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CEO Hacks: App, Books, Resources & Habits

Be a more effective & efficient CEO, entrepreneur & business owner

During our I AM CEO Podcast, we ask each guest for a CEO Hack that makes them more effective and efficient. We decided to share some of our best hacks.

What are CEO Hacks? They are books, apps, habits, tools, platforms or things that we believe you should incorporate into your business that will make you more efficient, effective, or successful (and maybe save money) as a CEO, entrepreneur or business owner.

Take a look at some of the CEO Hacks that have been recommended below, check out a different CEO Hack on our daily, laser focused I AM CEO Podcast with Gresh and feel free to look through the CEO Hacks by categories or just browse the list. For CBNation members, you will find more “how-to” and deeper tricks and strategy for many of these hacks.

If you need help implementing these CEO Hacks into your organization contact Blue 16 Tech.

Lastly, don't forget to grab your free download.

– Gresh

Please note in the sake of transparency our sites do contain affiliate links that pay us a small commission at no extra cost to you. Read our Affiliate Disclaimer.

P.S. If you want to contact us or have any CEO Hacks to recommend, please let us know HERE.

Smartphone screen showing a navigation menu for CEO Hacks. Menu options include Free, Apps, Supplies, Books, Podcast, Web, Video, Deals, Habits, and Marketing.
Logo of CEO Web Shop with "CEO" in large red letters and "Web Shop" in smaller blue and black letters on a transparent background.
Business Name
Long Business Description

CEO Web Shop is an online store providing 24/7 service and support where businesses and organizations digital services like domain names, e-mail, web marketing, website builders, SSL and web hosting.

On this site you will be able to purchase the following services:

  • Domain names
  • Spam-free e-mail
  • Web Marketing like Search Engine Visibility
  • Secure SSL Certificates
  • Web Hosting
  • Website Builders
  • And more…
Business Website Address
The word "goodcall" in bold, dark blue lowercase letters with a curved line beneath, resembling a smile.
Business Name
Business Genre
Long Business Description

Goodcall: Never Miss a Customer Call Without Hiring a Receptionist

Business Website Address : ceohack.co/refer/goodcall

The Problem

Most businesses spend significant time and money generating leads.

But many lose potential customers the moment the phone rings.

A missed call often means a missed opportunity. Whether you're in consulting, home services, healthcare, legal services, coaching, real estate, or any service-based business, customers expect immediate responses. If they don't get one, they frequently move on to a competitor.

The challenge becomes even bigger as businesses grow. Founders, business owners, and small teams cannot answer every call while simultaneously managing operations, sales, fulfillment, and customer service. Hiring receptionists or call center staff adds costs and complexity, creating another layer of management.

The result is a common growth bottleneck: valuable opportunities slipping away simply because no one was available to answer the phone.

What Is Goodcall?

Goodcall is an AI-powered phone agent and virtual receptionist platform designed to automate business phone conversations. Businesses can deploy AI phone agents that answer calls, respond to customer questions, capture leads, schedule appointments, route inquiries, and support customer service workflows around the clock.

The platform connects with business knowledge sources, calendars, CRMs, and workflows to provide personalized customer interactions. Businesses can configure call handling logic, create custom workflows, and launch AI-powered phone support without requiring a development team.

Instead of sending callers to voicemail, businesses can provide immediate responses and support at any time of day.

Why It Matters for Builders

Entrepreneurs often believe they need more leads.

In reality, many need better systems for handling the leads they already have.

Phone calls remain one of the highest-intent customer interactions. Someone who takes the time to call is often much closer to making a purchase than someone casually browsing a website.

The problem is that phone coverage doesn't scale easily.

As businesses grow, founders become bottlenecks. Team members become overwhelmed. Customer inquiries pile up. Opportunities get lost.

Goodcall helps remove this bottleneck by creating an always-available front desk for the business. Instead of depending entirely on human availability, entrepreneurs can build a system that answers every call, captures information, and keeps customer conversations moving forward.

This creates leverage.

More calls answered.

More leads captured.

More appointments booked.

More time for the founder to focus on growth instead of constantly managing communications.

3 Practical Use Cases

Use Case #1: Capturing More Leads After Hours

Problem

Many potential customers call outside of normal business hours and never leave a voicemail.

How Goodcall Helps

Goodcall answers calls 24/7, responds to questions, captures contact information, and qualifies prospects automatically.

Business Outcome

More leads are captured without hiring additional staff, increasing revenue opportunities from existing marketing efforts.

Use Case #2: Reducing Administrative Work

Problem

Business owners spend too much time answering repetitive questions and managing appointments.

How Goodcall Helps

The AI phone agent can answer common questions, schedule appointments, and automate routine interactions.

Business Outcome

The team spends less time on administrative tasks and more time on high-value work.

Use Case #3: Scaling Customer Support

Problem

Growing businesses struggle to maintain response times as call volume increases.

How Goodcall Helps

AI agents can handle large volumes of incoming calls simultaneously while routing more complex requests when needed.

Business Outcome

Improved customer experience without significantly increasing support costs.

CEO Growth Hack

Many entrepreneurs think growth comes from doing more.

Growth actually comes from becoming less involved in routine operations.

One of the first signs that a business is maturing is when customer communication becomes systemized rather than founder-dependent.

If every phone call requires your personal attention, you're operating a job, not building a scalable company.

The strategic shift is moving from answering calls to designing a communication system that answers calls for you.

That's the difference between being an operator and becoming an owner.

Operators personally handle every interaction.

Owners build systems that handle interactions consistently.

Goodcall represents that shift.

Not because it's an AI phone agent.

Because it helps create a business that can respond, serve customers, and generate opportunities even when you're not available.

That's the foundation of scalability.

Key Benefits

  • Answer customer calls 24/7
  • Capture more leads from existing traffic
  • Reduce missed opportunities
  • Automate repetitive customer conversations
  • Improve response times
  • Schedule appointments automatically
  • Scale customer communication efficiently
  • Free up time for strategic work

Best For

  • Entrepreneurs
  • Agency owners
  • Home service businesses
  • Consultants
  • Coaches
  • Medical practices
  • Law firms
  • Local service providers
  • Small business owners

CEO Nugget

Every process that depends entirely on you eventually becomes a bottleneck to growth.

Ready to Simplify This?

If your business is missing calls, losing leads, or spending too much time handling routine phone conversations, Goodcall can help create a more scalable communication system so you can focus on growing the business instead of answering every call.

Business Website Address
A round "DMV CEO" badge with a red, white, and blue color scheme, powered by Blue 16 Media and featuring the CB Nation logo at the bottom.
Business Name
Long Business Description

DMV CEO Resource List: Discover the Tools and Strategies Trusted by Growing Entrepreneurs

Business Website Address : ceohack.co/refer/dmv-ceo-resources

What Is the DMV CEO Resource List?

The DMV CEO Resource List is a curated collection of business tools, software, educational resources, and entrepreneur-focused recommendations designed to help founders, business owners, and professionals improve productivity, marketing, sales, operations, and business growth. It serves as a centralized hub for discovering trusted resources without spending hours researching individual solutions.

DMV CEO Resource List: Stop Searching for Tools and Start Building Your Business

The Problem

Every entrepreneur faces the same challenge.

There are thousands of business tools.

Thousands of courses.

Thousands of books.

Thousands of software platforms.

Every week there's another AI tool.

Another marketing platform.

Another CRM.

Another productivity app.

The problem isn't finding options.

The problem is knowing which ones are actually worth your time.

Too many founders spend more time researching tools than using them.

Analysis replaces action.

Research replaces execution.

The challenge isn't having access to resources.

It's having access to the right resources.

What Is the DMV CEO Resource List?

The DMV CEO Resource List is a curated directory of business resources designed to help entrepreneurs discover proven tools, platforms, educational materials, and services that support business growth.

Instead of searching across dozens of websites, founders can explore one centralized collection of recommended resources covering marketing, sales, productivity, finance, operations, AI, and business development.

For Builders, the DMV CEO Resource List acts as a shortcut to trusted business solutions.

Why It Matters for Builders

Builders don't need more options.

They need better filters.

Every hour spent comparing software is an hour not spent serving customers.

Every unnecessary subscription adds complexity.

Every poor technology decision creates future headaches.

A curated resource library reduces decision fatigue.

This creates leverage.

Instead of constantly researching what to use next, entrepreneurs can focus on implementing proven tools that support their business goals.

The result is faster execution, fewer costly mistakes, and a more efficient path to growth.

3 Practical Use Cases

Use Case #1: Finding Business Software

Problem

Entrepreneurs waste hours researching software for marketing, sales, finance, and operations.

How the DMV CEO Resource List Helps

Curated recommendations simplify the software selection process.

Business Outcome

Faster implementation and better technology decisions.

Use Case #2: Improving Business Skills

Problem

Founders don't know which books, courses, or educational resources deserve their attention.

How the DMV CEO Resource List Helps

Recommended learning resources make professional development easier.

Business Outcome

Better decision-making and continuous business growth.

Use Case #3: Building a Better Business Stack

Problem

Businesses often use disconnected tools that create unnecessary complexity.

How the DMV CEO Resource List Helps

Founders can discover complementary tools that support different areas of their business.

Business Outcome

A more streamlined, scalable, and efficient business operation.

CEO Growth Hack

Most entrepreneurs think success comes from having more tools.

The smartest entrepreneurs know success comes from choosing the right ones.

Every software decision affects productivity.

Every resource influences execution.

Every system either creates momentum or creates friction.

The mindset shift the DMV CEO Resource List encourages is moving from endless research to intentional implementation.

Instead of asking:

"What's the newest tool available?"

Ask:

"What's the best tool for solving this specific business problem?"

This is how Builders become Architects.

Builders collect software.

Architects build systems.

Builders chase trends.

Architects create sustainable workflows.

The businesses that scale fastest are often the ones with the simplest, most effective technology stack.

Key Benefits

  • Curated business resources in one place
  • Saves hours of research
  • Helps discover trusted software
  • Supports smarter business decisions
  • Reduces decision fatigue
  • Improves operational efficiency
  • Encourages continuous learning
  • Helps build a scalable business toolkit

Best For

  • Entrepreneurs
  • Founders
  • CEOs
  • Startup Teams
  • Small Business Owners
  • Consultants
  • Coaches
  • Agency Owners
  • Digital Marketers
  • Business Professionals

CEO Nugget

The right tool won't build your business—but the wrong tool can slow it down.

Ready to Simplify This?

If you're overwhelmed by the number of business tools and resources available today, the DMV CEO Resource List can help you discover proven solutions that support growth, productivity, and smarter decision-making—so you can spend more time building your business and less time searching for the next tool.

An illustration of a laptop displaying the "Elegant Themes" logo, surrounded by design-related icons like a pencil, charts, gears, and image placeholders, set against a purple background.
Business Name
Business Genre
Long Business Description

Elegant Themes builds amazingly beautiful Premium WordPress Themes coupled with advanced functionality and awesome support. They are a leader in the industry, providing hundreds of thousands of customers with the tools they need to create stunning and powerful website on the WordPress platform.

Business Tags
Two women sit at a table with coffee cups, working with sticky notes and pens. A text on the left side promotes a "Get Sh*t Done" masterclass, encouraging registration.
Business Name
Business Genre
Long Business Description

GSD Masterclass: Stop Managing Tasks and Start Building Execution Systems

Business Website Address : ceohack.co/refer/GSD-masterclass

What Is GSD Masterclass?

GSD Masterclass is a business education and execution-focused training program designed to help entrepreneurs improve productivity, focus, decision-making, and implementation. It teaches business owners how to move from constant activity to consistent execution by building systems that turn goals into measurable outcomes.

GSD Masterclass: Stop Managing Tasks and Start Building Execution Systems

The Problem

Most entrepreneurs don't struggle with ideas.

They struggle with execution.

The average founder has more opportunities than they can realistically pursue. New marketing strategies, operational improvements, growth initiatives, partnerships, products, and revenue opportunities appear constantly.

The problem isn't knowing what to do.

The problem is consistently doing what matters most.

Many Builders spend their days reacting.

Emails.

Meetings.

Client requests.

Operational issues.

Unexpected problems.

At the end of the day, they feel busy but not necessarily productive.

Weeks pass.

Months pass.

And the strategic projects that actually drive growth remain unfinished.

The challenge is not effort.

The challenge is execution.

What Is GSD Masterclass?

GSD Masterclass is a training program focused on helping entrepreneurs improve execution, productivity, accountability, and business performance.

Rather than teaching endless tactics, the program focuses on helping business owners implement systems, habits, and frameworks that improve follow-through and help convert goals into measurable results.

For entrepreneurs seeking greater consistency and momentum, GSD Masterclass provides a framework for turning intention into action.

Why It Matters for Builders

Many entrepreneurs become trapped in operational gravity.

The business constantly pulls their attention toward urgent issues.

As a result, important work rarely receives enough focus.

Growth initiatives stall.

Systems remain unfinished.

Opportunities remain unrealized.

The reality is that businesses rarely fail because of a lack of information.

They fail because of inconsistent implementation.

GSD Masterclass addresses this challenge by focusing on execution as a skill.

When execution improves, everything improves.

Marketing becomes more consistent.

Sales processes become more reliable.

Operations become more efficient.

Strategic goals become achievable.

This creates leverage because entrepreneurs stop relying solely on motivation and begin relying on systems.

3 Practical Use Cases

Use Case #1: Improving Business Focus

Problem

Entrepreneurs often juggle too many priorities at once.

How GSD Masterclass Helps

The training emphasizes frameworks that help business owners identify and focus on high-impact activities.

Business Outcome

Greater clarity, improved productivity, and faster progress toward strategic goals.

Use Case #2: Eliminating Execution Bottlenecks

Problem

Projects frequently start with enthusiasm but lose momentum before completion.

How GSD Masterclass Helps

Participants learn approaches that encourage accountability and consistent implementation.

Business Outcome

More completed initiatives and stronger business performance.

Use Case #3: Building Sustainable Growth Systems

Problem

Many businesses depend too heavily on founder effort rather than repeatable processes.

How GSD Masterclass Helps

The program encourages system-driven execution rather than reactive management.

Business Outcome

More scalable operations and reduced founder overwhelm.

CEO Growth Hack

Most entrepreneurs think success comes from knowing more.

In reality, success often comes from executing better.

Information is everywhere.

Implementation is rare.

The mindset shift GSD Masterclass enables is moving from productivity to execution.

Productivity is about doing more.

Execution is about accomplishing what matters.

This is how Builders become Architects.

Builders manage tasks.

Architects build systems.

Builders chase motivation.

Architects rely on processes.

Builders react to circumstances.

Architects create momentum through consistent action.

The businesses that grow fastest are rarely those with the best ideas.

They are the ones that consistently execute on the right ideas.

Key Benefits

  • Improves execution consistency
  • Increases accountability
  • Helps eliminate operational bottlenecks
  • Supports better prioritization
  • Reduces overwhelm
  • Encourages system-driven growth
  • Improves business focus
  • Creates sustainable momentum

Best For

  • Entrepreneurs
  • Founders
  • CEOs
  • Consultants
  • Coaches
  • Agency Owners
  • Small Business Owners
  • Startup Leaders
  • Operations Managers
  • Growth-Focused Professionals

CEO Nugget

The gap between where your business is today and where you want it to be is usually an execution gap, not an information gap.

Ready to Simplify This?

If you're spending too much time staying busy but not enough time making meaningful progress, GSD Masterclass can help create a more effective execution system so you can spend more time growing the business and less time managing unfinished priorities.

The image shows the Printful logo consisting of the name PRINTFUL below three overlapping triangles in beige, red, dark green, and teal colors.
Business Name
Business Genre
Long Business Description

Printful is an on-demand order fulfillment and warehousing service that fulfills and ships products including clothing, accessories, and home & living items for online businesses.

It’s free to set up and doesn’t come with monthly fees or minimum order requirements!

Connect your online store with Printful, and whenever someone buys an item, the order is automatically sent to us, and we fulfill and ship it to the customer.

Business Website Address
Business Tags
Logo of Authorize.Net with the brand name written in blue text on a white background.
Business Name
Business Genre
Long Business Description

Accept credit cards, contactless payments, and e-checks in person and on the go.

Authorize.Net is a United States-based payment gateway service provider allowing merchants to accept credit card and electronic check payments through their website and over an Internet Protocol connection.

Business Website Address
Animoto logo featuring a geometric triangle with overlapping sections in beige, yellow, and blue, alongside the text "ANIMOTO.
Business Name
Long Business Description

Create and share videos for free with Animoto's video maker. Combine your photos and video clips with music to make professional videos that'll impress.

Business Website Address
Business Tags
A banner with the Anchor 3.0 logo and the tagline "The easiest way to make a podcast. Ever." on a purple background with wavy white shapes at the bottom.
Business Name
Business Genre
Long Business Description

Create, distribute, host, and monetize your podcast, 100% free.

Business Website Address
Business Tags
Book cover of "Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World" by David Epstein, featuring a set of keys against a teal background and a quote by Malcolm Gladwell at the bottom.
Business Genre
Long Business Description

Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World — Build a Business That Adapts Faster

Business Website Address : ceohack.co/refer/range

What Is Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World?

Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World by David Epstein explores why broad experiences, diverse knowledge, and interdisciplinary thinking often outperform early specialization in today's complex world. The book helps entrepreneurs understand how adaptability, curiosity, and continuous learning become competitive advantages.

Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World — Build a Business That Adapts Faster

The Problem

Entrepreneurs are constantly told to niche down.

Specialize.

Focus on one thing.

Become an expert.

While specialization has its place, modern business rewards something equally important:

Adaptability.

Today's founders face challenges that don't fit neatly into one discipline.

Marketing intersects with psychology.

Sales overlaps with storytelling.

Technology influences operations.

AI changes customer service.

Finance shapes hiring decisions.

The businesses that thrive aren't always led by the deepest specialists.

They're often led by people who can connect ideas across multiple disciplines.

The challenge isn't learning one skill exceptionally well.

The challenge is developing the ability to solve problems that don't have obvious answers.

What Is Range?

Written by David Epstein, Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World explores how broad experience and cross-disciplinary learning help people succeed in complex, rapidly changing environments.

Through research, stories, and real-world examples, the book challenges the belief that early specialization is always the path to success and demonstrates the value of curiosity, experimentation, and lifelong learning.

For Builders, Range provides a framework for thinking beyond job titles and embracing a broader approach to leadership and business growth.

Why It Matters for Builders

Builders wear multiple hats every day.

CEO.

Marketer.

Salesperson.

Recruiter.

Operator.

Strategist.

Product manager.

Customer support.

Success rarely comes from mastering one discipline.

It comes from connecting many disciplines.

Range encourages entrepreneurs to see their diverse experiences as an advantage rather than a distraction.

This creates leverage.

Instead of viewing unrelated experiences as detours, founders begin using them as sources of innovation.

The result is stronger problem-solving, greater creativity, and better strategic thinking.

3 Practical Use Cases

Use Case #1: Solving Complex Business Problems

Problem

Business challenges often require solutions that extend beyond one area of expertise.

How Range Helps

The book encourages cross-disciplinary thinking and broader problem-solving approaches.

Business Outcome

More creative solutions and better strategic decisions.

Use Case #2: Becoming a Better Leader

Problem

Founders often feel pressured to know everything about one subject.

How Range Helps

It reframes leadership as the ability to integrate knowledge from multiple domains.

Business Outcome

More adaptable leadership and stronger decision-making.

Use Case #3: Navigating Change

Problem

Markets, technology, and customer expectations evolve rapidly.

How Range Helps

The book highlights why adaptable thinkers often perform well in uncertain environments.

Business Outcome

Greater resilience and long-term business success.

CEO Growth Hack

Most entrepreneurs think expertise creates opportunity.

The smartest entrepreneurs know perspective creates opportunity.

Knowledge is valuable.

Connections between knowledge are even more valuable.

The mindset shift Range enables is moving from becoming the best specialist to becoming the best integrator.

Instead of asking:

"How do I become better at one thing?"

Ask:

"How do I combine multiple ideas to create something unique?"

This is how Builders become Architects.

Builders collect skills.

Architects connect skills.

Builders seek certainty.

Architects embrace learning.

The businesses that innovate consistently are often led by people who can recognize patterns others never see because they're drawing from a wider range of experiences.

Key Benefits

  • Encourages adaptable thinking
  • Improves strategic decision-making
  • Promotes cross-disciplinary learning
  • Strengthens problem-solving skills
  • Builds long-term resilience
  • Inspires innovation
  • Expands leadership perspective
  • Helps entrepreneurs embrace continuous learning

Best For

  • Entrepreneurs
  • Founders
  • CEOs
  • Consultants
  • Coaches
  • Executives
  • Business Leaders
  • Students
  • Innovators
  • Lifelong Learners

CEO Nugget

Your greatest competitive advantage may not be what you know—it may be how many different ideas you're able to connect.

Ready to Simplify This?

If you're looking to become a more adaptable leader and make better decisions in a rapidly changing business world, Range offers a powerful framework for thinking beyond specialization and building a broader foundation for long-term success.

Business Website Address
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