RelationshipOps of the Week #18.

Francis Skipper.

I’m not big on business jargon. And neither is Francis Skipper.

In a world where agency conversations can spiral into fluff… chasing AI tools, buzzwords, and agentic workflows that don’t move the real needle, Francis brings everything back to one question: 

“So F***ing What?” (... aka SFW)

Through Points South Consulting and his growing SFW framework, he’s helping agency leaders pressure-test their decisions. Not just a strategy for the sake of it... but decisions that lead to real outcomes, with a clear purpose behind every move.

If you poke around his LinkedIn, you’ll see why this hits. Francis has experienced both sides of the game… agency and advisory. And now he’s using that vantage point to call B.S. on the performative and help firms double down on what actually works.

That’s exactly why we wanted to feature him in this series.

Without further ado, let’s dive into this week’s meat.

Cheat Code.

Leonard Chin: What’s an instance when a relationship led to a big win or a really great opportunity for your business?

Francis Skipper:

“One of the biggest unlocks in my business came from a relationship that didn’t start as some strategic, “let’s partner up and dominate the world” maneuver. It was simple: two people doing good work together, consistently, for years.

That relationship turned into a white-label partnership that still fuels my business today. No pitch decks. No “synergies.” Just trust, follow-through, and the kind of professionalism that makes someone say, “Yeah, let’s bring Francis in on this — he won’t make us look stupid.”

That single relationship opened the doors to multiple clients, recurring revenue, and more opportunities than any cold outbound campaign ever has. And here’s the SFW of it:

People remember how you make them look when they put your name on the line.
Honor that, and the doors don’t just open — they stay open.

On top of that, I’ve got longtime vendor partners who started as “hey, can you help with this?” and turned into genuine friendships. We pass work back and forth like it’s oxygen — not because we owe each other but because it's obvious: good people want to help other good people win.

If there’s a cheat code in business, that’s it.”

“Don’t Be a Weirdo”.

Leonard Chin: What's your daily/weekly routine for maintaining relationships that help your business?

Francis Skipper:

“My relationship routine is a mix of intentional habits and “don’t be a weirdo” common sense.

I run a content flywheel — LinkedIn, Substack, the SFW framework — that keeps me top-of-mind even when we’re not talking directly. That’s the passive part.

But I also make it personal:

• Weekly or monthly texts and emails to check in
• A couple lunches or coffees every month
• Sending ideas, opportunities, or intros that might help someone — no strings attached, no reciprocity scoreboard

I’m a big believer that generosity has a long half-life. The stuff you put into the universe eventually boomerangs back — sometimes years later, sometimes immediately, but always at the right moment.

And the SFW here?

Relationships compound like interest —
but only if you actually show up and put something in.”

Relationships Are ROI You Can’t Fake.

Leonard Chin: What tips would you give to your younger self around relationships and how they impact business?

Francis Skipper:

“Dear Younger Me:

Stop treating relationships like collectibles and start treating them like gardens. You don’t “acquire” them. You tend them. You water them. And yes — sometimes you pull weeds.

Also:

Loyalty isn’t built in rooms where everyone agrees.
It’s built in rooms where people trust you enough to tell you the truth.

I’d tell my younger self to be less transactional, less “impress them,” and more “help them.” You don’t need to be the smartest person in the room — just the one who can be counted on. And for the love of all that is holy:

Return the call. Follow the damn thread.
And never underestimate how far a genuine connection can carry your business — and your life.

If you focus on delivering real value and being the kind of person people want to keep inviting into the room, the rest works itself out.

SFW: Relationships are ROI you can’t fake —
invest early, invest often, and don’t be an A-hole and you won't have to work with A-holes.”

Key Takeaways.

We’re a fan of the content flywheel just like Francis Skipper, but of course, we’re very much in the earlier stage, compared to him. That said, the point I’m trying to bring across is… create memorable content.

Because that’s one of the best ways to stay top of mind.

That said, we’re glad to have Francis with us on this week’s series, and if anything, here are a few key takeaways:

• Relationship over cold outreach. A trusted white-label relationship turned into recurring revenue, multiple clients, and more wins than any cold outreach ever did.

• Relationship flywheel. Content to stay visible, personal check-ins to stay connected, and an intention to help others win… with no expectations.

• Real loyalty comes from trust, not agreement. Be someone people can count on, and the right rooms will keep opening.

That’s all for now.

If you're open to sharing your experiences in one of our future articles… or know of someone who is, feel free to drop me an email here.

Author.

Leonard Chin
Follow me on LinkedIn.