# How to Turn Shit into Sugar \| Ep\. \#511

**URL:** https://www.singlegrain.com/episodes/marketing-school/how-to-turn-shit-into-sugar-ep-511/  
**Published:** 2017-12-24  
**Author:** Selena Templeton  
**Summary:** In episode \#511, Eric and Neil discuss how it’s possible to turn a failing company around\. Tune in to hear their advice for turning shit into sugar\. Time\-Stamped Show Notes: \.\.\.  

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In episode #511, Eric and Neil discuss how it’s possible to turn a failing company around. Tune in to hear their advice for turning shit into sugar.

**Time-Stamped Show Notes:**

- \[00:27\] Today’s Topic: _How to Turn Shit into Sugar_
- \[00:32\] Before Eric worked for [Single Grain](https://www.singlegrain.com/), they were an SEO agency. When Google made adjustments, Single Grain turned to shit, because what they were doing no longer worked.
- \[01:00\] When Eric took over, the balance was negative.
- \[01:31\] In the first year, his podcast was only getting nine downloads per day, but he kept going because he knew something great was beginning to happen.
- \[01:49\] He knew he would make things happen if he stuck to his goals.
- \[02:04\] Eric was afraid to lay people off, but when things are shitty, you have to make quick decisions in order to turn things around.
- \[02:22\] Getting help from his peers was extremely helpful.
- \[02:39\] Neil has learned that anytime you think you can turn shit into sugar, it doesn’t happen overnight.
- \[03:02\] Analyze your business and its problems. Set goals to attack the issues.
- \[03:32\] It typically takes well over a year to turn a company around.
- \[03:49\] When things are really bad, you can fix it if you don’t give up and have a good team around you.
- \[04:11\] The numbers should start improving once you have goals and people in place.
- \[04:21\] When Eric was leading the marketing team at another company, they only had funding for another five months.
- \[04:42\] He decided to cut everything on the marketing side and focus on the one thing that had the potential to be effective.
- \[04:54\] He bet the entire company on _one_ marketing channel.
- \[05:03\] Sometimes, you have to have to the guts and focus to bet it all on one channel. Once it works, you can expand your approach.
- \[05:24\] Eric recommends learning how to play poker; it may help you learn how to deal with ups and downs.
- \[05:40\] Neil recommends you read [ _Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business_](https://www.amazon.com/Traction-Get-Grip-Your-Business/dp/1936661837)_,_ because it will help you turn your shit into sugar; it will help you organize your plan of attack.
- \[06:15\] That’s it for today!
- \[06:17\] Eric and Neil recommend the [Problem Solvers](https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/304645) podcast, because there is a great episode about the [Hello Fresh](https://www.hellofresh.com/) CEO. To listen go to [ singlegrain.com/solve](http://hwcdn.libsyn.com/p/2/5/c/25cd071eb9ae6688/16-_Burrow_Edited.mp3?c_id=17161515&expiration=1512416800&hwt=e6279886b6a9d0b3d312d051c5cb1f94).

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The post [How to Turn Shit into Sugar | Ep. #511](http://marketingschool.io/how-to-turn-shit-into-sugar-ep-511/) appeared first on [Marketing School Podcast](http://marketingschool.io/).