David Politis’ Post

Welcome to 2 commas. The Podcast about 7 figure plus exits! The intention is to inform and inspire founders and owners with what's possible for your business. In this crowded ocean of content and podcasts - why would I take more server space? Well, it’s all about the one thing no one seems to be talking about enough here in Australia and NZ: successful business exits. We’ve got plenty of chat on scaling and growth, but when it comes to actually selling your company—taking that big, life-changing step—it’s all a bit quiet, isn’t it? That’s where *Two Commas* comes in. Ok, that sounds interesting, but what’s up with the weird name?  Simple - any number above 1,000,000 has 2 X comma’s. That’s not to say we won’t have sales with 3 X comma’s - ie $1b+….but most will be in the 7, 8 and 9-figure range. I’ve already recorded an episode of a $400m deal, so expect deals big and small! Who will be on the show?  I’ve pulled together real founders, not self-proclaimed “experts” but people who’ve actually been in the trenches, navigated the sale process, and come out with the kind of deals that change lives. We’re exploring all the good stuff: how to build real value in your company, whether you should partner up or go DIY when it’s time to market and sell, and what you should watch out for along the way. And yes, we’ll even get into the existential territory—what life looks like *after* you’ve signed on that dotted line and the money’s in the bank. But I’m not wanting to sell just yet…. This isn’t just a show for those already thinking about selling. It’s for founders who want to know how to set their business up for the long haul, to make sure every step they take today builds towards the possibility of a successful, profitable exit tomorrow. Ok, I’m interested, when and where?  We have a dozen episodes in the can, with 10 more sessions booked. We’ll release weekly on a Thursday. The episodes will be around one hour each. So, if you’re keen to learn from people who’ve nailed it—how they did it, what they wish they knew earlier, and everything in between—tune in. You don’t want to miss this one. Ready to learn how to sell your company for a life-changing sum? Link in the comments!

In my latest episode of the Skip Podcast, Carly Malatskey and I dive into how elite tech leaders think about compensation. Here are the insights you'll get from this episode: 1️⃣ The exponential comp curve is real - and it matters. When I tell people that $1M+ annual compensation packages are common for top tech leaders, they're often shocked. But I'm seeing these leaders routinely make more in a month than they did in their first decade. This isn't just inflation or tech bubble economics. It reflects a fundamental truth: elite companies pay a fortune to hire top talent. And as you progress in your career, your leverage and impact grow exponentially. Your comp should follow that curve. 2️⃣ Stop looking for universal comp advice - it doesn't work. The strategies that work for an IC at a big tech company will backfire for a leader at a growth-stage startup. Your comp strategy needs to match your specific context. Universal advice serves nobody well, and could actually harm your negotiating position. 3️⃣ Your career stage shapes your comp priorities. Early career? Learning compounds faster than salary. But in your power years? Getting comp right becomes crucial. The trick is knowing when to flip from one strategy to the other. 4️⃣ Authentic negotiation beats tactical games. Forget the aggressive negotiation tactics you read about online. The leaders I see succeed in comp negotiations aren't playing games - they're clear about their value and authentic in their approach. You're setting up a long-term relationship, not winning a one-time deal. 5️⃣ Equity terms can make or break your comp package. Everyone focuses on the number of shares or the percentage, but I've seen more careers derailed by overlooking terms than by accepting too small a grant. Those exercise windows and departure terms? They're not fine print - they're the whole game. 6️⃣ Being above average? Own it in comp discussions. Industry averages are actively harmful for top performers. If you're consistently delivering outsized impact, using average comp as your benchmark is leaving money on the table. Know your worth and be ready to justify it. In the clip below, you'll see the strategy I used to help negotiate comp for a head of product at a privately-held company, while remaining authentic and collaborative. Check out the full episode for more strategies on this very important subject: https://lnkd.in/gwjqHwEa

What's the secret to scaling and selling a Pro Serv firm in record time? Listen to this episode of the Pro Serv Podcast to learn how Collective 54 member Tim Foster did it in 3 years!

Ready to learn how to navigate the exit process in record time? Tim Foster joins us on this week’s Pro Serv Podcast to discuss his rapid journey from growth to exit in just three years. Gain valuable insights and tips that could help you accelerate your own firm’s success. Listen here!

How having kids is like the perfect start-up (but probably a bit less rewarding financially) When I first met Tom Pennings, I was a little bit confused. He mentioned, “My personal life includes 2 no-exit startups of 4 and 7.” And I wondered what on earth he was talking about. He then explained, "Oh yeah, those are my kids." Before you ask - no he is not trying to sell his children 😜 Many of my guests mention parenting as an asset not a distraction for becoming a better leader. This video explains why having kids is the perfect start-up and contains so many valuable lessons. You can hear me talk to Tom on the first episode of Season 2 of Pain in the SaaS right now, where we dive into: - Why you need to switch off a server even though he could fix the problem. - How to build effective relationships with mentors and get the most out of it. - What “gezond boerenverstand” means and how it can help you as a founder. It's an amazing conversation. Be sure to search Pain in the SaaS right now, and follow #PainInTheSaaS on LinkedIn to make sure you're notified of all the episodes. #podcast #startup

Not all journeys end in an exit—and that’s okay. On the latest Pro Serv Podcast, Greg Alexander explores a different kind of founder story with Julian Lumpkin, who made the tough decision to shut down his firm, Success Kit. Key takeaways: - Recognizing when to pivot or stop - Effectively communicating difficult decisions - Embracing new opportunities with clarity and courage This episode offers invaluable lessons for every founder navigating the challenges of growth and resilience.

Season 14, what a great line up it's been! - We reached 95,000 downloads. - We even tipped over 1 million total views! These are a few notable milestones but it’s a testament to the incredible visionaries, change-makers and scaling leaders who have been a part of the journey. Across Season 14, we had the pleasure of leading insights from world class guests such as: David Robson. Prof BJ Fogg. Eric Partaker. Jamie Waller. Rob Dial. It’s quite a privilege for me to speak with world leading authorities and in turn share their scaling wisdom and tactics with you. When Claire (co-founder of Simple Scaling) and I met up to re-cap Season 14, we were struck by how the various episodes resonated at different levels with both of us. The ‘material’ will always meet you where you are on your own journey. From acquisition entrepreneurship, science-backed strategies to transform our mindset, winning investment advice, building meaningful communities to the relationship between perception and performance. It has been a truly fantastic season! I’d love to know - which episode has been your favourite? (This is not a catch, there’s no right or wrong answers!) I’ll drop the link to the podcast below if you fancy tuning in and catching up on our recent episodes. 😊 PS: I want to say a huge thank you to all of our wonderful listeners and a huge thank you to our fantastic guest speakers who shared their time with me this season. PPS: We run the ScaleX Insider Podcast with a commitment to offer value and genuine insights to all of our listeners. From bringing on world renowned, diverse guest speakers to actioning on the feedback we gain from listeners. We share each episode completely ad-free and do this at our own cost, so if you could spare just 5 seconds to hit the ‘Subscribe’ button to receive updates on each new episode, it would mean the world! 💚

Hey everyone, It's Time Hop Tuesday, and I want to spotlight an episode that's near and dear to my heart—my conversation with the gifted Connie Jones from about a year ago. It’s an episode that tells what The Cookbook: Recipes for Success in Business and Marketing is all about! Connie is not only a savvy business owner with two successful ventures under her belt, but she's also a passionate coach dedicated to helping others soar in aligned success. Her episode is packed with wisdom on how to connect your personal values with your business vision—a conversation that has since become a vitality of the podcast’s mission. Her approach to building a business and life in tune with your purpose is downright inspiring! She's all about empowering entrepreneurs to unlock their full potential and craft strategies that align with what matters most. It’s not just about succeeding; it’s about thriving in a way that feels real and true to you. Give this episode a listen and let it inspire your journey. Conversations like these go to show just how rewarding the entrepreneurial path is. #TimeHopTuesday #TheCookbookPodcast #AlignedSuccess #ConnieJones Here are the links to the episode: https://lnkd.in/gj2JgD6G https://lnkd.in/gdKsy2rQ Find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, and Amazon. The Cookbook also airs on Futures Television via AppleTV and Roku every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 4PM (PST), and on Radio Futures daily at 6AM and 4PM (PST). ♨️♨️♨️♨️♨️ I'm Iris, Founder and CEO at GasStoveCreative. Business owners call me when they’re ready to turn up the fire on their marketing by dialing in on the strategy that works best for them. I love helping business owners cut through the noise so they can connect with customers and clients who need their expertise. Is your website converting visitors to leads?  Let’s find out!  Let us run a complimentary site audit for you, and see how you’re showing up.  https://lnkd.in/gXTrx_Xt

Travis Tyler says not every founder needs to be the face their company. 🍬 Sour Take: Building on LinkedIn is a skill - and not everyone has it. (Which is completely okay) Some founders love the spotlight: - Posting boldly - They welcome vulnerability - They're consistently social - Skilled at building relationships They thrive in this environment, which is GREAT for their business (founder-led growth works wonders). Others, however, feel they *need* to be active but it doesn't come naturally. "I’m just not that in-your-face type of founder." Well, don’t force it. Show up in a way that feels authentic to you. Instead, let your naturally social teammates take the megaphone. At the end of the day, you hire people who have skills that you don't have so your business can grow. Being active on social media is one of those skills. Founder-led growth works for some, but it’s not for everyone, and that’s perfectly fine. Empower your team to shine if that’s what feels right. ⭐️ What do you think? Should founders lean into founder-led growth even if it doesn't come naturally / may be inauthentic? --------------- Travis revealed his 5 sour takes on the SaaS industry on today's episode of The Sour GTM SaaS Takes Podcast. Watch now! 👇 Website: https://lnkd.in/gwUwMs2J Spotify: https://lnkd.in/g7cbHRHB Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gk26WnZ6 #B2Bmarketing #socialmedia #leadership #founderledgrowth

The entrepreneurial journey is not a straight line. It certainly isn't easy as it has many ups and downs, zigs and zags, and twists and turns. When is enough and enough? In this special episode of the Pro Serv Podcast, Collective 54 Alum, Julian Lumpkin shares his 7 year journey as a founder along with the difficult decision to close his firm. Huge thank you to Julian for telling his story. #professionalservices #agencyowners #collective54