This episode has it all! Richard shares how embedding "brown M&M" contract requirements helps you get what you want He also discusses how the TNT (takes no talent) parts of a business lead to success Joe provides an example: Respond to new leads shockingly quickly and meet your clients' enthusiasm Richard describes his tantric response to awkward silences (NSFW) Joe then accuses all of you of adopting a "Waiting Super Hard!" approach to sales and biz dev Richard explains you miss 100% of the shots you don't take Joe explains in sales "You Can't Lose!" and how that opens up the freedom to do the things you're not doing In a devastating finishing move, they describe how they know an agency is really in a bad spot: they redesign their website! It's like watching your friend decide to get bangs after a big break up. A redesigned site is a call for help!

Richard and Joe discuss the little cohort/therapy group they're in and how beneficial that relationship has become over the past year. Within that discussion Richard explains how effective it can be to manage communication patterns within a community, for example conducting types of conversations in person while conducting very different conversations within the same community online. He describes how powerful that contextualization can be as well as how that deliberate focus prevents the online conversation from cannibalizing IRL or other communities. If you manage complex communication with communities, teams, or clients this is a super practical episode.

There's a few big ideas in this week's episode. Richard makes a strong case that Pipedrive weighted outcome forecasting for open opportunities and leads is steering you wrong. It's 0% forecastable revenue until the check clears. Joe says tracking sales quarterly sets you up to fail. There are two selling seasons and two off-seasons every year, plan accordingly. Richard and Joe both illustrate how digital agencies in particular under-invest in sales, biz dev, and marketing. They discuss why this happens, the risks and challenges that follow, and alternatives worth exploring.

In our ongoing "Parenting Advice That's Not For Everyone" Richard and Joe explain in detail the benefits of arming your kids with humor, and how to make your kids funny. From the benefit of "banned books" to letting your kids funny their way out of trouble to shoving your 8-year-old into Victoria's Secret, this episode has it all.

This week Joe and Richard discuss some tactical tricks of the trade as well as examples from the industry and from popular culture. What's the value of showing a client a glimpse into a far future state of their project as a concept car? How does casting the vision far ahead dramatically improve the client's ability to be attracted to novel ideas, rather than poke holes based on their constraints? Great examples of how practitioners like Tracey Halvorsen, Dan Mall, and Anthony Colangelo are detailed along with a couple of famous superheroes Ryan Reynolds and Henry Cavill. Get inspired and inspire your collaborators!

This week Joe unpacks some old Happy Cog notebooks and they spark a conversation about our identity and relationship to our work. How revisiting previous versions of yourself and your experiences can reinvigorate your current status quo. And how to overcome the urge for perfect by embracing small experiments in progress.

This week we talk about reinforcing change with repetition. Consistently reinforcing new behaviors and processes to drive lasting change. Investing in talent growth by positioning your agency as a talent incubator. Leveraging alumni networks and expanding your agency's reputation and business opportunities. We also dig into Adapting to AI's impact and staying competitive as AI reshapes search behavior and client decision-making.

Discover the hidden challenges of running an agency for over seven years. The hosts dive into the pitfalls of seeking validation and the risks that come with inexperience. They explore why many owners feel burnt out and share strategies to reignite passion. With humor, they also critique agency consulting norms, encouraging a break from the overly prescriptive advice often given. It's a candid conversation that blends insights with a refreshing lack of formality.

In this episode, Joe and Richard explore the idea of blending work and life, highlighting the ability to mix business with pleasure on trips, and emphasize how midlife can be a time of reinvention rather than decline. The episode also touches on the benefits of running life "experiments" to explore new directions after major transitions like career changes or personal loss. Richard shares his thoughts on how turning 50 doesn’t mean slowing down—it’s an opportunity to live more creatively and intentionally. The hosts reflect on modern work flexibility, the value of staying physically fit, and the importance of making conscious choices about career, hobbies, and relationships to ensure a fulfilling second half of life.

The hosts dive into quirky morning rituals, exploring everything from cold plunges to humor in early wake-ups. They share funny cultural misunderstandings and the importance of recognizing accurate names shaped by colonial histories. Family tales and inside jokes bring laughter, while discussions on personal connections urge stepping away from traditional work settings. A retreat in the Austrian Alps promises transformative experiences, and the idea of a 'second harvest' suggests that the next 50 years could be even more fulfilling.