أفضل بودكاسات Intentional Success (2025)

1
How to Catch Up on Your Prep for Next Year's Budget 28:52

5d ago28:52

28:52

Most of you hate budgeting. I get it. It feels like busywork until you understand what it does for you. Right now, do you know where your year will end? Can you predict your revenue within a few percentage points? Do you know what you'll owe the IRS? If you had a budget, you'd know all of this. You'd stop the feast-and-famine cycle and quit making …

1
Monday Morning Drive: Stop Saying "It's All About Relationships" 8:54

7d ago8:54

8:54

Relationships don't close deals. They don't manage teams. They don't sell businesses. Relationships give you permission to control the narrative. That's the only reason they matter in business. The relationship is just the entry fee. What matters is what you do once you're in the door. https://www.trstimson.com/control-the-narrative-in-business/…

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Never Run Out Of Great People Again 7:39

12d ago7:39

7:39

Running out of people means running out of business. More than half your costs are people, and 100% of your future depends on them. Yet most of us wing staffing until we hit a wall. Sales loses confidence. You start selling on price. Quality drops. Your best talent burns out. Listen to this week's episode and learn how to build a deep bench, book f…

1
Monday Morning Drive: Three Changes to Make Before You Scale 6:45

14d ago6:45

6:45

Most AV business owners are accidental entrepreneurs. You know how to get shows done. You know how to buy lighting gear. You know how to solve technical problems. So you built a business doing what you know. Then you neglected everything you didn't know how to do. Before you chase growth strategies or try new ventures, master these three fundamenta…

1
Life Lessons From Stagehand School 21:15

19d ago21:15

21:15

Some crews are a dream to work with. Others feel like organized chaos. The difference isn't talent. It's training. In this episode, I share lessons from my stagehand days that turned inexperienced students into the best local crew touring acts ever worked with. Five simple rules made the difference between six-hour load-ins and eight-hour disasters…

1
Monday Morning Drive: Stop Showing Clients Your Math 6:17

21d ago6:17

6:17

Your clients think you make too much money. They're wrong, but you taught them to think that way. Every time you send a 3,700-line quote with itemized pricing for each cable and connector, you're training clients to scrutinize your profit. You're creating procurement nightmares that didn't exist 20 years ago. https://www.trstimson.com/stop-showing-…

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The Words We Use Affect Our Value 21:01

26d ago21:01

21:01

"Rental." "Labor." "Job cost." These transactional relics from the rental era don't reflect what you actually do. When you call skilled professionals "labor," you're telling clients they're replaceable. When you price like a rental company, you invite duration haggling. When you track "job cost," you're measuring the wrong thing entirely. Listen to…

1
Monday Morning Drive: Why Your Software Stack Is Killing Your Profit 8:24

28d ago8:24

8:24

Software should make your business run better. Instead, most AV companies are drowning in platforms. We have more software tools than ever before, but we still can't answer basic questions about our projects. Information lives in silos. Teams argue about which system has the right data. Operations and sales point fingers at each other over missing …

1
Revenue Optimization for a Diverse Clientele 14:20

1M ago14:20

14:20

How many times have your customers told you, "I'll make it up to you on the next one"? If they're really customers (not clients), there's no guarantee there will BE a next one. When a client needs a favor on pricing, you look at their $950,000 in other business and say yes. When a customer makes the same request, you'd better check your warehouse f…

1
Monday Morning Drive: Why Small Talk Kills Your Discovery Calls 8:11

1M ago8:11

8:11

Small talk drains energy from business conversations. Some people avoid networking entirely just to escape those painful exchanges about the weather and their weekend plans. But you can't avoid it completely. Plenty of people (we call them extroverts) actually enjoy small talk. They get energy from these conversations. In business situations, you n…

1
Never Treat a Client Like a Customer 15:47

1M ago15:47

15:47

Walked away from a huge opportunity because you were "too busy"? You just treated a potential client like a disposable customer. Customers shop around every time. Clients assume they're hiring you. Most of you are bending over backwards for the wrong ones. Listen to this week's episode and learn why confusing customers with clients is killing your …

1
Monday Morning Drive: Fix Your Seasonality With Better Accounting 8:16

1M ago8:16

8:16

You think you're seasonal because all your shows happen in certain months. You're wrong. Your accounting makes you look more seasonal than you actually are. Fix your accounting, and watch half your seasonality disappear. https://www.trstimson.com/fix-seasonality-with-better-accounting/بقلم The Stimson Group

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How to Win the Battle for Control In Project Selling 20:49

2M ago20:49

20:49

We've all worked with that client who's charming during negotiations, then turns into Captain Chaos the week before showtime. These clients aren't unscrupulous. They're just better at controlling the narrative than you. And when you think like a rental company instead of a project company, you've already lost. Listen to this week's episode and lear…

1
Monday Morning Drive: Your Business Is Worth More as a Fixer-Upper 6:01

2M ago6:01

6:01

Most owners never sell their companies at the right time. They think they need to fix all their problems first. That's like refusing to sell your house until you've remodeled the kitchen, replaced the roof, and landscaped the yard. By the time you finish (if you finish), the market has changed, your energy is gone, and you've spent money on improve…

1
A Proposal That Someone Might Actually Read 20:05

2M ago20:05

20:05

Nobody's reading your 35-page proposals packed with pretty pictures. They're full of fear, leaving money on the table, and creating chaos instead of closing deals. The perfect proposal solves one problem for $5,000 by Friday. You could write it on a napkin. Listen to this week's episode and learn my exact template for proposals that actually get re…

1
Monday Morning Drive: Stop Renting Gear and Start Making Money 8:04

2M ago8:04

8:04

Nobody goes to business school dreaming of owning an AV company. Most of us are accidental entrepreneurs. Many of us started as freelance technicians who enjoyed making money without a "real job" or a boss. Then came the equipment purchase trap: "I love running cameras, so I bought my own camera rig. I figured I'd get more gigs that way." This is h…

1
Selling Is the Art of Translation 12:38

2M ago12:38

12:38

The other day, I wanted a breakfast taco but ended up in a Salvadoran restaurant where nobody spoke English. That's how your clients feel when you throw operational jargon at them. Most AV companies translate in the wrong direction, forcing customers to learn their language instead of the other way around. Your clients don't care about rigging poin…

1
Monday Morning Drive: What Makes a Show "Big"? (The Answer Will Surprise You) 8:28

2M ago8:28

8:28

Everyone's definition of a "big show" is different. To you, it might mean high revenue. For others, it's about profile, complexity, multiple rooms, or being hard-won. But what's a "small show," then? Here's my take: There are no small shows. There are just small budgets. https://www.trstimson.com/what-makes-a-show-big/…

1
Your Sales Funnel Is an Engine, Marketing Is the Fuel 16:52

2M ago16:52

16:52

"We've got 7,000 contacts but only want to email 800 of them." Stop right there. You're throwing away 6,200 potential evangelists. Marketing is about movement, not perfection. Every contact could share that one post or make that one referral that changes everything. Listen to this week's episode and learn why culling your email list is killing your…

1
Monday Morning Drive: People Management: The 90-Day Plan That Works 7:16

2M ago7:16

7:16

If you hire the right people — people who either don't need to fix themselves or are motivated to fix themselves — keeping them becomes easier. I'll explain how. https://www.trstimson.com/90-day-hiring-plan-that-works/بقلم The Stimson Group

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There's No Money in Doing Shows, Here's How to Fix That 16:18

3M ago16:18

16:18

A young owner called me recently, driving back from covering a sick call on his own show. After reading my books, he realized his job isn't to do shows. His job is to get shows done. Doing shows means throwing equipment and bodies at problems. Getting shows done means you're the expert, you own the right gear, and you focus on ideal clients. Listen…

1
Monday Morning Drive: Discovery Calls: When and How to Use Your Sales Secret Weapon 7:19

3M ago7:19

7:19

The term "discovery call" keeps appearing in sales processes across our industry. This is good progress. But many of you use discovery calls improperly or at the wrong time. Let's fix that. https://www.trstimson.com/discovery-calls-in-your-sales-process/بقلم The Stimson Group

1
What Your Numbers Tell Me and Why 12:55

3M ago12:55

12:55

I can learn 75% of what I need to know about any business in under two hours. The secret is ignoring the wrong metrics, like revenue per employee and sub-rental percentages. Most companies' books aren't set up to track what matters. Learn which financial metrics actually predict success and why that phone that never rings might tell you everything …

1
Monday Morning Drive: Why Your Ideal Customer Makes or Breaks Profitability 7:23

3M ago7:23

7:23

What's the one thing I think most of my audience struggles with? It's not revenue, profitability, or costs, but it's something that affects all of that. Before all else, define your ideal customer. https://www.trstimson.com/choose-your-ideal-customer/بقلم The Stimson Group

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Numbers Don't Lie, But Did You Ask Them Any Questions? 21:18

3M ago21:18

21:18

How did a company book $11 million in a month... and lose $3.5 million doing it? In this episode, I explain why your accountants are asking the wrong questions and the three critical money questions every AV business must answer. Learn why data without direction fails and how looking forward (not backward) drives profitability. Plus: details on my …

1
Monday Morning Drive: A Recession Is Likely. Prepare Your Business Now. 5:29

3M ago5:29

5:29

A recession, or worse, is likely. Our current economic policies mirror those that led to past financial crises, and historical records indicate that these approaches rarely succeed. You can't control government policy, but you can prepare your business. Here's how to protect yourself when economic challenges arise. https://www.trstimson.com/recessi…

1
Your Irrational Relationship With Revenue 17:47

3M ago17:47

17:47

Is revenue keeping you up at night? In this episode, learn why windfall clients (those representing over 30% of your business) can be dangerous, why external excuses for lack of revenue are invalid, and how to stop chasing dopamine hits from sales in favor of building sustainable success. Develop a healthier relationship with revenue that leads to …

1
Monday Morning Drive: Are You Ready for the Next Economic Challenge? 5:18

3M ago5:18

5:18

The White House's on again, off again tariffs could impact our industry as severely as the coronavirus did. Whether you agree with the long-term strategy is irrelevant. In the short term, it'll hurt. All I can say with certainty is this: pay attention. https://www.trstimson.com/next-economic-challenge/…

1
How to Control the Narrative 9:31

3M ago9:31

9:31

Ever hear that business is "all about relationships"? That statement drives me nuts because it's only partially true. Relationships aren't the end goal. They're the means to controlling the narrative. In this episode, I break down how controlling the narrative works in sales, management, and exit planning. Learn how to set clear expectations, creat…

1
Monday Morning Drive: Why Project Managers Hurt Your Profit 6:44

4M ago6:44

6:44

The term "project manager" became common in live events in the '90s. Companies offered project management for free as a "value add", which customers then expected at no extra cost. Providing services you don't charge for sets a problematic precedent - once something is given away free, it's hard to put a price on it later. Free "value adds" can cre…

1
Don't Attempt to Scale Chaos 15:14

4M ago15:14

15:14

In my 100th episode, I call out the "accidental entrepreneurs" who build businesses by doing what they know well and neglecting what they don't. Before launching your next strategic adventure, master these fundamentals: fix your accounting (align revenue to actual services), fix your pricing (stop guessing!), and set clear standards for execution. …

1
Monday Morning Drive: What Do Owners Really Want? 5 Keys to Satisfaction 6:21

4M ago6:21

6:21

When you start a business, your wants are simple: control, independence, proving yourself. But quickly, other wants take precedence. Let's break down what owners really want, both practically and emotionally, so you can start getting more of what you deserve from your business. https://www.trstimson.com/5-things-owners-want/…

1
You Can't Negotiate What You Can't Calculate 15:50

4M ago15:50

15:50

Ever wonder why clients demand detailed breakdowns of your quotes? We created this pricing nightmare through excessive transparency. In this week's episode, learn why every pricing decision is about profit, how to stop reinventing the wheel with each quote, and why ditching line items protects your margins. The math is simple: know your costs, add …

1
Monday Morning Drive: The 10 Levels of AV Excellence: Find Your Place and Climb Higher 10:27

4M ago10:27

10:27

It's time for your mid-year mindfulness check-up! Are you reaching your business goals? Has your forecasting been accurate? How far down the road have you been kicking challenges? Many of us begin the year with resolutions, goals, and high aspirations. Then, reality happens. If your vision for the future and actual results have moved farther apart …

1
The Single Source of Truth in Your Project-Based Business 21:34

4M ago21:34

21:34

What's your single source of truth? Whether you're running a rental company, project-based business, or creative services firm, you need to decide which system rules them all. QuickBooks? Rental management? Project software? In this episode, I break down the right approach for each business type and why fighting your software's design is a losing b…

1
Monday Morning Drive: Does Your Business Have a Soul, or Just a Look? 7:04

4M ago7:04

7:04

Perfection - if it even exists - is probably boring. Humanity brings character to perfection, but does that make something imperfect? As you approach perfection, does the remaining imperfection seem more glaring? When do you stop? Why all this philosophy on a Monday Morning? Because, if you make something good enough, there is still room for improv…

1
How to Prepare For Your First Discovery Call 14:54

4M ago14:54

14:54

Think discovery calls are about clients discovering YOU? In this episode, I set the record straight about discovery calls and explain why so many of you get them wrong. You'll learn how to listen more than you talk, master the small talk trick (just repeat the last word someone says!), and show only the slides that matter. When it's finally your tu…

1
Monday Morning Drive: Embrace Your Role in Sales (It's Not a Dirty Word) 8:42

4M ago8:42

8:42

Can you think of any other industry that's proud of not having ANY salespeople? Here's a disturbing stat: 90% of owners that call for help on their business have a sales problem. 75% of those owners tell me they have no one in their company whose jobs are in sales. No salespeople. https://www.trstimson.com/embrace-sales-role/…

1
How to Fall in Love With Your P&L 16:08

5M ago16:08

16:08

Your financial reporting might be the key to solving your biggest business headaches, from seasonality to pricing problems. In this episode, learn three simple accounting shifts that turn confusing paperwork into actionable insights that help you control your business. Stop treating your books like a necessary evil and start using them as the power…

1
Monday Morning Drive: Marketing Your AV Business Isn't Complicated 7:12

5M ago7:12

7:12

0Marketing is probably the last item on your priority list, yet your prospective customers are deciding whether they want to do business with you before you ever meet them. If that doesn't wake you up, I'm not sure what will. If you're in business at all, you're doing marketing. If you're not thinking about it, you're probably doing it badly. https…

1
The Fixer Upper Business 17:44

5M ago17:44

17:44

بقلم The Stimson Group

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Monday Morning Drive: "We're Too Busy" Is a Leadership Problem, Not a Staffing Issue 9:16

5M ago9:16

9:16

Scalable companies are far less likely than non-scalable companies to complain that they're "too busy." They accomplish more with fewer people. How can this be? https://www.trstimson.com/busy-leadership-not-staffing-problem/بقلم The Stimson Group

1
The Easy Way In 16:15

5M ago16:15

16:15

We're all accidental entrepreneurs who fell into this business backwards. Most of us are still pricing like we're freelancers with gear instead of businesses that deliver outcomes. In this episode, I explore the trap of thinking that owning more equipment and hiring more people will reduce your costs so you can "charge less and win more jobs." Lear…

1
Monday Morning Drive: The 10 Hidden Tests in Every RFP 6:06

5M ago6:06

6:06

Most prospective buyers use RFPs to evaluate more than your design concepts or pricing structure. Here are 10 qualities I'm very nearly positive most people issuing RFPs are actually looking for. https://www.trstimson.com/hidden-tests-in-every-rfp/بقلم The Stimson Group

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How Big Is Small? 17:53

5M ago17:53

17:53

What makes a show "big"? Money? Complexity? High profile? In this episode, Tom Stimson challenges the industry's obsession with show size and reveals why your operational processes shouldn't change based on arbitrary definitions. Learn why project managers are often symptoms of broken systems, how planning makes complexity simple, and why there are…

1
Monday Morning Drive: The 3 Buyer Types That Control Your Sales Success 6:38

5M ago6:38

6:38

Many years ago, I introduced my approach to evaluating customers in a pre-negotiation mode. Understanding what's important to them and how they prefer to buy before creating a proposal is critical. As we've moved beyond the "before times" of line-item pricing and rental-based businesses into a service-focused era, those buying styles are still rele…

1
How to Hire Keepers 25:16

6M ago25:16

25:16

In this episode, I tackle the biggest headache most companies face: hiring and keeping great talent. I share my proven 90-day plan with clear checkpoints at 30, 60, and 90 days that create real accountability for both managers and new hires. For balanced companies that need half the staff but twice the performance, I provide practical strategies to…

1
Monday Morning Drive: Proposal Power: How to Set Baselines That Clients Accept 9:23

6M ago9:23

9:23

Last week, I explained my three-call process for closing better deals with awesome buyers. Step three in that process was the proposal presentation meeting. Today, I want to drill down into what goes into those proposals and share some practical considerations. https://www.trstimson.com/how-to-set-baselines-that-clients-accept/…

1
How to Make Your Discovery Call a Mutually Beneficial Introduction 19:53

6M ago19:53

19:53

Are you conducting discovery calls at the right time in the right way? Discovery calls should happen MUCH earlier in your relationship development process than you may think. Learn how proper discovery converts leads into permanent prospects, helps design better pitches, and creates client relationships before you even have a project. Stop waiting …

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Monday Morning Drive: Your Sales Process Is Broken: Here's the Three-Call Fix 8:13

6M ago8:13

8:13

Many selling organizations have clear guidelines for walking ideal prospects through their system. Why? Because we know how ideal customers buy. It's non-ideal customers who confuse us, and if we improvise to accommodate them, we're taking our eyes off the focus. https://www.trstimson.com/three-call-sales-process/…

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Intentional Success بودكاست

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