
Lazy Leverage
Talking about using leverage in life and business.
Latest episodes

Dec 11, 2024 • 32min
Why Your Service Business Needs Manufacturing Principles (And How to Apply Them) | Lazy Leverage #36
Sagan's Head of Operations Hugo shares how manufacturing principles can revolutionize remote work, why trust trumps experience in global teams, and how to empower (not just delegate to) your international workforce. Learn how he transitioned from traditional manufacturing to leading a 50-person global team in just 50 days.
Timestamps
(00:22) Introduction and Hugo's background
(01:25) Hugo's passion for lean manufacturing
(04:36] Operational excellence as differentiation
(08:40) Quality control in service vs manufacturing
(11:25) Leading team transitions and respecting history
(12:58) Building trust in remote teams
(15:47) Documentation and communication practices
(17:49) Rapid integration of new leadership
(29:04) Final thoughts on operational excellence
Stay connected for more insights and strategies by following
Jon: @MatznerJon on X and at lazyleverage.beehiiv.com
Peter: @pslohmann on X and at peterlohmann.com

Dec 4, 2024 • 44min
The Boy Who Cried Deadline | Lazy Leverage #35
When a key team member leaves, should you take it personally? Jon and Peter explore opposing views on employee loyalty, deadline management, and what it really means to build a sustainable business in today's environment.
Timestamps
(00:34) Welcome and Show Introduction
(01:05) Key Team Member Departure Discussion
(04:06) Small Business Backup Systems
(09:14) Remote Work Possibilities
(13:11) Managing Employee Departures
(21:53) The Deadline Discussion
(27:20) EOS and Priority Management
(31:00) Calendar Management Strategies
(37:34) Business Competition Philosophy
(40:18) YouTube Channel Recommendations
Stay connected for more insights and strategies by following @MatznerJon and @pslohmann on Twitter and subscribing to our newsletter at lazyleverage.beehiiv.com.

Nov 27, 2024 • 55min
Stop Writing SOPs Before You Hire (and Other Uncomfortable Truths) | Lazy Leverage #34
This is the raw, unfiltered conversation about what actually works in property management. Jon and Peter share their biggest revelations about leadership, systems, and why being 'fair' to all clients might be your biggest mistake. Plus: The uncomfortable truth about why your top clients keep leaving (and what to do about it).
Timestamps
(00:00) Introduction and recent wins
(02:00) Debunking the "you need an audience" myth
(06:07) New approach to SOPs and documentation
(11:40) Developing people vs. developing processes
(00:19:22) Management dynamics
(00:28:45) Premium service tiers discussion
(32:00) Customer communication case study
(40:15] Building a signature client program
(45:50) AI and automation opportunities
(50:52) Key takeaways for work and family balance
Stay connected for more insights and strategies by following
Jon: @MatznerJon on X and at lazyleverage.beehiiv.com
Peter: @pslohmann on X and at peterlohmann.com

Nov 19, 2024 • 35min
Stop Trading Time for Money: A Consultant's Guide to True Leverage | Lazy Leverage #33
Sick of trading hours for dollars in your consulting business? You're not alone. Join Jon Matzner and Dan Kirner as they rip apart the traditional consulting model and show you exactly how to build real leverage. Through real-world examples and zero-fluff strategies, they reveal how to spot golden opportunities in your market, transform your services into products, and scale without losing your mind. Whether you're just starting out or looking to break through your current ceiling, this episode is your blueprint for consulting that actually scales.
Timestamps:
(00:00) Welcome and Dan's Background
(00:32) From Time-for-Money to Scalable Solutions
(02:17) Breaking Down Real Leverage in Consulting
(03:43) The Productization Blueprint
(07:05) Building Systems That Scale
(11:19) How to Find Your Perfect Market Fit
(21:34) Solving the Sales Puzzle Without Complex Funnels
(25:28) Combining Skills for Maximum Impact
(33:55) Key Takeaways and Connect with Dan
Stay connected for more insights and strategies by following
Jon: @MatznerJon on X and at lazyleverage.beehiiv.com
Dan: @DanKirner on X and at remixalot.com

Nov 14, 2024 • 57min
The Hidden Truth About Your Email Problem (And Why It's Not About Email) | Lazy Leverage #32
Ever wonder why your inbox feels like a never-ending game of whack-a-mole? Join Peter Lohmann and Jon Matzner as they expose why email overload is actually a symptom of deeper business issues. Through candid conversation and real-world examples, they demolish common productivity myths and reveal their battle-tested system for taking control of your communication. From the controversial truth about quick response times to the game-changing difference between tasks and projects, this episode delivers actionable insights that will transform how you work. Whether you're drowning in notifications or just tired of email running your life, this is the wake-up call you need.
TIMESTAMPS
(00:00) Introduction and The Email Crisis
(04:00) Why Email Problems Are Really Leadership Problems (6:21)
(10:00) Breaking Free from the "Quick Response" Trap
(15:00) The Right Way to Use Tools Like Slack and Email
(22:00) Project Management: The Missing Piece
(30:00) From Chaos to Control: Building Your System
(38:00) The Power of Task Capture and Weekly Reviews
(45:00) Creating Action-Based Project Plans
(53:00) Future of Work: Bridging Physical and Digital
Stay connected for more insights and strategies by following
Jon: @MatznerJon on X and at lazyleverage.beehiiv.com
Peter: @pslohmann on X and at peterlohmann.com

Nov 8, 2024 • 35min
Stop Having Your Best People Do Everything: A Guide to Work Design | Lazy Leverage #31
Jon Matzner and Peter Lohmann break down the art and science of 'architecting the way work gets done' - a crucial skill for any business owner looking to scale. From handling employee resistance to identifying bottlenecks, learn how to design work systems that unlock growth while keeping your best people happy. Plus: sneaky tips for spotting AI responses in hiring, and game-changing iPhone features you didn't know existed.
Timestamps
(00:00) Intro and casual catch-up
(04:15) Understanding "architecting the way work gets done"
(11:40) The Henry Ford approach to work design
(15:45) Why employees resist systems (and how to handle it)
(21:43) Identifying and working with business bottlenecks
(26:50) The Korean spa button: A lesson in smart work design
(27:58) Using accountability charts effectively
(30:10) Tech tips: Gmail link copying and iPhone call recording
(32:30) Clever hiring tip: Catching AI responses in job applications
Stay connected for more insights and strategies by following
Jon: @MatznerJon on X and at lazyleverage.beehiiv.com
Peter: @pslohmann on X and at peterlohmann.com

Nov 6, 2024 • 33min
How to Hire Global Talent Like a Pro with Anna Doshlygina | Lazy Leverage #30
Ever wonder what happens when you mix Moscow State economics, Oklahoma middle school, and global talent acquisition? Meet Anna, Sagan's secret weapon in member success. In this no-BS conversation, she breaks down why some businesses crush it with global talent while others barely scratch the surface. From navigating cultural bridges to building trust-based partnerships, Anna shares the unfiltered truth about what makes global hiring work. Whether you're a startup founder or running a PE firm, this episode is packed with actionable insights that'll transform how you think about global talent integration.
Timestamps
(00:00) Meet Anna: From Moscow to Global Talent Success
(03:05) Inside Look: Modern Russian Economic Theory
(07:41) Global Relations: Russia, Israel, and International Dynamics
(10:49) Cultural Intelligence: Learning English in Oklahoma
(15:53) The Secret Sauce: What Makes Members Successful
(19:54) Broker vs. Advisor: Why the Difference Matters
(22:39) Communication is King: The Feedback Loop
(23:55) Size Doesn't Matter: From Startups to Billion-Dollar PE
(28:05) What's Next: Innovation in Member Success
(31:28) Golden Rules for New Members
Stay connected for more insights and strategies by following
Jon: @MatznerJon on X and at lazyleverage.beehiiv.com
Peter: @pslohmann on X and at peterlohmann.com

Oct 31, 2024 • 53min
Breaking Free from the MORE MORE MORE Trap | Lazy Leverage #29
Ever wonder how top performers actually work less while achieving more? In this episode, Jon Matzner and Peter Lohmann dive deep into the counterintuitive world of 'lazy leverage,' where working at 80% effort yields better results than grinding at 100%. From project management approaches using Slack to the power of seasonal thinking in business, they share battle-tested strategies for maximizing output while minimizing stress. Plus, discover why your best ideas might come while sitting in a hot tub (seriously). Whether you're a CEO looking to work smarter or a team leader seeking better systems, this episode is your blueprint for strategic laziness.
Timestamps
(00:00) Welcome to Lazy Leverage
(01:33) Understanding Natural Work Rhythms
(02:40) The 80/20 Rule of Effort and Anxiety
(06:20) Strategic Rest and Recovery Periods
(08:00) CEO Time: Making Space for Big Picture Thinking
(15:54) Modern Project Management Challenges
(26:23) Leveraging Slack for Team Organization
(28:42) Task Force vs Permanent Team Structure
(32:02) Building Effective Kanban Systems
(34:45) The Evolution of Company Structure
(37:41) GTD Principles in Project Management
(41:13) Leadership Through Prioritization
(50:41) Takeaways and Reading Recommendations
Stay connected for more insights and strategies by following @MatznerJon and @pslohmann on Twitter and subscribing to our newsletter at lazyleverage.beehiiv.com.

Oct 24, 2024 • 33min
The Four Data Systems: A Framework for Scaling Team Communication | Lazy Leverage #28
In this episode of Lazy Leverage, Jon and Binsi tackle the universal challenge of scaling team communication beyond the 30-person mark. They break down their revolutionary "four data types" framework - database, reference, ad-hoc, and project-based communication - while exploring how to effectively leverage tools like Slack, Airtable, and Notion. Through practical demonstrations and real-world examples, they show how to transform chaotic communication into streamlined project management, complete with insights on their preferred GTD-inspired workflow and an innovative approach to KPI-based team organization.
Timestamps
(00:00) Introduction and Greetings
(01:28) Consolidating Information
(02:45) Data Types and Tools
(04:26) Project Management Discussion
(06:22) Choosing the Right Tools
(09:16) Implementing Slack for Project Management
(16:50) Practical Slack Demonstration
(22:45) Reflecting on Past Project Management
(24:45) Command and Control in Projects
(28:53) Organizing Teams Around KPIs
(31:59) Final Thoughts and Reorganization
Stay connected for more insights and strategies by following @MatznerJon on Twitter and subscribing to our newsletter at lazyleverage.beehiiv.com.

Oct 22, 2024 • 21min
Hiring Hacks Unlocked: Debunking Recruitment Myths with Sofia Bravo | Lazy Leverage #27
In this insightful and candid episode, Jon Matzner teams up with Sofia Bravo, Sagan's Head of Recruitment, to dissect and debunk common hiring pitfalls. They explore why traditional job titles and strict budgets might be holding companies back, emphasizing the power of clear role descriptions and the right attitude over rigid experience. Expect real talk about the recruitment process, from the importance of responsive hiring practices to innovative strategies that ensure top candidates don't fall through the cracks. And stay tuned for some fun discussions about potential off-sites in
Mexico!(00:00) Introduction
(01:10) Sophia's Background and Role at Sagan
(4:08) Common Hiring Mistakes: Job Titles
(08:56) Common Hiring Mistakes: Budget Expectations
(10:42) Understanding Budget Tradeoffs in Hiring
(11:57) Challenges with Unrealistic Expectations
(13:40) The Value of Coachable Candidates
(17:07) Responsiveness in the Hiring Process
(19:08) Final Thoughts and Advice
Stay connected for more insights and strategies by following @MatznerJon on Twitter and subscribing to our newsletter at lazyleverage.beehiiv.com.
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.