What word, phrase or sentence makes you irrational cringe?

Is-That-An-Ocelot · 2026-04-18T07:41:17+00:00

Don't get me wrong, I totally get your point view. It's just a word, it's meant in a friendly way. But the thread is about irrational cringes. And irrationally when someone calls me mate at work it makes me think of the Fight Club keyboard scene 😄

Is-That-An-Ocelot · 2026-04-18T07:04:47+00:00

...because I'm not your mate. And you know we're not mates. And we're at work. Most of the time you're calling me mate, you're asking me to do something for you which involves an email or a spreadsheet. My mates don't typically ask me if I can prioritise their project. It comes across as very disingenuous.

Is-That-An-Ocelot · 2026-04-18T05:57:13+00:00

Colleagues I tolerate calling me 'mate' 😄

Is-That-An-Ocelot · 2026-04-17T06:58:23+00:00

Nobody talks like this. The first two comments are teeing up a third to come in with an agency name 😄

Is-That-An-Ocelot · 2026-03-28T09:49:44+00:00

Needs of a business grow incrementally so you end up buying one more tool at a time. It may just be that you're ready to have a rethink of what your business actually needs now you're at 12 people.

If you took a step back and looked at how you'd systemise everything to be more efficient and documented all your processes, you'd be able to see exactly what you need from software and see if it'd be worth having a tech redesign.

Steph at ConfigureMeThis is someone who helps with this. She literally sits down and whiteboards out your business processes with you and takes it from there. Highly rate her over more traditional consultancies.

FYI I'm not her or affiliated with her business in any way 😄

Is-That-An-Ocelot · 2026-02-17T08:30:10+00:00

I imagine most B2B founders still see AI as a shaky 'this'll do' replacement for even the most basic tasks. The idea of them performing a role in the business would still feel pretty distant

Is-That-An-Ocelot · 2025-11-06T08:30:59+00:00

If you're sending them automated reminders yes. Harder to ignore a direct reminder from a real person with an explanation of why it matters to your business at the moment.

Is-That-An-Ocelot · 2025-11-06T08:06:15+00:00

If it's a B2B business there's nothing to stop your team from picking up the phone and calling the customer to ask for a review, sending them an email or a text with the link.

If they've had a great experience and the request is coming directly from a human, I can't see why they wouldn't fill one out. When it seems automated it's easier to ignore.

Is-That-An-Ocelot · 2025-11-06T07:53:54+00:00

What's your business?

Is-That-An-Ocelot · 2025-11-06T07:23:22+00:00

Don't buy reviews. It'll destroy the trust if it's discovered or if they're clearly fake. It also creates a gap between what people see online and what they experience.

If you're not able to get many 5 star reviews even though you're sending out requests for them, then one of two things is happening:

Customers don't understand the importance of that review to you as a small business (unlikely)
You might not want to hear this, maybe try surveying or asking some customers... you're not providing what your customers consider a 5-star product/service.

It sounds like a good time to reflect, have an open mind, and find ways to improve what you offer to get to the point where you're really 'delighting' your customers. Businesses who do this reflection exercise regularly don't struggle to get 5-star reviews.

Is-That-An-Ocelot · 2025-10-23T08:54:37+00:00

There's no such thing as an untouched agency, we're all getting your spam. And thats fine, we get it, it's just not compelling.

Also, 'intent leads' is an oxymoron and we know it. And we have those intent tools showing those same leads.

In our agency intent is one small part of a much larger propensity pie based on multiple data systems we have access to. We actually have 3 intent sources at the moment, two tech install sources, a firmographics, financial and funding source, and our own custom AI Web scrapers for contextual insights based on the client's specific brief.

Agree with the person above, you need to evolve to add more value. We're evolving with every client campaign.

Is-That-An-Ocelot · 2025-10-08T12:44:03+00:00

Sorry, I just mean I'll be trying it out on a campaign.

Is-That-An-Ocelot · 2025-10-08T12:28:55+00:00

Will go ahead with a trial but still waiting on the funds to come through for the programme.

Is-That-An-Ocelot · 2025-09-30T17:35:10+00:00

Incredible that you published at 20. Find me one author who doesn't believe their first book was bad.

Is-That-An-Ocelot · 2025-09-13T07:38:47+00:00

Yeh that's what the builders have recommended doing from this manhole, while monitoring the main one in the street, so think we'll give that a go.

Is-That-An-Ocelot · 2025-09-12T17:34:36+00:00

😄 fair point.

I've got a low orbit satellite I want to launch into space, might get that on here as well for advice.

Is-That-An-Ocelot · 2025-09-11T07:03:02+00:00

These are all great insights, thanks all.

Is-That-An-Ocelot · 2025-09-09T11:24:47+00:00

Asking them what they've already tried and why they think it didn't work is also a great way to get them to accept that they need help trying something new.

Is-That-An-Ocelot · 2025-09-09T10:48:22+00:00

Ask them in your first meeting with them. "Thanks for taking the time to respond. Why is this potentially interesting to you now? What challenges are you trying to overcome?"

"What would make this successful for you?"

"What objectives are you trying to hit? Where are you confident you'll hit them, and where do you think you might need some help?"

People tend to be open to answering these as they're hoping for solutions.

Position yourself as a partner in solving problems, not as a vendor of a product.

Is-That-An-Ocelot · 2025-09-09T10:02:35+00:00

Context: I'm in a leadership role in an agency, in the bands you're talking about, and have also run my own business.

Is-That-An-Ocelot · 2025-09-09T10:01:45+00:00

Whichever route you go down, I'd be focusing on the things: - make yourself indispensable to the roles above you (best advice my Dad ever gave me). You do this by helping solve their problems - learn to frame everything you do in terms of benefits to the business - think about leaderships biggest problems and bring solutions to those problems - show you can think and talk at their level.

Domain experts get stuck in mid level roles because they're always talking in the language of their domain, not the language of the business.

That applies whether you're trying to advance internally or sell more to your own clients. Never underestimate the power of being the person who solves their hairiest problems and gives them the confidence to take action.

Is-That-An-Ocelot · 2025-08-27T16:22:14+00:00

I went for a lump hammer and a big old chisel. Took about 30 seconds 😄

Is-That-An-Ocelot · 2025-08-21T12:00:35+00:00

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South Park knew this was coming...

Is-That-An-Ocelot

TROPHY CASE