7 Key Takeaways from Mavcon Bali: Why Agency Owners Need Peers

Welcome back to The Agency Hour, where we help web design and digital agency owners create abundance for themselves, their teams, and their communities. In this episode, Troy Dean takes you behind the scenes of MAVCON Bali 2025, the 21st MAVCON event held at the luxurious Laguna Resort in Nusa Dua. Experience the highlights of this transformative event where agency owners gathered to share strategies, systems, and insights in a breathtaking tropical paradise. Troy unpacks the key presentations, workshops, and networking opportunities that made this event special – from the 7-11-4 customer journey framework to advanced hiring strategies in the age of AI. Discover why looking over another agency owner's shoulder and seeing their actual systems in action was the most valuable takeaway for attendees. If you're looking to elevate your agency, connect with like-minded owners, and experience the power of in-person collaboration in a world-class setting, this episode offers a compelling glimpse into what makes MAVCON a must-attend event. Key Takeaways The Ultimate Agency Asset: How to build a "click-to-close" automation experience using Google's 7-11-4 strategy Content Creation Frameworks: Practical approaches to overcome video production hesitation and create client-attracting content SEO in the AI Era: New strategies for ranking in large language models, AI overviews, and chatbots Employee Lifecycle Management: Honest insights on hiring and firing in today's agency environment Agency Acquisition Strategies: How to grow by acquiring smaller agencies with recurring revenue clients Collaborative Problem-Solving: The power of structured brains trust sessions to overcome your biggest challenges Networking Value: Why peer-to-peer knowledge sharing consistently delivers the highest ROI at in-person events If you’re ready to scale your agency and reclaim your time, join our new community for just $1. Every week, Troy goes live with actionable strategies to help you build a business that works - for you Handy Links:  MavCon - https://mvrx.link/mavconE2M Solutions - https://www.e2msolutions.com/agency-mavericksWP Remote - https://wpremote.com Get a Personalised Game Plan to Grow Your AgencyTake this online assessment and get recommendations based on more than 10 years of experience helping 4K+ agencies. This stuff works. Reduce the overwhelm and know exactly what to do next. Gameplan.agencymavericks.com Follow us on the socials: YouTube | Facebook | FB Group |

Welcome back to The Agency Hour, the show that helps web design and digital agency owners create real abundance - for themselves, their teams, and the communities they serve. Tired of working endless hours in your agency without seeing the profits you deserve? Discover the exact framework successful agencies use to create sustainable growth, package their services into scalable products, and gain back precious time. In this special episode, I reveal the complete Agency GPS Model that's helped countless agency owners transform their businesses: Learn the three pillars of transformation: Grow your authority, Package your IP, and Scale your impact Discover the nine stepping stones that connect these pillars Understand how to create unlimited demand for your services See how to turn your knowledge into profitable, repeatable products Find out how to automate and delegate to reclaim your time Remember, this isn't about overnight success—it's a 3-5 year journey broken into manageable sprints. The most successful agency owners follow this roadmap to build businesses that deliver amazing profits while working just 3-4 hours a day. If you’re ready to scale your agency and reclaim your time, join our new community for just $1. Every week, Troy goes live with actionable strategies to help you build a business that works - for you Handy Links:  MavCon - https://mvrx.link/mavconE2M Solutions - https://www.e2msolutions.com/agency-mavericksWP Remote - https://wpremote.com Get a Personalised Game Plan to Grow Your AgencyTake this online assessment and get recommendations based on more than 10 years of experience helping 4K+ agencies. This stuff works. Reduce the overwhelm and know exactly what to do next. Gameplan.agencymavericks.com Follow us on the socials: YouTube | Facebook | FB Group | Instagram | Twitter | Linkedin

Welcome back to The Agency Hour, the show that helps web design and digital agency owners create real abundance - for themselves, their teams, and the communities they serve. Ever wonder if attending industry events is actually worth your time and money? In this eye-opening episode, we dive into the surprising ROI of in-person connections that you simply can't replicate online. Join Troy Dean and Simon Kelly (CEO of Seriously Good Design) as they explore the hidden value of those unstructured, organic conversations that happen between sessions at events - the ones that often create the biggest breakthroughs. Here’s what you’ll learn: How to engineer a 10X return from attending live events Why the conversations between sessions matter more than the presentations The surprising power of shifting your mindset from "this is difficult" to "I love this" How to determine if something truly deserves space in your calendar Why mentors help you see blind spots that are invisible to you Simon shares a personal story about how a single off-hand comment from Troy completely transformed his approach to client work, proving that sometimes the most valuable insights come from casual interactions, not formal teaching. Ready to maximize your next industry event? This episode gives you the mindset shift you need to turn your next conference from just another business expense into a genuine catalyst for growth. If you’re ready to scale your agency and reclaim your time, join our new community for just $1. Every week, Troy goes live with actionable strategies to help you build a business that works - for you Handy Links:  MavCon - https://mvrx.link/mavconSimon’s Web Design Process - https://sgd.com.au/our-web-design-process/Simon’s Paid Discovery Page - https://sgd.com.au/digital-strategy-workshop/E2M Solutions - https://www.e2msolutions.com/agency-mavericksWP Remote - https://wpremote.com Get a Personalised Game Plan to Grow Your AgencyTake this online assessment and get recommendations based on more than 10 years of experience helping 4K+ agencies. This stuff works. Reduce the overwhelm and know exactly what to do next. Gameplan.agencymavericks.com...

Welcome back to The Agency Hour, the show that helps web design and digital agency owners create real abundance - for themselves, their teams, and the communities they serve. In this episode, Troy Dean and Simon Kelly, CEO and Head of Growth at Seriously Good Design, dive deep into the mindset that builds winning teams. They explore how beliefs shape behaviors, why most job ads fall flat, and how to use AI tools like Claude to develop powerful team member profiles. The conversation cuts through the fluff, challenging agency owners to examine whether they're unknowingly teaching their teams to lose or win. Troy shares his recent revelation about the power of Claude AI compared to ChatGPT, demonstrating how two simple prompts helped him create a comprehensive ideal client profile that transformed his workshop delivery. This practical application reveals how agency owners can use AI not just for client work, but for internal team building and recruitment. If you're looking to understand what truly drives autonomy and connection inside high-performing agencies, and how to cultivate a team culture built on shared beliefs rather than just shared goals, this episode is essential listening. Here’s what you’ll learn: Why Most Job Ads Fail – How to flip the script and talk to candidates about their journey instead of your company The AI Revolution in Team Building – Using Claude AI to create comprehensive ideal team member profiles with minimal prompting The Belief-Action-Results Framework – How your team's beliefs influence their behaviors and ultimately your agency's success Why Service Differentiation Is a Myth – The only true differentiator is your culture and how much your team cares The Three Pillars of Team Engagement – Autonomy, connection, and respected leadership Overcoming the "I Can't Do It" Mindset – Strategies for cultivating a growth mindset in your team The Power of Focus and Consistency – Why playing the long game is essential for sustainable agency growth This thought-provoking episode challenges agency owners to look beyond tactical "how-to" advice and focus on the philosophical foundations that truly drive team performance. As Troy and Simon conclude, "If you don't have the right beliefs and the right thinking and the right mindset, the how-to is irrelevant." If you’re ready to scale your agency and reclaim your time, join our new community for just $1. Every week, Troy goes live with actionable strategies to help you build a business that works - for you Handy Links:  MavCon - https://mvrx.link/mavconSimon’s Web Design Process - https://sgd.com.au/our-web-design-process/Simon’s Paid Discovery Page -...

Are you stuck in the grind, hiding behind “hustle culture” to justify the constant overtime? You’re not alone—and you don’t have to keep sacrificing your relationships, health, or freedom to build a successful agency. Welcome back to The Agency Hour, the show that helps web design and digital agency owners create real abundance—for themselves, their teams, and the communities they serve. In this episode, host Troy Dean sits down with Simon Kelly, CEO and Head of Growth at Seriously Good Design, to explore what it really takes to step into your role as a business owner—and finally stop doing everything yourself. Here’s what you’ll learn: Why you’ll never be completely satisfied with your team’s work—and why that’s actually a good thing How to stop doing tasks that drain your time without losing revenue The key mindset shift that moves you from technician to true business owner Why obsessing over perfect processes may be keeping your business small What overworking is actually helping you avoid (and how to break the cycle) “Your job is to think—not to do everything yourself,” Troy reminds us. Leadership is about defining the outcome, not controlling every step. If you’re ready to scale your agency and reclaim your time, join our new community for just $1. Every week, Troy goes live with actionable strategies to help you build a business that works—for you. Handy Links:  MavCon - https://mvrx.link/mavconSimon’s Web Design Process - https://sgd.com.au/our-web-design-process/Simon’s Paid Discovery Page - https://sgd.com.au/digital-strategy-workshop/E2M Solutions - https://www.e2msolutions.com/agency-mavericksWP Remote - https://wpremote.com Get a Personalised Game Plan to Grow Your AgencyTake this online assessment and get recommendations based on more than 10 years of experience helping 4K+ agencies. This stuff works. Reduce the overwhelm and know exactly what to do next. Gameplan.agencymavericks.com Follow us on the socials: YouTube | Facebook | FB Group |

Ever felt like your team is underperforming despite your best efforts? Welcome back to The Agency Hour, where we help web design and digital agency owners create abundance for themselves, their teams, and their communities. In this episode, Troy Dean and Simon Kelly, CEO and Head of Growth at Seriously Good Design, dive deep into the challenges of team leadership. They explore why most agencies struggle to grow beyond the founder, how to motivate team members beyond financial incentives, and the power of vulnerability as a leadership strength. You'll discover practical frameworks for accountability, the importance of clear outcomes over micromanagement, and why you should stop being the solution to all your team's problems. What You'll Learn: Why One-Time Projects Keep You Stuck – The hidden danger of unpredictable revenue and how to escape it The Three Motivators of Human Behavior – Understanding what truly How to Create Accountability Without Micromanagement – Simple systems for tracking progress and results The Power of Vulnerability in Leadership – Why showing weakness actually demonstrates courage Why You Should Stop Solving Your Team's Problems – How to break the dependency cycle The Secret to Building a Self-Managing Team – Focus on outcomes, not processes How to Align Your Team Around a Compelling Vision – Techniques for creating buy-in and engagement This conversation goes beyond theory, offering actionable strategies to transform your leadership approach. Simon's candid admission about his own ego getting in the way ("Give other people a chance to be successful") provides a powerful moment of reflection for any leader. Handy Links:  MavCon - https://mvrx.link/mavconSimon’s Web Design Process - https://sgd.com.au/our-web-design-process/Simon’s Paid Discovery Page - https://sgd.com.au/digital-strategy-workshop/E2M Solutions - https://www.e2msolutions.com/agency-mavericksWP Remote - https://wpremote.com Get a Personalised Game Plan to Grow Your AgencyTake this online assessment and get recommendations based on more than 10 years of experience helping 4K+ agencies. This stuff works. Reduce the overwhelm and know exactly what to do next. Gameplan.agencymavericks.com Follow us on the socials:

Is Your Agency Ready to Sell? Welcome back to The Agency Hour, where we help web design and digital agency owners create abundance for themselves, their teams, and their communities. Ever wondered if your agency has what it takes to be acquired? Whether you're burning out or simply ready for a new chapter, this episode reveals the truth about agency valuations and what makes your business attractive to buyers. In this episode of The Agency Hour, Troy Dean sits down with with Adam Silverman, founder of Mule Town Digital and experienced agency acquirer, we explore the reality of agency acquisitions. You don't need hundreds of clients to be sellable - Adam has acquired agencies with as few as 20-30 clients!You'll discover: Master the art of strategic agency acquisition - learn what makes an agency sellable in today's market Determine the true value of your agency - using practical formulas that buyers actually apply when evaluating businesses Organize your client documentation - maximize your agency's worth and ensure a smooth transition for both clients and staff Navigate the crossroads - between growing your agency or preparing it for sale with confidence and clarity Build recurring revenue streams - significantly increase your agency's market value Create a graceful exit strategy - protect your clients, honors your legacy, and maximizes your financial return Whether you're looking to grow your agency into a sellable asset or ready to exit now, this episode provides the roadmap you need. Adam shares his experience from both sides of the acquisition table, including how to maintain nearly 98% client retention during transitions. Ready to explore your options? Visit https://muletowndigital.com/sell-your-agency to start the conversation about your agency's future. Handy Links: Mule Town Digital - https://muletowndigital.com/sell-your-agency MavCon - https://mvrx.link/mavconE2M Solutions - https://www.e2msolutions.com/agency-mavericksWP Remote - https://wpremote.com Get a Personalised Game Plan to Grow Your AgencyTake this online assessment and get recommendations based on more than 10 years of experience helping 4K+ agencies. This stuff works. Reduce the overwhelm and know exactly what to do next. Gameplan.agencymavericks.com Follow us on the socials:

Ever wondered how AI could transform your digital agency? Imagine getting qualified leads directly from ChatGPT and Perplexity without extra effort. In this eye-opening episode, Simon Kelly reveals the game-changing ways his agency is leveraging AI to streamline operations and drive growth. Welcome back to The Agency Hour, where we help web design and digital agency owners create abundance for themselves, their teams, and their communities. This conversation goes beyond buzzwords to show you practical applications that are working right now. Simon shares his exact framework (CRIT: Context, Role, Interview, Task) for crafting effective prompts that deliver results. Learn how Simon's agency is: Using AI as a powerful lead generation channel (yes, ChatGPT is sending clients!) Cutting sales process time from 4 hours to just 1 hour with strategic AI implementation Creating client roadmaps and deliverables faster without sacrificing quality Balancing AI automation with human talent for optimal results Don't miss Simon's insights on why selling AI roadmaps to clients could be your agency's most profitable new service offering in 2024.    What You'll Learn   Leverage AI to transform your sales process - from a 4-hour workflow to a 1-hour powerhouse of efficiency and effectiveness     Create AI-optimized client roadmaps - balance automation with human expertise for consistently impressive deliverables     Discover ChatGPT and Perplexity - on how they are becoming unexpected lead generation channels for forward-thinking agencies     Implement the CRIT framework (Context, Role, Interview, Task) - to get superior results from your AI prompts     Build an AI + talent + templates system - prevents delivery debt while maintaining quality control across client work     Develop AI roadmaps - that helps clients implement strategic automation rather than random tactical fixes     Position your agency as an industry specialist - by combining AI-powered execution with specialized knowledge that clients can't replace     Handy Links: MavCon - https://mvrx.link/mavconSimon’s Web Design Process - https://sgd.com.au/our-web-design-process/Simon’s Paid Discovery Page - https://sgd.com.au/digital-strategy-workshop/E2M Solutions - https://www.e2msolutions.com/agency-mavericksWP Remote - https://wpremote.com...

Stop treating your website like a brochure! Most businesses invest heavily in content creation but fail to evolve their website based on real customer conversations. Meanwhile, they're spending countless hours on social media and sales outreach without leveraging those insights to improve their most valuable digital asset. Welcome back to The Agency Hour, where we help web design and digital agency owners create abundance for themselves, their teams, and their communities. In this episode of The Agency Hour, Troy Dean sits down with Simon Kelly, CEO and Head of Growth at SGD, to explore how to transform your website from a static brochure into a powerful sales asset that gains value over time. You'll discover: Why your website is the only platform you truly control in a digital landscape How to incorporate sales conversation insights into your website content The importance of focusing on bottom-of-funnel content for maximum ROI Why consistency and "mastering the mundane" beats chasing marketing tricks Practical tips for creating one high-impact piece of content weekly The most successful agencies aren't looking for marketing shortcuts—they're systematically improving their websites based on real customer interactions, building a valuable asset that works for them 24/7. What You'll Learn Website as an Asset vs. Brochure - Most businesses treat their website like a static brochure instead of a dynamic sales tool that gains value over time through continuous improvement. Focus on Bottom-of-Funnel Content - Target the 5% of prospects ready to buy rather than the 95% who aren't ready; this provides the highest ROI for your content efforts. Accurate Business Representation - Your website must first accurately represent what your business does before any other improvements can be effective. Content Creation Strategy - Commit to creating one high-quality piece of content weekly that addresses common questions, shifts beliefs, and includes a call to action. Multiple Marketing Channels - Don't rely on a single platform; use at least two channels (LinkedIn and YouTube recommended for B2B) to protect against platform changes. Website as the Mothership - Use social platforms to attract attention but always direct traffic back to your website where you control the user experience and conversion process. Practical Action Item - Update your FAQs and process pages based on questions that arise in sales calls to preemptively address objections for future prospects. Handy Links: MavCon - https://mvrx.link/mavconSimon’s Web Design Process - https://sgd.com.au/our-web-design-process/Simon’s Paid Discovery Page - 

Welcome back to The Agency Hour, where we help web design and digital agency owners create abundance for themselves, their teams, and their communities. In this episode, Troy Dean sits down with Simon Kelly, CEO and Head of Growth at Seriously Good Design, to explore the powerful concept of content assets. They discuss how to transform your existing content into revenue-generating machines, why most businesses are sitting on untapped gold mines of valuable assets, and the critical difference between creating "content" versus building "content assets." Simon shares practical examples from his own agency success while Troy reveals the content asset strategy that built his entire business. If you're tired of creating content that gets fleeting attention but doesn't drive revenue, this episode reveals exactly how to build and leverage content assets that create real business growth and client value. What You'll Learn The Critical Difference Between Content and Content Assets – Why most content disappears while assets keep generating value How to Transform Your Agency Knowledge Into Sellable Assets – Practical examples from real agencies The "Sell Your Sawdust" Strategy – How to monetize the byproducts of your everyday work Why Most Agencies Miss Revenue Opportunities – The hidden assets you already have but aren't leveraging Low-Ticket Funnel Secrets – How to use small purchases to create high-ticket clients Creating a Content Asset Ecosystem – Building assets for each stage of your customer journey The Personalization Premium – Why clients will pay top dollar for personalized insights Handy Links: MavCon - https://mvrx.link/mavconSimon’s Web Design Process - https://sgd.com.au/our-web-design-process/Simon’s Paid Discovery Page - https://sgd.com.au/digital-strategy-workshop/E2M Solutions - https://www.e2msolutions.com/agency-mavericksWP Remote - https://wpremote.com Get a Personalised Game Plan to Grow Your AgencyTake this online assessment and get recommendations based on more than 10 years of experience helping 4K+ agencies. This stuff works. Reduce the overwhelm and know exactly what to do next. Gameplan.agencymavericks.com Follow us on the socials: YouTube | Facebook | FB Group | Instagram | Twitter | Linkedin