The handsome and talented Louis Grenier joined me on Ditching Hourly to talk about the strategy behind writing, publishing, and launching his new book, Stand The F*ck Out. Links:Stand The F*ck OutBonuses for Ditching Hourly ListenersAI Summary:In this conversation, Jonathan Stark interviews Louis Grenier about his journey in marketing, the insights from his new book, and the strategies behind its launch. Louis discusses the importance of standing out in a crowded market, the principles of effective marketing, and the challenges he faced while writing and publishing his book. He shares his unique approach to launching the book, including innovative marketing strategies and the significance of personal branding. In this conversation, Louis Grenier discusses his unique approach to branding and product design, particularly in the context of his book launch. He shares insights on working with Lulu, the importance of prioritizing tasks during the launch, and the lessons learned from mistakes made along the way. The value of beta readers and the iterative feedback process in writing are emphasized, along with strategies for promoting and selling his book effectively. ----Do you have questions about how to improve your business? Things like:Value pricing your work instead of billing for your time?Positioning yourself as the go-to person in your space?Productizing your services so you never have to have another awkward sales call or spend hours writing another custom proposal?Book a one-on-one coaching call with me and get answers to these questions and others in the time it takes to get ready for work in the morning.Best of all, you're covered by my 100% satisfaction guarantee. If at the end of the call, you don't feel like it was worth it, just say the word, and I'll refund your purchase in full.To book your one-on-one coaching call, go to: https://jonathanstark.com/callI hope to see you there!

The author of “Going 1099: How To Become Solo Federal Sub-Contractor”, Dale Davidson, joined me on Ditching Hourly to discuss the journey of becoming a solo federal subcontractor.(00:00) - Introduction and Guest Welcome (00:17) - Dale Davidson's Background (00:49) - Navigating Hourly Billing in Government Contracts (01:39) - Transitioning to 1099 Subcontracting (04:01) - Importance of Security Clearance (05:51) - Client Relationships and Consulting (07:06) - Understanding Government Contracting (16:01) - Becoming a Prime Contractor (33:52) - Hiring Employees and Scaling Up (35:41) - Recruiting and Retaining Talent (36:24) - Scaling Up: Employees and Income (37:17) - The Soloist's Dilemma (38:53) - Challenges of Growing a Business (41:17) - The Admin Burden (48:02) - The Hourly Trap (49:39) - Government Contracting Insights (53:12) - Personal Stories and Advice (58:32) - Finding Your Niche and Passion (01:09:15) - Promoting the Book and Final Thoughts DALE’S LINKSDale’s BookDale’s LinkedInAI SUMMARYIn this conversation, Jonathan Stark and Dale Davidson discuss the journey of becoming a solo federal subcontractor, focusing on the challenges and opportunities within government contracting. They explore the nuances of hourly billing, the importance of security clearance, and the significance of client relationships. Dale shares insights on transitioning from employee to 1099 contractor, the role of subcontracting, and the complexities of government contracts. The discussion also touches on the mental shift required when moving from a corporate environment to self-employment, the importance of setting boundaries, and the value of understanding market demand.TAKEAWAYSHourly billing is the norm in government subcontracting.Security clearance can significantly increase your value in government contracting.Building strong client relationships is crucial for success as a contractor.Transitioning from employee to 1099 contractor offers more freedom and control.Subcontracting is a common practice in government work and can provide opportunities.Understanding the different types of government contracts is essential for contractors.Fixed price contracts are rare but can be negotiated successfully.Finding opportunities in government contracts requires diligence and networking. ----Do you have questions about how to improve your business? Things like:Value pricing your work instead of billing for your time?Positioning yourself as the go-to person in your space?Productizing your services so you never have to have another awkward sales call or spend hours writing another custom proposal?Book a one-on-one coaching call with me and get answers to these questions and others in the time it takes to get ready for work in the morning.Best of all, you're covered by my 100% satisfaction guarantee. If at the end of the call, you don't feel like it was worth it, just say the word, and I'll refund your purchase in full.To book your one-on-one coaching call, go to: https://jonathanstark.com/callI hope to see you there!

Advisory CFO, daily emailer, and podcast host Lauren Pearl joined me on Ditching Hourly to unpack the nuances of the pricing framework she uses with her start-up and small business clients. CHAPTERS(00:00) - DH358 Lauren Pearl - The Daily CFO Pricing Framework (00:09) - Lauren Pearl's Background and Role (02:08) - Client Types and Fit (04:18) - The Origin of the Pricing Framework (07:23) - Step-by-Step Pricing Framework (08:01) - Setting the Floor Price (20:47) - Setting the Ceiling Price (38:50) - Understanding Customer Decision-Making (40:15) - The Power of Post-Purchase Feedback (41:27) - Exploring Customer Value Perception (43:51) - Competitive Analysis and Market Expectations (47:40) - Pricing Strategies and Customer Commitment (01:09:55) - Experimentation and Continuous Improvement (01:14:18) - Where to Find Lauren Online LAUREN'S LINKSLauren’s LinkedInThe Daily CFO NewsletterThe Growth-Minded CFO Podcast ----Do you have questions about how to improve your business? Things like:Value pricing your work instead of billing for your time?Positioning yourself as the go-to person in your space?Productizing your services so you never have to have another awkward sales call or spend hours writing another custom proposal?Book a one-on-one coaching call with me and get answers to these questions and others in the time it takes to get ready for work in the morning.Best of all, you're covered by my 100% satisfaction guarantee. If at the end of the call, you don't feel like it was worth it, just say the word, and I'll refund your purchase in full.To book your one-on-one coaching call, go to: https://jonathanstark.com/callI hope to see you there!

Andrew Croasdale, a former police officer turned consultant, joined me on Ditching Hourly to discuss his transition from policing to consulting.(00:00) - Introduction and Guest Welcome (00:18) - Andrew's Background in Policing (01:05) - Transition to Consulting (05:11) - First Steps in Business (06:06) - First Client Experience (09:37) - Challenges of Small Business Owners (17:38) - Defining Governance and Leadership (26:25) - Diagnostic Approach in Consulting (29:10) - Cross-Referencing in Police Work (29:32) - Challenges in Communicating Strategic Objectives (29:48) - Overcoming Ego for Improvement (30:09) - Psychological Differences in Large vs. Small Organizations (31:27) - Resistance to Change in Large Companies (35:11) - The Importance of Psychological Safety (36:15) - Choosing the Right Company Size to Work With (37:11) - Balancing Impact and Satisfaction (41:04) - Implementing Values in Solopreneurship (43:58) - Defining Mission and Values (51:22) - Final Thoughts and Contact Information Andrew’s Links:- LinkedIn » https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-croasdale/- Website » https://octopusleadership.com/AI SUMMARYIn this conversation, Jonathan Stark interviews Andrew Croasdale, a former police officer turned consultant, about his transition from policing to the business world. Andrew shares insights on how his background in counter-terrorism policing informs his consulting work, particularly in enhancing governance and operational excellence for businesses. He discusses the importance of creating high-performing environments, the role of governance versus leadership, and the need for clear communication and structure within organizations. Andrew emphasizes that good governance can lead to improved team performance and customer service, ultimately benefiting the business as a whole. Andrew discusses the critical role of transparency in leadership and the importance of clear communication of strategic goals within organizations. He emphasizes the need to overcome ego and fear in order to foster a culture of improvement and psychological safety. The discussion also touches on the challenges faced when working with larger organizations compared to smaller businesses, highlighting the impact of organizational structure on decision-making. Additionally, Andrew shares insights on how solopreneurs can define their values and create alignment with their clients to drive business success.TAKEAWAYS- Andrew transitioned from policing to consulting to seek a change- His experience in policing helps him develop high-performing teams- Customer service quality significantly impacts people’s lives- Starting a business involves aligning passion, skills, and market value- His first client came from a casual conversation in a showroom- Small business owners often lack leadership training and support- Good governance is crucial for effective team performance- Clear communication and structure are essential for business success- High-performing environments require a holistic approach to governance- Leadership and governance are interconnected but distinct concepts- Transparency is essential for effective leadership- Assessing strategic goals requires open communication- Ego can hinder organizational change and improvement- Working with large organizations often involves navigating politics- Smaller businesses may allow for quicker decision-making and implementation- Creating governance structures is important for solopreneurs- Defining clear values helps align business practices with client expectations- Continuous improvement should be a focus for all businesses- Psychological safety encourages team members to admit mistakes- Finding the right client size can enhance the impact of consulting work ----Do you have questions about how to improve your business? Things like:Value pricing your work instead of billing for your time?Positioning yourself as the go-to person in your space?Productizing your services so you never have to have another awkward sales call or spend hours writing another custom proposal?Book a one-on-one coaching call with me and get answers to these questions and others in the time it takes to get ready for work in the morning.Best of all, you're covered by my 100% satisfaction guarantee. If at the end of the call, you don't feel like it was worth it, just say the word, and I'll refund your purchase in full.To book your one-on-one coaching call, go to: https://jonathanstark.com/callI hope to see you there!

Barry LaBov, founder and CEO of LABOV Marketing Communications and a two-time Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year, shares his insights on business differentiation. He details a five-step process for niching down, emphasizing the importance of understanding client engagement and feedback. The conversation highlights strategies to articulate unique selling propositions and foster strong client relationships. Moreover, Barry discusses how celebrating customer impact can elevate company culture and drive success, advocating for value-based pricing to build trust.

Guest Russ Waddell joined me on Ditching Hourly to explain how he successfully went out on his own for the first time after more than a decade as a full-time employee. Guest Links:https://www.russwaddell.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/russell-waddell/ ----Do you have questions about how to improve your business? Things like:Value pricing your work instead of billing for your time?Positioning yourself as the go-to person in your space?Productizing your services so you never have to have another awkward sales call or spend hours writing another custom proposal?Book a one-on-one coaching call with me and get answers to these questions and others in the time it takes to get ready for work in the morning.Best of all, you're covered by my 100% satisfaction guarantee. If at the end of the call, you don't feel like it was worth it, just say the word, and I'll refund your purchase in full.To book your one-on-one coaching call, go to: https://jonathanstark.com/callI hope to see you there!

Zach Stevens, co-founder of Conversion Factory, shares insights from two years of running a successful subscription-based service business. He dives into growth strategies and effective communication that drive retention and productivity. Zach emphasizes the importance of tiered pricing and managing client expectations. He also discusses the transition from traditional employment to entrepreneurship and the role of offshore resources in scaling operations. The appeal of subscription models over hourly billing shines through, encouraging a shift in how services are marketed.

Shaun Jardine, an author and expert on value-based pricing in law, shares his transformative journey of moving a 240-person law firm away from billable hours. He discusses the challenges and successes of adopting this pricing model, emphasizing the importance of team mindset and understanding client value. Jardine critiques traditional attorney-client relationships shaped by hourly billing, advocating for deeper engagement through value-based pricing. He also touches on how these connections can enhance job satisfaction and improve financial outcomes.

Alex M H Smith, author of 'No Bullsh*t Strategy' and founder of Basic Arts, dives into the essence of business strategy. He emphasizes the importance of delivering unique value rather than simply trying to outdo competitors. The conversation also highlights practical approaches to strategy and the role of experimentation in navigating business challenges. Alex discusses leveraging LinkedIn for marketing success, urging solopreneurs to balance service delivery with effective promotion. Innovation and a distinct perspective are key to standing out in today’s market.

Pranav Kale, a LinkedIn ghostwriter known for his clever posting strategies, shares insights from his unique reverse interview. He discusses how to expand audience reach on LinkedIn and convert followers into subscribers. The pair delve into navigating criticism while maintaining authenticity in personal branding. They explore the dynamics of LinkedIn engagement, analytics, and the importance of meaningful communication over attention-seeking behavior. Pranav also offers tips for introverts on how to engage effectively by focusing on providing value.