Growth Without Referrals Podcast Por Mark Ferguson arte de portada

Growth Without Referrals

Growth Without Referrals

De: Mark Ferguson
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Growth Without Referrals is a podcast where leaders talk honestly about what’s actually working to win new clients today – beyond referrals. Hosted by Mark Ferguson, each episode breaks down real strategies, real struggles, and real growth stories from the people in the trenches doing it.

© 2026 Growth Without Referrals
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Episodios
  • Episode 4 – Growth Without Referrals - Jonathan Ray - AcadiaOS
    Feb 12 2026

    summary

    In this conversation, Jonathan Ray discusses the evolution of his work from AI consulting to focusing on clarity as a leadership operating system. He emphasizes the importance of clarity in decision-making and leadership, identifying common bottlenecks that founders face as their businesses grow. Jonathan shares insights on how to create margin in life for better clarity, the role of AI as a supportive tool rather than a replacement, and the significance of simplicity in achieving growth. He also highlights the need for founders to focus on transformational selling and the importance of understanding whether their challenges are math or drama problems.

    takeaways

    • Clarity is essential for effective leadership.
    • Founders often become their own bottlenecks.
    • Growth can stall if founders don't let go of control.
    • AI should enhance human decision-making, not replace it.
    • Creating margin in life is crucial for clarity.
    • Simplicity in business processes leads to better outcomes.
    • Transformational selling is more effective than feature-based selling.
    • Understanding the root of problems is key to solving them.
    • Busyness can create a false sense of control.
    • Progress is more important than perfection in business.

    titles

    • From AI to Clarity: A Leadership Journey
    • The Art of Creative Leadership

    Sound Bites

    • "Clarity is like infrastructure."
    • "AI should help you execute faster."
    • "Busyness is a facade of control."

    Chapters

    00:00
    The Shift from AI to Clarity

    03:10
    Creative Leadership and Problem Solving

    05:55
    Identifying Founders' Bottlenecks

    09:07
    The Chaos of Rapid Growth

    11:55
    Understanding the Leadership Operating System

    14:57
    Finding Clarity in Business

    17:56
    AI as a Co-Pilot, Not a Replacement

    21:01
    Scaling Acadia OS: Lessons Learned

    24:01
    The Importance of Progress Over Perfection

    27:06
    Simplicity as a Pathway to Growth

    30:02
    Transformational Selling

    32:48
    The Math vs. Drama Problem

    36:03
    Creating Margin for Clarity

    38:57
    Breaking the Cycle of Busyness

    keywords

    leadership, clarity, AI, business growth, founder bottlenecks, operating system, simplicity, transformation, coaching, entrepreneurship

    Jonathan Ray | jonathan@acadiaos.com | www.acadiaos.com

    Prestige Services Group, LLC | Mark Ferguson | mark.ferguson@prestige-services-group.com

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    40 m
  • Episode 3 – Growth Without Referrals - Denny Bohs
    Feb 12 2026

    summary

    In this conversation, Denny Boss shares his extensive experience in product strategy, emphasizing the importance of relationships, staying calm in chaotic environments, and understanding the nuances of product management. He discusses common pitfalls for non-technical founders, the significance of planning and research in product development, and the evolving landscape of work with the rise of AI. Denny expresses a preference for working with startups and small businesses due to their agility and collaborative spirit.

    takeaways

    • Denny Boss transitioned from financial services to product strategy.
    • Understanding the definition of roles is crucial in product management.
    • Building relationships is key to long-term success in business.
    • Staying calm during chaos is essential for effective leadership.
    • Non-technical founders often underestimate the effort required for product development.
    • Planning and research are vital before jumping into product creation.
    • Activity does not always equate to progress in product development.
    • AI is becoming integral to software development and business strategy.
    • Denny enjoys working with startups due to their dynamic environment.
    • Networking and relationships are essential for consulting success.

    titles

    • Navigating the Startup Landscape with Denny Boss
    • The Art of Product Strategy: Insights from Denny Boss

    Sound Bites

    • "Don't worry about that. I'll teach you."
    • "If you can stay calm in the middle of that."
    • "Your opinion, however interesting, is irrelevant."

    Chapters

    00:00
    Denny Boss: A Journey into Product Strategy

    03:40
    Defining Roles and Relationships in Product Management

    09:53
    Navigating Chaos in Startups

    13:01
    Common Mistakes of Non-Technical Founders

    16:40
    Activity vs. Progress in Product Development

    20:27
    Scaling Challenges in Consulting

    26:44
    The Future of Work: AI and Evolving Client Needs


    Denny Bohs | Founder | den@bohs.us | (484) 872-2647 | www.bohs.us

    keywords

    product strategy, startups, relationships, chaos, non-technical founders, AI, consulting, business growth, listening skills, project management

    Prestige Services Group, LLC | Mark Ferguson | mark.ferguson@prestige-services-group.com

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    28 m
  • Episode 2 – Growth Without Referrals - Beth Ardner - Gobekli
    Feb 12 2026

    summary

    In this episode, Mark interviews Beth Ardner, Vice President of Growth at Gobekli, discussing the innovative approach of Gobekli in the learning and employment records ecosystem. Beth shares insights on her role as a growth hacker, the importance of partnerships, and the challenges of scaling a startup. The conversation delves into the need for transparency in hiring processes and the future vision for Gobekli as they aim to empower individuals in managing their skills and employment records.

    takeaways

    • Beth describes herself as the 'growth hacker' at Gobekli.
    • Partnership outreach takes up 50-60% of her time.
    • The learning employment records (LER) ecosystem is crucial for future work.
    • Gobekli aims to give individuals control over their work records.
    • Resumes are outdated and fail to represent true talent.
    • TalentPass helps individuals articulate their skills effectively.
    • Transparency is essential in the employer-employee relationship.
    • Scaling a startup involves navigating complex fundraising processes.
    • Interoperability among credential wallets is necessary for success.
    • Success for Gobekli means becoming a primary tool for small to medium businesses.

    titles

    • Unlocking Growth: Beth Ardner on Gobekli's Mission
    • The Future of Work: Learning Employment Records Explained

    Sound Bites

    • "I'm the growth hacker."
    • "There's a lot of peopling."
    • "The resume fails us."

    Chapters

    00:00
    Introduction to Gobekli and Growth Hacking

    13:06
    Understanding Learning and Employment Records (LER)

    24:09
    Challenges in Scaling and Fundraising

    33:01
    Future Vision for Gobekli and the LER Ecosystem


    keywords

    Gobekli, growth hacking, learning employment records, startup scaling, fundraising, talent management, workforce development, transparency, partnerships, technology

    Beth Ardner | VP of Growth | beth@gobekli.io | 717-682-4762 | https://gobekli.io/

    Prestige Services Group, LLC | Mark Ferguson | mark.ferguson@prestigeservicesgroup.com

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    30 m
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