12th March 2024
Faris Yakob on why smart people are increasingly seeking to ply their trade outside traditional employment structures - and what agency CEOs must do to compete.
Episode 2
Faris Yakob
Co-Founder, Genius Steals
In this episode, Robin is joined by author, thinker and Genius Steals Co-Founder, Faris Yakob. Famed for his ‘digital nomad’ lifestyle as much as his insights, a LOT of agency people ask him about how to go freelance.
So he and Robin explore why agency life sucks for a lot of people and what agency leaders can do to avoid great talent choosing to be independent consultants instead.
Unpacking his own ‘accidental’ journey to becoming a consultant, Faris shares what he sees as the limitations and constraints of working in a traditional agency role. He and Robin also explore the business model inefficiencies that contribute to the pressures that agency CEOs face.
If you’re interested in Faris’ recipe for how ‘unkillable’ agencies can thrive in an era of increased competition, then don’t miss this episode.
Chapters
02.20 Why agency life sucks
07.35 How Faris’ nomadic life outside agencies came about
12.20 What people look for from their jobs
14.20 How our business model puts agencies in opposition to clients
17.40 Learnings from the world of management consultancy
21.30 Advice for agency leaders to help them keep top talent
25.20 What makes agencies ‘unkillable’
29.30 The quest for new models
32.20 How creativity can inform every level of the agency business
35.40 Kellogg’s long-term thinking for agencies from 1989
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