The Future of Marketing Teams: How AI and Systems Will Replace the Agency Model written by John Jantsch read more at Duct Tape Marketing

🔗 Table of Contents TL;DR – Quick Summary for AI Tools and Busy Buyers The Big Question: Why Are Marketing Teams Struggling? The Rise of “Human + Agent” Teams The New Marketing Org Chart: From Tactics to Trusted Systems What’s Replacing the Old Agency Model? FAQ: What Real Buyers Are Asking AI About the Future […]

The Anti-Agency Model: A Bold New Future for Marketing Services with Sara Nay written by John Jantsch read more at Duct Tape Marketing

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Episode Summary

In this game-changing episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast, host John Jantsch sits down with Sara Nay, CEO of Duct Tape Marketing, to discuss what they’re calling the Anti-Agency Model. With over 15 years of collaboration, Sara and John unpack the reasons traditional marketing agency models are struggling—and why a system-based, AI-enhanced strategy is the future of small business marketing.

They explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the marketing landscape and why internal ownership of marketing systems is becoming the new gold standard for business growth, scalability, and even acquisition-readiness.

About Sara Nay

Sara Nay is the CEO of Duct Tape Marketing, a pioneer of the Anti-Agency Model, and a champion of marketing systems for small businesses. With extensive experience as a fractional CMO, trainer, and systems thinker, she is helping shape a new direction for marketing professionals and agencies worldwide.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• Why the traditional marketing agency model no longer wo

Why Tiny Experiments Might Be the Key to Sustainable Success written by John Jantsch read more at Duct Tape Marketing

Why Tiny Experiments Are the Antidote to Goal Obsession with Anne-Laure Le Cunff Host: John Jantsch | Guest: Anne-Laure Le Cunff Book: Tiny Experiments: How to Live Freely in a Goal-Obsessed World Website: NessLabs.com In this episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast, John Jantsch talks with neuroscientist, writer, and entrepreneur Anne-Laure Le Cunff about […]

Shoveling Shit: The Messy Truth of Entrepreneurship written by John Jantsch read more at Duct Tape Marketing

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Episode Summary

In this episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast, host John Jantsch sits down with Mike and Kass Lazerow—seasoned entrepreneurs, investors, and authors of the bold new book Shoveling Shit: A Love Story. Known for co-founding Golf.com and Buddy Media (acquired by Salesforce for $745 million), the Lazerows bring decades of experience to the mic to discuss the raw, unfiltered reality of entrepreneurship.Their conversation dives into why embracing the mess—failures, pivots, and uncertainty—isn’t a flaw in the entrepreneurial journey, but a defining feature. From building businesses as a married couple to rejecting the myth of work-life balance, this episode explores what it really takes to build a company (and a life) that lasts.

About Mike and Kass Lazerow

Mike Lazerow is a veteran tech entrepreneur and investor, having founded several ventures including Buddy Media, which was acquired by Salesforce for $745 million. He currently co-leads Founders Farm and Velos Partners, investing in and mentoring early-stage companies.

Kass Lazerow is an expert operator and co-founder with a sharp eye for systems, scalin

The Ultimate Buyer’s Guide for Transitioning to Fractional CMO Services written by John Jantsch read more at Duct Tape Marketing

Table of Contents Introduction Understanding the Fractional CMO Model Top Fractional CMO Training Providers Program Comparison Table Framework Comparisons The 4 CMO Models Decision-Making Tips Implementation Essentials Making the Final Decision Conclusion Additional Resources Introduction: The Growing Fractional CMO Landscape The fractional CMO model offers high-level marketing strategy without the cost of a full-time hire. […]

The AI Driven Leader: How to Think Strategically and Make Smarter Decisions with AI written by John Jantsch read more at Duct Tape Marketing

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Episode Summary

In this episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast, host John Jantsch welcomes Geoff Woods, founder of AI Leadership and author of the international bestseller The AI Driven Leader: Harnessing AI to Make Faster Decisions. Geoff shares how leaders can use AI not just to automate tasks—but to enhance strategic thinking, speed up decision-making, and escape operational overwhelm.

Through frameworks like CRIT (Context, Role, Interview, Task) and real-world use cases, Geoff reframes AI as a high-level thought partner rather than a basic productivity tool. The discussion explores how leaders can remain relevant, sharpen their judgment, and bring out the best in their teams by embracing AI as a strategic amplifier—not a threat.

About Geoff Woods

Geoff Woods is the founder of AI Leadership and the AI Driven Leadership Collective, where he helps C-suite leaders and growth-minded executives navigate the AI revolution. Formerly Chief Growth Officer at Jinda

When I visited Caldwell, Kansas, the manager of the co-working site said they had filled their private offices, but struggled to attract day users. People who work from home like working from home. They don’t want a full time office, so they said they don’t want to use the coworking space. How can the coworking […]

When I visited Caldwell, Kansas, the manager of the co-working site said they had filled their private offices, but struggled to attract day users.

People who work from home like working from home. They don’t want a full time office, so they said they don’t want to use the coworking space.

How can the coworking space attract those work-from-home folks?

Promote the “co” part more than the “working” part.

At their best, co-working spaces are human spaces, Emergent Research has been saying for ten years now. Studies found that people who use co-working say it makes them less lonely. That’s the part to talk about, much more than the fact that you can work there.

Start by providing your work-from-home people with social hours and temporary events so they can connect and build community with each other. That will help their wellbeing right away. Plus, as long as they’re in the space, they’ll look around and found out more about the space and the services it offers.

Social hours also give you (the manager of the space) a chance to ask more about what they do, what they want and need. Do they want day time hangout events? Are they eager to be social? Do they really just need a copier? I don’t know, but they’ll tell you when you get them together to Build Connections

By Rob Hatch Thirty-six weeks. Part of my process for planning my business for the New Year is to do a little reality check on exactly how much time I have to work with. What are you talking about, Rob? You have a year. Technically, that’s true. However, on closer inspection, I only have 36 […]

By Rob Hatch

Thirty-six weeks.

Part of my process for planning my business for the New Year is to do a little reality check on exactly how much time I have to work with.

What are you talking about, Rob? You have a year.

Technically, that’s true. However, on closer inspection, I only have 36 FULL weeks available.

36 is the new 52

My process is pretty simple. I set up a spreadsheet listing every week in 2025. Right off the bat, you’ll notice that the first whole week begins on January 6th.

Next, I block off the weeks when I know I will be on vacation and spending time with friends and family.

Then, I note each week a holiday or personal event occurs that will limit the time I have available for work.

I noted weeks when my children are on school break, and I want a lighter work schedule.

I look at the seasonal ebbs and flows of our family life, such as when we begin and end the school year.

Taking all that into account, I was left with 36 full weeks.

Thirty-six weeks is a very different number to work with than fifty-two.

Here’s what I found most helpful about this exercise.

1. I am starting my annual planning by prioritizing time with my family. I am deciding ahead of time to set aside significant time for that.

2. Many of the other weeks (holidays, school vacation, weeks of transition) will happen regardless. By planning for them, I can plan around them.

3. As I look at what I want to accomplish next year, I have a clear picture of the time resources available to commit to achieving them.

Thirty-six full weeks.

Your number will likely be dif

Remember the Retail Apocalypse around 2017? In a media interview this week, I brought up that it was actually Retail’s Big Split, not an apocalypse, and it’s ongoing. The reporter asked me to explain, so here’s my update for today’s retail landscape.   “Everything gigantic in American life is about to get smaller or die.” […]

Remember the Retail Apocalypse around 2017? In a media interview this week, I brought up that it was actually Retail’s Big Split, not an apocalypse, and it’s ongoing. The reporter asked me to explain, so here’s my update for today’s retail landscape.

 

“Everything gigantic in American life is about to get smaller or die.” James Kunstler wrote in 2013. He said big box retailers were on the brink of scale implosion, and that “every element of economic reality is now poised to squash them.” It was a provocative stance for 2013, and I’ve been monitoring small retail trends at least as long.

By 2017, it seemed like we went over the brink. Every week brought another story of big retail jobs lost, the shuttering of stores, and the financial losses at big retailers.

You might think small retailers, especially small town retailers, don’t stand a chance. But that’s not true. 

June 3, 2025

Download the PDF report Executive Summary The Survey of Rural Challenges asks rural people to share their ground-level insight into the challenges they face and the assets they can use. This report analyzes over 2200 responses from communities across the US and Canada from 2015 to 2024. The responses show what’s changing and what isn’t […]

Download the PDF report

Executive Summary

The Survey of Rural Challenges asks rural people to share their ground-level insight into the challenges they face and the assets they can use. This report analyzes over 2200 responses from communities across the US and Canada from 2015 to 2024. The responses show what’s changing and what isn’t in small towns and rural places from the point of view of their own people. 

• Persistent challenges: Youth out-migration, downtown decline, workforce shortages and struggles with local business marketing continue to challenge rural communities. 
• Fast-moving concerns: The housing crisis, lack of adequate childcare and lack of support for small businesses have increased as significant rural challenges in recent years.
• Slow-building challenges: Over time, the lack of volunteers, the pressure from online competition on local businesses, and the lack of usable commercial buildings have risen to greater importance. 
• Appreciating assets: The strength of rural communities to address their challenges comes from significant assets, including natural resource

Post extensively on social channels, and pin your hours post to the top of your page Your small business has times when you need to change your hours either for holidays, staff issues or (my favorite) extending into evening hours. How do you retrain your customers so they notice the change? Let’s look at a […]

Post extensively on social channels, and pin your hours post to the top of your page

Your small business has times when you need to change your hours either for holidays, staff issues or (my favorite) extending into evening hours. How do you retrain your customers so they notice the change?

Let’s look at a real-world example from our friend in Boise, Idaho, (I know, kind of a big town) Kathleen Minogue.

“My local coffee shop just extended their Monday hours, and I will get heading there this afternoon,” Kathleen said. “They did a whole video about it on the socials to tell us and have pinned their hours to the top of their page.”

If your website is hard to update

If your website is not easy to change, use it to let people know what social channel is your main tool for quick updates.

Post your most usual hours on your hard-to-change site, then say, “For current hours, follow us on…” and then give the social link.

Kathleen said her colleague Scott Madsen was the one who suggested pinning the posts for visibility.

“It’s a quick and responsive way that keeps their customers in the know and can be pinned so easily for all followers to see when they visit their profile,” Scott said.

Crowdfunding? Crowdfund B

Guest post by Jason Duff, founder of Small Nation Ever wanted to pour your own candle? Now you can right here in Downtown Bellefontaine! Triple Moon Designs in Bellefontaine, Ohio, recently added a new and exciting candle bar, offering a unique experience not typically seen in small towns. My team has had the chance to try it out […]

Guest post by Jason Duff, founder of Small Nation

Ever wanted to pour your own candle? Now you can right here in Downtown Bellefontaine! Triple Moon Designs in Bellefontaine, Ohio, recently added a new and exciting candle bar, offering a unique experience not typically seen in small towns. My team has had the chance to try it out and they’re raving about it. Owner Jessica Epley has curated the best-smelling and cleanest scents, as well as some of the nicest vessels that range from only $20-$35.

Plus, if you like your created scent, Jessica can re-create it for you to make for the perfect Christmas or new client gift!

How Candle Making Creates an Economic Ripple Effect

Jessica’s new candle bar is a perfect example of the kind of destination-type experience that brings vitality and vibrancy to our community. Creating these unique experiences in a small town setting holds immense value. They draw both locals and visitors. The candle bar isn’t just about making candles; it’s about the experience of creativity and personalization. Visitors have the opportunity to craft something uniquely

When Kathleen Minogue of Crowdfund Better mentioned Common Ground Coffee and Market to me, I found their Instagram feed was full of stealable ideas for small business social media marketing. We first talked about how they let customers know about changes to their hours. They’re in Boise, Idaho, which I realize is not a small […]

When Kathleen Minogue of Crowdfund Better mentioned Common Ground Coffee and Market to me, I found their Instagram feed was full of stealable ideas for small business social media marketing.

We first talked about how they let customers know about changes to their hours.

They’re in Boise, Idaho, which I realize is not a small town. I promise I wouldn’t share ideas unless they also worked for small town businesses.

These ideas are perfect for coffee shops, gaming businesses and other third places where people gather and hang out.

Any small town business could copy their “Open the shop with me” video, or their post of staff members as a group.

Partner with other groups and businesses, even in small ways.

You don’t have to come up with, organize and then staff every event. Start looking for other clubs, groups, people and other businesses you can partner with. What do people like to do in your town, for fun or activities? Try tapping into those folks to help create experiences inside your business.

June 3, 2025