Could it be that you’re not maximizing your agency’s true value? While many agencies focus solely on tangible outcomes, you can tap into your most valuable offerings by separating and monetizing strategy.

In this episode of The Agency Blueprint, I discuss how to identify strategy as a high-value service and the role of strategy-only models in driving agency success. I explain why implementing structured strategy phases not only aligns client goals with execution but also ensures continuous improvement.

Don’t miss this episode to learn about the different strategy delivery models and how to set clear client communication when using strategy!

Key Questions:

• [01:43] Are you willing to pay for a service but hesitant to charge for it yourself?
• [03:49] Do you treat strategy as a separate deliverable or bundle it within projects?
• [06:27] How can you position your agency as a strategic partner rather than just a service provider?
• [15:05] Are you aligning your pricing with the transformative value your strategies provide clients?

What You’ll Discover:

• [02:30 The importance of recognizing strategy as a high-value service and ensuring it is compensated appropriately.
• [04:00] The value of positioning your agency as a strategic partner rather than a deliverable-focused service provider.
• [06:27] How to structure your strategy deliverables with defined processes, data inputs, and client communication.
• [08:59] Different strategy delivery models—oversight, building blocks, and integrated execution.
• [12:39] How to structure retainer-based strategy engagements using credits and modular deliverables.
• [14:12] The importance of clear client communication and setting expectations for strategy-only engagements.
• [15:05] A motivational reminder to value your expertise and charge based on the impact of solving client problems.

Are you making the right financial decisions to scale your business effectively? Financial decision-making for business owners can be complex but differentiating expenses from investments and focusing on risk assessment and ROI can make a difference.

In this episode of The Agency Blueprint, I’m joined by Calvin Wilder to discuss the dos and don’ts of agency investments. Cal is the founder and CEO of SmartBooks, where their team empowers business owners to run financially healthy businesses through a mix of bookkeeping and accounting, financial reporting, and CFO advisory services. He started his career journey as an investment analyst, then worked as a CFO, and still does occasional CFO work for his clients.

Don’t miss this episode to learn the importance of a portfolio-based approach and how investment diversification can safeguard an agency’s financial health!

Key Questions:

• [01:22] What are some practical guidelines for agency owners to determine whether a business expense meets current needs or paves the way for growth?
• [05:40] What’s your advice to someone considering risking everything on a single investment opportunity?
• [10:21] What are some examples of high costs or potentially high-risk investments you made with your agency and did they pay off in the end?
• [15:00] What framework would you use to determine whether to invest or not?
• [17:22] Are there percentages you consider when thinking about making investments on whether they should take place or not?

What You’ll Discover:

• [01:36] How to distinguish between standard operating expenses and growth-driven investments for agency owners.
• [03:35] The importance of evaluating ROI and risk when considering investments and how optimism can sometimes cloud judgment.
• [05:50] How personal circumstances and life stages influence financial decisions and risk tolerance.
• [08:13] The portfolio approach to business investments: balancing risks across multiple opportunities.
• [10:40] Examples of high-cost investments, like project management systems, that deliver long-term productivity gains.
• [15:10] Criteria for determining whether an investment opportunity is relevant today or better suited for the future.
• [17:39] Understanding metrics to consider as an agency owner when looking into new investment opportunities.

Connect with Calvin:

• Website
• LinkedIn

How can balanced scorecards and KPIs transform your business success? Well-designed performance metrics bring transparency, align teams, and streamline decision-making processes.

In this episode of The Agency Blueprint, we discuss the transformative potential of balanced scorecards and well-structured key performance indicators (KPIs) for businesses. We also explain how to break down long-term objectives into actionable department-specific goals.

Listen in to learn how full transparency with your team helps build trust and drive the business vision forward. You will also learn the importance of clarity, timeliness, and focus in KPI tracking to avoid vanity metrics.

Key Questions:

• [01:40] What level of data transparency do you maintain with your team?
• [06:44] Are your KPIs aligned with your business’s true pain points and opportunities for growth?
• [11:04] How can you effectively translate your 3-5-year objectives into clear annual and departmental goals?
• [21:21] Are you tracking meaningful KPIs or focusing on vanity metrics that don’t contribute to real growth?

What You’ll Discover:

• [02:09] How full transparency with your team helps build trust and drive the business vision forward.
• [03:56] How to distinguish between valuable and motivated team members and those who may harm team morale.
• [06:20] The importance of identifying core inputs and aligning them with your business goals to avoid chasing irrelevant metrics.
• [11:15] How to break down long-term business objectives into specific, actionable goals for each year.
• [14:25] How to establish clear departmental and individual metrics to ensure accountability and progress tracking.
• [16:09] The motivational impact of using leaderboards to foster healthy competition and engagement within teams.
• [17:47] Common pitfalls in KPI tracking and why focusing on meaningful data is crucial for business growth and effective decision-making.