Business Lunch

Welcome to another episode of Business Lunch! In today’s episode, Roland dives into one of the biggest reasons businesses fail to scale: hiring the wrong operators or not hiring them at all. He breaks down the key differences between COOs and CFOs, why founders are often terrible at operations, and how to stop building your company on a house of cards. If you’ve ever struggled with finance, HR, or...

Welcome to another episode of Business Lunch! Hosts Ryan Deiss and Roland Frasier dive deep into the current business landscape, exploring how entrepreneurs can navigate economic challenges using strategic thinking and AI technologies. Today's episode offers practical advice for businesses facing uncertain times. Highlights: "Keep rowing. We've got to stay in the game." "AI is the motor that can p...

Welcome to a new episode of Business Lunch! Join Roland Frasier and Ryan Deiss as they discuss tariffs as an opportunity, not a challenge, exploring how businesses can transform potential economic challenges into strategic opportunities. This episode provides a comprehensive guide to navigating trade complexities, offering practical strategies for entrepreneurs to adapt, innovate, and thrive in an...

Welcome to a new episode of Business Lunch! Roland Frasier and Ryan Deiss dive deep into the changing landscape of media, newsletters, and information consumption. They analyze a recent article about the newsletter era, discussing how AI, unique perspectives, and audience-centric approaches are reshaping how we consume and create content. The episode explores the challenges facing media businesses...

Welcome to a new episode of Business Lunch! Today, Roland and Ryan discuss the changing landscape of marketing and branding. In this episode, they explore how businesses can create meaningful connections with customers in an era of AI, economic uncertainty, and information overload. Learn why having a unique point of view and emotional resonance is more critical than ever for brand success. Highli...

Welcome to a new episode of Business Lunch! In this episode, hosts Roland Frasier and Ryan Deiss explore an innovative "micro ownership" concept that allows teams to bid on improving specific business metrics. The strategy aims to inject entrepreneurial spirit into organizations by giving teams the opportunity to take ownership of key performance indicators, with potential financial rewards tied t...

Welcome to a new episode of Business Lunch! In this episode, Ryan and Roland dive into the fascinating world of brand marketing, using Duolingo's recent "killing" of their mascot Duo as a springboard. They explore the nuances of rebranding, the power of storytelling in marketing, and discuss strategies for creating memorable brand identities - from founder-led campaigns to fictional spokescharacte...

Welcome to a new episode of Business Lunch! In this episode, Roland Frasier and Ryan Deiss dive deep into the concept of "high agency" - exploring what makes certain individuals stand out in business, how to identify and nurture high agency behavior, and why it matters for organizational success. The conversation ranges from personal anecdotes about challenging workplace norms to a strategic discu...

Welcome to a new episode of Business Lunch with Roland Frasier and Ryan Deiss! In this episode, Ryan shares his time blocking strategy, which includes dedicated time for strategy, connecting with team members, deep work, and recovery. They discuss the pros and cons of time blocking and explore alternative approaches like "variable time blocking." This episode is a must-watch for all entrepreneurs....

Welcome to a new episode of Business Lunch! In this episode, Roland Frasier and Ryan Deiss discuss strategies for managing overwhelm and maintaining high agency during challenging times, drawing from their personal experiences with issues like a moth infestation, car accidents, and the impact of external factors like tariffs and interest rates on their businesses. Highlights: "Overwhelm is not an...

Welcome to a new episode of Business Lunch! In this episode, Ryan Deiss and Roland Frasier dive deep into the power of user-generated content (UGC) and how it can transform your marketing efforts. They share their own experiences and strategies for capturing and leveraging compelling customer stories to build brand credibility, drive sales, and foster word-of-mouth marketing. Highlights: "The more...

Welcome to a new episode of Business Lunch! In this episode, Roland and Ryan explore the impact of AI on the business landscape, discussing Gartner's prediction of a 25% drop in search engine volume by 2026 and the implications for traditional search engines like Google. They cover the need for employees to upskill and adapt, as well as the opportunities for businesses to optimize their online pre...

Welcome to a new episode of Business Lunch! In this episode, Roland Frasier and Ryan Deiss discuss the concept of "drift" - the insidious ways in which we can unconsciously veer off course from our goals and aspirations. They explore three types of drift: financial drift, strategic drift, and vision drift, and provide insights on how to consciously shift towards your desired outcomes rather than p...

Welcome to a new episode of Business Lunch! In this episode, Roland Frasier and Ryan Deiss discuss Elon Musk's unique approach to problem-solving, where he reportedly solves his companies' biggest problems in a matter of weeks. They analyze the pros and cons of Musk's leadership style, including his willingness to make tough decisions and the potential impact on employees. The hosts also explore w...

Welcome to a new episode of Business Lunch! In this episode, hosts Ryan Deiss and Roland Frasier discuss a recent article about a CEO who overhauled his company's budgeting process, moving from annual to quarterly cycles and reorganizing teams every 90 days. They explore how this approach could be applied to smaller businesses and share insights from their own "scalable operating system" philosoph...

Welcome to a new episode of Business Lunch! In this episode, hosts Roland and Ryan engage in a lively discussion about their predictions for the business landscape, technology trends, and marketing strategies for the year 2025. They cover a wide range of topics, from the expected surge in M&A activity to the rise of micro-influencers and the decline of traditional trade shows. The conversation...

Welcome to a new episode of Business Lunch! In today’s episode, Roland Frasier dives into the concept of turning casual conversations into lucrative business opportunities. Drawing from personal experiences and industry insights, Roland discusses how to make thoughtful connections, earn referral fees, and create value without being pushy. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out...

Welcome to a new episode of Business Lunch! In this episode, we dive into the historical context and evolution of Black Friday, exploring how discounting practices have changed over the years. We discuss personalized marketing strategies, the rise of flexible payment options, and emerging trends in Black Friday offers. Finally, we share actionable recommendations for businesses looking to adapt to...

Welcome to a new episode of  Business Lunch ! In this episode, hosts Roland Frasier and Ryan Deiss discuss the process of setting and achieving ambitious 3-year business goals. They explore overcoming limiting beliefs, building scalable operating systems, and practical strategies for exponential growth. This conversation includes insights into setting audacious targets and evaluating realisti...

Welcome to a new episode of Business Lunch! In this episode, Roland Frasier and Ryan Deiss share insights on the challenges faced during the acquisition and management of the Traffic and Conversion Summit. They discuss the importance of understanding community dynamics versus content value, the pitfalls of corporate decision-making, and how these factors contributed to the event's struggles. Highl...

Welcome to a new episode of Business Lunch! Today, Roland Frasier and Ryan Deiss cover the story of Traffic & Conversion Summit (TNC), detailing its inception, growth, and eventual sale to Clarion Events. They share personal anecdotes from the journey, discuss strategic decisions that led to the event's success, and reveal the complexities of negotiating a sale. This episode provides a unique...

Welcome to a new episode of Business Lunch with your host Roland Frasier. In today’s episode, we delve into the current state of the luxury market, discussing its decline, consumer behavior changes, and implications for businesses. We examine factors like the pandemic's impact, Gen Z's preferences, and economic realities reshaping luxury consumerism. Join us as we explore what this means for the f...

Welcome to a new episode of Business Lunch! In this episode, Roland Frasier and Ryan Deiss dive deep into the intricacies of search marketing versus paid media, exploring how marketing strategies have evolved with technological advancements. They discuss the unpredictability of Google updates, the shift towards social platforms by younger demographics, and the importance of adopting a multi-channe...

Welcome to a new episode of Business Lunch! In this episode, we sit down with Craig Siegel, a former Wall Street professional turned motivational speaker and entrepreneur. Craig shares his transformative journey from financial trading to finding fulfillment in helping others achieve their potential through personal development and entrepreneurship. Tune in to discover how Craig's experiences and i...

Welcome to a new episode of Business Lunch! In today’s episode, we dive into the latest strategic shift at Starbucks, where the company is moving away from discounts and back towards a premium coffee house model. Roland and Ryan discuss the potential challenges of this move, comparing it to similar strategies seen in companies like Domino's and Target. Can Starbucks reclaim its reputation as a hig...