Schmidt List - Business Insights

In this episode of Schmidt List, host Kurt Schmidt sits down with Chris Dubois, coach and founder of Dynamic Agency OS, for an engaging conversation about the evolving world of marketing agencies and service-based businesses. Chris shares the unexpected journey from Army infantry officer to agency CEO and consultant, discussing the surprising parallels between military leadership and agency operations.Together, Kurt and Chris explore the unique challenges faced by agencies today, including the reliance on referrals, the fear of niching down, and the importance of clear positioning and culture in setting businesses apart in a saturated market. Chris breaks down how agency founders can move beyond scarcity mindsets, define their niche, and start building sustainable, purpose-driven companies.The conversation also delves into practical advice for agency owners struggling with leadership transitions, delegation, and creating alignment between personal values and business direction. Whether you’re a veteran agency leader, an entrepreneur, or just agency-curious, this episode is packed with actionable insights on building strong teams, sharpening your market position for 2026, and cultivating a winning culture. Tune in for stories, strategies, and a behind-the-scenes look at what really makes agencies thrive. Learn more about Chris and connect with his community at dynamicagencyos.com and on LinkedIn.DynamicAgencyOS.comLinkedIn.com/in/christopherrduboisVisit Schmidt Consulting Group for more show info!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/schmidt-list-business-insights--2664825/support.

https://sethrigoletti.com/In this engaging episode of the Schmidt List, host Kurt Schmidt interviews executive communication coach Seth Rigoletti to explore the art and science of leadership communication. Seth discusses his experience working with leaders from diverse industries—ranging from Fortune 500 firms to startups and breweries—addressing challenges like implementing change, inspiring teams, and presenting ideas effectively.The talk delves into why many business issues are essentially communication problems, emphasizing that leaders' presence and authenticity hold more weight than words alone. It also highlights the difference between merely delivering a message and genuinely connecting with your audience. Seth shares compelling historical stories, such as the “Semmelweis effect” and the influence of persuasion over authority. Listeners will gain practical tips on building trust, managing change, leading remote teams, and cultivating a culture where everyone feels valued. Whether you’re a new manager or an experienced executive, this episode offers valuable insights into collaborative leadership and effective communication.https://sethrigoletti.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/schmidt-list-business-insights--2664825/support.

In this compelling episode of the Schmidt List, host Kurt Schmidt sits down with Peter Bailey, President of the Prouty Project, for an in-depth conversation about the evolving nature of leadership.Together, they explore what it truly takes to build high-performing teams and cultivate healthy organizational cultures in today’s complex hybrid work environment, economic challenges, and shifting employee expectations. Drawing on decades of experience advising nonprofits and private companies, Peter shares invaluable insights into executive coaching, emotional intelligence, and why surface-level solutions—like personality tests—fail to address the deeper nuances of leadership development. Instead, he emphasizes the transformative power of vulnerability, empathy, and a dedication to personal growth, which are increasingly replacing outdated, top-down management styles.The discussion dives into real-world examples, from leading through the uncertainty of COVID-19 and remote work to guiding professionals as they transition from skilled practitioners to successful leaders. Peter and Kurt highlight common leadership pitfalls and share practical strategies to help leaders at every stage of their journey. Whether you're an aspiring manager, a seasoned executive, or simply passionate about empowering others to thrive, this episode provides actionable advice, thought-provoking stories, and fresh perspectives to elevate your leadership approach. Links Mentioned:Learn more about the Prouty Project: [Prouty Project Website]Connect with Peter Bailey on LinkedInWatch Peter’s TED Talk: Heroic Journey MindsetCheck out Kurt Schmidt’s book Solopreneur Connection on AmazonDon’t miss this conversation packed with wisdom, personal anecdotes, and leadership tools you can apply right away!Peter Ted Talk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJiTZyvrcAA Peter’s favorite quote https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7290530520499687428 Prouty L3 promo video (leading self, leading others, leading the business) https://proutyproject.com/prouty-l3-2025/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/schmidt-list-business-insights--2664825/support.

In this episode of "Schmidt List," host Kurt Schmidt engages with Sarah and Ashleigh from Messhill to discuss the art of strategic decision-making and organizational development. As seasoned professionals, Sarah and Ashleigh specialize in guiding leaders and teams through complex challenges, equipping them with the skills to tackle future decisions independently.They share valuable insights from their experiences, emphasizing the importance of understanding both internal and external dynamics while addressing organizational fatigue. The discussion also explores the impact of remote work on change management and the necessity of a flexible, supportive strategy to navigate ever-changing environments. Ashleigh introduces the fascinating concept of regeneration, drawing on ecological principles to improve organizational systems over time. This episode is a must-listen for those curious about how strategic decisions can embrace complexity while driving growth.Check out: https://www.messhill.comVisit https://schmidtconsulting.group for more from Kurt!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/schmidt-list-business-insights--2664825/support.

In this episode of Schmidt List, host Kurt Schmidt catches up with Callie Myers, founder and principal strategist at Common Marvel, a UX research and strategy consultancy.They reminisce about their past collaboration and delve into Callie's important work today, which includes helping product and business leaders create clarity, alignment, and growth. The conversation centers around user journey mapping and its impact on creating user-centered products and experiences. Callie explains the intricacies of user journey maps and service blueprints and how these tools can accelerate and enhance product development without interrupting ongoing work. Tune in to explore the value of external perspectives in identifying user insights and aligning business objectives with user needs.Connect with Callie!LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/calliemyers/ and https://www.linkedin.com/company/common-marvelWebsite - https://commonmarvel.com/Free Journey Mapping Guide - https://commonmarvel.com/journey-mappingBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/schmidt-list-business-insights--2664825/support.

In this compelling episode of Schmidt List, Jay Kallman takes on dual roles as host and guest to explore the intricacies of marketing within the franchise industry and B2B sectors. With over 15 years of marketing expertise, Jay shares her journey from working on the supplier side of franchising to founding her own agency, Revy Marketing. The discussion dives deep into the unique challenges of franchise marketing, highlighting how transparency and effective communication are vital for preventing disruptions and fostering satisfaction among stakeholders.Jay also sheds light on the pressing challenges businesses face today, particularly the difficulty of understanding customer needs in a rapidly evolving tech landscape shaped by advancements like AI. She emphasizes the critical role of trust and personalization in forging meaningful customer relationships. To help businesses improve engagement, Jay offers actionable advice, such as conducting interviews and building community-driven spaces to uncover key customer insights.Listeners will walk away with practical strategies for creating authentic connections with clients, addressing their core pain points, and humanizing marketing efforts to stand out in a competitive B2B environment. Jay champions simplicity, minimalism, and a personal touch as the cornerstones of a successful marketing approach.To learn more about Jay's work and insights, visit Revy Marketing's website or connect with her on LinkedIn. Jay also previews an exciting upcoming event, Women Driving Revenue, on February 27th, 2025.Connect with Jay!LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jay-kallman/revvy Marketing LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/revvy-marketingWebsite: www.revvy-marketing.com Women Driving Revenue Event: https://www.revvy-marketing.com/event-listBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/schmidt-list-business-insights--2664825/support.

Alex Boyd - Mastering LinkedIn with Enhanced StrategiesIn this insightful episode of Schmidt List, host Kurt Schmidt welcomes Alex Boyd, co-founder of Aware—an innovative tool designed to revolutionize your LinkedIn experience. Alex shares his remarkable journey, from founding and successfully exiting a thriving agency to creating Aware, a platform that empowers entrepreneurs, LinkedIn agencies, coaches, consultants, and sales professionals to work smarter, not harder, on LinkedIn.Together, Alex and Kurt explore the art and science of LinkedIn engagement, offering practical strategies to maximize your impact on the platform. Alex discusses the lessons learned from an initial product failure and how those setbacks ultimately led to developing a tool that significantly reduces the time spent on LinkedIn tasks while boosting productivity. He highlights the value of authentic relationship-building over spammy sales tactics, providing a roadmap for creating meaningful professional connections.Key Topics Covered:The inspiration and development of AwareChallenges and triumphs in transitioning from agency work to SaaSProven strategies for LinkedIn engagement and relationship-buildingThe dangers of automation and spam on LinkedInApproaching LinkedIn if it feels overwhelming or unappealingThe role of offline meetings in strengthening professional connectionsTips on creating impactful content and engagement strategies that drive resultsWhether you're a LinkedIn veteran or just starting to navigate the platform, this episode is packed with actionable advice and valuable insights to help you elevate your LinkedIn presence. Learn how to turn your activity on the platform into a powerful tool for business growth and professional success.Links and Resources:Connect with Alex Boyd on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/alexcboydExplore Aware: UseAware.coDon’t miss this episode, filled with expert guidance and real-world wisdom on leveraging LinkedIn to its fullest potential!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/schmidt-list-business-insights--2664825/support.

Podcast Title: Schmidt ListEpisode Title: Garrick: Mastering Pricing Strategies and Building Client ConfidenceDescription:In this episode of Schmidt List, host Kurt Schmidt welcomes Garrick, a pricing strategy expert specializing in B2B software and professional services. Together, they explore the art and science of pricing and how understanding the "why" behind c"in" decisions can drive agency growth and success.Key Topics Covered:Shifting the NarrativeMove beyond selling products. Learn how focusing on solving client business problems can significantly boost profitability.Building ConfidenceUnderstand how uncovering unpriced client value can instill confidence in creatives and founders, empowering better decision-making.Unbundling ServicesDiscover the advantages of unbundling service offerings to refine both pricing and delivery.Transparent PricingExplore the importance of upfront pricing to ensure alignment, build trust, and save valuable time.Evolving Billing PracticesHear Garrick’s journey to adopting annual retainers and value-based fees for greater efficiency and profit.Strategic Service ManagementGain insights into balancing building new services versus maintaining existing ones to optimize performance and revenue.Customer DevelopmentDiscover why strong customer development is crucial before investing further, with real-world examples to illustrate its importance.Cultural Challenges in the IndustryLearn how to tackle the persistence of hourly billing and embrace better project management practices.Garrick shares invaluable lessons, with Kurt teasing even more insights in future episodes. Don’t miss this conversation with actionable strategies to enhance your pricing approach and client relationships!Connect with Garrick:https://forstarters.substack.comhttps://linkedin.com/in/garrickvanburenhttps://cal.com/garrickhttps://throughconsulting.comSubscribe, rate, and review the Schmidt List podcast to stay up-to-date on the latest expert advice and industry insights!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/schmidt-list-business-insights--2664825/support.