What if the fastest way to grow your personal brand on LinkedIn had nothing to do with posting… and everything to do with commenting?

I’m Adam Strong, The Business Strategist, and today’s episode has me genuinely fired up. I’m joined by my good friend Jasmin Alic — known by many as “The Commenting King” of LinkedIn.

With over 240,000 followers, features in LinkedIn’s own publications, and clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to rising entrepreneurs, Jay is hands-down one of the most influential branding and copywriting experts on the planet.

What makes him stand out isn’t just his reach — it’s his authenticity, humility, and his ability to break down the strategies most people overlook.

Want to exit your business but unsure where to start? Take the ‘Exit readiness assessment and find out the gaps of what you need to do to plan your exit strategy confidently. Click on the link here:

If you’ve ever felt invisible on LinkedIn, or you’re tired of posting with little return, this episode will completely change how you see the platform.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

05:02 The Evolution of LinkedIn as a Content-Focused Platform

06:51 The Power of Commenting vs. Posting on LinkedIn

12:51 Providing Valuable Insights and Advice in Comments

19:45 Common Pitfalls and Mistakes in Building a Brand on LinkedIn

27:36 Building Connections and Growing Your Personal Brand on LinkedIn

28:33 The Power of Engaging with Other People's Posts

29:31 Creating a Content Strategy that Establishes Expertise and Builds Emotional Connection

40:09 The Seven Steps of Jay Alic's Commenting Strategy

49:28 Using a PS Comment to Prompt Further Engagement and Discussion

🙏 How To Support The Business Strategist 🎙️

If this is the first time you’re listening congrats, if you like today’s episode please subscribe, listen and leave a review on 👉 Apple, Spotify

ABOUT OUR SPONSOR

Helping you take the complexity out of exiting your business. Go to https://www.adambenedict.co.uk

ABOUT THE GUEST

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alicjasmin

ABOUT THE HOST

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamistrong

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/adamstrong

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What if the very way you’re chasing growth is the reason you’ll never escape your business?

I sat down with Damon Lembi on The Learn It All Podcast to unpack why so many founders stall out—and what it really takes to break past revenue plateaus while reclaiming your time. 

I share the hard truths I see inside firms every week: why micromanagement keeps you stuck, how fear, ego, and identity quietly kill exits, and the practical moves to build consistent demand without hiring sprees. 

We dive into my three-stage Exit Roadmap, the capacity math most leaders ignore, and the mindset shifts that let you step back without the wheels coming off.

Want to exit your business but unsure where to start? Take the ‘Exit readiness assessment’ and find out the gaps of what you need to do to plan your exit strategy confidently. Click on the link here:

Why listen (what you’ll take away)

If you’re stuck at a revenue plateau, want concrete CEO exit planning tips, and need sustainable scaling strategies that protect margins, this one’s for you.

Chapters

00:00 Understanding Growth vs. Scale

02:45 The Importance of Clarity and Purpose

05:49 Fear and Ego in Business Exits

08:30 Mindset Shifts for Founders

11:19 Identifying and Overcoming Business Stagnation

13:58 The Role of Personal Branding

16:48 Creating Demand in Professional Services

19:50 Building a Product Ecosystem

22:31 The Impact of AI on Professional Services

25:11 Capacity and Client Management

28:09 Strategies for Sustainable Growth

30:50 Navigating Client Dependency

33:54 Final Thoughts on Exiting a Business

🙏 How To Support The Business Strategist 🎙️

If this is the first time you’re listening congrats, if you like today’s episode please subscribe, listen and leave a review on 👉 Apple, Spotify

ABOUT OUR SPONSOR

Helping you take the complexity out of exiting your business. Go to https://www.adambenedict.co.uk

ABOUT THE HOST

Damon Lambi LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damonlembi

Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-learn-it-all-podcast/id1714645917

ABOUT THE GUEST

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamistrong

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/adamstrong

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What if your obsession with sales, funding, or AI isn't what's holding back your scale-up—what if it's your people strategy that's silently sabotaging your growth?

As someone who's spent decades helping founders scale smart, I know how tempting it is to chase the next shiny penny: more sales, more funding, more tech. But after my conversation with today's guest, Dr. Cynthia Bentzen-Mercer—a USA Today best-selling author and a world-class executive coach—I realised that most founders underestimate their biggest growth engine: their people. 

Cynthia opened my eyes to what she calls 'human capital investment,' a strategic approach that treats your talent like your most important asset.

In this powerful episode, Dr. Cynthia Bentzen-Mercer breaks down the myths around talent management and explains how leaders often sabotage their businesses by treating talent as an expense rather than an investment. 

We dive deep into practical frameworks for aligning your team with your business goals, reveal how to spot hidden high performers, and explore how predictive assessments can transform your hiring and development processes. If you want to avoid the costly mistakes most founders make and turn your talent into your competitive advantage—this episode is a must-listen.

Let’s be real — if you’re drowning in day-to-day crap, you’ll never scale or exit. The Exit Playbook is your ticket out of the chaos. Learn how to stop being your own bottleneck and start leading like a boss. It’s free, no email required and no BS. Grab it now: https://adamstrong.notion.site/The-Exit-Playbook-Shift-from-Operator-to-Visionary-Leader-220f5f71e63b80bc91a0d7e0ca050c82?source=copy_link

Chapters

00:00 The Importance of Human Capital in Business Growth

04:49 Understanding Human Capital Management

10:26 Mindset Shift: From Industrial to Digital Revolution

15:46 The Science of Talent Assessment

21:31 Framework for Identifying Talent in the Right Roles

25:25 Navigating Team Dynamics and Performance

27:44 Addressing Underperformance in Family Businesses

31:18 Identifying Skills vs. Attitude Issues

35:14 Transitioning from Startup to Scale-Up

38:40 The Cost of Neglecting Company Culture

42:22 Regrets in People Decisions

43:42 Upcoming Book and Future of Human Capital

🙏 How To Support The Business Strategist 🎙️

If this is the first time you’re listening congrats, if you like today’s episode please subscribe, listen and leave a review on 👉 Apple, Spotify

ABOUT THE GUEST

Website: www.cynthiabentzenmercer.com

https://www.youtube.com/@DrCynthiaBentzenMercer

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

Organizational Readiness assessment: Resources — Bentzen Performance Partners Global Organizational Development Strategist Company

ABOUT THE HOST

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamistrong

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/adamstrong

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What if the biggest thing blocking your next level… is the version of you that got you here?

In this conversation, I sat down with the brilliant Taryn Voget, founder of The Genius Lab and host of The Everyday Genius Show. Over the last 15 years, she’s been the go-to guide for visionary founders, creatives, and CEOs ready to reconnect with who they really are — not just what they’ve built.

If you’re scaling fast but something feels off…

We explore:

Why genius has nothing to do with IQ or hustle

The real reason founders burn out — and how to fix it

How to spot (and shift) subconscious patterns sabotaging your momentum

Why passion and intuition aren’t “soft skills” — they’re your power source

What to do if you’ve outgrown the version of success you created

Taryn even turned the tables and coached me live — and let’s just say, she didn’t miss. If you’re serious about aligning purpose with performance, this is one to revisit more than once.

Let’s be real — if you’re drowning in day-to-day crap, you’ll never scale or exit. The Founders Exit Playbook is your ticket out of the chaos. Learn how to stop being your own bottleneck and start leading like a boss. It’s free, no email required and no BS. Grab it here

Chapters

00:00 Unlocking Your Inner Genius

02:37 The Importance of Self-Awareness

05:41 Understanding Genius and Passion

08:24 Navigating Burnout and Passion

11:14 The Role of Ego in Entrepreneurship

14:01 Transformational Journeys of Founders

16:53 The Paradox of Passion and Shadow

19:41 The Intersection of Spirituality and Business

22:28 Identifying Subconscious Patterns

24:32 Breaking Free from Limiting Beliefs

33:42 Breaking Through Belief Systems

36:13 The Impact of Hard Work vs. Smart Work

37:56 Transformative Life Moments

38:55 Navigating Transitions and Discovering Passion

41:35 Identifying Readiness for Change

42:37 Intuition and the Process of Discovery

44:43 Vulnerability and Trust in Coaching

45:31 Understanding Genius and Role Models

49:43 The Journey to Fulfillment

50:56 Creating a Life of Choice and Excitement

🙏 How To Support The Business Strategist 🎙️

If this is the first time you’re listening congrats, if you like today’s episode please subscribe, listen and leave a review on 👉 Apple, Spotify

ABOUT THE GUEST

https://www.youtube.com/@tarynvoget

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

https://www.everydaygenius.tv/ 

https://tarynvoget.substack.com

ABOUT THE HOST

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamistrong

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/adamstrong

The founders exit accelerator waitlist, click here to learn more

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you still sending copy-paste outreach messages on LinkedIn and wondering why no one’s replying?

In this solo episode, I’m breaking down the exact 5-step outreach strategy I’ve used — and help my clients use — to consistently book quality sales calls with decision-makers. It’s built on permission, psychology, and simplicity. You’ll learn how to:

Plus: My go-to KPI tracker and the top tools we use to automate outreach.

🎁 Bonus: https://www.notion.so/The-Ultimate-Guide-to-Creating-Clarity-in-Your-Business-Strategy-2341d950a9a580e991d5c47a491bdab4

This episode is straight talk for serious founders and consultants who are tired of cold DMs that don’t go anywhere — and are ready to build a reliable outbound engine without killing their brand in the process.

🙏 How To Support The Business Strategist 🎙️

If this is the first time you’re listening congrats, if you like today’s episode please subscribe, listen and leave a review on 👉 Apple, Spotify

ABOUT THE HOST

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamistrong

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/adamstrong

Links:

https://app.heyreach.io/

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I had no idea the first episode with Rory Kilmartin would explode the way it did — it quickly became one of the most downloaded shows we’ve released for a while.

So I brought him back.

This time, we go even deeper into the archetypal patterns shaping how we lead, build teams, and scale businesses. We unpack why communication breaks down, why trust erodes, and why even the best strategy won’t work if your human operating system is out of sync.

If you’ve ever felt friction with your team, struggled to hire the right people, or hit a wall trying to scale or exit — this episode will shift something.

It did for me.

Rory Kilmartin is a researcher, philosopher, and creator of the Human Operating System — a framework that helps leaders understand the deep archetypal patterns driving behaviour, conflict, and performance. His work has changed how I see leadership, and I think it will do the same for you.

Let’s be real — if you’re drowning in day-to-day crap, you’ll never scale or exit. The Exit Playbook is your ticket out of the chaos. Learn how to stop being your own bottleneck and start leading like a boss. It’s free, no email required and no BS.

Grab it now: https://adamstrong.notion.site/The-Exit-Playbook-Shift-from-Operator-to-Visionary-Leader-220f5f71e63b80bc91a0d7e0ca050c82?source=copy_link

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Archetypal Constructs

03:44 Understanding the Four Archetypes

06:26 Strengths and Weaknesses of Archetypes

09:09 The Importance of Communication Styles

12:04 Navigating Conflicts Between Archetypes

14:53 Real-World Applications of Archetypal Wisdom

17:41 The Role of Archetypes in Leadership

20:37 Creating a Cohesive Team Environment

34:24 Understanding Behavioural Archetypes in Business

43:24 The Challenges of Business Exits for Founders

48:07 Navigating Personal and Professional Archetypes

53:59 The Power of Archetypal Wisdom in Leadership

01:02:50 Transforming Relationships Through Archetypal Understanding

🙏 How To Support The Business Strategist 🎙️

If this is the first time you’re listening congrats, if you like today’s episode please subscribe, listen and leave a review on 👉 Apple, Spotify

ABOUT THE GUEST

https://www.facebook.com/rorykilmartin

https://www.instagram.com/rorykilmartin/

https://www.youtube.com/rorykilmartin

https://x.com/RoryKilmartin

FREE Masterclass

https://archetypalrelationships.com/Masterclass 

ABOUT THE HOST

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamistrong

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/adamstrong

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if everything you knew about marketing was wrong?

Forget chasing perfection—connection is what cuts through. But how do you stay real in an AI-dominated landscape?

In this episode, I sit down with my friend Phil Treagus-Evans, co-founder of the award-winning agency Giraffe Social and author of the bestselling book Human First Marketing. Phil’s on a mission to strip the BS out of brand-building and help us rethink what real connection looks like in business today.

We talk about how AI is changing marketing (for better or worse), why lo-fi content outperforms the polished stuff, and how trust—not tactics—is the new currency. Phil even coaches me live on my own brand strategy—so if you're building yours, you’ll want to grab a pen and play along.

This conversation is honest, challenging, and packed with practical gems. If you’re tired of robotic content and want to stand out by being you, this one’s for you.

Let’s be real — if you’re drowning in day-to-day crap, you’ll never scale or exit. The Exit Playbook is your ticket out of the chaos. Learn how to stop being your own bottleneck and start leading like a boss. It’s free, no email required and no BS. Grab it now

Chapters

00:00 The Shift to Human-First Marketing

02:57 Understanding Authenticity in Marketing

05:44 The Impact of AI on Marketing Strategies

08:39 Creating Unpolished Content

11:22 The Empath Framework for Customer Understanding

14:02 Navigating AI in a Human-Centric World

25:08 Drafting AI Policies for Transparency

26:33 Building Community in a Distracted World

30:22 The Value of Content Creation

34:42 Human-First Marketing in B2B

39:04 Lessons from Writing a Book

41:23 Coaching Insights and Personal Branding

🙏 How To Support The Business Strategist 🎙️

If this is the first time you’re listening congrats, if you like today’s episode please subscribe, listen and leave a review on 👉 Apple, Spotify

ABOUT THE GUEST

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-treagus-evans/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philtreagusevans/

The book: https://amzn.eu/d/dBtmCi9

ABOUT THE HOST

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamistrong

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/adamstrong

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is your business bleeding time, energy, and money because you’re trying to serve everyone?

Discover why focusing on ONE high-value problem is the fastest path to unstoppable growth.

In this episode, I break down my powerful “FOCUSED” framework—a step-by-step process to niche down without fear of missing out. 

I share my own struggles with being too broad, the mindset shifts that changed everything, and exercises you can do alone or with your team to move from generalist to specialist. 

You’ll learn how to face your resistance, pinpoint your most profitable problem, clarify exactly who you serve, and design premium offerings that clients crave—setting you apart in a crowded market. If your growth feels stuck, this episode is your breakthrough.

Let’s be real — if you’re drowning in day-to-day crap, you’ll never scale or exit. The Exit Playbook is your ticket out of the chaos.

Learn how to stop being your own bottleneck and start leading like a boss. It’s free, no email required and no BS. Grab it now here.

Chapters

00:00 Unlocking Growth Through Niching Down

02:52 The Focused Framework Explained

05:32 Overcoming Resistance to Niching

08:08 The Power of Specialisation

11:13 Identifying Your Ideal Customer

13:59 Testing Your Niche Effectively

15:58 Establishing Value-Based Pricing

18:49 Designing Evolution Paths for Growth

🙏 How To Support The Business Strategist 🎙️

If this is the first time you’re listening congrats, if you like today’s episode please subscribe, listen and leave a review on 👉 Apple, Spotify

ABOUT THE HOST

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamistrong

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/adamstrong

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How I became a LinkedIn Top Voice without ads, algorithms, or hacks — and how you can too.

In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on how I earned LinkedIn’s Top Voice badge — not by playing the game, but by rewriting it. No shortcuts. No gimmicks. Just pure clarity, consistency, and connection.

You’ll get the updated playbook for 2025, learn what really matters to LinkedIn, and understand why brand authority isn't built on trends — it’s built on truth. Whether you’re stuck at mediocre engagement or chasing credibility in your space, this episode breaks it all down.

If you’re ready to position yourself as the go-to expert in your industry, you’ll want to take notes.

If you disappeared tomorrow, would your business survive — or stall? Take the Exit Readiness Assessment to find out. Click here to get your personalised score. 

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to LinkedIn Top Voice Badge

03:11 Understanding the LinkedIn Top Voice Badge Program

05:49 Benefits of Being a Top Voice

09:21 Best Practices for Achieving Top Voice Status

15:10 Content Creation Strategies for LinkedIn

17:46 Conclusion and Call to Action

🙏 How To Support The Business Strategist 🎙️

If this is the first time you’re listening congrats, if you like today’s episode please subscribe, listen and leave a review on 👉 Apple, Spotify

ABOUT THE HOST

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamistrong

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/adamstrong

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Most founders obsess over revenue, product, and performance. But no one talks about what happens when the pressure breaks you. This episode is that conversation.

In this episode of The Business Strategist, I sit down with Luke Tobin, a three-time exited founder, award-winning entrepreneur, and digital marketing expert turned investor. We go beyond the business playbook and dive deep into the mental and emotional resilience it takes to lead through chaos, recover from failure, and build with an exit in mind. 

From losing £26K in his 20s to scaling and selling his agency for a life-changing sum, Luke opens up about identity crises, burnout, panic attacks, and the wake-up calls that reshaped how he leads—and lives.

If you're building to sell, wrestling with pressure, or wondering what life looks like after the exit, this is the real talk most founders never hear.

If you disappeared tomorrow, would your business survive — or stall? Take the Exit Readiness Assessment to find out. Click here to get your score.

Chapters

00:00 The Mental Performance of Founders

02:55 Luke Tobin's Entrepreneurial Journey

06:04 Learning from Failures

09:04 The Impact of Debt on Mental Health

12:00 Resilience and Mindset in Entrepreneurship

15:03 The Importance of Human Connection in Business

17:50 Old School Hustle vs. Modern Marketing

20:56 Balancing Growth and Operational Challenges

24:09 Building a Strong Leadership Team

29:15 The Importance of Capital and Future Thinking

30:07 Navigating Burnout as a Founder

32:27 Recognising and Overcoming Panic Attacks

34:44 The Hustle Culture and Its Consequences

37:41 Strategic Planning for Business Exits

39:15 Building Value for Potential Buyers

44:49 Emotional Journey After Exiting a Business

48:44 Evolving as a Leader and Mentor

51:51 Key Steps to Prepare for an Exit

56:39 Finding Purpose After Success

🙏 How To Support The Business Strategist 🎙️

If this is the first time you’re listening congrats, if you like today’s episode please subscribe, listen and leave a review on 👉 Apple, Spotify

ABOUT THE GUEST

Personal Website: https://www.luketobin.com/

Company website: https://www.tobincapital.co.uk/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luketobin/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lukettobin/

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lukettobin

X: https://x.com/lukettobin

Newsletter: Join 30,000+ high-performers getting stronger, smarter, and more successful every week — Subscribe here

Free Resources: Access powerful eBooks, cheat sheets, and proven strategies used to build and scale multiple 8-figure businesses — Get them here

ABOUT THE HOST

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamistrong

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/adamstrong

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices