Podcast appearances and mentions of mandi ellefson

What if the key to scaling your business wasn't working harder—but identifying the right success conditions to make growth inevitable? In this episode of the Sales Maven podcast, host Nikki Rausch interviews Mandi Ellefson, founder of Hands-Off CEO, to explore how uncovering and applying success conditions can transform your business. Mandi shares her journey from financial struggle to building a multimillion-dollar net worth—and how she now helps consulting agency owners achieve predictable growth with less stress. Together, they dive deep into defining success conditions, why they matter, and how to implement them to create consistent client results, boost conversions, and design scalable offers. Mandi also shares tips on pricing based on value, qualifying the right clients, and stepping into a more empowered leadership role. If you're ready to scale with intention—and integrity—this episode is your roadmap.

I am thrilled to have today's guest expert, Mandi Ellefson, joining this episode of Sell With Authority. Mandi is the creator of the Scale to Freedom Growth Model and helps agency owners refine their offers and attract premium clients willing to pay higher fees. And she does it fast — within 90 days. At Hands-Off CEO a large part of Mandi's work is listening, gathering data, and filtering it through her deep experience to identify the trends that will reshape agency services in the coming years. And that's exactly what we're diving into today. We are peeling back the layers on trends Mandi and her team are tracking right now — and most importantly — how you can use these insights to position your agency as a must-have strategic partner in 2025. This conversation explores the significant impact of AI on client expectations, the trend of companies in-housing their work, and the urgent need for agencies to become irreplaceable strategic partners. 2025 is the year for you to step up and own that strategic seat at the table — and sell more of what you do as a result. What you will learn in this episode: How to harness AI to boost your agency's strategic expertise “Conditions for success” and how identifying them can lead to tenfold client results How you can position your agency as an irreplaceable strategic partner The impact of “the great in-housing wave” and how the smartest agencies are future-proofing their business models Understanding the “strategy execution flip” How your operations problems might actually stem from your sales processes and ways to fix that Why clients are so desperate for strategic direction now more than ever Resources: Website: https://handsoffceo.com/ LinkedIn Personal: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mandiellefson/ LinkedIn Business: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hands-off-ceo/ Hands Off CEO: https://book.handsoffceo.com/book-org

Mandi Ellefson is a long time friend and returning guest to The Sales Podcast.   We explore the evolution of business ownership and the challenges faced by CEOs and we discuss her book, 'Hands Off CEO,' which addresses the struggle of business owners feeling trapped by their own success.   We get into the balance between systematization and customization in service delivery, the importance of understanding client impact, and the necessity of feedback loops.   Mandi emphasizes the significance of creating compelling offers and the dual approach of mindset and systems for growth, and we also touch on effective sales strategies, the power of storytelling, and the value of building relationships in outreach efforts.   Finally, Mandi shares insights on marketing strategies and the importance of showing up with value, culminating in a discussion about her upcoming retreats and the transformative experiences they offer.   Takeaways Mandi's book 'Hands Off CEO' addresses the challenges of successful business owners. Many CEOs feel trapped by their own success, leading to burnout. Finding the right balance between systematization and customization is crucial. Feedback loops are essential for understanding client impact and success. Business owners often get pulled into service delivery, limiting scalability. Identifying core problems in sales can lead to more effective solutions. Creating scalable offers requires a focus on the 80/20 rule. Transformational outcomes should be engineered based on client needs. Sales strategies must balance authority and collaboration with clients. Mindset and systems are both necessary for sustainable growth.   00:00 Revisiting the Journey: A Seven-Year Reflection 03:39 Finding Balance: Systematizing vs. Customization 05:46 Understanding Client Impact: The Importance of Feedback 08:59 The Role of the Business Owner in Service Delivery 12:43 Creating Scalable Offers: The 80/20 Rule 15:38 Transformational Outcomes: Engineering Services for Success 18:24 Sales Strategies: Balancing Authority and Collaboration 20:57 Mindset and Systems: The Dual Approach to Growth 22:40 Tactical Sales Techniques: What Really Works 24:52 Crafting Compelling Offers: The Art of Specificity 27:19 Inbound vs. Outbound: The Power of Storytelling in Sales 30:39 Building Relationships: The Key to Successful Outreach 32:28 Recognizing Opportunities: The Shift in Client Mindset 34:36 Effective Marketing: Strategies for Engagement 36:52 The Importance of Value: Showing Up with Coffee 40:54 Retreats and Transformation: The Value of Experience 43:48 Final Thoughts: Where to Find Mandi's Work Guest Site: https://handsoffceo.com/book Guest Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/handsoffceo Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mandiellefson/ Guest Instagram: @handsoffceo and @mandiellefson Guest X: @mandiellefson Join The Inner Circle: https://info.wesschaeffer.com/inner-circle-silver ----- Connect with me: Twitter -- https://twitter.com/saleswhisperer LinkedIn -- http://www.linkedin.com/in/thesaleswhisperer/ Podcast -- https://feeds.libsyn.com/44487/rss BUSINESS GROWTH TOOLS https://12WeeksToPeak.com https://CRMQuiz.com https://MakeEverySale.com

New Livestream guest- Mani Ellefson, the Hands-off CEO Leader, podcast host and author. I'm happy to have Mandi join me on a live broadcast. She's built a business out of helping entrepreneurs get out of the day to day of operations and truly be free to work ‘on' their businesses. She hosts a podcast on the topic and is the author of The Hands-Off CEO which is a great book. Tune in and as we'll be discussing how to develop or hire an operations manager in your business. This is a ‘must see event' for anyone who doesn't want to be doing this job themselves 50 hours a day forever while they're in business. https://book.handsoffceo.com/book https://www.linkedin.com/in/mandiellefson/ Be sure you're on the email list at https://www.DavidCBarnettList.com

Would you like access to our advanced agency training for FREE? https://www.agencymastery360.com/training Would you like to remove yourself from the day-to-day agency operations? Do you have an effective hiring process to attract top talent for agency roles? In today's discussion, our featured guest explains how failing to secure the best candidates often stems from a poorly designed hiring process, starting with the job advertisement. She shares essential strategies for crafting an engaging job ad, fostering self-managing teams, and identifying the qualities of an outstanding operations manager. Join us to discover how to effectively find, hire, and train the right operations professional to elevate your agency. Mandi Ellefson is the founder of Hands Off CEO, a company dedicated to helping busy CEOs drive sustainable growth without sacrificing their lifestyle and family. Mandi shares her journey of building a business that allows for true freedom, discusses the importance of creating an effective hiring funnel to attract the right talent, and provides insights on and crafting job ads that resonate with top candidates. Learn how to effectively delegate responsibilities and build a business that supports your lifestyle. In this episode, we'll discuss: The importance of a compelling job ad. Cultivating self-managing employees from day one. Key traits of an exceptional ops manager. Subscribe Apple | Spotify | iHeart Radio Sponsors and Resources Join us in Feb 2025 to ELEVATE YOUR AGENCY! You don't know what you don't know. But you can learn a ton and get connected with a small group of like-minded agency owners plus me and some game-changing speakers at our exclusive event. We're meeting in Phoenix, AZ for two days of transformative insights where you'll make meaningful connections with top-tier leaders, master inbound and outbound strategies, and elevate your agency to achieve 10x growth. Check out ElevateMyAgency.com and grab your spot! Hiring and Training for Success: Build an Agency That Thrives Without You Mandi started Hands Off twelve years ago when she ran into a big problem as she was about to take maternity leave: her business could not run or grow without her. Her search for a solution led her to accidentally start a consulting company to prevent other business owners from getting to the stressful point she found herself in years ago. Most agency owners are not hands-off and can't even say they own their agency, more like it owns them. This is why they need strategic hiring practices and methodologies to ensure they recruit individuals who can truly add value to their operations. The crux of the hiring process lies in identifying candidates who not only possess the requisite skills but also align with the company's culture and vision. For Mandi, this all hinges on putting together the right hiring funnel, which starts with the right ad that outlines the responsibilities of the role and highlights what makes the agency an attractive workplace. An ineffective hiring funnel usually leads to: Hiring a person that is well below the level you need. Not knowing how to effectively train this person you hire. Even if you do find someone who is the right fit for the job and your agency, they could end up failing without the right structure to learn how to operate your business. The Importance of Compelling Job Ad to Attract the Right Candidates To create a well-structured hiring process start with a compelling job ad that clearly outlines the responsibilities for the role and resonates with potential candidates. A great ad emphasizes the company culture, growth opportunities, and the impact they can have within the organization. A strong ad serves as the first filter, ensuring only those who are genuinely interested in the position apply. Add small ‘mousetraps', like asking them to email you with a specific subject or with the CV attached, and watch as many of the candidates get themselves out of the race just by not following directions. In terms of experience, Mandi recommends looking for people who not only have relevant operational experience but also possess the ability to adapt and grow within the role. This includes assessing their problem-solving skills, their capacity to manage teams, and their understanding of the agency's specific goals and challenges. Additionally, Mandi recommends assigning candidates a detailed project plan. This exercise allows them to demonstrate their proficiency with project management software and their grasp of the complexities involved in juggling multiple tasks. By engaging candidates in practical assessments, agency owners can effectively distinguish between those who may be skilled at talking the talk but cannot walk the walk. This method of assessment is crucial for identifying genuine talent and reducing the risk of hiring individuals who may not deliver on their promises. Finally, it's normal to find a failure point during the hiring process. It doesn't necessarily have to be a deal breaker but something that concerns you enough to be unsure about the hire. It could be that they're too shy or a people-pleaser. If you encounter this type of risk, assess it and find out if it can be retrained. Cultivating Self-Managing Employees from Day One Once the right candidates are onboarded, it is crucial to establish a structured training plan that reinforces their proactive engagement in their roles. Mandi advocates for empowering operations managers to create week-by-week plans that outline their responsibilities and milestones. This approach not only fosters accountability but also encourages managers to take ownership of their projects. Agency owners play a supportive role by regularly checking in on progress, asking questions, and providing assistance as needed. Agency leaders need to shift from a traditional management style to a more empowering approach where they recognize their role is not to micromanage but to create an environment where team members can thrive independently. You want them to be self-managing. This perspective is crucial; when team members are given the autonomy to take ownership of their work, they become more engaged, motivated, and accountable. Empowering individuals to manage their own tasks not only alleviates the burden on leaders but also cultivates a culture of trust and collaboration. Eventually, the implementation of key pieces, such as client health scoring, project management, and communication protocols serve as critical tools to exit the agency owner out of account management and operations management and ultimately have a right-hand employee who will be in charge of driving growth. Key Traits of an Exceptional Ops Manager When it comes to hiring the right Operations Manager you'll need to be handing off control to someone with a keen eye for detail, who is assertive, and can question decisions. Impeccable attention to detail and follow-through is not merely a desirable trait; it is essential for ensuring that tasks are completed accurately and efficiently and serves as the foundation for operational excellence. Additionally, this person is different from the typical Visionary/ CEO. Essentially, they adopt a more structured and perhaps serious approach, which is perfectly acceptable since ops managers operate in a very different way than a CEO does. Just make sure there's good chemistry with this person and that they are not only skilled but also proactive in seeking efficiencies and cost savings. This mindset is crucial in an operations role, where the ability to identify and eliminate waste can significantly impact the bottom line. However, the focus should not solely be on minor cost savings; rather, it should be about understanding where the greatest impact can be made. Delegating Results, Not Processes Entrepreneurs often fall into the trap of trying to dictate how tasks should be accomplished, which can stifle creativity and initiative. Instead, a true leader should clearly articulate their desired outcomes—such as improved profitability or streamlined operations—and empower their teams to devise the methods for achieving these goals. This shift in mindset allows team members to take ownership of their work, fostering a sense of responsibility and encouraging innovative problem-solving. When your operations staff is empowered to take the lead in optimizing systems and processes, you'll be able to redirect your energy toward strategic initiatives, such as sales and market expansion. This delegation not only enhances productivity but also maximizes the return on investment for your business. First and foremost, effective leadership in operations starts with providing a clear strategic direction. CEOs must articulate the organization's vision and objectives to their operations leaders instead of merely assigning tasks and expecting results. This clarity allows operations leaders to align their efforts with the broader goals of the organization. Do You Want to Transform Your Agency from a Liability to an Asset? Looking to dig deeper into your agency's potential? Check out our Agency Blueprint. Designed for agency owners like you, our Agency Blueprint helps you uncover growth opportunities, tackle obstacles, and craft a customized blueprint for your agency's success.

This week, we explore the intricacies of onboarding an operator with insights from Mandi Ellefson, author of Hands Off CEO. Learn how to effectively transition responsibilities, set clear expectations, and empower your team for success. Mandi provides practical advice on creating a robust framework that supports both the operator and the overall business objectives. Join us for a deep dive into the essential elements of successful onboarding. Mandi's experience highlights the balance between delegation and leadership, emphasizing strategies to ensure a smooth integration of new operators into your business. Don't miss this episode filled with actionable insights for optimizing your onboarding process and achieving operational excellence!   Timestamps: 00:01:00 Replacing yourself to focus on growth 00:10:10 Defining and standardizing excellence 00:12:33 Common hiring mistakes 00:14:56 Timing and ROI of hiring an operator 00:19:27 Being intentional during transitions 00:21:42 Calculating ROI for hiring an operator 00:23:19 Finding and onboarding operators 00:25:37 Ideal traits in an operator   Key Highlights Effective onboarding involves more than just delegating tasks; it's about setting a clear framework for success. Clear role definitions and expectations help operators perform efficiently and integrate smoothly into the team. Regular communication and feedback are crucial for aligning expectations and resolving issues promptly. Performance metrics should be used to evaluate and refine the onboarding process for continuous improvement. Addressing common onboarding challenges proactively can lead to better outcomes and a more cohesive team. =========================================   SUBSCRIBE: https://podfollow.com/howtosucceed Remember to subscribe and leave us a comment!   =========================================   Follow Us:  Twitter: https://twitter.com/SandlerTraining Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/school/sandler-training/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sandlertraining/ Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/sandlertraining/?_rdc=1&_rdr   =========================================

This week, we explore the intricacies of onboarding an operator with insights from Mandi Ellefson, author of Hands Off CEO. Learn how to effectively transition responsibilities, set clear expectations, and empower your team for success. Mandi provides practical advice on creating a robust framework that supports both the operator and the overall business objectives. Join us for a deep dive into the essential elements of successful onboarding. Mandi's experience highlights the balance between delegation and leadership, emphasizing strategies to ensure a smooth integration of new operators into your business. Don't miss this episode filled with actionable insights for optimizing your onboarding process and achieving operational excellence!   Timestamps: 00:01:00 Replacing yourself to focus on growth 00:10:10 Defining and standardizing excellence 00:12:33 Common hiring mistakes 00:14:56 Timing and ROI of hiring an operator 00:19:27 Being intentional during transitions 00:21:42 Calculating ROI for hiring an operator 00:23:19 Finding and onboarding operators 00:25:37 Ideal traits in an operator   Key Highlights Effective onboarding involves more than just delegating tasks; it's about setting a clear framework for success. Clear role definitions and expectations help operators perform efficiently and integrate smoothly into the team. Regular communication and feedback are crucial for aligning expectations and resolving issues promptly. Performance metrics should be used to evaluate and refine the onboarding process for continuous improvement. Addressing common onboarding challenges proactively can lead to better outcomes and a more cohesive team. =========================================   SUBSCRIBE: https://podfollow.com/howtosucceed Remember to subscribe and leave us a comment!   =========================================   Follow Us:  Twitter: https://twitter.com/SandlerTraining Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/school/sandler-training/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sandlertraining/ Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/sandlertraining/?_rdc=1&_rdr   =========================================

This week, we explore the intricacies of onboarding an operator with insights from Mandi Ellefson, author of Hands Off CEO. Learn how to effectively transition responsibilities, set clear expectations, and empower your team for success. Mandi provides practical advice on creating a robust framework that supports both the operator and the overall business objectives. Join us for a deep dive into the essential elements of successful onboarding. Mandi's experience highlights the balance between delegation and leadership, emphasizing strategies to ensure a smooth integration of new operators into your business. Don't miss this episode filled with actionable insights for optimizing your onboarding process and achieving operational excellence!   Timestamps: 00:01:00 Replacing yourself to focus on growth 00:10:10 Defining and standardizing excellence 00:12:33 Common hiring mistakes 00:14:56 Timing and ROI of hiring an operator 00:19:27 Being intentional during transitions 00:21:42 Calculating ROI for hiring an operator 00:23:19 Finding and onboarding operators 00:25:37 Ideal traits in an operator   Key Highlights Effective onboarding involves more than just delegating tasks; it's about setting a clear framework for success. Clear role definitions and expectations help operators perform efficiently and integrate smoothly into the team. Regular communication and feedback are crucial for aligning expectations and resolving issues promptly. Performance metrics should be used to evaluate and refine the onboarding process for continuous improvement. Addressing common onboarding challenges proactively can lead to better outcomes and a more cohesive team. =========================================   SUBSCRIBE: https://podfollow.com/howtosucceed Remember to subscribe and leave us a comment!   =========================================   Follow Us:  Twitter: https://twitter.com/SandlerTraining Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/school/sandler-training/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sandlertraining/ Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/sandlertraining/?_rdc=1&_rdr   =========================================

Mandi Ellefson is the Founder and CEO of Hands-Off CEO, which helps seven-figure consulting agencies scale. As the creator of the Scale to Freedom Scalable Service Growth framework, she has consulted with hundreds of agency owners and CEOs, helping them free 20-50% of their week to focus on accelerating profits. Mandi is also the author of The Hands-Off CEO and the host of the Hands-Off CEO Podcast. In this episode… Many business owners work tirelessly and barely move the needle, while others make strategic moves that lead to exponential growth. Could there be a method to break free from the cycle that entraps so many entrepreneurs, allowing them to scale their businesses without being hands-on all the time? Mandi Ellefson of Hands-Off CEO tackled these very challenges and emerged victorious. Suffering from burnout after managing her business single-handedly, she applied her firsthand experience and problem-solving skills to develop systems that free CEOs from the daily grind and enable their businesses to scale with increased profitability. With a focus on creating irresistible offers that command premium fees, Mandi's approach revolutionizes the concept of growth in the consulting agency realm. In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz interviews Mandi Ellefson, Founder and CEO of Hands-Off CEO, about revolutionizing consulting agencies. Mandi talks about the Hands-Off CEO and the evolution of its services, the CEO entrapment cycle, the secrets of creating an irresistible offer that multiplies your fees, and the Hands-Off growth roadmap to reinvigorate your stagnating business.

Jeannette talks to Mandi Ellefson, founder of Hands-Off CEO, discussing her journey from being in debt to becoming a multimillionaire. She shares insights on building wealth within a partnership, focusing on earning potential, and leveraging skills to increase income streams. Mandi also delves into the concept of being a hands-off CEO, emphasising the importance of delegating tasks, building a strong team, and preparing for a successful exit strategy KEY TAKEAWAYS Delivering results and focusing on the biggest outcomes can set you apart in the market and attract ideal clients. Build a Strong Team: Surround yourself with the right talent and advisors who can challenge you and help you grow. Start with the end in mind and work backwards to build a company that can run and grow without you, increasing its value for potential exits. After fully exiting a business, seek a bigger vision and purpose to drive value and fulfilment in your life beyond financial success. BEST MOMENTS "I think it's just about you getting, you're looking at what, what is the, what is like the biggest, obstacle right now, and you keep on addressing it and addressing the one thing at a time." "It's just about you getting, you're looking at what, what is the, what is like the biggest, obstacle right now, and you keep on addressing it and addressing the one thing at a time." "I like to think of it as almost 4Ds. We're great having to-do lists, aren't we? We all love a to-do list."   This is the perfect time to get focused on what YOU want to really achieve in your business, career, and life. It's never too late to be BRAVE and BOLD and unlock your inner BRILLIANT. Visit our new website https://brave-bold-brilliant.com/ - there you'll find a library of FREE resources and downloadable guides and e-books to help you along your journey. If you'd like to jump on a free mentoring session just DM Jeannette at info@brave-bold-brilliant.com. VALUABLE RESOURCES Brave Bold Brilliant - https://brave-bold-brilliant.com/ Brave, Bold, Brilliant podcast series - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/brave-bold-brilliant-podcast/id1524278970    ABOUT THE GUEST Mandi Ellefson went from $175k debt to multimillionaire status by revolutionizing consulting agencies. Through Hands-Off CEO, she rescues agency owners from the daily grind, transforming million-dollar agencies into self-sustaining enterprises. With her expertise, she's boosted hundreds of agencies to millions in revenue, attracting premium clients willing to pay 50-600% fees. As a former business exit advisor, she crafts exit strategies, adding up to five figures to clients' net profit monthly so they can focus on growth. She shares her wisdom as a published author and host of the Hands-Off CEO Podcast, helping consulting agencies triple fees and scale without less reliance on the CEO. Social handles Website: https://handsoffceo.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mandiellefson/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mandiellefson.biz/ Twitter: @MandiEllefson Instagram: @MandiEllefson ABOUT THE HOST Jeannette Linfoot is a highly regarded senior executive, property investor, board advisor, and business mentor with over 30 years of global professional business experience across the travel, leisure, hospitality, and property sectors. Having bought, ran, and sold businesses all over the world, Jeannette now has a portfolio of her own businesses and also advises and mentors other business leaders to drive forward their strategies as well as their own personal development. Jeannette is a down-to-earth leader, a passionate champion for diversity & inclusion, and a huge advocate of nurturing talent so every person can unleash their full potential and live their dreams. CONTACT THE HOST Jeannette's linktree - https://linktr.ee/JLinfoot https://www.jeannettelinfootassociates.com/ YOUTUBE - https://www.youtube.com/@braveboldbrilliant LinkedIn - https://uk.linkedin.com/in/jeannettelinfoot Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/jeannette.linfoot/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jeannette.linfoot/ Tiktok - https://www.tiktok.com/@jeannette.linfoot Podcast Description Jeannette Linfoot talks to incredible people about their experiences of being Brave, Bold & Brilliant, which have allowed them to unleash their full potential in business, their careers, and life in general. From the boardroom tables of ‘big' international businesses to the dining room tables of entrepreneurial start-ups, how to overcome challenges, embrace opportunities and take risks, whilst staying ‘true' to yourself is the order of the day.Travel, Bold, Brilliant, business, growth, scale, marketing, investment, investing, entrepreneurship, coach, consultant, mindset, six figures, seven figures, travel, industry, ROI, B2B, inspirational: https://linktr.ee/JLinfoot

Welcome back to The Happy Clients Podcast! Today, we are thrilled to have Mandi Ellefson, founder of Hands-Off CEO, join us. Mandi's journey to creating a hands-off business model began from a personal crisis—attempting to take maternity leave only to find her previous business couldn't function without her. Her experience led her to develop a framework for agency owners to step back from day-to-day operations and create a more sustainable, autonomous business.

When scaling an agency, the CEO is usually deeply ingrained. But CEOs are supposed to work on the business rather than in the business, right? So how can a CEO make their agency scalable and run smoothly without them being present in the company's day-to-day operations? Mandi Ellefson of the Hands-Off CEO is here to offer her insights and guidance on doing just that! This week, episode 225 of The Digital Agency Growth Podcast is about becoming a hands-off CEO!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, Mandi Ellefson shares the importance of specialization in growing an agency and actionable steps you can take right now to make your business run without you. Mandi Ellefson went from $175k debt to multimillionaire status by revolutionizing consulting agencies. Through Hands-Off CEO, she rescues agency owners from the daily grind, transforming million-dollar agencies into self-sustaining enterprises. With her expertise, she's boosted hundreds of agencies to millions in revenue, attracting premium clients willing to pay 50-600% fees. As a former business exit advisor, she crafts exit strategies, adding up to five figures to clients' monthly net profit so they can focus on growth. She shares her wisdom as a published author and host of the Hands-Off CEO Podcast, helping consulting agencies triple fees and scale without less reliance on the CEO.In this episode, Dan and Mandi discuss the following:How agencies limit themselves by focusing on custom solutions.How to increase value and decrease risk for clients.Creating an irresistible offer to attract ideal clients that's also exciting to the agency.The importance of delivering on promises and scaling with aligning with integrity.Thank 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 MANDI ELLEFSON:LinkedInX (formerly Twitter)Hands-Off CEO PodcastWebsiteCONNECT WITH DAN ENGLANDER:LinkedInSales Schema 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.

Mandi Ellefson is the Founder and CEO of Hands-Off CEO, which helps seven-figure consulting agencies scale. As the creator of the Scale to Freedom Scalable Service GrowthTM framework, she has consulted with hundreds of agency owners and CEOs, helping them free 20-50% of their week to focus on accelerating profits. Mandi is also the author of The Hands-Off CEO and the host of the Hands-Off CEO Podcast. In this episode: Are you being consumed by your company rather than having it serve you? How can you gain freedom from your business while ensuring it thrives and grows without your day-to-day involvement? After becoming burned out from managing her business single-handedly, consultant Mandi Ellefson developed a system to help entrepreneurs scale their service-based businesses to function independently. The process involves creating explicit agreements with your team and regularly implementing systems and processes to boost performance and create a culture of accountability. Mandi also notes that consulting businesses can increase profits dramatically by transitioning from traditional billing models to charging based on service value.  In today's episode of Systems Simplified, Adi Klevit sits down with Mandi Ellefson, the Founder and CEO of Hands-Off CEO, to discuss building a business that can scale effectively. She shares actionable steps for entrepreneurs and emphasizes the power of a clear vision.

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts In this episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast, I interviewed Mandi Ellefson. Through her company “Hands-Off CEO”, she rescues agency owners from the daily grind, transforming million-dollar agencies into self-sustaining enterprises. With her expertise, she's boosted hundreds of agencies to millions in revenue, attracting premium clients willing to pay 50-600% fees. As a former business exit advisor, she crafts exit strategies, adding up to five figures to clients' net profit monthly so they can focus on growth. She shares her wisdom as a published author of “The Hands-Off CEO: Triple Your Fees and Profitably Scale an Exceptional Consulting Agency that Grows Without You” and host of the Hands-Off CEO Podcast, helping consulting agencies triple fees and scale without less reliance on the CEO.   Key Takeaways Mandi Ellefson, founder of Hands-off CEO, shares her journey from overwhelming debt to multimillionaire status by transforming consulting agencies into self-sustaining enterprises. She stresses the importance of building systems that allow businesses to thrive without the constant presence of the CEO. Mandi distinguishes between growth and scale, highlighting the need to create capacity and systems for consistent results. She advocates for productizing services based on outcomes and emphasizes the mindset shift required to embrace delegation and empower teams. For actionable insights and Mandi's scalability checklist, visit hands off ceo.com.   More About Mandi Ellefson: Connect with Mandi on LinkedIn Visit her Website  This episode of The Duct Tape Marketing Podcast is brought to you by Porkbun. Go to http://porkbun.com/DuctTapeMarketing24 to get a .BIO domain name for your link in bio page for less than $3 at Porkbun today. If you liked this episode please consider rating and reviewing the show. Click here - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-duct-tape-marketing-podcast/id78797836 scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode. Connect with John Jantsch on LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/ducttapemarketing/ Stuck trying to figure out your marketing strategy? Get Your Free AI Prompts To Build A Marketing Strategy HERE - dtm.world/freeprompts

Kerry Lutz and Mandi Ellefson discussed the challenges faced by successful CEOs in growing their businesses. Mandi, the founder of Hands Off CEO, emphasized the need for CEOs to remove themselves from day-to-day operations and focus on higher-impact activities to double profitability. She suggested that CEOs should solve higher quality problems, charge more for services, and build the right systems and processes to achieve business growth and profitability. Mandi also provided practical advice on reallocating time, generating more profit per client, and building effective teams to help CEOs transition their businesses to run and grow without their direct involvement. Find Mandi here: handsoffceo.com Find Kerry here: FSN and here: Inflaton.Cafe

Scaling a consulting business is one of the hardest things you can do…But my guest today is giving away all the secrets for those who want to scale a consulting business in 2024…Mandi Ellefson is back on the podcast to discuss her new book, The Hands Off CEO, that gives readers a path to freedom and profit as the owner of a consulting agency. In this episode, she'll share insights from the book, break down the stages of growing a consulting business, and cover the importance of the right type of client.

Whether you know it or not, you have a 6 or maybe even 7 figure Super High Ticket offer sitting in your business.Most agencies under charge and don't realize they can get bigger clients who could triple their profitabilityToday we'll dive into the Super High Ticket Offers with Mandi Ellefson, a returning podcast guest.Mandi is the founder of Hands Off CEO, and has a new book out "The Hands Off CEO"She's gifting our listeners a free digital copy of her book! Just email aj@revenueboost.netOr grab the physical copy here on Amazonhttps://amzn.to/47ZfURwThanks again for listening!To support your show, please give us a review! We love reading your feedback.>>>Connect with AJ on Linkedin here https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajcassata/ OR via email aj@revenueboost.net>>>Want to scale monthly revenue 2X with Linkedin + Email? Book a free consulting call with Revenue Boost here to chat about your acquisition strategyhttp://bit.ly/consulting111 – Chat with us >>>Want free help for growing your agency?Join 7500+ other agency owners in our Free FB group https://www.facebook.com/groups/b2bsalesandmarketingsecretsMembers of the Facebook group also get access to a free mini-course on agency lead generation, prospecting, and selling! Join us to get access. We stream our podcasts live in the group so you can even tune into an episode before it's released here on Spotify/Itunes.

00:00 – 00:32: Introduction and background of the guest, Mandi Ellefson.00:32 – 03:42: Discussing the challenges faced by service-based businesses, especially agencies, in scaling beyond $1 million.03:42 – 07:38: Importance of creating an “irresistible offer” to enhance scalability and overcome common obstacles.07:38 – 12:12: Exploring the concept of crafting a compelling value proposition and aligning it with client needs.12:12 – 16:35: The significance of pricing strategy, client positioning, and delivering exceptional value to boost scalability.16:35 – 17:21: The role of mindset in scaling a business and embracing the concept of “thinking bigger.”18:56 – 19:15: Reflecting on the pivotal moment that transformed Parakeeto and the impact of reimagining the ultimate solution.19:15 – 19:38: Overnight transformation in deal size and business growth by focusing on solving bigger problems with more value.19:38 – 20:19: Zooming out to identify substantial problems, creating more value, and building a substantive process for better solutions.20:19 – 22:02: Recognizing the importance of transitioning from services to software and standardizing processes for scalability.22:02 – 22:49: Sharing experiences of intentionally under-engineering processes and the necessity of maturity in business decisions.22:49 – 23:23: Discussing the process of scaling a service firm and the service product positioning matrix.23:23 – 23:51: Emphasizing the impact of an irresistible offer on increasing prices and achieving a 300% or more price point increase.23:51 – 24:39: Introducing the client success map as a sales tool and developing the service management blueprint for scalable outcomes.24:39 – 26:50: Leveraging traffic light systems for internal evaluation, improving product quality, and enhancing client outcomes.26:50 – 29:22: Progressing through the five exits for scaling: project/account management, operations management, client strategy, sales, and executive leadership.29:22 – 30:39: Insights into the role of operations management in freeing up the CEO for growth and connecting operations with finance.30:44 – 31:50: The order of exits and the significance of separating client strategy from account and project management.31:50 – 32:51: The sequence of exits: sales as exit four and executive leadership as exit five, with a focus on building a scalable sales team.Show Notes/LinksMandi's Scalability ChecklistLink to the book on AmazonLink to Mandi's Agency “Hands Off CEO”Link to Mandi's Linkedin Profile

If you ever felt stuck or confused on what to focus on next, in order to grow...this episode is for you. Mandi Ellefson will share the exact stages to go from 0 - 10 million per year as an agency or consulting business, and what the right activities are at each step. This one comes with some surprises :) and it'll leave you with clarity on what it takes, to achieve your next big leap. Business growth is about doing the right thing at the right time!Get the Hands-off CEO Free Book SummaryHandsoffCEO.com/summaryGet the actual bookhttps://www.amazon.com/Hands-Off-CEO-Profitably-Exceptional-Consulting/dp/B0CK3ZX3SNConnect with Mandihttps://www.linkedin.com/in/mandiellefson/>>>Connect with the host AJ on Linkedin here https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajcassata/ OR email aj@revenueboost.net>>>Want help scaling lead generation and sales for your agency? Book a consultation with Revenue Boost here to chat about your acquisition strategyhttps://calendly.com/ben-revenueboost/1-1-sales-strategy-call-free>>>Want free help and courses for growing your agency?Join 7000+ other agency owners in our Free Facebook group "B2B sales and marketing secrets”https://www.facebook.com/groups/b2bsalesandmarketingsecretsMembers of the Facebook group also get access to a free mini-course on agency lead generation, prospecting, and selling! Join us to get access now. Thanks again for listening to the show!

Are you a leader, a business leader, business owner who's stuck in your consulting services, maybe working too hard, or not getting paid enough?Uncover the secrets behind Mandi Ellefson, Founder of Hands-Off CEO and author of the renowned book, 'Hands-Off CEO,' and her unique approach that empowers companies to break free from the limitations of their own success. This approach propels them toward remarkable growth while maintaining an exceptional quality of work and personal life.From navigating the intricacies of complex services to captivating high-value clients through the art of storytelling, Mandi shares invaluable insights on how to scale your consulting agency without compromising on excellence. Join us as we embark on a transformative journey, uncovering the keys to sustainable growth and unparalleled success.What You'll Learn:The Cause of 80% of the Problems in Scaling and the "Positioning" Shift That Is Key to ScalingWhy CEOs Giving up Quality or Personal LifeStrategies for Raising Prices While Delivering Exceptional ServicesThe Foundational Piece Being Taught for High-Value ServicesBecoming an Indispensable Growth PartnerHaving a Bold Promise and How to Back It UpWhy $50,000 Is Actually a Low Ticket Offer and How to ShiftThe Super Valuable Offering for Our Audience on How to Triple Your FeeThe Exit Checklist and Sustainably Add Million to Your BusinessMoving to a Six-Figure Offer Then a Million Dollar OfferConnect with Mandi Ellefson:WebsiteLinkedinResources:Connect with IanDownload a Tackle Box!Supercharge your marketing and grow your business with video case stories today!Book a Discovery Call Today with Our ExpertsSubscribe to the YouTube Channel Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this insightful episode, we're going deep on scaling consulting businesses with Mandi Ellefson, the founder of Hands Off CEO. In a captivating conversation, Mandi and Leah explore the fascinating differences between how men and women grow their consulting businesses differently. Discover the pitfalls and challenges faced by both, and learn what it takes to scale your own business while managing your bandwidth. Whether you're a solopreneur or aiming to build a million-dollar agency, this episode is packed with nuggets you can apply to your business. Connect with Leah on LinkedIn → Get Higher-Paying Consulting Clients: If you're a woman running a consulting business, learn how you can get paid more for your consulting contracts and attract more of the right kinds of clients at smartgetspaid.com.

In this episode, Joe talks with Mandi Ellefson, the creator of Hands Off CEO, about her inspiring entrepreneurial journey and the secrets to her success. Mandi shares how she developed a mindset of abundance and learned to delegate effectively, enabling her to grow her business and achieve her goals. Listeners will learn valuable lessons about the power of mindset and how to apply it to their own businesses. Later in the episode, Joe and Mandi discuss the importance of hiring the right people and managing agreements effectively. Mandi emphasizes the importance of building a team of like-minded individuals who share your vision and values, and Joe shares some of his own experiences managing agreements between people in his business. Listeners will come away with practical tips and strategies for building a successful business and a happy team. Tune in to this episode to learn from Mandi's inspiring story and valuable insights. “To change your personal reality, you must change your personality.” - Mandi Ellefson Some topics discussed in this episode: The Power of Mindset: Why developing the right mindset is just as important as your business strategy when it comes to scaling your business.  Hands oOff CEO: In this inspiring interview, we'll be speaking to Mandi Ellefson, the creator of Hands off CEO, about how she built her successful business and the secrets to her success. Get ready to be motivated and inspired! Increasing the Value of Your Services: How Mandi increased the value of her services and delegated effectively so she could focus on what really matters. Scaling with a Clear Vision: A clear vision is essential to scaling your business successfully. In this episode, we'll explore why expanding your mind of what is possible is the missing piece to scaling your business. Making Decisions That Align with Your Vision: Your vision should guide your decisions and actions. We'll explore why it's crucial to stay true to your goals to watch your business thrive. Transforming Your Reality: It starts with a shift in mindset. Mandi discusses how changing the way you think can transform your reality. Selling Outcomes vs Selling Deliverables: When it comes to selling your services, it's all about outcomes. Mandi tells us how to show your clients what they can achieve by working with you, not just what you can deliver. Managing Agreements Between People: People can be unpredictable, but agreements are reliable. We'll explore how to manage agreements effectively and build a successful business with a happy team. From What You Don't Want to What You Want: To know what you want, you first have to discover what you don't want. The Power of Thoughts: Your thoughts shape your reality, so it's essential to take responsibility for them.  The Importance of Hiring the Right People: Your team is the backbone of your business, so it's crucial to choose wisely and hire the right people. How to contact Mandi Ellefson: Hands Off CEO Hands Off CEO Podcast Mandi Ellefson Linkedin References & links mentioned: Die With Zero by Bill Perkins Thanks for tuning into this episode of the Hustle & Flowchart Podcast! If the information in these conversations and interviews have helped you in your business journey, please head over to iTunes (or wherever you listen), subscribe to the show, and leave me an honest review. Your reviews and feedback will not only help me continue to deliver great, helpful content, but it will also help me reach even more amazing entrepreneurs just like you!

This is part 2 of a 2-part series on the Hands-Off CEO podcast, where you'll hear host Mandi Ellefson being interviewed by Ross Mayfield, a copywriter and marketing strategist on her team. In this episode, Mandi and Ross share some of the more vulnerable stories and experiences they haven't shared on the podcast before. They dispel the myth of the "seven-figure lifestyle business" and discuss the truth about what it really takes to become a hands-off CEO, including the impact this shift can have on your financial stability and your overall lifestyle. Key ideas discussed include: Many people start a business with the goal of making a decent salary and having a stress-free life. However, the concept of a lifestyle business can be problematic, as being a business owner can be stressful and demanding. You can become so consumed with running the day-to-day operations of your business that you miss out on opportunities and experiences, and even miss vacations. [1:58] To enjoy greater freedom and a better lifestyle, CEOs must commit to expanding and developing their team. [4:29] The missing component for CEOs of lifestyle businesses who want more freedom is implementing accountability structures. [07:29] Mobilizing a team based on their goals and aspirations is key to freeing up the CEO from hands-on management and allowing for growth at higher levels. [09:12] Build an inspiring vision that people can be a part of. People will only do something if they want to do it, so simply paying them more money will not motivate them in the long run. [12:50] “I think that if you don't have someone that's bought into your vision, don't even consider them,” Mandi advises listeners. “It doesn't matter how good of an applicant they are.Tthey're not bought into what you're doing. They're never going to fight for your vision. They're never going to be part of it. Just keep looking.” [14:39] To attract and retain top talent you need to build a world-class culture that inspires people to work for your company for reasons beyond just money. To do this, you must prioritize employee well-being and satisfaction. [20:33] How John, Barry, and Finn were able to enjoy a happier lifestyle by embracing the hands-off approach. [21:23] “We need to be able to have that ability to be able to step back and have this business to continue, generate income for ourselves, income for everyone on our team, and not have to just completely pause it or shut it down or any of those things when life does happen,” Mandi remarks. [34:30] KEY QUOTE: "The reason why you can generate more growth in the business is because it's not directly tied to your time. That's how you remove yourself as the bottleneck to growth, and it allows you to create that next-level lifestyle that you really want and the reason why you started the business in the first place." - Mandi Ellefson  Resources: Mandi Ellefson on LinkedIn | Email | Twitter Ross Mayfield Episode 65 - How Shifting From Freelance To CEO Added $1M Of Growth To This Startup Consultancy with Josh LaMar and Marcelo Chinellato Hands-Off CEO

This is the first episode of a 2-part series on the Hands-Off CEO podcast, where you'll hear host Mandi Ellefson being interviewed by Ross Mayfield, a copywriter and marketing strategist on her team. The conversation takes a deep dive into the mission behind Hands-Off CEO, and you'll hear stories of clients who have experienced real transformations in their business through challenging circumstances. You'll also learn about the topic of "letting go" and the importance of building a culture of accountability and urgency within your organization.  Key ideas you'll hear: Mandy is writing a book called "Hands Off CEO" which shares the transformation processes her clients go through. [3:22] The book shares a story of Tonya Corby McLeod, a CEO who was able to get her weekends back, find more profit, and delegate her business to her team with the help of Scale to Freedom. Despite facing personal tragedy, Tonya's business continued to run effectively, and she was able to take time off without worrying about the company. Tonya was able to sell her company to her team and apply the same principles and systems to her husband's ten inherited companies. [4:05] The aim of Scale to Freedom is to support clients in creating a sustainable business that acts as a wealth-building asset and provides opportunities for their team. [12:11] CEO's #1 job is to work on the vision and inspire the team. [21:22] The biggest challenge holding back growth is often the CEO themselves, who need to become better leaders, oversee management structures, and uplift the culture to create accountability. [27:35] Culture change can happen quickly in a matter of weeks and is often a mindset issue and opportunity to shift. [28:58] The CEO's focus has to shift from doing things themselves to getting the same or better performance from others. Shift from managing people to managing agreements and build a team of people who can define success. [30:05] Hire people with a sense of urgency to build a culture of urgency towards executing the company vision. [31:05] KEY QUOTE: “There's this expectation that we need to manage people, and the reality is we can't manage people. You cannot manage a person. All you can do is manage an agreement between people.” - Mandi Ellefson “What we're about doing is helping them bring their very best gifts to the world in a bigger way, to really unlock their ability to impact the lives of others by generating more growth, sustainability and profits in their company.” - Mandi Ellefson Resources: Mandi Ellefson on LinkedIn | Email | Twitter Ross Mayfield Hands-Off CEO

In this week's episode of Hands-Off CEO, Sharon Toerek discusses how to streamline legal decision-making in your business. She joins host Mandi Ellefson to share insights on setting up systems for making informed legal choices and delve into the importance of master service agreements and key components of a legal service agreement. You will also learn practical tips specifically for agencies and gain a deeper understanding of how to separate CEO involvement in day-to-day operations.  Sharon Toerek is a marketing law and IP lawyer serving agencies through her company Legal + Creative | Toerek Law. She is also the host of the Innovative Agency Podcast. She is a former President of AAF Cleveland and serves on the American Association of Advertising Agencies (4A) Legal Consultant panel. With expertise in IP protection, marketing agency relationships, and social media laws, Sharon writes and lectures on these topics in the advertising industry.  Key Ideas: “We spend a lot of time helping agencies understand and plan for the fact that the intellectual property they create is not only a bargaining chip in the agency-client contract negotiation, but you're also creating assets for yourself,” Sharon tells Mandi. Agencies need to protect their intellectual property as assets for future monetization and efficiency. [4:50] The biggest mistake in contract negotiation is not treating it as part of the client experience and not planning for it. Focusing on the "3 Ds" (dollars, deliverables, deadlines) is easy, but you can miss important details in the Master Service Agreement. Contracting with clients requires thoughtfulness; it can be streamlined with good upfront processes and systems. [5:42] Essential elements to be included in Master Service Agreement: Term and termination Intellectual property language, IP ownership and transfer, ensuring work rights are assigned only after payment Reserving IP right for agency, carve out of IP language and proprietary information Liability and indemnification, capping party's liability based on revenue Exclusivity and restrictive covenants, non-solicitation of each other's talent [10:25] Mandi remarks that agencies struggle to use case studies as they are not allowed to share the results of their work with clients. This creates a lack of feedback loop which is crucial in improving their work. As such, she believes that you should not even consider working with clients who won't allow your agency to use their case studies as reference. [14:21] As agencies grow, they will need to rely on freelancers, contractors, and partners to service their clients. This requires having well-drafted agreements in place to solidify these relationships and protect all parties. Agencies should be systematic about training their team on their legal infrastructure and Master Service Agreement to avoid conflicts with clients. [17:45] KEY QUOTE: “It's inevitable that your business is going to expand more quickly than your internal team does. So, inevitably, you're going to need freelancers, contractors, strategic partners to help you service particular projects or clients. You need to be thinking about the documents and agreements that will solidify those relationships and protect all the parties, not only because you want to protect the agency, but because if you've made a promise to the client in your contract with them, it really needs to be reflected in your agreement with these other parties.” - Sharon Toerek Resources Sharon Toerek on LinkedIn | Twitter | Email Legal + Creative

Growth as a CEO often looks like more stress, more responsibility, too much work, and not enough profit. Even if making good money, many businesses are slowed by how little profits they retain. Real profitability is what a CEO would actually make if they were paid at market rate instead of their own salary. But how do you measure that? Mandi Ellefson shares how to calculate your business' real profits in this solo episode of Hands-Off CEO. Key Ideas: It is common for CEOs of consultancy firms to rake in loads of money without retaining much profit, which ultimately diminishes over time. Their accounting may even be wrong. Mandi discusses why this happens. “If you don't know [how much profit you're actually bringing into your business]... you don't have an accurate benchmark to start [growing your company from],” she adds. [1:01] When calculating your profit, start with your gross sales. [2:08] The market rate of a CEO who is able to generate millions of dollars of growth in their company is much more than $100,000 a year. [2:55] Having low profits as a CEO does not mean that you're not making good money or that your company isn't good - it just means that there is a wide gap, and therefore an opportunity, to create a sustainable business that you'll be able to run hands-off. [4:56] Before cutting down costs and generating more sales to increase profit, consider this: with your current offer, are you generating enough income from your existing clients and the news ones you're onboarding to reach your goals? [5:44] Gross profit margin refers to how much each individual client project costs to deliver before your overhead. [7:56] The Hands-Off CEO team helps clients build an irresistible offer in four weeks. They have helped beauty and skincare brands generate $10 million of profitable growth using this process. [9:37] KEY QUOTE “[You double] gross profit margins by getting really clear and focused on what direction you want to grow your business in.” Resources Mandi Ellefson on LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook Hands-Off CEO - Executive Briefing

How do you determine if the direction your company is taking is the right one? Mandi Ellefson discusses an effective formula for devising the right scalability plan, and shares a step-by-step guide. Key Ideas: If you haven't established clarity in your vision, it's easy for your business to end up taking detours. You may eventually reach the right path, but not without wasted time, energy, and resources. Creating a clear vision is the first step to selecting the right scalability plan. Adding a couple hundred thousand dollars to your business doesn't require the robust plan that adding $5 million does.  You need to look for a roadmap that considers your business model, what you want your life to look like, the profit you want to take home, and how many hours a week you want to work. You can draw inspiration from successful business leaders who have scaled businesses similar to yours. How can you increase your fees up to 600%? Hands-Off CEO has the answer. Mandi invites listeners to the annual growth planning workshop hosted by Hands-Off CEO to help clients take their businesses to the next level.  Resources Mandi Ellefson on LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook Hands-Off CEO - Executive Briefing

There is a big misconception around operations, sales, and marketing and how they all intersect. Mandi Ellefson debunks some of these misconceptions and discusses how operations and sales impact scalability in a consulting agency. Key Ideas: Most approaches to scaling a consulting agency are actually more applicable to scaling a general company - they don't account for the nuances of a consulting agency.  Many operational challenges in a consulting agency are actually sales challenges. The root problem is the abundance of variability in the services you offer due to how you generate clients. If you're only relying on referrals, it can keep you in an entrapment growth model where you keep delivering whatever you get asked to do. You can't build repeatable processes around that much variability. To avoid getting stuck in the entrapment growth model, you need to curate a compelling offer with an equally compelling outcome. One of the first steps to doing this is identifying who your ideal client is. When you help a client see a bigger vision for their company and services, they're willing to pay more and invest sooner.  After creating your client map that clearly articulates your compelling offer, you should pass it on to your operations leader, who can now use it to operationalize your services so you can be more hands-off. Resources Mandi Ellefson on LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook Hands-Off CEO - Executive Briefing

Increasing your prices by 5-10% to keep up with inflation is not the type of price adjustment that will reposition your company and set you up for successful growth. In this episode, Mandi Ellefson will explain in detail how to increase your fees by 50-200% by attracting an entirely different kind of client. All you have to do is be very intentional about the type of growth that you want for your business. How do you do that? It all starts with an irresistible offer that the right prospects want to buy from you. Then, define the minimum client standards you need to deliver that offer by qualifying and quantifying them. Her advice: Choose to work with a higher-level client and make sales a priority. In the end, it's all about a mindset.   Links 440 - Show Notes Mandi's website Mandi's LinkedIn Cloud Consultants Collective SendSpark Join our newsletter   Connect With Paul  On LinkedIn On Facebook On Twitter: @PaulHiggins555 On Instagram: @paulhigginsmentoring Email: Paul@paulhigginsmentoring.com   Thank You for Tuning In!

Delegating ownership frees up time for CEOs so they can focus on the business. Mandi Ellefson talks about the right way to let go of your business and hand the reins over to capable leaders, and how this helps you actually work on growing the business. Key Ideas: The challenge with delegating ownership is that if you don't scale the right way, you'll find that your client results start to decline, Mandi shares. Oftentimes, you can find yourself in a position where you need to be hands-on with the project in order to fulfill promises you make to clients. This is the entrapment cycle. [2:38] “One of the things that we've noticed is that a company can have a really great operations leader, but if they don't have years of experience operationalizing a custom high ticket service, then they're going to really struggle to be able to make that work in the company,” Mandi explains. [5:11] Hands-Off CEO helped one of their clients, Jack, reposition their business to a subset of the part of the business that they were already doing, and create a compelling offer. This enabled them to bring in multiple six figure types of clients. [9:06] You don't hire strategists - you train them. [11:07] Many CEOs mistakenly believe that they manage people.  In fact, they manage agreements between people. This mindset makes it easier to define and communicate what success looks like and what expectations leaders have for their teams. [12:42] Resources Mandi Ellefson on LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook Hands-Off CEO - Executive Briefing

What defining moments or milestones have happened to you along the way towards your current level of success? Mandi Ellefson shares her story as she discusses milestones that people typically experience in their business journey, and how to identify and address common challenges. Key Ideas: Very few business women ever reach 7 figures in their company.  “Whenever there's a certain goal that we are shooting for, the gap [between it and us] personifies itself as something external, but the biggest reason we don't have it is because we are not being the person who can actually have that yet.” Mandi talks about how she used to allow the limiting belief that she couldn't be successful professionally and have a happy marriage affect her personal life, and how she overcame it. The build-up and breakthrough cycle in business shows up as recurring patterns of frustration or challenges you can't seem to beat, but they're actually lessons in disguise. As soon as you find the lesson and learn it, you shift into a different leader and gain access to doors that were previously closed to you. How does the leader who works 30 to 40 hours a week show up? Mandi encourages listeners to reflect on their breakthroughs and figure out the patterns that will elevate them to becoming a hands-off CEO. Resources Mandi Ellefson on LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook Hands-Off CEO - Executive Briefing

How can you succeed while doing less? Focusing on the present may allow you to create more value. Mandi Ellefson describes her Wim Hoff ice bath meditation experience as she shares tips on overcoming fear.  Key Ideas: Taking deep breaths to center yourself grounds you in the present and helps you see past your fear. Mandi describes how she was able to shift from fight-or-flight to a place of calm. “I went from suffering to surrender,” she explains. This shift changed her perception of the experience, not the experience itself. [5:09] As you scale, the challenges don't become easier; they become larger. What changes is our ability to cope. We become so adept at managing them that they seem small as we continue to grow. [6:23] People tend to react to fear in three ways: resistance, avoidance, or owning it. [7:35] The word ‘responsible' actually refers to the ability to respond. Being responsible allows us to create anything that we want and do it on our own terms, proactively. [10:19] Resources Mandi Ellefson on LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook Hands-Off CEO - Executive Briefing

This week we have a replay of one of Hands Off CEO's most popular episodes. Mandi Ellefson is discussing why popular scaling advice is terrible for consulting agencies. She shares insights about marketing, systems, and what you should actually do to scale. You'll hear Mandi talk about: “Do you really want to systematize and accelerate a process that's just getting okay and mediocre results?” Mandi shares a story about a company that grew from referrals, but was challenged when they attempted proactive marketing. [1:25] “Your marketing could be telling stories to support the promises you make to clients,” Mandi says. “With a clear and compelling message, you can then build a solid go-to marketing strategy that can work even with the coldest of traffic.” [6:14] “If you don't have the cash flow and profit to pay people to replace yourself, that's what keeps you, as a CEO, stuck in your business.” In order to be sustainable, you have to have enough of the right systems. [8:57] “Do you really want to go out and sell something if you're not sure it's going to work?” Mandi discusses the integrity of scaling when you're not sure of your product. [11:30] Resources Mandi Ellefson on LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook Hands-Off CEO - Executive Briefing

Mandi Ellefson shares how leaders can drive rapid growth in their company beyond themselves in this solo episode of Hands-Off CEO. You'll hear Mandi talk about: Convincing someone to do something: they have to want to do it, and money isn't the most reliable incentive. [1:32] The food chain of passion. “If you don't have a lot of passion, then neither will your team.” [3:43] The secret to growing your company beyond you. “What is the bigger reason for why you're scaling? What is the impact that you could potentially be making in the world?” [5:27] How an inspired team affects performance and engagement. “I am here because I love [the company], I'm inspired by it, I'm excited, and I don't feel like I'm working.” [7:29]   Resources Mandi Ellefson on LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook Hands-Off CEO - Executive Briefing

What do you need to put in place to generate cash flow? Are you ready to hire the right people to support your growth? Mandi Ellefson discusses how to take advantage of the buying season to increase business growth. She advises CEOs to get out from under day-to-day operations, freeing up time for more strategic planning. Key Ideas: Quarter 4 is when your clients and prospects are pulling out their budgets, Mandi says, and thinking about what they can do differently in the upcoming year. “Most consulting agencies are too busy to take full advantage of this buying season,” she claims. “They're very reactive during this time… meanwhile your proactive competitors are reaching out to all [your] prospects.” [1:07] Your job as the CEO is to proactively look ahead for ways to grow the business. If you're too busy running it, you won't have time to grow it. [2:39] Hands-Off CEO helped a client create an irresistible offer for the most profitable clients in their business within 90 days. Their sales conversions went through the roof, allowing them to tap into their existing network and even some of their existing clients. Now, they're able to bring in clients at $20,000 a month. All this came from the CEO having the time and focus to go after business, knowing and trusting that his team could follow through. [3:23] According to Mandi, getting out of account and project management frees up about 20 hours per week, depending on the size of the company and how involved the CEO already is in the day-to-day of them. [6:29] You need to ensure that you actually have the financial foundation in your company so that your profitability increases as you scale. [8:26] Resources Mandi Ellefson on LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook Hands-Off CEO - Executive Briefing

The right executive assistant is the Chief Bottleneck Breaker of your company. This role should NOT be ignored. Mandi Ellefson discusses how an executive assistant can free up 20 hours per week, and why this role is especially relevant for CEOs. Key Ideas: Mandi's own experience can attest to the benefits of an executive assistant, as hers was able to free up no less than 20 hours per week by doing a lot of the soul-sucking tasks that Mandi hated doing. CEOs should keep in mind, however, that it should be a long term position. An EA isn't there to only get the little things off their plate [2:18] One of the roles of a CEO is sourcing good talent. This doesn't mean you have to be hypervigilant; it means your team can run a hiring process completely without you, and you can just show up in the last stages. [5:00] A good EA should be able to protect you, your schedule, and your energy from all the outside influences trying to get at you, Mandi shares. [10:39] If hiring a remote EA, consider hiring someone in the same timezone as you. Think about the longevity of the position; this is someone you're going to want staying for 3+ years in the company. Would they stick around if your waking and working hours are bedtime in their timezone? [21:31] Mandi recommends having candidates perform a Kolbe A assessment, which measures the instinctive ways you take action when you strive. Look for someone with a high Fact Finder score, especially one whose score is six or above. Ideally, you want someone whose score is at least a couple points higher than the CEO's. [27:55] Resources Mandi Ellefson on LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook Hands-Off CEO - Executive Briefing Kolbe A Index

Leading an organization is a big responsibility. But it does not mean we have to drown and stretch ourselves too thin. Even better, we can actually lead without working (and being) neck-deep in the company. Sounds impossible? Let Mandi Ellefson of Hands-Off CEO share how you can run your business profitably without you! In this episode, she joins Michael Zipursky to tell us all about their company, what it means to be a hands-off CEO, and the steps that take you from being just one responsibility lighter to completely taking your time and space back as CEO. Whether you are a CEO or consultant, don't let yourself burn out by putting more and more on your plate. More work does not necessarily mean more profit. Learn the art of productivity and delegation as you join Mandi in this conversation on building a hands-off consulting business.Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://www.consultingsuccess.com/podcast

Increase your productivity without the strain? Yes, please! Executive assistants can make it happen. Mandi Ellefson shares how she cut 20 hours off her work week by hiring an executive assistant, and why every CEO should have one. Key Ideas: Trends are changing in the staffing industry, Mandi claims. Recently, it hasn't been as competitive as it has in the past. Through paid advertising, you're likely to find some really good candidates on LinkedIn. [4:06] If you could spend ten extra hours a week generating more sales, how much business could you bring in? Hint: it might be in the millions. Hiring an executive assistant to take care of the busy work frees up your energy and mental bandwidth so you can focus on tasks that are going to grow your company. [5:50] As a CEO, you should have an experienced EA. This doesn't necessarily mean someone with 2 decades under their belt, as they may not be up to speed with a lot of software or not excited to learn new things. You also need someone who fits your culture and values. [9:39] Avoid hiring people who are fractional resources. “I encourage you to have this role be 30-40 hours per week, [more of a] full-time job,” Mandi advises. It's not that they can't have other side hustles, but as EA is a role that requires you to have 100% access to them when you need to, your hours should match. [14:45] When screening EA candidates, you should ask specific questions and pay attention to the responses. Those that go into detail are usually more suitable; those that give vague answers are typically bluffing. [21:28] Resources Mandi Ellefson on LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook Hands-Off CEO - Executive Briefing Hiring for Attitude by Mark Murphy Topgrading by Bradford Smart

Reach your ideal prospects wherever they hang out - via LinkedIn or cold email or any other channel - and scale your consulting agency. Mandi Ellefson shares the five variables that make cold outreach work in this solo episode of Hands-Off CEO. Key Ideas: Use direct outreach to make money quickly if you're in a bind and need to bring in more clients. It's a good strategy to use as you build up your company, when you need to test new offers, or when you're pivoting your company. [3:04] “We want to move away from reliance on referrals.” Mandi says. Referrals are great, but they bring challenges that make it very difficult for your company to be sustainable if they are the only lead source that you have. “I would look at referrals as being a way to… target the right prospects and get them further up the funnel.” [4:40] The five variables you need to make cold outreach work are targeting, an attention grabbing hook, a compelling, nurturing process to educate and build desire, an irresistible offer, and a qualification process that paints an expansive vision. [6:45] Managing cold traffic goes through three phases: attracting, nurturing, and closing. [9:37] Mandi describes the ideal executive briefing. “[It's] an opportunity for you to help your prospects understand their problem at a deeper level than they could on their own and show them an alternative way to… generate much better results.” [14:26] Resources Mandi Ellefson on LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook Hands-Off CEO - Executive Briefing

What does your job look like when you start working on the business instead of working in it? Mandi Ellefson describes the three main roles that CEOs assume to maximize both their time in the business and the earning potential of the whole company in this solo episode of Hands-Off CEO. Key Ideas: A CEO is responsible for providing vision, accountability, and support. Vision encompasses growth strategy, mission, and culture; accountability involves setting and managing agreements, and support refers to the training and material support that employees need to be successful. [4:17] Most CEOs struggle when it comes to accountability and what it means to hold their people and themselves accountable. “People are not really manageable, but agreements are,” Mandi shares. “You can have agreements between two parties and manage those agreements - that's how you drive accountability.” [11:27] CEO productivity is not defined by what the CEO can do with their time but by getting work done to other people. [12:47] The entrepreneurial operating system (EOS) is the foundation for operating your business based on agreements, as described by the book Traction. Though it's a useful and practical guide, companies below $3-5M shouldn't put all of their time and energy into implementing all the tools in EOS. At that stage, they should expand their vision and install accountability pieces. [13:15] The integrator role in the EOS assigns too much responsibility to one person in a growth stage company. Instead, having an operations manager who works with a CFO is much more suitable. [15:18] Resources Mandi Ellefson on LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook Hands-Off CEO - Executive Briefing

Businesses are great sources of income, but you shouldn't have to keep working forever to build your wealth - and especially not after retirement. Mandi Ellefson explores how business owners can avoid this in this week's show. Key Ideas: Mandi shares how she first started seeing business as a vehicle for building wealth. [2:12] “We had seen all the advice about buying into the stock market in your 20's… and we made a conscious decision to wait and invest in our earning potential,” Mandi says. She and her husband were able to uniquely build their wealth even before her business went big. [5:47] Only 1% of businesses are actually sellable, Mandi claims. Even when business owners do sell, they often don't get the value they want when exiting their companies. Hands-Off CEO has helped their clients sell their businesses for more than they could've ever imagined by growing profits. It's not just about generating more sales - you need to first expand your gross profit margins and use that to generate the cash to scale. [8:08] Changing your client's perception of you from a cost center to a profit center is the key to quadrupling your fees, eliminating price resistance, and attracting the highest-paying clients in any market climate. [10:03] Resources Mandi Ellefson on LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook Hands-Off CEO - Executive Briefing

When difficulties arise, you want your business to be ready. Hands-Off CEO's Mandi Ellefson shares tips in scaling up your business for tough times.

There are CEOs who are adding millions of dollars to their annual revenue - the ultimate Hands Off CEOs. There are leaders who are able to scale their business profitably, and they have five traits in common. If you want to see the kinds of productivity and profitability that these top-performing CEOs are getting out of their teams and businesses, this episode is for you. Mandi Ellefson is sharing what you need to know in this week's show. Key Ideas: “The next level of growth [doesn't] come from the amount of work you're individually doing, but from the influence that you have over others and their ability to get work done through you,” Mandi shares. The essence of leadership is generating unlimited productivity through other people. [1:54] Top leaders are decisive. They don't procrastinate making decisions and are able to objectively assess and evaluate all the necessary factors before making those decisions. They may grapple with fear and uncertainty, but feel the fear and do it anyway.. [6:16] If you want to mobilize people, you need to rally them around your vision. A Top CEO's expansive vision is what sets the trailblazers that are creating the products and services that change ives apart from businesses that will stay small. [10:32] No one likes to be taken for granted. Be grateful for and celebrate those who help you grow from your colleagues to your team members. Giving praise where and when  it is due motivates your employees, and they become more committed to doing their best. [14:40] We're moving into a recession, and that is scary, but we can take our companies and teams to amazing places if we're working from a place of abundance. [19:10] Resources Mandi Ellefson on LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook Hands-Off CEO - Executive Briefing

In this week's solo episode of Hands-Off CEO, Mandi Ellefson explains how selling the wrong offer traps you in the company as CEO. You'll hear Mandi talk about: Mandi shares an example of selling the wrong package at the wrong time. [1:16] Hands-Off CEO takes their clients through an intensive and thorough process to generate growth. “It used to take us 6 to 9 months to actually help our clients implement this in their business, now we can do it in about 3 or 4 weeks.” [3:03] “What you should be doing is looking at what you can sell that will maximize the commitment from your clients,” Mandi advises. She describes why going for the easiest sale may not do you any favors. [5:17] You need clients who are willing to stick around for the long haul - if you don't have that commitment level, you're going to be selling them every month, over and over. [6:35] Resources Mandi Ellefson on LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook Hands-Off CEO - Executive Briefing

Mandi Ellefson's guests are Nikole Mackenzie and Ashley Carroll, founder and COO of Momentum Accounting. Momentum Accounting helps creative agencies and other professional service companies scale from $1 million to $10 million in annual recurring revenue. They are a 100% US-based, remote team of business-savvy accountants and technology experts who provide actionable insights and vision into the future so your business can grow faster, and more confidently. You'll hear Mandi, Nikole and Ashley talk about: Typically, businesses reach a point where their CEO is asking questions like: How much money can I take out of the business? How much can I pay myself? When can I hire the next employee? When can I offer benefits? Nikole shares how Momentum Accounting helps leaders answer these questions. [2:55] Pricing is the easiest low-hanging fruit you can change, Nikole says. Raising your prices and providing more value to your clients is going to significantly impact your business. “If you're [not] continually trying to add more value and more services, you're not going to grow.” [11:39] Ashley explores what to look for when bringing in a financial professional. “You definitely want [to work with] someone you're comfortable with,” she suggests. There are a lot of complex emotions around money that may cause some insecurity, and the right fit will make you feel comfortable to share what's actually going on in your business. [21:18] Mandi and Ashley discuss what CEOs need to consider before exiting the financial side of the business and the importance of invoicing. [33:47] You should be spending 2-4% of your revenue on your accounting and finance function, according to Nikole. Additionally, there's a diverse array of service providers in the accounting space, and everyone does things differently, so you should shop around when hiring a financial professional. “Don't just go with the first person that raises their hand or [the first person] you get referred to.” [43:20] Resources Momentum Accounting Ashley Carroll on LinkedIn Nikole Mackenzie on LinkedIn Mandi Ellefson on LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook Hands-Off CEO - Executive Briefing

Building tribes can benefit everyone, especially when it comes to business. Someone in the tribe wants to sell their business, who will they go to first? Some stranger or their tribe? It's important to let your tribe build trusting relationships by themselves. That is what Mandi Ellefson did with her tribes. Mandi is the founder of Hands-Off CEO. Discover how she created a tribe with a hands-off approach and the benefits it offers. Learn how building a tribe can further help you in your development and growth. Join your host Mitch Russo as he gets Mandi to tell you why tribes are important to business and yourself and how you can start writing your tribe manifesto today!Listen in as we explore the building of a community, the passion behind the mission and the people who go to great lengths to change the world and attract only those who are fully aligned with their vision.Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://mitchrusso.com/

Having a great community is important in any business. Do you know how you could build your tribe? Do you have what it takes? It's time to level up your game and have a big transformation professionally! Mitch Russo talks with Mandi Ellefson about a system of organization and delegation. Mandi is a sales and marketing executive focused on creativity and compassion for people. In this episode, she discusses a methodology that would help businesses grow and prosper. Tune into this episode and learn what you can do to build a tribe, create an experience with great engagement, and scale your business! Listen in as we explore the building of a community, the passion behind the mission and the people who go to great lengths to change the world and attract only those who are fully aligned with their vision.Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://mitchrusso.com/