Scott Deming discusses his business experiences and insights for entrepreneurs.
Key Takeaways
- Scott transitioned from owning an advertising agency to becoming a full-time speaker/trainer after realizing the importance of company culture and brand experience
- Consistency across all aspects of a business is crucial for creating a strong brand and customer experience
- Work-life balance and prioritizing family time is essential, even when building a successful business
- Seeking mentors and learning from others' experiences is invaluable for business growth
Topics
Scott's Career Background
- Owned a national advertising and marketing firm for 20 years, growing to nearly 100 employees
- Transitioned to full-time speaking, training, and authoring 20+ years ago
- Realized the importance of company culture and brand experience beyond just advertising
Transitioning from Agency to Speaking Career
- Started training clients on creating brand experiences that exceeded advertising promises
- Gradually shifted focus from agency work to training/speaking over 4-5 years
- Leveraged existing production resources to create promotional materials for speaking business
- Took about 3 years to gain significant traction in the speaking business
Advice for New Entrepreneurs
- Ensure 6-12 months of living expenses saved before starting a business
- Seek out mentors and advisors with relevant experience
- Don't try to do everything yourself - get expert help for areas outside your expertise
- Be prepared for tough decisions and financial challenges in the early years
Common Issues in Organizations
- Inconsistency across departments and lack of unified purpose
- Employees not understanding how they impact the customer experience
- Leadership failing to effectively communicate vision and values
Building Strong Company Culture
- Acknowledge and recognize employee efforts consistently
- Treat employees like they make a difference, and they will
- Ensure leadership "walks the talk" in living out company values
- Get employees to understand and buy into the company's purpose
Work-Life Balance
- Scott regrets not prioritizing family time more while building his agency
- Advice to "suck up" time with kids, as they grow up quickly
- Importance of not dismissing children's experiences as insignificant
Book Recommendations
- Atomic Habits by James Clear
- The E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber
- Good to Great by Jim Collins
- Engaged by Scott Deming
https://scottdeming.com/
