Be The Push

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It is the mission of this podcast to bring you interesting, practical, and entertaining stories of how guests got through the tough times in their business careers. This is a collection of real stories from the trenches of entrepreneurship with the aim of helping you to Be The Push when you need it…

Jack Ferguson


    • May 27, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 51m AVG DURATION
    • 85 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Be The Push

    S3 E32: Marketing Partnerships: More Than Business Tinder

    Play Episode Listen Later May 27, 2025 31:47


    Partnerships: everyone says you have to do them. But most of that advice is dangerously naive, bordering on incompetent. This episode discusses self-serving agendas and ineffectual approaches that tanked collaborations, as well as successful partnerships that drove great commercial outcomes (and why). Listen in and hear:How a software company and a diversity & inclusion service provider created a successful partnership by filling each other's gaps. How a software company and a service company thrived by filling each other's competency gaps. How partnering with drafters allowed an engineering software company to bypass 10 barriers to entry. The Accountant/Cleaner Catastrophe: One of the worst partnership ideas we've ever seen. An example of a software development company successfully partnering with UX agencies.Terrible advice a business coach publicly gave on partnerships.This episode was co-hosted by:Brand Strategist Jack FergusonandProduct Marketing Specialist Alex UrquhartFind Jack on LinkedIn hereFind Alex on LinkedIn hereFollow The Push on YouTube hereFollow The Push on LinkedIn hereFollow The Push on TikTok hereFollow The Push on Instagram hereVisit The Push website hereVisit Jack's personal website hereVisit Alex's personal website here

    S3 E31: A Brewery Isn't a Pub: How Company Competency Shapes Marketing

    Play Episode Listen Later May 13, 2025 40:12


    There is a chasm between market want and corporate can. In this episode we dissect company core competency and the impact misunderstanding this has on marketers. If you've ever felt there is some invisible architecture that dictates success or failure in your organisation, but can't quite put your finger on why, it might be due to a deficit in core competence.Forget chasing trends. We discuss why superficial market appeal is a fool's errand without the intrinsic capability to deliver. From the nuanced dichotomy of breweries and pubs to the audacious (perhaps reckless) expansion of titans like Netflix, we leave no sacred cow alive…..well, almost none.We discuss:The "Adjacent Market Mirage": Listen to the story of an outsourcing company's growth mistake chasing “easy” expansion.The danger for companies lacking self-awareness: Listen to us discuss why a brewery can't be a pub, and why there isn't a damn thing a marketer can do about that.When Good Intentions Lead to Bad Investments (The Software Service Dilemma): Listen to us share a story of how a B2B software company's forays into adjacent services, one a surprising win, the other a costly failure, reveal the often-invisible lines of core competence that must be identified prior to expansion.Why Overestimating Your Capabilities Can Lead to Costly Failures:Listen to us talk about a Branding Agency's expansion problems after it mistook its capabilities and tried to enter the wrong market.The power of knowing your lane: Listen to us discuss how McDonald's deep understanding of what they do allows them to grow year after year, decade after decade.Fuel Strategic Growth by Discovering Your True Core (A Charity's Smart Pivot): Listen to a story how a laundry charity identified their fundamental strength to strategically expand into a different, but related service, substantiating a strong model for growth.This episode was cohosted by:Brand Strategist Jack Ferguson and Product Marketing Specialist Alex Urquhart.Find Jack and Alex online at the links below:Find Jack on LinkedIn hereFind Alex on LinkedIn hereFollow The Push on YouTube hereFollow The Push on LinkedIn hereFollow The Push on TikTok hereFollow The Push on Instagram hereVisit The Push website hereVisit Jack's personal website hereVisit Alex's personal website here

    S3 E30: Why Your Marketing Job Feels Unsatisfying

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2025 20:04


    In this episode of the podcast we dive into a fascinating concept that could explain why your marketing job feels misaligned or difficult.We explore the idea of company "orientation," how a company's focus and cultural direction can shape your experience as a marketer.From sales-focused companies to product-driven organisations, we'll break down 4 distinct orientations and how they impact everything from internal communications to strategic decisions. Plus, we'll discuss how understanding your company's orientation can help you thrive, or decide if it's time to move on.We cover:The concept of every company having an orientationThe 4 main orientations Why marketers should be aware of their company's orientation to decide if they can work within it or if it's time to move on.The orientation Jack believes marketers thrive in and whyThe misuse of AI in products, often leading to complications rather than solutions.Why Google Plus as a product was too internally focused and ultimately failed.How Zappos was customer-oriented, a marketer's delight, and focused on customer service rather than the product.This episode is co-hosted by:Brand Strategist Jack Ferguson and Product Marketing Specialist Alex UrquhartFind Jack on LinkedIn hereFind Alex on LinkedIn hereFollow The Push on YouTube hereFollow The Push on LinkedIn hereFollow The Push on TikTok hereFollow The Push on Instagram hereVisit The Push website hereVisit Jack's personal website hereVisit Alex's personal website here

    S3 E29: Not-So-Rapid Fire Q & A: Senior Marketer Edition

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2025 17:04


    In this fun and insightful episode, we dive into a "Not-So-Rapid-Fire" Q & A session with senior marketers Alex and Jack. While the aim was to keep it quick, they got talking….and…well, it didn't end up being that quick

    S3 E28: Same Goal, Different Game: Promoting Products vs. Services

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2025 15:22


    We all know the goal is the same—drive results. But when it comes to promoting products versus services, the game changes. In this episode, we dive into the differences with real life examples to draw upon.After all, we all know it's not just about the product or service—it's about how you approach the messaging, and the strategy behind it.What we cover:A story of a software developer rebranding as an education app developer, and how that led to more sales.Why we believe industry experience helps sell to clients but doesn't make a marketer better at their job.Different marketing strategies we've utilised for professional services versus product-based businesses, using an engineering company as an example.Challenges we've witnessed promoting service based businesses which have a broad range of offerings.Examples of successful marketing strategies for service-based businessesThis episode is hosted by:Brand Strategist Jack FergusonandProduct Marketing Specialist Alex Urquhart.Find Jack on LinkedIn hereFind Alex on LinkedIn hereFollow The Push on YouTube hereFollow The Push on LinkedIn hereFollow The Push on TikTok hereFollow The Push on Instagram hereVisit The Push website hereVisit Jack's personal website hereVisit Alex's personal website here

    S3 E27: Marketing to Your Boss: Let's Pull Teeth!

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 18, 2025 17:54


    In this episode….we're going to pull teeth….wait, wait, we mean manage up as a marketer. What is actually going on when your boss is disagreeing with you? Let's explore this oh-so familiar situation and take a look at what's really going wrong, and what we can do about it.Get ready for:- A marketer trying to expand a CFO's view beyond PPC.- A lesson from Trevor Noah in understanding your boss- Strategies for bridging the gap between your marketing expertise and your boss's belief system- Several points of view on how to influence your boss- A discussion on your boss's belief system and when it is too deeply entrenched- The reality of changing belief structures. How to do it and your likelihood of success.This episode is hosted by:Brand Strategist Jack FergusonAndProduct Marketer Alex UrquhartFind Jack on LinkedIn hereFind Alex on LinkedIn hereFollow The Push on YouTube hereFollow The Push on LinkedIn hereFollow The Push on TikTok hereFollow The Push on Instagram hereVisit The Push website hereVisit Jack's personal website hereVisit Alex's personal website here

    S3 E26: Peddling Poison: When the product sucks, can marketing save the day?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 4, 2025 28:01


    Can you truly market a subpar product and come out on top? On this episode we explore the realities of marketing a product that simply doesn't deliver.From Crocs to Google to Santorini, we'll explore real-world examples of brands attempting to win with a product that falls short. We will explore:- Why marketers should always be asked about product- How a bootstrapped company did very little promotion yet found success by addressing a defined market need.- How Jack shaped a product for a SaaS company, and helped it pivot from a code quality platform to a finance platform.- How a terrible product (Crocs) became popular - Why Google has failed at over 250 products- The nuances of product quality when comparing B2B to B2C customersThis episode is hosted by:Brand Strategist Jack FergusonAndProduct Marketing Specialist Alex UrquhartFind Jack on LinkedIn hereFind Alex on LinkedIn hereFollow The Push on YouTube hereFollow The Push on LinkedIn hereFollow The Push on TikTok hereFollow The Push on Instagram hereVisit The Push website hereVisit Jack's personal website hereVisit Alex's personal website here

    S3 E25: Effectively Selling Marketing Expertise; Tales, Tactics, and Frameworks!

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 18, 2025 26:12


    In this episode, we talk about how to sell yourself as a marketer!We're giving you tales, tactics, and frameworks! Marketer's have unique challenges when it comes to selling our services and expertise. We are going to discuss why this happens, and strategies to overcome this! This episode is hosted by:Brand Strategist Jack Ferguson and Product Marketing Specialist Alex Urquhart.This episode covers:- The challenges of selling marketing services due to inherent uncertainty in marketing outcomes. - Common challenges faced by both internal marketers and external consultants.- The difference between deterministic and non-deterministic services and why these matters to you as a marketer.- How cake theory applies to marketers- The challenges of working with clients and stakeholders who don't understand the complexity of marketing.- The problem with marketing PDs in 2025- Where 90% of your success will come from as a marketer- How marketing is 80% intangibles and 20% great tangibles, and the inherent challenges that arise with thatFind Jack on LinkedIn hereFind Alex on LinkedIn hereFollow The Push on YouTube hereFollow The Push on LinkedIn hereFollow The Push on TikTok hereFollow The Push on Instagram hereVisit The Push website hereVisit Jack's personal website hereVisit Alex's personal website here

    S3 E24: Breakup Advice for Marketers; When to Leave Your Employer

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 4, 2025 29:46


    In this episode, we are talking about employer/employee break ups (or client/contractor break ups). The key question we are looking is: When should a marketer leave an employer or client?Specifically, we discuss: - The importance of leaving a job at the right time- Personal stories of staying in the wrong job for too long- Signs that it's time to leave- Tribalism in the workplace- The importance of leadership in shaping company culture and how it affects you- The catch 22 of keeping professional distance from clients/employers vs caring enough to do a great job as a marketerAnd - Why it's useful to think about culture as the personality of leadershipThis episode was co-hosted by:- Brand Strategist Jack Fergusonand- Product Marketing Specialist Alex UrquhartFind Jack on LinkedIn hereFind Alex on LinkedIn hereFollow The Push on YouTube hereFollow The Push on LinkedIn hereFollow The Push on TikTok hereFollow The Push on Instagram hereVisit The Push website hereVisit Jack's personal website hereVisit Alex's website here

    S3 E23: Pricing Debate: How high is too high?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 28, 2025 28:10


    In this episode, hosts Jack and Alex engage in a lively debate on pricing strategies.Jack argues passionately for pricing products and services as high as possible to maximize profits, while Alex presents a counterargument, drawing on real-world examples that highlight the importance of finding the right price point based on market dynamics and customer value.Jack shares stories of times when he has witnessed companies price too low.Alex shares stories of times when companies have priced too high.The discussion covers a range of topics including;- The relationship between pricing and sustainable growth- Why some customers pay more and why it matters- Stories of customers gamifying pricing models leading to company issues- The impact pricing has on customer experiences (with stories)- The warning signs you're pricing yourself out of the market- The impact of high pricing on customer expectations- How complicated pricing could be costing you businessThis episode is perfect for senior marketers who contribute strategy to their conversations with clients or their internal team. Tune in to hear Jack and Alex's spirited debate and decide for yourself who makes the stronger case.This episode is co-hosted by:- Brand Strategist Jack Fergusonand-Product Marketing Specialist Alex UrquhartFind Jack on LinkedIn hereFind Alex on LinkedIn hereFollow The Push on YouTube hereFollow The Push on LinkedIn hereFollow The Push on TikTok hereFollow The Push on Instagram hereVisit The Push website hereVisit Jack's personal website hereVisit Alex's website here

    S3 E22: Lessons from 22 Podcast Episodes; Building Parasocial Relationships, Crafting Stories, and Repurposing Content Effectively

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 31, 2024 35:50


    In this special episode of the podcast, we're taking a step back to reflect on our journey over the past 22 episodes of the podcast. What started as an experiment has evolved into a valuable learning experience.We talk about the lessons we've learned from Season 3 of The Push podcast. Lessons include:- Understanding the power of parasocial relationships- The contrast between the storytelling style of Seinfeld and Game of Thrones - and how that can transform the success of your business's content production.- The complexities of transitioning from an audio-only podcast to a video one.- The Lord of the Rings insight that demonstrates how to balance complex narratives with a digestible output- Techniques for crafting relatable and digestible content that resonates with the audience.And- The emotional benefits and personal journey of podcasting.This episode is co-hosted by:- Brand Strategist Jack Fergusonand- Product Marketing Specialist Alex UrquhartFind Jack on LinkedIn hereFind Alex on LinkedIn hereFollow The Push on YouTube hereFollow The Push on LinkedIn hereFollow The Push on TikTok hereFollow The Push on Instagram hereVisit The Push website hereVisit Jack's personal website hereVisit Alex's website here

    S3 E21: Taming unrealistic expectations (The marketer's survival guide (Pt 2))

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 17, 2024 26:50


    Unrealistic marketing expectations can cripple a business (and marketers). This episode is part of a 2-part series on how to manage what's expected of you as a marketer.This episode is perfect for senior marketers who need to hear that you are not alone. Use the experiences we share to make your professional life a little easier.In this episode, we'll:Use the Chicago Bulls team from 1992 to 1998 as a case study for high-performing teams, with Michael Jordan as the pinnacle player. Marketers are sometimes expected to be the Michael Jordan of their business, but can one person do it all?Discuss how a company Alex worked with spent millions of dollars on promotion that should have been stopped much sooner. Listen in as to why.Discuss why companies need to understand their core competencies and not rely on external marketers to fix fundamental issues.Talk through the advice Jack gave his friend who was buying a pharmacy and what realistic expectations he thinks are valid for marketing a small business.The importance of setting KPIs that are within the control of the sales or marketing team.The challenges for any marketer who is working across multiple departments and being integrated into every team.- - - - -This episode is co-hosted by:- Brand Strategist Jack Fergusonand-Product Marketing Specialist Alex UrquhartFind Jack on LinkedIn hereFind Alex on LinkedIn hereFollow The Push on LinkedIn hereFollow The Push on TikTok hereFollow The Push on Instagram hereVisit The Push website hereVisit Jack's personal website hereVisit Alex's website here

    S3 E20: Taming Unrealistic Expectations: The Marketer's Survival Guide (Pt 1)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 3, 2024 24:44


    Welcome to the world of marketing – where the pressure to deliver results yesterday is real, but the time and strategy needed to create sustainable success is often overlooked. In this episode, Alex and Jack get real about the constant tug-of-war between marketers and executives over unrealistic expectations. As consultants who work with both sides, they've seen it all: the demands for rapid growth, the frustration over missed targets, and the pressure that comes with it.So why does this misalignment happen?Marketers are asked to work miracles without the proper time, resources, or understanding of what actually drives long-term success. On the flip side, executives often don't grasp the intricacies of the marketing process, expecting immediate results without recognizing that effective marketing is a marathon, not a sprint. It's a cycle that leads to burnout, frustration, and, ultimately, missed opportunities.In this episode, you'll discover:Why marketing is about understanding—not just doing—and how that shifts unrealistic expectationsWhy the marketing team can't be blamed for outcomes they can't controlGain insight into the conveyor belt analogy, and how focusing on inputs can actually drive better outputsThe reality of measuring marketing success—and why it's not as easy as a quick ROI snapshotPractical strategies for marketers to manage the impossible demands and align expectations across the businessLearn how to communicate the true value of your marketing efforts to skeptical stakeholdersThis episode is co-hosted by:- Brand Strategist Jack Fergusonand-Product Marketing Specialist Alex Urquhart- Find Jack on LinkedIn here- Find Alex on LinkedIn here- Follow The Push on LinkedIn here- Follow The Push on TikTok here- Follow The Push on Instagram here- Visit The Push website here- Visit Jack's personal website here- Visit Alex's website hereThis is just Part 1, so don't forget to hit subscribe and stay tuned for more insights in the next episode!

    S3 E19: Could the Fyre Festival Work for B2B SaaS?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 19, 2024 19:41


    In this episode, we dive into the key differences between B2B and B2C marketing strategies and explore whether the tactics used to promote the ill-fated Fyre Festival could be applied to the world of B2B SaaS.We discuss:The unique challenges of B2B sales, including the importance of change management, risk mitigation, and building long-term trust with customers.Effective onboarding strategies that use educational content and self-guided demos to engage potential B2B buyers and drive high conversion rates.The pros and cons of leveraging high-profile influencers versus more niche, targeted B2B influencers for marketing campaigns.The comparison of viral, attention-grabbing tactics vs relationship-building approaches.Practical examples and case studies that illustrate successful B2B marketing techniques.This episode is co-hosted by:- Brand Strategist Jack Fergusonand-Product Marketing Specialist Alex UrquhartFind Jack on LinkedIn here Find Alex on LinkedIn hereFollow The Push on LinkedIn hereFollow The Push on TikTok hereFollow The Push on Instagram hereSubscribe to The Push on YouTube hereVisit The Push website hereVisit Jack's personal website hereVisit Alex's website here

    S3 E18: The Hidden Costs of Bad Customers! Are You Losing Money?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 5, 2024 24:33


    In this episode, we uncover the often-overlooked financial impact of bad customers on businesses. Join us as we explore how difficult clients can drain your resources—not just financially, but also emotionally and mentally.Through personal stories, including a memorable WeWork experience and a cautionary tale from a SaaS startup, we discuss the real costs associated with mismatched customer relationships. Some of the specifics covered include:How to manage dealing with toxic prospects when you need cashHow low prices attract entitled customers (with examples)How Alex begged his client not to buy his product, they didn't listen, here's how it endedHow a client requesting only select parts of your service — like choosing "only horror movies" on Netflix — becomes a recipe for disaster!

    Growth Playbook: Lessons from Zoom, Netflix, Hubspot, Figma…..and Travolta

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 22, 2024 24:33


    In this episode, we dive into the essential strategies and circumstances that enable business growth, drawing insights from some of the most successful companies — Zoom, Figma, HubSpot, and Netflix. You'll even gain insights about business growth from John Travolta

    Why Your Marketing Isn't Delivering Quick Wins

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2024 20:30


    Struggling to see the immediate marketing results you're after? You're not alone. In this episode, we dive deep into the complex realities that often stand in the way of quick marketing wins. We cover:- Strategies to enhance the effectiveness of your short-term marketing tactics.- Whether ads, blogs, and/or social media ‘works'- How to drive more sales with the friend test- Insights into what is preventing you securing immediate marketing results.- What you can learn about marketing from poker strategy- How to engage a niche B2B market- Whether sales is just a formulaAnd- How to align your short-term marketing tactics with the needs and behaviors of your buyers.This episode was hosted by Brand Strategist Jack Ferguson and Product Marketing Specialist Alex Urquhart. Find Jack on LinkedIn here: Jack Ferguson | LinkedInFind Alex on LinkedIn here: Alex Urquhart | LinkedInFollow The Push on LinkedIn here: The Push: Overview | LinkedInFollow The Push on TikTok here: thepushmedialab (@thepushmedialab) | TikTokFollow The Push on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/@thepushmedialab?sub_confirmation=1Follow The Push on Instagram here: The Push (@bethepush) • Instagram photos and videosVisit The Push website here: Marketing scenarios. Relatable problems. Practical solutions. | The Push Podcast (bethepush.com)Visit Jack's personal website here: Jack Ferguson — Brand StrategistVisit Alex's website here: Home | Market Science (market-science.co)

    Outsource Your Marketing Wisely: What Works, What Doesn't, and Why

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2024 28:34


    Welcome to this insightful episode where we explore the art and science of outsourcing your marketing. Join our hosts as they unravel the complexities of working with external partners and share actionable strategies to enhance your marketing efforts.Specifically we'll share:- How you can make your outsourced marketing efforts a success. When done right it can save you plenty of time and help grow your business. However, when done wrong it can do brand damage and burn a hole in your pocket.- Personal stories of when outsourcing has succeeded and when it has failed….and most importantly, why.- A real-life case study of a company that faced major setbacks due to poor outsourcing decisions, so you can learn how to avoid making the same mistake. - Ways in which external marketing providers can try and trick you. We share an example of a client who spent $5,000 a month on Google ads, and how the agency produced reports that looked good on the surface but in fact weren't as good as initially thought.- A story about a company who hired a salesperson who blamed the product and market for poor performance, and what you need to do if you find yourself in this position.- When you should contract a consultant vs when it's best to contract a marketing agency.- How you can maintain internal control while outsourcing. - What marketing agencies are really experts in so you know what to expect and how to engage with them. Hint: It's not generating good leads for your business.This episode was co-hosted by Brand Strategist Jack Ferguson and Product Marketing Specialist Alex UrquhartFind Jack on LinkedIn here: Jack Ferguson | LinkedInFind Alex on LinkedIn here: Alex Urquhart | LinkedInFind The Push on LinkedIn here: The Push: Overview | LinkedInVisit The Push Website here: Marketing scenarios. Relatable problems. Practical solutions. | The Push Podcast (bethepush.com)Visit Jack's personal website here: Jack Ferguson — Brand StrategistVisit Alex's website here: Home | Market Science (market-science.co)

    How to Slash B2B Sales Cycles and Manage Investor Expectations

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2024 26:28


    In this episode, we explore how B2B software companies can speed up their sales process.Join Jordan, CEO of Writrrr, as he plans to triple business growth in 3 months. He needs to do this while navigating investor demands for tenfold returns.Learn practical tips for;1) Speeding up sales cycles2) Managing difficult investor expectations3) Setting up your startup for rapid growth4) Navigating the complexities of B2B sales5) Pipeline managementThis episode was co-hosted by:- Brand Strategist Jack Fergusonand-Product Marketing Specialist Alex UrquhartFind Jack on LinkedIn here: Jack Ferguson | LinkedInFind Alex on LinkedIn here: Alex Urquhart | LinkedInFollow The Push on LinkedIn here: The Push: Overview | LinkedInFollow The Push on TikTok here: thepushmedialab (@thepushmedialab) | TikTokFollow The Push on YouTube here: The Push - YouTubeFollow The Push on Instagram here: The Push (@bethepush) • Instagram photos and videosVisit The Push website here: Marketing scenarios. Relatable problems. Practical solutions. | The Push Podcast (bethepush.com)Visit Jack's personal website here: Jack Ferguson — Brand StrategistVisit Alex's website here: Home | Market Science (market-science.co)

    Unusual, Effective Marketing and Sales Tactics for B2B Companies

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2024 24:34


    The most seldom used tactics are often the most effective.You already know about the typical sales and marketing tactics, eg. email marketing, content creation, and PPC. But what about some lesser thought about tactics?And how can your company use them to increase revenue?In this episode we share stories where we've used unusual tactics to increase sales and improved marketing effectiveness. Specifics this episode cover include:Simple event strategies that are low cost but high impactHow to meet more senior individuals in your industry and build a genuine relationship with themHow to approach relationship building with well connected individualsHow you can rapidly build trust with senior people in your target marketSome unique ways to approach networkingHow to use the principle of reciprocity for your business growthThis episode was co-hosted by Brand Strategist Jack Ferguson and Product Marketing Specialist Alex UrquhartFind Jack on LinkedIn here: Jack Ferguson: Overview | LinkedInFind Alex on LinkedIn here: Alex Urquhart | LinkedInFind The Push on LinkedIn here: The Push: Overview | LinkedInVisit Jack's personal website here: Jack Ferguson — Brand StrategistVisit Alex's website here: Home | Market Science (market-science.co)

    So, you're getting ghosted after the demo?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2024 29:52


    Ever wondered why your sales demos might not be hitting the mark?Ever wondered why your proposals seem to stall at the finish line?It can be frustrating, disheartening, and perplexing when you can't figure out why on earth your prospects aren't pulling the trigger. So what should you do about it?In this episode we tackle the intricate world of B2B sales with a blend of strategy and captivating storytelling.We explain why your prospects are ghosting, and what you can do about it.Specifics this episode cover include:What B2B buyers are thinking when evaluating your proposal.The four main barriers that get in the way of B2B prospects purchasingWhat demo:close ratios should you be aiming for? What ratios are too low?How to get buy in from your prospect's stakeholdersWhether or not you should add urgency to a B2B sales process?How to reduce the risk of purchasing for prospects which in turn makes the sale more likely.The importance of an info pack and the key points it should contain.How to identify areas for improvement in your sales processWhy prospect inaction is more of an enemy to you than competitors.This episode was co-hosted by Brand Strategist Jack Ferguson and Product Marketing Specialist Alex UrquhartFind Jack on LinkedIn here: Jack Ferguson | LinkedInFind Alex on LinkedIn here: Alex Urquhart | LinkedInFind The Push on LinkedIn here: The Push: Overview | LinkedInVisit Jack's personal website here: Jack Ferguson — Brand StrategistVisit Alex's website here: Home | Market Science (market-science.co)

    Is CAC A Waste Of Time For Mid-Sized Companies?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 30, 2024 33:20


    Customer Acquisition Costs (CAC) are commonly spoken about in business circles, but is the metric useful?In this episode we speak about the pros and cons of using such a metric in your marketing and sales departments.We cover:- What factors can influence the accuracy of CAC measurements?- How Marketing Agencies game CAC- Whether a mid sized company should use CAC or something else- How Executive and Marketing teams form different perspectives around ROI- How to get a wife in 20 dates- The Doorman TheoryAnd- How company culture and marketing are interconnectedThis episode was co-hosted by Jack Ferguson and Alex UrquhartFind Jack on LinkedIn here: Jack Ferguson | LinkedInFind Alex on LinkedIn here: Alex Urquhart | LinkedInFind The Push on LinkedIn here: The Push: Overview | LinkedInVisit Jack's personal website here: Jack Ferguson — Brand StrategistVisit Alex's website here: https://market-science.co

    Should you hire a lead gen agency?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2024 24:42


    Let's talk about lead generation! Every startup has this issue, many companies have this issue. On this season of the podcast, we look at an issue a company is facing on each episode, in today's episode, it is for AI consulting startup Writrrr spearheaded by CEO Jordan. He has taken the initiative to investigate what is preventing his startup's growth. He has drawn the conclusion that his business is lacking leads. So how should he approach this? Should he hire a lead gen agency?We'll answer this question on this episode. Who should listen?- Small business owners - Sales professionals who work in small businesses - Marketing professionals who work in small businesses,and of course,- The generally curious.Some of the specifics this episode will cover include:- In what circumstances should you hire a lead gen agency- How lead generation works and how to think about it.- How to appropriately use budget to scale lead generation- How to pick how to get rich lead gen schemes and how to avoid them- How to think about short, medium and long term lead generation - but what do these mean?- What all roads lead to leads means.This episode was co-hosted by Jack Ferguson and Alex UrquhartFind Jack on LinkedIn here: Jack Ferguson | LinkedInFind Alex on LinkedIn here: Alex Urquhart | LinkedInFind The Push on LinkedIn here: The Push: Overview | LinkedInVisit Jack's personal website here: Jack Ferguson — Brand StrategistVisit Alex's website here: Home | Market Science (market-science.co)

    Ask your customers these questions to make more money!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 2, 2024 23:30


    This episode is all about finding what customers actually want. When customers don't even know, better questions are needed...Plot line: Our CEO (and main character of our journey), Sarah, has taken on our previous advice and now wants to dive in deeper to their customers' needs. But where do they start? Who do they ask? And what questions will give answers worth actioning?Who should listen?- CEOs or GMs of mid-sized companies- Small business owners- Sales professionals who work in small or medium businesses- Marketing professionals who work in small or medium sized businessesand- The generally curious.Some of the specifics this episode will cover include:- How to optimise specific questions to get deeper insights- How to get inside the customers' mind - what do they really mean? What do they really want?- Why first answers are never enough - and why you need to unpack each answer to find the gold! - The value of open questions vs closed questions- Why value is subjective, and how pricing is a quantitative version of value.This episode was co-hosted by Jack Ferguson and Alex UrquhartFind Jack on LinkedIn here: Jack Ferguson | LinkedInFind Alex on LinkedIn here: Alex Urquhart | LinkedInFind The Push on LinkedIn here: The Push: Overview | LinkedInVisit Jack's personal website here: Jack Ferguson — Brand StrategistVisit Alex's website here: Home | Market Science (market-science.co)

    What should a startup's marketing budget look like?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2024 37:11


    This episode is all about marketing budgets for startups. With so much chaos - where should we even invest?!Founder (and main character), Jordan, has now seen success in converting 5 of 10 free users to paid for his company Writrrr. But now he has been advised by his board to build out a marketing budget and plan for next FY to scale this success further and faster.So where should Jordan begin?!Some of the specifics this episode will cover include:- Best place to start - how to reverse engineer a lead generation strategy based on the CAC and desired number of leads,  a clear roadmap to define their marketing budgets.- The significance of data-driven decision-making, - Pinpointing effective channels and messaging through growth testing.  - The crucial role of hiring skilled personnel - but only at the right time...- The importance of considering customer success and retention in budget planning. Who should listen to this episode?Startup leaders, CEOs, Founders, sales and marketing manager of early-stage companies, small business owners, marketing professionals who work in small sized businesses, and of course, just the generally curious...This episode was co-hosted by Jack Ferguson and Alex UrquhartFind Jack on LinkedIn here: Jack Ferguson: Overview | LinkedInFind Alex on LinkedIn here: Alex Urquhart | LinkedInFind The Push on LinkedIn here: The Push: Overview | LinkedInVisit Jack's personal website here: Jack Ferguson — Brand StrategistVisit Alex's website here: https://market-science.co

    Who the F*$^ do we target?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2024 28:43


    This episode is all about Targeting, in particular for mid-sized B2B companies.We're going to explore how to think about your targeting, why targeting is important, what your targeting options are, and ultimately how to utilise it to make more money.Who should listen?CEOs or GMs of mid-sized companies, small business owners, sales professionals who work in small or medium businesses, and marketing professionals who work in small or medium sized businesses, and of course, just the generally curious.Why? You're going to understand more targeting models by the end of the episode, and know which one is best for you to make you more money, and perhaps to be able to test out the marketers in your life. How much do they really know about something so foundational to the discipline?In this episode, CEO Sarah now wants to know how they should approach targeting, who should they go after, and why?Some of the specifics this episode will cover include:- Why targeting is important?- Targeting Definitions: What above the line means? What below the lines mean? What through the line means?- The attributes and advantages of different targeting models, such as STP, Sophisticated Mass Marketing, and Two Speed Targeting.- The difference between distinctiveness and differentiation and why it matters?- And many examples and stories to illustrate all these concepts!-----This episode was co-hosted by Jack Ferguson and Alex UrquhartFind Jack on LinkedIn here: Jack Ferguson | LinkedInFind Alex on LinkedIn here: Alex Urquhart | LinkedInFind The Push on LinkedIn here: The Push: Overview | LinkedInVisit Jack's personal website here: Jack Ferguson — Brand StrategistVisit Alex's website here: Home | Market Science (market-science.co)

    Marketer: Can we hire a product positioning consultant? CEO: Why???

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2024 24:08


    This episode is all about Product Positioning and Product Marketing, in particular for early-stage startups and smaller companies.We're going to look at key considerations to help you get more bang for your buck in these product areas.Who should listen?Founders of startups, employees of startups, marketing professionals, sales professionals, and business owners. Why? To better understand the key things to get your product messaging right, which will increase revenue and delight customers. This concept is explored through a scenario. An AI consulting startup Writrrr, who have 4 employees and a CEO Jordan Lee. Employees are a salesperson, marketer, AI expert who is also the product manager, and a developer. Currently they have 10 free users on the platform and no paid customers. In this episode, Writrrr's marketer, Bailey, wants to get in a product positioning consultant as the market doesn't understand what they do. CEO Jordan is skeptical. So what should he do?Some of the specifics that this episode will cover include:- What product marketing and product positioning is?- How to use the 5 why's to nail your message- What marketers can learn from sales people around product messaging- Many examples of strong and weak product positioning- The fastest way to know whether your product messaging is effectiveThis episode is co-hosted by Jack Ferguson and Alex UrquhartLinks to Jack and Alex:Jack's LinkedIn: Jack Ferguson | LinkedInAlex's LinkedIn: Alex Urquhart | LinkedInThe Push website: Marketing scenarios. Relatable problems. Practical solutions. | The Push Podcast (bethepush.com)The Push LinkedIn: The Push: Overview | LinkedInJack's personal website: Small Business Consultant Brisbane - Jack FergusonAlex's website: Home | Market Science (market-science.co)

    CEO: What marketing and sales metrics should I be tracking?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2024 34:38


    This episode is all about marketing and sales measurement, particularly in mid-sized B2B companies.You're going to understand what metrics you should track to improve your growth, particularly in B2B. We're going to look at how to measure marketing and sales functions, the exact metrics, and why.Who is this episode perfect for?- CEOs or GMs of mid-sized companies- Small business owners- Sales professionals who work in small or medium businesses- Marketing professionals who work in small or medium sized businesses- The genuinely curious  Some of the specifics that this episode will cover include:- How to use science and studies in your sales and marketing measurements.- The four categories of measurement within the sales and marketing departments.- A mental framework for thinking about the measurements you make.- A buying process and a selling process and why it is important to differentiate between the two.- Why the marketing or sales funnel is so flawed.- How to bring more predictability to your marketing and sales functions.- What is share of search and how can it help measure awareness?- How qualitative data makes you more money.This episode is co-hosted by Jack Ferguson and Alex Urquhart.Links to Jack and Alex:Jack's LinkedIn: Jack Ferguson | LinkedInAlex's LinkedIn: Alex Urquhart | LinkedInThe Push website: Marketing scenarios. Relatable problems. Practical solutions. | The Push Podcast (bethepush.com)The Push LinkedIn: The Push: Overview | LinkedInJack's website: Small Business Consultant Brisbane - Jack FergusonAlex's website: Home | Market Science (market-science.co)

    Product Manager: I'm not talking to customers. CEO: F&$*

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2024 24:24


    Today we are continuing the journey of Writrrr. An AI consulting startup with a CEO and four employees (Product Manager (AI expert), Developer, Marketer, and Salesperson).This episode will explore issues CEO Jordan is having with his Product Manager. The Product Manager doesn't want to talk to customers as that is the job of others in the team. Is the PM justified in this position or not? We will also look at some intricacies of the product management role at this company size and will break down common product issues. Who should listen?Founders of startups, Product Managers, and employees of startups.Why should you listen? You will better understand what a Product Manager should and shouldn't be doing and in particular, how they should be interacting with customers if they should at all.Some of the specifics that this episode will cover include:- What makes an ideal PM at this size of company?- What's an activation point and why are they important?- What's a lane stayer and shouldn't they work in startups?- What's a situation where a Product Manager would be justified in not talking to customers? - Can Product Managers just look at behavioural data?- Do you need a Product Manager at this sized company?- Who in the team should be talking to customers?This episode is co-hosted by Jack Ferguson and Alex UrquhartLinks to Jack and Alex:Jack's LinkedIn: Jack Ferguson | LinkedInAlex's LinkedIn: Alex Urquhart | LinkedInThe Push website: Marketing scenarios. Relatable problems. Practical solutions. | The Push Podcast (bethepush.com)The Push LinkedIn: The Push: Overview | LinkedInJack's personal website: Small Business Consultant Brisbane - Jack FergusonAlex's website: Home | Market Science (market-science.co)

    Marketing and Sales: We don't know what to do!!! Help!

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 22, 2024 32:54


    Today, we are continuing the journey of AppCrafter Studios, who are a fictional B2B app development company. They do $15 million in revenue but have been stuck at this number for 2 years now. They had issues with branding in Episode 1 of this season which were solved, but now their sales and marketing teams have come to CEO Sarah and said they don't know why their results have been so poor.   So how does Sarah fix this problem? What is her team doing wrong? If you're a GM or CEO who is having issues with marketing and sales, or more likely Marketing AND Sales, this is the perfect episode for you.We discuss the fundamentals of how these teams should work together, what are the foundational considerations for these functions, and what realistic expectations actually look like. Some of the specifics this episode will cover include:- Why it's so important to understand how your category behaves and buys- Why sales is an outcome and not a person or a team- Why marketing is an intangible game and why that matters- Why you should focus on a buying process and not a selling processAnd- How to intercept a prospect just before they come into market, which is often a great time to get in front of them.This episode is co-hosted by Jack Ferguson and Alex Urquhart Links to Jack and Alex:Jack's LinkedIn: Jack Ferguson | LinkedInAlex's LinkedIn: Alex Urquhart | LinkedInThe Push website: Marketing scenarios. Relatable problems. Practical solutions. | The Push Podcast (bethepush.com)The Push LinkedIn: The Push: Overview | LinkedInJack's personal website: Small Business Consultant Brisbane - Jack FergusonAlex's website: Home | Market Science (market-science.co)

    'Our startup is under board pressure to make sales. Help!'

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2024 37:10


    Getting a company off the ground is tough. There's no two ways about it. So, what should you do when sales aren't happening?This episode looks at a challenging scenario for a startup company.  CEO Jordan Lee is struggling to move the company forward and increase the effectiveness of his startups sales and marketing activities while his board continues to apply pressure. The company has 10 users who aren't paying…….they haven't converted a single customer yet. Furthermore, the 4 employees including a developer, salesperson, marketer, and AI specialist all have unique complaints about the company's situation. So what should Jordan do? How can he get the company moving forward?In this episode we cover:- The challenges with having free users and what to do when you are under board pressure to make sales- Why founders need to be political campaigners- The challenges of partnerships and why they aren't always what they're cracked up to be- Discussing whether using Facebook ads to sell B2B services or products is effective- What you should do to get more customers coming in the door early- Some innovative things you can do as a new company to get attention and build communityShownotes:1:20 What is Writrrr and what are their problems?9:15 What should this company do to get some customers?18:15 How can you get affiliates or partners on board for a startup20:55 Should this company be targeting a specific vertical or should be varying their targeting further?26:45 Would Facebook advertising be appropriate for this company?This episode was co-hosted by Jack Ferguson and Alex UrquhartFind Jack on LinkedIn here: Jack Ferguson: Overview | LinkedInFind Alex on LinkedIn here: Alex Urquhart | LinkedInFind The Push on LinkedIn here: The Push: Overview | LinkedInVisit The Push website here: Marketing scenarios. Relatable problems. Practical solutions. | The Push Podcast (bethepush.com)Visit Jack's personal website here: Small Business Consultant Brisbane - Jack FergusonVisit Alex's website here: Home | Market Science (market-science.co)

    Marketing: "We want to focus on branding." Sales: "How about No??"

    Play Episode Play 30 sec Highlight Listen Later Apr 10, 2024 36:13


    In a B2B company, is good 'branding' sufficient to acquire leads and grow a business? Commonly, marketers will claim it does. Sales teams tend to be skeptical.So, who is right? What exactly is brand or 'branding?' And how can a company navigate the challenges surrounding these discussions?This episode is for you if:- You are a CEO or GM of a mid-sized B2B company- A salesperson frustrated with your marketing teams branding claims- A marketer frustrated with the lack of understanding sales has about brandor - Someone generally curious about the science of brand. We are going to explore specific branding challenges through B2B development company AppCrafter Studios.What should CEO Sarah do when the marketing team claim that good branding is enough, yet the sales team are up in arms about it? Some of the specifics this episode will cover include:- How you can measure brand- What branding is- What is brand salience and why it's important- The brand spectrum of sophistication- Whether the marketing team should be talking to customers or not- Why sales and marketing rarely work well togetherAnd- Whether the marketing team are right when they say that good branding will result in leads just happeningTo discuss, Marketing and Sales Consultant Jack Ferguson is joined by Growth and Product Marketing Specialist Alex Urquhart.Find Jack Ferguson on:LinkedIn: Jack Ferguson | LinkedInWebsite:  Small Business Consultant Brisbane - Jack FergusonFind Alex Urquhart on:LinkedIn: Alex Urquhart | LinkedIn  Website: Home | Market Science (market-science.co) Find The Push on:LinkedIn: The Push: Overview | LinkedIn Website: Marketing scenarios. Relatable problems. Practical solutions. | The Push Podcast (bethepush.com)

    A Short Story: How I Got My First Customer

    Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2022 9:20


    Today we have a deviation from the usual interview style episode. This will be a short solo episode. We are going to discuss how Jack got his first customer for an old business.So many people have been in this situation; whether they are struggling to get new customers, or have never had a customer in the first place. Sometimes listening to the way someone else thought through a problem can help. That's what this episode is for. We discuss the problem, some of the roadblocks that came up while trying to solve it, and some things for you to think about if you are facing a situation like this. This episode was hosted by Jack Ferguson. 

    Decoupling, Waking up at 3am, and Filling The Void, with Toby Jenkins

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 7, 2022 66:20


    “You can have success but not really know why, whereas if things are not going well it's often clear what is wrong”Today we are fortunate to have a previous guest return for Round 2. Toby Jenkins, former Olympian, business owner, and all-round great guy is back.Toby and our host Jack caught up recently. It became clear very quickly that they were in similar situations. Having both gone through big challenges in their businesses, and not really knowing what the next step is, making an episode about this challenge just made sense.Usually, you see stories of overcoming hardship floating around on social media. But these stories are often told when there is a happy ending. For Toby and Jack, the happy ending for the current chapter hasn't arrived just yet. So if nobody else will talk about their situation when things are going poorly, why shouldn't The Push give it a go?We speak about:DecouplingWhat has been waking Toby up in the middle of the night.  What recently happened to Jack that has him in a tailspin. Choosing to hit publish on vulnerable content (like this episode). Trying not to mentally fast forward through crappy times.And how to do the work of defining our values and using them as our North Star.A big thank you to Toby for being so open on this episode, it's not easy to talk about difficult subjects publicly. This episode was hosted by Jack Ferguson

    First Hires, Working Exclusively With People You Like, And How You Make Sure You Get Paid, with Cameo Ashe, Founder of Lemonade Beach

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 29, 2022 57:57


    Today we are talking to Cameo Ashe, Founder of Lemonade Beach. A business with a funky name, Lemonade Beach is actually an Accounting Firm. We discuss the reasons why Cameo chose that name during the episode.We cover a range of topics throughout this episode including:How music is similar to sports in terms of how you learn teamwork. How doing business with family can prove to be problematic.Why she doesn't like to work from home, and the advantage she sees in having an office. First hires and how Cameo has gone about building her team, including challenges she had with outsourcing prior to bringing on internal team members.How she works with people she likes and doesn't tend to bother when she doesn't see a fit. How she has become cynical of people who try to look wealthy and accomplished on Social Media. As an Accountant Cameo sees the real story behind someone's finances, and this part of the discussion was quite eye-opening.Why some Accounting Firms carry client debt but advise their clients not to do that.AndThe problems you will run into if you don't do a cashflow forecast.A great episode to start off 2022!

    A Short Business Story: What It's Like To Be On The Bottom Of A Social Media Pile On

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 20, 2021 8:37


    Today's inbetweenisode details what it's like for your business to be on the bottom of a Social Media Pile On. This podcast episode may feature more short episodes like this if they are popular so please make it known on the Instagram page @bethepush if you enjoyed this.This story discusses:- How such a pile on can come to be (you don't have to do anything extreme to trigger it).- What it's like to experience it.- What lessons were learned after being on the bottom of a pile on.The Push host Jack Ferguson shares this story from his own life.

    Riding the Tech Startup Rollercoaster, Managing Chronic Fatigue, and Surviving a Sharp Downturn, with TalentVine Founder Justin Falk.

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2021 72:08


    Today we reintroduce someone who has been on the podcast not once but twice before; Justin Falk, Founder of Talent Vine.If you don't know what Talent Vine is, it is APAC's leading marketplace for connecting recruiters and employers. Check out more about them at talentvine.com.auGiven Justin has been on the podcast twice before, it's quite an experience to reflect on who we were when we spoke 4 years ago. The beauty of having a podcast means you can go back in time and get a feel for who you were then and document your growth. Scroll back to Season 1 if you want to hear about Justin's early life and his first couple of years growing Talent Vine.For this episode we are going to be more focused on what has happened in the last 4 years, which has been a lot. Justin was really open about the challenges he faced during that time. Convinced by startup culture that rest is for the weak and overworking himself, Justin experienced a range of health problems including Insomnia and Chronic Fatigue. We discuss the effects of an excessive workload at length in this episode, managing your Energy is now a big focus for Justin.We discuss Startup Culture and the cost of buying into some of its philosophies which makes for some interesting discussions, but TalentVine was also a company significantly by Covid and we discuss what he had to do to get through a very difficult period.It was great to deal with some taboo subjects and thanks to Justin for being so open about his journey. 

    Buying a Business at 22, Rejecting Luck, and Walking a Mile In Someone Else's Shoes with Dan Scougall, Founder of Next Level Taxation

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 8, 2021 53:20


    Today's guest is Dan Scougall who owns Next Level Taxation, an Accounting Firm North of Brisbane. Dan is a registered tax agent and self managed superfund auditor who specialises in Small Business and Self Managed Superannuation. What was unique about Dan's story is that he has spent most of his career as a business owner, and owned his first business at the age of 22. He shares the challenges and highs that came from that and how such an opportunity arose in the first place, one of those challenges was having to manage people much older than he was.A few parts of this episode get quite raw. Dan talks us through watching his parents go through hardships with their business while he was growing up, dealing with burnout and what that looks like, how he made the decision to sell his first business, and how important he believes it is to walk a mile in someone else's shoes before passing judgement. Dan is exactly what this podcast is about. Gritty stories of resilience and perseverance when faced with difficult situations. 

    Doubling Your Revenue, When Niching Goes Wrong, and How Forgiveness Grows Your Business, with Mitch Hills, Founder of Mastered Marketing.

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 18, 2021 83:30


    Today our guest is Mitch Hills, Founder of Mastered Marketing, a digital agency that helps socially conscious organisations to grow their revenue and awareness with proven marketing strategies. This isn't Mitch's first time on the podcast. He was interviewed about 5 years ago so if you want to hear a little bit more about his early story, please go back and listen to that episode in Season 1. But a lot changes in 5 years, and interestingly enough, Mitch wasn't far off shutting down his Tech Company when we chatted last time, naturally, that is one of the things we discuss first in this episode. We also chat about:The good and bad of startup culture. How niching can go wrong. What to do when you are working in an industry with people who don't align with your values. The pivotal moment and story that pushed Mitch to leave this niche Why he quit DJing. What stress and a run of bad luck can do to someone. Mitch had a particularly hard 2020 and we discuss that at length.What going on a health retreat can do for your body and your mind, and your business.What forgiveness does for your growth. Doubling his businesses revenue. We talk real numbers and discuss how he did it.And plenty more. This episode got very deep and explored a whole range of topics. We appreciate Mitch being so open about so many deeply personal experiences. Some of what we cover isn't easy to talk about. 

    Starting a Company During Covid, Improving Financial Literacy in Business Owners, and Refusing To Wear Ties with Morgan Wilson, Founder of Creditte

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 4, 2021 62:23


    Today's guest is Morgan Wilson, Founder of Creditte. Morgan is an accountant and business advisor who takes the complexity out of numbers, and guides business owners through the ups and downs of running their business. He does this so business owners can have the comfort and confidence to make the right decisions for themselves, their business, and their family. Creditte is the Accounting Firm and vehicle he uses to accomplish all of this. Morgan started his business during Covid which makes for intriguing storytelling and we discuss exactly how that came to be. We also talk about:A couple of mistakes he made early on in his business journey. How Monopoly sparked his fascination in business. His thoughts on Formal Education and how that has helped slash hindered his professional development. What his first day was like as an Accountant. It was particularly challenging.How it can be lonely to be a business owner.AndWhat the Startup Community has done better than the SME community.

    The 3 Year Rule, Persevering When You Want To Shut Your Business, and What Your Startup Will Do For Your Personal Growth, with Switchnode Co-Founder Nathan Smith.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 8, 2021 81:38


    Today's guest is Nathan Smith, Co-Founder of Switchnode.Switchnode is an established telecommunications service provider based in Brisbane and have become specialists in providing phone and internet services to local business. In an industry that is renowned for treating its clients poorly, Switchnode have a focus on quality customer service and reliability.Nathan is incredibly open about his journey so far. It is the purpose of this podcast to be honest and share real anecdotes around what happened during one's business journey. This episode does not disappoint.We talk about:The 3-year ruleGetting attacked by another company early on in their journey.Crazy clients, like the one you heard about at the start.What he would do differently if he had his time again.Being held to ransom by a supplier.A pivot into the elevator market that didn't quite go to plan.Why performing to 1000 people can be easier than speaking to 1. What it's like to pitch to a high-profile investor and get roasted.

    Teaching 1 Million Kids How To Play Chess, and Achieving Success Against The Odds, With Chess Mates Founder Ash Reddy

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2021 66:23


    This episode's guest is Ash Reddy, Founder of Chess Mates.Ash has a great story. One in which he describes himself as someone who wasn't meant for success due to the adversity he grew up in. Founding the company 8 years ago, the growth has been anything but easy.We talk about:How Ash got the business off the ground through cold calling.How he stayed under the radar of competitors for some time. Why his first business didn't work out and what would he do differently in hindsight? How Covid affected Chess Mates and how he got through it.A great entrepreneur who shares so much of his story.

    Surviving Covid In Hospitality, Early Business Lessons, And Knowing What Advice To Take, with Snag Studio Founder Sala Rankine

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2021 67:24


    Today's guest is Sala Rankine, Founder of Snag Studio, a specialised Hospitality Branding & Marketing agency.Sala’s story is very unique.She started her business in the hospitality niche a month before covid started. We talk about how she approached this. Starting a business in a difficult space at a difficult time does make for intriguing listening.We also talk about:How she learned to charge properly for her services. How important it is to get everything in writing. Who you should listen to for business advice.How Sala spoke at Linkedin at just 20 years old. Her experiences with bad bosses.AndHow her passion for hospitality came to be. 

    Finding Your Voice, Going Viral on TikTok, and Voquality, with Voice Coach Sally Prosser

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2021 72:16


    On this episode of the podcast, our guest is Sally Prosser.Sally is a voice coach who helps people realise their best voice and embrace public speaking with confidence. She’s a former TV news reporter, company spokesperson, and speech and drama teacher. Sally has her own podcast called That Voice Podcast and enjoys making comedy TikToks, like reading song lyrics like a news report. We were able to cover a lot in this episode as Sally was very open and generous with her story.We talk about:How she built such a large following on TikTok and what that has done for her personally.How to deal with negativity when you have such a large followingWhat holds people back when they aren’t utilising their voice properly and how to overcome thisHer experience building her business and what she would say to others thinking about building their own businessWhat her best experiences in business have been Some of the biggest challenges in her careerAnd even what her biggest on-air blunder was. It’s quite a funny story.Enjoy the episode. Sally is a great person and was a pleasure to talk to. 

    Profit By Design, Customer Centricity, And Segmenting Your Customers on What They Value, with Mark Hocknell

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2021 65:07


    Today's guest is Mark Hocknell, Author of Profit By Design: How to Create A Customer Portfolio Full of Profitable Promoters.Mark’s experience spans three decades and covers line management roles, consulting, and academia.  In the early 2000’s he lead one of Australia’s first large-scale CRM initiatives, has had an extensive career in consulting, and has taught at the Graduate School of Business at QUT.  Today he runs his own consulting practice focusing on applying a customer-centric approach to business and performance measurement. He has an MBA, and certifications in change management and PuMP.In this episode we speak about:- How Managers and Leaders misuse KPI’s, and how they encourage the wrong behaviours.- The importance of unpacking complexity for customer experience- How to think about your customer portfolio.- How to segment your customers, (and it’s not by demographics, it’s by value)And- What benefits Mark got from writing a book.This is the second time Mark has been on the podcast and he certainly didn’t disappoint.

    You're Not Selling What You Think You Are, Outsmarting The Incumbents, And Sales Meetings Gone Wrong, with Gavin Tye, Founder of Sales Market Fit

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2021 77:50


    This episode features Gavin Tye, Founder of Sales Market Fit and Sales Director of MyPass Global.Gavin has spent time a ton of time working in sales, and this was what we talked about at length. We talk about:- How badly it can go wrong in a sales meeting- How to outsmart the incumbents when you have a smaller budget- Why you are not selling what you think you are - How empathy can be a salesperson’s best friend.- Why a sale is not binary- Why you really have a demand problem, not a sales problem- Many funny incidents that have happened in Gavin's life.Most of the conversation centred around the last couple of years as Gavin has been on the podcast previously, and we discussed his early life there. If you would like to go back and listen to that episode you can find it in Season 1. But for now, we hope you enjoy this episode.

    Building A Business As A Teenager, Firing Your Customers, And Becoming An Author, With Jason Andrew, Co-Founder of SBO Financial

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2021 106:17


    Today's guest is Jason Andrew,  Co-Founder of SBO Financial, Author of Stark Naked Numbers, and a Director of the Arbor Group. Like many others, Jason's success hasn’t come easy and we explore his development all the way from starting a lawn mowing business when he was young, through to who he is today.In this episode we cover:- Building a business when he was young- His passion for business financial literacy and why it is so important- How he sacrificed 3 years of his life when he was younger to further his career- His journey of self-discovery through travel including a trip to North Korea. - What it is like to be unhappy for periods of time while building your own business. - What it is like to fire customers. - Why he wrote his book 'Stark Naked Numbers' and what impact that has had on his business and life.- And Much More.Jason was a fantastic guest, was very transparent about his story and views, and was very generous with his expertise.A great episode with a great guest.

    Why Marketing Plans Are Dead, Saas, Sass, And Building A Consulting Business With Louise Flynn, Co-Founder Of Bright Canvas

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 17, 2021 90:27


    Today’s guest is Louise Flynn, Co-Founder of BrightCanvas and Founder of Rulu.In this episode, we cover: - How Louise built a consulting business and what roadblocks she came across while doing so. - What Business can learn from Basketball Strategy- Saas business models, marketing strategies, and - Why marketing plans are dead- Who is the worst digital marketer in Brisbane out of Louise and Jack.- Much more.Louise is an incredible storyteller and a very skilled business mind. Listen in because you won’t be disappointed.

    Building 3 Companies, Succeeding Young, and The Importance of Healthy Living with Sarina Eggers, Director of Business Kitz.

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 5, 2021 92:47


    Today’s guest is Sarina Eggers, Director of Business Kitz and Lux Whitsundays, and Partner at Legal Kitz. In this episode, we cover how Sarina went about building multiple companies and what factors positioned her to be able to do so.A non-typical childhood and upbringing, this episode involved deeply exploring Sarina’s background to help understand how she has become the person she is today.With a unique approach, it was interesting to get a feel for how Sarina has grown businesses without ego. She is happy for others to take the credit, the limelight, and makes employees feel deeply involved in the journey as her companies scale. A refreshing perspective.A very knowledgeable and insightful person with some incredible achievements, it was a privilege to have her on the podcast. 

    Navigating The Travel Industry During Covid, Chaotic Clients, And Creative Startup Tactics, With Jack Buscombe And Gauranga Magriplis of Airshare

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 21, 2021 43:03


    Today's guests are Gauranga Magriplis and Jack Buscombe, the cofounders of Airshare. Airshare is a platform that sells flight experiences, particularly scenic flights, helicopter flights, and skydives.In this episode, we compare and contrast the perspectives of cofounders have while building the same company. Being in the travel industry during Covid makes for some interesting listening, and they have many entertaining stories about how they dealt with chaotic clients through their careers and while they were building Airshare.We spoke about the challenges of getting your startup off the ground and what it took to actually get Airshare growing. It can be very difficult to keep moving forward when nothing seems to be going right, particularly in the first few months of embarking on a new venture.

    A near death experience, manifesting your own redundancy, and a year of no buying with Rachel Smith

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2018 90:12


    Today's guest is Rachel Smith of cyclingrachelsmith.com and author of Underspent: How I broke my shopping addiction & buying habit without dramatically changing my life On today's episode we cover a range of topics including Rachel's near death experience while scuba diving in the UK. We discuss Rachel's year of non buying and what that has done for her personal finances. Rachel also introduced me to a concept of manifesting your own redundancy. Enjoy the episode!

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