Episode 724 | Managing Managers, Breaking Through Plateaus, Thoughts on EOS, and More Later-Stage Listener Questions
Jul 30, 2024
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Explore management tips for handling managers effectively with insightful strategies. Discover how to conquer MRR plateaus and the common challenges SaaS companies face. Learn the art of presenting your product at conferences without overselling. Understand the delicate balance between SaaS growth and agency work, while keeping your focus sharp. This discussion offers valuable advice for entrepreneurs looking to scale their businesses successfully.
Effective management of other managers requires nurturing a culture of feedback and implementing key performance indicators for accountability.
Breaking through MRR plateaus involves reflecting on growth factors and strategically allocating time between agency work and SaaS development.
Deep dives
Understanding Plateaus in Business Growth
Plateaus in business growth can occur unexpectedly and are often misunderstood by entrepreneurs. Achieving short-term success may lead to confusion about why it worked, particularly if there is no intentional strategy in place. Without the knowledge gained from overcoming challenges, entrepreneurs may struggle to pinpoint why they have plateaued or how to address potential issues. Reflecting on the various factors influencing growth can help them identify and correct underlying problems, allowing for sustainable progression beyond these stagnant periods.
Managing Managers Effectively
Transitioning from managing individual contributors to managing managers presents unique challenges for many leaders. To maintain their authority while staying informed about team dynamics, it's crucial to provide managers with essential resources on effective leadership and instill a culture of constructive feedback. Leaders should also implement key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor progress and maintain accountability without micromanaging. Conducting periodic skip level meetings can facilitate open communication and provide insights into team morale and individual development aspirations.
Navigating Conference Networking without Overselling
Attending conferences presents opportunities for networking but can be tricky if an individual is torn between genuine interaction and selling their product. The key lies in engaging others through authentic conversations rather than aggressive selling tactics. Participants should focus on being approachable and sharing insights on their products only when prompted by interest. Additionally, opportunities like attendee talks can provide a platform for sharing knowledge while discreetly promoting their work without the pressure of overt sales.
Balancing Agency Work and SaaS Aspirations
Building a software as a service (SaaS) product while relying on agency work for funding is a common dilemma among entrepreneurs. To maintain focus on the self-serve vision, it’s important to set clear boundaries and devise a disciplined approach to allocate time for both efforts. Entrepreneurs should consider outsourcing certain tasks or responsibilities associated with the agency work to free up time for pursuing their long-term SaaS objectives. Ultimately, carefully weighing the benefits of agency income against the potential of the SaaS venture can help in making strategic decisions regarding time and resource allocation.
In episode 724, join Rob Walling as he takes on some later-stage listener questions in another solo adventure. He provides several tips for managing managers, how to break through MRR plateaus, and how to think about SaaS versus agency work. Rob also offers his take on how he would talk about his product at conferences, without overselling it.
Topics we cover:
3:48 – Three tips for managing other managers
8:42 – Schedule “skip level” meetings
9:50 – Attending a conference without overselling
15:00 – Breaking out of the $20k-$30k MRR plateau
19:57 – How to keep your self-serve SaaS from becoming an agency
If you have questions about starting or scaling a software business that you’d like for us to cover, please submit your question for an upcoming episode. We’d love to hear from you!