid, doubling growth? Here’s what it takes…

9/12/2024
Are agency owners feeling trapped by their own success? In this insightful episode, Mandi Ellefson explores how CEOs can scale their consulting agencies to new heights. Drawing from her experience with thousands of agency CEOs, Mandi breaks down critical elements for exponential growth. This episode is packed with actionable insights, including: Setting Ambitious Growth Goals Investing Ahead of Growth Repositioning Your Offer for Higher Fees Breaking the Cycle of Unprofitable Growth Making Strategic Investments Learning from Mistakes Don't miss this opportunity to learn how you can transform your agency into a scalable, profitable powerhouse. If you're ready to see exponential growth, this episode is your roadmap to success. Mandi invites you to reach out for more information on scaling your business [00:15:31], and mentions her new book 'The Hands-Off CEO' [00:15:54]. With insights to help you rethink your approach to growth in 2024-2025, this episode is essential for ambitious agency owners. Resources: Mandi Ellefson on LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook Hands-Off CEO – Executive Briefing

Duration:00:16:19

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How Top CEOs Scale to $10M by Stepping Away

9/5/2024
Are you a 7-figure agency owner feeling trapped by your own success? In this eye-opening episode, Mandi Ellefson reveals how top CEOs are scaling to $10 million and beyond by stepping away from day-to-day operations. Drawing from her extensive experience consulting with over 1000 agency CEOs, Mandi breaks down the critical stages of scaling and the mindset shifts necessary for exponential growth. This episode is packed with actionable insights, including: The Three Stages of Scaling from $1M to $10MDiscover the unique challenges at each growth stage, from the chaotic $1M-$3M phase to the "rinse and repeat" $5M-$10M level. Developing Leaders Who Drive GrowthLearn why investing in your team's growth is crucial for sustainable scaling and how to avoid the pitfalls of outgrowing your leadership. Creating the Right Offers for ScaleUncover strategies for designing premium offerings that attract ideal clients willing to pay significantly more for your expertise. Building Systems for Consistent DeliveryExplore how to create scalable processes that deliver bold outcomes without your constant involvement, allowing your business to grow beyond you. Real-World Success StoriesHear inspiring examples of CEOs who have implemented these strategies, including one who tripled their pricing and company size after attending a Hands-Off CEO retreat. Don't miss this opportunity to learn how you can transform your agency into a scalable, profitable powerhouse that runs and grows without you. If you're ready to join the top 1% of consulting agencies seeing exponential growth, this episode is your roadmap to success. Mandi also shares details about the upcoming Hands-Off CEO Retreat [16:14], where you can experience these transformational strategies firsthand. With limited spots available, act fast to secure your place among elite agency owners who are scaling to 8-figures and beyond. Resources: Mandi Ellefson on LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook Hands-Off CEO – Executive Briefing

Duration:00:18:59

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How to Profitably Scale Your Consulting Agency with Ricardo Perez

11/29/2023
If you're like most entrepreneurs, you already know that the journey to success is a long and arduous one. You've poured in your sweat, tears, and countless sleepless nights to get where you are today. But despite all your hard work and dedication, there comes a time when you hit a roadblock and find yourself unable to grow any further. You become the bottleneck of your own growth. This is exactly what Ricardo Perez, CEO of OneRhythm, encountered while running his agency. But he didn't let this setback defeat him. Instead, he took charge of the situation and found a way to scale his consulting agency in a better way. And now, he's sharing his insights to overcome the same obstacle and achieve the success you know is possible. The conversation touched on insightful topics like: Importance of having an Irresistible OfferLearn why having an irresistible offer is critical to success in today's highly competitive business environment to attract world-class clients and top talent. How Ricardo’s team is able to deliver exceptional million dollar services that are 90% repeatable and process driven. Proof that it’s possible! Refining the companies you work with to command higher feesDiscover how refining the companies you work with impacts the overall size of engagement and the fees you can command for your services. Talk about resultsUnderstand the difference it makes when you focus on talking about results and projections with new clients to generate more engagement instead of talking about what they will spend on your services. Essential factors for scaling a consulting agencyExplore the critical factors for scaling your consulting agency with maximum profitability. Don’t be a bottleneck, delegateHear out Ricardo Perez's spot-on advice, that all consulting agency CEOs should learn from and take into consideration for scaling their business as a true Hands-Off CEO. Key Quotes: Focus on Results: Letting Go: Resources: Ricardo Perez on LinkedIn OneRhythm Mandi Ellefson on LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook Hands-Off CEO – Executive Briefing

Duration:00:37:57

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Preventing and Overcoming Stagnant Growth

11/27/2023
Two and a half years tend to be the sweet spot where consulting agencies come knocking on Hands-Off CEO’s door. Usually, those two and a half years are the point when CEOs can feel like they are stuck in a never-ending cycle of hard work and stress that is preventing their growth. But there's a better way to scale your company while avoiding those stagnant periods and growth plateaus. Don't fall into the trap of getting ready to get ready. In this solo episode, I'm here to guide you through the steps of preventing and overcoming any obstacles preventing your growth. Let's break free from the cycle of stagnant growth and take back control of your business growth. Some key ideas in this episode are: What is holding you back as a CEO?Learn what is the number 1 thing that's actually keeping you, the CEO, stuck in the day-to-day, even when you have hired a trusted team to support you. What are the 2 reasons for a Growth Plateau?Understand the two main reasons for growth plateaus and how they can lead to stress, lower profits, and an unhealthy work-life balance. Maximize your growth to make 2024 your best year everDiscover what you need to focus on next to make 2024 your best year ever and how having an inspiring vision is critical to scaling your company and encouraging you and others to take massive action. Key Quotes: The Right Mindset: Getting Ready to Get Ready: Resources: Mandi Ellefson on LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook Hands-Off CEO – Executive Briefing

Duration:00:13:37

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Financial Insights Your Ops Leader Needs to Double Profits and Simplify Your Agency with Marcel Petitpas

11/16/2023
When managing a consulting agency, there's always a constant feeling that our current methods for measuring profitability just aren't giving us the whole story. Marcel Petitpas, CEO and Co-Founder of Parakeeto, experienced this very issue while running his own agency. Luckily, he didn't just sit back and accept the status quo. Instead, he set out to find a better way. Get ready to discover what he did to streamline their operations and reporting systems to improve profitability. He found a better way to help agencies double their profits and simplify their operations by providing the financial insights that Ops leaders need to make informed decisions. The conversation touched on insightful topics like: Power of tracking operations dataLearn why tracking data from your operations is much simpler and more valuable to make decisions on for capacity, hiring, and profitability than the financial data you get from your accountant. What metrics do you need?Discover which metrics you need to track to get a clear picture of your performance if you use value-based pricing or T&M. A deeper understanding of your P&L and operational metricsExploring the 3 pieces of operational metrics to track gives you many more insights than just your P&L. Automated utilization and capacity managementFind out the issues agencies and consultancies encounter when tracking capacity and utilization. And you can implement a much simpler way to track utilization immediately. Streamline your business with a tool for tracking the operational metrics [30:48] Learn how to maximize the efficiency of your business by implementing a powerful tool for tracking your operational metrics. Streamline your processes and easily make data-driven decisions, leaving no room for guesswork or wasted effort. Key Quotes: Revenue and Profits: Average Cost Per Hour: Resources: Marcel Petitpas on LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook Parakeeto - Agency Profitability Toolkit Mandi Ellefson on LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook Hands-Off CEO – Executive Briefing

Duration:00:51:37

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Moving Away from Traditional Agency Models with Greg Hickman

7/27/2023
Have you ever thought about looking at agencies from a new perspective? Get ready to discover the concept of the "Alt Agencies" - where specialization and specific outcomes for niche clients are favored over the traditional agency model. Our Guest Greg Hickman shares his journey on how to deliver a repeatable sales and onboarding process. The conversation touched insightful topics like: Understanding the concept of "productizing" services, which involves packaging a repeatable service with fixed problem-solving, turnaround time, and price. Discover the benefits of standardizing packages and systemizing processes to scale a business effectively. Find out the challenges and benefits of specializing in a specific area, what realization can working nights and weekends bring you and ultimately understanding how to divorce your time from your income. How focusing on webinar funnels and becoming experts in that area changed the game for Greg’s agency and what are some common plateaus experienced by many service providers. Exploring the term of “Alt Agency” and discussing the changing landscape of agency models, such as tech-enabled, strategy-focused, or platform discipline-focused agencies. Key Quotes: Unique Skills Understanding Nuances: Greg Hickman on LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube Alt Agency - Free Training Mandi Ellefson on LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook Hands-Off CEO – Executive Briefing

Duration:00:39:27

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Make Clients Happy Through Effective Account Management with Taylor McMaster

7/6/2023
Did you ever think about the importance of effective account management on scaling your business? If not, prepare for these gems! In this episode Taylor McMaster, founder of Dot and Company, tells her story and how she helps digital marketing agencies with achieving full-service client account management. Here are the essential insights from our riveting conversation with Taylor- feel free to have a powerful read through these most impactful lessons. Important Correlation between Sales and Account Management Find out why sales and handovers are essential to successful account management, and when to introduce your account manager to the client during the sales process. The imperative of changing the narrative from “I” to “my team”. Powerful Communication Establishing a clear communication cadence and a thorough onboarding process for successful account management. Know who on the team is responsible for what. Different things which you can learn from each new client or a sales call. Using Questions in Training How far you can go in allowing your team to ask you questions, until they start thinking like you. Being in control of the training process and what needs to happen without your involvement. Key Characteristics of an Account Manager Know if someone is generally a good fit for this role. The list of red flags and the required skills to make sure someone grows in this position and becomes amazing in it. Key Quotes: The Power of Questions: Constant Optimization: Taylor McMaster on LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube Dot & Co. - Onboarding Checklist Mandi Ellefson on LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook Hands-Off CEO – Executive Briefing

Duration:00:34:00

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Charge More as Clients See You as a Strategic Growth Partner with John Jantsch

5/17/2023
Are you ready to take your marketing strategy to new heights? We have a treat for you! Our latest podcast episode features the marketing expert, author, and speaker John Jantsch, owner of Duct Tape Marketing. Get ready to fuel your success with these game-changing insights! In today's fast-paced world, time is everything, and we understand that. That's why we've condensed the best highlights from our conversation with John, ensuring you get the most valuable information without wasting a second. Let's dive right into it! Say goodbye to random tactics and hello to strategic genius! John unveils the game-changing Duct Tape Marketing methodology, putting strategy front and center. Ready to conquer the challenge of scaling your business without sacrificing profitability? Say hello to working with multiple clients while maintaining a stellar profit margin of 60-70%. By offering a well-defined package, pricing structure, and system, you can achieve scalability, delegate tasks, and drive vertical growth. The marketing world is in a constant state of flux, and you need to stay one step ahead. John and I dig deep into the changing landscape of marketing and emphasize the importance of the customer journey. Key Quotes: John Jantsch on LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram Duct Tape Marketing Mandi Ellefson on LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook Hands-Off CEO – Executive Briefing

Duration:00:25:03

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Achieving Growth and Balance: A CEO's $28M Success Story with Wally Waldron

5/11/2023
As entrepreneurs, we often feel the pressure to sacrifice our personal lives to achieve business success. But is it possible to have both? In this episode, a CEO who was able to maintain a work-life balance is taking me through his iterative process of reaching that sweet spot. We will be discussing the keys to maintaining work-life balance while scaling your business, including tips on setting boundaries, prioritizing self-care, and delegating responsibilities. We'll also explore how to adapt your approach to balance as your business evolves. Wally Waldron is the founder and CEO of Exitology, a company that helps blue-collar and industrial businesses to optimize their resources and achieve up to 33% annual growth without any extra cost. After observing many business owners locked in their own firms Wally founded Exitology to aid in the liberation of entrepreneurs and provide them the ability to explore other interests. Waldron has generated dramatic growth in several enterprises across a number of industries with his passion and knowledge. You’ll hear Wally and me discuss these key ideas: [03:54] Client's Business Soars with Eight-Figure Blueprint With the aid of a growth strategy program, a client was able to meet their revenue target of $20 million in 9 months while preserving and increasing their profit margins. With the assistance of its growth strategist, the company hopes to hit $30 million in revenue. [08:23] How to Find the Right Partner for Business Growth The company provides wealth management, tax optimization, and reinvestment choices. Before engaging in discussion, they extend invitations to their presentations and provide readers with a copy of the book "Exitology" to learn more about their offerings. For a long-term growth journey, selecting the correct partner is crucial. [12:00] Overcoming Impostor Syndrome: Blueprinting Success Together A discussion of imposter syndrome and the development of a strategy for working with industrial, manufacturing, and construction enterprises. In the process, trust and language are crucial. [15:11] Transformative Business Offers Legacy-Building Potential Helping blue collar business owners unlock potential & pass on legacy while creating value & impact through improved communication. [17:56] CEO discusses scaling a successful business culture CEO discusses benefits of team and culture, and how they contribute to successful business scaling efforts. [24:55] Maximizing Team Building with Kolbe Index Team building strategy of using Kolbe scores to align with accountability charts, creating breathing room for CEOs to focus on long-term vision and mentor team members towards proper time frames emphasized. [28:32] Working Smarter, Not Harder: Lessons for Entrepreneurs To be successful in business, one must trust the process, work smarter not harder, stay focused, and get out of places where one is not successful. The importance of delegating tasks and not getting pulled into the wrong areas of the business is emphasized. [37:57] Unlocking Business Success Through Mindset Shifts Identifying a potential mindset issue and seeking appropriate help can benefit those feeling stuck in their business or personal lives. [43:55] The Importance of Developing Strong Leaders Leadership is essential but often lacking in blue collar industries, as shown by stories of conflicts and lack of trust leading to serious consequences. [46:29] Navigating Company Acquisitions: Lessons in Leadership Consultancy helps grow businesses, assists in transition bridges and works according to the client’s asks. Good and bad leadership affects the business post-acquisition. Key Quote: "If you're feeling stuck or things are not moving in the direction that you thought they needed to in your business and stuff like that, it's worth going through...am I stuck in a mindset trap or have I painted myself into some sort of mindset corner or something like that? And even further, if you find that...

Duration:00:52:11