Founder @ Brand Managers | STOP SELLING. Create DEMAND. | Helping founder-led B2B companies eliminate the confusion affecting revenue.
Kansas City, KS
Joined August 2008
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Monte Clark retweeted
President Trump truthed out this absolutely incredible video today. Stop what you are doing and watch the whole thing.
Monte Clark retweeted
One of the things the data analysts on our side obsessed over was "composition"—whether the electorate looked close enough to 2024 for Republicans to win. And despite polls that showed a Democrat blowout, the data kept on telling us the same story: in some states turnout was merely OK, in other states it was downright amazing, and in no state was it catastrophic. There was a genuine sense of optimism on our team: our people were showing up.
So, I asked the smartest data guy I know, does that mean we're going to shock the world? "No," he told me. "We might do better than the polls suggest. But the data is telling us that a lot of Trump/Vance 2024 voters are pissed and planning to vote for the other guys. Our voters are turning out, but they may not vote for us."
Well, that looks prophetic now. Our voters did show up. In Florida, for example, the electorate was 9 points more Republican than Democrat, just a couple points worse than 2024. Undoubtedly there were places we could have done better on turnout. But the main problem is not turnout. The main problem is that many people who voted for Trump/Vance in 2024 voted for Democrats in 2026.
There will be a lot of infighting and arguing over what happened and why that is. One of the pollsters I really respect told me that our economic messaging wasn’t sharp enough down the stretch. I’m sure that’s true.
But the real reason we lost is obvious to almost everyone.
Another pollster—one of the smartest people I know in politics, told me yesterday we’d lose the generic ballot by 13 points. I felt negative going into Tuesday, but even I was shocked by this. In his polling, he saw that a lot of Trump 2024 voters were angry and planning to vote for Democrats. He asked those voters who had abandoned us what would cause them to come back on our team. The top four answers, accounting for nearly all of the responses were:
1) End the war
2) Focus on cost of living/inflation
3) Put America First
4) Change our relationship to Israel
Our voters showed up. And the above four reasons are why many of them voted for Democrats. This is according to a pollster who nailed the results. While many spent Monday attacking Rachel Campos Duffy for calling for a diplomatic resolution to the conflict, it turns out her political advice was sound. (She’s also a great person.)
In the next few months, there's going to be a lot of gaslighting. Expect to hear any number of establishment politicians say the solution to our woes is amnesty. I'm open to the idea that we should change enforcement—by focusing more on businesses that hire illegal labor, for instance. But anyone pushing amnesty is lying to you.
The reason we lost is the war. The president himself said so last night.
If you'd like to argue it was worth it, that losing the Senate for the next 6 years was worth it, then do so. Argue it was a worthwhile cost to pay. Agree or disagree, that's at least honest.
But everyone knows why we lost. And any honest conversation about where we go from here must start there.
I remain hopeful about our country. To the people who are pissed off and want to say, “I told you so”: you’re right, you did tell us so. Take that energy into electing Republicans who share your worldview. To the people who are just pissed at the results, you should be. Let’s take that anger and get back to the work of saving our country.
Monte Clark retweeted
We'll have full election results breakdown / reaction on next Live Free episode, but some quick thoughts...
1) The Sovereignty of God over all things is a deep comfort. As the old Christian saying goes, "I don't know what tomorrow holds, but I know Who holds tomorrow."
“For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with a psalm! God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne.” (Psalm 47)
2) It is sad and grievous. Romans 1 says God’s “passive wrath” is when he “gives them up” to their sin and evil desires – when He stops restraining a people from destroying themselves and lets them have the evil things they want.
The United States intentionally chose things like max-boosting infant murder up to the moment of birth, legislated sexual perversion that will wreak havoc on a rising generation, the expansion of Islamic influence on our nation, elected leaders openly hostile to Christianity, and in at least 2 cases (TX and Kansas) chose what the New Testamant would define as (and I do not say this lightly or flippantly) demonic, apostate false teachers to lead them.
This is an example of Romans 1 playing out before your eyes.
3) There is no political solution to a spiritual problem. Politics cannot fix what politics did not break, and Mankind was broken long before any political system.
The hope of the world has been and remains Jesus Christ, reformation and revival in our nation that has the ability to reach inside the chests of men and women and make them new men and women who want (and vote for) new things.
Christ is the only way out of the chaos.
4) Important lessons to be learned for conservatives. Wisdom would not be to blame *everything* on "dumb / evil voters."
Basic leadership: "Face the brutal facts (learn and adjust), maintain unwavering faith."
5) Sadness is ok, but despair is a sin. "Therefore, we DO NOT lose heart" (2 Cor 4:16).
Head up, chest out, knees down, glory up... do not grow weary in doing good, we build and fight (Nehemiah).
What are we going to do? Get up with joy in our eyes, love in our hearts, steel in our spines and keep assaulting heaven for an outpouring of God's Spirit, sharing Christ, planting churches, making disciples and deploying them in all areas of society in eager anticipation of the next Great Awakening in our land.
Tomb's still empty, y'all :)
6) We do what the people of God have always done in time of need: WE PRAY.
See you at Encounter tonight at all Lakepointe campuses at 7pm, doors open early for you to come and "pray for the prayer meeting."
Monte Clark retweeted
Once upon a time, Billy Graham got a speeding ticket.
He showed up to court and experienced the most unexpected lesson that mirrors the gospel.
(Shout out to my friend Pastor @Ed_Newton who I heard this illustration from last week!)
Monte Clark retweeted
If godly people do not step forward to influence the trajectory of the nation, godless people WILL (and are).
Why Christians *should* vote in the midterm elections this week 👇
Monte Clark retweeted
This is insane
A federal judge in SDNY just ordered that this video of Trump offering $5000 if Republicans win the elections had to be DELETED
It would sure be a shame if we all made it go viral again!
Monte Clark retweeted
Let's do this again November 3! It was so exhilarating the morning after as the Deep State literally ate it!
Monte Clark retweeted
Internal video of a DSA "Democratic Constitution Forum" was just uncovered by @DataRepublican, showing a member of the Marxist Unity Group caucus openly admitting they want to dismantle our Constitution and replace it with a one-house legislature modeled after the Soviet Politburo.
THIS IS A COLOR REVOLUTION.
First, they win congressional and local seats to build power from the inside. Then they plant seeds of hatred and declare every opposing elected leader a "fascist". Then, they trigger riots in the streets to force a federal response. Once the President sends in the National Guard, their allies in Congress scream "tyranny" to delegitimize the entire system.
It’s all designed to bait you into fighting back with violence. DO NOT TAKE THE BAIT. They are setting the stage in real time, and our only defense is to hold the line on the Constitution.
For almost 25 years, Laurie Shakur was far removed from the neighborhood that she felt held her down. Then she said yes to a role that put her right back in it.
Laurie spent 30 years as an HR leader at big global companies and as a fractional HR advisor. Today she is the CEO and executive director of Building Better Futures, a Chicago nonprofit. Its current focus is supporting individuals impacted by gun violence in the community where she grew up.
She lived in the San Francisco Bay Area for 24 years. Coming home brought her renewed energy and confidence, and a drive to take what she learned about process, systems, communication, and leadership and put it to work on critical problems. She knows these challenges from the inside. Like so many people in that community, she once felt like a victim of them, because it was all she knew. Now she sees them with fresh eyes and a renewed sense of optimism.
Her vision reaches beyond one problem. She hopes to expand the agency's work from supporting gun violence victims to youth enrichment, including an AI agent that helps young people think critically. She also cares deeply about returning citizens, seniors, and survivors of domestic violence.
Look at how clearly she describes the work. She names the problem, whom it affects, and why it is personal. People who care about that problem know exactly how they can help, and they raise their hands. Nobody has to be sold anything.
If you are not seen, you are not known, and you will not be chosen. Your team, your supporters, and the people you serve want to hear from you directly, in your own voice. A story like Laurie’s can live on as a post, a short video, and a talking point for months.
What is the primary problem you solve, and who has it? Say it in one sentence in the comments, or send me a direct message.
🤖 Made with AI
Monte Clark retweeted
CHRISTIANS: Don’t get confused about casting your vote…
Here are 3 things a vote is NOT ❌
Buyer confidence is how you win or lose business.
Brian Gustason helps private equity-backed companies in the lower middle market, up to about $200 million in revenue, grow faster across go-to-market. These companies compete for buyers who have plenty of options, and confidence decides who gets the call.
He says the leader is often the face of the business. The leader usually has the deepest experience and the sharpest point of view on what a buyer cares about. When that leader shares it through content and video, buyers see expertise and domain authority. When the leader stays quiet, buyers have little to build confidence on.
AI is paying attention too. When someone asks it for three vendors, it looks for expertise, quotes, and ratings. Companies that skip this work are not found, and they do not build buyer confidence.
Brian lives it. He has published about 450 LinkedIn posts in his series PE Growth Headwinds and Tailwinds, including one on how PE-backed CEOs can close out Q4 strong.
If you are not seen, you are not known, and you will not be chosen. Consistency turns a leader's expertise into confidence for your internal team, your clients, and your ideal customers.
When did you last share your point of view so your buyers can see it?
Tell me in the comments, send me a direct message, or book time on my calendar from my profile page.
🤖 Made with AI
When a buyer asks AI for three vendors, will yours make the list?
Brian Gustason helps private equity-backed companies in the lower middle market grow faster, and he sees this question decide more deals every year. B2B buyers research online first, and they increasingly ask ChatGPT, Claude, or Grok. The question for every company becomes how to make the short list of three.
His answer starts with building expertise and domain authority so you can be found. Then comes the part I love. Great marketing gets a buyer 75% of the way there before they ever pick up the phone. They already know your value and how you differ from your top competitors. Signing becomes close to a formality. Win rates rise, and buyers purchase more than one thing because they see the benefit.
For the smaller businesses Brian serves, marketing is often the most neglected part of go-to-market. He says it should be the most emphasized.
This is why consistent, high-value content matters. If you are not seen, you are not known, and you will not be chosen. Your internal team, your clients, and your ideal customers form an opinion long before a conversation starts. One clear idea like this can become a post, a short video, and a talking point that keeps working for months.
Where would your company land on the short list today?
Share it in the comments, send me a direct message, or book time on my calendar from my profile page.
🤖 Made with AI
A founder just closed a round with a private equity firm.
The clock started ticking the same day.
Brian Gustason works with private equity-backed businesses in the lower middle market, companies with up to about $200 million in revenue. He helps them grow faster across go-to-market, data, marketing, sales, and customer success.
Here is the situation he steps into. A founder built the business on a great network and strong relationships, and it worked. Now the company needs processes, systems, and formal sales training. The founder has just attracted serious capital and believes the current approach is right. The PE firm wants the business to double or triple in three to five years. That tension is real.
Boil it down, and Brian solves one problem. He helps the owner-founder who sold their way into capital deliver the return their investors expect.
Notice what that does. He names the problem and who has it. Founders and PE partners who live in that tension read it and say, "That is us. How do you solve it?" Brian never has to sell.
That works when people see it from you, regularly. If you are not seen, you are not known, and you will not be chosen. Your internal team, your clients, and your ideal customers all want to hear your thinking directly from you.
What problem do you solve, and who has it? Put it in one sentence in the comments, send me a direct message, or book time on my calendar from my profile page.
🤖 Made with AI
The average restaurant general manager stays about 2.4 years.
Then they leave, and everything they know walks out the door with them.
Eric O. Keosky-Smith sees that problem up close through TUBR, a UK company he is deeply involved with. Eric is also a fractional EVP of business development and marketing who helps smaller companies solve problems of scale, drawing on 30 years in channels and distribution.
With TUBR, a restaurant can go back and ask what happened this day one year ago, last Thursday, or last month, and get a clear answer on what happened and why. Eric calls it an instant onboarding tool.
Here is what stood out to me. TUBR has not promoted that capability. Customers started telling them, "By the way, here is the other thing your product does that I really love." The value was already there. It simply had not been said out loud yet.
Many of us are sitting on a problem we solve that our market has never heard us name. Your clients may be pointing at it right now.
When you say it publicly and keep saying it, the people who have that problem find you. Your internal team hears it. Your ideal customers hear it directly from you. You never have to sell.
If you are not seen, you are not known, and you will not be chosen.
What is the problem your customers praise you for that you have not yet said out loud?
Share it in the comments, send me a direct message, or grab time on my calendar from my profile page.
🤖 Made with AI
What if you knew next Tuesday's lunch crowd would be thin, and you also knew why and exactly what to do about it?
That is the problem Eric O. Keosky-Smith is helping restaurants solve through TUBR, a UK company he is deeply involved with. Eric is also a fractional EVP of business development and marketing who helps smaller companies with scale and partner strategy, backed by 30 years in channels and distribution.
TUBR gives restaurants an hour-by-hour view of the revenue and transactions they are likely to see over the next ten days. It trains on 90 days of point of sale data, plus weather and local events, and it starts working within 24 hours of install.
Eric explained that the prediction is only the beginning. Operators need to know why it will happen, then what to do next. How do I staff? How do I prep food? If a thousand people are heading to a music venue nearby, maybe a late-night promotion is the move.
He also pointed out that large language models are not trustworthy day in and day out when you ask them the same question, and they do not understand the physical world. TUBR built its model on math and physics, which is why the predictions hold up.
Listen to how Eric framed it: if you could tell the future and do something about it, would you? One clear question about a real problem. That single idea can become a post, a short video, and a talking point that keeps working for months.
If you are not seen, you are not known, and you will not be chosen.
If you want your expertise turned into content that gets the right people to raise their hands, send me a direct message or book time on my calendar from my profile page.
🤖 Made with AI
Eric O. Keosky-Smith gave the best sales presentations of his career without ever selling anything.
About a decade ago, Eric was the main face of Infusionsoft across Arizona. He took the stage and educated business owners on how to grow and scale, talking through the problems they were wrestling with. He never sold the product directly. In his words, it was the best sales work he ever did.
Eric is a fractional EVP of business development and marketing with 30 years in channels and distribution, including senior roles at Fortune 100 and 500 companies. He helps smaller companies solve problems of scale and figure out which partners they need. He is also deeply involved with TUBR, a UK company helping restaurants see what is coming and what to do about it.
Eric is candid about still catching himself talking about features and benefits. Most of us do. We are conditioned to talk about what we do.
When you name the problem your audience lives with, people raise their hands and ask how you solve it. The education does the selling for you.
That only works when people see you doing it consistently. If you are not seen, you are not known, and you will not be chosen.
Your internal team, your clients, and your ideal customers all want to hear from you directly, in your own voice.
Which problem are you naming out loud this week? Tell me in the comments, send me a direct message, or book time on my calendar from my profile page.
🤖 Made with AI
Eric O. Keosky-Smith gave the best sales presentations of his career without ever selling anything.
About a decade ago, Eric was the main face of Infusionsoft across Arizona. He took the stage and educated business owners on how to grow and scale, talking through the problems they were wrestling with. He never sold the product directly. In his words, it was the best sales work he ever did.
Eric is a fractional EVP of business development and marketing with 30 years in channels and distribution, including senior roles at Fortune 100 and 500 companies. He helps smaller companies solve problems of scale and figure out which partners they need. He is also deeply involved with TUBR, a UK company helping restaurants see what is coming and what to do about it.
Eric is candid about still catching himself talking about features and benefits. Most of us do. We are conditioned to talk about what we do.
When you name the problem your audience lives with, people raise their hands and ask how you solve it. The education does the selling for you.
That only works when people see you doing it consistently. If you are not seen, you are not known, and you will not be chosen.
Your internal team, your clients, and your ideal customers all want to hear from you directly, in your own voice.
Which problem are you naming out loud this week? Tell me in the comments, send me a direct message, or book time on my calendar from my profile page.
🤖 Made with AI