In this episode of Strategy & Action, host Jason Croft sits down with Lynette Xanders, founder of Wild Alchemy and former strategist at Stan Richards' legendary agency.

Lynette reveals how she evolved from account planner to culture transformation specialist, working with brands like Nike and Adidas, and agencies like Wieden+Kennedy.

Jason guides the conversation through Lynette's unique approach to solving the training gap that plagues most companies: what happens after the workshop ends?

Learn how creative briefs become activation tools, not just documents.

Discover why fragmentation is the #1 killer of brand consistency and team performance.

Understand how to diagnose whether you have a brand problem, culture problem, or something else entirely.

Lynette shares her "golden time" framework for building high-performing creative teams, the exact questions that reveal whether someone can think strategically, and why efficiency fuels creativity instead of killing it.

Plus, get the truth about why most corporate training fails and what to do instead.

If your team is disengaged, missing deadlines, or bleeding talent, this episode shows you the real problem and how to fix it.

Find all the show notes and links here: https://www.strategyactionshow.com/110

Sign up for your free account on ReferU2 here: https://www.referu2.com/s/user_36JW3cUF1fjhEKvfMTF8SK4DTev

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If you're tired of grinding through networking events like some LinkedIn zombie…

Hoping you'll magically bump into your next client…

This episode is gonna be a wake-up call.

Jason sits down with Derek Morgan...

The dude who literally REVERSE ENGINEERED his own referral success…

Just so he could teach others how to do it.

Derek breaks down the difference between random networking…

And actual REFERRAL MARKETING.

Which is a system. A process. Something predictable.

Not just "I hope someone remembers me at the next Zoom happy hour."

Here's what you're gonna learn:

- How to identify your TOP 3-5 referral partner profiles (the people who already have relationships with YOUR ideal clients)

- The exact conversation framework to use with existing clients that gets THEM asking who you need introductions to (without you begging like a desperate salesperson)

- Why leading with VALUE to referral partners changes everything (and what that value actually looks like)

- The 5-phase referral marketing framework Derek uses to make partnerships predictable and scalable

- How Derek built a platform called ReferU2 that actually manages these relationships WITHOUT creating another CRM nightmare

Plus… Jason and Derek get into the MINDSET shift that separates people who get occasional referrals…

From the ones who build referral MACHINES.

If you're a coach, consultant, or service provider…

And you're sick of cold outreach and expensive ads…

This episode will show you a better way.

One that doesn't require you to be everywhere all the time.

Just strategic. Intentional. And actually kinda fun.

Tune in and stop networking like it's 2015.

Find all the show notes and links here: https://www.strategyactionshow.com/109

How to build a career that actually LASTS in an industry where most people flame out...

This is the FIRST episode in a new series Jason's calling Power Traits.

Where he brings on people he's known for YEARS...

And identifies the ONE core trait that's made them successful.

Not the stuff they put on their LinkedIn.

The REAL thing that separates them from everyone else grinding in their field.

Today's guest is filmmaker Will Canon.

And his power trait? RIGOR.

The disciplined, relentless process of going back to the drawing board...

Again and again and again.

Will breaks down how he took The Confession from a road trip conversation in 2018 to a January 2026 streaming release...

You'll learn:

- How to dual-track creative projects and fundraising without losing your mind

- The feedback collection system that actually WORKS (not the "what do you think?" basic nonsense)

- Why going back to the drawing board 15-20 times makes you BETTER, not slower

- The discipline Will developed as a high school athlete that still drives his process today

- How to navigate indie film distribution when there are fewer buyers than ever

Jason and Will also get into the messy reality of independent filmmaking in 2025...

This isn't your typical "follow your dreams" filmmaker interview.

It's a masterclass in RIGOR.

The kind of disciplined, relentless iteration that separates people who SAY they're serious...

From people who actually finish things.

Plus some inside baseball on why streaming platforms are both easier AND harder than the old DVD days.

Watch the whole thing if you want to understand what it REALLY takes to build something that matters.

Find all the show notes and links here: https://www.strategyactionshow.com/108