In this episode of the Hands-Off CEO Podcast, Mandi Ellefson talks with Jody Sutter, founder of The Sutter Company. Jody has helped agencies of all sizes simplify their business development and win clients without burning out or chasing the wrong opportunities.
Together, they dig into why most agencies overcomplicate growth and how to make business development simple, repeatable, and effective. From positioning that actually attracts the right clients to turning your sales process into a system, Jody shares practical steps to help agency owners escape the feast-or-famine cycle.
You’ll hear why trying to be everything to everyone keeps agencies stuck, and how a clear niche and client-focused messaging can unlock real growth.
🔍 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- Why AI is changing how agencies need to position themselves
- The difference between “we’re awesome” messaging and client-focused messaging that wins deals
- How to niche without closing doors (and why it helps you grow faster)
- Why many agencies fail to measure results and what to track instead
- How shifting from vendor to growth partner gives you access to client KPIs
- How to turn your sales process into a repeatable system that doesn’t depend on you
If you’ve ever felt stuck chasing proposals, competing on price, or struggling to win the right clients, this episode will show you how to simplify your growth strategy and finally build a business development system that works.
👉 Connect with Jody: https://www.thesuttercompany.com/
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