Podcasts about biz dev

Learn the small shift that makes referrals repeatable. Check out our new video training: https://hey.salesschema.com/opt-in-mw-referral-engine?utm_source=podcast--Most agency owners assume nobody can sell as well as they can. Lori Cox built an agency, sold it, and then took a BizDev leadership role — and says she's actually sharper at sales now that she's not running the whole show.Lori brings 20+ years of B2B marketing and revenue experience. She built and sold a full-service healthcare-focused agency, then moved into VP of BizDev at Knack Collective, where she works with global tech companies on partner-led go-to-market strategies. We got into the systems that made her agency sellable, why most partnership pitches go nowhere, and how the inbound/outbound mix has shifted heading into 2026.What You'll Leave With:Systems before salespeoplePartnerships require intention and attentionDiversify your pipeline, not just your client baseNon-owners can be better salespeopleAI is changing the job, not replacing itConnect with Lori on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lori-cox-mba/Knack Collective: https://knackcollective.com/

Amy Jo Martin built one of the first social media agencies because Shaq told her to. True story. Seven years later, she shut it down. Not because it failed, but because it worked in a way that locked her into a life she didn't want. Walking away gave her the freedom to decide what to build next. Since then, she's scaled multiple 8-figure companies, written bestselling books, and hosts the Why Not Now? podcast where she's interviewed countless celebrities.  This conversation is packed with value for entrepreneurs building at every stage. We also go deep on what building a social media agency in 2009 can teach us about AI today — and what that means if you're building anything right now.   Key Takeaways with Amy Jo Martin (00:00) Intro (01:25) Social Media in 2009 vs AI Today (04:18) The Only Metric That Actually Matters (06:38) Shaq Told Me to Quit My Job (11:39) Is AI a Trampoline or a Trap? (15:32) Why the Agency Model Keeps Breaking (19:18) Can AI Improve Your Relationships? (23:34) The LinkedIn Hack That Replaces Hours of Biz Dev (28:03) This Kills The Traditional Brainstorm Meeting (31:20) Taking Tony Hsieh's Money (34:44) Why She Shut Down a Profitable Company (38:34) When Personal Brand Becomes a Liability (43:24) Why AI Won't Save Bad Marketing (45:52) The Real AI Problem Is Organizational Culture (51:06) The Renegade Reinvention Experiment (57:41) Can AI Help You Feel More Alive? (01:06:25) Action Creates Clarity (01:07:49) Don't Raise Money Too Early     Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/kdos8mOBLgk      Let's Connect: Website | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | Twitter | Facebook

Akshay Verma, COO of SpotDraft explores his non-linear journey through the legal industry. From his early days as a big-law paralegal to lawyer to a business development role to leading legal operations at tech leaders like Facebook and Coinbase, Akshay shares his unique perspective on why the most successful legal departments prioritize process over technology. The conversation dives deep into the realities of Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM), the evolution of the "agentic" legal tool, and why change management is the biggest hurdle for legal innovation. Akshay also discusses the "underdog mentality" that drew him to the startup world and the future of AI in legal workflows. Key Takeaways: Process First: Technology is not a "magic pill" for broken workflows; centralized repositories and defined approval chains must come first. The Power of BD: Business development skills (evangelism and resilience) are critical for successful legal operations leaders. The "Holy Trifecta" of Legal Tech: Every department needs a CLM, a Spend Management tool (at scale), and an agentic Workflow/Intake tool. AI vs. Lawyering: AI will replace non-legal tasks, not the lawyers themselves, making AI literacy a new standard for the profession. Episode Credits Editing and Production: Grant Blackstock Theme Music: Home Base (Instrumental Version) by TA2MI  

In this episode of Biz/Dev, we talk with Pam Stocks, founder of On The Books, about the operational side of building a business that most founders only learn through experience.We get into setting up finances the right way early, hiring ahead of the chaos, planning instead of reacting, and the small structures that keep growth from getting messy. Pam shares the patterns she sees across startups, the signals leaders should pay attention to, and how to stay a few steps ahead while you're busy building something real.LINKS:Pamela on LinkedInOn the Books LinkedIn___________________________________ Submit Your Questions to: hello@thebigpixel.net OR comment on our YouTube videos! - Big Pixel, LLC - YouTube Our Hosts David Baxter - CEO of Big Pixel Gary Voigt - Creative Director at Big Pixel The Podcast David Baxter has been designing, building, and advising startups and businesses for over ten years. His passion, knowledge, and brutal honesty have helped dozens of companies get their start. In Biz/Dev, David and award-winning Creative Director Gary Voigt talk about current events and how they affect the world of startups, entrepreneurship, software development, and culture. Contact Us hello@thebigpixel.net 919-275-0646 www.thebigpixel.net FB | IG | LI | TW | TT : @bigpixelNC Big Pixel 1772 Heritage Center Dr Suite 201 Wake Forest, NC 27587 Music by: BLXRR

In this episode of Biz/Dev, we talk with Oz Merchant, founder of Futureproof, about the real struggle of building a company from the ground up.We talk about being a founder, navigating funding, getting leads, and what it actually takes to go from zero to one and close that first meaningful sale.LINKS:acceleratorhub.runfeatureproof.comOz on LinkedInFutureproof on LinkedIn___________________________________ Submit Your Questions to: hello@thebigpixel.net OR comment on our YouTube videos! - Big Pixel, LLC - YouTube Our Hosts David Baxter - CEO of Big Pixel Gary Voigt - Creative Director at Big Pixel The Podcast David Baxter has been designing, building, and advising startups and businesses for over ten years. His passion, knowledge, and brutal honesty have helped dozens of companies get their start. In Biz/Dev, David and award-winning Creative Director Gary Voigt talk about current events and how they affect the world of startups, entrepreneurship, software development, and culture. Contact Us hello@thebigpixel.net 919-275-0646 www.thebigpixel.net FB | IG | LI | TW | TT : @bigpixelNC Big Pixel 1772 Heritage Center Dr Suite 201 Wake Forest, NC 27587 Music by: BLXRR

After eight years helping shape Raleigh's startup scene at Raleigh Founded, Lauren Romer is stepping into something deeply personal.In this episode of Biz/Dev, Lauren shares what it feels like to walk away from a role that defined a decade of her life and bet on the thing she has quietly been building all along: Romer & Company.We talk about the emotional weight of leaving a community you helped grow, what it takes to trust yourself when the path is no longer obvious, and how working alongside founders for years can give you the courage to finally become one yourself. Lauren also opens up about how design, sustainability, and intentional space are not just aesthetic choices, but tools for building better lives and better businesses.42 & Lawrence WebsiteIris Coffee Lab WebsiteCheer Wine WebsiteLauren on LinkedIn___________________________________ Submit Your Questions to: hello@thebigpixel.net OR comment on our YouTube videos! - Big Pixel, LLC - YouTube Our Hosts David Baxter - CEO of Big Pixel Gary Voigt - Creative Director at Big Pixel The Podcast David Baxter has been designing, building, and advising startups and businesses for over ten years. His passion, knowledge, and brutal honesty have helped dozens of companies get their start. In Biz/Dev, David and award-winning Creative Director Gary Voigt talk about current events and how they affect the world of startups, entrepreneurship, software development, and culture. Contact Us hello@thebigpixel.net 919-275-0646 www.thebigpixel.net FB | IG | LI | TW | TT : @bigpixelNC Big Pixel 1772 Heritage Center Dr Suite 201 Wake Forest, NC 27587 Music by: BLXRR

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Want to actually book more jobs for yourproduction company? James Keblas is one of the smartest minds in commercial production sales systems — and in this episode, he breaks down what really works when it comes to landing clients, building relationships, and staying consistently booked. And please, you must check out James' stellar podcast called "Crossing The Axis".  We call is a Simulpod© and we talk: • Smart outreach • Sustainable growth • How producers can sell without feeling salesy Plus, his Book Solid Video Series on YouTube series is a free, step-by-step roadmap for anyone serious about winning more work. If you're tired of guessing and ready to build a real business dev system — this chat is for you. COMMERCIAL DIRECTING BOOTCAMP - 01.24.2026 Saturday, January 24th. Limit 10 filmmakers. This an in-person, intensive workshop designed to get you to the next level and direct more spots, better spots and express your vision while laughing to the bank. Enroll here. It always sells out.  FILMMAKER RETREAT JOSHUA TREE '26 - SAVE YOUR SPOT! Thursday, October 1st – Sunday, October 4th, 2026. Limit 15 Filmmakers. This will be our 5th year. Limit 15 filmmakers and only 14 spots remain so SIGN UP! ONLINE FILMMAKING COURSES - DIRECT WITH CONFIDENCEEach of my online courses come with a free 1:1 mentorship call with yours truly. Taking the Shadow course is the only way to win a chance to shadow me on a real shoot! DM for details. Want to level up your commercial directing game? MAGIC MIND - MY MENTAL PERFORMANCE EXILIRSave hugely on Magic Mind with this link. — This link is the way. TRIPPY Check out Frequency Caps to try some mushroom-based treats. I like the cocao cubes. The code is BRADY10. Also, if you're in LA, Frequency House hold ceremonies often. Thanks, Jordan My cult classic mockumentary, "Dill Scallion" is online so I'm giving 100% of the money to St. Jude Children's Hospital. I've decided to donate the LIFETIME earnings every December, so the donation will grow and grow annually. Thank you. "Respect The Process" podcast is brought to you by Commercial Directing FIlm School and True Gent, aka True Gentleman Industries, Inc. in partnership with Brady Oil Entertainment, Inc.

It's Christmas Eve, one of us is in Toronto, the other is knee-deep in European holiday food… and somehow we still end up talking about sales teams fudging numbers and why your calendar might be the most important tool you own.In this episode, we get a little festive before diving into a very real leadership issue: people cutting corners, chasing short-term wins, and quietly torching long-term trust. From dodgy CRM data to “camera-off but definitely-on-the-sofa” meetings, we've seen it all — and yes, we've learned a few lessons the hard way.From there, we pivot into personal productivity. Spoiler: it's not about shiny apps or magic systems. It's about operating discipline, clarity, and actually putting the work in your calendar (including thinking time, reflection time, and yes… rest).We also talk about the tools we do rely on — calendars, accountability partners, and project management — and why none of them work unless you do.Festive, practical, slightly ranty, and very honest. Merry Christmas.

This week we embrace the chaos of teamwork and tech tools — and somehow make sense of it all. From "vibe coding" with Replit (yes, it's a thing) to CRM philosophies, sales toolboxes, and the mysterious magic of CDPs, we reflect on the tools that actually help teams get stuff done.We dive into:Why English is the new coding language The magic of cloud collaboration (and the rage when it goes wrong)What a “Sales Toolbox” is and why it should still existHow to avoid death-by-governance when using email or CMS toolsThe rise of Customer Data Platforms (CDPs) — and how they're different from CRMsAlso: we pretend we didn't nearly forget what this episode was supposed to be about. Classic us.

This week's episode of the Biz/Dev podcast is our holiday episode. A little reflection, a few predictions, and all the business and dev banter David and Gary can fit into one conversation. Graceful exits not included.LINKS:Big Pixel WebsiteBig Pixel on LinkedIn___________________________________ Submit Your Questions to: hello@thebigpixel.net OR comment on our YouTube videos! - Big Pixel, LLC - YouTube Our Hosts David Baxter - CEO of Big Pixel Gary Voigt - Creative Director at Big Pixel The Podcast David Baxter has been designing, building, and advising startups and businesses for over ten years. His passion, knowledge, and brutal honesty have helped dozens of companies get their start. In Biz/Dev, David and award-winning Creative Director Gary Voigt talk about current events and how they affect the world of startups, entrepreneurship, software development, and culture. Contact Us hello@thebigpixel.net 919-275-0646 www.thebigpixel.net FB | IG | LI | TW | TT : @bigpixelNC Big Pixel 1772 Heritage Center Dr Suite 201 Wake Forest, NC 27587 Music by: BLXRR

In this episode we bravely wade into the world of CRMs — not the most glamorous topic, but definitely one that can make or break your business sanity. We kick things off with a cautionary tale about mysterious contract clauses (spoiler: they weren't included, but were somehow still binding?), before diving into the myth that picking the "right" CRM tool is the secret to sales success. Spoiler #2: it's not.We explore why your CRM should enable your team — not just generate pretty reports for the execs — and why bad implementation often starts with a tool and not your actual business needs. From Salesforce to Dynamics to HubSpot (and even a shoutout to Atomic Habits), we dish out practical, painfully-learned advice on how to make your CRM actually work for you.Come for the tips, stay for the rants about unread contracts and self-built CRM nightmares.

This week on Biz/Dev, we sit down with Jesse Jones, founder of Fourscore Law, for a conversation every new business owner should hear.Jesse breaks down the legal essentials in a way that actually makes sense — the practical steps founders can take to protect themselves before the stress hits. But he also lets us in on something deeper: the future he's building and why taking care of his people is the foundation of it.It's a grounded, generous conversation about risk, leadership, and what it really takes to build a business that lasts.LINKS:Fourscore Law on LinkedInJesse on LinkedInFourscore Law Website___________________________________ Submit Your Questions to: hello@thebigpixel.net OR comment on our YouTube videos! - Big Pixel, LLC - YouTube Our Hosts David Baxter - CEO of Big Pixel Gary Voigt - Creative Director at Big Pixel The Podcast David Baxter has been designing, building, and advising startups and businesses for over ten years. His passion, knowledge, and brutal honesty have helped dozens of companies get their start. In Biz/Dev, David and award-winning Creative Director Gary Voigt talk about current events and how they affect the world of startups, entrepreneurship, software development, and culture. Contact Us hello@thebigpixel.net 919-275-0646 www.thebigpixel.net FB | IG | LI | TW | TT : @bigpixelNC Big Pixel 1772 Heritage Center Dr Suite 201 Wake Forest, NC 27587 Music by: BLXRR

If you're planning your 2026 biz dev strategy without real market data, you're guessing. In this episode, I talk with friend of the show Nicholas Petroski, founder of Promethean Research and creator of the Digital Agency Referral Playbook, about what the numbers actually say—and how top agencies are using referrals, account growth, and GTM clarity to build next year's plan. This is the clearest look you'll get at what's really moving the needle heading into 2026.

In this episode, we kick off our new series on technology and tools by diving headfirst into the buzz (and occasional chaos) surrounding AI. From echoey mics to echo chambers of bad RFPs, we talk about the real-world applications, risks, and etiquette of using AI in business. Scott shares hard-won wisdom from the trenches of proposal hell, while Andy questions whether AI wrote that overly nice email you just got. We break down how to use AI responsibly, why business accounts matter, and the importance of keeping your human voice in a machine-assisted world. Come for the tech talk, stay for the rants.

10Xのビジネス本部のBizDevの野地さんに、小売業の現場での取り組みについて話しました▼スピーカービジネス本部 BizDev 野地哲矢ビジネス本部 本部長 橋原正明▼ハイライト02:48 野地さんの経歴と業務改善への取り組み05:46 物流センターと店舗の改善の違い08:40 現場重視の姿勢とその重要性11:26 AI発注の導入とその課題14:04 ネットスーパーと店舗の発注業務の違い19:11 新しい挑戦と学び20:05 ボトルネックの改善と経験21:36 業務の効率化と改善の体系化23:34 ケイパビリティを持ち寄った社内の協力25:16 広がる業務と役割28:10 現場での発見と改善の楽しさ●番組へのおたよりフォーム⁠⁠⁠⁠https://forms.gle/BRnT9N6uWiP1ufz48⁠⁠⁠⁠Xからは「#10Xfm」にて感想等お待ちしております！●10Xでは一緒に働くメンバーを募集しています！⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.talentio.com/r/1/c/10x/homes/3786⁠⁠⁠⁠●10X.fmについてこの10XFMは、「10xを創る」というクレドと、「小売業の未来を拓く」をミッションに、小売チェーン向けECプラットフォーム「Stailer（ステイラー）」や小売業の構造的な課題解決を推進するDXプロダクトを複数開発している株式会社10Xのメンバーがキャリアや、日々の出来事・学び、プロダクトに対する思いをつつみ隠さずリアルにお届けしていくポッドキャスト番組です。

In this Mission Matters episode, ⁠Adam Torres⁠ interviews John Bastiat, VP of BizDev at Stack Tracker, live at the Health Span Summit 2025. John shares how Stack Tracker simplifies peptide tracking for users and clinics, turning complex health routines into easy-to-follow protocols. He also discusses the company's mission to empower smarter, safer self-care through intuitive technology and compliance-driven design. Follow Adam on Instagram at ⁠https://www.instagram.com/askadamtorres/⁠ for up to date information on book releases and tour schedule. Apply to be a guest on our podcast: ⁠https://missionmatters.lpages.co/podcastguest/⁠ Visit our website: ⁠https://missionmatters.com/⁠ More FREE content from Mission Matters here: ⁠https://linktr.ee/missionmattersmedia⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Josh Sebo (COO of OfferVault), Adam Young (CEO of Ringba), industry legend Harrison Gevirtz and special guest Ian Leighfield (Head of Business Development at Total Security) discuss:- Going from a 1 man band to a team on a stand- Shift in mindset to be a better leader- Update on Total Security and its continuing growth- TENS10N - Ian's YouTube Quiz GameshowFollow Us:OfferVault:WEBSITE: https://www.offervault.com/FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/offervaultINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/offervaultmarketing/TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/offervaultLINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/offer-vault/Adam Young: RINGBA: https://www.ringba.comRINGBA's INNER CIRCLE: https://try.ringba.com/inner-circle/FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/ringbaINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/adamyoung/TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/arbitrageLINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/capitalistHarrison Gevirtz:INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/affiliate/LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harrisongevirtz/Ian Leighfield:TOTAL SECURITY: https://www.totalsecurity.com/INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/leighfield/?hl=enLINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ianleighfield/

Angie Grissom of The Rainmaker Companies dives into why everyone in an accounting firm has a role to play in business development, and what those different roles are.

David and Gary sit down to take a hard look at how custom software development has changed—and where it's heading. From the early days of dev shops built on code craftsmanship to today's pivot into AI-driven workflows, they unpack the opportunities, risks, and realities of this shift.It's a candid conversation about what happens when AI starts to write code, how it changes the client–developer relationship, and why trust and transparency matter more than ever. If you've wondered what the future of dev shops looks like when AI is at the center, this episode lays it out.LINKS:Big Pixel Website___________________________________ Submit Your Questions to: hello@thebigpixel.net OR comment on our YouTube videos! - Big Pixel, LLC - YouTube Our Hosts David Baxter - CEO of Big Pixel Gary Voigt - Creative Director at Big Pixel The Podcast David Baxter has been designing, building, and advising startups and businesses for over ten years. His passion, knowledge, and brutal honesty have helped dozens of companies get their start. In Biz/Dev, David and award-winning Creative Director Gary Voigt talk about current events and how they affect the world of startups, entrepreneurship, software development, and culture. Contact Us hello@thebigpixel.net 919-275-0646 www.thebigpixel.net FB | IG | LI | TW | TT : @bigpixelNC Big Pixel 1772 Heritage Center Dr Suite 201 Wake Forest, NC 27587 Music by: BLXRR

We welcome back legal marketing expert Gyi Tsakalakis, President of AttorneySync and host of the Lunch Hour Legal Marketing podcast. Five years after Gyi's first appearance on Technically Legal, he discusses the dramatic shifts in digital marketing for law firms, driven largely by the rise of artificial intelligence. Gyi highlights how AI is changing the landscape for lawyers, from automating back-office functions and data analysis to influencing content creation and search engine optimization (SEO). He explains why law firms must diversify their marketing channels beyond just Google to adapt to the new era of conversational search and AI overviews. Despite these technological advances, Gyi emphasizes that the human connection, including a simple handwritten note, remains the most powerful tool in an attorney's arsenal. He argues that as technology automates the mundane, it forces lawyers to focus on the relationships and empathy that truly differentiate their practice. Key Takeaways: Diversify Marketing Channels: Law firms must move beyond a "one-trick pony" approach with platforms like Google and diversify their client acquisition strategies to include social media, email, and local events. The Problem with Client Intake: Gyi discusses the persistent issue of lawyers not responding to inquiries and how AI can help automate certain parts of the intake process, though the human touch is still crucial for building trust. Do What the Bots Cannot: Attorneys should leverage AI for tasks that can be automated (e.g., scheduling, data analysis) to free up time to focus on complex legal work and building meaningful client relationships. AI for Data Analysis: A powerful, overlooked use case for AI in a law firm is analyzing internal data, such as call transcripts and financial records, to identify blind spots and inform marketing strategies. The Future of SEO and Search: Gyi predicts that search will become more conversational and influenced by AI Overviews and that ad-based models will be integrated into all major AI platforms.  

David and Gary sit down to talk shop—this time turning the mic on themselves.They swap thoughts on where tech is headed in 2026, from the real breakthroughs to watch to the hype that won't make it past Q1. Along the way, they pull back the curtain on Teela's pilot launch—why they built it, what it's solving right now, and how it fits into the bigger picture of AI-powered software.It's an unfiltered look at what's next in tech, the risks worth taking, and why building the right product at the right time still comes down to equal parts instinct and execution.LINKS:Big Pixel WebsiteDavid's email: david@thebigpixel.netDavid's Linkedin___________________________________ Submit Your Questions to: hello@thebigpixel.net OR comment on our YouTube videos! - Big Pixel, LLC - YouTube Our Hosts David Baxter - CEO of Big Pixel Gary Voigt - Creative Director at Big Pixel The Podcast David Baxter has been designing, building, and advising startups and businesses for over ten years. His passion, knowledge, and brutal honesty have helped dozens of companies get their start. In Biz/Dev, David and award-winning Creative Director Gary Voigt talk about current events and how they affect the world of startups, entrepreneurship, software development, and culture. Contact Us hello@thebigpixel.net 919-275-0646 www.thebigpixel.net FB | IG | LI | TW | TT : @bigpixelNC Big Pixel 1772 Heritage Center Dr Suite 201 Wake Forest, NC 27587 Music by: BLXRR

This is a very special panel episode of the Biz/Dev podcast: Buy, Build, or Both? How NC Founders Are Rewriting the Playbook.This episode digs into the shift North Carolina business owners are feeling right now: the shift from buy to build and back again—and what that's meant for their businesses and what that actually looks like for founders on the ground.We have brought  together a few NC founders who've been through it—founders who've had to rethink, rebuild, or reshape the way they do business in this new era. LINKS:RevBoss WebsiteAnewgo WebsiteInoragnic Website___________________________________ Submit Your Questions to: hello@thebigpixel.net OR comment on our YouTube videos! - Big Pixel, LLC - YouTube Our Hosts David Baxter - CEO of Big Pixel Gary Voigt - Creative Director at Big Pixel The Podcast David Baxter has been designing, building, and advising startups and businesses for over ten years. His passion, knowledge, and brutal honesty have helped dozens of companies get their start. In Biz/Dev, David and award-winning Creative Director Gary Voigt talk about current events and how they affect the world of startups, entrepreneurship, software development, and culture. Contact Us hello@thebigpixel.net 919-275-0646 www.thebigpixel.net FB | IG | LI | TW | TT : @bigpixelNC Big Pixel 1772 Heritage Center Dr Suite 201 Wake Forest, NC 27587 Music by: BLXRR

This is a very special panel episode of the Biz/Dev podcast: Buy, Build, or Both? How NC Founders Are Rewriting the Playbook.This episode digs into the shift North Carolina business owners are feeling right now: the shift from buy to build and back again—and what that's meant for their businesses and what that actually looks like for founders on the ground.We have brought  together a few NC founders who've been through it—founders who've had to rethink, rebuild, or reshape the way they do business in this new era. LINKS:RevBoss WebsiteAnewgo WebsiteInoragnic Website___________________________________ Submit Your Questions to: hello@thebigpixel.net OR comment on our YouTube videos! - Big Pixel, LLC - YouTube Our Hosts David Baxter - CEO of Big Pixel Gary Voigt - Creative Director at Big Pixel The Podcast David Baxter has been designing, building, and advising startups and businesses for over ten years. His passion, knowledge, and brutal honesty have helped dozens of companies get their start. In Biz/Dev, David and award-winning Creative Director Gary Voigt talk about current events and how they affect the world of startups, entrepreneurship, software development, and culture. Contact Us hello@thebigpixel.net 919-275-0646 www.thebigpixel.net FB | IG | LI | TW | TT : @bigpixelNC Big Pixel 1772 Heritage Center Dr Suite 201 Wake Forest, NC 27587 Music by: BLXRR

David and Gary sit down to talk shop—this time turning the mic on themselves.They dig into what it really means to work on your business vs. in it, unpack the hidden pitfalls founders hit early, and break down why culture isn't just a vibe—it's a leadership strategy.From messy startup lessons to honest reflections on what they've learned the hard way, this episode is a raw, smart look at growth, leadership, and staying sane while scaling.LINKS:Big Pixel Website___________________________________ Submit Your Questions to: hello@thebigpixel.net OR comment on our YouTube videos! - Big Pixel, LLC - YouTube Our Hosts David Baxter - CEO of Big Pixel Gary Voigt - Creative Director at Big Pixel The Podcast David Baxter has been designing, building, and advising startups and businesses for over ten years. His passion, knowledge, and brutal honesty have helped dozens of companies get their start. In Biz/Dev, David and award-winning Creative Director Gary Voigt talk about current events and how they affect the world of startups, entrepreneurship, software development, and culture. Contact Us hello@thebigpixel.net 919-275-0646 www.thebigpixel.net FB | IG | LI | TW | TT : @bigpixelNC Big Pixel 1772 Heritage Center Dr Suite 201 Wake Forest, NC 27587 Music by: BLXRR

 I remain out on my annual trip to Europe, so I am taking a look back at some episodes from the past.  Today I bring you a two for one episode featuring a short sermon on “business development” followed by all things bad mood.  Mainly when we feel them taking over how we can overcome.

How many new clients does your business need next quarter?

How many new clients do you need next quarter?

In this episode, Greg and I kick things off with a walk down memory lane, sharing every car we've ever owned—from 1980s minivans and old farm trucks to Teslas and our current rigs. You'll hear some hilarious stories, including Greg flipping his first Bronco just a block from home and me hauling Keto Bricks in a cargo van that died en route to KetoCon.We also dive deep into an exciting high-fat, low-protein experiment I just wrapped up. I bumped my calories to 4,000 per day with 400g of fat and less than 10% protein—and get this, my testosterone more than doubled! I share the full breakdown of what I ate, how my hormones and lipids responded, and how we're about to test this approach with Greg mid-prep.We also talk packaging upgrades for Keto Bricks (new film = no more leaks!), Crystal's overdue pregnancy, and Greg's upcoming show in Wisconsin. And of course, we're already scheming a 2027 prep where we both step on stage together—game on!As always, drop us your questions for a future Q&A episode. We read every comment!Register For My FREE Masterclass: https://www.ketobodybuilding.com/registration-2Get Keto Brick: https://www.ketobrick.com/Subscribe to the podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/42cjJssghqD01bdWBxRYEg?si=1XYKmPXmR4eKw2O9gGCEuQGreg Mahler is also a lifetime natural bodybuilder, and can be followed on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/ketogreg80/

How many new clients do you need in the next quarter?

This week on Biz/Dev, it's just Gary and David—no guest, just a real conversation.We're talking about Teela, a new AI tool we've been building in-house, and what it's taught us about how much AI has changed custom software—what's actually useful, what's just noise, and how we're keeping up without chasing every shiny thing.We also get into the classic buy vs. build debate and how we're thinking about it now, after seeing where AI fits (and doesn't) in real-world client work.Honest, unfiltered, and a little nerdy in all the right ways.LINKS:Meet the Big Pixel TeamDavid on LinkedIn___________________________________ Submit Your Questions to: hello@thebigpixel.net OR comment on our YouTube videos! - Big Pixel, LLC - YouTube Our Hosts David Baxter - CEO of Big Pixel Gary Voigt - Creative Director at Big Pixel The Podcast David Baxter has been designing, building, and advising startups and businesses for over ten years. His passion, knowledge, and brutal honesty have helped dozens of companies get their start. In Biz/Dev, David and award-winning Creative Director Gary Voigt talk about current events and how they affect the world of startups, entrepreneurship, software development, and culture. Contact Us hello@thebigpixel.net 919-275-0646 www.thebigpixel.net FB | IG | LI | TW | TT : @bigpixelNC Big Pixel 1772 Heritage Center Dr Suite 201 Wake Forest, NC 27587 Music by: BLXRR

I had just posted the 321 Biz Dev professional networking schedule video starting July 2 on YouTube. Then I sent the video to a business colleague and immediately my colleague called me to give feedback on a recent networking event that was just horrible.

AI全盛の昨今におけるBizDevについて考えました。---お知らせゼロトピックへのおたよりは⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠こちら⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠まで 。番組の感想やご質問等なんでも構いません。反響があると続けるモチベーションになります。頂いたおたよりは番組内で取り上げさせていただくことがございます。Xアカウント: ⁠https://x.com/0topic_podcast⁠株式会社10Xでは絶賛採用中です。ご関心を持っていただけた方は、⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠こちら⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠のリンクをご確認ください！

321 Biz Dev can help salespeople improve sales performance.

This week, Bitcoin blasts past all-time highs—but this isn't your usual bull run. Something feels different, and we're breaking it down.Then: $223 million vanishes from Sui in its first major crisis—what went wrong and what it means for the ecosystem.Meanwhile, stablecoins are flexing their muscles—from Capitol Hill to Stripe checkouts, they're everywhere.And in a landmark move, an Aussie court rules Bitcoin is officially money, reshaping tax conversations and turning heads around the globe.Whether you're stacking sats or just crypto-curious, we've got the takes you don't want to miss. Let's get into it.

What does it take to stop living on autopilot—and start building a life that actually lights you up?Dr. Jeff Karp—Harvard Medical School professor, world-renowned biotech inventor, and author of LIT: Life Ignition Tools—joins David and Gary on the Biz/Dev podcast to talk about what it really means to live with purpose. They unpack how Jeff's experiences with ADHD and innovation shaped his approach to leadership, creativity, and mentoring the next generation of changemakers.This one's about science, self-awareness, and becoming the architect of your own life.LINKS:Jeff on LinkedInJeff's Website___________________________________ Submit Your Questions to: hello@thebigpixel.net OR comment on our YouTube videos! - Big Pixel, LLC - YouTube Our Hosts David Baxter - CEO of Big Pixel Gary Voigt - Creative Director at Big Pixel The Podcast David Baxter has been designing, building, and advising startups and businesses for over ten years. His passion, knowledge, and brutal honesty have helped dozens of companies get their start. In Biz/Dev, David and award-winning Creative Director Gary Voigt talk about current events and how they affect the world of startups, entrepreneurship, software development, and culture. Contact Us hello@thebigpixel.net 919-275-0646 www.thebigpixel.net FB | IG | LI | TW | TT : @bigpixelNC Big Pixel 1772 Heritage Center Dr Suite 201 Wake Forest, NC 27587 Music by: BLXRR

How do you transform a crowd focused on funnel cakes and fun houses into a line of eager mattress buyers? This week on The FAM Podcast, host Mark Kinsley sits down with Jason Goodman, the head of business development for City Mattress, to discuss the art of selling at high-traffic events like state fairs and rodeos.Goodman shares how to sell outside traditional retail environments. Learn how to convert high foot traffic events into lucrative sales opportunities and discover the essential elements of successful business development.[00:01] - Introduction: Turning funnel cake crowds into customers[01:02] - Meet Jason Goodman: From Michigan to City Mattress[06:00] - The Event Selling Blueprint: Finding the right place, product, and people[09:47] - The Best Events for Selling: Why rodeos and state fairs work[13:19] - Sales Tactics: Quick qualifying and the art of the close[20:08] - Product Matters: The importance of differentiation[26:43] - Business Development Strategy: Identifying and solving the right problems[33:16] - Avoiding Problem Hunting: Focus on high-value solutions[37:24] - Creating a Wow Factor: How to stand out at events[41:23] - Closing Thoughts: Jason's passion for the mattress industry

This week, in Episode 245, a new regular, David Barnett, joins the podcast along with Jaci Russo and William Vanderbloemen. David, who has been a guest on the podcast before, helps people buy and sell businesses—but, as he explains, he's not a business broker. He's found a different business model. David, Jaci, and William discuss why it's so hard to sell a business, what owners can do to make their businesses more attractive to buyers, and why it can be in everyone's interest for sellers to accept an earnout. Plus: Jaci talks about why she used a recruiter to help her hire a business development person and why she ended up choosing someone who checked none of the boxes she initially thought most important. “I thought I needed some hotshot East Coast, West Coast, big city dude who came in with all the slick talk,” she tells us. Instead, she found her winner in rural Alabama. 

What happens when a strategic growth consultant helps you stop spinning your wheels and start scaling with purpose?You get Brian Waldman, Boston-based growth strategist, on the Biz/Dev podcast with David and Gary, breaking down how to spot bottlenecks and build strategy that actually works.They get into what slows teams down, how to lead through complexity, and why the best growth plans are the ones you can act on right away.This one's about clear strategy, grounded leadership, and real momentum.LINKS:Brian on LinkedIn___________________________________ Submit Your Questions to: hello@thebigpixel.net OR comment on our YouTube videos! - Big Pixel, LLC - YouTube Our Hosts David Baxter - CEO of Big Pixel Gary Voigt - Creative Director at Big Pixel The Podcast David Baxter has been designing, building, and advising startups and businesses for over ten years. His passion, knowledge, and brutal honesty have helped dozens of companies get their start. In Biz/Dev, David and award-winning Creative Director Gary Voigt talk about current events and how they affect the world of startups, entrepreneurship, software development, and culture. Contact Us hello@thebigpixel.net 919-275-0646 www.thebigpixel.net FB | IG | LI | TW | TT : @bigpixelNC Big Pixel 1772 Heritage Center Dr Suite 201 Wake Forest, NC 27587 Music by: BLXRR

What happens when a founder hits burnout—and decides no one else should have to?You get Chris Kille, CEO of EO Staff, on the Biz/Dev podcast with David and Gary, talking about what it really takes to scale a company without sacrificing your sanity. Chris doesn't preach balance—he builds it, from systems to staffing.This episode digs into the real cost of overwork, how to scale with intention, and why freedom should be baked into your business model, not tacked on later.LINKS:Chris on LinkedInChris on Instagram___________________________________ Submit Your Questions to: hello@thebigpixel.net OR comment on our YouTube videos! - Big Pixel, LLC - YouTube Our Hosts David Baxter - CEO of Big Pixel Gary Voigt - Creative Director at Big Pixel The Podcast David Baxter has been designing, building, and advising startups and businesses for over ten years. His passion, knowledge, and brutal honesty have helped dozens of companies get their start. In Biz/Dev, David and award-winning Creative Director Gary Voigt talk about current events and how they affect the world of startups, entrepreneurship, software development, and culture. Contact Us hello@thebigpixel.net 919-275-0646 www.thebigpixel.net FB | IG | LI | TW | TT : @bigpixelNC Big Pixel 1772 Heritage Center Dr Suite 201 Wake Forest, NC 27587 Music by: BLXRR

▼今回はこんな話！（AIで書いてみました！）このエピソードでは、冒頭でHikaruさんが経済財政諮問会議の委員会に出席し、発言した内容について詳しく語られます。国の経済財政の指標をダッシュボード化する取り組みに、デジタル庁のチームとして協力する旨を提出した経緯や、会議の重要性などが説明されます。このプロジェクトがどのようにして立ち上がり、内閣府や関係者との連携が進んだのか、その舞台裏が明かされます。エピソードの中心的なテーマは、タイトルにもあるように「最終的にすべての人間はBizDevになる」という考え方です。これは、何か物事を動かそうとする際に、技術やアイデアだけでなく、人を動かす力、つまりビジネスディベロップメントのスキルが不可欠になるという認識に基づいています。データ活用に関する議論も重要な部分を占めます。データの品質管理や、上流のデータソースの問題、データの見せ方や活用方法など、具体的な課題が指摘されます。データエンジニアに求められる資質や、変化に柔軟に対応できるアジリティの重要性も語られます。さらに、行政におけるデータ活用の現状や、スケールの難しさ、プラットフォーム化の課題など、より大きな視点での議論も展開されます。抽象化のレイヤーや、個別性と汎用性のバランスといったプラットフォーム論にまで話は及びます。行政組織内部の力学や、省庁間の関係性についても触れられ、行政という組織の複雑さが示唆されます。最終的に、ビジネスディベロップメントのテーマを次回さらに深掘りすることが提案され、エピソードは終了します。▼紹介されていたもの▼お便りや感想はこちらからお待ちしています。 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://forms.gle/73RW6Fq7TWMJpfNx9⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠採用された方には、何かノベルティをお送りします。▼フリーアジェンダとは...メルカリでグロースを務めてきた@hik0107と株式会社10Xの創業者&代表である@yamotty3 が仕事のことから哲学、雑談など話すPodcastです。名は体を表す、という諺どおり、かっちりしたアジェンダなく二人のその時のバイブスによって思いついたままに話す、まさに「フリーアジェンダ」なスタイルが特徴。▼有料コミュニティはこちら⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://community.camp-fire.jp/projects/view/318756⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠▼Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠FREE AGENDA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Yamotty⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hikaru⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠▼配信アカウント⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Anchor⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠note

What happens when a Fortune 100 brand strategist builds a collective around purpose, not process?You get Ann Powell, co-founder of Offset Collective, on the Biz/Dev podcast with David and Gary talking about what it really means to lead with the why…or maybe don;t…They get into how to give your audience all the feels (yes, even in B2B), and why the best brands don't just sell — they connect.This one hits strategy, storytelling, and the sweet spot where emotion meets execution.LINKS:Ann on LinkedInEmail Ann___________________________________ Submit Your Questions to: hello@thebigpixel.net OR comment on our YouTube videos! - Big Pixel, LLC - YouTube Our Hosts David Baxter - CEO of Big Pixel Gary Voigt - Creative Director at Big Pixel The Podcast David Baxter has been designing, building, and advising startups and businesses for over ten years. His passion, knowledge, and brutal honesty have helped dozens of companies get their start. In Biz/Dev, David and award-winning Creative Director Gary Voigt talk about current events and how they affect the world of startups, entrepreneurship, software development, and culture. Contact Us hello@thebigpixel.net 919-275-0646 www.thebigpixel.net FB | IG | LI | TW | TT : @bigpixelNC Big Pixel 1772 Heritage Center Dr Suite 201 Wake Forest, NC 27587 Music by: BLXRR

Prav Solanki returns as host to interview Dev Patel, CEO of Dental Beauty Partners, about growing and scaling dental practices. This episode effectively distills the regular conversations Prav and Dev have about practice growth, offering listeners a fly-on-the-wall experience of their candid discussions. Dev shares his straightforward approach to practice growth, emphasising the importance of leadership, financial literacy, and a patient-first mindset. They discuss everything from evaluating practice potential and understanding financial statements to employee relationships and investment strategies. The episode builds toward an exciting announcement about a new joint venture that promises to transform how practice owners approach business growth: https://www.startscaleexit.co.ukIn This Episode00:02:40 - Practice-growth mindset 00:04:35 - Growth & NHS00:09:00 - Improving patient journey and experience 00:12:30 - Due diligence and practice acquisitions 00:14:15 - Investing in people vs investing in premises 00:17:15 - Financial literacy and business training00:33:10 - Investing in tech00:36:35 - Sales and practice profitability 00:39:10 - Revenue growth with cost control 00:41:25 - Leadership and transparency00:44:55 - Modern vs traditional leadership approaches00:47:20 - Big announcementAbout Dev PatelDev Patel is the CEO of Dental Beauty Partners, a dental group with 57 practices across the UK. With over 15 years of experience in practice acquisitions and growth, Dev has developed a reputation for rapidly scaling dental businesses through strategic partnerships and a people-focused investment approach. His expertise lies in identifying growth opportunities, streamlining operations, and creating sustainable business models in dentistry.

What happens when old-school brand wisdom meets modern-day marketing muscle? You get Todd Mosier, founder of Unanchor Marketing, talking shop with David and Gary on the newest episode of the Biz/Dev podcast.This episode is full of hard truths, new tools, and a whole lot of “wait, that actually works?” energy.LINKS:Unanchor Marketing on LinkedInTodd Mosier on LinkedInUnanchor Marketing Site___________________________________ Submit Your Questions to: hello@thebigpixel.net OR comment on our YouTube videos! - Big Pixel, LLC - YouTube Our Hosts David Baxter - CEO of Big Pixel Gary Voigt - Creative Director at Big Pixel The Podcast David Baxter has been designing, building, and advising startups and businesses for over ten years. His passion, knowledge, and brutal honesty have helped dozens of companies get their start. In Biz/Dev, David and award-winning Creative Director Gary Voigt talk about current events and how they affect the world of startups, entrepreneurship, software development, and culture. Contact Us hello@thebigpixel.net 919-275-0646 www.thebigpixel.net FB | IG | LI | TW | TT : @bigpixelNC Big Pixel 1772 Heritage Center Dr Suite 201 Wake Forest, NC 27587 Music by: BLXRR

What happens when a designer and a developer walk into a room—12 years deep into building software that actually works? You get real talk on scaling AI, design-infused development, and what it takes to turn "vibe" into viable tech. On this episode of the Biz/Dev podcast, David and Gary reflect on over a decade of collaboration, the magic (and chaos) of building together, and why software shouldn't just function—it should feel right.LINKS:Free Strategy Session w/ Big Pixel___________________________________ Submit Your Questions to: hello@thebigpixel.net OR comment on our YouTube videos! - Big Pixel, LLC - YouTube Our Hosts David Baxter - CEO of Big Pixel Gary Voigt - Creative Director at Big Pixel The Podcast David Baxter has been designing, building, and advising startups and businesses for over ten years. His passion, knowledge, and brutal honesty have helped dozens of companies get their start. In Biz/Dev, David and award-winning Creative Director Gary Voigt talk about current events and how they affect the world of startups, entrepreneurship, software development, and culture. Contact Us hello@thebigpixel.net 919-275-0646 www.thebigpixel.net FB | IG | LI | TW | TT : @bigpixelNC Big Pixel 1772 Heritage Center Dr Suite 201 Wake Forest, NC 27587 Music by: BLXRR

As an agency owner, have you ever stopped doing something that used to work — even though you knew it was effective? You're not alone. In this solo episode, Dan Englander, CEO of Sales Schema, shares hard truths about why agencies unintentionally sabotage their own growth, from drifting away from proven processes to falling into the trap of over-optimizing for “buyers” instead of building real relationships.Dan combines some of his most popular LinkedIn insights into a single episode, giving you a frank, behind-the-scenes look at what's working and what's not for agency business development in 2025.Watch our latest video training, How to Take Charge of Your Agency's Future Revenue. During this training, you'll learn how we get qualified appointments every week using tasteful and highly targeted email outreach.In this episode of The Digital Agency Growth Podcast, Dan covers:Why agency owners drift away from successful strategies — and how to course correctThe dangers of relying too heavily on referrals and reactive salesWhy specialization isn't static — and how niches keep evolvingHow to break through “head trash” and false assumptions that block new businessThe truth about outbound KPIs and why just one conversation per day can transform your agencyThe biggest mistake agencies make with intent data — and how to fix itWhat agencies can learn from rock bands, jiu-jitsu, and even elite marathon runnersThank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to follow, rate and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!Learn more about The Digitial Agency Growth Podcast at https://www.salesschema.com/podcast/ and our Video training at http://salesschema.com/takecharge CONNECT WITH DAN ENGLANDER:LinkedInSales Schema Stop relying on unpredictable referrals and take control of your agency's future growth. Go to salesschema.com/takecharge to access the free training now.

In this episode of The Corporate Escapee Podcast, Brett sits down with Matt Hobson-Rohrer, an early escapee who has been navigating the solo business world for over 13 years. Matt shares how a moment in a Shanghai hotel room made him realize he was missing too much of his daughter's life—only to have corporate make the decision for him a year later with a layoff (and a farewell gift of pots and pans).Matt walks us through his transition from a long corporate career in software partnerships to consulting, fractional work, and eventually launching his own digital twin and simulation business. He explains how he leveraged his high-value network to land his first clients, why fixed-price vs. hourly contracts matter, and how he structures his business today—with a team of experienced contractors running projects instead of full-time employees.Throughout the conversation, Matt and Brett dig into the mindset shift required to go solo, the importance of lifelong learning, and why corporate escapees often undervalue their expertise when pricing their services. They also discuss how solo business models are evolving into ecosystems of independent professionals collaborating without the constraints of traditional employment.If you're considering your own escape, Matt's story is a testament to how building relationships, embracing flexibility, and continually learning can create a sustainable and fulfilling post-corporate career.

In this episode, Chip and Gini discuss the practical uses and pitfalls of AI in agency lead generation and business development. They criticize the common misuse of AI for impersonal, high-volume outreach, which often results in off-putting and ineffective communication. Instead, they advocate for leveraging AI as a tool to enhance efficiency in tasks such as creating brand personas, drafting messages, and organizing proposals, while emphasizing the importance of maintaining a human touch in business development. The episode also highlights various AI tools and strategies to support agency growth without compromising personal relationships and quality. Key takeaways Chip Griffin: “Business development in the agency world is not about volume. It’s about quality.” Gini Dietrich: “AI can help with your brand personas. It can help with your ideal client profile. It can help you figure out how and what pain you solve for your clients.” Chip Griffin: “AI assists, AI does not replace, and AI is not something that’s going to get you magic overnight 10x success, which is unhealthy anyway.” Gini Dietrich: “You still have to add the human element. You still have to create the relationship. You still have to find ways to sort of get in amongst all the noise, versus just adding to the noise.” Resources How to Create an AI Marketing Persona: 8 Prompts For Deep Insights (Blog post by Andy Crestodina) Related Using LinkedIn effectively to grow your agency Is AI writing an agency's friend or foe? Introduction to generative AI for agencies View Transcript The following is a computer-generated transcript. Please listen to the audio to confirm accuracy. Chip Griffin: Hello and welcome to another episode of the Agency Leadership Podcast. I’m Chip Griffin. Gini Dietrich: And I’m Gini Dietrich. Chip Griffin: And Gini, I think we can agree, we are not artificially intelligent. Gini Dietrich: No, no, we’re not. Chip Griffin: I mean, some would argue we’re not even intelligent. Gini Dietrich: That’s where I was going, but filter, filter, filter. Took me a few seconds to filter. Chip Griffin: You know, it is what it is. Gini Dietrich: That’s not true. We’re intelligent most of the time. Chip Griffin: And artificial some of the time. But. You know, I think it is fair to say that, that AI is, is a topic that is discussed just a little bit. Gini Dietrich: Just a tad. Just a tad. People are, yes, yes. Chip Griffin: And we’ve talked about it on the show before. Gini Dietrich: We have. Chip Griffin: But we’re going to come at it from a slightly different angle today, which is the use of AI for agency lead generation and business development, because there are a lot of people out there peddling all sorts of things that you can do with AI to help grow your agency. Yes. A lot of it is horse hooey at best. Gini Dietrich: Horse hooey is a great term. Yes. Chip Griffin: However, there are ways that you can leverage AI Gini Dietrich: Absolutely. Chip Griffin: To help you on the lead gen side, just as you can use AI for client service and other things. So let’s start with some of the bad uses of AI, and then we’ll talk about what we think are good uses of AI for agency business development. Gini Dietrich: Wow. How many emails do you receive in a week that says, Dear Chip, I’m really excited about what you’re doing at the Small Agency Growth Alliance. I think we can generate 12 to 15 meetings for you per week and help you close 50 percent of those. I mean, I probably get a handful, if not more, of those emails every day. Every single day. Yes. And they all say the same thing, which means they’re all generated by AI. And all the AI did was go in to see what the business name is and maybe it pulls from something you recently wrote or recorded and it says really like how what you’re talking about or, you know, mine always say really like what you’ve done with the PESO model. Well, thanks. Chip Griffin: Right. Gini Dietrich: Right. And then it offers to Chip Griffin: At least they know the PESO model is yours. That’s fair. That’s helpful. So Gini Dietrich: we’re getting there. It’s like pushing a boulder up a mountain, but we’re getting there. The, actually the AI, the AI is really great at that because it checks the right sources where human beings don’t check at all. So the AI is great at that. But, you know, you have the, the emails are being written by AI and it’s offering. They all say the exact same thing. I just delete them, but like, first of all, I can’t handle 12 to 15 meetings a week. If you, if you close six new clients for me every week, we would die. We would die. It’s just not, it’s not, I don’t even think the big agencies can do that kind of volume. Chip Griffin: No, I mean, it’s insane. I mean that the AI helps them bring in, you know usually there’s some sort of a reference that tries to make it look like they actually did something. So we reference some piece Gini Dietrich: Yep Chip Griffin: that you wrote. Oftentimes not really even a meaningful piece like sometimes I see it, you know saw what you wrote about I’m like That’s the piece you picked, like You might as well just roll the dice and randomly brought up a page. I also love the ones that, that managed to refer to my business as the original name of the business, Agency Leadership Advisors, which I haven’t used in five years when I rebranded. So clearly it’s, it’s accessing some archive of information in order to auto write the content. It makes no sense. None whatsoever. None. And, and I think that, you know, when people, when I hear people talking about using AI for lead generation in the agency environment, it always is, seems to be around how can we do more volume, more quickly. Gini Dietrich: Right. Chip Griffin: And we’ve said it before. We’ll say it again, right here. Business development in the agency world is not about volume. It’s about quality. Yes. And AI can help you in some ways to move the ball forward. But it shouldn’t be used as a tool to help you spray and pray even broader. It really needs to be a tool that helps you as a human, not something that tries to replace you as a human. Gini Dietrich: Yeah, and I think if you think about it from this per, from, from the perspective of when you receive those emails, it feels kind of myecchh. So if your prospects receive those emails from you because you’ve hired one of these agencies to, to generate, use AI to generate the leads for you, how does that make your prospects feel? Like, myecchh. And, and maybe there’s an agency business model or a world where that might work because it is about quantity and not quality. But for most of us, our businesses are built on relationships and on long term client contracts and year over year over year growth with those clients, organic growth and all those kinds of things. So having AI send you, send an email to a mass number to, like, to your point to spray and pray and spray and pray. It’s, it’s icky. It just doesn’t feel right. And so if you feel like those don’t feel right, imagine how your prospect feels receiving one from you. Chip Griffin: Yeah, and I think the worst these days are the folks who are using some of these services or tools or those kinds of things to use AI to try to figure out who you should reach out to on LinkedIn. And so every day I’m just getting bombarded with LinkedIn requests and inevitably as soon as you click accept, even though it looks like it’s something legit, you just get whacked in the face with some sales pitch. And it’s just ridiculous. That is not how you build relationships and find the right people to work with as an agency. And so instead of using AI as quick fix, a magic elixir, those kinds of things, you need to think about how can AI help you to be more efficient or more effective in what you’re already doing. Gini Dietrich: Absolutely. Chip Griffin: And so let’s talk about some of the ways that you might leverage AI so that it actually is a benefit to your business development and doesn’t just look make you look like a smarmy used car salesman. Gini Dietrich: I think there are a few ways. Number one, it can help you with your brand personas. And Andy Crestodina, maybe a year and a half ago or so, wrote a really good article on how to use AI to help you create your brand personas based on the information you have. On orbitmedia.com, so you can go search for that. It’s really good. There’s a new company called YouBots that you upload all of your information, your business information. So who your customer is, who your, who your prospects are, who your client, current clients are, all of this sort of demographic and psychographic information about your, your current clients. And then it’ll help you determine who you might be adding. So it can help with your brand personas. It can help with your ideal client profile. It can help you figure out how, what, what pain you solve for your clients. It can help you figure out if you have a process that’s worth looking at copywriting. So there are all these things that it can help you do. It can help you draft messaging. It can help you say, okay, if, if you’re, if you’re approaching a Fortune 10 company and at the chief marketing officer, and these are the pains that you solve for them, then here’s an outline of what you might discuss with them. But that’s as far as it should go. Like, you still have to add the human element. You still have to, to create the relationship. You still have to find ways to sort of get in amongst all the noise, versus just adding to the noise. Chip Griffin: Yeah, and I mean, I think that those are all great examples. We’ve also talked about how on the client service side, you can use AI to help with content development, either outlines or proofreading. Do those with your own content too, as an agency. There’s no reason why you can’t use it to help refine the content that you’re creating or produce outlines that you can look and make sure that you’re not missing anything. Sometimes I’ll just send a draft article, you know, to chat GPT and say, Hey, what, what did I leave out? What else should I add here? Sometimes I’ll take, you know, a couple of different articles, throw it in there and say, Hey, can you consolidate this into one piece? And it gives you a starting point to work off of. There’s a lot of things you can do like that. If you’re putting together a proposal for a client, for example, which now I don’t like proposals, but if you’re going to do a proposal, you can certainly throw it in there and it can help you organize it better or point out things maybe that you’re missing. Chat GPT and the like are all great for asking to do brainstorming with. Gini Dietrich: Absolutely. Chip Griffin: And you can say, Hey, I’m doing these three or four tactics. What else should I be thinking of? Or, you know, I’ve had success with this. What else should, you know, should I be considering? And sometimes it serves as that, that extra advisor who can, you know, put out some ideas for you to think about. It’s not that it should run with it automatically. It’s that it gives you things to think about further. Gini Dietrich: We have a client, that their, most of their business is government work. And so they are, they spend a lot of time responding to RFPs. And so we took two years of RFP responses and uploaded them into chat, chat GPT, created a custom GPT for them, and then started prompting it to give, to consolidate the answers that every RFP, every RFP that asked the same question. So you have one template, so you don’t have to keep going in and copying, pasting from previous RFP documents. You just have it in one spot. And then we also uploaded competitor information, so websites and content and things like that. And now we can say to it, okay, please answer the questions that are common, and then please answer the questions that are not, but compare it to the competition. And so it will, it will help them kind of figure out how to answer questions, you know, with their unique differentiation, especially compared to competition. So I, I say that so that if you are an agency that responds to a lot of RFPs because you work in government or nonprofit or wherever it happens to be, that’s a great way to use AI too, because you can create a custom GPT and it’s so easy to do it. It’s so easy. That just helps you automatically get through the, the sort of nitty gritty that you always have to do in your RFPs and then helps you customize the answers that are not sort of the templated ones. Chip Griffin: Yeah. I mean it, and, and these are all great ways for it to leverage what you’re already doing, what you already know about. And it’s not, it’s not trying to be a substitute. Right. You know, the other thing to do is to think about AI as we’ve talked about before, as your intern. And so think about the things you might ask an intern to do. Yes. You might say. Hey, go put together a list of all of the events that target the automotive industry because maybe that’s part of your ideal client profile. You might say, Hey, let’s build a list of job titles that, that fit within the ideal client profile that we have here. And you can give them a starting point and then see what else it might come back to you with that might be helpful. Maybe you want to use that for some sort of targeting effort or searches within LinkedIn Sales Navigator or that kind of thing. It can give you a lot of ideas. And it can really do the same kind of research that you would hand off to an intern that might help you to grow the business and it’s, it’s so much faster and probably more accurate in most cases. Sometimes you need to prod a little bit because sometimes, you know, my experience is it’s not, it’s not always one for one the first time you ask. Sometimes you have to hone it a little bit, but it often gives you a starting point and you’ll say, Oh, I never thought of that. And then that causes you to ask another question of the chat GPT or again, whatever platform you like best. Gini Dietrich: Yeah, I really like the intern idea because I, I, I do treat it like an intern where I’m training it. Where I’ll say, I don’t really like that and here’s why. Can you try again? Or, you know, we usually, when we do work like this, we usually do A, B, and C. Can you incorporate that in? Or, you didn’t get the voice right this time. Let me give you an example and then have it do it again. So, I treat it just like I do an intern, where I’m constantly coaching and giving them advice on how to increase their skills. I do the same thing with the, with the AI, which is, it’s, it’s, It also works a lot faster than an intern, but. Chip Griffin: There’s that. And you don’t have any job classification issues or that kind of thing with it, at least not yet. I mean, you know. Right. You know, I, I think the common thread for a lot of these things is, is these are all things that you and your team can do with AI and, and we, none of what we’ve suggested has been to go out and hire that, that company that says they’re using AI to make magic and generate leads for you. Now, certainly you can work with outside partners who can leverage AI to do some of these things with you. Gini Dietrich: Mm hmm. Chip Griffin: But I, I think it is a mistake to think that someone who claims to have AI on the outside can take over a lot of these functions from you. The reality is, as we’ve talked about before, in a small agency, you, the owner, need to be deeply, personally involved in all business development. You can get help from your team. You can get help from AI. You can get help from other agencies. But you cannot take yourself out of it entirely. And I know a lot of you would love to do that. I know a lot of you would love it if you could just hand things off to AI, and AI came back to you with contracts signed and said, here you go, here’s some money coming to the door, go serve them. Gini Dietrich: Right. Chip Griffin: That it, that doesn’t work. And even if it did, even if it could get you contracts, they’re not likely ones that would be successful because there’s no personal relationship being built. And so AI needs to assist in those things. It cannot replace it. Gini Dietrich: Yeah, and I think you touched on this, but I’ll elaborate a little bit more. The number one job of an agency owner is to do business development and make rain. That’s your job. And I know all of us, myself included, get sucked into the day to day client work and it gets put on the back burner. You have to make time for it. It has to be your number one job. And then the client stuff and things like that, either you have, you delegate appropriately to your team or it becomes secondary. And for me, I always do things that I know if it’s the end of the day, I look at my list and I go, okay, if it’s the end of the day and I haven’t been able to accomplish everything I need to today, what are the things that are going to force me to get it done? So that means I might do my business development work in the morning because I know the client stuff has to get done. Where the business development stuff, if it’s six o’clock at night, I’d kind of be like, okay, well I’ll just push it to tomorrow. So I always do it first. And then the client stuff, because I know I have a strict deadline or whatever it happens to be. And so I will, I will work later to get it done essentially is what I’m saying. Then that’s, that’s how I plan my day and because it works for me, so I still get the business development stuff done. I’m not postponing it to the next day or to the next week or to the next month. It’s the very first thing I do. Chip Griffin: And, and like everything else, you need to figure out what works for you. I mean, if the business development is what you like to do, you know, maybe you need to put that off till later in the day so that you can do the client service first to make sure you’re not losing business or vice versa, you know, you all need to figure out what works for you and you know, the AI can help you to be more efficient in all of those things. It can help you. I mean, it’s, it’s not going to do the outreach for you, but it can certainly help you build the lists. I mean, there’s no, there’s, that can be direct or indirect outreach. So, you know, we advocate the value of podcasts, shockingly. And so if you’re looking to be a guest on podcasts, why not ask AI, you know, what are some podcasts that would be appropriate for my expertise? Maybe seed it with, Hey, some people like me are A, B, and C. You know, share with me a list of podcasts that these folks have been on. That can be a great way to figure out where to reach out, in order to be a guest. Or vice versa, if you’re looking for guests for your own show, say, here are three similar shows. You know, who are some guests that I should think about inviting onto mine? So there’s a lot of things that you can use. The tool, the AI tools that exist to help you out, whether it’s doing outreach, whether it’s creating content, whether it’s building lists, whether it’s writing proposals, all of these things can be made more efficient by AI, but it’s not magic. There’s, there’s nothing that’s going to generate all of these easy contacts and calls. Even if it did, as, as you pointed out, Gini, it’s not going to be something that you’re going to enjoy. Gini Dietrich: No. Chip Griffin: If you had to talk to 10 prospects a week, you’d go out of your mind. Gini Dietrich: It’d be terrible. Chip Griffin: I mean, it, it would just be nuts. And I, I don’t know very many agency owners who could handle doing that number of calls, let alone actually closing deals. Right. Out of that. Nor would it be good for the business. And so, again, AI assists, AI does not replace, and AI is not something that’s going to get you magic overnight 10x success, which is unhealthy anyway. Gini Dietrich: Yep. Yes. So, use AI to your advantage, do not be smarmy or gross, just like in anything else that you do. Don’t spray and pray, don’t be schmarmy, use it to your advantage. Chip Griffin: And with that, we will draw this episode of the Agency Leadership Podcast to a close without any smarm, maybe with a little bit of actual intelligence. Well. Gini Dietrich: Well, maybe at the beginning. Eh. Chip Griffin: All right, I’m Chip Griffin. Gini Dietrich: I’m Gini Dietrich. Chip Griffin: And it depends.

Chip and Gini criticize the common misuse of AI for impersonal, high-volume outreach, and tell you how you can leverage AI while maintaining a human touch.

In this episode of the Biz/Dev Podcast, David and Gary are, well.. David and Gary, being David and Gary. Authenticity at its best…Links: Simon Sinek - The Golden Circle - TedTalks 2009___________________________________ Submit Your Questions to: hello@thebigpixel.net OR comment on our YouTube videos! - Big Pixel, LLC - YouTube Our Hosts David Baxter - CEO of Big Pixel Gary Voigt - Creative Director at Big Pixel The Podcast David Baxter has been designing, building, and advising startups and businesses for over ten years. His passion, knowledge, and brutal honesty have helped dozens of companies get their start. In Biz/Dev, David and award-winning Creative Director Gary Voigt talk about current events and how they affect the world of startups, entrepreneurship, software development, and culture. Contact Us hello@thebigpixel.net 919-275-0646 www.thebigpixel.net FB | IG | LI | TW | TT : @bigpixelNC Big Pixel 1772 Heritage Center Dr Suite 201 Wake Forest, NC 27587 Music by: BLXRR