No. 1 CEO: The Strategies I Used to Build 5 Billion-Dollar Companies (And How You Can Use Them)

Throughout his tenure, Brad Jacobs has built multiple billion-dollar companies. While there is no “playbook” for growing a business, he focuses on a few factors above all else in every company he operates, and in this conversation, he reveals them all.
Shane and Jacobs discuss how to read anyone during an interview through a series of intentional questions, the exciting role of AI and technology in the future of business, and where money-making ideas hide in companies. Jacobs also shares how his training in math and music made him a better business operator, the one thing he focuses on to grow his businesses, how to spot big trends before everyone else, and the only thing a company should focus on for success.
--
00:00 - Intro
01:13 - The future of AI
03:50 - How to think rationally
05:17 - The major trend
07:26 - The research process
09:58 - On asking better questions
16:04 - On rearranging your brain
18:52 - On music, math, simplicity, and business
28:55 - Leverage, debt, and optionality
31:40 - What it takes to take contrarian bets
37:14 - Confidence and parents
46:50 - Why negative-only feedback is detrimental for employees
52:43 - Money lessons
54:42 - A deep dive on M&A (Jacobs' secret sauce to growing his companies)
01:04:20 - Questions to immediately get to know anyone
01:07:43 - On boards and board meetings
01:13:26 - On decision-making
01:20:06 - The role of capital markets
01:22:10 - The type of person you don't want to hire
01:27:45 - The best capital allocators
01:30:22 - Biggest lesson Jacobs learned from the past year
01:33:49 - On success
--
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ABOUT THE KNOWLEDGE PROJECT
Like the mentor you’ve always dreamed of having, The Knowledge Project shares timely yet timeless lessons for work and life. Past guests include Naval Ravikant, Daniel Kahneman, Jim Collins, Angela Duckworth, Seth Godin, Melanie Mitchell, & Esther Perel.

Пікірлер: 182

  • @tkppodcast
    @tkppodcast2 ай бұрын

    Share your favorite part of the convo below 👇

  • @betweenherenthere

    @betweenherenthere

    Ай бұрын

    The part about his father calling him "ugly" at a young age & his remarks about personality is transformational. My grandfather used to say that to me! God rest his soul.

  • @alexswedenborg1856

    @alexswedenborg1856

    Ай бұрын

    @@betweenherenthere 2 yrs that many years, 3, counseling...WOW...3 hrs a week!! OK!

  • @2017phattang

    @2017phattang

    Ай бұрын

    沒有我的書面赞同,所有人的侵犯破坏人权主管一定賠償金与罚款。反对会進行槍毙死刑案件。

  • @gamal01

    @gamal01

    Ай бұрын

    His leadership style and human-centric approach to talent management and development (section on appraisal).

  • @TheDiaryOfACEO
    @TheDiaryOfACEOАй бұрын

    Clicked on this thinking it was DOAC 😂 couldn’t remember having this guy on

  • @grizzlydynamics

    @grizzlydynamics

    Ай бұрын

    Exactly. I was thinking "wait, I know these thumbnails..."

  • @zensamurai6582

    @zensamurai6582

    Ай бұрын

    Wow, clicked on the video just to say the same thing. Take it as a sign you are doing something right if your work gets so brazently pragerised!

  • @amazon1606

    @amazon1606

    Ай бұрын

    Lol sames

  • @charupalia7719

    @charupalia7719

    Ай бұрын

    Yes! 😂

  • @laqlan

    @laqlan

    Ай бұрын

    Is this not you?

  • @justicelaub9094
    @justicelaub9094Ай бұрын

    1. Generate exceptional shareholder returns. 2. Incentivize employees for shareholder value creation. 3. Rapidly standardize and integrate acquisitions. 4. Allocate capital to the highest return opportunities. 5. Foster positive culture and relationships. 6. Be contrarian when conviction warrants it. 7. Solve complexity through simplicity and math. 8. Learn from employees at all levels. 9. Validate before providing constructive criticism. 10. Maintain profound curiosity to spot trends.

  • @davidirizarry6216

    @davidirizarry6216

    Ай бұрын

    Ty

  • @topgrowthexperts

    @topgrowthexperts

    25 күн бұрын

    If you liked that you will also like the book, The Outsiders by William Thorndike. Very similar set of operating principles, for long term business success. Thanks for the breakdown.

  • @esriarc7289

    @esriarc7289

    21 күн бұрын

    thank you

  • @douglaschester2097
    @douglaschester2097Ай бұрын

    This is amazing. *“How to build wealth”*

  • @douglaschester2097

    @douglaschester2097

    Ай бұрын

    The first step to building wealth is figuring out your goaIs and risk toIerance - either on your own or with the heIp of a financiaI pIanner, and foIIowing through with an inteIIigent pIan, you wiII gain financiaI growth over the years and enjoy the benefits of managing your money.

  • @douglaschester2097

    @douglaschester2097

    Ай бұрын

    I am fortunate I made productive decisions that changed my finances (gathered over 1M in 2years) through my financiaI planner. Got my 2nd house in Feb, and hoping to retire soon. Give this a try and attain good-returns.

  • @douglaschester2097

    @douglaschester2097

    Ай бұрын

    For more lnfo FinanciaI-PIanner Rebecca Mart-Watson (in fuII).

  • @Alexandra13296

    @Alexandra13296

    Ай бұрын

    l’m amazed to partake on this, lt has rekindled the fire to my goals.

  • @Alexandra13296

    @Alexandra13296

    Ай бұрын

    deserve aII attention, good to be here

  • @adigullia
    @adigulliaАй бұрын

    It's my first video from this channel. Hats off to the host for discovering this gem of an entrepreneur and sharing with us. Brad is remarkably honest and transparent, and is clearly gifted at what he does.

  • @stellargal1983
    @stellargal1983Ай бұрын

    I am so impressed with this gentleman. He has such a good heart. Truly a superior human being. In my home country, Romania, we use the word ‘character’ to describe a person’s personality/demeanor. Mr. Jacobs has a beautiful character. I’ll be ordering his book.

  • @waynewhite2314

    @waynewhite2314

    8 күн бұрын

    He gives me hope

  • @syedjameelahmed66
    @syedjameelahmed66Ай бұрын

    He looked to me as a very well-spoken gentleman with high-level business acumen and a genuinely kind human being.

  • @dric30

    @dric30

    Ай бұрын

    😊😊

  • @dric30

    @dric30

    Ай бұрын

    😊

  • @dric30

    @dric30

    Ай бұрын

    😊😊😊

  • @chancytembo6133

    @chancytembo6133

    Ай бұрын

    But what changed?

  • @TimTheInsideMan
    @TimTheInsideManАй бұрын

    This is brilliant. Need to listen three more times and take copious notes. 👏👏👏

  • @dr.wezisunkutumd8745
    @dr.wezisunkutumd8745Ай бұрын

    Very deep conversation here, greatly appreciate especially as a new CEO in the healthcare industry. I am learning alot from this single podcast conversation. I salute.

  • @formxshape
    @formxshape2 ай бұрын

    Valuable lessons and insights. 🎉

  • @dustinmyers9083
    @dustinmyers9083Ай бұрын

    Great interview, well formed questions!

  • @noelalbano5728
    @noelalbano5728Ай бұрын

    Never planned to watch this interview, but it turned out to be a mini-MBA by a successful practitioner. Will definitely watch this again and take notes this time around. I am now a raging fan :)

  • @phambiliS
    @phambiliS29 күн бұрын

    This was absolutely crucial, vital and impactful information! Absolutely loved it!👌

  • @RugilePenno-qr1nh
    @RugilePenno-qr1nh2 ай бұрын

    Thank you both very much. I enjoyed it a lot. So much interesting information and so much positive vibes.

  • @sayuristillwater7471
    @sayuristillwater7471Ай бұрын

    I found this quite informative. Thanks for creating such valuable content!

  • @user-dq1kr6zc2t
    @user-dq1kr6zc2t2 ай бұрын

    Bradley Jacobs is a one of kind entrepreneur. I encourage you to read his background and professional career. Guy perfected the "roll-up" transaction and M&A model. Truly a great operator of companies and understands the entire Big Picture.

  • @gabrielfurlong4042

    @gabrielfurlong4042

    2 ай бұрын

    Wishing that machines develop feelings is un unreal

  • @mephis247

    @mephis247

    Ай бұрын

    Do u know of any of his books on business..he sounds like a very astute businessman.

  • @nicoh.1082
    @nicoh.10822 ай бұрын

    32:02 beautifully said

  • @IndigoUnited
    @IndigoUnited13 күн бұрын

    Real CEO information right here 📝

  • @arismichalakis4024
    @arismichalakis4024Ай бұрын

    Really amazing interview, one of the few 1 hour plus videos worth viewing till the end.

  • @tkppodcast

    @tkppodcast

    Ай бұрын

    Thanks for watching!

  • @ErinLAnderson
    @ErinLAndersonАй бұрын

    Wow, thank you for the inspiration Mr. Jacobs!

  • @demetriusdupree1704
    @demetriusdupree1704Ай бұрын

    Boy o boy….I came in for financial insight & the first few minutes Mr. Jacobs brought up psychology & therapy & he is absolutely right: he was able to know himself on a deeper level to be more optimal in the ever changing world we confront on our day-to-day lives. 😢😢😊

  • @pankajrathi7476
    @pankajrathi74762 ай бұрын

    Feedback and Group huddle part is very insightful for team building

  • @davideylerYT
    @davideylerYTАй бұрын

    Amazing. I’ve never heard of CEO speak in this manner. So much insight! The long end of the stick indeed!

  • @nelsonxthefoodchannel3324
    @nelsonxthefoodchannel33242 ай бұрын

    Great questions. I appreciate Mr. Jacob’s candor. Excellent podcast!

  • @leadgenjay
    @leadgenjay2 ай бұрын

    This is a really insightful interview, especially the part about leveraging AI in business. Integrating AI not just in products but also in optimizing backend processes can significantly cut costs and boost efficiency.

  • @RosaLei
    @RosaLei2 ай бұрын

    I'm slowly digesting Brad Jacobs' new book "How to Make a Few Billion Dollars", it's NOT on Audible and my reading time is limited so I'll take a few bites of the book before I turn in, I wish I could say I'm devouring it, but no, some of the paragraphs have a high density of information on how he thinks about things, I have to ponder what he is saying for a while. He is such an interesting guy!🤑

  • @RosaLei

    @RosaLei

    Ай бұрын

    Update! The book is now on Audible, narrated by Brad Jacobs himself! It is such a great playbook! I love his philosophies and the way he operates; it's truly inspiring! ✨️

  • @ramzihaidar8928
    @ramzihaidar8928Ай бұрын

    Amazing entrepreneurial progressive humble business man, excellent podcast.

  • @gamal01
    @gamal01Ай бұрын

    What many of us professionals have failed to realize is how much efficiency is important and what actually contributes to achieving that. It isn't merely a systems approach but also very human centric and the feedback/info you gather from that you use to develop effective systems; and the thing that makes this most achievable is transparency! The more you can see of a thing the easier it is to manage and simplify. That's one of if not his main strength/superpower. You don't achieve efficiency by creating layers and barriers, which is a very egocentric approach to leadership.

  • @hoochlily
    @hoochlilyАй бұрын

    What a kind soul and brilliant human being. Great interview , inspirational and profound. Thanks

  • @Empresskimz
    @EmpresskimzАй бұрын

    I truly learned alot from Bradley Jacobs! Love the frankness. Thank you!

  • @davidhorak3626
    @davidhorak3626Ай бұрын

    thanks so much for the show guys..... great questions and very insightful answers...... im excited for QXO.

  • @oswaldocruz8883
    @oswaldocruz8883Ай бұрын

    This is amazing. Thank you

  • @TalesOfTrillions
    @TalesOfTrillionsАй бұрын

    I resonate so much with the idea of being a musician in business. The ability to improvise and adapt to any note life throws at you is what sets true entrepreneurs apart.

  • @waynewhite2314

    @waynewhite2314

    8 күн бұрын

    Iv a childhood friend who is the epicenter of my music appreciation foundation. A fantastic guitarist whom I always wanted to assist with his music promotion and he hasn't gotten there becuz the collaboration didn't happen and he didn't take the opportunity risks. I can see clearly now it was never his strength and he sorta overly independent. I'm still hoping he corrects and takes off.

  • @nishanc21
    @nishanc21Ай бұрын

    Such a good interview

  • @amonifinau4048
    @amonifinau40482 ай бұрын

    Thank you!

  • @rajmaster6937
    @rajmaster69372 ай бұрын

    Good podcast

  • @arigutman
    @arigutmanАй бұрын

    This is a great podcast series, thank you for sharing these stories.

  • @tkppodcast

    @tkppodcast

    Ай бұрын

    Thanks for listening

  • @antikoerper256
    @antikoerper2565 күн бұрын

    Very interesting and mind-opening, thanks

  • @FarkhodRadzhapov
    @FarkhodRadzhapov28 күн бұрын

    6:30 spotting trends gem

  • @hermess.6818
    @hermess.6818Ай бұрын

    I love this mindset beautiful consciousness and applied wisdom. I am loading up on QXO brilliance.

  • @1tonypeters
    @1tonypetersАй бұрын

    This guy is BRILLIANT ✊🏽✊🏽✊🏽✊🏽

  • @TruAlphaInc.
    @TruAlphaInc.Ай бұрын

    That story about your Dad was hilarious 😂 He reminds me of one of my best friend’s Dad who was a really big guy with an even bigger personality and deep voice and an excellent sense of humor😅..I miss him a lot. Really enjoyed listening to you, please make more content, you have a gift for speaking and explaining things and you also have great gestures! Much Love💪

  • @TariqJohnson
    @TariqJohnsonАй бұрын

    What an interesting and humble guy!

  • @Marko_Stanojevic
    @Marko_StanojevicАй бұрын

    Brad is like Mr Wonderful just nice 😅

  • @TrapPhoneLoveMelodiesss

    @TrapPhoneLoveMelodiesss

    Ай бұрын

    Underrated comment 😂😂😂

  • @maungtun-ut4rw
    @maungtun-ut4rwАй бұрын

    Thank you

  • @BookofMagicSpells
    @BookofMagicSpellsАй бұрын

    Wow, so good!

  • @KevinMullaney333
    @KevinMullaney333Ай бұрын

    That intro go more hooks than a fishing tournament 🎉

  • @mohammedal-dossary3480
    @mohammedal-dossary3480Ай бұрын

    One of the best

  • @blackhistoryonsteroids8196
    @blackhistoryonsteroids81967 күн бұрын

    Listening is so golden

  • @user-sl2mh8bk5x
    @user-sl2mh8bk5xАй бұрын

    My virtual role model!

  • @pjs777s.8
    @pjs777s.8Ай бұрын

    This channel is aptly named.💥

  • @RacksAG
    @RacksAGАй бұрын

    Thank you🙏🏽

  • @sherlitasampay4513
    @sherlitasampay4513Ай бұрын

    wow very much thank u sir.. u are very humble.. thank u sharing

  • @Lee-qj4hk
    @Lee-qj4hkАй бұрын

    A wonderful demonstration on how to use the infinite flexibility of the human mind:-)

  • @Will-ep2pr
    @Will-ep2prАй бұрын

    Starting trailer reminds me of the Diary of a CEO podcast

  • @yegoncaleb9045
    @yegoncaleb9045Ай бұрын

    Analyzing how to think, never thought of that

  • @sulaimanfaarah
    @sulaimanfaarahАй бұрын

    Brilliant

  • @sethf4385
    @sethf4385Ай бұрын

    Such a great fount of business knowledge & expertise. Thanks for this interview. One constructive criticism I’d like to add is why can’t we also choose people in senior management motivated by BOTH money AND providing a good service/product that’s socially and environmentally constructive at its core. He’s very old school and this mindset is what often leads to unethical corporate decision making. It can hurt human mental & physical wellbeing in the long-run. Just my two cents on this interview which was highly informative.

  • @soscreativity
    @soscreativityАй бұрын

    Insightful conversation shedding light on Brad Jacobs' remarkable success in building billion-dollar companies. His emphasis on key factors, from leveraging AI to honing interview techniques, offers valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs. A must-watch for those eager to unlock the secrets of business growth.

  • @sherlitasampay4513
    @sherlitasampay4513Ай бұрын

    this is very helpful to me.. how i manage how i act as a leader..

  • @rockstar3840
    @rockstar3840Ай бұрын

    Great CEO Brad Jacobs! 👍👍💯

  • @user-bc9ru1gn2q
    @user-bc9ru1gn2qАй бұрын

    Very compassionate man a lot to learn about how he does business it’s what’s needed in the business world today

  • @user-bc9ru1gn2q

    @user-bc9ru1gn2q

    25 күн бұрын

    @tkppodcast1 where to

  • @walknwander
    @walknwanderАй бұрын

    Very good interview, enjoyed his insight.

  • @Blubbha
    @BlubbhaАй бұрын

    Probabilities to your initiatives with budgeting is so powerful to keep focused on the biggest levers.

  • @jeffreynichols6526
    @jeffreynichols65262 ай бұрын

    If perhaps success, profit, makes its way back to every employee, I believe you will create a culture of unstoppable success. Incentivized by getting paid for adding value to the bottom line, discovering a better way with intelligence, you learn from a motivated loyal team member if you can hear

  • @jhorkvargas8801
    @jhorkvargas8801Ай бұрын

    Working working

  • @gregg2097
    @gregg2097Ай бұрын

    its called a master mind group. napolion hill, the law of success in 15 lessons 1925

  • @making_maui_smile
    @making_maui_smileАй бұрын

    So what is his book? Not in the show notes ?! Why not

  • @stainlesssteal
    @stainlessstealАй бұрын

    His wife and him are putting in $900 million into a company like its $900 bucks....unreal...😂😂😂

  • @downwithosama1
    @downwithosama1Ай бұрын

    This guy is pretty cool

  • @Felipe-lb7zr
    @Felipe-lb7zr2 ай бұрын

    Shareholders shareholders shareholders shareholders shareholders. Thank you.

  • @samrapheal1828

    @samrapheal1828

    Ай бұрын

    Hint: BA's diminished product quality 💩show.

  • @dolcefarniente2702
    @dolcefarniente27022 ай бұрын

    I wish you asked him more about tinnitus . it is impossible to ignore high pitch tinnitus . How did he learn this? It has destroyed many lives and can be very very debilitating. I also got it because of music ( ear buds ).

  • @waynewhite2314

    @waynewhite2314

    8 күн бұрын

    U missed his lesson. You can meditate on a sound. It's an actual yoga meditation technique and in your/our case, a way of making lemonade from lemons.

  • @chigley55
    @chigley55Ай бұрын

    What’s Brad’s book?

  • @FarkhodRadzhapov
    @FarkhodRadzhapov28 күн бұрын

    14:40 how to run electric meetings

  • @yvonnehyatt8353
    @yvonnehyatt83532 ай бұрын

    Customer Value 😌

  • @FarkhodRadzhapov
    @FarkhodRadzhapov28 күн бұрын

    5:20 ai trend gem

  • @yvonnehyatt8353
    @yvonnehyatt83532 ай бұрын

    Please study-Ethos Genesis Documentary, and Bruce Lipton Thanks ☺️

  • @tariqjuneja
    @tariqjunejaАй бұрын

    12:07 Importance of psychological safety.

  • @FarkhodRadzhapov
    @FarkhodRadzhapov26 күн бұрын

    47:30 how to end meeting

  • @stevenrussi5973
    @stevenrussi59732 ай бұрын

    Just the opposite theories of those that built the most valuable company in the world--Apple by Steve Jobs. This is now called "financialization" where financial engineering creates a growing stock price, but decreases the actual creation of quality products and services. Jobs knew that quality and innovation would delight customers and the bottom line would take care of itself. Two books to read here would be Gelles' "The Man Who Broke Capitalism" about the financialization of GE by Jack Welch and Foroohar's "Makers and Takers, How Wall Street Destroyed Main Street." You will learn more there than this "Welchian" gibberish. Sadly, Tim Cook, not understanding what Jobs did, has been undergoing the financialization of Apple, a company built on innovation and entrepreneurial behavior.

  • @108u9

    @108u9

    2 ай бұрын

    It says it all in the phrase he keeps repeating - for shareholders. Even in the trucking example he gave as a success story, there was no mention of the workers, the folks that were gotten rid of in the process. It was about the org chart and how he seemingly cleaned it up. The standing in circles, “oreo sandwich” etc. are all ways to forcibly lend meaning to otherwise a deadening setup that’s far removed. How outstanding psychotherapists approach their work, how great jazz musicians approach their craft is not in seeing their validation, their solo improv as techniques. The point of the validation is not to do a validation, the point of bringing in a solo isn’t just so one can do a solo. Math isn’t in the sums you do.

  • @samrapheal1828

    @samrapheal1828

    Ай бұрын

    Hint: Boeing (absorbed by Mac Air on BA's dime) whose Comm. aircraft division accounts for 15% of BA's revenue.

  • @PepeSi7via
    @PepeSi7viaАй бұрын

    Wasn't he talking about a debt coverage ratio?? 32:25

  • @RyanLordOfficial
    @RyanLordOfficialАй бұрын

    🔥🔥🔥🔥

  • @making_maui_smile
    @making_maui_smileАй бұрын

    What is M and A?

  • @mandarkadav1986
    @mandarkadav198629 күн бұрын

    Main takeaway is make messy thing unmessy with ease and have lot of money

  • @FarkhodRadzhapov
    @FarkhodRadzhapov28 күн бұрын

    11:00 asking qs gem

  • @lol-mo8db
    @lol-mo8dbАй бұрын

    "Graciously and generously exiting them" Another way of saying firing them immediately as soon as the company is merged

  • @johnmansour7711
    @johnmansour7711Ай бұрын

    What’s the Trend?

  • @wehiird

    @wehiird

    Ай бұрын

    We’re heading into the sci-fi phase of human history

  • @mkd2674
    @mkd2674Ай бұрын

    budgeting every day and rolling forecasts it'a kind of banana republic culture

  • @FinGloss
    @FinGlossАй бұрын

    Am I missing something here ? He is talking about aquiring Convoy as a success story, but Convoy shut down operations and its not longer in business.

  • @wehiird

    @wehiird

    Ай бұрын

    Yeah but did he make his millions and get out in time?!? That’s probably all he cares about, or if he made it for his shareholders….

  • @FinGloss

    @FinGloss

    Ай бұрын

    @@wehiird I have not done research about it yet, but seemed strange to make bankrupt company as an example...i had to check the date of this video to see if is old

  • @miminassara2650
    @miminassara2650Ай бұрын

    Looks like I need an SP&A person at my company

  • @mandarkadav1986
    @mandarkadav198629 күн бұрын

    Second takeawat get big trends right

  • @panama-canada
    @panama-canadaАй бұрын

    3:18 He’s right Homosapien further progress. It is the same as chat. Fight is off today. I slow down by the meet back at the cockpit. So Homo sapiens must die for evolution to continue and sharing begin.

  • @makena6487
    @makena6487Ай бұрын

    Wow I really thought this was DOAC. How are they so similar? Who's copying who?

  • @Iseeuandwatch79
    @Iseeuandwatch79Ай бұрын

    💯❤️‍🔥

  • @kellya8425
    @kellya8425Ай бұрын

    WATS THE #1 TREND?

  • @Alexvictor-gi6th
    @Alexvictor-gi6th19 күн бұрын

    Hi

  • @curtissharris8914
    @curtissharris8914Ай бұрын

    What he glosses over is that the powerful will use the tech to take complete control with robots normal humans will be redundant.

  • @Dan-codes
    @Dan-codesАй бұрын

    Emotional AI would be terrible. Computers are nice when they're logical.

  • @ocofficial5481

    @ocofficial5481

    Ай бұрын

    Deep

  • @cybertobify
    @cybertobifyАй бұрын

    The essenz is allways: The richer you are the more lazy you can be while others work for you. just be the shareholder

  • @2BluntsLater
    @2BluntsLater2 ай бұрын

    7th

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