Shows
The Digital Agency Growth PodcastKarl Sakas on Scaling Smart and Reclaiming Your TimeIn this episode of the Digital Agency Growth podcast, I’m joined once again by agency advisor Karl Sakas. Karl breaks down the philosophy and practice behind his new book Calm the Chaos—a leadership guide for agency owners who want to scale smart, delegate more, and reclaim time. We also explore his writing process, the parallels between art collecting and running an agency, and how to think clearly when chaos hits your business.⏱️ Timestamps00:00 – Welcome back Karl Sakas + Intro to Calm the Chaos01:09 – Why leadership is the key to scaling a lifestyle ag...2025-07-0946 min
The Handbook: The Operations PodcastThe ops CHEAT CODE: One year of insights condensed with Harv NagraIs your business growing, but it still feels messy?This solo episode from Harv looks back at one year of The Handbook podcast, and it’s a big one. Harv recaps what he’s learned from a year of speaking with ops leaders across the agency world. He packages it all into one whirlwind tour of the five core pillars of operational maturity: people, process, tools, data, and growth.If you’ve missed a few episodes (or want a cheat code to benchmark your agency’s ops maturity), this is your starting point. Or your reset.2025-06-1732 min
The Handbook: The Operations PodcastPricing, Profitability & Predictions with Karl SakasWhat if you could charge more, and keep your best clients happy?Karl Sakas has spent over 20 years in agency operations and consulting, helping more than 600 agencies shift from reactive to strategic. In this episode, he joins us to break down why pricing isn’t just about numbers – it’s an ops play, and one that can define your agency’s future.Here’s what we get into:• Why time & materials pricing is on the way out, and what to do instead• How to use “value anchoring” as a bridge to value-based pricin...2025-04-2248 min
Build a Vibrant Culture Podcast10 Leadership Moves to Help Calm the Chaos with Karl SakasIn this episode, Nicole sits down with Karl Sakas, a seasoned leadership advisor and operations expert for creative businesses, to explore his latest book, Calm the Chaos. They dive into what it really takes to lead a thriving business or agency without losing your mind—or your weekends. Karl shares powerful insights about managing your energy, delegating intentionally, building strong teams, and yes, surviving meetings that could’ve been emails. He also tackles:Why leaders must prioritize their own well-being (and how Karl learned the hard way)How to stop being the bottleneck in your businessCreating a culture that...2025-04-0955 min
The Deep Specialization™️ PodcastCalm the Chaos: Mastering Agency Leadership | Karl SakasAre you constantly putting out fires in your agency instead of strategically growing it?
In this episode of the Deep Specialization podcast, Corey Quinn welcomes Karl Sakas, known as "the agency therapist" who helps agency owners work less, earn more, and reward their best team members. Karl discusses his new book, "Calm the Chaos: 10 Ways to Run a Better Agency," which offers practical strategies for agency leaders looking to create better work environments, improve team morale, and achieve sustainable growth.
Episode Highlights:
Transitioning from Doer to Leader: Karl shares insights on how agency owners...2025-03-1245 min
Experience Into A Captivating Full Audiobook Before Bedtime.Calm the Chaos by Karl SakasPlease visithttps://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/2/audible/7049to listen full audiobooks.
Title: Calm the Chaos
Author: Karl Sakas
Narrator: Karl Sakas
Format: mp3
Length: 2 hrs and 20 mins
Release date: 03-06-25
Ratings: 5 out of 5 stars, 1 rating
Genres: Business Development & Entrepreneurship
Publisher's Summary:
Your clients and stakeholders keep demanding more. Your team needs constant hand-holding. You barely have time to think, let alone grow the business. Agency life can feel like chaos—but it doesn’t have to. After advising hundreds of firms worldwide, Karl Sakas has seen what works—and what doesn’t. "Calm the Chaos" distills the same battle-tested strategies agency l...2025-03-062h 20
Sell With AuthorityHow to Align Biz Dev and Agency Ops, with Karl SakasI am super thrilled to welcome back today’s encore guest, Karl Sakas. If this is your first time meeting Karl, he was the brilliant guest expert back in Episode 79 of Sell With Authority, where we dug into his expertise on helping agencies work less and earn more. In that episode, Karl and I broke down three key pieces of the biz dev process — niche, refining and delegating. In this encore interview, we take it further. We peel back even more layers of biz dev and then connect it directly to operations. Wondering why you and yo...2025-02-2639 min
AIGA Design PodcastHow to Work Less, Earn More with Karl SakasIn this episode of the AIGA Design Podcast, host Lee-Sean Huang and Giulia Donatello interview author and consultant Karl Sakas ("Say Kiss”). Karl’s clients often call him their “agency therapist.” They discuss the challenges agency owners face, including misconceptions about agency ownership, pricing strategies, and the importance of understanding market rates. Karl shares insights on productizing services, revenue growth, and how to escape the daily grind of agency ownership. The conversation emphasizes the need for agency owners to work smarter, not harder, and to focus on their strengths while delegating tasks effectively. They also delve into various a...2025-02-1851 min
Agency Rainmaker TVHow To Work Less And Earn More With Karl SakasOur agency rainmaker of the week is Karl Sakas. Karl Sakas helps agency owners Work Less and Earn More, while rewarding their best team members. Karl has personally advised hundreds of agencies on every inhabited continent. He is the author of four books—including the new "Calm the Chaos"—and hundreds of articles on agency growth. When he’s not helping clients, Karl volunteers as a bartender on an antique train.
Learn more at https://sakasandcompany.com and CalmTheChaos.xyz.
https://indiebooksintl.com
Season 3 Episode 52025-02-0504 min
The Digital Agency Growth PodcastKarl Sakas on Navigating Agency Growth and Exits and Calming the ChaosEven if selling your agency is not first on your priority list, you should plan for it long before ever setting the wheels in motion. Karl Sakas is here today to share critical advice for agency owners considering an exit. From planning your post-deal activities to differentiating your agency in a crowded market, Karl provides a roadmap for maximizing the value of your business and ensuring a smooth transition. He also covers the three A's framework for managing your team, the power of vertical specialization, and the existential questions you must address before handing over the reins. T...2024-12-1142 min
Funnel Vision - For Performance-Driven Agencies & MarketersHow Agency Owners Can Work Less & Earn More - Karl Sakas, Sakas & CompanyKarl Sakas (Agency Consultant & Executive Coach at Sakas & Company) helps agency owners work less and earn more, while rewarding their best team members. So far he’s worked with over 600 agencies across the globe.It’s safe to say that working less and earning more is a very common goal. Karl adapted this messaging and even wrote a book - Work Less, Earn More - on this particular subject, as it has universal appeal beyond the agency space.Not every agency owner wants an exit. Often we see agency owners wanting to scale to a plac...2024-09-1326 min
Creative OutcomesUnlocking Agency Success: Work Less, Earn More with Karl SakasIn this episode, Craig Baldwin interviews Karl Sakas, agency advisor and author of "Work Less, Earn More". Karl shares insights on helping agency owners find balance, delegate effectively, and increase profitability. Key topics include: - The inspiration behind Karl's new book - Frameworks for reducing owner involvement - Balancing work reduction with agency growth - Strategies for high-value time management - Overcoming challenges in delegating responsibilities - Using the "advanced retrospective" tool for goal-setting Learn practical advice for optimizing your agency...2024-09-1033 min
The Digital Project ManagerWhy Volunteering Matters To Me (And Why It Should Matter To You, Too)Volunteering has long been a noble endeavor, but did you know it can also be a game-changer for your career, especially in project management?Galen Low is joined by Karl Sakas—Agency Advisor at Sakas & Company—to uncover how volunteer work can set you apart in the competitive field of project management.Resources from this episode:Join DPM MembershipSubscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcastsConnect with Karl on LinkedInCheck out Sakas & CompanyVolunteerMatch (directory for finding volunteer opportunities)Idealist.org (volunteer listings, in additional to full-time jobs)Pro bono mark...2024-09-0327 min
The Digital Project ManagerHow to Identify & Support Your Best Accidental Project ManagersIn today’s fast-paced business environment, project management is more critical than ever. But should you appoint an existing employee to take on the role or hire a dedicated project manager?Galen Low is joined by Karl Sakas—Agency Advisor at Sakas & Company—to explore whether deputizing (or appointing) a project manager is a short-term solution or a long-term strategy.Resources from this episode:Join DPM MembershipSubscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcastsConnect with Karl on LinkedInCheck out Sakas & CompanyDon't hire "reluctant employees" at your agencyUnsung heroes: 42 ways your P...2024-08-1430 min
Agency BytesEp 071 – Karl Sakas, Sakas & Company – Agency Services AlignmentFeaturing: Karl Sakas, Sakas & Company
In episode 070, I got to dive into the world of agency mergers and acquisitions with Jonathan Baker, the head of the M&A practice at Punctuation. Jonathan uncovers the secrets behind successful deals in the marketing services industry, shedding light on common pitfalls like leadership changes and cultural mismatches that can derail even the most promising mergers.
Discover the key elements that make an agency stand out to potential buyers, including the power of recurring revenue and strategic positioning. Jonathan shares his expert insights on valuation and talks through the sellability index...2024-08-1231 min
Social Pulse Podcast: Agency EditionSelf-Care and Scaling: Balancing Both For A Successful AgencyAre you feeling the relentless pressure of scaling your agency while striving to maintain a semblance of work-life balance?I mean, when was the last time you took a vacation day?It’s a challenge that many entrepreneurs face, and often, the pursuit of growth can come at the expense of personal well-being. But what if maintaining self-care could be a strategic advantage in achieving sustainable growth?In today’s episode, we’re joined by Kayla Fotta, an expert in digital marketing and the brain...2024-08-0621 min
Fixing the Game Podcast by Luke#14 Learn How to Grow Your Agency or Your Professional Services Business - Fundamental Lessons for Agency Owners from a Seasoned Coach for Agencies - Karl SakasThis is a "must listen" for all agency owners and owners of professional service companies. Karl Sakas is one of the most recognised and experienced agency coaches in the world, he worked with hundreds of companies and it was a pleasure to talk to get his insights. Karl has a ready made framework and answer to all challenging questions and his systematic approach is impressive. We covered a lot of ground and I personally learned so much from this episode and I'm grateful to share it with all who are interested in growing their B2B...2024-08-0155 min
Agency Forward006 Karl Sakas: Work Less, Earn MoreHey everyone, today I’m joined by Karl Sakas.When I first joined the agency world, Karl had the first books I read to understand what I was getting myself into. So, I was very excited to get him on the show to talk about the future of agencies and how he sees things changing.Karl has a wealth of knowledge in all things agency, and he’s got some great insights packed in here for you.In this episode, we discuss:Agency structures that are gaining in popularity. How to build a str...2024-05-2839 min
Creative Agency Success ShowSales 'Snacks' for Creative AgenciesSales is the engine of any agency, but oftentimes it's the hardest part to grow and scale when you move from a founder-centric shop to a full marketing organization. The clips in this episode offer some of the best pieces of advice our hosts of the Creative Agency Success Show have gathered, provided to you in bite-sized form, so that you can digest and try your favorites. The finer details of this episode:Who makes a good salesperson? -- with Diane HelbigHow to warm up your cold calls -- with Nikki RauschWhat to do w...2024-05-2044 min
The Businessology ShowMastering Agency Growth with Karl SakasWelcome to The Businessology Show! In this episode, we dive deep into the intricacies of leadership and operational challenges that agency owners face, especially as we approach an economically uncertain 2024. Our guest, Karl Sakas an expert in agency consulting shares invaluable insights on distinguishing between being a manager and a leader, and how this understanding can dramatically reshape your approach to business growth and personal work-life balance. Jason and Karl discuss the strategic timing for hiring pivotal roles, the effectiveness of combining full-time employees with contractors, and the essential mindset shifts required for delegating effectively without abdicating responsibility. They'll touch...2024-05-1537 min
Social Pulse Podcast: Agency EditionSpend Less Time Yet Make More Money Leading Your AgencyWhen was the last time you took a vacation?If you’re trying to recall what year that was, there’s a problem. Too many agency owners today are so embroiled in the day-to-day operations of their business that they can’t take time off, can’t focus on providing the necessary direction for the business, and aren’t even paying themselves what they deserve.How do we make changes to ourselves and to our agencies to solve this?That’s what Karl Sakas is here to help us with.Karl helps digita...2024-04-1631 minCreative Agency Success ShowHow Agency Owners Can Work Less and Earn More with Karl Sakas“When you start the agency, everyone expects you to be the contact. But you probably don't want to do that forever. Maybe initially you delegate implementation work, the subject matter expert stuff, or project management. Then you probably want to delegate account management stuff. Usually you're still doing client strategy, at least in the early to mid-days.The idea here is you're like, ‘Hey, so-and-so is great. They are your account manager. They're your day-to-day contact.’ They're running the, say, the monthly call or every other call. But you're still the client strategist. You're involved at the beginn...2024-03-2537 min
Agency JourneyYouTube Content Ideas, Owner Mindset, and Recognizing Your Leadership Style with Ali Schwanke“I have long seen myself as: I’m a very good marketer. I'm a very good communicator. I'm a good content creator. That's my lane. I know how to drive in that lane very, very well. And this has been a challenge for me to say: how do I become the best president, owner of a services business? Versus the best marketer anybody knows.”Ali Schwanke is founder and CEO of Simple Strat—a Diamond HubSpot Solutions Partner and premium B2B content marketing agency.You may know them from the...2024-02-2128 min
Agency JourneyBecoming Optional at Your Agency, Building Personal Warmth, and Leadership Development Programs with Karl Sakas“If you don't like managing people, one of the things to consider is: do you want to run an agency? The management portion will never go away. But it also doesn't have to be so hard.”Karl Sakas, agency advisor and founder of Sakas & Company, has served as “agency therapist” for over 600 clients in 36 countries. He was also our recent guest on Agency Journey. His fourth time on the show!You can guess why we had Karl on so many times—his insights are always on point....2024-02-0840 min
The Agency Leadership Podcast with Gini Dietrich and Chip GriffinALP 219: Did your agency have a rough 2023?
A lot of agencies have told Chip and Gini that 2023 was a bad year for them. Fellow agency adviser Karl Sakas posted on LinkedIn that he has been asked if it was bad for everyone.
In this episode, Chip and Gini share their perspectives — along with things that positioned some agencies for success in what many experienced as a down year.
Whether you had a good or bad year, there are lessons to take away to make 2024 and future years more successful.
[read the transcript]
The post ALP 219: Did your agency have a rough 2023? appeared fi...2024-02-0522 min
Agency Leadership PodcastDid your agency have a rough 2023? A lot of agencies have told Chip and Gini that 2023 was a bad year for them. Fellow agency adviser Karl Sakas posted on LinkedIn that he has been asked if it was bad for everyone. In this episode, Chip and Gini share their perspectives — along with things that positioned some agencies for success in what many experienced as a down year. Whether you had a good or bad year, there are lessons to take away to make 2024 and future years more successful.2024-01-3022 min
Agency Life5 Steps to Win More Clients with Benchmark Data w/ Chris NaultWant to win more clients (and keep them longer) in 2024?Of course you do!Offering a free benchmark consultation as part of your sales process might just be the key to doing both this year.In this episode with Chris Nault, Founder and CEO of Growth, he breaks down the process and results from his agency's 5-week experiment of adding a benchmark consultation into their sales and renewal processes.In this episode, you’ll hear from Chris:When and how to invite clients into a Databox benchmark group2024-01-2540 min
The Agency Profit PodcastHow to Level Up Your Leadership as an Agency Owner, With Karl SakasPoints of Interest0:00-0:22 - Intro & background of guests and their expertise 0:21-1:22 - Four stages of day-to-day involvement in an agency1:23-1:18 - Six agency roles to consider delegating 2:20-5:05 - Clarifying swim lanes to define roles and responsibilities5:08-10:10 - Values, goals, and resources for decision-making10:11-11:00 - Developing high-functioning leadership within an agency 11:01-14:13 - Hiring strategies and delegation considerations 14:14-17:04 - Encouraging trust within the team and ongoing feedback17:05-18:13 - Importance of assuming positive intent and effective communication18:14-22:15 - The power and effectiveness of meetings, and leading by example22:16-23:13 - Resources and...2024-01-1049 min
Move The Needle - Real strategies. Data-driven growth. B2B results that move the needle.BTB: How Top Performing Agencies Market Themselves (w/ Karl Sakas)Databox is an easy-to-use Analytics Platform for growing businesses. We make it easy to centralize and view your entire company's marketing, sales, revenue, and product data in one place, so you always know how you're performing. Learn More About DataboxSubscribe to our newsletter for episode summaries, benchmark data, and moreGet insights from our recent survey with Karl Sakas, to learn how 200+ agencies are marketing themselves.Links:Sakas & CompanyFollow Karl2023-12-0651 min
Creative Agency Account Manager PodcastHow to escape the daily grind of agency ownership, with Karl SakasWelcome to episode 103. This episode will be particularly relevant to agency owners who want to become less hands-on in their agency and just step away from the day to day operations. I'm chatting to Karl Sakas, an agency growth consultant in the US and author of several books, the latest of which is called Work Less and Earn More a Practical Guide for Agency Owners to help them escape the daily grind of agency ownership. Karl has spent years consulting with agency owners and leaders and, I think because he originally had an operations background, he seems to h...2023-12-0542 min
Agency LifeHow 200+ Agencies Invest in Their Own Marketing w/ Pete Caputa & Karl SakasWhat got you here won’t get you there. You’ve probably heard that phrase before. And it probably couldn’t feel more applicable than it does right now as we round out 2023.So, the question is: Are you going to keep doing more of the same? Or do something different in 2024?If you’re in that latter camp, then you’re going to get some encouragement (and hopefully some useful ideas to implement) from today’s guests, Pete Caputa and Karl Sakas.You probably already know, but in case you don’t:P...2023-11-3049 minSell With AuthoritySteps in the Sales Process, with Karl SakasSteps in the sales process? Elevate your sales journey and ensure success with our guide on steps in the sales process. Steps in the sales process — I am over the moon excited to welcome our special guest expert, Karl Sakas, on this episode of Sell With Authority. Karl is the author of three books, including Work Less, Earn More, and more than 400 articles on agency management. Karl shares how he has helped agencies work less and make more. Aren’t we all looking for strategies, tactics, tips, tricks, the things that we can put into motion t...2023-10-0443 min
Step Inside Your Day With A Ground-Breaking Full Audiobook.Work Less, Earn More by Karl SakasPlease visithttps://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/2/audible/9028to listen full audiobooks.
Title: Work Less, Earn More
Author: Karl Sakas
Narrator: Karl Sakas
Format: mp3
Length: 4 hrs and 1 min
Release date: 09-28-23
Ratings: 5 out of 5 stars, 2 ratings
Genres: Workplace & Organizational Behavior
Publisher's Summary:
As an agency owner, you're running a uniquely complicated business. Like any services firm, you're surrounded by clients, team members, and other humans—and humans are complicated. But unlike a plumber or electrician, your clients tend to be picky about whether your work is "good enough"...or even whether it's "done." Other professional services firms sell complex services, to...2023-09-284h 01
The Authority Builder PodcastKarl Sakas | Work Less, Earn MoreThe key to earning more? Working less. If you’re an agency owner, delegation is the path to winning back your time while growing your business. My guest Karl Sakas is an expert at elevating agency owners to a higher performance level so they can achieve time freedom. In this episode, he’ll break down the 4 stages of involvement for agency owners—and how you can take action now to move to the next level. We’ll also cover:The...2023-04-1332 min
Agency JourneyThe 5 KPIs for Sustainable Agency Growth with Karl SakasIn this episode, Karl Sakas, Author, Speaker, Agency Consultant and Founder of Sakas & Company, joins Gray MacKenzie to discuss strategies & key metrics that agency owners should start tracking, and how it contributes to achieve sustainable growth and increased profits. Karl Sakas helps people at agencies make smarter decisions for smoother growth. Drawing on his background in agency operations, Karl has personally advised hundreds of agencies on every inhabited continent. He is the author of Made to Lead, The In-Demand Marketing Agency, and more than 400 articles on agency management. When he’s not helping clients, Karl volunteers as a...2023-04-0240 min
Build a Vibrant Culture PodcastThe Path to Working Less & Earning More | Karl SakasEveryone wants to work less and earn more… But what strategies can leaders use to make that a reality? Karl Sakas is here to discuss his new book, “Work Less, Earn More: How to Escape the Daily Grind of Agency Ownership.” Karl will share:3 questions to figure out your idealWhy & how to get your team to take over tasks for youThe benefit of premortemsHow to set SMART goalsThe best way to hold yourself accountableAnd more2023-02-2252 min
Leaders Of ConsultingKarl Sakas: Strategic Client ManagementWas there an instance where your client made a request you weren’t able to deliver on, but you were unable say no, because you didn’t want to destroy the relationship?In this episode, “Agency Whisperer” Karl Sakas teaches us how to meet clients halfway with the framework he developed – Reason, Options, Choose. He elaborates on the importance of creating options based on the client's unique and personal and professional goals. Karl also talks about the application of the Pod structure in an agency, and how it influenced how he works with his team members at Sakas & Co...2022-08-2234 min
Agency Spark7 Magic Words To Stop Scope CreepIn this episode of the Agency Spark Podcast, Sara talks with Karl Sakas on 7 magic words to stop scope creep. Running an agency is complex, but it doesn’t have to be so complicated! Karl Sakas helps agency leaders make smarter decisions for smoother growth. Drawing on his background in agency operations, Karl has directly advised hundreds of agencies on every inhabited continent. His clients call him their “agency therapist.” Karl and his colleagues help you simplify agency life through one-on-one support, executive education, and training. He has written several books and more than 4...2022-06-2911 min
Garlic Marketing ShowThe Ultimate Guide to Successful Project Management with Karl SakasAre you a project manager, or have hired a project manager, who doesn’t have a whole lot of experience or training in the role prior to being hired? You’re not alone. The task of project management can be an overwhelming nightmare, but it is a critical role within every successful agency or business. Ian Garlic talks to Karl Sakas, agency consultant and executive coach, about the project management hacks he has learned over time. Karl also explains what can destroy your sales and how to uncover issues before the start of a project.2021-12-2933 min
HighLevel Spotlight SessionsClient Management Lifesavers With Karl Sakas💥 Skill Creep and how to be ahead of it
💥 7 magic words to stop skill creep
💥 3 step framework - reason, options, choose
💥 how to deal with a ridiculous request
💥 Figuring out your client's taste
💥 Creative work Insights
💥 Catagories of a business Break Down and how to delegate
💥 Hiring a more experienced person
💥 Recommended book Meltdown: Why Our Systems Fail and What We Can Do About It2021-12-2845 min
Smart Business Revolution | Turn Relationships into Revenues | Networking | More Clients | Relationship AdviceKarl Sakas | [Top Agency Series] Strategies for Building a Powerful AgencyKarl Sakas is an Agency Consultant and Executive Coach at his firm, Sakas & Company, where he helps digital agency owners take control of their business so they can conquer growing pains and increase profits. Referred to as the “agency therapist” by his clients, Karl has helped hundreds of agency owners worldwide find a passion for their work again. Karl started doing business more than 20 years ago as a high school student, where he helped nonprofits and small businesses in the DC area build websites. Karl is a fourth-generation business owner, which motivated him to turn his skills into...2021-10-2545 min
The Marketing Agency Leadership PodcastCalming the Chaos of Agency OperationsKarl Sakas is an Agency Consultant and Executive Coach at Sakas & Company where he consults with, coaches, and trains marketing agency owners struggling with various challenges related to their teams, their clients, and their services. His focus? To guide agency owners through risky decision-making, help them overcome constraints, enable them to grow profitably to the next level, and to make them “better bosses.” Karl has a strong agency operations background and has worked with agencies around the world. His team is often called in when an agency: Founder’s network runs out and the agency needs to fin...2021-09-2334 min
The SEO Insider: Law Firm Digital Marketing and BeyondSeth & Karl Sakas: Scaling Agencies and Staying SatisfiedOn Today’s episode Seth is joined by guest Karl Sakas, an agency consultant and executive coach. Seth asks Karl what the biggest mistakes people make when scaling their agencies. Karl discusses how he got started in his career and how he found his niche helping businesses grow. Karl discusses the importance of being selective in the early stages of scaling, how to focus on what you want during growth, and when to make yourself optional. Seth and Karl discuss the four stages of agency satisfaction and balancing that with client satisfaction. Seth asks how agency leaders and own...2021-04-2628 min
Personal Injury Mastermind67. Karl Sakas, Sakas and Company — Going from Mandatory to Optional and Empowering Your Staff to Level-Up Your FirmKarl Sakas is an agency consultant, executive coach and the founder of Sakas & Company. Karl and his company are dedicated to helping digital agency owners grow their businesses through the techniques and practices Karl has learned and developed over his years as a business owner and as a high-level digital marketing agency executive. Join us as Karl tells us how he got into the consultancy game, what his best advice for law firm owners is to level-up their business, and how some lessons from a submariner could help empower your team and free up your time.2021-04-0841 minThe Marketing Agency Leadership PodcastTraveling on the Client JourneyOmi Diaz-Cooper is CEO at Diaz & Cooper Advertising, a digital “growth agency” that focuses on developing tight strategic plans and transforming client websites into top-performing salespeople. Omi says that websites are no longer “set it and forget it”—they are “living things that need to be producing” for clients. Since Covid, even companies that used to have “catalog” websites have found the need to proactively nurture prospects along the customer value journey. Engaging and locking-in relationships with customers before they are ready to purchase is essential. People may start out merely seeking information. Providing great content and thought leadership...2021-02-1831 min
The ClimbEp #50 - Do you Want to Work Less & Earn More?Ep #50 - Do you Want to Work Less & Earn More? - Jon and Dave have pondered this question for some time. Luckily the well sought after agency consultant Karl Sakas joins them to provide some answers so you can get the most out of your business.2020-11-0647 min
Say it Online!066: How Digital Agencies Are Coping Through COVID-19 With Karl SakasWhile we’ve all been affected by COVID-19, the pandemic has hit digital agencies in some uniquely challenging ways. Especially with recession rhetoric being thrown around, there’s definitely been a degree of panic for many agency owners. That’s why I’m thrilled to be chatting with Karl Sakas about the processes that have helped businesses stay afloat over the past six months – and how you can pivot from “staying afloat” to thriving. Agency growth is good… unless it gets out of control. Karl Sakas helps agency owners grow profitably, so they can work less and earn more...2020-10-1453 min
Say it Online066: How Digital Agencies Are Coping Through COVID-19 With Karl SakasWhile we’ve all been affected by COVID-19, the pandemic has hit digital agencies in some uniquely challenging ways. Especially with recession rhetoric being thrown around, there’s definitely been a degree of panic for many agency owners. That’s why I’m thrilled to be chatting with Karl Sakas about the processes that have helped businesses stay afloat over the past six months – and how you can pivot from “staying afloat” to thriving. Agency growth is good… unless it gets out of control. Karl Sakas helps agency owners grow profitably, so they can work less and earn more...2020-10-1453 min
Martech Masters: Presented By Nextiny MarketingLeading Your Marketing Agency in Times of Crisis: Karl Sakas, Agency Consultant and Executive Coach at Sakas and CompanyKarl Sakas, Agency Consultant and Executive Coach at Sakas and Company joins this week's episode of Martech Masters. Karl brings his expertise to discuss how agencies can use certain techniques to apply during these times. Karl talks about his concept of "swim lanes" and how each person at a company should fully understand their role as well as different thought patterns you should think about when running an agency or business.2020-09-0245 minMartech Masters: Presented By Nextiny MarketingLeading Your Marketing Agency in Times of Crisis: Karl Sakas, Agency Consultant and Executive Coach at Sakas and CompanyKarl Sakas, Agency Consultant and Executive Coach at Sakas and Company joins this week's episode of Martech Masters. Karl brings his expertise to discuss how agencies can use certain techniques to apply during these times. Karl talks about his concept of "swim lanes" and how each person at a company should fully understand their role as well as different thought patterns you should think about when running an agency or business.2020-09-0245 min
Martech Masters: Presented By Nextiny MarketingLeading Your Marketing Agency in Times of Crisis: Karl Sakas, Agency Consultant and Executive Coach at Sakas and CompanyKarl Sakas, Agency Consultant and Executive Coach at Sakas and Company joins this week's episode of Martech Masters. Karl brings his expertise to discuss how agencies can use certain techniques to apply during these times. Karl talks about his concept of "swim lanes" and how each person at a company should fully understand their role as well as different thought patterns you should think about when running an agency or business.2020-09-0200 min
Get Radical With Your BusinessEp. 12: Stop Wearing So Many Hats; Optimize Your Agency Through Six Foundational Roles (with guest Karl Sakas)My very special guest is the man, the myth, the legend...Karl Sakas. If you’re an agency owner, chances are you've been exposed to his genius through his writing or at conferences and webinars. He’s a one-man blogging machine; if there’s a topic related to running an agency, he’s probably written about it (or has it on his list for the future). Through his executive coaching firm, Sakas and Company, Karl has helped agency owners all over the globe. He is a wealth of knowledge and is able to back up his commentary with supporting links fa...2020-09-0126 min
Practical PivotsWhen Your Worst Scenario Becomes Your Top Scenario with Karl Sakas#020: This episode features leading agency coach Karl Sakas, who spoke with Steve early in the COVID crisis to share his insight into how he’s guiding his agency clients. Some quick nuggets for those who tune in: What to expect for agency revenue forecasts in 2020: Take your worst scenario and now make that your stretch scenario. Assume a 10-30% drop in revenue. · How you should respond: Over-communicate with every stakeholder. Not just your clients, but your employees and freelancers too. · What Karl is doing with his new isolated free time: Finally watching his first reality tv series. https...2020-08-1706 minPractical PivotsAcai Fruit and Double Chins - Tales From 10 Years in SEO with Agency CEO Chris Dreyer#019: In Episode 19 of The Verblio Show, Chris Dreyer, president & founder of legal SEO agency juggernaut Rankings.io, discusses his colorful—and wildly successful—journey that started by googling "how to make money online" while stuck in after-school detention (as the teacher), included inspiration from Oprah on one of his early, important #1 Google rankings, and ended up with him competing and winning in one of the most competitive digital marketing arenas on the internet: personal injury law. In this conversation, Steve and Chris dive deep into the machine that is Rankings.io and the strategies Chris and team use to...2020-08-1230 min
Digital Agency InsidersEpisode 033 - Find and Fix Common Agency Pain Points with Karl SakasIn today’s episode of the Digital Agency Insiders, we talk about strategies, frameworks, relationships, branding, among other things that help improve the quality of work in an agency setting and help agency owners and leaders propel their company forward.Karl shares with us some of his best practices and how he was able to help people in the industry through both consultation and the use of his free online resources.Join us in today’s episode of Digital Insider Podcast to learn more about how you can get top-notch expert advice without spending a sing...2020-07-1400 min
The Kick - Exciting growth in your businessRecovery from COVID-19 The Road Ahead [Karl Sakas]This episode of The Morning Kick has Andrew Pitchford talking with one of the best agency consultants, Karl Sakas. We've been able to learn from Karl and he has been a constant resource of management advice that suits the agency owner and many in professional services. We know you will gain insights from Karl's experience.
As a fourth-generation business owner, Karl combines 20+ years of consulting with his experience as the #2 person at two digital marketing agencies. He’s written several books about managing agencies, including Made to Lead: A Pocket Guide to Managing Marketing & Creative Teams.
...2020-05-2029 min
The Digital Agency Growth PodcastHow to Scale Your Agency Safely with Karl SakasWhen is the right time to hire for big pivotal roles? If only there was a snappy answer. There are many variables: your growth level, team skillsets, market, the complexity of your offering… While there is no step-by-step blueprint for the sticky issues of scaling, there are useful guidelines developed in the trenches by the […]2020-04-2347 min
Agency Highway084 - The Agency Satisfaction Index with Karl SakasAgencies spend a lot of time worrying about their client’s satisfaction, but not a lot of time worrying about their OWN satisfaction. Karl Sakas from Sakas and Company helps agencies move through the four stages of “agency satisfaction”. From powerless to overwhelmed to confident to valued. Here’s how you can advance to the next level […]2020-02-1831 min
Agency Highway084 – The Agency Satisfaction Index with Karl SakasAgencies spend a lot of time worrying about their client’s satisfaction, but not a lot of time worrying about their OWN satisfaction. Karl Sakas from Sakas and Company helps agencies move through the four stages of “agency satisfaction”. From powerless to overwhelmed to confident to valued. Here’s how you can advance to the next level […]2020-02-1831 min
Say it Online!025: Fostering Respectful Client Relationships With Karl SakasAgency growth is good — unless it’s unfocused and out of control. If you aren't setting personal and professional boundaries for yourself, your agency, and your relationships with clients, it’s easy to get pushed around and totally lose track of your growth strategy. Karl Sakas helps agency owners conquer their growing pains so they can increase their profits and reduce their stress. As a management consultant and executive coach at Sakas and Company, Karl has personally advised hundreds of agencies on every inhabited continent. He is the author of Made to Lead, The In-Demand Marketing Agency, and mo...2019-12-311h 08
Say it OnlineFostering Respectful Client Relationships With Karl SakasAgency growth is good — unless it’s unfocused and out of control. If you aren't setting personal and professional boundaries for yourself, your agency, and your relationships with clients, it’s easy to get pushed around and totally lose track of your growth strategy. Karl Sakas helps agency owners conquer their growing pains so they can increase their profits and reduce their stress. As a management consultant and executive coach at Sakas and Company, Karl has personally advised hundreds of agencies on every inhabited continent. He is the author of Made to Lead, The In-Demand Marketing Agency, and mo...2019-12-3100 min
For Immediate Release PodcastALP 42: Raising prices by moving clients to higher-value services (with guest co-host Karl Sakas)Karl Sakas of Sakas and Company fills in for Gini Dietrich as Chip Griffin’s co-host on this episode of the Agency Leadership Podcast. Chip and Karl discuss how agencies can raise prices and increase revenue from clients by moving them along a continuum toward higher-priced (and higher-value) services.2019-09-0728 min
Operation Agency Freedom - The #1 Podcast for Digital Agency Owners Who Want to Scale and Exit Their BusinessE12 Karl Sakas: Balancing Revenue and Clients for Digital Agency OwnersYou’ve heard that marketing agencies experience growing pains as they scale, but what if they don’t have to? In this episode, agency consultant and coach Karl Sakas gets into the logistics of balancing revenue and clients as your agency scales from one person to a lot more. Karl took the time to discuss profit leaks, keeping track of your money, and hiring the right people to build the right company. Don’t forget to subscribe to the Operation Agency Freedom podcast to stay up-to-date about the best ways to own your agency: https...2019-06-2732 min
MicroFamous ConversationsThink, Teach, Do: How to Escape the Implementation Black Hole & Become More Profitable w/Karl SakasThe biggest game-changer in professional services is being profitable without staying on the hamster wheel. Why is it so common for agency leaders to throw themselves under the bus by not paying themselves a 6-figure salary? How do we optimize our FTE, and why is this a key metric in profitability? What does it take to get out of the implementation trap?2019-05-1400 min
The Digital Agency Show | Helping Agency Owners Transform Their Business Mindset to Increase Prices, Work Less, and Grow Profits96: Become less "mission critical" for more success with Karl SakasAt 35, Karl thought he had it all figured out—-a virtual business with low overhead, great clients on every inhabited continent, and a model where he could do almost all of his client work remotely.
That's the dream, right?
Yet over Labor Day 2017, that dream turned into a nightmare. Not only did he have appendicitis... his appendix had ruptured. It was the wake up call he needed—he'd made himself too mission-critical to his company.
In the episode, Karl shares how he has started fixing things-- and how audience members can, too.2019-04-2339 minThe Agency Profit PodcastAre you Building to Sell or Building to Own? with Karl SakasIn this episode, Karl Sakas walks us through the differences in strategy for agencies who want to sell their business vs those who want to own it and fund their lifestyle. We talk specific metrics to measure & optimize, strategy changes and actionable tips to achieve your goals.
About Karl
Karl Sakas helps agency owners increase profits and reduce stress, by conquering growing pains. As a management consultant and executive coach at Sakas & Company, Karl has advised hundreds of agencies on every inhabited continent.
He is the author of "Made to Lead," "The In-Demand...2019-03-2034 min
Voices of ExperienceMarch 2019 Voices of ExperienceVoices of Experience® is a podcast in which top achievers share their experiences to bring members vital, up-to-date information on every facet of the speaking profession. This episodes features: Scott McKain, CSP, CPAE Dianna Booher, MA, CSP, CPAE Joel Block, CPA, CSP Scott Halford, CSP, CPAE Sarah Michel, CSP Karl Sakas Diane DiResta, CSP Jon Petz, CSP Steven Iwerson, CSP Mitchell, CSP, CPAE, Global Speaking Fellow Stan Walters, CSP Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices2019-03-011h 55
Beers with MaxThink, Teach, Do: How to Escape the Implementation Black Hole & Become More Profitable w/Karl SakasThe biggest game-changer in professional services is being profitable without staying on the hamster wheel. Why is it so common for agency leaders to throw themselves under the bus by not paying themselves a 6-figure salary? How do we optimize our FTE, and why is this a key metric in profitability? What does it take to get out of the implementation trap? On this episode, Karl Sakas shares the most common growing pains of digital agencies and how to overcome them. 3 Things We Learned Why choosing a niche on market research al...2019-01-2429 min
Modern Sales - B2B Selling Podcast045 - [Interview] Part 2, Delegating Work with Karl SakasDelegation helps you focus on higher and higher value activities, but that doesn't make it easy. My guest, Karl Sakas, has been called "The Agency Whisperer" and has advised hundreds of agency owners to delegate effectively to take control of their agencies.Want the full transcript? Visit the show notes page on our website:https://servedontsell.com/modern-sales/how-to-delegate-work-in-your-agency-with-karl-sakas-part-2-of-2---Get a daily sales insight sent straight to your inbox:Subscribe to the daily sales insights newsletter Don't miss a single e...2018-12-0728 min
Modern Sales - B2B Selling Podcast044 - [Interview] Part 1, Delegating Work with Karl SakasDelegation helps you focus on higher and higher value activities, but that doesn't make it easy. My guest, Karl Sakas, has been called "The Agency Whisperer" and has advised hundreds of agency owners to delegate effectively to take control of their agencies.Want the full transcript? Visit the show notes page on our website:https://servedontsell.com/modern-sales/how-to-delegate-work-in-your-agency-with-karl-sakas-part-1-of-2---Get a daily sales insight sent straight to your inbox:Subscribe to the daily sales insights newsletter Don't miss a single e...2018-12-0622 min
THRIVE Podcast: Your Agency Resource | Hosted by Kelly CampbellEP 22: Managing Creative Teams, with Karl SakasThe post EP 22: Managing Creative Teams, with Karl Sakas appeared first on Kelly Campbell.2018-06-1500 min
THRIVE: Your Agency ResourceEP 22: Managing Creative Teams, with Karl SakasThe post EP 22: Managing Creative Teams, with Karl Sakas appeared first on Kelly Campbell.2018-06-1518 min
Lion's Share Marketing PodcastEp 32: Getting the Most Out of Your Advertising Agency | Karl SakasEp 32: Getting the Most Out of Your Advertising Agency | Karl Sakas In Episode 32, Karl Sakas, President of Sakas and Company, shares his knowledge on marketing agencies and client relationships. Karl starts off by talking about the different ways agencies fail their clients and vise versa. He discusses the various types of questions Marketing Leaders should be asking, as well as what an ideal case study looks like when utilizing the S-T-A-R framework. He shares his expertise as an agency consultant and emphasizes the importance of maintaining an effective procedure when it comes to budget and...2018-05-2550 min
Lion's Share Marketing PodcastEp 32: Getting the Most Out of Your Advertising Agency | Karl SakasEp 32: Getting the Most Out of Your Advertising Agency | Karl Sakas In Episode 32, Karl Sakas, President of Sakas and Company, shares his knowledge on marketing agencies and client relationships. Karl starts off by talking about the different ways agencies fail their clients and vise versa. He discusses the various types of questions Marketing Leaders should be asking, as well as what an ideal case study looks like when utilizing the S-T-A-R framework. He shares his expertise as an agency consultant and emphasizes the importance of maintaining an effective procedure when it comes to budget and keeping the client updated. He...2018-05-2550 min
Move The Needle - Real strategies. Data-driven growth. B2B results that move the needle.11: Karl Sakas / How to Make Your Clients Thrilled to Work with YouDatabox is an easy-to-use Analytics Platform for growing businesses. We make it easy to centralize and view your entire company's marketing, sales, revenue, and product data in one place, so you always know how you're performing. Learn More About DataboxSubscribe to our newsletter for episode summaries, benchmark data, and moreKarl Sakas has worked with hundreds of agencies across 30 countries to solve a set of common challenges with unique solutions. Hear what he’s learned and how he’s helping.2018-01-0255 min
KEY5 Speaker Podcast208: Karl Sakas - Agency Business Coach Karl Sakas speaks on agency management to those who lead, and as a consultant, helps digital agency owners and managers make their work fun and profitable. His parents got him on the track to being a speaker. Listen to the KEY5Podcast to learn where it went from there! Using Improv Using his improv comedy training on stage, Karl Sakas invites audience members to introduce the situational challenges they've encountered with agency clients. With two decades of experiences with clients in the agency world, Karl has encountered almost every problem imagined, and he leads...2017-12-1918 min
The Digital Project ManagerMade To Lead (with Karl Sakas from Sakas & Company)As project managers, we're in the business of managing teams. But are we managing them, and leading them well? Ben Aston chats with Karl Sakas, author of, 'Made To Lead', to discuss how can we lead our teams be more effective, cast vision better, and manage with strategies that are effective for delivery. 2017-12-1930 min
Mind Your Own Marketing BusinessThe Mechanisms of Agency ConsultingOn this week’s episode of fjorgecast, Tim meets with Karl Sakas of Sakas & Company. Karl is an agency consultant whose worked with over 300 agencies in 30 countries, enabling agencies struggling with growing pains to succeed. Karl helps agencies with specializing, positioning, marketing, structuring, leadership, and more! Tim and Karl delve into the specifics of these mechanisms as well value anchoring when selling and identifying the root cause of issues.2017-12-0630 min
Mind Your Own Marketing BusinessThe Mechanisms of Agency ConsultingOn this week’s episode of fjorgecast, Tim meets with Karl Sakas of Sakas & Company. Karl is an agency consultant whose worked with over 300 agencies in 30 countries, enabling agencies struggling with growing pains to succeed. Karl helps agencies with specializing, positioning, marketing, structuring, leadership, and more! Tim and Karl delve into the specifics of these mechanisms as well value anchoring when selling and identifying the root cause of issues.2017-12-0600 min
Sales Strategy & Enablement by Revenue.io531: How to Build Trust to Win New Customer Business. With Karl SakasKarl Sakas, Founder and CEO of Sakas & Company, and author of a couple of books, including his latest, Made to Lead, joins me on this episode.2017-08-0531 min
The Sales Podcast With Wes Schaeffer, The Sales Whisperer®Karl Sakas Says Don't Just Make The Logo BiggerFind your best CRM for sales for free here. Get all of the notes and links for every episode of The Sales Podcast. Overcome your toughest sales objections with these sales training flashcards. Get a signed copy of Wes's book here. Grow your sales with this on-demand video series, Make Every Sale. Know your sales numbers with this free Sales Calculator. Connect with Wes: Twitter LinkedIn Instagram Facebook 2017-06-071h 11KEY5 Speaker Podcast104: Marcey Rader | Health and ProductivityMarcey Rader, an author, and speaker who focuses on productivity and health wants to disrupt the status quo of ill health and reactive behaviors and inspire people to be and do what they think they can’t. Preparation Precision In addition to the obvious preparation, when a company wants to customize their presentation, Marcey sends a "score card" to attendees - it's a survey on Google Docs to gather information and then creates an infographic and handout from those score cards Her material for new presentations invariably comes from feedback from the audience. Her...2017-06-0112 min
The Sales EvangelistTSE 563: Eliminating Growing Pains Through Operations, Strategy And Leadership Advice Growing pains are tough but what if you had a way to eliminate those through operations, strategy, and leadership advice? Karl Sakas is the President and Founder of Sakas and Company and today, he shares with us some great insights into making your company more effective through eliminating growing pains, things which you can […]
The post TSE 563: Eliminating Growing Pains Through Operations, Strategy And Leadership Advice appeared first on The Sales Evangelist.2017-05-1300 min
Social Pros PodcastLearn These Lessons to Lead a Social Media TeamKarl Sakas, Founder and Agency Consultant of Sakas and Company, joins the Social Pros Podcast to share his tips for becoming an influential leader that turns a team of followers into impactful leaders. Special thanks to our sponsors: Salesforce Marketing Cloud (The Future of Ads: bit.ly/salesforceads) Emma (Your Brain on Email: 11 Designs People Can’t Resist: bit.ly/emailbrain) 2017-03-1443 min
Social Pros PodcastLearn These Lessons to Lead a Social Media TeamKarl Sakas, Founder and Agency Consultant of Sakas and Company, joins the Social Pros Podcast to share his tips for becoming an influential leader that turns a team of followers into impactful leaders. Special thanks to our sponsors: Salesforce Marketing Cloud (The Future of Ads: bit.ly/salesforceads) Emma (Your Brain on Email: 11 Designs People Can’t Resist: bit.ly/emailbrain) 2017-03-1443 min
Happy Porch RadioEpisode #5: Growing Your Digital Agency with Karl SakasWelcome back to episode 5 of Happy Porch Radio. This week, you'll be hearing from Karl Sakas, an agency consultant who has worked with a great number of digital agencies all over the world. This episode is packed with absolute gold for any agency. Karl's work focuses on helping digital agencies grow at an accelerated rate, without the usual growing pains. The information, the systems and the advice that he shares in this conversation are truly invaluable. 2016-08-1535 min
Double Your Freelancing PodcastEpisode 48: Karl Saka on Maximizing Your RevenueKarl Sakas is the president of Sakas & Company which is a consulting company that specializes in helping digital marketing agencies grow. I had an opportunity to chat with Karl today, and I found myself nodding my head the entire time. The meat and potatoes of the interview focused on helping businesses grow in a holistic way not just focusing on the technical aspect of what the business offers. Karl emphasizes using a SIT framework which focuses on strategy, implementation and training.
Working with agencies, Karl discovered everything they offer fits in the strategies of the SIT framework...2016-03-0743 min
Agency JourneyKarl Sakas from Sakas and CompanyAre you an inbound agency owner who is ready to grow your team? If so, this interview with Karl Sakas will help you lay the groundwork for a scalable hiring process. 2016-01-1845 min
Build a Better Agency PodcastEpisode 12: Growing Your Agency without Growing Pains, with Karl Sakas.Karl Sakas served as the #2 man in a couple different digital agencies before he created the Marketing Agencies community at Inbound.org, which has over 1,000 agencies in 48 countries. As president of Sakas and Company, Karl advises agencies worldwide about strategy, operations, and leadership. He also volunteers as a bartender on a 1930’s railroad car. He has recently published a book entitled, “The In Demand Marketing Agency: How to Use Public Speaking to Become an Agency of Choice.” What you’ll learn about in this episode: Why Karl launched Sakas and Company High-growth agencies vs. lifestyle...2015-12-2846 min