Intentional Success with Tom Stimson

A quick walk through any warehouse operation will tell me a lot about your company's relationship with process and organization. You can't prep a great show from a disorganized warehouse. https://www.trstimson.com/warehouse-operations-handbook/

Stop letting "value add" become "free work"! In this episode, I explore why the humble "project manager" title could be costing you serious money. Learn how elevating your titles to Producer, Executive Producer, and Technical Director can transform client perception and boost your bottom line. This isn't about padding bills — it's about providing AND charging for meaningful value that makes client...

Back when I managed teams, I kept a stack of resumes on the corner of my desk. During interviews, candidates would see that pile and realize they weren't the only person I was talking to. I don't know if it was effective, but I enjoyed nodding toward that stack while asking, "Tell me more about why you'd be a great fit for us." Interviewing sales candidates requires a different approach than hirin...

Asking "Where's my reward?" after decades in business? In this episode, I share the five things every owner needs (cash flow, profit, growth, satisfaction, and harmony), why solving cash flow problems means making tough decisions now, and strategies to bring harmony back to your team. Your reward should be a business that works for you — not the other way around. Listen now to finally get the rewa...

I studied martial arts for many years. I learned multiple disciplines, earned various black belts, and instructed newcomers. In martial arts, particularly when working with teenagers, we often discuss "punching above your weight." Businesses "punch above their weight," too. A client of mine from years ago built his business on punching above his weight, which helped him win major, high-profile pro...

Ever been asked, "Who's better than you?" This seemingly simple question took me years to truly understand — and it became a turning point for my business. In this episode, I break down the 10 tiers of AV excellence, from basic "meatball AV" to those mythical Level 10 shows where everything exceeds expectations. You'll learn exactly where your company fits, when you're punching above your weight (...

I keep talking about marketing, but you need to hear this one more time. Most AV companies loathe marketing, but you just can't do without it. It solves expensive problems before they surface. https://www.trstimson.com/marketing-for-live-event-companies/

Does your business have a look, or does it have a soul? In this episode, I explore what your company reveals about itself when you think no one's watching. From cable management to proposal design, every detail speaks volumes to your clients. Discover why over-complicating processes might be hurting you, when precision matters more than exactness, and how to infuse genuine personality into everyth...

I know you often feel like your business is in crisis, but it's not. You're objectively alright. You're in control. Remind yourself of that today. Upgrade your next flight. Stay in a nicer hotel. Celebrate your success. You've come farther than 99% of all entrepreneurs. https://www.trstimson.com/business-spending-habits/

My next Jumpstart Workshop hits Columbus on April 22–23, and it'll be unlike anything you've experienced before. Join me for a behind-the-scenes shop crawl of three major production companies, hands-on roundtables, and practical business strategies you can implement immediately. From marketing to operations, finance to talent recruitment — we'll tackle it all. You'll connect with peers who face th...

When meeting new business owners, I ask direct questions: How did you get started? Where are you now? What concerns you most? What's your exit strategy? The answers to the lattermost question follow predictable patterns. Business owners over 50 usually say, "I've thought about it, but I don't have one," or "I really need to come up with one." The younger crowd responds differently: "I'm having fun...

Do you run away when someone mentions the "S" word? In this episode, I tackle the uncomfortable truth about sales in the AV industry. If you claim you don't have salespeople, you're missing the point. Sales is a process, not a title. I break down the three dysfunctional models most companies use, why project managers are just band-aids for a broken system, and how my selling-planning-administratio...

I often feel like a doctor, and the business owners I help are patients in my waiting room. They come in to share their problems and feelings. I listen and study their business pains, which reveal whether they use their overhead expenses correctly. Boring advice? Maybe. Like diet and exercise recommendations, you might think you already know this, and you do — but we all need reminders. https://ww...

In this straight-talking episode, I tackle a truth you can't avoid: you're in the marketing business. Discover the three mindset shifts that'll transform your marketing, plus a no-nonsense "bare minimum" plan anyone can implement. I explain how to be findable, understandable, and focused on outcomes that matter to your clients. Stop letting potential customers form impressions about you without yo...

I can't count how many conversations I've been a part of that started with complaints about in-house AV contracts. The arguments about how venue exclusivity unfairly hurts smaller local companies more than larger national suppliers haven't changed in 40 years. Heck, some of the same players are still in the game. But here's a tough pill to swallow: Unless it breaks the law — and yes, we need laws...

Think you need more staff to scale your business? Success often comes from having fewer people doing less, not more. Through the lens of a restaurant kitchen, this episode explores how top companies stay lean while delivering excellent results. Learn why "we're too busy" signals deeper issues, discover why qualified workers seem scarce (its' not a labor shortage), and hear how one company became m...

Let me make a bold statement: Rental pricing is for rental companies. If you do shows for a living, your responsibility is for the show to work. People need to see and hear, and you need to make your cues. If an item fails and your show fails, there's a 90% chance you won't get paid — because you're responsible for the outcome. Shows are not rentals. https://www.trstimson.com/stop-pricing-like-a-r...

In this candid look at what buyers really want, I reveal why most companies fail the RFP test before they even start. Beyond the requests for designs and budgets lies a sophisticated evaluation of your company's value. Learn the 10 hidden criteria that actually determine who wins the project and why your perfect proposal might be sending all the wrong signals. If you're tired of pouring resources...

I'm surprised whenever I encounter certain employee incentive programs still operating in our industry. What surprises me more is that people haven't recognized that these programs interfere with their organizations' success. When asked why they keep these programs running, I'm often told, "It's a best practice." Often, this comes from the person benefiting from the incentive. Let me share some st...

What happens after the tech is set up? Smart show producers don't stand around — they transform spaces into client sanctuaries. Learn practical, zero-cost ways to wow clients through thoughtful planning and better use of "dead time." From turning backstage into a presenter haven to making wireless mic management feel like a VIP experience, this episode includes simple actions that showcase your pr...

Many companies in our industry blame "seasonality" for their slow periods. Let's be clear: Seasonality means demand fluctuates — it doesn't mean business stops altogether. Companies that focus on sales year-round stay busy regardless of the season. https://www.trstimson.com/slow-season-is-a-sales-problem/

Not every customer buys the same way — and that costs you money. In this episode, I unpack the three main buyer types you'll meet and show you how to spot them fast. Learn why Confidence Buyers trust your expertise, Value Buyers need clarity, and Control Buyers think they know more than you do. Get practical tips for crafting proposals that speak to each type, and discover how to maintain your mar...

When people ask what's changed over my 40 years in live events, I think back to the 1980s, when rental returns were stellar and profit margins seemed unlimited. As Burke would explain, one little shift changed everything, creating ripples we still feel today. https://www.trstimson.com/1980s-decision-that-still-hurts-live-event-companies/

"The client won't pay that much..." "I can skip the proposal presentation..." Sound familiar? In this episode, I tackle the biggest roadblock in sales: the negotiations happening in your own head. Instead of following proven steps that lead to better deals, you might be letting self-doubt and assumptions run the show. Learn how to structure proposals that actually work, master the art of baseline...

For many of us, turning down business is unthinkable. We're wired to chase revenue, cover our overhead, and keep our gear working. When a client calls, we always find a way to make their request happen. But something changed in 2022. I watched demand exceed supply for the first time in my 40-year career. Event companies and supply chains were smaller, and we faced major constraints in labor and lo...