The guys sit down with Jon Woodall of Space 48 to talk B2B, the challenge of professional services, the growth of Mage Titans, and employing Magento Masters. Listen now!
Show Notes
Today’s special guest is Jon Woodall (@Jon_Woodall), the Managing Director at Space 48, back for the third time. Space 48 is a Magento Enterprise Partner from Manchester.
2:50 The New Queen Bee of Meanbee
Jon discusses the acquisition of Meanbee and the origins of the deal. He also discusses the fragmented agency landscape and how similar viewpoints between companies can lead to some interesting conversations and partnerships.
5:40 The New Voltron Of Magento
Phillip crowns Space 48 the new Voltron of Magento. What does this mean? How does a company earn this “title”? Is “Magentron” a terrible pun?
8:14 Get Me a Slice of that Consultant Scene
Jon talks about the goal of Space 48 and breaks down the state of the consultant scene and how they are carving out their own unique slice of the industry.
10:57 Generalization or Specialization?
The boys weigh in with their opinions on a generalized agency vs a specialized agency? What are the benefits and setbacks of each?
The customer is demanding far more than just great Magento development.” -Jon Woodall
Does a great looking website translate into dollars?
13:08 The Micro Agency Survival Guide
Jon gives his thoughts on how smaller agencies can grow their business and take it to the next level.
17:17 Split Needs and Split Responsibilities
Customers are filling separate business needs with several vendors. Having multiple agencies involved when forging business strategies is tough. Phillip lets us how to work smart and not hard by covering the bases with your skill set.
22:24 Magento Master
What qualifies being a Magento Master? Think you make the cut?
“The key to leadership is recognizing people who have potential and empowering them to realize that potential.” -Phillip Jackson
24:48 #MageTalkMeetup?
Imagine? Jon is coming. Will you be there?
Would you be excited about a MageTalk Meetup? (Maybe get a new # trending??)
27:04 Ask the Masters
A new webinar series from Space 48 called Ask The Masters had its debut episode this past Saturday. Don’t be like Kalen and miss the next one by spending the day at Walmart.
33:22 Regional Challenges
Phillip and Jon discuss regional challenges for their respective Magento Enterprise. Do you face any of these same challenges?
38:18 A Shift in the Tide
Phillip talks about the shift in focus from B2C to B2B business in various cities across the country and how this shift can address some the challenges agencies are facing.
Jon brings up the potentially intimidating prospect of change management and the changes that this will bring to teams across the board.
41:37 Fixed-Bid Battle
It’s getting juicy now.
Kalen recently tweeted a rather sassy comic about fixed price estimates (see below) and directs some of his concerns towards Jon. Jon goes to bat for the fixed bid system. Are the problems with the system itself, or with the individual customers?
Fixed bid estimates h/t @cmuench pic.twitter.com/Z1oTvofH4w
— Kalen Jordan (@kalenjordan) February 22, 2018
Who do you think won the battle?
52:30 Client Communication: The Key to A Successful Relationship
“This project can be fast, effective or fair. But it can only be two of the three.” -Jon Woodall
Jon breaks down not only the difficulties of project billing but the issues with client relationships in general. Phillip suggests some commonality that can help agencies communicate and get on the same page with their clients.
57:07 Mergers, and acquisitions, and growth, oh my!
Jon gives a brief snapshot of his busy 2018.
59:49 #Community
Phillip lays out what he thinks the Magento UK community is going to need to do to grow.
Links / Mentions
Guest
-Jon Woodall Twitter