Craig Hewitt, founder of Castos, joined me on Ditching Hourly to discuss the current state and potential future of podcasting as a medium for building trust with your audience.

AI Summary

In this episode of Ditching Hourly, Jonathan Stark speaks with Craig Hewitt, founder of Castos, about the evolving landscape of podcasting. They discuss the shifting definitions and formats of podcasts, the importance of different content strategies, including private and hybrid podcasting, and the impact of new technologies like AI. Craig also shares insights on leveraging platforms such as YouTube and podcasting for trust-building and discovery, what makes podcasts unique in the AI era, and tips for solo business owners looking to optimize their content. The conversation is packed with actionable advice on how to effectively use podcasting to build authority and nurture audiences.

Chapters

• (00:00) - Introduction and Guest Welcome

Craig’s Links

• Castos » https://castos.com/
• Craig’s Website » https://craighewitt.com/
• Craig’s YouTube » https://www.youtube.com/@thecraighewitt
• Craig’s LinkedIn » https://www.linkedin.com/in/craig-hewitt-78386a66/

The next time someone asks you for your hourly rate, I want you to stop what you're doing and head on over to valuepricingbootcamp.com to sign up for my free value pricing email course.

Hope to see you there!

Jason Lengstorf, founder of Code TV, joined me on Ditching Hourly to share how he is successfully navigating the transformation of the video production business.

Jason's Links: 

• https://jason.energy/
• https://codetv.dev/

AI Summary:

In this episode of Ditching Hourly, Jonathan Stark is joined by Jason Lengstorf, founder of Code TV, to explore the current landscape of the video production industry, especially within the tech sector. Jason shares insights into his career journey from being a web engineer to running a successful video production business for tech companies. The discussion delves into industry transitions, the significance of genuine community engagement, the crucial role of video in marketing campaigns, and strategies for delivering measurable ROI. Jason also offers practical advice for video production professionals on pricing their services, specializing in niches, and maintaining consistency to build a strong client base.

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Introduction and Guest Welcome

The next time someone asks you for your hourly rate, I want you to stop what you're doing and head on over to valuepricingbootcamp.com to sign up for my free value pricing email course.

Hope to see you there!

Author/creator of Sales for Nice People, Martin Stellar, joined me on Ditching Hourly to talk about sticking to your guns in a sales meeting and how to build the confidence to do so. 

Martin's Links:

• https://martinstellar.com/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinstellar/
• https://salesfornicepeople.com/academy

The next time someone asks you for your hourly rate, I want you to stop what you're doing and head on over to valuepricingbootcamp.com to sign up for my free value pricing email course.

Hope to see you there!

Yuval Yeret, founder of Yeret Agility and OG Agile expert, joined me on Ditching Hourly to discuss the current state of Agile as a platform, how it has evolved over the years, and what practitioners should consider when pivoting their careers as the platform matures.

About Yuval

Yuval Yeret is a Product/Scaling/Agility Coach focused on helping product/tech leaders scale their organizations without slowing down, improving outcomes by leveraging flow, agility, and product orientation. (while avoiding the dogma and process BS of Agile Theater). Yuval is a globally recognized expert on scaling w/ agility, a SAFe Fellow, a Professional Scrum Trainer, and a co-author of the Kanban Guide for Scrum Teams. These days Yuval is focused on helping organizations evolve from Feature Factories to Empowered Product Organizations, as well as helping deeper tech organizations develop a pragmatic agility strategy. Yuval shares his insights on scaling w/ agility at https://yuvalyeret.com/scaling-with-agility-newsletter/

Chapters

• (00:00) - Introduction and Guest Welcome

Notable Quotes

• "What happened over the years is... agile has become mainstream for most of corporate America, technology organizations and product companies. And this created the reality where the people that are, the organizations that are currently adopting agile are the late adopters."
• "[Late adopters] are slapping names like Scrum Master and Sprint and User Story and Daily Scrum... on the way that they've been doing things already. And it's like lipstick on a pig. It's not really creating any impact other than a bad name for Agile and a bad name for people in these roles."
• "The biggest issue with Agile... is the over-reliance on specific roles in organizations."
• "We will have a significantly smaller number of people that dedicate their career to something like agile, whatever it's called. You will need to specialize. You will need to start to think like consultants need to start to think and build your content solar system."

Yuval's Links and Other Resources

• Yuval's article on "The Future of Agile Roles and Agility"
• Yuval's private podcast on navigating the landscape of Agile theater, feature factories, and product operating models
• "Crossing the Chasm" by Geoffrey Moore (book on technology adoption)
• Netflix culture book (featuring the "Netflix question")
• The career mini-course that Jonathan mentioned: Unblock Your Career by Shachar Meir

The next time someone asks you for your hourly rate, I want you to stop what you're doing and head on over to valuepricingbootcamp.com to sign up for my free value pricing email course.

Hope to see you there!

Ex-java developer and CoffeeSprout founder Barry van Someren joined me on Ditching Hourly to talk about the surprising alignment between “Ditcherville ethos” and the government of the Netherlands.

LINKS MENTIONED

• Barry’s website
• Barry’s LinkedIn
• California Law AB 5

AI SUMMARY

In this episode of Ditching Hourly, Jonathan Stark speaks with Barry Van Someren about his transition from hourly work to value-based services, the implications of new tax laws in the Netherlands for independent contractors, and the importance of having multiple clients. They discuss how these changes affect client relationships and the necessity of shifting to results-based contracts. Barry shares insights on navigating the complexities of government regulations and the benefits of diversifying client portfolios to ensure business resilience.

SOUND BITES

• “I wanted to transition into something that was more predictable.”
• “It’s just refreshing to see that kind of advice from the IRS.”
• “I kind of wanted to make myself less vulnerable to this law.”
• “The IRS and various countries are giving you that encouragement.”
• “If you stay at one place too long, you become stagnant.”
• “Hourly billing is bad.”

TAKEAWAYS

• Transitioning from hourly work to value-based services can lead to more predictable income.
• New tax laws classify independent contractors more strictly, impacting their work.
• It’s essential to define clear results in contracts rather than relying on hourly billing.
• Having multiple clients reduces vulnerability to market changes and legal issues.
• Government regulations can align with good business practices, encouraging consultants to diversify their client base.
• Freelancers should be aware of the risks associated with being classified as employees under new laws.
• Building a strong network is crucial for finding clients and maintaining a steady workflow.
• Consultants should focus on delivering results rather than just completing tasks.
• The importance of compliance with tax laws cannot be overstated for independent contractors.
• Hourly billing is often seen as a less favorable model for sustainable business growth.

The next time someone asks you for your hourly rate, I want you to stop what you're doing and head on over to valuepricingbootcamp.com to sign up for my free value pricing email course.

Hope to see you there!

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 Out
• Bonuses for Ditching Hourly Listeners

AI 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.

The next time someone asks you for your hourly rate, I want you to stop what you're doing and head on over to valuepricingbootcamp.com to sign up for my free value pricing email course.

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

• Dale’s Book
• Dale’s LinkedIn

AI SUMMARY

In 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.

TAKEAWAYS

• Hourly 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.

The next time someone asks you for your hourly rate, I want you to stop what you're doing and head on over to valuepricingbootcamp.com to sign up for my free value pricing email course.

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

• Lauren’s LinkedIn
• The Daily CFO Newsletter
• The Growth-Minded CFO Podcast

The next time someone asks you for your hourly rate, I want you to stop what you're doing and head on over to valuepricingbootcamp.com to sign up for my free value pricing email course.

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

- LinkedIn » https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-croasdale/
- Website » https://octopusleadership.com/

AI SUMMARY

In 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

The next time someone asks you for your hourly rate, I want you to stop what you're doing and head on over to valuepricingbootcamp.com to sign up for my free value pricing email course.

Hope to see you there!

Author, founder, and CEO Barry LaBov joined me on Ditching Hourly to geek out about niching down - while walking me through the five-step process he describes in his book The Power of Differentiation.

Barry's Bio:

Barry LaBov is the founder and CEO of LABOV Marketing Communications and Training. He is a two-time Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year recipient and an inductee into the Entrepreneur of the Year Hall of Fame. He is also a Better Business Bureau Torch Awards for Ethics recipient. Under his leadership, LABOV Marketing Communications and Training has received the Indiana Growth 100 Award six times, was named Small Business of the Year and recognized as one of the Best Places to Work in Indiana. Additionally, LABOV’s client work has been honored with nearly 100 national and regional awards.

Barry's links:

• The Power of Differentiation
• Barry's biz website
• Barry's personal site
• Barry's LinkedIn

The next time someone asks you for your hourly rate, I want you to stop what you're doing and head on over to valuepricingbootcamp.com to sign up for my free value pricing email course.

Hope to see you there!