Jeff Roberts

Partners for Agencies Partner, Jeff Roberts is one of the leaders in his industry that venture capitalists look to for top class marketing and advertising services to provide successful mergers and acquisitions. Along with his position at Partners for Agencies, Jeff also works as a Mergers and Acquisitions consultant at OTW Ltd and has held the role for 18 years. He focuses his work there in the advertising and marketing sector and has handled deals for over 150 agencies. In these roles, Jeff has over 30 years of experience connecting venture capitalists with marketing experts such as, non-executive directors, turnaround marketing professionals, interim directors, and others. When it comes to mergers and acquisitions, he has personally overseen more than 170 of such deals, all with highly successful outcomes. Jeff has worked with small startup companies to large industry leaders like McCanns & Grey but has never shown preferential treatment to either. Jeff himself is a highly prosperous and humble man that leads by example. Jeff, having obtained a bachelor’s degree in geography then going on to build a successful career in advertising, proves that it is never too late to act on your career aspirations. With a long history in the advertising and marketing sector and a long track record of facilitating successful mergers and acquisitions, Jeff Roberts at Partners for Agencies will continue to be an Industry leader now and into the future.

Where did the idea for Partners for Agencies come from?

Partners for Agencies specializes in marketing and advertising for the creative services industry. It was founded to help venture capitalists find professional experts in their fields help them grow their portfolios and also to assist in the mergers and acquisitions of companies.

What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?

I like to start each day with a clear objective in mind in order to stay both focused and productive.

How do you bring ideas to life?

I like to talk through an idea. Like a think tank. It is very engaging when you get other minds to help you look at an idea from different perspectives.

What’s one trend that excites you?

Consumers are starting to become smarter about data protection and I think this will push businesses to make huge improvements in this area which will be a great benefit to all. Data security will produce a stronger market which will mean better mergers and acquisitions for one, and then on the advertising and marketing side there will be many exciting things I could get involved with when it comes to data protection for both businesses and consumers.

What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?

Listening well. Listening is one of the activities we engage in the most often in our business interactions, yet many individuals are guilty of listening to less than 50% of a conversation. By becoming a better listener, you can improve your productivity, as well as your ability to influence, persuade and negotiate.

What advice would you give your younger self?

That you don’t have to have everything figured out by any certain age, things will fall into place if you keep working hard on your goals.

Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.

I am one that appreciates experiences over things. So, when I have the opportunity to give a gift that revolves around gifting an experience to someone, I am always looking for ways to do so over giving an object or even money.

As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?

Learn something new. It doesn’t even have to be related to your field of expertise, but it is both a great hobby and it will keep you sharp to always be engaging your brain in learning something new.

What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?

Using platforms like twitter to reach a broader potential client base can be incredibly useful. I often make informative videos that I will share on there, it is a great way to let clients know what you can offer. Any new traffic can be directed to your business webpage and you can follow up by engaging through messaging.

What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?

I don’t know that there has necessarily been one big failure but as far as overcoming difficulties, I think it is important to take time each day to meditate on what is important to you. Some do this in one big meditative session in the morning to start the day or at the end of their day, some may set aside several 10-minute periods throughout the day where they pause and reflect. No matter how you are doing it, it is important to take that time each day to reflect.

What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?

Similar to the way banks may hire someone to discover their vulnerabilities, how about someone to do that for individuals, then help them to improve their personal data and identity security to avoid costly breaches in the future.

What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?

I recently spent about that much, maybe a little more, on a great pair of noise cancelling headphones. With everyone working from home or just being home more these days, they can be a very valuable thing to invest in.

What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive?

Todoist helps you stay in control of everything in your life.

What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?

Tools of Titans: The Tactics, Routines, and Habits of Billionaires, Icons, and World-Class Performers by Timothy Ferriss. The book features anecdotal tactics, tools, and tips from over 100 titans of industry. It is enjoyable to read and you are sure to come away learning something that you can apply to your entrepreneurial dreams.

What is your favorite quote?

“Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice.” – Steve Jobs

Key Learnings:

• Start each day with a clear objective in mind in order to stay productive.
• Listen well.
• Try to constantly learn new things.
• Take advantage of the free marketing and advertising you can do on social media.
• Find time in the day to pause and reflect on why you are working hard on your goals to find your motivation to keep doing so.