In this Thriving Thursday edition of the Intentional Agribusiness Leader Podcast, Mark Jewell goes solo to break down a game-changing framework: The Four Levels of Value. If you’ve ever felt like you’re stuck on the hamster wheel, constantly busy but not making real progress, this episode is your wake-up call.
Mark dives deep into how every task, relationship, and transaction in business can be categorized into one of four levels of value—and how understanding this framework can help agribusiness leaders stop spinning their wheels and start focusing on what truly drives results.
💡 This episode is packed with actionable strategies to help you:
✔ Identify where you're wasting time and how to reallocate it
✔ Recognize which customer relationships are worth investing in (and which ones aren’t)
✔ Eliminate low-value activities that are draining your energy
✔ Use technology and delegation to free up time for high-impact work
🔹 The Four Levels of Value Defined
1️⃣ Transactional Value – The lowest level of value. A basic exchange of goods/services for money. Example: Buying gas—whoever is cheapest or most convenient wins.
2️⃣ Expected Value – The table stakes. To stay in business, you must meet basic expectations like availability, reliability, and service. Example: A manufacturer delivering products on time at a competitive price.
3️⃣ Added Value – The differentiators. The extra touch that makes you stand out from the competition. Example: Unique programs, product innovations, or customer service that goes above and beyond.
4️⃣ Partnership Value – The ultimate goal. A true trusted advisor relationship where your customer sees you as essential to their success. Example: High-value customers who invest in your business because they trust and rely on you.
🚀 What’s Holding You Back? – Many agribusiness leaders get stuck at the value-added stage, constantly chasing new ideas to stay relevant. The real key is moving into partnership-level value, where you and your clients mutually invest in success.
📊 The 80/20 Rule of Customer Value – 80% of your revenue comes from just 20% of your customers. Yet, most stress comes from the other 80%. It’s time to identify who truly matters and invest in those relationships.
🔧 How to Get Off the Hamster Wheel:
✔ Audit Your Time – Identify which tasks fall into each level of value and eliminate low-impact activities.
✔ Leverage Technology – Use AI tools like ChatGPT for proposals, automation for scheduling, and CRM systems to streamline repetitive work.
✔ Delegate & Outsource – If a task isn’t adding strategic value, someone else should be doing it.
✔ Prioritize High-Value Customers – Spend more time on partnerships and less time chasing transactional business.
