CEO INSIGHTS Journal

Recurring Potholes in your Business: Pothole Behavior

Recurring Potholes in your Business: Pothole Behavior

Pothole Behavior: Why Your Business Has Recurring Problems. In running your business, you'll face challenges that always need to be fixed. To the company's detriment, side-stepping these issues and hoping for better results becomes normal behavior. I call it "Pothole...

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How to Stand Out in Business: Beyond Being Better

Executive Summary: How to Stand Out in Business: Beyond Being Better Harness the power of uniqueness in business strategy and business planning to forge a sustainable path to success. Here's how being different, not just better, can redefine your competitive edge in...

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Who’s Really in the Zoo?

Who’s Really in the Zoo?

When was the last time you were at the zoo? Did you notice the animals staring at you? Sometimes I wonder who's really in the zoo – the animals or us? As a giraffe or a primate is staring me down, I wonder what the animal is thinking. Am I being judged? Can the...

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How to ‘Get Out of Your Own Way’

How to ‘Get Out of Your Own Way’

Your brain is a constant idea-making machine. But it only works to the max when you get out of the way, unload all the data and shit that's in it and let it do “its thing.” Once you do that, with these ten nuggets, there's nothing stopping you from getting what you...

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The Real Secret To Asking & Getting Great Testimonials

The Real Secret To Asking & Getting Great Testimonials

In a recent conversation with an agency owner, I asked, “How many 'happy' clients do you have?” She thought I was facetious, but I pressed on asking, “What’s the number?” She said, “I think all are pleased or they wouldn’t be working with me.”  Okay, that’s a good...

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Five Serious Issues Agency CEOs are Resolving

Five Serious Issues Agency CEOs are Resolving

In several CEO Stars and Virtual Coffee sessions over the past three months, since the 'bomb' dropped, these critical issues are being addressed and resolved. Do I have enough cash flow for the next 90 days? How do I keep my team energized & motivated while WFH?...

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Are You Stuck in Your Own Shit?

Are You Stuck in Your Own Shit?

I have a coach. His name is Clay Nelson. Clay has coached me over the years, challenging me to go beyond where I am now and take on concepts in areas I know nothing about – but can quickly learn. He gets me into that area of risk and fear - and holds me accountable. ...

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Restaurants Held Hostage: The Delivery Dilemma

Restaurants Held Hostage: The Delivery Dilemma

Last week, meeting with several restaurant CEOs, the discussion took a turn from the all-important "labor costs" to that of the "Delivery Dilemma." Once reluctant to initiate a 3rd party delivery program, one restaurant owner "joined the herd," resulting in delivery...

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The Conformity Police Are Watching You

The Conformity Police Are Watching You

I’ve always been intrigued why certain things stay boringly the same yet, with a slight twist of imagination, can have the potential to create an amazing customer wow reaction.  The Retail Hospitality Conformity Police (RHCP) have declared that the same must always...

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Ad Agency CEOs: When It’s Time to Get a Partner

Ad Agency CEOs: When It’s Time to Get a Partner

Rarely does a session with agency owners go by when the topic of partnerships doesn't come up. It's a hot topic with a lot at stake if the wrong decision is made. Several agencies expressed the desire to look within - to a 'keeper' or the agency 'rising star'- rather...

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A Personal Note To My Fellow Ad Agency Owners: “Nobody Wins Alone’

In Denial of Isolation: My Years As An Ad Agency Owner

My Silent Enemy Years ago, I was a successful ad agency owner. And like you, I was running the show. A show that I thought I knew all about. Don’t we all? Despite success, I made some bad decisions, wasted a lot of money – all the things other agency owners sometimes...

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How 100 Ad Agency CEOs Became Mavericks. Is There Some Maverick in You?

How 100 Ad Agency CEOs Became Mavericks

Currently, 100 independent ad agency owners are mavericks. Mavericks because they decided to do something different: break from traditional associations and become part of a new-generation concept called 'CEO Stars.' Eschewing exorbitant dues and expensive meetings at...

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If You Do RFP’s, Are You Scum?

If You Do RFP’s, Are You Scum?

I have a difficult time with the many gurus in the business coming right out and saying, "Don't do RFPs." Every week a document passes my desk on this very topic. What bothers me is that most of these people who stand on the podium reading the anti-RFP riot act, have...

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Don’t Make 2019 ‘The Year of the Shortcut.’

Don’t Make 2019 ‘The Year of the Shortcut.’

It’s the time of the year when all the pundits and gurus 'predict' next year’s digital marketing trends that are going to make your business better and easier. How will digital impact your business? How will digital make your business more profitable? What’s the next...

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The Ultimate Guide to No More Ultimate Guides

The Ultimate Guide to No More Ultimate Guides

In this past week, I had three opportunities to download different variations of "The Ultimate Guide To …" One was for blogging, another, writing powerful content and the other, an ultimate guide to new business development. I cringe when I see this word in the title...

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If You Do RFP’s, Are You Scum?

If You Do Agency RFP’s, Are You Scum?

I have a difficult time with the many gurus in the business coming right out and saying, "Don't do RFPs." Every week a document passes my desk on this very topic. What bothers me is that most of these people who stand on the podium reading the anti-RFP riot act, have...

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Does Your Ad Agency Take Credit Cards?

Does Your Ad Agency Take Credit Cards?

In a recent CEO Stars session, every ad agency CEO had noticed a trend towards more clients wanting to pay their invoice with a credit card. This is a real challenge that has the potential to erode into your bottom line, especially if you end up eating the fees. If...

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Years Ago, I Was An Ad Agency Owner – Just Like You

Years Ago, I Was An Ad Agency Owner – Just Like You

I was a successful ad agency owner. And like you, I was running the show. A show that I thought I knew all about, (don’t we all) but was really never quite sure. Despite success, I made some bad decisions, wasted a lot of money – all the things other agency owners...

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Why Is It So Difficult To Write Your “Why?”

Why Is It So Difficult To Write Your “Why?”

Knowing and writing are two different things. Our mind tells us we know, but when tasked with actually taking what we know and putting it in writing, the challenge can be daunting. You don't really know it, unless you can put it in writing. So, we tend to go through...

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“This Is My Lifeline” – St. Louis Ad Agency CEO

“This Is My Lifeline” – St. Louis Ad Agency CEO

"It's very hard to make decisions when you feel as though all of your decisions are resting on your back. I do want access to answers, and I want access to people who can help me to make good decisions and that's what I find in CEO stars. It's a place to go so that I...

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