Business Unfiltered

Welcome back to the ProfitSchool by MeasureU podcast Business Unfiltered with Mercer and Jeff Sauer. Today's topic is Building a Culture of Accountability. The discussion centers on establishing a "culture of GUSTO" within a business. Jeff and Mercer define "GUSTO" as a framework for team members to operate effectively, emphasizing self-driven action and focus. The framework aims to be more impactful than traditional mission or vision statements, which often become "placards on the wall". "GUSTO" is an acronym: Good enough to get going (G), Use the system to improve the system (U), Speed to result (S), Trust but verify (T), and Out with the trash (O). The hosts explain how these principles foster a proactive environment, encouraging action over perfectionism and continuous improvement. The episode concludes by illustrating how an AI-first approach can integrate seamlessly with these "GUSTO" principles, enhancing efficiency and removing bottlenecks.  

Welcome back to the ProfitSchool by MeasureU podcast Business Unfiltered with Mercer and Jeff Sauer. Today's topic is AI Powered Sales Techniques and Tactics Jeff and Mercer explore how AI tools can refine and improve service-based businesses' sales processes. The hosts discuss using AI to qualify leads, create compelling sales copy, and analyze customer interactions. They emphasize that AI can help identify ideal clients and determine the best strategies for attracting them. The conversation highlights AI's ability to streamline tasks, automate outreach, and personalize communication with potential clients. Mercer and Jeff stress combining AI insights with human skills to build strong client relationships. The episode concludes by noting AI's potential to empower even those who don't consider themselves natural salespeople.  

Welcome back to the ProfitSchool podcast Business Unfiltered with Mercer and Jeff Sauer. Today's topic is Breaking Bottlenecks In An AI-First Business Today's discussion centers on identifying and eliminating bottlenecks within an AI-first business framework. Bottlenecks can exist even in AI-driven companies, often stemming from limiting beliefs or organizational structure.    The conversation highlights the relevance of capability and capacity in pinpointing bottlenecks. They note AI's potential to significantly enhance both capability and capacity within a business.  Mercer and Jeff discuss practical strategies, such as using loom videos to delegate tasks effectively.  The episode concludes by advocating for a shift toward AI-first thinking to streamline processes and boost efficiency.   

Welcome back to the ProfitSchool podcast Business Unfiltered with Mercer and Jeff Sauer. Today's topic is Using AI Agents As Your Copilot. The discussion centers on utilizing AI agents as a business partnership.     The hosts emphasize the changing definition of AI agents, from individual bots to AI-driven tools and behaviors.     Using AI agents to access specialized knowledge, such as that of a copywriter or analyst.     Jeff and Mercer address the debate about the longevity of AI agents and whether they should be integrated into broader AI models.     Using AI agents to enhance team member capabilities and avoid additional hiring.    The episode concludes by noting the importance of providing feedback to AI agents to improve their effectiveness.  

Welcome back to the ProfitSchool podcast Business Unfiltered with Mercer and Jeff Sauer. Today's topic is The Art of Using AI For Feedback. The discussion centers on effectively utilizing AI in the feedback process. Jeff and Mercer stress the significance of being open to feedback to facilitate improvement, regardless of where it comes from. AI's capability to provide objective, data-driven feedback is key, as it can aid in better decision-making. The hosts introduce the concept of creating AI-driven "digital twins" of customers or team members to gain valuable feedback and insights. AI's ability to analyze data and identify patterns to provide unique perspectives in feedback scenarios is a key takeaway. The episode concludes by considering the necessity of blending human judgment with AI capabilities for optimal feedback implementation.  

Welcome back to the ProfitSchool podcast Business Unfiltered with Mercer and Jeff Sauer. Today's topic is Visionary Leadership In AI-First Businesses. The insights shared center on the role of visionary leadership in businesses that prioritize AI. Mercer and Jeff emphasize the importance of providing direction in a world where many seek clarity. Their exchange explores the idea that early adoption of AI necessitates a visionary approach to navigate uncertainties. Main points discussed center on the role of visionary leadership in businesses that prioritize AI. They discuss tactical ways to integrate AI in business, such as AI show-and-tell and reverse engineering success through AI. Mercer and Jeff's analysis further discusses the importance of defining the desired outcome rather than focusing on the process of prompting AI.  

Welcome back to the ProfitSchool by MeasureU podcast Business Unfiltered with Mercer and Jeff Sauer. Today's topic is Can AI Build Your Brand? Explore the central debate: Can AI build a brand, or is human input essential? Understand the argument that AI tools can assist in brand building, even if they can't fully automate it. Learn how to use AI to streamline content creation, from initial topic ideas to script drafts. Consider incorporating your unique voice and expertise when using AI-generated content. Examine the potential trade-off between AI efficiency gains and brand authenticity maintenance. Discuss creating a "digital twin" to help AI better capture a brand's voice and style.  

Welcome back to the ProfitSchool by MeasureU podcast Business Unfiltered with Mercer and Jeff Sauer. Today's topic is AI Tactics You Can Implement Today. Discover practical ways to prompt AI for better results, including having AI refine your initial prompts.     Learn how to get AI to understand the intent behind your requests, leading to more valuable outputs.     Explore the concept of "ping pong prompting" and how it can help you achieve unexpected breakthroughs with AI.     Understand why refining AI-generated content through multiple iterations is essential for optimal outcomes.     Learn how to use AI to quickly summarize large amounts of information, improving your decision-making process.     See how to leverage tools like NotebookLM to create personalized learning experiences and extract key insights from various sources.  

Welcome back to the ProfitSchool podcast Business Unfiltered with Mercer and Jeff Sauer. Today's topic is Game OVER. Game ON! The old ways are over. It's time to embrace the new reality of AI and how it's changing the game.     AI isn't just a tool, it's your new teammate. Learn how to effectively collaborate with AI to achieve remarkable results.     Stop thinking about effort, start thinking about results. AI can handle the heavy lifting, so you can focus on what truly matters.     The future of work is independent and exceptional. Discover how AI reshapes the employment landscape and what it means for you.     Embrace abundance and focus on the physical world. AI can unlock a future where we have more time and resources to pursue our passions.     It's time to level up your thinking. Mercer and Jeff share actionable strategies to adapt to the AI-driven world and thrive in the new game.  

Welcome back to the ProfitSchool podcast Business Unfiltered with Mercer and Jeff Sauer. Today's topic is Should You Become An AI-First Business? Discover why becoming an AI-first business is crucial in today's rapidly evolving landscape.     Learn how AI can significantly enhance productivity and efficiency across various business functions.     Understand the importance of effectively managing and interacting with AI as a valuable team member.     Explore the potential impact of AI on the future of work, including the shift towards a gig economy and the emergence of new specialized roles.     Gain insights into the limitations of AI and the importance of human oversight and intellectual capital.     Learn practical strategies for successfully integrating AI into your business operations and staying ahead of the curve.  

Welcome back to the ProfitSchool podcast Business Unfiltered with Mercer and Jeff Sauer. Today's topic is Handling Tension On Your Team. Identifying Tension: Mercer and Jeff discuss various signs of tension within a team, such as missed deadlines, unmet expectations, and individuals feeling nervous about their roles.   The Importance of Setting Clear Expectations: They emphasize clearly defining results and expectations to reduce tension and ensure everyone is working towards the same goals.   Accountability and Commitment: The hosts stress the need for team members to take accountability for their work and commit to achieving results, rather than simply focusing on completing activities.   Leadership vs. Autonomy: It's crucial to balance providing autonomy and demonstrating leadership to guide team members and address performance issues.   Embracing Tension: A certain level of "good tension" can be beneficial, pushing individuals to grow and improve their skills.   The Role of External Perspectives: Seeking out external groups and perspectives can help teams break out of their comfort zones and identify areas for improvement.  

Welcome back to the ProfitSchool podcast Business Unfiltered with Mercer and Jeff Sauer. Today's topic is Executive Assistants - Do You Still Need One? Executive Assistants (EAs) vs. Systems: The hosts revisit their differing opinions on the necessity of EAs in today's business world, considering the rise of AI and automation.     The Changing Role of EAs: They discuss how the traditional tasks of an EA, such as scheduling, email management, and travel booking, are increasingly being automated or replaced by systems.     Capability and Capacity: Jeff and Mercer explore matching tasks with team members based on their skills and available time to optimize workflow and eliminate the need for a dedicated EA.     The Value of Defined Processes: Both stress the importance of clearly defining processes and systems as it allows for more straightforward automation and eliminates the need for an EA to "fill the gaps."     AI as the New EA: The hosts propose that AI and automation tools effectively become the new "executive assistants," enabling individuals to accomplish more efficiently.     Evolving Roles and Opportunities: The conversation concludes by acknowledging that while the traditional EA role may diminish, the skills and knowledge of individuals who previously served as EAs remain valuable and can be utilized in other organizational capacities.  

Welcome back to the ProfitSchool podcast Business Unfiltered with Mercer and Jeff Sauer. Today's topic is Social Media Strategies for 2025. Discover why a results-oriented approach is key to social media success.     Learn to define your desired social media outcomes and identify your current results.     Understand the importance of using existing content to fuel your social media machine.     Explore strategies for creating a consistent social media presence without burning out.     Learn how to leverage AI to optimize your social media content and strategy.     Gain insights into building a two-tiered social media system that combines brand building and direct response.  

Welcome back to the ProfitSchool podcast Business Unfiltered with Mercer and Jeff Sauer. Today's topic is How Smart is AI, Really? Discover why focusing on AI's "smartness" might be the wrong approach.     Learn why "usefulness" might be a better metric for evaluating AI's capabilities.     Understand the importance of user interaction in maximizing AI's potential.     Explore the concept of "game over, game on" and its relevance to adapting to AI.     Learn how to effectively communicate with AI by focusing on desired results, not specific steps.     Discover the potential impact of AI on various aspects of life, from work to personal growth.  

Welcome back to the ProfitSchool podcast Business Unfiltered with Mercer and Jeff Sauer. Today's topic is How to Increase Prices Gracefully. Learn how to increase prices gracefully without losing customers.     Understand the importance of clear communication and transparency when raising prices.     Explore the impact of price increases on different buyer modalities.     Discover strategies for mitigating customer resistance to price hikes.     Gain insights into successful price increase strategies used by companies like HubSpot and Canva.     Learn how to implement a "reverse flash sale" to incentivize customers to buy before prices go up.  

Welcome back to the ProfitSchool podcast Business Unfiltered with Mercer and Jeff Sauer. Today's topic is The Power of Buying Modalities. Discover the definition and significance of buying modalities in the sales process.     Learn about the four key buying modalities: competitive, spontaneous, methodical, and humanistic.     Understand how each modality influences buyer behavior and decision-making.     Find out how to identify and target different buying modalities in your marketing efforts.     Explore the importance of tailoring your sales approach to resonate with each modality.     Gain practical tips and strategies for optimizing your sales process to cater to diverse buying preferences.  

Welcome back to the ProfitSchool podcast Business Unfiltered with Mercer and Jeff Sauer. Today's topic is MeasureU - The Origin Story. Jeff and Mercer share how they transformed two successful brands, MeasurementMarketing.io and DataDrivenU, into a unified platform called MeasureU. The merger initially started with cross-selling products between brands, but customer confusion over multiple logins and support systems prompted a need for consolidation.  Their experience launching ProfitSchool on the Circle platform served as a testing ground, proving the viability of a unified community-based approach. Instead of forcing one brand to dominate, they created MeasureU as a fresh entity, incorporating the best elements from both original brands while adding new features. The transition happened gradually, starting with new courses on MeasureU, allowing them to test and refine the platform with a small group before full implementation. The new brand structure enabled additional revenue streams, simplified customer experience, and created opportunities for partnerships and expansion that weren't possible with separate brands.  

Welcome back to the ProfitSchool podcast Business Unfiltered with Mercer and Jeff Sauer. Today's topic is Mergers and Partnerships - Our Perspective After 12 Months. After 12 months of partnership, Jeff and Mercer share honest insights about their business merger, including the importance of pre-partnership relationships and testing compatibility through smaller projects. They emphasize how specialization has been key to their success, with clear divisions of responsibility allowing each partner to lead in their areas of expertise while remaining flexible in overlapping domains. Both partners acknowledge the challenging learning curve of their first year, including managing expectations, having difficult conversations, and creating new systems that work for everyone. The transition from individual thinking ('I') to collective decision-making ('we') proved essential, with both partners learning to understand and respect each other's perspectives. Creating a new brand rather than merging existing ones helped establish a fresh culture that combined the best elements from both partners' previous experiences. Continuous communication and expectation adjustment are crucial to maintaining a healthy partnership.  

Welcome back to the ProfitSchool podcast Business Unfiltered with Mercer and Jeff Sauer. Today's topic is Extending the Sales Window. Extending the sales window involves creating multiple opportunities to connect with qualified prospects rather than limiting yourself to a single interaction or offer. Jeff and Mercer discuss how early communication should qualify prospects' interest, intent, and ability before moving to close, treating each step as a mini-sale. When prospects hesitate, successful salespeople step back, address specific objections, and reframe their offering to match the client's needs and comfort level. Strategic follow-up sequences, no-buy surveys, and regular check-ins help maintain relationships with prospects not ready to purchase immediately. Redirecting prospects to more suitable solutions builds trust, even if less profitable, and often leads to stronger long-term client relationships. The duo reminds us to maintain an abundance mindset rather than desperately pursuing every potential sale, focusing instead on creating sustainable client relationships.  

Welcome back to the ProfitSchool podcast Business Unfiltered with Mercer and Jeff Sauer. Today's topic is how to Qualify a Sales Prospect. Sales qualification protects both your time and the prospect's time by ensuring you're working with clients who are truly ready and able to benefit from your services. Early-stage businesses may need fewer qualification steps to gain experience, but mature businesses should implement stricter qualification processes to maintain profitability. Effective qualification examines four key areas: the prospect's interest in solving their problem, their intent to move forward, their ability to implement the solution, and mutual agreement on deliverables. Warning signs of poor qualification include high rates of ghosting after sales calls, frequent price objections, and constant scope creep from clients. Pre-qualifying tools like application forms or brief surveys help filter prospects before investing time in lengthy sales calls, improving close rates from 30% to potentially 50-75%. A well-designed qualification process helps redirect unsuitable prospects to more appropriate solutions while maintaining professional relationships that may lead to future opportunities.  

Welcome back to the ProfitSchool podcast Business Unfiltered with Mercer and Jeff Sauer today's topic is Building DOP Systems. DOP Framework: Jeff and Mercer explain their system framework - Define (strategy), Organize (tactics), and People (management) - as essential components for effective business systems. System Evolution: They share how systems should remain at 90% completion, allowing room for continuous improvement through feedback and adaptation. Team Integration: Rather than relying on dedicated project managers, effective systems become embedded within the entire team's workflow. Self-Correction: Good systems include built-in mechanisms for identifying and correcting issues, with team members naturally enforcing proper usage. Practical Application: They describe how they reorganized their Offers system based on time rather than Products, demonstrating how systems can evolve to serve their purpose better. Growth Process: Systems should start simple and grow naturally, avoiding the common mistake of creating overly complex processes that hinder rather than help.  

Welcome back to the ProfitSchool podcast Business Unfiltered with Mercer and Jeff Sauer today's topic is Goals for 2025. Top of Funnel Focus: Mercer and Jeff outline plans to strengthen their marketing presence through YouTube channels, aiming for 20,000 subscribers for MeasureU and 5,000 for ProfitSchool. Product-Led Marketing: They emphasize creating marketing content directly from their products, ensuring authentic value delivery while maintaining high production standards. Brand Evolution: MeasureU will expand from pure analytics to broader marketing optimization, while ProfitSchool will build out its product catalog and coaching programs. Team Development: Moving from founder-focused to team-led operations, with staff taking ownership of content creation, coaching, and system improvements. Systems Refinement: Maintaining systems at 90% completion to allow continuous improvement, while encouraging team members to create and teach systems to others. Market Expansion: Plans to reach broader audiences by reframing their offerings - MeasureU focuses on marketing improvement through measurement, and ProfitSchool addresses growing freelancers and established team managers.  

Welcome back to the ProfitSchool podcast Business Unfiltered with Mercer and Jeff Sauer today's topic is End of Year Recap. The Original Plan: Jeff and Mercer share their initial 2024 merger strategy: Q1 for internal combination, Q2 for public announcement, Q3 for ProfitSchool focus, and Q4 for expansion. Revenue Reality: Starting with an ambitious $1.8M target, they adjusted expectations to $1.1-1.2M as the year progressed, learning valuable lessons about realistic goal-setting. Quarter Progression: They outline the year's journey: Q1 (combination), Q2 (integration), Q3 (simplification), and Q4 (unlocking new opportunities). Brand Evolution: The creation of MeasureU emerged as a solution to managing multiple brands, bringing together their separate strengths under one unified vision. Key Learning: Supporting multiple brands and systems created unnecessary complexity; simplification led to better results and easier operations. Future Growth: The year's challenges and solutions created a stronger foundation for future growth, with streamlined systems and clearer direction for both brands.  

Welcome back to the ProfitSchool podcast Business Unfiltered with Mercer and Jeff Sauer today's topic is Handling Conflict - I to We. From I to We: Jeff and Mercer share how they transformed personal perspectives ("I") into collaborative solutions ("We"), using their experience of merging separate brands into one unified company. Understanding Different Views: They explain how conflict often stems from different but equally valid perspectives, like their contrasting approaches to using "I" versus "We" in business communications. Market Feedback: External customer feedback helped guide internal decisions, showing how market response can help constructively resolve internal conflicts. Conflict as Process: Rather than viewing conflict as negative, they present it as a natural process where two different viewpoints or forces meet, creating an opportunity for growth. Growth Through Discussion: The hosts share how their perspectives make each other's ideas "10-20% better" through constructive disagreement and resolution. Solutions Focus: Instead of trying to prove who's right, they recommend focusing on the situation and finding common ground to create new, better solutions.  

Welcome back to the ProfitSchool podcast Business Unfiltered with Mercer and Jeff Sauer today's topic is How to Price Your Products. Supply and Demand: Mercer and Jeff explain how pricing isn't just about charging more - it's about understanding market dynamics and finding the right balance between supply, demand, and profitability. The Profit Formula: They share a practical approach to pricing: calculate your costs, double it for unexpected issues, then multiply by 3-4x to create the necessary margin for marketing, taxes, team bonuses, and business growth. Value Communication: Price is a conversation between your company and the market about value exchange. Success comes from helping clients understand and agree with the value you provide. Market Alignment: Different markets expect different price points - the same service might need to be priced 10x higher for enterprise clients versus small businesses, simply because of market expectations. Recurring vs. Project Pricing: The benefits of recurring revenue models over one-time project fees, including the ability to recover from initial setup costs and build long-term profitable relationships. Price Increase Strategy: The importance of graceful price increase communications, with real examples of both successful and unsuccessful attempts at raising prices with existing clients.  

Welcome back to the ProfitSchool podcast Business Unfiltered with Mercer and Jeff Sauer today's topic is Keeping Great Team Members. Beyond Happiness vs. Engagement: Jeff and Mercer discuss how managers shouldn't focus on making employees "happy" (which they can't control) but rather on creating an engaging environment where team members can thrive and grow naturally. The Growth Factor: The key insight is that people stay with companies as long as they learn and grow. Creating an environment of continuous growth and development is crucial for retention, more than just high compensation. The Abundance Mindset: Success in retaining talent comes from adopting an abundance mindset rather than a scarcity mentality. This includes investing in team members through training, coaching, and professional development opportunities. Building the Inner Circle: Bringing valuable team members into the decision-making process and teaching them to think strategically helps create lasting engagement and loyalty, especially in small businesses where individual contributions matter more. Recognition and Results: The importance of celebrating successes publicly while handling challenges privately, creating an environment where team members feel supported even when facing difficulties.  Investment in People: Mercer and Jeff believe investing in team members through education, bonuses, recognition, and growth opportunities is crucial for long-term retention, especially in smaller businesses where institutional knowledge is vital.  

Welcome back to the ProfitSchool podcast Business Unfiltered with Mercer and Jeff Sauer today's topic is Information vs. Transformation. Beyond Just Information: Mercer and Jeff explore how information alone has little inherent value - like a battery without a device to power it. True value comes from the transformation that information enables when properly activated and applied. The Sales Perspective: Rather than selling pure information (which is widely available and often free), successful businesses should focus on selling transformation - the practical application and results that come from implementing that information effectively. Small Steps, Big Changes: Using fitness analogies, they discuss how transformation isn't about dramatic overnight changes but rather small, manageable steps that build momentum. It's about making the journey less daunting and more achievable. Business Applications: Jeff and Mercer share real examples from their experience with ProfitSchool. They demonstrate how helping clients transform their businesses through systems and processes is more valuable than providing information about business growth. The Pendulum Effect: They introduce an interesting concept about helping clients find balance rather than swinging between extremes in business practices or personal development. Key Takeaway: The episode emphasizes that while information is abundant and often free, the real value lies in the frameworks, systems, and guidance that help people transform that information into practical results.  

Welcome back to the ProfitSchool podcast Business Unfiltered with Mercer and Jeff Sauer today's topic is Selling MOR Offers.  The essential difference between products and offers: even the most basic product (like ketchup!) can be transformed into a compelling offer with the right positioning and belief in its value.   A game-changing insight emerges: Products rarely sell themselves - it's always about the offer. Even Apple's legendary success isn't just about their products; it's about how they present them (remember "1000 songs in your pocket" vs. competitors' "256 megabytes of storage"?). The MOR framework breaks down into three essential components: Make the offer (strategic level) Optimize the execution (tactical level) Review the results (management level) A crucial revelation: You don't need a perfect product to make an offer. In fact, sometimes the offer should come first! The key is having unwavering belief in your product's value and being able to communicate that enthusiasm authentically to your audience. The conversation culminates with an interesting observation:  "optimize" appears in all three of their frameworks (MOR, Measurement Marketing, and BOT), highlighting how continuous improvement and optimization are central to business success.  

Welcome back to the ProfitSchool podcast Business Unfiltered with Mercer and Jeff Sauer today's topic is Simple Ways to Effectively Delegate. The 5W Framework: Revolutionize your delegation approach with the Who, What, When, Why, and What to do After framework, ensuring crystal-clear communication and expectations. Mindset Shift: Adopt a high-value mindset by valuing your time at $5,000 an hour, empowering you to delegate tasks more effectively and focus on high-impact activities. Automation is Key: Embrace the power of automation in delegation, using tools like Zapier to handle repetitive tasks and free up your team's time for more strategic work. The C&C Rule: Implement the Capability, &, Capacity (C&C) rule to identify the perfect person or system for each task, ensuring optimal resource allocation. Growth Through Empowerment: Witness exponential business growth as effective delegation empowers your team, increases productivity, and allows you to focus on big-picture strategies.  Partnership Power: Leverage the wisdom of a partner or mentor to refine your delegation skills, gain fresh perspectives, and overcome challenges in your delegation journey.  

Welcome back to the ProfitSchool podcast Business Unfiltered with Mercer and Jeff Sauer today's topic is AI Update - Where are we now? AI's Rapid Evolution: From chatbots to integrated business tools, AI has transformed from a novelty into an essential part of modern business operations, mirroring the early days of the app store revolution.  Seamless Integration: AI is now embedded in everyday tools like Microsoft Copilot and Google Suite, making it more accessible and practical for businesses of all sizes.  Supercharging Creativity: AI excels in brainstorming and content creation, allowing for multiple iterations and increased efficiency in marketing and product development. The Profit School Framework: AI fits perfectly into the tactical layer of business operations, automating grunt work while leaving strategic decisions to human expertise. Collapsing Time: AI's ability to rapidly create and test marketing assets has dramatically reduced campaign timelines, offering real-time insights and faster results. Future Outlook: While AI will continue to handle more tasks, human oversight remains crucial. The key to success lies in strategic planning and effective AI integration.  

Welcome back to the ProfitSchool podcast Business Unfiltered with Mercer and Jeff Sauer today's topic is: How to Build a Better Brand. Branding is more than Just a Logo: Jeff initially viewed branding as "fluffy" and hard to measure, but he soon realized its vital role in marketing and culture. He and Chris Mercer emphasize that branding is often overlooked in direct-response marketing but is critical for building long-term trust and credibility. Psychological Shortcuts to Credibility: Branding isn't just about awareness; it's about creating psychological shortcuts that associate your brand with trust and credibility. The hosts introduce the positioning concept, highlighting how brands like Crest and Colgate evoke specific emotional responses that ease the customer's journey toward a sale. Consistency as the Backbone of Branding: Consistency is the cornerstone of a successful brand, fostering awareness and trust. Mercer and Jeff stress the importance of presenting a unified identity across your products and messaging, sharing an example of consolidating multiple brands into "Measure U" to improve brand clarity and impact. The Power of Brand-Specific Language: Establishing brand-specific jargon or language strengthens a brand's identity. Jeff shares how their frameworks include memorable terms like "OPS" and “DOPE Systems”—demonstrating how unique language makes a brand more scalable and memorable. Market Perception Shapes Your Brand: The market ultimately controls how your brand is perceived, which is why continuous interaction and feedback are crucial. The hosts emphasize that branding isn't just a slogan or tagline—it's reflected in how your audience sees, trusts, and interacts with you. Living Your Unique Value Proposition: The episode concludes by challenging the standard use of “unique value propositions.” Jeff argues that instead of focusing on slogans, brands should embody their value in practice, using stories and real experiences to demonstrate genuine uniqueness and resonate with the audience.  

Welcome back to the ProfitSchool podcast Business Unfiltered with Mercer and Jeff Sauer today's topic is: More stupid things we do as Entrepreneurs. Introduction & Defining "Stupid Mistakes": Jeff Sauer and Chris Mercer humorously dive into the concept of “stupid things” entrepreneurs do—decisions that, in hindsight, could have been handled differently. They emphasize the importance of learning from these mistakes to avoid repeating them. Strategies for Avoiding Repeat Mistakes: Jeff shares the importance of seeking second opinions and recognizing emerging patterns. At the same time, Mercer highlights the role that awareness and planning play in stopping mistakes from happening again. Tactical Strategies for Smarter Actions: Mercer stresses the need for solid plans with clear milestones to avoid pointless activities. Jeff and Mercer emphasize that forecasting and learning from patterns are key strategies to prevent wasted time and effort. Common Business Mistakes:- Pricing & Client Targeting: Jeff shares a classic blunder—creating low-priced courses without calculating how many sales are needed to break even. The hosts agree on the dangers of catering to cheap clients rather than respecting the true value of your services. Hiring & Firing Decisions: Hiring too fast and firing too slow is identified as a common mistake. Jeff and Mercer advocate for testing new hires on a contract basis and being proactive in trimming underperforming team members to avoid long-term financial issues. Delegation & Small Task Management: Mercer discusses the importance of delegating small tasks to prevent them from piling up, while Jeff emphasizes planning and delegation to avoid burnout and inefficiency in managing day-to-day tasks. The Importance of Customer Feedback: Talking to customers and seeking feedback is flagged as a crucial business practice. Successful entrepreneurs spend more time understanding customer needs, which can lead to smarter product decisions.  

Welcome back to Business Unfiltered with Mercer and Jeff Sauer today's topic is Getting the Most Out of Meetings. Introduction & Personal Experiences with Meetings: Jeff and Mercer kick off the episode by sharing their mixed experiences with meetings. Jeff emphasizes the context-dependent nature of meetings and how team dynamics play a crucial role in their effectiveness. The Purpose of Meetings & Common Pitfalls: Mercer and Jeff discuss the misuse of meetings, such as scheduling sessions without a clear purpose. Mercer introduces the concept of "headline calls," short 15-minute meetings focused on updates and specific support to increase productivity. Efficient & Effective Meeting Practices: The hosts break down how pre-planning, clear agendas, and limiting large meetings can improve efficiency. They emphasize the need to ruthlessly "kill sacred cows" by reevaluating the necessity of repetitive or ineffective meetings. Balancing Internal & External Meetings: Jeff shares the importance of managing time effectively between internal and external meetings. The hosts advocate for using meetings strategically, whether for management, teaching, or reporting, rather than allowing meetings to consume the workday. Empowering Teams by Releasing Control: Mercer highlights the value of removing business owners from certain meetings to foster team autonomy. By giving team members ownership over problem-solving, teams can grow more creative and independent, which benefits the whole company. Best Practices & Final Meeting Tips: Key meeting guidelines include limiting meeting lengths to 15 minutes, setting clear agendas, and reevaluating the need for meetings regularly. Jeff and Mercer suggest adding fun incentives like "bonus points" for ending meetings early to inspire efficiency.  

Welcome back to Business Unfiltered with Mercer and Jeff Sauer today's topic is: The No Buy Survey Understanding No Buy Surveys: Mercer and Jeff introduce the concept of no buy surveys—a tool to gather insights from customers who showed interest but didn't make a purchase. This method helps businesses understand buyer objections and adjust strategies accordingly. Key Benefits of No Buy Surveys: Mercer explains how asking simple questions, like why someone didn't buy, provides valuable feedback directly from the market. He shares successful examples, noting that businesses often guess customer needs when they should be asking. Tactical Implementation: Jeff emphasizes the importance of conducting surveys after a customer sees the full offer, as it provides insight on pricing, format, and timing. Both agree this feedback can inform product improvements and strategy adjustments. Structured No Buy Surveys: Mercer introduces structured surveys—a sequence of guided questions designed to rekindle interest in the product or service. He shares examples of how these surveys have helped add 10% to revenue by building value and reopening sales opportunities. Personalized Approaches: Personalization is key to making the survey engaging, with Mercer suggesting tailored questions and even offering free trials to non-buyers. These touchpoints help potential customers see value, leading to conversions. Sales Skills in Marketing: Mercer highlights how no buy surveys employ fundamental sales skills, comparing it to techniques like the Columbo close, where the last question reveals critical objections. Both agree that blending sales skills with marketing strategies can significantly boost customer engagement.

Welcome back to Business Unfiltered with Mercer and Jeff Sauer today's topic is Use the system to improve the system Systems Are Evolving Tools, Not Static: Jeff highlights the breakthrough realization that systems aren't rigid but should always be open to feedback, improvement, and new ideas. Systems should evolve alongside new technologies for maximum efficiency. Day Zero Culture for Constant Improvement: Taking inspiration from Amazon's "Day Zero" approach, Jeff and Mercer stress that systems should never reach a state of stasis. Embracing a Day Zero mindset ensures that systems can continuously improve and support business growth. The Power of Feedback Loops & Problem-Solving: Mercer emphasizes solving real problems with systems in production instead of hypothetical ones. Continuous feedback allows for iterative improvement, ensuring that systems remain relevant and agile. 90% Done is the Sweet Spot: Jeff believes that systems are never truly "finished"—they're always 90% done and evolving. Empowering users to take ownership of systems and utilize their expertise fosters a competitive edge. Systems as a Service (SaaS) Mentality: Jeff introduces the concept of "systems as a service," likening systems to software that can always be updated and improved. Businesses should embrace the iterative nature of systems to stay ahead of the curve. Constant Iteration Drives Business Growth: Both hosts stress the importance of starting with the systems you have and improving from there. Continuous iteration ensures that systems help businesses scale, organize processes, and boost efficiency. Everyone is a "systems person" once they realize the power of iteration.  

Welcome back to Business Unfiltered with Mercer and Jeff Sauer today's topic is Developing Team Culture. Defining Team Culture: Jeff and Mercer define team culture as the company's character, emphasizing it's a living, breathing entity that evolves and can be influenced by individuals, especially leadership. Strategic Choices in Culture Development: Mercer discusses the importance of making strategic choices in shaping team culture, highlighting the "trust but verify" principle to encourage accountability and process improvement. Allowing Failure for Growth: Jeff shares his journey from perfectionism to allowing planned failures, emphasizing the importance of letting team members fail to build resilience and foster personal and organizational growth. Coaching vs. Teaching in Leadership: Jeff distinguishes between coaching and teaching, stressing the need for a coaching approach in business to help team members develop their solutions and leadership skills. Balancing Ambition and Contentment: Mercer emphasizes the importance of setting realistic goals and finding a balance between ambition and contentment, aiming for "more than enough" rather than unattainable levels of success. Nurturing a Prolific Culture: Mercer and Jeff contrast prolific culture with hustle culture, advocating for working smart, developing long-term strategies, and fostering a nurturing environment that allows for natural evolution of team culture over time.

Welcome back to Business Unfiltered with Mercer and Jeff Sauer today's topic is Behind the Scenes: Writing Our First Book: Initial Thoughts and Experiences: Jeff introduces the topic of writing their first book and the initial challenges faced, including rapid industry changes. Mercer recalls Jeff's earlier work on service stacking and is curious about the process. Strategies for Writing a Timeless Book: Mercer and Jeff agree on focusing on strategies and management principles rather than tool-specific content. Jeff highlights his experience with a book accelerator program and acknowledges the effectiveness of a framework-based book. Developing the Book Concept and Structure: Jeff explains the evolution of his broad "Profit Pillars" concept to a specific and focused framework on sales and service stacking. He shares the process of validating the concept through workshops and using the recordings as an outline for the book. Writing and Editing the Book: Jeff details the process of hiring a ghostwriter and navigating the initial drafting stage. He shares the time-consuming nature of editing and the decision to personally handle the final edits to maintain consistency. Marketing and Promoting the Book: Jeff discusses book marketing challenges and the necessity of having an effective book funnel. He shares his experiences with a book funnel service and the importance of having a pre-existing audience. Lessons Learned and Future Plans: Jeff reflects on the overall experience, rating it low for immediate results but high for valuable learning. The episode concludes with a recap of the key points and a look at the next steps for their book project.  

Welcome back to Business Unfiltered with Mercer and Jeff Sauer today's topic is Creating RAD Products: Introduction to RAD Products: Jeff and Mercer introduce the concept of "RAD products," emphasizing the importance of focusing on results, actions, and delivery in product creation. They highlight Amazon's strategic approach to defining results before building products, using the Kindle as an example. Defining Results in Product Creation: The hosts discuss the strategic value of focusing on the result for users, which could include saving time or achieving a specific outcome. They stress the significance of benefits for both users and the company, particularly for service providers. Benefits vs. Features in Service Provision: Jeff explains how service providers should emphasize their benefits, such as reducing risk, rather than just features. Mercer and Jeff discuss aligning product benefits from the perspectives of the user, the company, and the team for market success. Confirming Benefits Through Actions: Mercer discusses the importance of validating product benefits through actions like surveys before investing resources. He emphasizes ensuring the team has the skills and capacity to deliver the confirmed benefits to various stakeholders. Delivery and Management of the Product: They discuss how crucial delivery is for meeting deadlines and budgets, and maintaining customer loyalty. Jeff shares examples from Microsoft's different delivery approaches and highlights the role of management in successful product delivery. Real-World Example Measure U: Mercer presents Measure U as a real-world example that consolidates multiple logins into one platform, improving user experience. They discuss the simplicity and continuous improvement of Measure U, underlining its benefits like ease of access and better delivery.  

Welcome back to the ProfitSchool podcast with Mercer and Jeff Sauer today's topic is Management Mistakes. Topics Covered In This Episode Introduction to Management Mistakes: Jeff Sauer and Mercer introduce the topic of management mistakes on "Business Unfiltered," emphasizing the value of learning from errors to aid others in avoiding similar pitfalls. Early Management Experiences: Jeff highlights his journey from a small team to managing 50 people with no formal training, reflecting on the initial challenges of wanting to be the “cool boss” and the importance of providing structured feedback and coaching. Importance of Clear Communication and Expectations: Discussing the "wagon wheel mentality," Jeff and Mercer emphasize the need for managers to empower their teams by providing clear direction, enabling problem-solving skills, and avoiding taking over tasks themselves. Hiring and Firing Decisions: Jeff and Mercer discuss the perils of quick hiring without due diligence, the necessity of daily check-ins during onboarding, and the difficulty of firing employees who initially seemed promising but failed to meet expectations. Empowering the Team and Setting Clear Goals: They highlight the need to nurture team growth through constant communication about career development, warn against early introduction of incentive plans, and stress the importance of setting clear, attainable goals. Investing Smartly and Managing Performance: Jeff advises against hiring for multiple roles unless necessary, sharing insights on making smart investments with clear returns. They also cover avoiding quick bonuses, the pitfalls of profit-sharing incentive plans, and the importance of setting realistic expectations to maintain team motivation.  

Welcome back to Business Unfiltered with Mercer and Jeff Sauer today's topic is Sales Discovery Calls and Qualifying Questions. Topics Covered In This Episode Introduction to Sales Discovery Calls and Qualifying Questions: Jeff Sauer and Mercer explore the distinct yet interconnected roles of sales discovery calls and qualifying questions, focusing on their importance in business-to-business and high-ticket sales. Understanding Sales Discovery Calls: Jeff elaborates on making sales calls conversational rather than interrogative, sharing strategies such as asking prospects about their business or problems. Utilizing Discovery Calls in Measurement Management: Discovery calls help understand a prospect's current situation, technology stack, and problems, ensuring that the provided solution aligns with their specific needs. Difference Between Discovery Calls and Pitches: Differentiating discovery calls from pitches, which aim to align solutions with identified needs. Mercer highlights building a bridge to aid prospects, even if it involves referring them elsewhere. Qualifying Questions for Identifying Bad Customers: Mercer and Jeff share how qualifying questions, such as past problem-solving attempts and investment mentality, help identify prospects' readiness and suitability for the service. Key Qualifying Questions: Budget, Timeline, Sophistication, and Participation: Jeff outlines the importance of determining a prospect's budget, timeline, sophistication, and participation to ensure they are a good match, thereby protecting the service quality.  

Welcome back to Business Unfiltered with Mercer and Jeff Sauer today's topic is Feeding Your Sales Pipeline.   Topics Covered In This Episode Introduction to Pipeline Feeding: Mercer and Jeff delve into the fundamentals of feeding a sales pipeline, emphasizing the importance of nurturing leads across all funnel stages—top, middle, and bottom. Defining Sales Funnel Stages: Jeff introduces the concept of "small data" for small businesses and stresses optimizing the middle funnel. The duo underscores defining marketing qualified leads and the steps in between funnel stages. Nurturing the Pipeline: The conversation highlights the need for planning and a logical approach to nurturing leads from awareness to commitment, leveraging educated guesses and understanding customer behavior. Off-Site and On-Site Marketing Strategies: Balancing off-site and on-site marketing, Mercer and Jeff discuss driving traffic through retargeting ads and off-site offers, and the importance of personalizing communication using modern technology. Role of Discipline and Planning: Emphasizing the importance of discipline, the hosts talk about slowing down to think through the pipeline stages, using data and primary research for effective management, and embracing failure as part of growth. Final Thoughts and Actionable Steps: Mercer and Jeff wrap up by urging listeners to take action, even starting with basic plans. They highlight the use of data for pipeline improvement and encourage joining the Profit School community to apply the podcast insights.  

Topics Covered In This Episode Distinguishing Sales and Marketing: Mercer and Jeff explore the roles of sales and marketing, highlighting how they intersect yet specialize in distinct functions as businesses evolve. Nuances of Sales and Marketing: The discussion covers the differences between one-to-many (marketing) and one-to-one (sales) approaches, with marketing setting the stage for sales activities. Bridging the Gap: Emphasizing the need for sales skills in marketing, Jeff and Mercer discuss how understanding customer objections and beliefs can enhance marketing effectiveness. Challenges in Integration: The hosts address common issues like marketing and sales silos, poor lead quality, and the importance of aligning efforts for better outcomes. Optimizing Marketing Strategies: It is important to comprehend the customer journey and integrate sales processes with marketing strategies to create effective campaigns. Streamlining Sales and Marketing: Jeff discusses integrating sales and marketing by managing offers as a unified process, leading to consistent growth and improved results. Have a question or feedback about Business Unfiltered. Record an audio message https://s.bcast.fm/business-unfiltered-with-chris-mercer-and-jeff-sauer?episode=v855lry8

Welcome back to Business Unfiltered with Mercer and Jeff Sauer today's topic is The 5-Year Forecast 0:00: Creating a five-year forecast for a business, including potential growth and challenges. Jeff and Mercer discuss the five-year forecast, with Jeff viewing it as an aspirational goal for the business's future growth. Jeff references the "paper billionaire effect" and provides a spreadsheet for premium profit school members to help with forecasting. 5:18: Creating a five-year financial projection for a business using a spreadsheet. Jeff describes the spreadsheet for tracking revenue growth, linking monthly data to future years. He recommends using a 5-year projection to show the impact of adjustments to business operations, such as hiring a salesperson or improving client retention. 9:45: Using a 5-year vision to achieve goals and overcome fear or impostor syndrome. Mercer reflects on past decisions and envisions his future self, journaling different points in time to visualize progress and decision-making. He uses this technique to make big decisions that affect the future. 13:39: Setting a big, hairy, audacious goal (BHAG) for a business to drive growth and success. Jeff emphasizes the importance of setting a clear 5-year goal for growth and making moves toward that goal. He believes that having a specific goal helps to push people beyond their comfort zone and achieve greater success. 17:04: Maintaining a vision board for long-term goals with quarterly and annual reviews. Mercer reflects on personal development through journaling and business planning. He emphasizes the importance of finding the balance between heads-down work and heads-up planning. 19:44: Setting and achieving business goals, including the importance of aligning teams and systems to reach the destination. Jeff emphasizes the importance of alignment and systems in scaling a business. He emphasizes the need for leadership to be honest about what they want to achieve and how to support it with products and systems. 25:38: Forecasting for business growth with a focus on long-term planning and actionable steps. Mercer and Jeff discuss the role of leadership in setting goals and supporting the team to achieve them. Mercer emphasizes the importance of long-term thinking and actionable steps for success.

Welcome back to Business Unfiltered with Mercer and Jeff Sauer today's topic is How to Price Your Services 0:00: Pricing products and services, starting with setting the first price and reaching profit margins. Mercer and Jeff discuss pricing products and services. Mercer priced his first service offering, a WordPress training video site, based on the time it took to create it. 2:05: Pricing for freelance work, focusing on accounting for expenses and setting appropriate rates. Mercer learned to research competition and set realistic prices. Jeff advises you divide freelancing income by 500, not 2000 hours worked. 7:05: Pricing and estimating hours for projects. Jeff advises against hourly pricing, instead using project-based or retainer models for recurring revenue. 10:45: Pricing and raising rates for freelance work. Jeff suggests you estimate hours for tasks, pad for buffer, and charge based on market rates. Mercer discusses raising rates for consulting services based on years of results and confidence. 14:08: Pricing for digital marketing services based on client size and demand. Jeff argues that charging more for services is not always the best approach, as it may lead to losing clients or getting the wrong ones. He suggests that charging more is only feasible when serving the right clients, who can afford and value the services offered. 18:17: Pricing strategies, including value-based pricing and dynamic pricing, with a focus on finding the right balance between value and price. Mercer compares pricing to fishing, suggesting that charging higher rates can lead to better clients. He discusses value-based pricing, supply and demand, and dynamic pricing in various industries. 21:31: Pricing services, the importance of consistency, and margins. Jeff discusses pricing strategies for agencies, emphasizing the importance of considering the value provided and the client's budget. He believes fixed pricing can be a mistake, as it can limit the agency's ability to adapt to changing circumstances and provide high-quality work. 26:14: Pricing strategies for small businesses. Jeff shares a formula for calculating hourly rates based on profit margin, which he uses in his programs. He shares his formula for business success: $3 in revenue for every $1 spent on labor.

Welcome back to Business Unfiltered with Mercer and Jeff Sauer today's topic is When Should An Owner Take Back The Business Reins When to take back control of a business after stepping back as owner. 0:00: Jeff shares stories of business owners who took a step back and then had to retake control. Owners may need to reassess their decision to step back when things don't go as planned. 1:56: Delegating tasks and taking back control in a business. Mercer shares a recent mistake: letting the team handle ProfitSchool without determining its purpose first. Jeff adds a related example: applying mature business processes to a budding opportunity. 6:09: When to step in and fix a failing project, prioritizing team learning over immediate success. Mercer shares an example of a project where everyone agreed on a deadline but failed to coordinate, leading to delays. Jeff agrees, that stepping in too quickly can hinder team growth and learning. 10:01: Business growth and ceilings, with a focus on the founder's skills and leadership. Jeff discusses the challenges of growing a business, including the risk of hitting a glass ceiling due to the founder's skills or involvement. He suggests taking a reverse sabbatical or doing research and development to overcome this ceiling and gain new ideas. 12:29: Importance of training and support for business success. Jeff learned from his mentor's failures: Don't put someone in charge without setting them up to win. Mercer uses training and support to help the team succeed after failure. 16:57: Handling high-ticket customer issues in an automated system. Mercer recounts a situation where automation inadvertently downgraded a high-ticket customer's account without proper notice. He had to take over the reins, show the team how to handle high-ticket issues, and then hand back the reins as fast as possible. 20:55: Taking control of a business and its potential consequences. Jeff shares insights on failing and momentum in business. He believes owning a business as an owner-operator can provide a path for growth and success for others. 24:27: How to avoid taking back control of a business too frequently. Jeff emphasizes the importance of having a system in place before handing over the reins. He suggests that repeating cycles of taking back control may indicate a lack of planning for handover. 28:16: How to handle situations where a team member makes a mistake that impacts revenue. Mercer discusses how to handle situations where a team member makes a mistake that impacts revenue, emphasizing the importance of involving the team in finding solutions. He encourages listeners to adopt new thinking patterns to level up.

Welcome back to Business Unfiltered with Mercer and Jeff Sauer today's topic is: What To Do With Business Profits 0:00: Strategies for managing business profits, including reinvestment and long-term wealth-building perspectives. Mercer and Jeff discuss net profit, gross profit, and gross margin). Mercer emphasizes the importance of considering a business's long-term perspective when deciding what to do with profits. 3:43: Reinvesting profits in a business for growth and stability. Mercer evaluates reinvestment opportunities to stabilize the business and generate long-term profits. Jeff adds that some business owners don't reinvest profits, treating it as salary or profit. 7:36: Investing in business for consistent profits. Jeff emphasizes the importance of reinvesting profits to build a sustainable business. He highlights the need for early investment in a team to generate consistent profits while maintaining a profit margin through selective cash management. 11:02: Building a business team, managing expenses, and saving for the future. Jeff discusses hiring strategies, including pessimistic (3 months), realistic (6 months), and optimistic (12 months) runways for new hires. Mercer discusses the importance of building a rainy day fund for businesses, especially during unpredictable times like a pandemic. 15:17: Managing business profits and reinvesting for growth. Mercer discusses the importance of setting aside a percentage of profits for personal use, such as vacations or play money. Jeff agrees, sharing his personal experience of treating himself more like a rainmaker and less like an owner for financial success. 19:36: Diversifying investments for long-term growth. Jeff diversifies his portfolio by investing in various assets, including stocks, small businesses, real estate, and riskier investments. He prioritizes maximizing qualified accounts, such as 401ks and HSAs, before investing in higher-risk assets. 23:34: Investing in startups, prioritizing ownership over operation. Mercer discusses the importance of diversifying investments, citing the risk of a single asset being taken out by market changes. Jeff likes to invest in founders who are hungry and have a life's work invested in their business, as they are more likely to succeed and provide a return on investment. 28:32: Profit management for small businesses. Both Jeff and Mercer emphasize the importance of reinvesting profits for stability and growth.

Welcome back to Business Unfiltered with Mercer and Jeff Sauer today's topic is Favorite Tools We Are Using Now 0:00: Favorite business tools, including AI and non-digital options. Mercer and Jeff discuss their favorite tools for efficiency and productivity in their business. They highlight physical tools such as calculators and notepads, to digital tools like AI and SAS software. 3:39: Digital tools for entrepreneurs, including Zapier and Circle. Tools are more just in time than just in case, saving money and improving efficiency. Zapier is a useful digital tool for automating tasks, and Circle is a new platform for the Profit School community. 9:19: Choosing tools for work, focusing on flexibility and collaboration. Mercer prioritizes tools that integrate well with each other and are easy to use. He believes software must be collaborative & allow remote teams to work effectively. 12:58: Using Google tools for collaboration and productivity, including Slides, Big Query, and Workspace. Mercer highlights Google's product improvements, infrastructure tools, and shift towards Google Docs and Slides. Jeff agrees and shares his experience with Google Slides, mentioning its improved functionality and versatility. 16:18: AI and non-AI tools for work, including Google Meet, Microsoft Clarity, and Gemini. The hosts discuss Google Suite, Microsoft Clarity, and AI tools for productivity and insights. Mercer discusses using AI for tasks like rewriting code and explains why it's more efficient than asking a developer. 19:01: Using AI tools for note-taking and summarization in meetings. Jeff discusses using AI tools like 11 Labs and Otter.ai for text-to-voice and voice-to-text capabilities. Mercer is excited about AI's potential to automate meetings, but concerned about token limit issues. 24:27: Using tools effectively for productivity and organization. The duo discuss digital hoarding, over-reliance on tools, and the need for a human touch in business.

Welcome back to Business Unfiltered with Mercer and Jeff Sauer today's topic is How to Maximize Business Coaching 0:00: Business coaching and maximizing its potential. Business coaching helps with fresh perspectives and maximizing investments. People often confuse mentorship with coaching, and defining these terms is important. 3:26: Coaching and mentorship in business, with personal experiences and insights shared by the speaker. Successful people have more coaches, not employees, for a different-level team. Jeff had mentors inside his agency, but later brought in outside coaches for growth. 6:55: Coaching, mentorship, and accountability in personal and professional growth. Mercer describes patterns of self-sabotage in past businesses, and he recognized the need for coaching to break those patterns. He later found value in the Strategic Coach program with Dan Sullivan but didn't continue as he took massive action, made progress, and desired a new focus. 12:44: Unqualified coaches and a need for vetting in coaches. Jeff had a negative experience with an unqualified coach. Mercer had a similar experience with a coaching platform where the group was not vetted, and freelancers and those with established businesses were lumped together. 15:27: Leveling up in business through coaching and taking action. Mercer prioritizes changing how he thinks about something as the main reason to have a coach. Jeff discusses the importance of leveling up in business, citing examples of successful entrepreneurs who have invested in coaches and mentors to achieve their goals. 19:34: Coaching and overwhelming clients with too much information. Jeff sometimes struggles with overwhelming clients with too much information when he's the coach, while Mercer prioritizes transformation over information. 21:56: Transforming mindset vs. providing information. Mercer emphasizes the importance of transforming mindset in coaching. Mercer stresses coaches must create an environment for transformation. Jeff shares his experience with ineffective coaching, where the coaches provided information but no transformation. 26:36: Transformational coaching, risk vs reward, and budget considerations. Mercer advises working out a budget when selecting a coach, so the risk of investment is something you can afford to lose. Jeff agrees, emphasizing the importance of treating coaching as an investment with the potential for high returns, but it can also be a risk if not implemented correctly.

Welcome back to Business Unfiltered with Mercer and Jeff Sauer today's topic is Checking in on our 2024 Predictions 0:00: Business predictions from December 2023, with a focus on layoffs and partnership. Jeff and Mercer check in on their 2024 predictions six months in. 3:10: Economic predictions, with a focus on consumer spending and wealth inequality. Mercer predicts the economy will remain flat with improved revenues and profits. Jeff sees a widening gap between haves and have-nots, with some spending beyond means. 5:58: AI predictions, including personal AI assistants and integration. Mercer predicts interest rates will stay flat through the year, while Jeff expects them to remain steady but potentially go down. Mercer also mentions the increasing importance of AI and automation in the workplace and highlights the growing interest in freelance activity due to layoffs. 9:56: AI's impact on jobs, with predictions of a 20% reduction in staff. Jeff discusses the integration of AI in writing, mentioning tools like Grammarly and LinkedIn. Mercer raises concerns about AI mimicking human writing but acknowledges its seamless integration. 13:53: AI consolidation and absorption of small companies. Mercer discusses Microsoft's acquisition of a company called Pi, which was shut down but the team now works for Microsoft. He predicts that AI will become ubiquitous, with one-stop shops for all things AI and specialization will be the next step. 18:44: AI, data privacy, and job resurgence. Mercer believes platforms like Google are pushing for better data privacy and consent, but it's a complex issue. He predicts a resurgence of skilled trades, such as electricians, due to AI-induced job displacement. 25:33: Adapting to market disruption through rapid pivots and digital detoxes. Jeff discusses Gen Z's approach to reindeer games, he finds digital detoxes and tiny homes appealing. Mercer agrees, citing rapid pivots and flexible structures as key to success in turbulent markets. 28:01: AI's potential impact on the economy, with a focus on surprises and consolidation. Jeff predicts one more AI surprise will be a game changer. Mercer expects AI to consolidate and become more mature by the end of the year.

Welcome back to Business Unfiltered with Mercer and Jeff Sauer today's topic is Using Social Media - What's working now? 0:00: Using social media for business, focusing on paid vs organic strategies. Mercer thinks about social media in terms of paid traffic and organic channels like LinkedIn and Facebook groups. Balancing organic and paid strategies is crucial for success, with email marketing being a valuable channel. 4:16: LinkedIn's growth as a professional networking platform. Mercer appreciates LinkedIn's focused conversation and engagement opportunities, seeing it as a potential gateway to social media for those who are new to it. He has noticed an increase in LinkedIn events and webinars, which are picking up momentum and engagement. 7:06: LinkedIn's effectiveness for businesses, with mentions of Twitter and Instagram. Jeff discusses LinkedIn as a valuable platform for business professionals, citing its ability to reach a targeted audience and generate leads. He shares his experience with using LinkedIn for professional networking and promoting his business, finding it more effective than Twitter. 11:52: Social media strategy, focusing on YouTube as primary and syndicating content to other channels. Jeff believes successful social media strategies involve choosing one platform and focusing on it. He discusses the importance of having a primary channel and syndicating content across other platforms. 18:05: Leveraging platforms for growth, focusing on YouTube and Pinterest. Mercer shares insights on the success of Mr. Beast, who focused on mastering one platform (YouTube) before expanding to other areas. Pinterest has a "bubble" effect, like LinkedIn, where users act in a certain way and there are fewer trolls. 20:54: Social media platforms and their suitability for different business models. Jeff believes your business model plays a crucial role in determining which social media platforms to use. He advises studying successful social media influencers and syndicating their strategies. 25:51: Social media marketing strategies for business growth. Mercer suggests variety, movement, and attention are crucial in social media, and too many memes can lead to banner blindness and lack of engagement.

Welcome back to Business Unfiltered with Mercer and Jeff Sauer today's topic is The Myth of Visionary Leadership: 0:00: Mercer and Jeff discuss the myth of visionary leadership, questioning whether it's a myth or a reality in business. Mercer argues that the term "visionary leader" is overused and misused, limiting the growth of small teams. 4:02: The roles of visionaries and integrators in business, debunking myths and survivor bias. Mercer argues that survivor bias in entrepreneurship creates a myth that successful entrepreneurs are uniquely different and special when in reality they are not. He believes that the idolization of visionary leaders can lead to a lack of understanding of the actual factors that contribute to success. 11:12: The importance of collaboration and open dialogue in business. Jeff emphasizes the importance of dialogue and collaboration in business, suggesting that a visionary and an integrator can work together to bring ideas to life. He believes that having a partner with different strengths and perspectives can help refine and improve ideas, leading to better outcomes. 13:28: The effectiveness of the "visionary-integrator" model in business leadership. Jeff emphasizes the importance of having both visionaries and integrators in a business. Visionaries are the CEO, while integrators are the president, but some companies have seen success with the roles reversed. 16:40: Roles in organizations, with a focus on visionaries, integrators, and systems. Mercer: Visionaries and integrators are key to success (10 vs 1). 20:39: Roles and responsibilities within a business, including visionary, strategist, manager, and tactician. Jeff discusses the role of a visionary leader in a business, emphasizing the importance of ownership and accountability. He suggests that a better paradigm for visionary leadership may be extreme accountability, rather than shareholder ownership. 25:35: Visionary leadership and its myths. Mercer discusses the myth of the visionary leader, arguing that it's a mythical beast that's not possible in reality. Hosts share insights on structuring small businesses for success.