Mark introduces the topic of agency. Jim thinks Mark is a great example of what an agent is

He reads a definition and adds some context to what an agent is and how he may, in fact, be one

The value of having an objective third party negotiating on your behalf

Jim thinks AI will make being an agent much more valuable

He discusses the agents he uses. His patent agent, for example. Agents are not as close as we are to our capabilities and competencies

Agents can be particularly helpful negotiating your price. What you’re worth

He talks about his most recent projects to operate as an agent

Jim shares his story about a meeting he had recently and how he’s being told he should write a book

The value of having your own book

He shares his “Greenbuild” story. What it’s like in the San Francisco Bay Area regarding diversity, women’s groups and other woke topics

Jim thinks it would be great if we just got back to building things. Diversity on it’s own is a silly topic

Jim shares his conversation with a grant writer…the importance of human interaction and how we are disconnecting from it

She brought up the book writing topic

Mark says he has also been told to write a book. He reflects on a couple of recent conversations. Both became about human interaction and the value of having an agent to move the professional ball forward. Objectivity alone can be very helpful. How powerful it is to have a 3rd party voice

Mark talks about the value of authority/credibility that a book brings

Jim asks Mark about how he works. He pokes at the details of how Mark chooses and helps people. He thinks we all underestimate our capability and willingness to help

Our value goes well beyond our direct skill. Trust opens up those doors

Mark shares how he has access to market data that might be worth even more than his coaching

Jim cautions Mark that this knowledge is NOT FREE

Second, he talks about IP and how valuable it is

Jim puts on his agent cap and shares with Mark how he might be his agent

Jim then goes into his opinion on AI and the creation content…podcasts, books, articles…everything

Jim thinks AI create content “equality”

Mark loves the contrarian approach to rules and ways of doing things

Mark asks, “what am I worth?”

Mark is convinced that Jim would ask for more than Mark would for himself

Jim gives examples of agents we all work with

Real estate agents, sports agents, career agents…

He shares his pro baseball story about his friend the pro coach

The $40 million dollar negotiation and the value of an agent in that negotiation

Mark shares his perspective on the value of agency. He shares how helpful he can be to IT people who are mostly introverted

Mark shares how candid and authentic approaches are so much more influential

He shares his perspective on salespeople too

Mark brings up helping friends and family and Jim cautions that they might be a little too close to help objectively

Jim talks about being “unemployable”

Mark shares the importance of messaging and how your “brand” fits in

Jim gives us a bit more detail about his 3 recent requests for speaking/advice gigs

Jim is wary of “big consulting firms” and Mark shares his perspective on this

He talks about competing against big brands/logos/t-shits/reputations by being authentic and practical and trustworthy. Different ulterior motives

Jim brings in the political agents who got it all wrong and are now wondering what to do next

Mark shares his confusion about how these people/agents keep getting hired

He also clarifies how powerful brand is and how clients without confidence hire brand simply to protect themselves. Momma duck and her ducklings

Jim says the big ad agencies do the same thing

Are the industries going away?

If you can’t measure it, you can’t determine efficacy. Jim says AI will change this

Mark - why do they hire the big known brand?

It’s all changing