In this episode of Stoke Sessions, Matt is joined by Corbin and Dave from SMB Strategy Consultants and Gerrie, CFO @ MAGNETIC to discuss the financial impact of alignment between the vision, operations, and financials. The conversation emphasizes the importance of having a strong foundation of accurate and timely bookkeeping in order to trust the numbers. They highlight the need for forward-looking financial reporting and creating a future-proofed business by tracking cost ratios, cash flow, forecasts, and the split between project and retainer revenue.

The team talks through the importance of communication and simplicity in financial reporting, especially in creative agencies. The conversation focused on the importance of aligning branding, creative, and marketing in order to achieve impactful results for clients. It was emphasized that setting up a long-term engagement with clients is key to seeing the full potential of these pillars. The episode also touched on the significance of having a clear sales process that identifies the potential for retainer work after the initial project. The episode finished with the advice to prioritize financial and operational health and to start taking action towards achieving business goals.

• Trust in the numbers is crucial for making informed decisions and aligning the vision, operations, and financials of a business.
• Accurate and timely bookkeeping is the foundation for building trust in the financials.
• Forward-looking financial reporting helps businesses prepare for future challenges and opportunities.
• Tracking cost ratios, cash flow, forecasts, and the split between project and retainer revenue is essential for financial stability and growth.
• Simplicity and effective communication are key in financial reporting, especially in creative agencies.
• Aligning branding, creative, and marketing is crucial for impactful results.
• Setting up a long-term engagement with clients is important to fully leverage the three pillars.
• Having a clear sales process can lead to retainer work and financial security.
• Controlling expenses through a salary cap is essential for financial health.
• Prioritizing financial and operational health is key to achieving business goals.

"People don't always trust their numbers."

"One source of truth."

"Creating alignment between vision, operations, and financials."

"The impact that clients see when all three of those things line up is, it's undeniable."

"Having a clear process, having a sales process that identifies that on the front end, so that after phase one, you're not coming in and saying, well, gosh, you know what we could do now."

"If you're trying to plan your business to be healthy, you have to start with that net profit in mind."

00:00 Introduction and Background

00:51 The Financial Impact of Alignment

04:33 Preparing for Financial Challenges

07:59 Lessons from Challenging Years

11:04 The Importance of Trusting the Numbers

12:38 Creating Alignment Between Vision and Operations

23:05 Designing Long-Term Retainer Clients

25:09 Partnerships with Clients

28:39 Understanding Costs for a Healthy Business

31:00 Employee to Revenue Cost Ratios

34:45 Prioritizing Financials for Alignment

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Episode 9 of Stoke Sessions is a review of Figma Config 2024 by the creative design team at MAGNETIC. Matt, Mani, and Thomas highlight the implementation of AI in Figma, particularly in renaming layers and generating designs. The community aspect of Figma is emphasized as well as the ability to collaborate and share assets easily between designers and teams. The learning curve for Figma is discussed, with the consensus being that it is relatively low, especially for those familiar with Adobe products. The conversation concludes with a mention of Figma's focus on creating a distraction-free environment for designers. The conversation covers topics such as the Pomodoro technique, flow state, taking breaks from creative work, and collaboration in creative work. The speakers discuss the importance of time management and efficiency, as well as the need for focused, uninterrupted work periods. They also highlight the value of collaboration and leveraging the skills of others to enhance the quality of work. The episode concludes with tips for getting into a flow state and eliminating distractions.

• Getting into a flow state and clearing distractions is crucial for creative productivity.
• The implementation of AI in Figma, such as renaming layers and generating designs, is a significant feature.
• Figma's community aspect allows for easy collaboration and sharing of assets.
• The learning curve for Figma is relatively low, especially for those familiar with Adobe products.
• Figma aims to create a distraction-free environment for designers. The Pomodoro technique, which involves working for 25 minutes and taking a 5-minute break, can help improve efficiency and focus.
• Flow state is crucial for creative work, and it takes time to get into and recover from it.
• Collaboration and leveraging the skills of others can enhance the quality of work.
• Eliminating distractions, such as turning off notifications and creating a clean workspace, can help get into a flow state.
• Taking breaks and caring for physical health, such as blinking regularly and using blue light-blocking glasses, is important for long-term productivity.
• Having a collection of inspiration and references can aid in the creative process.
• Starting the work and iterating on it is key to progress and success.
• Clear communication and alignment within a team are essential for effective collaboration.
• Digital detox and reducing social media consumption can improve focus and creativity.
• The speakers are excited about upcoming trips, family time, and fishing with their kids.

00:00 Introduction and Overview of the Figma 2024 Config Conference

01:06 Key Takeaways from the Conference: Inspiration and Motivation

05:11 Key Features and Updates in Figma: AI, Figma Slides, and Suggest Auto Layout

13:53 Figma's Emphasis on Community and Collaboration

20:23 Achieving Flow State: Slowing Down and Focusing on Singular Inputs

21:11 Creating a Distraction-Less Environment for Designers

21:51 Improving Efficiency with the Pomodoro Technique

26:31 The Power of Collaboration in Enhancing Creative Work

31:05 Strategies for Getting into Flow State

36:08 Exciting Personal Endeavors: Trips, Family Time, and Fishing

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Episode Keywords:

Config 2024, flow state, distractions, AI, Figma, community, learning curve, Adobe products, distraction-free environment, Pomodoro technique, flow state, breaks, collaboration, time management, efficiency, focus, uninterrupted work, skills, quality, tips, distractions

Cooking with Fire Influencer Marketing Podcast Episode Summary

Miguel Raya, also known as Cooking with Fire all over social media shares his journey in the influencer marketing space and provides insights for brands and influencers alike. Miguel started cooking and barbecuing after being inspired by his father-in-law and later binge watching YouTube videos. Miguel started posting his BBQ on social media, coining the phrase "This came out absolutely fantastic, go ahead and give it a go!" - from there his popularity on social media catapulted.

In this podcast episode, Miguel talks through the importance of consistent posting, engagement, and outreach for when brands approach influencers. Cooking with Fire's worked with brands like Dawn and Budweiser and hopes to release a cookbook and seasonings in the future. In this conversation, Matt and Miguel discuss influencer marketing and the barbecue industry. Miguel shares his experience working with various brands and the importance of building long-term relationships. They also talk about different grilling styles and Miguel's favorite cuts of meat. They touch on the changes in influencer marketing and social media platforms, emphasizing the need for consistency and dedication. The conversation finishes with Miguel sharing his excitement for trying new foods, upcoming recipes, and a possible cookbook coming soon from Cooking with Fire!

Cooking with Fire Episode Takeaways

• Consistent posting and engagement are key to growing as an influencer.
• Brands should consider an influencer's engagement and reach before reaching out for collaborations.
• Miguel has worked with brands like Dawn and Budweiser.
• He hopes to release a cookbook and seasonings in the future.
• Building long-term relationships with brands is important in influencer marketing.
• Different grilling styles have their own advantages depending on the type of cooking.
• Consistency and dedication are key to success in influencer marketing and social media.
• Trying new foods and experimenting with recipes is an exciting part of cooking.
• The integration of features across social media platforms is an ongoing trend.

Cooking with Fire Podcast Episode Sound Bites

"I started watching YouTube, like binging, like nonstop."

"That's when I really approached my first brand, which was a pork company, and we were going back and forth, and when they say, you know what, we'll give you, I think it was maybe $300 a post? That's when I was like, what?"

"You know, brisket, anything, ribs, it's just a lot of meat."

"There's quite a few that I still work with and you know that sometimes there's brands that they do targeted post, right? So they only hit me up like certain time like when is peak barbecue season or the holidays."

"Long-term to me is always best because you build that relationship even deeper with that brand."

"I just love any kind of grill, really."

Cooking with Fire Podcast Episode Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Family Background

05:02 Transition to Paid Collaborations

11:13 Working with Brands as an Influencer

23:51 Changes in Influencer Marketing and Social Media

29:20 Balancing Work and Personal Life

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