Agency Blueprint

Season 20 | Ep 234 | The Art of Internal Feedback Loops

Could your agency be missing its next level of growth simply because mistakes are going unnoticed or feedback isn’t acted upon?In this episode of The Agency Blueprint podcast, we discuss how fast, structured internal feedback loops can be the secret engine of profitable agency growth. We explain how by embedding intentional feedback at every stage of client work, agencies can turn mistakes into actionable data, refining processes, communication, and decision-making.Don’t miss this episode to learn more about the power of normalizing constructive feedback and empowering teams to propose solutions to create a culture of continuous improvement!Key Questions:[01:13] At what points during your client engagements do you intentionally gather internal feedback?[03:28] Are you empowering the team members closest to the work to provide meaningful feedback that improves your agency’s processes?[11:23] Is feedback embedded into your agency’s operations as a regular habit?What You’ll Discover: [01:13] How to structure feedback checkpoints throughout a project and why many agencies fail to improve.[03:28] The importance of bottom-up feedback for agency growth and collaborative problem-solving rather than blame.[05:41] How poor feedback cultures lead to hidden mistakes and unresolved issues, which eventually escalate into larger problems.[07:08] Why feedback must feel safe and objective, focusing on systems rather than blaming individuals.[08:23] How normalizing mistakes as part of improvement allows agencies to refine their workflows and systems continuously.[11:23] How building feedback directly into operations turns continuous improvement into a daily habit rather than an occasional exercise.[13:19] How empowering team members to propose solutions boosts morale and ownership.[14:09] How feedback cultures increase team commitment, because employees feel they’ve contributed to shaping the agency.[15:26] Why managers should understand that their performance is judged by their team’s results, making feedback essential.[17:41] Understand that the best agencies do not fear mistakes; they harvest them as opportunities for growth.

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Season 20 | Ep 233 | How to Use Content as a Sales Tool

2w ago00:15:53Tap to summarize

Can content do far more than attract attention? Could it become the silent partner in your sales conversations, guiding prospects toward confident decisions even when you’re not in the room?In this episode of The Agency Blueprint podcast, I explain how agencies can use strategic content as a powerful sales enablement tool that builds trust, educates prospects, and supports decision-making throughout the buying journey. I also explain how strategic content allows prospects to learn, build confidence, and better understand potential solutions even after the initial interaction.Don't miss this episode to learn how different types of content can support each stage of the sales process when used intentionally!Key Questions:[01:17] How effectively does your content capture and communicate the expertise you bring into sales conversations when you’re not in the room?[10:12] Have you designed content intentionally to influence the evaluation process that prospects go through when you’re not present?What You’ll Discover: [01:17] How content can build trust, clarify solutions, demonstrate expertise, and guide prospects toward confident buying decisions throughout the sales process.[02:13] Understanding the buyer’s evaluation process allows you to design content that answers the questions prospects naturally ask before making a decision.[03:45] The four stages of the buying journey: awareness, interest, evaluation, and decision.[04:48] Share content that builds excitement and deepens the prospect’s understanding of the proposed direction after a qualification call.[06:03] How discovery calls should lead prospects toward emotional commitment before they even know the final price.[08:12] How testimonial content and client stories help prospects validate their decision during proposal presentations.[10:12] How personalizing the content you send prospects ensures it aligns with their specific challenges and strengthens trust in the conversation.[11:39] Avoid sending irrelevant or overly generic content, which can damage the sales process.[12:28] Why prospects must leave the sales process believing that your solution will work for them, that the investment is worthwhile, and that your agency is trustworthy.

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Season 20 | Ep 232 | Beyond the Hype: What AI Can (and Can’t) Do with Thanos Diacakis

3w ago00:38:48Tap to summarize

Could the real competitive advantage in the AI era come not from replacing human work, but from amplifying it? As artificial intelligence rapidly evolves, are professionals focusing enough on where their judgment and expertise matter?In this episode of The Agency Blueprint podcast, I am joined by Thanos Diacakis to explore AI as a powerful productivity partner that enables agencies and knowledge workers to move faster while maintaining high-quality output. Thanos is a technology leader with over 25 years of experience helping startups and high-growth companies overcome software bottlenecks, scale engineering teams, and deliver high-quality products faster. He's held leadership roles at places like Uber, and today he's deeply involved in how teams are leveraging AI to do better, faster, more human-centered work.Listen in to learn why AI still requires human judgment and expertise, especially when it comes to decision-making, prioritization, and contextual reasoning. You will also learn more about managing context in AI conversations, structuring prompts, experimenting with different AI tools, and building agent-based processes.Key Questions:[05:00] Is fear of being replaced preventing your team from embracing AI?[13:41] How well do you understand how AI tools process context and information, and could that understanding help you use them more effectively?[20:25] If you were managing a younger version of yourself, how would you structure the work with AI?[22:46] Are you investing enough time experimenting with AI tools?What You’ll Discover: [01:28] Understanding what AI is actually good at today and where it still struggles in real-world workflows.[03:10] How improvements in AI reliability are making multi-step automated workflows more effective than they were even months ago.[05:41] Why AI still requires specialized human expertise rather than replacing professionals outright.[09:07] How AI is forcing professionals to rethink their unique value and identify the skills that truly differentiate them.[11:37] The possibility that AI could eventually replicate certain aspects of human reasoning by modeling patterns of thought.[14:04] How AI conversations work through context and why understanding this is essential for effective prompting.[18:38] How breaking tasks into smaller steps can significantly improve the reliability of AI-generated results.[21:17] A practical framework for designing AI workflows by imagining how you would manage a junior employee performing the task.[23:29] Thanos’ strategy for continuously testing new AI tools and reinvesting the time savings AI provides.[25:00] Why beginners should dedicate a small percentage of their work time to learning and experimenting with AI.[26:44] Why businesses that continuously improve their workflows with AI will quickly outpace competitors that do not.[28:42] How fear of AI often comes from not understanding it and why experimentation reduces that fear.[31:18] Why modern AI tools often require far less prompt engineering than people expect.[32:21] MCP (Model Context Protocol) and how AI can use external tools to perform tasks like calculations or data retrieval.Connect with Thanos:WebsiteLinkedIn

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Season 20 | Ep 231 | Relationship-Driven Growth: Building a Business Development Engine That Lasts with Dan Englander

4w ago00:34:57Tap to summarize

How can agency owners escape the exhausting cycle of unpredictable revenue and constant lead chasing? Is the real solution less about finding more prospects and more about building stronger relationships?In this episode of The Agency Blueprint Podcast, I am joined by Dan Englander to discuss how agencies can build consistent, sustainable business development systems instead of relying on sporadic leads and unpredictable referrals. Dan is the CEO and founder of Sales Schema, the host of the Digital Agency Growth Podcast, and author of Relationship Sales at Scale. Since 2014, he has helped over 200 agencies and B2B service companies drive thousands of opportunities and millions in revenue through a powerful combination of targeted referrals, strategic partnerships, and trust-based outbound.Listen in to learn about relationship-driven demand generation that replaces random prospecting with intentional partnerships. You will also learn how to start viewing conversations as opportunities to teach, share insights, and create value instead of pitches.Key Questions:[01:14] What would you say you see most frequently that agencies get wrong when it comes to biz dev?[04:19] Is your marketing speaking directly to a specific audience, or broadcasting to everyone?[08:05] What systems do you have in place to proactively generate referrals instead of waiting for them to happen by chance?[10:34] Are you avoiding business development because it feels uncomfortable?[22:20] Is your agency chasing unrealistic lead generation promises?[29:08] How will your agency stay valuable in a world of AI and cheaper freelance alternatives?What You’ll Discover: [01:23] The most common mistake agencies make: focusing on tactics before clearly identifying their ideal clients and market segment.[03:21] How specialization and a clearly defined audience dramatically improve marketing effectiveness and messaging clarity.[05:03] Why agency markets are often much smaller than founders assume and why most sales strategies must reflect that reality.[06:39] The concept of proactive referrals: turning relationship-driven growth into a structured system instead of waiting for word-of-mouth leads.[08:17] A step-by-step approach for identifying “connectors” in your existing network who can introduce you to ideal prospects.[11:14] The emotional resistance many agency owners feel toward sales, and why removing friction for referrers reduces that discomfort.[14:28] Why sales conversations should be about teaching and helping, not convincing people to buy.[16:00] How strategic partnerships naturally follow the 80/20 rule, where a small number of partners consistently generate most referrals.[20:30] How to calculate how many sales conversations you need to hit your revenue goals, which is often far fewer than you expect.[23:22] A simple yet powerful tracking system to help you diagnose where growth problems really exist.[27:09] Why specialization is becoming more important as AI and automation make generic services easier and cheaper to deliver.[30:21] How AI and freelance platforms are forcing agencies to specialize and build deeper expertise to remain competitive.[31:23] Understand that agencies that produce exceptional, differentiated work will remain valuable even in an AI-driven future.Connect with Dan:Website

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Season 20 | Ep 230 | Why Clarity & Focus Beats Hustle

May 100:13:04Tap to summarize

Is the pressure to keep hustling pushing you as an agency owner to chase every opportunity instead of building the kind of business you actually want?In this episode of The Agency Blueprint podcast, I challenge the popular belief that relentless hustle is the key to entrepreneurial success. I explain why relentless grinding without direction can trap agency owners in cycles of exhaustion, stagnation, and frustration.Don't miss this episode to learn more about the power of clarity and focus, and the Japanese Ikigai philosophy about aligning passion, mission, profession, and vocation!Key Questions:[01:17] Could fear of falling behind or missing opportunities be pushing you to say yes to work that doesn’t truly move your business forward?[03:40] Is there a lack of clarity about what you want your agency to become that’s slowing down your momentum?[07:32] Does your current business align with the intersection of what you love, what you’re great at, what the world needs, and what people will pay for?What You’ll Discover: [01:25] How excessive hustle can lead to burnout, resentment toward the business, and disconnection from what inspired your agency’s creation.[02:14] How clarity empowers you to say no to distractions and focus on the opportunities that truly matter.[02:58] How focused effort improves the quality of client work, strengthens reputation, and increases referrals and pricing power.[03:40] A real client story illustrating how gaining clarity unlocked faster progress and greater confidence in decision-making.[04:49] The difference between hustle mode and clarity mode, showing how each mindset affects client selection, pricing, and daily work.[05:47] Understand that hustle can be useful in the early stages of entrepreneurship for experimentation and learning.[07:14] The Japanese concept of Ikigai: a framework for aligning purpose, skills, market demand, and financial sustainability.[08:24] How defining a personal mission and professional direction can transform both business decisions and life satisfaction.[09:50] Understand that clarity provides direction, and focus channels energy toward meaningful progress that hustle alone cannot deliver.

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Season 20 | Ep 229 | Professional Services Automation and Agencies with Harv Nagra

Apr 2400:36:24Tap to summarize

At what point do the tools that once helped your agency grow quietly begin holding it back? And how can you recognize the moment when spreadsheets, disconnected apps, and manual processes stop being efficient shortcuts and start becoming costly bottlenecks?In this episode of The Agency Blueprint podcast, I’m joined by Harv Nagra to discuss the turning point that many growing agencies inevitably face when their operational tools can’t keep pace with the complexity of their business. Harv is a former Group Operations Director on the agency side and is now the Head of Brand Communications at Scoro, the work and business management platform built for agencies and consultancies. His career has spanned agency ops leadership and now tech, helping creative and professional service firms build operational muscle and scale sustainably. He's also the host of the handbook, The Ops Podcast, where he unpacks how systems, tools, and behavior shape.Listen in to learn about Model Context Protocol (MCP), which allows AI tools to interact with multiple business systems at once. You will also learn the importance of investing in integrated systems and automation early to create clarity, scalability, and operational efficiency.Key Questions:[01:22] How has automation evolved in recent years, and are agencies still thinking about it too narrowly as simple integrations?[08:49] How can agency leaders recognize the early signs that their operational systems are beginning to buckle under growth?[12:07] At what point does excessive administrative work become a warning signal that your systems need a serious upgrade?[14:17] What is the real difference between traditional project management tools and full professional services automation platforms?[21:05] Is there a specific team size or growth stage where agencies should seriously consider upgrading their operational systems?[26:47] How should agency owners evaluate the risk and return of migrating to a more integrated operational platform?What You’ll Discover: [01:37] The evolution of automation, how agencies can leverage it beyond simple tools, and why it’s critical for synchronizing complex agency projects as they scale.[04:40] How agencies fail to discover new operational tools simply because they don’t know the category exists.[05:56] The Model Context Protocol (MCP) and why it represents a new way for AI to interact with multiple business systems.[09:03] The operational warning signs that indicate an agency’s systems are no longer keeping up with its growth.[12:27] How utilization reports often expose hidden administrative workloads across agency teams.[14:30] The distinction between basic project management tools and professional services automation platforms.[18:12] How using PSA systems allows agencies to make data-driven decisions about client profitability, resource allocation, and project timelines.[21:35] Harv shares a rule of thumb that agencies should consider adopting operational platforms around the 20-person team size.[25:17] The pros and cons of building custom integrations versus adopting an all-in-one operational platform.[27:45] Why usability and ongoing product development should be key factors when choosing operational software.[30:43] Insights on the future of AI in agency operations and how smarter tools will transform decision-making.Connect with Harv:Website

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Season 20 | Ep 228 | The Revenue Plateau: What to Do When Growth Stalls

Apr 1700:25:54Tap to summarize

Why does agency growth sometimes plateau just when things seem to be working? Is a revenue plateau a failure, or simply a signal that something deeper in the business needs attention?In this episode of The Agency Blueprint podcast, we discuss revenue plateau, where it stems from, and why it’s valuable feedback for agency owners. We explain the importance of data-driven diagnosis instead of rushing to reinvent services or reposition the agency.Don't miss this episode to learn more about how revenue plateaus can occur even when new sales are strong and why rapid growth isn’t always the best path!Key Questions:[01:20] How common are revenue plateaus in agencies, and why do they catch so many agency owners off guard?[12:25] Are there warning signs or things that agency owners can look out for to avoid having that plateau or lessen the impact, or catch it early?[14:04] What would cause a revenue plateau when the sales pipeline appears strong?[18:48] Are you chasing the “scale or die” mentality of rapid growth, or building a sustainable agency that steadily increases profitability and stability?[22:30] What is the one high-impact change you can make this week to move yourself out of a revenue plateau?What You’ll Discover: [01:30] Understanding that revenue plateaus typically come from either industry shifts or a drop in meaningful demand-generating activity inside the agency.[03:08] The importance of determining whether the slowdown is a short-term fluctuation or a genuine long-term growth issue.[05:35] The emotional reactions that can make revenue plateaus worse, plus why you should avoid changing multiple business variables at once.[09:10] The importance of identifying exactly which lead source or marketing channel is responsible for changes in performance.[12:50] Why agencies should track 90-day revenue projections and pipeline metrics to detect a plateau months before it impacts cash flow.[14:35] How agencies inflate their pipelines with unrealistic deals, creating false confidence about future revenue.[16:59] How client churn and retention rates can quietly create a revenue plateau even when new business is coming in.[19:20] How focusing on profitability and operational efficiency can dramatically outperform chasing rapid revenue growth.[22:43] The highest-leverage action to take to identify the activities that historically produced the most revenue and invest more time or resources there.

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Season 20 | Ep 227 | From Hourly to Outcomes: Packaging, Positioning, and Pricing That Scales with Jonathan Stark

Apr 1000:35:02Tap to summarize

Do you get paid for the expertise you bring to the table or simply for the number of hours you spend delivering it? And if your skill allows you to solve problems faster and better, should that mean earning less?In this episode of The Agency Blueprint podcast, I’m joined by Jonathan Stark to discuss why the hourly model fundamentally misaligns incentives for agencies, consultants, and clients alike. Jonathan is the author of Hourly Billing is Nuts, host of the Ditching Hourly podcast, and writes a daily newsletter on pricing for independent professionals. He helps experts package, price, and sell outcomes rather than time, leading to higher margins, stronger client relationships, and, ultimately, saner businesses and agencies.Listen in to learn how hourly billing often leads to strained client relationships, unpredictable budgets, and capped revenue potential for agencies. You will also learn about three powerful alternatives to hourly billing that agencies can implement to improve profitability and client satisfaction.Key Questions:[01:04] If hourly billing creates so many limitations, what alternative pricing models could your agency adopt today?[04:56] Are you unintentionally rewarding slower work and discouraging expertise by billing clients by the hour?[26:44] Do you think it’s unethical to advocate for the idea of different prices for the same service depending on the person that's in front of you?[29:31] What kind of agency do you want to build over the next three years? One with predictable productized services or one focused on high-value custom projects?What You’ll Discover: [01:21] The pivotal moment Jonathan realized hourly billing was flawed, and how shifting to fixed or value-based pricing changes incentives.[04:56] Unlike hourly pricing, fixed or value-based pricing leads to happier clients because it eliminates billing anxiety and constant deadline pressure.[08:00] The concept of packaging expertise into digital products, allowing agencies to generate scalable income without direct client involvement.[10:50] How low-priced products can double as marketing tools that build trust and lead to higher-value client engagements.[12:02] Productized services: fixed-scope offerings with published pricing that simplify the sales process.[13:57] The difference between productized services and value-based projects, including when each pricing model makes the most sense for agencies.[20:24] Why a paid discovery phase is a practical way to qualify clients while delivering immediate strategic value.[23:07] The Maximum Price Formula, where price potential is determined by client desire, available budget, and perceived alternatives.[27:03] Why value-based pricing should focus on measurable business results, not just deliverables like page counts or design assets.[29:55] Practical advice for agencies transitioning away from hourly billing, which includes starting with a paid discovery phase as a simple first step.Connect with Jonathan:Website

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Season 20 | Ep 226 | The Myth of Scaling Fast - Scalability vs Sustainable Growth

Apr 300:19:53Tap to summarize

Are you chasing rapid growth because it aligns with your vision for your agency or because the industry keeps telling you that scaling fast is the only path to success?In this episode of The Agency Blueprint podcast, I explain why the hype around rapid scaling often hides the real risks agency owners face when they expand too quickly. I also explain why true scalability isn’t about speed but about building a business that can grow without breaking what already works.Don't miss this episode to learn more about how clear processes, reliable financial metrics, documented workflows, and accountability systems will lead to long-term success.Key Questions:[04:44] Is your agency prepared operationally for the growth you’re chasing?[07:05] Are you prioritizing sustainable improvement over short bursts of momentum?[12:33] Have you planned your growth intentionally?[16:20] Is your business actually built to scale today?What You’ll Discover: [01:28] How many agency owners feel pressured to scale even when a lifestyle business may align better with their personal goals.[03:05] An example of misleading marketing claims where an agency reported huge growth numbers that were inflated by media spend rather than real revenue.[04:44] How scaling too quickly often leads to delivery problems, declining quality, and long-term reputational damage.[07:05] Why sudden revenue spikes can be dangerous if agencies lack the systems needed to sustain that level of business.[10:11] Why clear accountability, operational frameworks, and financial reporting are essential for maintaining control during growth.[12:21] How to plan growth carefully and build repeatable processes that allow work to be delegated effectively if you want massive scale.[13:53] How scaling too quickly can trap you in a stressful business that feels more like a prison than a source of freedom.[15:01] Why operational excellence is the true “sexy” part of business because it enables stable profit and long-term sustainability.[16:23] Understanding that sustainable growth creates scale naturally as a byproduct rather than forcing it as the primary goal.

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Season 19 | Ep 225 | How to Build Systems That Don’t Kill Creativity with Melissa Morris

Mar 2700:39:23Tap to summarize

Are you struggling to balance creativity and structure in your agency? Could your agency achieve both creative excellence and operational clarity without sacrificing either?In this episode of The Agency Blueprint podcast, I’m joined by Melissa Morris to discuss how agency owners can implement systems and processes without stifling creativity. Melissa is the founder of Agency Authority and the creator of the TOPPP Framework. With over a decade of agency experience, she helps owners streamline operations, boost capacity, and grow sustainably without burning out their teams or crushing creativity. Through her consulting and content, Melissa is on a mission to fix the long hours and low profits.Listen in to learn how setting guardrails for client work, agencies can prevent chaos, ensure accountability, and elevate the overall quality of their creative output. You will also learn about strategies for managing diverse personalities within teams, from highly creative members to structured, linear thinkers.Key Questions:[01:31] Why do agency owners often resist implementing systems and processes, and how can this resistance be overcome?[09:12] What does the “aha” moment look like when agency owners realize their current processes are unsustainable?[24:22] How clear are your offers and communication boundaries, and how could improving them reduce last-minute emergencies?[30:30] When should you consider hiring external support, a partner, or a consultant to fill skill gaps in your agency?What You’ll Discover: [01:27] Why agency owners often resist systems because they believe standards and templates compromise quality and creativity.[03:20] The idea of best practices as ‘creative containers,’ which gives teams flexibility while still protecting deadlines and profit.[05:50] How to diagnose whether resistance to constraints signals a deeper misalignment in audience, pricing, or communication.[07:27] Melissa’s TOPPP Framework – why clarity in team, offers, and pipeline must come before building processes or SOPs.[09:44] The ‘aha’ moment when owners finally see how their own flexibility and over-accommodation fuel internal chaos.[12:07] How creative and operational minds differ and how collaboration becomes healthier when both perspectives are respected.[15:44] Modular workflows that allow creatives to choose their own path within structured checkpoints, preventing overwhelm.[19:26] How modular project chunks help teams avoid going too far in the wrong direction, saving time and improving quality.[22:36] The importance of buffer time, allowing teams to handle client fires and maintain high-quality output without overworking.[25:02] How unclear expectations between clients and internal teams create unnecessary emergencies.[28:12] How gradually improving processes create a compounding effect that makes other operations easier and more efficient.[30:55] The red flags that indicate when an agency needs external support, whether a consultant, a partner, or a new hire.[34:50] How people can honor their personality type while still building systems that allow them to function effectively in the agency environment.Connect with Melissa:WebsiteLinkedInQuiz

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All episodes

Season 20 | Ep 234 | The Art of Internal Feedback Loops

Season 20 | Ep 233 | How to Use Content as a Sales Tool

Season 20 | Ep 232 | Beyond the Hype: What AI Can (and Can’t) Do with Thanos Diacakis

Season 20 | Ep 231 | Relationship-Driven Growth: Building a Business Development Engine That Lasts with Dan Englander

Season 20 | Ep 230 | Why Clarity & Focus Beats Hustle

Season 20 | Ep 229 | Professional Services Automation and Agencies with Harv Nagra

Season 20 | Ep 228 | The Revenue Plateau: What to Do When Growth Stalls

Season 20 | Ep 227 | From Hourly to Outcomes: Packaging, Positioning, and Pricing That Scales with Jonathan Stark

Season 20 | Ep 226 | The Myth of Scaling Fast - Scalability vs Sustainable Growth

Season 19 | Ep 225 | How to Build Systems That Don’t Kill Creativity with Melissa Morris