Hands-Off CEO

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

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

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

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

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

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

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...

What do you do when your business hits a ceiling and struggles to scale? In this episode of Hands-Off CEO, Jeff Ennis tells me how he transformed his company's operations, revamped his mindset, and added more value to his clients. From expanding their services, hiring the right team, standardizing their processes, to automating their systems, Jeff shares how he has doubled profits and reduced the number of jobs in his business from 250 to 25, all while working towards serving only 10% of their current clients. Jeff also reveals what he learned from taking part in the Hands-Off CEO program and how it has helped him become a growth partner that adds millions of dollars in profit to his client companies. Jeff Ennis is the CEO of a specialized construction surveying company based in Canada. He has over 25 years of experience in civil engineering and land surveying, and he has managed to turn his company around in just one year, doubling its workforce and winning a million-dollar project. You’ll hear Jeff and me discuss these key ideas: KEY QUOTE: “We're showing up in these meetings differently, going after the big long-term projects with the big clients and not being afraid to do that. So, we did that successfully. We beat out every other company in our area to get this work with one of the biggest clients from one of the biggest developers. So that's very exciting. That's just come from us thinking bigger and showing up differently.” - Jeff Ennis Resources Jeff Ennis on LinkedIn Okanagan Survey & Design Mandi Ellefson on LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook Hands-Off CEO

This is part 2 of a 2-part series on the Hands-Off CEO podcast, where you'll hear host Mandi Ellefson being interviewed by Ross Mayfield, a copywriter and marketing strategist on her team. In this episode, Mandi and Ross share some of the more vulnerable stories and experiences they haven't shared on the podcast before. They dispel the myth of the "seven-figure lifestyle business" and discuss the truth about what it really takes to become a hands-off CEO, including the impact this shift can have on your financial stability and your overall lifestyle. Key ideas discussed include: KEY QUOTE: "The reason why you can generate more growth in the business is because it's not directly tied to your time. That's how you remove yourself as the bottleneck to growth, and it allows you to create that next-level lifestyle that you really want and the reason why you started the business in the first place." - Mandi Ellefson Resources: Mandi Ellefson on LinkedIn | Email | Twitter Ross Mayfield Episode 65 - How Shifting From Freelance To CEO Added $1M Of Growth To This Startup Consultancy with Josh LaMar and Marcelo Chinellato Hands-Off CEO

This is the first episode of a 2-part series on the Hands-Off CEO podcast, where you'll hear host Mandi Ellefson being interviewed by Ross Mayfield, a copywriter and marketing strategist on her team. The conversation takes a deep dive into the mission behind Hands-Off CEO, and you'll hear stories of clients who have experienced real transformations in their business through challenging circumstances. You'll also learn about the topic of "letting go" and the importance of building a culture of accountability and urgency within your organization. Key ideas you’ll hear: KEY QUOTE: “There's this expectation that we need to manage people, and the reality is we can't manage people. You cannot manage a person. All you can do is manage an agreement between people.” - Mandi Ellefson “What we're about doing is helping them bring their very best gifts to the world in a bigger way, to really unlock their ability to impact the lives of others by generating more growth, sustainability and profits in their company.” - Mandi Ellefson Resources: Mandi Ellefson on LinkedIn | Email | Twitter Ross Mayfield Hands-Off CEO

In this week’s episode of Hands-Off CEO, Sharon Toerek discusses how to streamline legal decision-making in your business. She joins host Mandi Ellefson to share insights on setting up systems for making informed legal choices and delve into the importance of master service agreements and key components of a legal service agreement. You will also learn practical tips specifically for agencies and gain a deeper understanding of how to separate CEO involvement in day-to-day operations. Sharon Toerek is a marketing law and IP lawyer serving agencies through her company Legal + Creative | Toerek Law. She is also the host of the Innovative Agency Podcast. She is a former President of AAF Cleveland and serves on the American Association of Advertising Agencies (4A) Legal Consultant panel. With expertise in IP protection, marketing agency relationships, and social media laws, Sharon writes and lectures on these topics in the advertising industry. Key Ideas: KEY QUOTE: “It's inevitable that your business is going to expand more quickly than your internal team does. So, inevitably, you're going to need freelancers, contractors, strategic partners to help you service particular projects or clients. You need to be thinking about the documents and agreements that will solidify those relationships and protect all the parties, not only because you want to protect the agency, but because if you've made a promise to the client in your contract with them, it really needs to be reflected in your agreement with these other parties.” - Sharon Toerek Resources Sharon Toerek on LinkedIn | Twitter | Email Legal + Creative

Success for clients goes beyond achieving great results. There are several pillars that make up client success, with onboarding being just one of them. Megan Huber of Structured Freedom joins Hands-Off CEO to share her unique perspective on onboarding and how it plays a role in scaling a service-based business. Megan Huber is a scalability expert for coaches and expert-based businesses, specifically those that are teaching based on a curriculum-based learning model. Her organization, Structured Freedom, transforms hustling entrepreneurs into successful leaders and CEOs. Megan is a great resource for coaches looking to scale their business. You’ll hear Mandi and Megan talk about: KEY QUOTE “It's really empowering for your clients to take the ownership and think for themselves so that they are not so reliant. Because if they're reliant on you, at some point, they're going to get really resentful because something is not going to go the way they wanted it to.” - Megan Huber Resources Megan Huber on the Web | YouTube Never Lose a Customer Again: Turn Any Sale into Lifelong Loyalty in 100 Days

One of the keys to becoming a hands-off CEO is having a powerful team you can trust to run your business while you focus on growth. In this solo episode, I share the five barriers to building and running these powerful teams, and what you can do to overcome them. Key Ideas: themin on KEY QUOTE “At the core, [building a powerful team] comes down to knowing what you want, sharing your vision, and having written agreements that you can manage, as opposed to just trying to manage the person.” Resources Mandi Ellefson on LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook Hands-Off CEO - Executive Briefing

Growth as a CEO often looks like more stress, more responsibility, too much work, and not enough profit. Even if making good money, many businesses are slowed by how little profits they retain. Real profitability is what a CEO would actually make if they were paid at market rate instead of their own salary. But how do you measure that? Mandi Ellefson shares how to calculate your business’ real profits in this solo episode of Hands-Off CEO. Key Ideas: KEY QUOTE “[You double] gross profit margins by getting really clear and focused on what direction you want to grow your business in.” Resources Mandi Ellefson on LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook Hands-Off CEO - Executive Briefing

How do you determine if the direction your company is taking is the right one? Mandi Ellefson discusses an effective formula for devising the right scalability plan, and shares a step-by-step guide. Key Ideas: Resources Mandi Ellefson on LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook Hands-Off CEO - Executive Briefing

There is a big misconception around operations, sales, and marketing and how they all intersect. Mandi Ellefson debunks some of these misconceptions and discusses how operations and sales impact scalability in a consulting agency. Key Ideas: Resources Mandi Ellefson on LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook Hands-Off CEO - Executive Briefing

Delegating ownership frees up time for CEOs so they can focus on the business. Mandi Ellefson talks about the right way to let go of your business and hand the reins over to capable leaders, and how this helps you actually work on growing the business. Key Ideas: Resources Mandi Ellefson on LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook Hands-Off CEO - Executive Briefing

What defining moments or milestones have happened to you along the way towards your current level of success? Mandi Ellefson shares her story as she discusses milestones that people typically experience in their business journey, and how to identify and address common challenges. Key Ideas: Resources Mandi Ellefson on LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook Hands-Off CEO - Executive Briefing

How can you succeed while doing less? Focusing on the present may allow you to create more value. Mandi Ellefson describes her Wim Hoff ice bath meditation experience as she shares tips on overcoming fear. Key Ideas: Resources Mandi Ellefson on LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook Hands-Off CEO - Executive Briefing

This week we have a replay of one of Hands Off CEO's most popular episodes. Mandi Ellefson is discussing why popular scaling advice is terrible for consulting agencies. She shares insights about marketing, systems, and what you should actually do to scale. You’ll hear Mandi talk about: Resources Mandi Ellefson on LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook Hands-Off CEO - Executive Briefing