Episode notes
Blair changes his mind on productized services. Again. And AI is the reason. LINKS "The New Age of Consulting" by Blair Enns for winwithoutpitching.com
Podcast
2Bobs—with David C. Baker and Blair Enns
David C. Baker and Blair Enns · Business · English
Conversations on the art of creative entrepreneurship with David C. Baker and Blair Enns
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E251 · 23 Sep 2026 · 17 min
Do You Need an Advisory Board?
We all know how valuable external input from trusted advisors can be for our business. But what does that look like for independent agencies who don't have investors to answer to? LINKS "Do Independent Firms Need A Board?" by David C. Baker for punctuation.com
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E250 · 9 Sep 2026 · 21 min
A Proposed AI Contribution Scale
Categorizing AI-generated copy as "human vs AI" is not as binary as with AI-generated images or video. So Blair has developed an AI Contribution Scale to help us all be more transparent when using LLMs in the creation of written communication intended for prospects, clients, and peers. [This episode's notes are AI-0 ] Links AI Contribution Scale "The Coming Collapse of 'Thought Leadership'" by Blair Enns for winwithoutpitching.com Curt Jaimungal's 5-minute YouTube video on why you shouldn't let AI write for you
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E249 · 26 Aug 2026 · 22 min
How Sellable Are You?
In a recent article, David discloses the questions all creative agency principals need to answer whenever they are ready to find the right buyer and successfully navigate the merger and acquisition (M&A) process to complete the sale. LINKS "How Sellable Is Your Firm?" by David C. Baker for Punctuation.com
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E248 · 12 Aug 2026 · 27 min
Positioning, Strategy, and AI
Blair and David are hearing all kinds of people talking about how their positioning needs adjustment because of AI. Blair does see an issue developing for many creative firms, but more with business strategy instead of positioning. Links Positioning: The Battle for Your Mind and The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing by Al Ries and Jack Trout Good Strategy / Bad Strategy by Richard Rumelt Playing to Win by Roger L. Martin The Lords of Strategy by Walter Kiechel, III
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E247 · 29 Jul 2026 · 21 min
Employee Retreats for Remote-First Teams
David recommends regular in-person company-wide gatherings for remote workers as an opportunity for creative agencies to help build their organization's culture in our post-pandemic economy where online video meetings continue to fill our calendars and working from home is the new norm. LINKS "Investing in Ee Retreats at Remote Firms" by David C. Baker for punctuation.com
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E245 · 1 Jul 2026 · 20 min
Thirteen Signals Your Website Should Send
David shares a quick list of website elements he sees is missing from a lot of creative firms' websites which could help them attract more new business. Links "13 Signals Your Website Might Send" by David C. Baker for punctuation.com
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E244 · 17 Jun 2026 · 25 min
Embrace the Marketing Mess
Blair shares what stuck in his mind about marketing success from listening to a recent podcast interview with Rory Sutherland on Liam Curley's Undisputed Authority . Links "Embrace the Marketing Mess" article by Blair Enns for winwithoutpitching.com Rory Sutherland podcast interview on Liam Curley's Undisputed Authority
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E243 · 3 Jun 2026 · 27 min
Firms Most at Risk
Which segments of our field will thrive in the near future and which ones will slowly lose relevance, and why? David wants creative entrepreneurs to continue being resilient and reinventing themselves every two years while keeping a watchful eye on constantly evolving industry practices and technologies (including AI). Links "Most At-Risk Shops" by David C. Baker for punctuation.com
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E242 · 20 May 2026 · 20 min
Pricing Resentment
Blair sees creative entrepreneurs opening themselves up to pricing resentment from their clients when the value of their contributions diminishes over time, especially when they've created significant economic value at the beginning of a long-term engagement. LINKS "Is Your Pricing Creating Resentment?" by Blair Enns for winwithoutpitching.com
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E241 · 6 May 2026 · 22 min
People vs. Profits
Prompted by a recent trip to Europe, David considers how the differences between worker protection laws in Europe compared to North America affect starting and running an agency in this fast-changing global economy. Links "Employment Law + Economic Flexibility" by David C. Baker for punctuation.com 2Bobs in Tuscany Join David, Blair, six other business owners and their spouses for four days and nights of creative business exploration in an intimate countryside villa designed for long meals, deep conversations, and unhurried thinking. Learn more and apply at 2Bobs.com/events
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