Remarkable Regional Business Episode 11 - Kody Thompson, WrkPod

Remarkable Regional Business

Remarkable Regional Business - Episode 11

Guest: Kody Thompson, Founder and CEO
Business Name: WrkPod
Website: www.wrkpod.com

Topics Covered:
/ Building Teams in the Philippines: Kody Thompson shares his experience of building and scaling teams in the Philippines over the past decade. He explains how his company, WrkPod, enables businesses to directly hire talent, allowing companies to maintain control over their workforce, unlike traditional BPOs (Business Process Outsourcing) that lease employees to clients.

/ Difference in Business Models: A deep dive into WrkPod’s unique business model where clients hire staff directly, thereby maintaining ownership and control over their teams. This approach differs from traditional outsourcing agencies that retain control of staff, which can limit a company’s value by tethering it to the agency.

/ Creating Meaningful Work Environments: Kody emphasizes the importance of creating a positive and enriching work environment. He highlights WrkPod’s facilities, such as gyms, cinemas, and recreational areas, that are designed to ensure high employee satisfaction and retention. This strategy aligns with Kody’s personal and business philosophy of fostering a culture where employees thrive and remain loyal.

/ Impact of Ethical Practices: Discussion on the significance of ethical practices in the outsourcing industry. Kody critiques exploitative models that underpay staff while overcharging clients and underscores his commitment to fair wages and a supportive work environment to attract and retain top talent in the Philippines.

/ Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS): Kody discusses his partial adoption of the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) framework, which structures organizations into visionary and integrator roles, along with three core business functions: sales and marketing, delivery, and administration. He recommends the book “Traction” for those interested in learning more about EOS.

/ Philanthropy and Commerce Integration: Kody reflects on his mission to blend business success with philanthropy. He talks about his initiatives to support local communities in the Philippines by creating jobs and aiding local schools. This approach represents a balance between commercial success and social impact.

/ Leadership and Change Management: Insight into Kody’s approach to leadership and managing change in a fast-growing company. He discusses the need for team members to embrace change and how he sets expectations to foster a dynamic and adaptable workforce.

/ Navigating Growth Challenges: Kody talks about the personal growth required as an entrepreneur to scale a business successfully. He shares his experience of overcoming growth plateaus by continually delegating tasks, optimizing processes, and restructuring roles to maintain momentum.
/ From Youth Pastor to Entrepreneur: A personal story about Kody’s transition from being a youth pastor to becoming an entrepreneur. He shares how his faith and experiences in the church community shaped his values and influenced his approach to business and leadership.

/ Scaling a Web Development Business: Kody details how he successfully scaled his previous web development business by shifting to a subscription-based model for website development and management, which eventually led to a profitable exit.

References:
WrkPod - wrkpod.com
Lightning Sites - https://www.lightningsites.com/
Book - Traction by Gino Wickman - https://www.amazon.com.au/Traction-Get-Grip-Your-Business/dp/1936661837