GYDA - Grow Your Digital Agency

GYDA - Robert Craven and Janusz Stabik
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GYDA (Grow Your Digital Agency) is a business consultancy that helps digital agency leaders run the agencies they want to run, so they can live the life they want to lead. We do this by using the mastermind process to spearhead agency growth.The GYDA Talks Podcast includes interviews and discussions between Robert Craven, Janusz Stabik and Digital Agency Experts. Each podcast is full of knowledge to help you Grow Your Digital Agency.

  1. FEB 2

    How To Write The Perfect Digital Marketing Plan with PR Smith

    In this podcast, Robert talks to PR Smith, who elaborates on the SOSTAC® framework's components, its application in agencies, the importance of 90-day review cycles, and the role of AI in planning, emphasising careful strategic use. We also discussed overcoming resistance to SOSTAC®, its long-term impact since 1993, and the critical need for a customer-centric approach in all business endeavours, directing agencies to free resources on sostac.org and a weekly AI chat. SOSTAC® Framework Audience and BenefitsPaul Smith's Background and SOSTAC® originsSOSTAC® Framework ComponentsApplying SOSTAC in AgenciesSOSTAC® Planning and Review CyclesAI Integration in SOSTAC®Creative AI Prompting and Strategy WeaknessesEffective Controls and KPIs in SOSTAC®Overcoming Resistance to SOSTAC®Longevity and Impact of SOSTAC®Customer-Centric ApproachSOSTAC® Resources for Agencies

    41 min

  2. JAN 26

    GYDA State of the Nation for Q1 2026 with Robert Craven

    Robert Craven presents the "GYDA State of the Nation for Q1 2026," characterising the market as volatile. He emphasised that "trust is your superpower" for agencies facing AI, outdated business models, and low growth and goes on to detail winning strategies like niche specialisation and service expansion to possibly become "transformation partners." Robert concludes with an action plan for leaders to pivot from "traffic to trust" and drive decisive action. Topics covered: State of the Nation and Market VolatilityAI, Trust, and Market OutlookCurrent Reality and Benchmark ChallengesWinner Strategies and VUCA Version TwoResearch Insights and Strategic ShiftsLeadership and Trust as a SuperpowerAgile Leadership and AI Trust DilemmaProblem Identification and Action PlanFinal Thoughts on Leadership

    35 min

  3. JAN 26

    Selling Your Business? Don’t Wing It. With David Blois

    David, Managing Partner at M&A Advisory and Principal at Eaton Square, leads M&A transactions to maximise client value in consulting, marketing communications, digital, and MarTech sectors. With over 30 years of experience in corporate finance, business management, and strategic consulting, David offers deep insights into industry dynamics and trends. In this no-nonsense conversation, Robert Craven sits down with M&A Advisory’s David Blois to lift the lid on the real-world challenges of mergers and acquisitions. You’ll hear: What makes a business genuinely sellable (hint: it’s not your turnover)When to get an advisor involved (spoiler: sooner than you think)The truth about multiples, valuations and the myths that trip people upHow to increase value and avoid costly mistakesWhether you're prepping to sell, buy, or just want to know what your business is really worth, this episode is packed with sharp insights and practical takeaways. As David says, “You’ve got to work on the business, not just in it.”

    44 min

  4. JAN 21

    The LinkedIn Growth Blueprint: Branding, Engagement, and ROI for Agency Leaders with Sarah Clay

    In this GYDA Talks, Rob talks to Sarah Clay. Sarah is a LinkedIn trainer who helps professionals harness the power of social media to amplify their voices and grow their businesses. With a career that spans law, photography, TV production, and marketing, Sarah discovered her passion for social media while leading PR and social media for a film company. Growing up as the only girl among six brothers taught her creative ways to be heard -skills she now passes on to her clients. Driven by a desire to make an impact, Sarah brings her diverse experience and “secret sauce” strategies to empower others to stand out authentically on LinkedIn. Rob and Sarah discuss how digital agency leaders struggle with LinkedIn despite knowing its importance, likening sporadic efforts to inconsistent gym attendance. Sarah emphasises that LinkedIn should be viewed as a "networking party" focused on building relationships through consistent engagement, personal content, and purposeful commenting. They also discuss strategies for personal vs. company branding, effective posting frequency, handling undesirable comments, and a three-step process for LinkedIn success, concluding that LinkedIn is trending towards a "pay-to-play" model where personal profiles drive engagement. Topics included Mindset Shift for LinkedIn Success: Networking AnalogyPersonal vs. Company BrandingPersonal Content and BoundariesPosting Frequency and Purposeful Commenting StrategyThree-Step LinkedIn ProcessTargeted Engagement HackMetrics and ROIRecommendations for Agency Leaders

    47 min

  5. 09/23/2025

    Ryan Hall - Don’t Sell, Solve and Scale Your Digital Agency

    In this GYDA Talks, Rob talks to Ryan Hall of Friday Solved, a consulting company that helps businesses solve their sales problems with sustainable and scalable solutions. Over the last 20+ years of experience in positioning, proposition design, and sales strategy, Ryan has helped lead global brands such as Deutsche Bank, HSBC, Sky, M&S, First Direct, Trainline, Vodafone, The Independent, UBS, Bank of America and The Times buy market-leading solutions. His passion is to share his expertise and insights with other founders, CEOs and business leaders who want to create a market position that stands out in a B2B market. Rob and Ryan discuss strategies for digital agency owners to attract clients and help their clients do the same, focusing on Ryan's "don't sell" philosophy outlined in his book, which aims to build trust and buyability rather than pushing services. They address the common issues of broad agency positioning, challenges with founder-led sales, the importance of systemising sales efforts, and shifting from being service-led to solution-focused by understanding customer needs. Ryan emphasised that providing value and knowledge freely is key to effective sales and building authority.

    38 min

  6. 08/29/2025

    Scaling from a Startup to an International SEO Leader with Will Bagnall

    Will is SUSO’s founder and CEO. He started the company in 2014 as a two-person consultancy business and has transformed it into a team of forty specialists providing technical SEO services for clients in a wide range of industries. While building SUSO, he has gained experience scaling a team of SEO experts and developed an international team based in Poland. Will values a people-first culture, which allows every one of SUSO’s employees to strive for the best in a safe, stimulating, and supportive environment. Robert Craven interviewed Will Bagnall about Suso Digital's history, growth, and adaptation to the evolving digital landscape, including their specialisation in SEO, overcoming scaling challenges through talent strategies, and successful white-label partnerships. They also discussed the significant impact of AI on search and Suso Digital's proactive approach to integrating AI into their services and strategies for the future. Will Bagnall advised new agencies to prioritise brand building and maintain perspective in their work. Introduction to Suso DigitalEvolution from Full-Service to Niche FocusBreaking the Growth BarrierThe White Label StrategyStrategy vs. Luck in Business GrowthImpact of AI on the Agency LandscapeSuso Digital's Approach to AIThe Significance of Thought Leadership and Brand BuildingFuture Outlook for Suso DigitalAdvice for Small Agencies

    48 min

  7. 08/24/2025

    From Postcodes to AI Redefining Digital Agencies with John Readman

    This podcast features a conversation between Robert Craven and John Readman, discussing John's career in digital marketing and the evolution of agency models. John has over 25 years of experience in sales and digital marketing, scaling martech, SaaS and agency businesses. Currently, he’s building ASK BOSCO® - Marketing Analytics AI and Modo25 - Digital Marketing Inhousing - a business he set up with Bonamy Grimes, the Founder of Skyscanner, to revolutionize the way brands and agencies work with their performance data and teams in increase sales and reduce ad spend. Here are the key points: John Readman's Career Journey Started in marketing technology, selling postcode software and email marketing solutionsWorked with several digital marketing agencies, including Epiphany and Search LaboratoryHelped grow Search Laboratory from 10 to nearly 200 people over three yearsAttempted to buy businesses he worked for, which led to starting his own agency, Modo 25 Evolution of Agency Models Traditional agency models are changing due to clients bringing some execution work in-houseModo 25 positions itself as a hybrid agency, supporting clients' journey to in-housing while providing strategic guidanceThis model focuses on more enjoyable, profitable work and is less stressful when executed correctly Adapting to New Technologies John organised an internal competition at Modo 25 to encourage the use of AI tools like ChatGPT to improve efficiency and client experienceThe agency is exploring the use of AI tools like N8N for automating tasks and improving productivity Work-Life Balance Modo 25 operates on a 4-day work week, which has led to lower sickness rates and better work-life balance for employees Future of Agencies Discussion about the potential for AI-driven agencies with minimal human involvementSpeculation on the possibility of running high-revenue agencies primarily using AI toolsThe conversation highlights the ongoing changes in the digital marketing industry and the need for agencies to adapt to new technologies and client expectations

    52 min

  8. 08/24/2025

    Obsess about Gross Profit! - with Rory Spence

    In this GYDA podcast Robert talks to Rory Spence of The Wow Company. Key points of the talk are: IntroductionsThe Issue of Agency PricingProfit First Mentality .Understanding Financial DataPresenting Financial Information EffectivelyDeveloping Business AcumenThe Importance of Forecasting and PlanningCustomizing KPI DashboardsThe Golden Nugget: Obsess About Gross Profithttps://www.linkedin.com/in/rory-spence-63023884/

    46 min
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About

GYDA (Grow Your Digital Agency) is a business consultancy that helps digital agency leaders run the agencies they want to run, so they can live the life they want to lead. We do this by using the mastermind process to spearhead agency growth.The GYDA Talks Podcast includes interviews and discussions between Robert Craven, Janusz Stabik and Digital Agency Experts. Each podcast is full of knowledge to help you Grow Your Digital Agency.

Information

  • Creator
    GYDA - Robert Craven and Janusz Stabik
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    140
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 GYDA - Grow Your Digital Agency
  • Show Website
    GYDA - Grow Your Digital Agency