How I Scaled My Creative Agency To $80M Business

Summary

In this video, the speaker shares a three-step process that helped scale their agency from zero to $80 million and freed them from working inside the business. The method—'I Do, We Do, You Do'—focuses on teaching others to replicate your decision-making and creativity. Phase 1 involves shadowing the leader, Phase 2 is a hybrid where the trainee takes more responsibility with guidance, and Phase 3 is full autonomy. This approach builds trust, enhances leadership, and ensures sustainable growth by replicating core values and systems within the team.

Takeaways

• 😀 Entrepreneurship is about teaching others your values, decision-making, and creativity to scale your business effectively.
• 😀 The key to scaling your business is multiplying yourself by teaching others how to replicate your actions and skills.
• 😀 Start by training raw talent, providing clear guidance on what you need done, and giving them the resources and feedback to improve.
• 😀 Use the 'I Do, We Do, You Do' model to gradually shift responsibilities and give autonomy to your team members.
• 😀 In phase one (I Do), have the trainee observe you closely to understand your process, decision-making, and workflow.
• 😀 In phase two (We Do), work together with the trainee to introduce them to client interactions and gauge their ability to handle challenges.
• 😀 In phase three (You Do), give the trainee full responsibility and autonomy, ensuring they can manage clients and make decisions independently.
• 😀 It’s essential to train your team to anticipate next steps, communicate well, and be proactive so that they can handle the business without your constant involvement.
• 😀 When transitioning tasks to a team member, reassure clients that they are in capable hands and that the new person is trusted and responsible.
• 😀 The goal is for your team to embody your core values and problem-solving approach so that they can handle things without needing constant oversight.
• 😀 A successful entrepreneur creates a business where they can step back, manage from a higher level, and let their team take ownership of key tasks.

Q & A

What is the key to scaling a business from zero to a significant revenue?

The key to scaling a business is learning how to transfer your unique skills, values, and decision-making processes to others, so that the business can function effectively without needing your constant involvement.

How does entrepreneurship relate to teaching?

Entrepreneurship is essentially about being a teacher. You need to teach your values, principles, decision-making processes, and creativity to others to ensure that your business can grow beyond your personal capacity.

Why is it important to develop a 'number two' in your business?

Your 'number two' is the person who can take over decision-making and lead the company in your absence. Developing this person is crucial for ensuring the company continues to run smoothly if you were to step away.

What is the 'I do, We do, You do' model and how is it used in training?

'I do, We do, You do' is a model where the leader first demonstrates how to do a task ('I do'), then works with the trainee to do it together ('We do'), and finally allows the trainee to take full responsibility for the task ('You do'). It’s a method for gradually transferring knowledge and responsibility.

What should you look for when selecting someone to train in your business?

Look for candidates who are driven, proactive, can take direction well, and have good listening skills. Depending on the role, additional traits such as organization, detail orientation, and strong communication skills are also important.

How do you effectively train someone to be a project manager or producer?

You should focus on helping them develop organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to anticipate next steps. They must also have excellent communication skills to manage tasks and client expectations effectively.

How does shadowing work in the 'I do' phase of training?

In the 'I do' phase, the trainee observes you as you work, taking notes and learning how you make decisions, organize tasks, and handle client interactions. The key is to have them focus on watching and learning without interrupting or speaking.

Why is it important to have the trainee take notes during the shadowing phase?

Taking notes helps the trainee absorb information actively and gives them something to refer back to during the debrief. It also allows them to focus on understanding the process rather than worrying about speaking or asking questions.

How do you transition a trainee from the 'I do' phase to the 'We do' phase?

In the 'We do' phase, you start involving the trainee in client interactions, allowing them to ask questions and handle certain aspects of the project. It’s a hybrid phase where the trainee gradually takes on more responsibility while still being supported and guided by you.

How can you empower someone to take full control of a project in the 'You do' phase?

In the 'You do' phase, give the trainee autonomy to make decisions in the best interests of both the company and the client. It's important not to micromanage, and instead offer them occasional coaching sessions to help them improve, while encouraging independence.

What is the role of building rapport with clients during the training process?

Building rapport with clients is crucial because it establishes trust and comfort, allowing the trainee to take ownership of the project. The better the trainee can interact with clients, the more confident they will be in taking on leadership roles.

How can you ensure that your business can function without you being directly involved?

By effectively training and delegating responsibilities to capable team members, particularly your 'number two,' you can gradually reduce your day-to-day involvement in operations. This allows you to focus on higher-level tasks while ensuring the business continues to run smoothly.

Why is it essential for your employees to share your core values?

If your employees share your core values, they will make decisions that align with your vision and business goals. This makes it easier to delegate tasks and ensure that the business continues to operate according to the principles you’ve established.