Thirty years ago, Matt Friedman, CEO and founder of The Mekong Club, worked as a senior USAID public health official across Asia, focused on education and prevention of HIV/AIDS in small rural communities.

As part of Matt’s work, he visited many shelters where he repeatedly heard the same themes of horror. His first interview was with a fifteen-year-old girl telling him she was sexually abused over seven thousand times. She did this for two years until she was forced to leave because she suffered from various diseases that turned customers away.

Matt soon realised that, just as this young girl had been exploited for sex, millions more were being exploited across the world. This exploitation was happening in the sex industry but also permeates global supply chains, from factories to farms to fishing boats.

Matt began to work in the United Nations in the anti-trafficking world, where he worked closely with the public and private sectors across Asia. During his tenure, he noticed a gap in engagement with the private sector in their anti-trafficking efforts. Not because they didn’t want to, but because they feared being named or shamed for approaching a UN official to ask for help.

As a result, Matt left the United Nations and started The Mekong Club in Asia’s financial centre, Hong Kong, to provide a safe space for companies worldwide to work together to help identify and eliminate forced labour in the private sector.

Learn more about Matt and the Mekong Club here:

www.themekongclub.org

Don't forget to download our FREE LinkedIn Post Templates here:

https://www.thetimetogrow.com/ecsposttemplates

Growth doesn’t happen because you “do more.”

It happens because you stop, look back, and adjust with intention.

Every year, we run a full Year-In-Review, long before January.

We look at what worked, what didn’t, and what absolutely needs to change.

And the businesses that grow the fastest?

They’re doing the same thing.

Here’s what 2025 taught us:

Wins:

• The Expert Content Society became a true growth engine (275 members and growing), members are posting consistently, creating better content, and seeing real results.

• Partnerships and affiliates drove major momentum.

• LinkedIn trends were clear: short-form video, newsletters, and carousels remain top performers.

• Clients scaled fast, some so much that they had to expand their teams.

Challenges:

• Funnels need clarity, not complexity.

• Over-delivering features inside our community actually hurts engagement.

• Operations need to be tightened to remove friction.

Surprises:

• Buyers expect personalization, clarity, and fast communication.

• Trust is everything; testimonials, recommendations, and proof matter more than ever.

• Power partnerships on LinkedIn are one of the biggest untapped opportunities.

Our 2026 focus?

One word: Optimization.

Simpler systems.

Cleaner messaging.

Better processes.

More execution.

No unnecessary complexity.

And now it’s your turn.

Before you plan 2026, ask these three questions:

Red: What needs to stop?

Yellow: What needs improvement?

Green: What deserves more of your focus?

What’s your word for 2026?

Don't forget to download our FREE LinkedIn Post Template Resource here:

https://www.thetimetogrow.com/ecsposttemplates

Phil Masiello is a visionary entrepreneur, best-selling author, and host of the popular show Crunching Your Growth on e360tv, bringing over two decades of proven experience in e-commerce, digital marketing, and disruptive brand building.

As the founder of CrunchGrowth Revenue Acceleration Agency, Phil strategically guides consumer-focused startups and brands to achieve rapid and sustainable growth by harnessing innovative digital strategies, powerful storytelling, and deep consumer insights.

His practical, real-world experience, illustrated through successful ventures like 800razors.com and Raw Essentials Skin Care, helps startups overcome common scaling obstacles, optimize their sales channels, elevate brand visibility, and engage deeply with customers, driving accelerated revenues and profitability.

Connect with Phil here:

https://philmasiello.com/

Don't forget to get our FREE LinkedIn Content Prompts here:

https://www.thetimetogrow.com/ecsposttemplates

Most people treat their LinkedIn profile like a static resume.But if optimized correctly, it becomes one of the most powerful sales tools in your business.In today’s training, I’m breaking down Three Ways Your LinkedIn Profile Can Generate Sales, and each one is simple, strategic, and immediately actionable.First: Your Background BannerYour banner should clearly communicate who you help and how you help them.If someone lands on your profile and can’t understand what you do in under three seconds, you’re losing opportunities.My own banner says: The LinkedIn Sales and Marketing System for coaches and consultants.That clarity alone builds trust before someone even scrolls.Second: Your HeadlineYour headline should connect directly to your banner.It should include the exact keywords that say:• What you do• Who you help• Why it mattersA strong headline is both SEO optimized and human-friendly, so you show up in search and resonate with the right people.Third: Your Featured SectionThis is where your profile starts generating actual sales.The Featured section is your bridge from online to offline.Use it to spotlight the actions you want people to take:• Landing pages• Free resources• Your calendar link• Your podcast or YouTube channel• Your LinkedIn Newsletter• Case studiesWhen someone is ready to learn more about you, this section shows them exactly where to go next.And here’s the key: all three sections must work together.Your banner, your headline, and your Featured content should tell a consistent story about who you help, how you help them, and what step they should take next.When you align these three elements, your profile stops being a placeholder…and starts becoming a conversion engine.Sign up for the Expert Content Society here before the doors close tonight at 9pm ET: https://www.thetimetogrow.com/expert-content-society

About Alex:

Since 1993, my unique marketing strategies have generated almost $400 million in sales and profits for my companies, students, clients, and alliance partners on five continents.

I've had the good fortune to share the stages with thought leaders such as Richard Branson, Ivan Misner, Donald Trump, Tony Robbins, Robert Kiyosaki, Suze Ormand, Mikhail Gorbachev, and the Dalai Lama.
A partial list of distinguished consulting clients include: New York University, Wal-Mart, BNI, CEO Space, Success Resources International, Dale Carnegie Training, New York Yankees, Wells Fargo Bank, Steiner Sports, and several other clients who prefer to remain anonymous.
If you are an entrepreneur or physical business owner who wants to uncover your marketing strengths, weaknesses, and preferences so you can put your business in HIGH-GROWTH mode, take my no-cost assessment at http://MarketingOnline.com/

Take our FREE LinkedIn Business Assessment here:

https://www.magpaiassessments.com/4043/0

If you are not closing sales on LinkedIn, your content is the first place to look.Most people think the problem is their offer, their niche, or their pricing.But after reviewing thousands of posts and working with business owners across every industry, the truth is consistent.Your content determines your visibility, your authority, your engagement, and ultimately your revenue.In this new newsletter edition, I break down:- Why cross-posting destroys your reach- Why LinkedIn requires a completely different content structure- How to format text posts, image posts, newsletters, and polls the right way- The exact content elements that lead to more impressions, more conversations, and more closed salesIf you want LinkedIn to become a predictable source of clients, start with the content you are creating. Don't forget to register for our Free LinkedIn Workshop here: https://www.thetimetogrow.com/experts-edge-linkedin-content-that-closes-workshop

Lee Silber is the award-winning author of 26 books (including two best sellers), the founder of five companies (including Waves and Wheels Surf Centers).

He hosts a weekly podcast on efficiency with over 400 episodes to date. As a presenter, Silber has spoken to more than a million people since 1991.

Lee lives with his wife in Mission Beach, California.

Connect with Lee here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/leesilber/

https://www.facebook.com/lee.silber

https://www.instagram.com/lee_silber/

http://www.leesilber.com

Don't forget to sign up for our FREE LinkedIn Workshop here:

https://www.thetimetogrow.com/experts-edge-linkedin-content-that-closes-workshop

Turn LinkedIn Posts into Clients: The Expert's Edge.

Posting consistently on LinkedIn, but your DMs are crickets?

In this episode, we pull back the curtain on why so many coaches, consultants, and service providers are stuck in the content hamster wheel, and what actually moves the needle from visibility to paying clients.

After guiding thousands through their LinkedIn transformation, we're sharing the framework that separates content that converts from content that just collects dust.

You'll discover why your posts might be getting engagement but not generating revenue, and the exact approach that builds the kind of trust that leads to booked calendars.

If you're tired of showing up without seeing results, this training delivers the strategy you've been missing.

Here is what is covered:

- The real reason connection trumps consistency (and how to create it)

- What separates scroll-stopping content from deal-closing content

- The reflection-style post formula that positions you as the obvious choice

- How to stay visible without the burnout or creative drought

Don't forget to register for our FREE LinkedIn Content Workshop here:

https://www.thetimetogrow.com/experts-edge-linkedin-content-that-closes-workshop

Gene Slade is the visionary owner of Lead Ninja Inc., a dynamic company specializing in coaching and training for home service businesses and technicians.

Gene’s journey in the HVAC industry began at just 11 years old, and over the past 33 years, he has become a seasoned veteran. He has owned and grown several HVAC companies to multiple 8-figure revenues, proving his expertise and commitment to the industry.

With a deep understanding of sales psychology and a hands-on approach, Gene has empowered countless individuals and businesses to achieve significant growth and success.

As a coach and speaker, he captivates audiences with practical insights and actionable strategies, making complex sales concepts accessible and engaging.

Gene is not just a business leader; he is a dedicated family man with six boys. His passion for coaching, training, speaking, and transforming the lives of owners and technicians in the service industry is at the heart of everything he does.

Gene loves and lives for making a positive impact on the people he works with.

Connect with Gene here:

https://leadninjasystem.com/

Don't forget to register for our FREE LinkedIn Workshop here:

https://www.thetimetogrow.com/experts-edge-linkedin-content-that-closes-workshop

Your LinkedIn Newsletter can be one of the most powerful tools for growing your brand, but only if you use it strategically.Here are three simple ways to make your newsletter work harder for you:✅ Use a video thumbnail for each edition.A great thumbnail grabs attention and increases click-through rates. Even a short 15-30 second video introduction can create a stronger connection with your audience.✅ Add an SEO title and description for Google.Every LinkedIn newsletter edition is indexed by search engines. Optimizing these fields helps your content show up on Google, not just LinkedIn, giving you long-term visibility.✅ End with a clear call-to-action.Each edition should tell your readers what to do next, whether that’s visiting your website, booking a call, signing up for a free training, or downloading your lead magnet.Your LinkedIn Newsletter isn’t just a content tool… It’s a brand-building engine when used intentionally.Don't forget to register for our FREE LinkedIn Content Creation Workshop called The Experts Edge, from November 24th to the 25th at 12 pm ET to 1 pm ET here: https://www.thetimetogrow.com/experts-edge-linkedin-content-that-closes-workshop