When to Shut Up and Listen and When to Speak Up
Blair and David, as two white business leaders, try talking about the traumatic and emotional yet very necessary changes happening now to end systemic racism. As they listen and allow space for the voices of diversity that need to be heard, they also struggle with when to speak up as examples, owning up to their mistakes which will hopefully help lead the way for real change.
Critical Questions Your New Business Person Should Be Able to Answer
David is frequently surprised by how many new business people have trouble answering five particular important questions about their jobs and their firms.
The Hate Sandwich You're About to Eat
Blair gets David to share a part of his upcoming book about how all client relationships have a cycle of love-hate-love that we have to be prepared for and push through.
Will You Be My Friend
David expects to get in trouble discussing Blair's topic about the role of friendship in business—between sales people and prospects, account people and clients, and principals and employees.
Changes in the Agency Client Landscape
David and Blair try to predict the future about what principals of creative firms can expect in their relationships with clients as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact business.
Business As Unusual - Managing in a Pandemic
Blair and David address five common questions they have heard from creative entrepreneurs as they both have been helping firms navigate the economic changes being caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
When Rightsizing Makes Sense...And How to Do It
Given where the economy is currently heading, David offers a framework that can help principals of creative firms make those tough staffing decisions in a timely and considerate manner.
The Power of Options
David asks Blair to clarify his advice on offering proposal options and anchoring. Is it about more than just scope and price?
How Digital Firms Are Different
Blair and David record a live episode at the Orpheum Theater in New Orleans for Bureau of Digital’s Owner Summit.
The Impact of Agile in the Real World
David does all the heavy lifting for Blair in his recent article so they can finally discuss the overlap between Agile as a management method and pricing policy.
Phase Your Client Engagements
Blair wants firms to get paid to write their proposals, which is the first of his four phases of client engagement.
Understanding Account People
David keeps encountering clients who don’t appreciate how their account people actually contribute to their overall business, and Blair totally identifies with the traits that David describes.
What Leverage Do You Have With Client Contracts and MSAs?
Blair and David share their frustrations around some contracts that they have been asked to sign, making it clear why they are not attorneys.
When You Put Someone Else In Charge of Your Firm
David keeps seeing principals who get someone else to run their firm, which is not a good idea. Then he gets Blair's thoughts on why he thinks it happens.
Productized Vs Customized Services and Monthly Recurring Revenue
David and Blair lay out some of the reasons why they think, in most cases, agencies pursuing recurring revenue models are making a mistake.
Which RFPs Should You Respond To?
David brings up one of Blair's favorite topics: how they keep themselves and their clients from being trapped by requests for proposal.
A Podcast After-Action Review
Blair and David share what they have learned as they have recorded 2Bobs podcast episodes for almost 4 years - what has worked well, what has been challenging, and what they would recommend to those agency principals who might be considering their own podcast.
Common Traits of Success
Blair and David consider the hundreds of firms they have each worked with over the years to identify the characteristics of highest performing firms and what they have seen agency principals do to succeed.