Podcasts about customers

Happy Valentine's Day Weekend! Need to Outperform Your Competitors in 2026? Favour Obasi-ike, MBA, MS delivers an insightful masterclass on outperforming your competition through applied and actionable SEO marketing tactics. The discussion covers the critical distinction between direct and indirect competitors, strategic approaches to competitive analysis using tools like SimilarWeb.com and SparkToro.com, and the importance of focusing on long-term performance over short-term rankings.Favour emphasizes the value of understanding customer intent, the difference between pre-purchase and post-purchase behavior, and how to leverage both Google search and social media platforms like Instagram for comprehensive market visibility. The session includes live Q&A with participants discussing real-world challenges in SEO strategy, website validation, and go-to-market approaches for startups in niche markets.Book SEO Services | Quick Links for Social Business>> ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Book SEO Services with Favour Obasi-ike⁠>> Visit Work and PLAY Entertainment website to learn about our digital marketing services>> ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join our exclusive SEO Marketing community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠>> Read SEO Articles>> ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to the We Don't PLAY Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠>> Purchase Flaev Beatz Beats Online>> Favour Obasi-ike Quick LinksDetailed TimestampsIntroduction & Topic Overview00:00 - 02:02 - Opening: Outperform competitors with applied search everywhere optimization (SEO marketing tactics)02:02 - 03:10 - Understanding your competitors: National, international, local, and regional competitionDirect vs. Indirect Competitors03:10 - 04:46 - Defining direct and indirect competitors in your market04:46 - 06:17 - Market share dynamics and competitive positioningPractical Example: Flower Business Case Study06:17 - 09:13 - Using a Valentine's flower business as a practical example09:13 - 11:47 - Time-based pricing strategies and customer behavior patterns11:47 - 14:22 - Applying competitive insights to pricing and positioningSEO Strategy & Competitive Analysis14:22 - 17:35 - Understanding competitor strengths and weaknesses17:35 - 20:48 - Using competitive intelligence for content strategy20:48 - 23:19 - Keyword research and search intent analysisTools & Resources for Competitive Research23:19 - 25:42 - Introduction to SimilarWeb, SocialBlade, and SparkToro25:42 - 27:58 - Cost-effective alternatives for competitive analysis27:58 - 30:16 - Building long-term visibility through strategic toolsLive Q&A Session Begins•30:16 - 31:02 - Mohsen introduces himself: Software engineer starting a startup in the tattoo field31:02 - 32:34 - Question: How to approach SEO when there's no competition in your field?Google vs. Instagram Strategy Discussion32:34 - 35:05 - Why Google is the most unsaturated platform for search-based marketing35:05 - 37:15 - Instagram as a feed-based platform vs. Google as intent-based search37:15 - 40:30 - Pre-purchase vs. post-purchase intent: Amazon vs. YouTube analogyWebsite Validation & Trust Building40:30 - 43:12 - The importance of having a website for business credibility43:12 - 45:38 - Off-page SEO: Connecting Instagram to your website45:38 - 48:05 - Building relationship models across platformsAdvanced SEO Tactics48:05 - 50:21 - Running ads effectively: Brand awareness before advertising spend50:21 - 52:47 - Understanding audience targeting and customer journey mapping52:47 - 54:26 - Closing remarks and how to stay connected on ClubhouseFrequently Asked Questions (FAQs)1. What is the difference between direct and indirect competitors?Direct competitors are businesses that offer the same products or services within your niche or market. They target the same customer base and operate in similar ways. For example, if you sell red roses, other florists selling red roses are your direct competitors.Indirect competitors are businesses that offer different products or services but satisfy the same customer need or compete for the same market share. Using the flower example, supermarkets and farmer's markets selling flowers would be indirect competitors to a specialized florist.2. How do I find out who my competitors are?Favour recommends using several competitive analysis tools:SimilarWeb: For website traffic and audience insightsSocialBlade: For social media analytics and competitor trackingSparkToro: For audience intelligence and content discoveryYou can also identify competitors by searching for your target keywords on Google and seeing which businesses rank for those terms. Consider both national, international, local, and regional competitors depending on your market scope.3. Should I focus on Google or Instagram for my business?According to Favour, Google is the most unsaturated platform because it's based on search intent—people actively looking for specific solutions. Instagram is a feed-based platform better suited for brand awareness and showcasing visual results (before/after transformations, product demonstrations).Best approach: Use both strategically. Google captures pre-purchase intent (people researching solutions), while Instagram provides post-purchase validation and builds brand awareness. Having a website connected to your Instagram profile adds credibility and improves your off-page SEO.4. What's more important: ranking or performance?Favour emphasizes that performance is more important than ranking. Rankings fluctuate constantly (like stock prices or gas prices), but performance focuses on long-term outcomes:How quickly can you serve customers?What value do you provide beyond just appearing in search results?Can customers find your information when they need it?Anyone can rank with AI-generated content today, but what makes your business different is the experience, speed, and value you deliver to customers.5. How do I approach SEO if I have no competition in my field?When you're in a niche market with little to no competition, Favour suggests:Reverse engineer your success: If you're getting traction on Instagram, create corresponding website content (10 Instagram posts = 10 website articles)Focus on search volume: Research if there's search demand on Google for your servicesBuild credibility: Having a website validates your business more than social media aloneCreate content ecosystems: Connect your social media to your website through embedding posts and cross-linking6. Why is having a website important if I already have Instagram?A website provides business validation and credibility. As Favour's example illustrated: if three businesses offer the same service but only one has a website, customers will trust the one with a website because it demonstrates investment in human resources, infrastructure, and long-term commitment.Additionally, a website enables off-page SEO—when your Instagram links to your website, you're building relationship models between platforms that improve your overall search visibility.7. What is pre-purchase vs. post-purchase intent?Pre-purchase intent: Customers researching before buying (e.g., reading Amazon reviews, comparing products on Google)Post-purchase intent: Customers who already bought and need guidance (e.g., watching YouTube tutorials on how to use an air fryer they purchased)Understanding this distinction helps you create appropriate content for each stage of the customer journey. Google and review sites capture pre-purchase intent, while platforms like YouTube and Instagram serve post-purchase needs.8. Should I run ads if people can't find my business organically?Favour advises: Don't run ads first if people can't find you organically. If the answer to "Will they find my business without ads?" is no, then focus on building organic visibility first through SEO and content creation.If people can already find you organically, then running ads becomes more cost-effective because you're amplifying existing brand awareness rather than starting from zero.9. What are applied SEO marketing tactics?Applied SEO refers to search everywhere optimization—not just optimizing for Google, but creating a comprehensive presence across all platforms where customers might search:Google searchInstagram searchYouTube searchSocial media platformsReview sitesLocal directoriesIt's about understanding customer behavior across multiple touchpoints and ensuring your business is discoverable wherever customers are looking.Additional Resources MentionedSimilarWeb: Competitive website analyticsSocialBlade: Social media statistics and trackingSparkToro: Audience research and insightsChatGPT: AI content generation tool (mentioned in context of ranking vs. performance)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What if your website... doesn't matter anymore?This is called “Zero Click Commerce” In this episode of the High Voltage Business Builders Podcast, Neil breaks down the shift from keyword search to conversational buying. Customers are completing purchases inside ChatGPT, TikTok Shop, Instagram, and Google's AI environments without ever touching your website.If you are still optimizing only for traffic, funnels, and on-site conversions, you may be improving a system that customers are bypassing entirely.

Who would've thought? Last month, PepsiCo cut snack prices. McDonald's has been cutting prices, too, and said it's paying off. Yesterday, the company released better-than-expected results for the tail end of 2025. Also, big revisions to datasets like yesterday's jobs report are becoming more common in an economy undergoing big shifts, and Germany is looking to recruit foreign-born skilled workers as harsher immigration policy and rhetoric make the U.S. less appealing.

Who would've thought? Last month, PepsiCo cut snack prices. McDonald's has been cutting prices, too, and said it's paying off. Yesterday, the company released better-than-expected results for the tail end of 2025. Also, big revisions to datasets like yesterday's jobs report are becoming more common in an economy undergoing big shifts, and Germany is looking to recruit foreign-born skilled workers as harsher immigration policy and rhetoric make the U.S. less appealing.

Today I'm joined by Donald Kemp, General Sales Manager at Stowasser Buick GMC. We dig into why human-first social content is outperforming inventory posts, how moving F&I earlier drives higher penetration, and where dealers are quietly leaking money through junk fees. The conversation is tactical, practical, and immediately applicable for stores feeling margin pressure. This episode is brought to you by: 1. Experian Automotive - Like most Car Dealership Guy Listeners, you're constantly looking for the inside edge on the auto industry. So if you're ready to step up your game to the next level – outpacing the competition and building customer loyalty – there's only one place to go from here: Experian Automotive. They're the only ones with exclusive data across vehicles, consumers, and credit—plus expert data scientists who connect the dots to uncover the insights you need. Get the industry-leading insights from Experian Automotive today! Learn more by visiting @ https://carguymedia.com/4cfcLjZ. 2. Privacy4Cars - Privacy4Cars' app lets your team delete it all in minutes and prove it with a Certificate of Deletion. Customers pay more. Trade-in capture rates soar. And you stand out as the dealership that actually protects people and what matters most to them. Drive more trade-ins, more loyalty, and more revenue. Offer customer vehicle privacy services today– visit @ https://privacy4cars.com/. 3. Nomad Content Studio - Most dealers still fumble social—posting dry inventory pics or handing it off without a plan. Meanwhile, the store down the street is racking up millions of views and selling / buying cars using video. That's where Nomad Content Studio comes in. We train your own videographer, direct what to shoot, and handle strategy, to posting, to feedback. Want in with the team behind George Saliba, EV Auto, and top auto groups? Book a call @ http://www.trynomad.co. Check out Car Dealership Guy's stuff: For dealers: CDG Circles ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://cdgcircles.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Industry job board ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://jobs.dealershipguy.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Dealership recruiting ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.cdgrecruiting.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Fix your dealership's social media ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.trynomad.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Request to be a podcast guest ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.cdgguest.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ For industry vendors: Advertise with Car Dealership Guy ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.cdgpartner.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Industry job board ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://jobs.dealershipguy.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Request to be a podcast guest ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.cdgguest.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Topics: 00:43 What are the key business insights? 02:42 What is the used car strategy? 05:41 How to improve finance and service? 23:38 How to manage vendor relationships? 26:10 Which lead sources are best? 29:14 How to optimize lending practices? 34:37 How to leverage social media? 24:38 How to reduce credit card fees? Car Dealership Guy Socials: X ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠x.com/GuyDealership⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/cardealershipguy/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠tiktok.com/@guydealership⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/company/cardealershipguy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Threads ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠threads.net/@cardealershipguy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077402857683⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Everything else ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠dealershipguy.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

From garage startup to global cult following. During NRF 2026, one thing really stood out in this conversation between Marie Schwartz and Jennifer Sprague, CMO at Hammit. Hammit has built something rare. Customers do not just buy a bag. They collect them. They trade them. They know the story behind the rivets. That kind of loyalty is intentional.. They discuss: - How Hammit protects its brand identity while expanding physical retail - Why resale and community are strengthening long-term loyalty - The operational discipline behind rapid DTC and store growth - Luxury today is built on identity, connection, and strategic retail expansion. Join the conversation with our global retail community at www.globalretailleaders.com

In this episode of Sales POP!, supplement industry veteran John Smiddy (New to Marketers) reveals the strategies behind his $100M+ in client revenue. Key takeaways for 2026:  AI-first optimization: Structure your product data for AI recommendation engines, not just search engines. Consumers are buying through ChatGPT conversations now. Amazon launch strategy: Start on Amazon to build instant credibility and reviews. Smiddy's data shows conversion rates of 5%+ for new brands- better than most DTC sites. Differentiation is critical: Generic formulations fail. Partner with experts to create proprietary blends backed by clinical validation and third-party testing. Balance AI with authenticity: Use AI for research and optimization, but keep your creative human. Customers can spot AI-generated content instantly.

Send a textTim & John talk with Nicole Bergen, founder and chief strategist, Elevate, a research and marketing solutions company, and Jennifer Johns, vice president of charge of strategic partnerships with Elevate. Together they help you understand what customers think about your brand. This episode is brought to you by Bradford White — trusted by pros for high-quality, innovative products. Their new AeroTherm Series G2 hybrid electric heat pump water heater is their most efficient yet, boasting a best-in-class 4.20 UEF on the 65-gallon model. It features the easy-to-use ICON System LED display, ultra-quiet operation, and flexible zero-clearance installation. Plus, with Bradford White Wave built-in connectivity, you can perform diagnostics remotely and your customersSubscribe to the Appetite for Construction podcast at any of your favorite streaming channels and don't forget about the other ways to interact with the Mechanical Hub Team! Follow Plumbing Perspective IG @plumbing_perspective Follow Mechanical Hub IG @mechanicalhub Sign up for our newsletter at www.mechanical-hub.com/enewsletter Visit our websites at www.mechanical-hub.com and www.plumbingperspective.com Send John and Tim your feedback or topic ideas: @plumbing_perspective

In a podcast recorded at ITEXPO / MSP EXPO, Doug Green, Publisher of Technology Reseller News, spoke with Tomas Sjostrom, CISSP and President of Technology Services at James Moore Co., about how cybersecurity and compliance priorities are evolving for small and mid-sized businesses. Sjostrom explained that James Moore is a long-established CPA firm with more than 60 years of experience serving Florida-based organizations, and nearly three decades delivering IT managed services alongside traditional financial and audit work. As cybersecurity threats increase and regulatory requirements expand, SMBs are showing greater interest in both protecting their environments and demonstrating compliance—often driven by cyber insurance requirements, customer demands, or new business opportunities. A key theme of the discussion focused on how organizations assess and manage cybersecurity risk. Sjostrom emphasized that the process begins with understanding what is motivating a customer's concern, whether it is insurance questionnaires, data protection issues, or compliance mandates tied to industries such as defense contracting. From there, James Moore leverages onboarding and automated discovery tools to establish a baseline and support continuous compliance. “Customers want to meet new requirements as fast as possible, reliably, and without spending excessive time or money,” Sjostrom noted, highlighting the need for scalable and automated approaches. The conversation also touched on AI adoption and compliance readiness. Sjostrom observed that less mature organizations often start with questions around data protection and privacy, while more advanced companies already understand where their critical assets reside and can move more quickly toward compliant AI deployments. As cybersecurity, compliance, and AI increasingly intersect, Sjostrom positioned proactive risk monitoring as a strategic advantage for SMBs working with trusted MSP and advisory partners. Visit https://www.jmco.com/

Jacqui Turner founded the Turner Corner Leadership Academy. She is based at Great Malvern, which is close to Stratford-Upon-Avon in the UK. The academy is focused on customer service training, leadership programmes and coaching interventions. Training followed by coaching with Jacqui's team has been proven to make training much more effective, in terms of staff productivity, performance and business results. In this discussion with Peter Ryan, Jacqui talks about vulnerable customers. How do businesses define their vulnerable customers and how can they design CX that works better for customers with special needs or the need for greater consideration? Vulnerability in CX design is often overlooked, but it is essential and for many types of regulated business this is mandatory. https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqueline-turner-leadership-trainer/ https://turnercorner.co.uk/   SUMMARY: Peter introduces Jacqui Turner, who emphasizes the importance of understanding and addressing vulnerabilities in customer service. Jacqui highlights that vulnerability can manifest in various forms, including age, health issues, financial struggles, and digital illiteracy. She stresses the need for organizations to have policies and training for handling vulnerable customers across different communication channels. Jacqui also advocates for AI technology to be designed with vulnerability in mind to maintain accessible communication.

On this episode of The SaaS CFO Podcast, host Ben Murray welcomes Ben Winter, co-founder and COO at Stuut. Ben Winter brings a dynamic background in management consulting, design agencies, and executive leadership roles within scaling SaaS companies. He shares the story behind founding Stuut—an AI-powered platform designed to transform the order-to-cash process for businesses where working capital and collection efficiency are essential. Ben Winter reveals how Stuut's AI agents streamline everything from invoice communication to payment collection, targeting verticals like manufacturing, logistics, and medical devices that rely on fast cash cycles. The discussion delves into Stuut's journey—from early customer pain points to rapid fundraising, the importance of founder–investor alignment, and their innovative approach to go-to-market and brand differentiation in the crowded finance technology space. Listen in for actionable insights on SaaS metrics, building AI-driven solutions, and lessons learned in scaling an operationally efficient company—straight from a COO who's at the forefront of fintech innovation. Show Notes: 00:00 "Automating AR with AI" 05:19 "Optimizing Cash Flow for Growth" 07:11 Evolving CFO Strategies for Collections 12:34 "Delivering Value to Customers" 16:25 In-Person Impact and Clear Value 19:14 "Non-Traditional Marketing Strategies" 21:16 "Digital Coworkers for Collections Teams" 24:09 "AP & AR Strategy Insights" 29:57 "Scaling Efficiently with AI" 31:28 "Rethinking Team Structures Efficiently" Links: SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/stuut-technologies-raises-29-5m-series-a Ben Winter's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bengwinter/ Stuut's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stuut/ Stuut's Website: https://www.stuut.ai/ To learn more about Ben check out the links below: Subscribe to Ben's daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe Subscribe to Ben's SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/ Join Ben's SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray

Gary uses a recent trip to a pizza restaurant (two actually) to teach a lesson about free-market economics. Governments should not be involved in what businesses offer (or don't offer) and how much money they make or charge. Customers will quickly let a business know the value of its decisions.

Am I the Genius? is the show where you get real answers to questions you've always wondered but didn't think to ask. Subscribe on YouTube - youtube.com/@amithegenius?sub_confirmation=1 Am I the Jerk? on Instagram - instagram.com/amithegenius Am I the Jerk? on Spotify - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0uEkxvRMpxLuuHeyPVVioF?si=b279dadfe593432b⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ x.com/amithejerk facebook.com/amithejerk SUBMIT YOUR OWN STORIES HERE ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://amithejerk.com/submit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Mint Mobile - Get this new customer offer and your 3-month Unlimited wireless plan for just 15 bucks a month at MINTMOBILE.com/AITJ Quince - Keep it classic and cool — with long-lasting staples from Quince. Go to Quince.com/AITJ for free shipping on your order and three hundred and sixty-five -day returns. EveryPlate - Dig into these flavor-packed meals your household will love. New customers can enjoy this special offer of only $1.99 a meal. Go to everyplate.com/podcast and use code AITG199 to get started. Green Chef - Head to Greenchef.com/50AITJ and use code 50AITJ to get fifty percent off your first month, then twenty percent off for two months with free shipping. Lola Blankets - Get 35% off your entire order at Lolablankets.com by using code AITJ at checkout. Uncommon Goods - To get 15% off your next gift, go to UncommonGoods.com/AITJ Don't miss out on this limited-time offer. Uncommon Goods. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Send a textWelcome back to the Laundromat Resource Podcast! In this episode, host Jordan Berry sits down with Randy Roberts, a powerhouse in the world of laundry pickup and delivery who has built a thriving commercial laundry business in a market where most would have doubted success. From running large sales organizations in corporate America to coaching his son's sports teams, Randy Roberts shares how his background paved the way for his rapid rise in the laundry industry—even after being advised not to pursue commercial clients.In this conversation, you'll hear Randy Roberts walk us through how he and his cousin started with two laundromats and quickly scaled up their pickup and delivery business by focusing on high-value commercial accounts, outpacing giants like Cintas along the way. Randy Roberts discusses everything from sales strategies, the importance of SEO, and building strong industry partnerships, to investing in advanced equipment like the Foltex folding machine.Whether you're an industry veteran or just curious about the laundry business, this episode is packed with actionable insights on scaling commercial laundry services, the value of mentorship, and the mindset required to turn challenges into opportunities. Get ready for an instant classic with concrete advice for operators at any stage—and a reminder that action, learning, and building the right relationships are the real keys to success.In this episode, Jordan and Randy discuss:00:00 "Randy Roberts' Laundry Success"08:35 "Choosing Retirement and New Paths"11:44 Laundromats and Revenue Growth Journey19:34 "Default to Action Mindset"25:24 "The Rich Don't Work Money"28:03 Breaking Laundry Business Rules35:00 Scaling Success in Delivery Business37:30 "Building Trust for Success"43:39 "Standing Firm on Pricing"51:17 Confident Pricing Wins Clients56:27 "Firing Clients to Save Time"01:03:23 "Struggles with Chemical Supply Vendors"01:07:40 "Revolutionizing Efficiency in Folding"01:13:56 "Efficient Laundry Operations Insight"01:17:09 Ego-Free Growth in Business01:24:41 "Sharing Price Secures Business"01:28:01 "Active Stewardship Builds Trust"01:32:28 "Missing the Connection Opportunity"01:36:14 "Path to Harmony"

Wednesday morning's earnings movers has one big winner and two notable losers, says Diane King Hall. She explains why Cloudflare's (NET) growth tied to AI agents has investors rewarding the stock with a 20% rally. Unity (U) shares fell more than 20% with its weaker-than-expected guidance outweighing an earnings beat. Diane also notes how Verizon (VZ) stole some of T-Mobile's (TMUS) customer base, cutting into its earnings. ======== Schwab Network ========Empowering every investor and trader, every market day.Options involve risks and are not suitable for all investors. Before trading, read the Options Disclosure Document. http://bit.ly/2v9tH6DSubscribe to the Market Minute newsletter - https://schwabnetwork.com/subscribeDownload the iOS app - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/schwab-network/id1460719185Download the Amazon Fire Tv App - https://www.amazon.com/TD-Ameritrade-Network/dp/B07KRD76C7Watch on Sling - https://watch.sling.com/1/asset/191928615bd8d47686f94682aefaa007/watchWatch on Vizio - https://www.vizio.com/en/watchfreeplus-exploreWatch on DistroTV - https://www.distro.tv/live/schwab-network/Follow us on X – https://twitter.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/schwab-network/About Schwab Network - https://schwabnetwork.com/about

TIMESTAMPS: 00:00:18 WELCOME BACK 00:04:24 TRADES 00:04:31 JAMES HARDEN 00:13:43 UTAH STORIES 00:19:23 VUC TO BOSTON 00:24:01 AD TO WASHINGTON 00:38:29 MCCAIN TO PHILA 00:47:05 MODERN NBA 00:57:41 BIG GAME 00:58:38 JWILL HAS BEEF 01:15:51 LINDSEY VONN 01:21:23 ASG CONTESTS 01:25:08 JA MORANT 01:28:45 MVP 01:31:52 USA VS WORLD ADS: -- DraftKings: GAMBLING PROBLEM? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-522-4700, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/KY/NH/WY). Void in ONT. Eligibility restrictions apply. Terms: draftkings.com/sportsbook. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL. Opt-in req. 1 Token per customer, valid only for min. $5 pregame NBA player prop bets w/ min. odds of -200 or longer. Tokens are single-use and expire at the start of the final of NBA game each day when offered. Must select token BEFORE placing bet. Customers who place bet w/ Token and pick day's PRA stat leader will receive equal share of $1,000,000, issued as a non-withdrawable Bonus Bet that expires in 7 days (168 hours). Stake removed from payout. Terms: sportsbook.draftkings.com/promos. Sponsored by DK. -- Gametime: Download the Gametime app and use code HOOPIN for $20 off your first purchase. -- DraftKings: GAMBLING PROBLEM? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-522-4700, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/KY/NH/WY). Void in ONT/OR/NH. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL. 1 per new customer. Must register new account to receive reward Token. Must select Token BEFORE placing min. $5 bet to receive $300 in Bonus Bets if your bet wins. Min. -500 odds req. Token and Bonus Bets are single-use and non-withdrawable. Bet must settle by and Token expires 2/22/26. Bonus Bets expire in 7 days (168 hours). Stake removed from payout. Terms: sportsbook.draftkings.com/promos. Ends 2/15/26 at 11:59 PM ET. Sponsored by DK.You can find every episode of this show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube. Prime Members can listen ad-free on Amazon Music. For more, visit barstool.link/patbevpod

This week, Billy Sammons from Live Local Warm Marketing joins us to talk about warm marketing and how it can help your company grow. He shares insights on adding value and building real connections to attract new customers. Billy and Dave also discuss practical ways to stay customer-focused and consistently deliver value.

Start planning like the world's smartest marketers! This episode shows you how to reverse-engineer strategy for maximum impact, master situation analysis, and use AI-powered systems to scale your marketing without extra headcount.And don't forget! You can crush your marketing strategy with just a few minutes a week by signing up for the StrategyCast Newsletter. You'll receive weekly bursts of marketing tips, clips, resources, and a whole lot more. Visit https://strategycast.com/ for more details.==Let's Break It Down==04:42 "Goal-Driven Strategy Development"07:00 Evolving Market Strategy Fundamentals12:25 "Testing Budgets & Missing Steps"15:27 "Refining Value for Customers"17:17 Adapting Marketing Strategies with AI20:01 "Understanding Customers and Market Fit"23:13 Optimizing Funnels and Adjustments29:05 "Streamlining Content Creation Workflow"31:09 "Strategic AI Marketing Essentials"35:33 "AI Missteps Widen Market Gap"==Where You Can Find Us==Website: https://strategycast.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strategy_cast/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/strategycast==Leave a Review==Hey there, StrategyCast fans!If you've found our tips and tricks on marketing strategies helpful in growing your business, we'd be thrilled if you could take a moment to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts. Your feedback not only supports us but also helps others discover how they can elevate their business game!

Black holes are unanswered  communication. As time ticks by, the inquiring party becomes increasingly agitated because their inquiry has gone unacknowledged, and unanswered. Many deals have been lost, and many customers have defected because they were sent to a cyberspace blackhole by a vendor. It is time to Wakey-Wakey! Just answer your dang communication! Do a 180 degree turnaround today!Support the show

What if the real reason some leaders close billion-dollar deals isn't tactics—but resilience, authenticity, and personal brand?In competitive trade, construction, and industry businesses, it's not enough to have a product or a process. Customers buy from leaders they trust. This episode breaks down how Shark Tank investor Barbara Corcoran built a billion-dollar real estate empire by standing out in a brutal market—and why the same principles apply directly to leaders running seven- and eight-figure businesses today.In this episode, you'll learn:How resilience becomes a competitive advantage when deals are tough and growth feels slowWhy authenticity and personal brand can accelerate trust and help you close higher-value dealsHow leaders in the $1–$10M range can leverage their own presence to drive faster sales growthHit play now to uncover how resilience, authenticity, and personal brand can help you win more deals and lead your business through its next stage of growth.New episodes every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.Grow Your Sales By 25% - Book in for a FREE 30-minute Sales Process Audit and walk out with 3 rapid actions that will GROW your SalesTo see how we've helped business grow their sales:Read Client ResultsWatch TestimonialsOr email Ben if you would like to get in touch: hello@strongersalesteams.comThis podcast helps the entrepreneur, founder, CEO, and business owner in the trade, construction and industry segments, regain focus, build confidence, and achieve measurable results through powerful sales training, effective sales strategy, and expert sales coaching—guiding every sales leader, sales manager, and sales team in mastering the sales process, optimizing the sales pipeline, and driving business growth while fostering leadership, balance, and freedom amidst overwhelm, stress, and potential burnout, creating lasting peace of mind and smarter decision making for every California business and Australia business ready to scale up with excellence in sales management.

When a prospect asks you for a discount, what do you do? Most salespeople negotiate. They justify the price, explain the value, maybe split the difference. What's actually happening is that the customer doesn't see or appreciate the value you're offering. And that's not a pricing problem. That's a qualification problem.

Watch the video on YouTube here. Most creators are stuck on an exhausting hamster wheel. They're constantly hunting for new customers to buy their $27 product. Let's say they make a hundred sales in a month. Great job! But next month, they start all over, hunting for those same $27 customers again. But what if that same customer became worth $2,000 to your business? Same effort to acquire them, but 235 times more profitable. Show Notes: MiloTree Sign Up for MiloTree FREE: Digital Product Ladder AI Prompt FREE: Product Goldmine AI Prompt Join The Blogger Genius Newsletter Subscribe to the Blogger Genius Podcast: iTunes YouTube Spotify The $27 Trap: Why Most Creators Are Leaving Money on the Table Here's what most of us do: We create that one product, price it at $27, and pour all our energy into getting new people to buy it. We're constantly putting up Instagram posts, Pinterest pins, writing blog posts, sending emails, running ads. And even when it works, the math is terrible. Let's say you get 100 new customers at $27 each. That's $2,700. Sounds good, right? But next month, you need 100 more new customers to make that same $2,700. It never ends. You're always hustling for new people. Meanwhile, those 100 customers you already have? They trusted you enough to buy once—but you're ignoring them while you chase strangers. That's where most creators are leaving thousands of dollars on the table and burning out. If you're feeling this exhaustion, you're not alone. In my post on why people won't pay for information anymore, I talk about how the old model of selling one product isn't working in 2026. The solution isn't more hustle—it's a smarter business model. What Is a Digital Product Ladder? Here's what smart creators do instead. They build what I call a digital product ladder, and it completely changes the economics of your business. Instead of selling one thing and moving on, you create a journey for your customer: The 6 Rungs of a Product Ladder Freebie/Lead Magnet – This is how you earn their trust. They end up on your email list. Tripwire Product ($27) – Something small that goes deeper at solving their problem. They buy it, get results, and now trust you even more. Product Bundle ($97) – A comprehensive solution combining multiple resources. Course or Coaching ($297) – Premium transformation and deeper support. Membership (Recurring) – They're paying you every month for ongoing value and community. Mastermind/High-Touch Program – For serious implementers who want direct access to you. Same customers. One acquisition cost. But instead of making $27, you're making over $2,000 over time from that same person. And here's the beautiful part: Each sale after the first one costs you almost nothing. They already know you. They already trust you. They are easier to sell to than a complete stranger. This is exactly why I teach the upsell and order bump strategy inside MiloTree—it's the fastest way to increase your customer lifetime value without finding new customers. Your Action Plan: Start Today Here's what I want you to do right now: Step 1: Grab the AI Prompt Download my complete Digital Product Ladder AI Prompt — it's free. Run it for your topic tonight. Don't wait. Step 2: Sign Up for MiloTree's Free Plan Sign up here — no credit card needed. Set up your freebie lead magnet, test it, and see how easy this all is. Step 3: Build Your Full Ladder When you're ready to build your full ladder, upgrade to one of our paid plans. They start at just $19/month. Most people do this within the first two weeks of signing up. What gets them upgraded? The ability to offer multiple freebies to grow their email list faster—so they have more people to sell to. The Bottom Line With MiloTree, you have everything you need to turn that $27 customer into a $2,000 customer. Stop chasing strangers. Start building real relationships. That's how you get to $1,000, $5,000, $10,000 a month without burning out. Other Related Blogger Genius Podcast Episodes You'll Enjoy: How to Pivot from Ad Revenue to $12,500/Month Selling Digital Products The 5 Digital Products Creators Will Use to Make $10K–$50K/Month in 2026 How to Increase Your Revenue with Upsells and Order Bumps How to Automate Your Digital Product Sales and Make Money While You Sleep   Ready to build your product ladder? Start with MiloTree's free plan →  

Today we're talking about the bravest move a business owner can make: Raising your rates. Discounting is a race to the bottom, and the prize for winning is going out of business.

Jay was running a respectable AI startup with $3M ARR. But he knew it wasn't a venture-scale rocket ship. So, he decided to fire all his customers, pivot the entire company, and bet everything on a new vertical: legal AI for plaintiff attorneys.Eve went from zero to unicorn status in under two years, raising $100M at a $1B valuation. In this episode, Jay breaks down the brutal reality of pivoting a revenue-generating company, how to achieve "demo shock" in an antiquated industry, and why 4-hour user sessions were the first sign that he had struck gold.Why You Should ListenHow threatening to shut down your product can reveal PMF.Why firing all your existing customers might be the only way to scale.How to achieve a 40% conversion rate from cold outreach to demo.Why you should target mid market instead of enterprise if you want to deploy AI fast.Keywordsstartup podcast, startup podcast for founders, product market fit, finding pmf, pivot, legal tech, AI startup, B2B sales, unicorn startup, Jay Madheswaran, Eve00:00:00 Intro00:02:27 From VC to Founder00:08:42 The First Idea: RPA for NLP00:16:52 The Hard Decision to Pivot at 3M ARR00:24:26 Product Discovery While Still Supporting Old Customers00:33:56 40 Percent Conversion from Cold Outreach00:39:56 Firing Customers to Find True PMF00:41:06 The 4-Hour User Session Signal00:46:05 From 1M to 10M ARR in One Year00:49:11 The Moment of True Product Market FitSend me a message to let me know what you think!

When a prospect asks you for a discount, what do you do? Most salespeople negotiate. They justify the price, explain the value, maybe split the difference. What's actually happening is that the customer doesn't see or appreciate the value you're offering. And that's not a pricing problem. That's a qualification problem.

This is the AI generated discussion of my post, What If The Our Sales Process Helped Our Customers?  It's good, there are a few hallucinations, but it's a good discussion.  Enjoy! Here is the link to the original post:  https://partnersinexcellenceblog.com/what-if-the-sales-process-helped-customers/

In today's FittBite, we explain why customers often leave without a word—and how uncertainty, not product quality, is usually the reason. This FittBite walks through the subtle signals across content, website, product details, delivery, and after-sale experience that quietly erode trust in new brands. Tune in if you want to understand how buyers assess risk before clicking buy.Book a 1 on 1 with our host, Shadi for personalized advice on how to create and grow your fashion business: https://www.fittdesign.com/services/consultation Design your own collection with our instantly downloadable factory ready tech pack templates: FittDesign Tech Pack Templates Follow our host on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shadiadada/ https://www.instagram.com/fittdesign/ Got any other questions, email us for an instant response at: studio@fittdesign.com Subscribe to our weekly fashion design podcast (New episodes every Thursday at 4pm CST): https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-fittdesign-podcast/id1454410683 Visit our website:https://www.fittdesign.com/ Follow us on:https://www.linkedin.com/company/fittdesign/ https://www.facebook.com/fittdesign https://www.pinterest.com/fittdesign/ https://www.behance....

Most businesses pour energy into marketing while overlooking what actually drives growth. Darren Hardy unpacks a deceptively simple truth behind referrals, reputation, and repeat business. He challenges how value is delivered and remembered, raising one unsettling question about what people truly say after interacting with you. Get more personal mentoring from Darren each day. Go to DarrenDaily at http://darrendaily.com/join to learn more.

In this episode, farmer and entrepreneur Keith Zimmerman of Plum Creek Farm shares their strategies on how they get customers to stop by at their roadside farm stand.   Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights!   Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower. Follow Modern Grower:  Instagram  Instagram Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:  Carrot Cashflow  Farm Small Farm Smart  Farm Small Farm Smart Daily  The Growing Microgreens Podcast  The Urban Farmer Podcast  The Rookie Farmer Podcast  In Search of Soil Podcast Check out Diego's books:  Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon   Ready Farmer One on Amazon **** Modern Grower and Diego Footer participate in the Amazon Services LLC. Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Send us a textBill Caskey explores the most important question in sales: What is your role in the buyer-seller dance?In this solo episode, Bill breaks down the Guide Model—a three-part framework that transforms how you show up with customers. Instead of selling to people who don't need what you offer, you become the guide that customers are craving.If you've ever wondered why buyers don't trust you or why price becomes the sticking point, this episode reveals what's really happening—and how to fix it.This is part 2 of a 2-part series on how to be a guide.

Fraud prevention is often framed as a battle against criminals, but what happens to the customer along the way?In this episode of Scam Rangers, host Ayelet Biger-Levin sits down with Marti DeLiema, a researcher at the University of Minnesota, to explore the human impact of scam prevention and fraud interventions and the unintended consequences that can emerge when protection efforts aren't designed with empathy and care.While fraud teams work tirelessly to stop money from flowing to criminals, this conversation shines a light on what happens after an intervention is triggered: how customers experience account restrictions, investigations, and confrontational moments and how those experiences shape trust, retention, and long-term relationships.This episode is a must-listen not only for fraud and frontline teams, but also for digital banking, customer experience, marketing, growth, and retention leaders who may not always see what happens on the fraud front lines, yet own the customer relationship that follows.What You'll Learn Why scam prevention is a cross-functional customer experience moment, not just a fraud decision How well-intended interventions can make victims feel blamed, criminalized, or pushed away The emotional impact of scam prevention on individuals and families How trust, dignity, and autonomy factor into fraud decisions Why the way institutions intervene can influence attrition and long-term loyalty What digital, CX, and marketing teams need to understand about fraud moments they don't always seeFeatured GuestMarti DeLiemaMarti DeLiema is an Assistant Professor and Gerontologist at the University of Minnesotawhose. Her work focuses on aging, financial exploitation, scams, and the human impact of fraud prevention efforts. Her research examines how individuals experience fraud interventions and what institutions can do to protect people while preserving trust and dignity.https://www.linkedin.com/in/marti-deliema-95323535/About the HostAyelet Biger-Levin is the Founder and CEO of RangersAI and the host of Scam Rangers, a podcast exploring the human side of scams and the people working to protect consumers from financial and emotional harm.Through her work at RangersAI and her leadership within the Global Anti-Scam Alliance, Ayelet partners with financial institutions, policymakers, and advocates to elevate scam prevention beyond controls and technology toward trust-based, customer-centric protection.Be sure to follow her on LinkedIn and reach out to learn about her additional activities in this space:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayelet-biger-levin/RangersAI: https://www.rangersai.com/

You ever walk into a property and feel like you're stepping into a different company—even though the sign out front says otherwise?That's why SOPs still matter.In this episode of Multifamily Collective, Mike Brewer brings the heat with a clear reminder: Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) aren't constraints—they're clarity.They're the guardrails that keep your multifamily machine running smoothly, especially when results fluctuate by site, season, or staff.Let's be honest: property management isn't black and white. It's a business full of gray zones, shifting expectations, and day-by-day dynamics. That's why solid SOPs are gold.They reduce dependency on heroics.They eliminate micromanagement.They ensure leasing doesn't hinge on who picked up the phone.But SOPs don't replace judgment—they free it.So your teams can think critically, act swiftly, and deliver consistently.Mike's tip of the day? Show up. Be consistent. If you're seeing wildly different results between properties—or even within the same property—it's time to ask: Have we clearly communicated our expectations? Or are we assuming everyone's on the same page?Customers see consistency as trust.Trust leads to renewals.And trust is built every time your team follows through—one SOP at a time.

Entrepreneur, author, and former telecom executive Roy Osing joins me to talk about what it really means to survive getting the s**t kicked out of you—and why meaningful differentiation is the only durable way back.Most business conversations focus on growth tactics or recovery platitudes. This episode doesn't. Roy and I walk through the reality of being demoted, sidelined, and underestimated—then rebuilding leverage not through ego or exits, but through performance, patience, and strategic clarity.Roy shares how he helped grow an early-stage data and internet company to over a billion dollars in revenue, not by following playbooks, but by rejecting them. We break down why “blue ocean” thinking fails in the real world, how copying successful companies turns you into a commodity, and why differentiation only matters if customers actually care.The conversation moves from corporate power dynamics to entrepreneurship, where Roy dismantles the myth that success comes from speed, scale, or selling quickly. Instead, he argues for building an “only” value proposition—one that satisfies customer cravings, not abstract needs—and for staying in the fight long enough to earn trust, credibility, and leverage.This isn't a story about avoiding failure. It's about what to do after you hit the wall: when titles disappear, leverage evaporates, and the only thing left is how you perform when no one owes you anything.The lesson isn't bravado or revenge.It's humility, focus, and building something that can't be copied.TL;DR* Everyone who builds something meaningful gets knocked down eventually* Differentiation only works if customers actually care about it* Copying winners turns businesses into commodities with shrinking margins* “Blue oceans” are academic fantasies without practical execution* Real leverage comes from performance after setbacks, not ego or exits* Customers buy based on emotional cravings, not rational needs* Being “different” without value is just narcissism* The goal isn't to stand out—it's to be the only one who does what you doMemorable Lines* “Be different or be dead.”* “Copying success is a form of insanity.”* “What you think of yourself doesn't matter—what customers crave does.”* “If you stay after the demotion, you earn leverage through performance.”* “Differentiation without value is just narcissism.”GuestRoy Osing — Entrepreneur, author, and former telecom executiveAuthor of Be Different or Be Dead and six other books on practical business differentiation. Former senior executive who helped scale a data and internet company to over $1B in revenue, now advising leaders on building category-of-one strategies.

Today, we'll help you get your first customers. We'll do it by learning how to use the trust to risk ratio - a way to identify the big risks that are holding your customer back and shoulder those risks early on to build trust. We talk through risk and trust with Find Your Lobster, Soona, and a finicky water pump.  TackleboxSoona

This week on the Oakley Podcast, host Jeremy Kellett welcomes Keith Wilson, Tasha Rinehart, and Joe Vulpone from Arrow Truck Sales to spotlight the successful partnership with Oakley and Arrow. The conversation delves into their 75-year history, the process of sourcing and inspecting quality used trucks, and Arrow's customer-first approach. Key discussions include the impact of technology in truck sales, the unique advantages of Arrow's in-house financing through Transport Funding, and the opening of their new Little Rock location. Listeners will learn about the importance of building lasting relationships, post-sale support for drivers, adapting to industry changes for long-term trucking success, and so much more. Key topics in today's conversation include:Welcome to Today's Episode with Arrow Truck Sales (0:42)Stories About Family and Balance for Trucking Professionals (5:18)The History and Philosophy at Arrow, 75 Years in Business (7:53)Insight Into Used Truck Sourcing, Inspections, and Quality Control (10:37)The Process and Challenges of Buying and Selling Used Trucks (13:42)Lessons Learned from the COVID-19 Market Fluctuations (15:33)Technology's Role in Modern Truck Sales and Customer Experience (17:27)Competing in the Digital Age and How Customer Relationships Evolve (19:06)Creating a “Disney World” Customer Experience at Arrow (20:45)Service After the Sale and Standout Examples of Support (23:16)Handling Customer Issues and Going Above and Beyond Post-Sale (26:33)Arrow's In-house Financing and Benefits for Customers (29:27)The Critical Importance of Correct Truck Paperwork (32:04)The New Little Rock Store: Location, Strategy, and Benefits (35:21)Plans for Service Bays and Light Maintenance at Little Rock (38:19)Future Outlook: Sticking With Core Values While Embracing Change (39:42)Final Thoughts and Takeaways (41:06)Oakley Trucking is a family-owned and operated trucking company headquartered in North Little Rock, Arkansas. For more information, check out our show website: podcast.bruceoakley.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Send us a textA backyard build, a midnight meeting, and a 30-day turnaround into ownership—this is how Eternity Buildings took shape and why it's gaining ground. We sat down with Gary Boyle, Ron Ackerman, and Andrew Boyle to unpack the leap from YouTube lessons to code-driven production, the power of an open-handed industry, and the systems that turn leads into loyal customers.The conversation digs into what buyers actually value: clean builds, fast fixes, and a brand that stands behind its work. Ron shares how process tweaks move from whiteboard to workflow without weeks of wheel-spinning, while Gary explains why they repair issues in the field even when fault is fuzzy. That choice, echoed by consistent reviews, feeds trust—and trust fuels sales. From there, we go deep on growth: finished “Platinum” units that bridge sheds and ADUs, hurricane-rated engineering and inspections, and a four-year cycle of recertification that keeps teams sharp and products resilient.The digital shift is impossible to ignore. Customers are using AI to find local builders and even the specific salesperson with the best reviews. So the team treats SEO as a must-have, pushes authentic video to humanize the sales process, and streamlines home-to-checkout journeys with configurators, digital contracts, and easy payments. We talk social as pay-to-play, why cadence beats one-off boosts, and how many lots are winning by reducing static inventory and investing in inbound. If you're wondering where the shed industry is headed—think faster content, clearer proof, and products that match how people want to live.Whether you're a dealer, manufacturer, or sales pro, you'll leave with a playbook: ask for reviews by name, ship video weekly, act on customer feedback, and align your line for speed and quality. Subscribe for more candid conversations, share this episode with your team, and leave a review to help other shed pros find the show.For more information or to know more about the Shed Geek Podcast visit us at our website.Would you like to receive our weekly newsletter?  Sign up here.Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube at the handle @shedgeekpodcast.To be a guest on the Shed Geek Podcast visit our website and fill out the "Contact Us" form.To suggest show topics or ask questions you want answered email us at info@shedgeek.com.This episodes Sponsors:Studio Sponsor: Shed ProShed ChallengerLuxGuardMaking Sales SimpleCAL

Japan has a bar for people thinking of quitting their job and they drink for free. Alabama passing a bill requiring reporting parents of kids that smell like marijuana. French hospital evacuated after patient turns up with WWI artillery shell inside his rectum. // Weird AF News is the only daily weird news podcast in the world. Weird news 5 days/week and on Friday it's only Floridaman. SUPPORT by joining the Weird AF News Patreon http://patreon.com/weirdafnews - OR buy Jonesy a coffee at http://buymeacoffee.com/funnyjones Buy MERCH: https://weirdafnews.merchmake.com/ - Check out the official website https://WeirdAFnews.com and FOLLOW host Jonesy at http://instagram.com/funnyjones - wants Jonesy to come perform standup comedy in your city? Fill out the form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfvYbm8Wgz3Oc2KSDg0-C6EtSlx369bvi7xdUpx_7UNGA_fIw/viewform

Ever had a client say, “If it's not broken, don't fix it,” while you stare at a rusted filter and a pump on life support? We've been there. This episode breaks down the real-world tactics we use to manage budget-conscious pool owners without sacrificing water quality, service standards, or our sanity. From aging equipment that “still runs” to two-hour runtimes in peak summer, we unpack where to accommodate and where to draw a hard line.We start with the classic dilemmas: old pumps, rebuild-only requests, and short warranties that shift risk onto your shoulders. Then we move into strategy. We explain why automatic cleaners are a cornerstone of our business model, how they slash vacuum time and keep pools clean between visits, and what to offer when clients hate the look of hoses in a designer pool. We also tackle runtime math—why circulation beats chemical band-aids—and show you how to present costs and benefits in clear, simple terms that build trust.We round it out with boundaries that protect both sides. You'll hear our policy for DIY filter cleaning and how to handle missed cleanings without drama, plus the exact offboarding language we use when a client won't align with the basics. The theme is simple: set expectations, document options, and know when to walk away. If 10 percent of your clients create 90 percent of your stress, pruning that 10 percent can make your route faster, cleaner, and far more profitable.If you're ready to streamline your pool service, reduce callbacks, and work with clients who value your expertise, this conversation lays out the playbook. • defining budget-conscious clients and why they strain service• examples of old equipment, rebuilds, and warranty limits• bending where it helps versus where it harms• runtime minimums and why chemicals can't replace circulation• automatic cleaners as a core business rule• aesthetic objections and robotic alternatives• DIY filter cleaning pitfalls and firm maintenance policies• graceful offboarding scripts to avoid conflict• the 10 pSend us a textSupport the Pool Guy Podcast Show Sponsors! HASA https://bit.ly/HASAThe Bottom Feeder. Save $100 with Code: DVB100https://store.thebottomfeeder.com/Try Skimmer FREE for 30 days:https://getskimmer.com/poolguy Get UPA Liability Insurance $64 a month! https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBAPool Guy Coaching: https://bit.ly/40wFE6y

Grab Jeff Dudan's book Discernment  Most “everyday” brands don't lose because they're bad… they lose because they're forgettable. In this episode of Unemployable, Jeff Dudan sits down with Brittany Hodak—author of Creating Super Fans and creator of the SUPER framework—to break down how service businesses (home + property services included) can stop competing like commodities and start building real advocacy. You'll hear why “being great at the job” is just the floor, how small experience decisions change referrals, and why the brands that win are the ones people remember—and recommend. What you'll learn: What a “super fan” actually is (and why it's bigger than referrals) Why apathy is the silent killer for service brands The SUPER framework: Story, Understand, Personalize, Exceed, Repeat How experience beats price in crowded categories Why trust + word of mouth matter even more in the age of AI Learn more from Brittany: Masterclass Website: https://brittanyhodak.com About Brittany Brittany is the author of Creating Super Fans and a keynote speaker helping brands build loyalty and advocacy through intentional experience design. Download Discernment here Learn more about Jeff Dudan HOMEFRONT BRANDS #CustomerExperience #BrandLoyalty #SuperFans #WordOfMouthMarketing #ReferralMarketing #HomeServices #FranchiseBusiness #SmallBusinessGrowth #ServiceBusiness #MarketingStrategy #BusinessLeadership #Entrepreneurship #BrandStrategy #CustomerRetention #UnemployablePodcast Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Great customer experience doesn't lose customers to competitors—it loses them to apathy. And it creates superfans when ownership of the experience is clear. In this episode of The Modern Customer, customer experience speaker and author Brittany Hodak explains what actually turns customers into superfans—and why tools, automation, and AI alone aren't enough. Drawing on her work with organizations like American Express, Benihana, and Keller Williams, she shows why ownership, accountability, and human judgment drive lasting loyalty.

Ross Correia is the Co-founder and CEO of Reactiv, an AI-powered mobile commerce platform. Under his leadership, Reactiv has raised significant seed funding and forged partnerships with major retail brands. Before Reactiv, Ross held sales and leadership roles at companies, including Shopify. He has also been named to Forbes' 30 Under 30 list for retail and e-commerce.  In this episode… Most e-commerce brands believe they own their customers — until ad costs spike, algorithms shift, or attribution breaks overnight. When growth depends on rented attention, even healthy revenue can hide fragile foundations. What allows brands to build durable growth and real customer relationships in an increasingly noisy digital world? Mobile app builder Ross Correia maintains that the strongest brands focus on ownership over optimization — prioritizing direct relationships, reducing friction at every touchpoint, and meeting customers where and when they're most receptive. Brands should stop over-optimizing short-term metrics, design experiences that feel native to how people use their phones, personalize outreach thoughtfully, and choose long-term trust over quick wins. The result is sustainable growth rooted in loyalty, not volatility. In this episode of the Up Arrow Podcast, William Harris talks with Ross Correia, Co-founder and CEO of Reactiv, about building owned customer channels in e-commerce. Ross explains why paid ads create hidden risk, how mobile-first experiences increase retention, and what it takes to build a company — and culture — by choosing the difficult but durable path.

There are four core aspects of business development in auto repair: in-person, email, phone, and social selling. In-person relationships will always matter most, but they only scale so far. Harris Fanaroff, founder and CEO of Linked Revenue, explains that shops lean on email because it is easy, avoid cold calls because they are uncomfortable, and dismiss LinkedIn because it feels difficult to master. That blind spot is costing shops real opportunities to build trust and grow.In this episode of Maximum Octane, Kim Hickey and Jason Patel sit down with Harris Fanaroff to break down what he calls the fourth route to market. Harris explains why LinkedIn works differently from other platforms, why executives and ideal customers already live there, and why most shops completely ignore it. He shares a practical blueprint for using LinkedIn to stay top of mind, attract higher-quality customers, recruit better talent, and build genuine relationships without sending generic messages or relying on automation.The conversation delves into founder-led content, why authenticity matters more than volume, and how consistent thought leadership distinguishes shops that blend in from those that stand out. Harris also explains how to track real ROI from LinkedIn activity, why AI should support your voice instead of replacing it, and how a shop owner can dominate a local market simply by showing up where competitors refuse to spend time.Tune in to episode 136 of Maximum Octane if you are tired of crowded marketing channels and want a smarter way to reach the right customers. Let us help you change how you think about LinkedIn and your role as a shop owner.Episode Takeaways04:50 The four routes to business development and why LinkedIn is the most underused06:30 Why most sales teams over-rely on email and avoid harder but better channels07:20 How consistent LinkedIn content creates long-term separation from competitors08:15 Why your ideal auto repair customers already spend time on LinkedIn10:00 How LinkedIn supports both customer acquisition and technician recruiting11:05 A simple local LinkedIn strategy shop owners can implement immediately12:10 Why connecting with local executives beats mass marketing every time14:30 How LinkedIn replaces old school networking groups at scale17:05 Why founder-led content outperforms generic shop marketing19:10 How Harris creates content without ghostwriting or losing authenticity20:30 The three parts of a LinkedIn system that actually produce ROI22:30 Why tracking real people matters more than vanity metrics25:00 The right way to use AI without sounding fake27:15 Why most shops quit too early and never see results32:15 Why holiday posts do nothing and executive visibility changes everythingConnect with Harris Fanaroff:WebsiteLinkedInInstagramXLet's connect:WebsiteLinkedInFacebookEmail: info@maximumoctane.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Grab Jeff Dudan's book Discernment  Most “everyday” brands don't lose because they're bad… they lose because they're forgettable. In this episode of Unemployable, Jeff Dudan sits down with Brittany Hodak—author of Creating Super Fans and creator of the SUPER framework—to break down how service businesses (home + property services included) can stop competing like commodities and start building real advocacy. You'll hear why “being great at the job” is just the floor, how small experience decisions change referrals, and why the brands that win are the ones people remember—and recommend. What you'll learn: What a “super fan” actually is (and why it's bigger than referrals) Why apathy is the silent killer for service brands The SUPER framework: Story, Understand, Personalize, Exceed, Repeat How experience beats price in crowded categories Why trust + word of mouth matter even more in the age of AI Learn more from Brittany: Masterclass Website: https://brittanyhodak.com About Brittany Brittany is the author of Creating Super Fans and a keynote speaker helping brands build loyalty and advocacy through intentional experience design. Download Discernment here Learn more about Jeff Dudan HOMEFRONT BRANDS #CustomerExperience #BrandLoyalty #SuperFans #WordOfMouthMarketing #ReferralMarketing #HomeServices #FranchiseBusiness #SmallBusinessGrowth #ServiceBusiness #MarketingStrategy #BusinessLeadership #Entrepreneurship #BrandStrategy #CustomerRetention #UnemployablePodcast Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This is the 4PM All-Local update on Tuesday, February 3rd.

Retain your customers and get repeat bookings by creating a Disney-level experience at your indoor playground business or play cafe business!Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/S5mc-itOHukWhat if the reason families don't rebook birthday parties, memberships, or repeat visits isn't your pricing, marketing, or competition—but your customer experience systems?In this episode, I'm joined by Vance Morris, a former Disney leader who spent over a decade designing and operating guest experiences at Disney—and now helps brick-and-mortar businesses create raving fans for life without overspending or burning out.This conversation is especially relevant for indoor playground and play café owners who are:...Facing increased local competition...Frustrated with always chasing new leads...Tired of the social media hamster-wheel and getting new customers in the door each day...Competing against chains or copycat concepts...Relying heavily on birthday parties for revenue...Trying to stand out without discounts or constant promotionsIn this interview, we cover:...Why customer retention beats customer acquisition for play businesses...How Disney delivers consistent, magical experiences using systems—not perfect staff...The biggest mistake small businesses make when training employees...How scripts, SOPs, and onboarding create freedom instead of rigidity...Low-cost ways to create tellable moments that drive referrals...How experience impacts party rebookings and guest-to-customer conversion...What indoor playground owners should focus on after the party endsVance also shares real examples of how small changes—many costing little to nothing—can dramatically increase repeat business and lifetime customer value.If you want families talking about your business, choosing you over competitors, and coming back year after year, this episode will completely shift how you think about experience.Resources & Links:Download: 52 Ways to Wow Your Customer Without Breaking the BankLearn more about Vance: vancemorris.comMore ways to implement Disney magic at your play cafe: https://bit.ly/3M7MVFUOTHER RESOURCES:Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers SocietyGetting Started With Your Play Cafe [YouTube Video Playlist]What's Working In The Indoor Play Industry 2025 GuideFund Your Indoor Play Business [Free Training]Indoor Play Courses & 1:1 Consulting WaitlistMichele's InstagramMichele's WebsitePlay Cafe Academy YouTube ChannelETSY Template ShopPrepare Your Indoor Playground For a RecessionPlay Cafe Academy & Play Makers SocietyQuestions and Support: Support@michelecaruana.com TOOLS & OTHER LINKS:Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society: http://bit.ly/3HES7fDQuestions and Support: Support@michelecaruana.com Simplify and Scale with 50% OFF WellnessLivingActive Campaign Free TrialFree Demo of Aluvii All-In-One POS

Most small business owners treat marketing like throwing spaghetti at the wall. You try Facebook ads. You update your website. You send out newsletters. Sometimes it works. Mostly it doesn't. And you have no idea why. Joanna Wiebe has a different approach: treat marketing like an engineering system, not a creative guessing game. As the founder of Copy Hackers, Joanna has spent years helping businesses build what she calls a "Copy Selling System". A repeatable assembly line that moves prospects from complete strangers to paying customers. No more random tactics. No more copying what worked for someone else's business. Just a structured, measurable process that works for YOUR customers. The Fatal Flaw in Most Marketing Here's the mistake almost every small business makes: they skip straight to talking about their product features. You've got a great service. You know all the bells and whistles. So naturally, you lead with those details, right? Wrong. Your prospects aren't ready to hear about your features yet. They don't even know they have a problem you can solve. Or if they do know they have a problem, they're still exploring different types of solutions. Joanna breaks down the journey every buyer takes through five distinct stages of awareness – and your message needs to match where they are in that journey. Jump ahead too fast, and you lose them. The Single Question That Changes Everything Want to know the secret to writing copy that actually resonates? Stop making it up and start listening. Joanna's team uses a brilliantly simple system: a one-question survey that appears on confirmation pages right after someone takes action. "What was going on in your life that brought you to [action] today?" That's it. One question. But the responses? Pure gold. People tell you their exact pain points, in their own words, at the exact moment they're most optimistic about solving their problem. This isn't feedback from angry customers on their way out. This is insight from engaged prospects who just voted with their wallet. This voice-of-customer data becomes the foundation for every piece of marketing you create. You're not guessing what matters to your audience. They're telling you directly. Make Your Solution Unforgettable Here's a five-minute exercise that could transform your positioning: Name the specific problem you solve. Not a general category, the exact issue your customers face. Name the specific mechanism in your service that solves it. What's the unique approach, process, or "secret sauce" that makes your solution work? Joanna calls these your "Unique Problem Mechanism" and "Unique Solution Mechanism." When you can articulate both clearly, you create a memorable, defensible position in the market. Think about Lucky Strike's "It's toasted" or TurboTax's "Refund Calculator." These aren't just taglines – they're named mechanisms that explain exactly how the product solves a specific problem. What's yours? Why AI Makes This Even More Critical With ChatGPT and other AI tools flooding the market with generic copy, standing out has never been more important, or more difficult. AI can write copy. But it can't interview your customers. It can't identify the specific pain points that drive your buyers. It can't build a systematic process that fits your business model. That's where you come in. The businesses that win in this new landscape won't be the ones with the fanciest AI prompts. They'll be the ones with the strongest systems, the deepest customer insights, and the clearest positioning.

https://youtu.be/knpxJ7KATsU Joshua McMahon, President of McMahon Custom Homes and a business coach, is driven by a purpose he discovered the hard way: money wasn't his ‘Why.' His real ‘Why' is lifting others—helping people find clarity around their purpose, unlock their potential, and gain traction toward it. We explore Josh's journey from C-suite construction leadership and integrator roles to building his own company as an “evolved visionary.” Josh shares his Satisfaction Pyramid, explaining how customer experience is created upstream through brand awareness, team support, trade partner support, and training, which together produce the outcome every builder (and business) is chasing: customer satisfaction. Along the way, he breaks down why the construction industry struggles with talent, how coaching becomes a competitive advantage, and why McMahon Custom Homes wins through transparency, collaboration, and guiding clients to align budget with what truly matters. — Take 5 Steps to Satisfy Customers with Josh McMahon Good day, dear listeners. Steve Preda here, the Founder of the Summit OS group and the host of Management Blueprint. And my guest today is Joshua McMahon, the president of McMahon Custom Homes and a business coach. Although I don’t know how much time you have for that these days, josh. Welcome to the show.  Yeah, thanks for having me, Steve. We go a long way back, so it’s an honor to be a business owner and now be on your show.  Well, yeah, you are a business owner. In your previous, recent life, you was an integrator, a COO of a business. So you’ve been running construction businesses and have been C-level in other construction businesses, where we also collaborated. So we have been tracking each other’s journey, for sure. So, Josh, let’s start with my favorite question. What is your personal ‘Why’, and how are you manifesting it in your business?  Yeah. I think this is always a great question. And the real truth of this question, Steve, is that I didn’t know what it was for so long. I thought my personal ‘Why’ was just to make more money. And every time I made more money, I was just more miserable. I was never happy. So my ‘Why’ was never money. I really think my ‘Why’ is all about lifting others. And what I mean by that is I have this ability to extract other people's 'Why' and their purpose from them, help them better see that, get clarity around it and then help them get traction to go attack that 'Why'.Share on X And that’s really my ‘Why’, is to help other, lift other people to really achieve their greatness. So I get a lot of energy and joy from boosting others, and watching that untapped potential really take off.  That is fabulous. And I can see that, as a business coach, that's really very appealing to people when you can do that. How does it manifest in your construction business? You have these Custom Homes construction business, how does that help you there?  And this is where it was really born. So in the C-suite and as I grew in my business, the one part that you have to do is you have to know how to recruit. At least, I had to know how to recruit. And in order to recruit, you have to find the right talent at the right price. And what I was really looking for was that potential. I was looking for the right attitude—the right hunger. I was looking for those right pieces that I could make you a construction individual. I could make you a great construction manager, but I couldn’t fix those other things. And so when I could tap into that and take and help somebody see the vision of what I could do and what our company could help you do in your career, that’s where I was able to really take and 10X my recruiting ability, but also to really tap into that untapped talent that’s out there. Because, Steve, we have a hard time finding talent in the construction industry. Well, the talent’s out there. What’s making it hard is that we don’t recognize that talent, and we’re saying, you’ve got to be this perfect candidate. You've got to fit all these marks. You've got to check all the boxes.And I’m saying, no. I just need you to check a few boxes. I'm going to help you see how you can really fit into this organization and how we can help you thrive. So that's where my ability to see that in them, help them see that in themselves, and then help them tie it to our vision as a company. That's where it really gets a lot of fun.Share on X Yeah. It’s so interesting that it’s not just about doing the job, but it’s about being emotionally invested in doing the job. And how do you get your people emotionally invested? You have to find the motivation that they have inherently that you can tap into, and then you have to make your business attractive so that it inspires them, so that they feel excited to work with you there. That’s exactly what you’re trying to do. It’s like you’re not trying to fool anybody on anything, but to think people just get excited to come do work, or just do the job, or just collect the paycheck. If that’s your motivation, that’s the type of candidate you’re going to get. Then what type of culture do you have? So if you flip that and you say, “Hey, we want to help you  transform who you are, transform your career for the better, and it’s going to help us get to our vision. Well, Steve, that sounds like a win-win scenario to me. And that’s a really appealing piece. And that’s a thriving culture.  Yeah, culture eats strategy for breakfast, as Peter Drucker said. And especially in the age of AI, it's probably even more important, isn't it, that you have a great culture, because AI can copy everything, but it won't be able to copy your culture.  No, that's exactly right. I think AI is a great tool. It’s really going to help us magnify and improve our businesses. But if your culture is broken, AI is just going to magnify the brokenness of your culture, and then AI’s going to tell your people how to go find another job. That is probably true. I haven’t thought about that. So you developed this framework, we are a podcast of frameworks. I’m always looking for the framework and and you talked about this Satisfaction Pyramid framework. Yeah. Is this also something that helps create that culture? Tell me a little bit about this pyramid and how did you come up with it and what does it do?  Yeah, it’s an interesting thing, right? So you understand Maslow's hierarchy of needs. These are the things you need for survival and for happiness. And I've said, look, in home building, we've always talked about customer experience and customer satisfaction. We want people to be happy. And I'm saying, well, I don't know what that means. I don't know—if I hit my schedule, if I hit my budget, if I do everything on time, but they're still not happy—so what exactly am I missing? What's the missing link?  And kind of tying the hierarchy of needs to this triangle of customer satisfaction or happiness, I found that there are some really key fundamental pieces that we've got to lock into place to really get to the customer satisfaction and customer experience that we're seeking. For me, I think brand awareness is first. If your brand awareness is out there and it's really strong, people are going to gravitate towards it organically.Share on X That’s going to decrease your SEO spend, you decrease your marketing, decrease your turnover for people, because people want to be part of that. The interesting story on brands — and I don't know how true it is, I meant to look it up before this — but I saw something on social media about Tommy Hilfiger. And before he launched his clothing brand, he didn't have anything, but his brand was so far out in front of himself that people thought this was this great designer, and he hadn't designed anything. And it was all tied to that piece of brand. So if your brand is strong enough, you can do incredible things. So I think brand is super important.  Yeah. Let me just interject here. So probably 20 years ago, I was working with a company, and it was actually in the construction space. It was in the environmental construction space. And this company had an amazing brand. So the founder was a great thought leader, and he was blogging and talking in forums. And I really thought that this company's got to be a $50 million company. I mean, they're so powerful. And then they invited me to their board as a board member. I said, “Wow, this is such an honor.” This big company. And it turned out it was just a $5 million company. But the brand was so powerful that they looked much bigger.  Yeah. And that statement, that’s an appealing thing. So if you think of yourself as a high level achiever, an A-player, and you are gravitating to that brand, that’s what it’s going to do. You're going to bring in the right people, and then if you've got the right culture and the right other pieces, you're going to stick around with that company.Share on X So a $5 million company can look like a $50 million company and be really attractive to people that are interested in that type of world. Yeah. Super important. Love that story. The second thing for me is team support. This is where I really saw in my career as I grew. I can tell you, my first construction job at the construction management level, my VP of construction told me, and this is 20 plus years ago, I haven't forgotten it — he said, “My leadership style is to give you just enough rope to hang yourself.” And to this day, I have no idea what the heck that means. But what he did show me was he wasn’t going to support me. He wasn’t going to encourage me. He wasn’t going to help me grow. He was basically going to let me swim in the deep end. And if I made it, great. And if I didn’t, no problem — there's another guy behind me. And that’s the mentality of the construction industry. And what I said was, we do a great job of spending money for our sales team. Sales team needs training, we’ll spend the money on training. If the executives need training, we’ll spend the money on training.  But who’s training the middle managers? Who’s training the young men and women coming into the industry? Who’s training the people who don’t have the experience? There’s a big myth in that world. So I think from an internal standpoint — and mind you, coaching is a buzzword right now, just as leadership is — not everybody's a coach, and not everybody's a leader, and that's okay. But if you do have somebody who can coach on your team, and you can coach your team up internally, it’s a very big value add. And so for me, my coaching ability has been a real value add for people that I've recruited, for people I've had on my team, and people I've really invested in and helped grow.Share on X And quick story on coaching. I interviewed this young candidate, I mean, really good-looking kid. He had tons of talent, education, everything he needed, but no construction experience. Still, he had all the right soft skills. And it came down between our company and one of the big national builders. And typically, you’d go to the national builders, more money, more upside, more advantages. And he asked me, the last question he asked me, he said, “Why would I come work for you guys versus this other company?” I said, “Because they don't have me.” I said, I’m not saying this is an arrogant thing to say. I’m saying that I’m going to pour everything from me into you and help take you to where you want to go. You won’t get that anywhere else. Because when we’re done after three years, you can go anywhere you want. And that young man is currently making almost as much as I was making as a C-suite employee, and he’s out in the field running projects. And that’s only like a three or five year period. Like that’s incredible growth, but it’s because of the investment we made in him.  Yeah. There's this saying — I think it's Zig Ziglar — that people don't invest in their people, they don't coach their people, because they're afraid that they’re going to go away to the competition. And then Zig Ziglar asks, “Okay, but isn't there a greater risk that you don’t coach them and and they stay?”  Yes. This is always the thing. And I think a lot of people have a scarcity mindset where they’re so afraid of, if I pour into you, you’re going to go and you’re going to take it somewhere else. What I say is, I’m okay with that. Because when you go somewhere else, you're going to say, “Josh McMahon built me up. He gave me the foundation for my career. He put me in the position I’m in today. I have what I have because of my start. You should go there and get the training from him. There’s no sham e in that because, again, we go back to point number one: brand. That’s tight. That’s my brand out in front of our company that adds value to our company.  So I started my career at KPMG, and one of the ideas they had was this pyramid structure — up or out. But the idea was to take care of the people that even when they leave, they become ambassadors for you on the client side. And then they’re going to convince the client to hire KPMG to be their auditor. And I really like this.  It’s so special, right? Because what you, I mean, Steve, you think about this, we worked together two or three years ago. We still stayed in touch. Even though there’s no financial gain, we still help each other where we can because I want the best for you, as you want the best for me. And that’s what you’re really looking for.  Yeah, that’s true. And the thing about coaching is you have the double benefit, because the company benefits because it has motivated employees who are performing at the higher level than when they came in, and at a higher level than where you hired them, frankly. Correct.  And then they are building a career. So they are building a career equity for themselves. And actually that’s why you get a better ROI on these people, because they have more career equity, they have more skill level than what you have to pay them because you are growing them.  That’s exactly right. You’re building into those individuals that generational wealth that most of us are seeking, or think is out of reach. It's there. We just need somebody to believe in us, and that’s really that piece. The third thing for me, especially in construction, it’s the trade partners. And when I think about it, as a general contractor, look—I'm wearing a collared shirt. You're not going to see me on the job site swinging a hammer. I’m out there with the building plans. I’m verifying things. I'm scheduling. I'm doing more management-level work. That means my trade partners are carrying the lion’s share of the work that actually goes into place. And as a construction company, we don’t make money unless work goes in place.  So I have to do the same thing I'm doing with my internal staff with my trade partners. I have to build them up. I have to elevate them. I have to put them in a position to win.Share on X And this is very basic—schedule accurately. Treat them like people. Treat them with respect. When you go on the job, support them. Listen to their feedback. So if they’re sharing something that’s not working, listen to it with an open mind. And maybe we can do something different, or we can explain why we can't do something different, so they have a better understanding of the ‘Why’ behind what we’re doing. Yeah.  So the trade partners is my next big pillar.  And it’s harder to manage trade partners. I mean, I’m not in the construction, but it’s going to be harder because they are part-time with you. They have other commitments that they have to observe. They don’t wear your brand. They are being paid by someone else who may have a different corporate culture than your company has. And you have to bring them in part-time and make them as good as your standard.  Yes. The hard thing is you have to share with them your vision first. This is who we are. This is what we stand for. Share with them your core values. And then build them up and show them that they’re truly a partner in this. Most of us don’t treat them like partners. We treat them like subcontractors. We treat them like they're inferior individuals—less than me. And I think they can work for you part-time and do that. And you’re absolutely right. But if we treat them like people, we build them up, they’ll be there. Because I want to treat them in a way where, hey, you might be a great plumber, but you’re a terrible business person, and I can maybe help you better understand. I say this because I'm working with a young plumber who's bidding things, and he’s just all over the place. And I'm saying, “Hey, how did you come to this number?” “Well, I just know I need to make X dollars.” And I'm like, “Well, how do you know how much money you need to make? What's your break-even number? What's your overhead burden?” Starting to help him better understand how to break down the P&L, how to charge the right margin on the job so that you’re getting work as consistently as you want, but most importantly, so you can grow your business and continue to support my business as it grows too.Share on X Yeah, you want to create stability for them as well. And if you treat subcontractor well, then they’re going to prioritize you, won't they? So they have other customers that may not treat them as well. You’re going to get the most of the energy from them if you treat them well. And that’s also a huge benefit for your business. There’s nothing lost in that, right? Again, you’ve got brand ambassadors out there talking about, one, this guy builds a great house. He treats everybody great. You made the right choice buying with with McMahon Custom Homes. Because, Steve, if you’ve ever been on a job site, the trades will tell people what they feel, whether it’s good or bad. Yeah. So you are getting it no matter what.  Yeah. You go and you look at the construction site and ask around, and then you will get exactly the kind of general contractor you may be dealing with.  Yes. I mean, absolutely. We love to talk, and so you want people talking about good things and talking up your business and what’s happening in the field, and that’s extremely valuable. Okay, so step number one, brand awareness. We talked about that. Then supporting the team. Yes. So that they feel that they are growing and they are recognized as individuals, that you care about them. Yeah. Then the same goes with the trade partners. You support them even though they’re not your employees.  Yes.  What’s step four?  Yeah. Step four is training. Okay. And training, I think of training in terms of systems that you’re putting in place. Constant, never-ending improvement on those systems. Systems are not static, so training is a nonstop thing that we've got to continue investing in and keep helping to grow our team. So constant process improvement. Having KPIs in place, or metrics in place. And the reason for those metrics is simply where do we need to focus our attention? What levers do we need to pull? And then I go back to the training. So then we train up on metrics that maybe aren’t working the way that we want them to, or we’re not getting the result that we want to get out of them. That’s where the training really comes into place. And if we don't have that training in-house, what stuff outside of the company can we get them into? What type of training do they need to level them up? Because as I think about training, Steve, most of us think you’ve got to fit every box, you’ve got to be the perfect candidate. But you and I both know that I’m good at three out of the five things, and you’re good at two out of the five things. So we make a damn good team together. And that’s okay, and we need to better learn how to cross-train each other, level one another up, and then find those right tools.Share on X  Absolutely. Okay, so what’s the final piece of the flywheel?  Yeah. Well, I feel like if you're doing all these things, brand awareness, team support, trade partner support, and the right training, and you're doing this continuous basis, you're going to have customer satisfaction.Share on X That’s exactly what you want. You’re going to create that customer experience because look, at the end of the day, we’re only here because of the customer. If the customer’s not interested in buying my product, I don’t have a business. And so all of these pieces drive that customer experience. That’s what continues driving who I am. One thing I’m really focused on with customer satisfaction and experience is having good specifications written down. I think yes, we’re a custom home builder, but I have minimum standards that I want to achieve.  So I have the minimum standards. Now, if your budget says, “Hey, we can't quite reach that level,” well, we can certainly reduce our standard. And when I say reduce our standard, I don’t mean cut a corner. I mean change from, say, a Kohler faucet down to a Delta faucet. It’s still a great faucet. It’s still a great brand. Maybe just not the same brand that I would use at this level of home. Or we can go the complete opposite direction and elevate that standard. But just having that set in place, so that if I say, “Steve, this home's going to cost you $1.2 million,” and you're like, “Oh, great. Well, the other builder's $1.3 million, so you've got a better price,” okay, great. But what goes into the price? What are you getting for the price? So if I have those minimum standards baked in, I can tell you, This is what you're going to get for $1.2 million. Now we can go in and customize it and make it your home. Having clear expectations. How important are clear expectations even in our coaching business, right? And it’s not just clear expectations from me to you, it’s clear expectations from you to me. I need to understand what your expectations are. I need to know that I can achieve your expectations. And I think that if I believe I can’t, I need to be honest and say, look, I’m not the right builder for you. I’m not the right business for you. But here are..  Or maybe your expectations are not realistic. Sometimes, for the budget you have, you need to make some trade-offs. Maybe you can have this man cave, but you'll have to cut back on the kitchen, and you’ll have to discuss it with your wife. And that’s really key. So the thing that I love about being a custom builder is that my focus is on collaboration.Share on X If you say, “Hey Josh, the budget comes in at $1.2 million, but I really want to be at $1 million,” okay, great Steve. I’m here to collaborate with you and show you ways we can tweak things, pull this down, and future-proof your home. Because I want you to have the home that you want, and in two years you can probably afford that additional $200,000. I don't want to put you in a place where you can easily plug and play that versus oh, now I got to rip out all these walls. I got to redo this. It's not $200,000—it could be $300,000. So that’s where we can collaborate and really find the right pieces to put you in the best position.  That’s very interesting. This whole framework, the culture that you build here. Is this something that connects this whole framework, this idea that you have, how you’re projecting the culture out into the customer service? Is this why you started the McMahon Custom Homes?  It truly is. Well, two parts, Steve. One, I’m an entrepreneur at heart and I have fought this my entire life, and I’ve always thought there was something wrong with me. Why can’t I just get on board? Why can’t I just drink the Kool-Aid? Why can’t I just get in line? And two or three years I go into a company, I do great things, I start rebuilding things, and then I start to get that itch. And then I’m like, okay, I need to go somewhere else. And for a long time I thought it was, well, I’m just moving to a new company to make more money, which was true. I was making more money, but then I wasn’t happy. Again, it was never tied to the money, so it was really just that entrepreneur need. But the second piece was, I've noticed for ten years—a decade—that our industry is in need of a massive transformation. The antiquated way of doing business and how we do things. I think the builder suites and the stuff that we have at our disposal is really good, but it’s not what everybody’s looking for. But I couldn’t tell you, the owner, Hey, we’ve got to scrap this. We need to do this. Because ultimately, even as the integrator, my job is to bring your vision to life. And if this is part of your vision, then I need to bring this to life. And so I started to realize with my entrepreneur spirit and my own ideas, I needed to start developing my own home building business to start bringing some of that to life, to really satisfy who I am and do the things that I wanted.Share on X Yeah, this is so important because, as entrepreneurs, we have this frustration. We are somewhere and things are not going as well as you would like. And we don’t get to tell the boss how to do things because they have their own ideas and their own set ways, and then they just get irritated by all those ideas and they feel like we are just being disgruntled employees, and this frustration eats away at you. And at some point you say, okay, what the heck? I'm just going to rip the Band‑Aid off and try to figure it out, right? It’s very true. I mean, it’s funny now looking back on it because there were so many times where I just didn’t understand. I was like, “What the heck is the matter with me?” But you’re exactly right — you’re going to bang your head against the wall, and not everybody’s cut out to be an entrepreneur, right? I mean, it sounds really great being self-employed, doing your own thing, making your own hours. It sounds great.  But I tell you something, Josh, not everyone is cut out to be an employee either.  No doubt, Steve. So true.  So it’s the other side of the coin. I think many of us become entrepreneurs because we basically eliminate all the viable alternatives.  Yeah. Burn all the boats, right?  Yeah.  I think there’s so much value in this. The second time we really got introduced and got to work together, you introduced me to the book Second in Command by Cameron Herold. I’m a  Cameron Herold fan in the Second in Command book, and I read that book and I said, “Man, this is me. I can do this.” I love being more in the shadows, helping a visionary grow their business, and doing all that stuff. What happened was, I started to really enjoy being out there, networking, putting myself out, and getting in front of people.  And I was like, well, I’m a visionary. I can see what’s going on in the future. And I think I was more of a visionary than the person who said he was a visionary. So it was really like, then we’re clashing heads on which vision are we chasing. And I’m like, I got to get outta here because I’m steering you away from what you want to do, and that’s not fair to you.  I think there are two major types of visionaries. There are the born visionaries, and then there are the evolved visionaries. So you have the born visionary who is a visionary because they are just not able to execute, but they can come up with all the big ideas. And if they find people who can execute for them, they're in luck, and they might build a company. And then you have the evolved visionary who starts out doing the work, grinding, figuring things out, teaching themselves discipline and work ethic. And then they start to manage people because they’re doing it better, so they get more responsibility, and then they become an integrator or operator. And at some point, they want to come out of the cocoon and do it themselves. And maybe you’re that version of it, the evolved visionary.  You summed that up perfectly because that's exactly how this whole thing transpired.  Love it. So tell me about, what makes McMahon Custom Homes unique? Beyond the culture—is it the culture that makes you unique, or is there something else? From the eyes of the customer, what makes you unique?  I don’t know that it’s our culture that makes us unique. I think what really makes us unique is our process—how we do things. We start everything with an initial consultation, just myself meeting with the homebuyers. Typically, it's a virtual meeting where I want to learn more about your project. I’m interested in what you want to build, what your expectations are, what your non-negotiables are, and I just really explore everything under the sun about your project.  Then I'm going to ask the dreaded question: what's your ideal budget? Most—or a lot of—people say, “You know what, I don't want to give the budget. So I'll say, “Okay, what budget number scares you?” Because as a custom home builder, I’m going to help you design the home that you want for the price that you want. But I’m going to also share with you if it’s not possible. If you have a home design that's more than what your budget is, I'm going to share that with you in real time, as soon as I can. So I'm very transparent. And I learned this from working in my past, where we wouldn't share those numbers with clients. We had a client where we were a million dollars over their ideal budget. It was six to eight months of working with them and about $25,000 in actual costs. I don't need to tell you—the homeowner was not pleased, and the homeowner did not pay that bill.  So that was a major lost opportunity in the build, but also the opportunity cost and how much time we spent on it. I learned from that and said, “Hey, I don't want to do that. I don't need every buyer to be a yes. If I'm a good fit for you, and I'm a good builder for you, great—let's go.Share on X I want to build your house. I’m excited about building homes for people. But I don't need to build everybody's house, because for some people, it's just not the right fit. So for me, I'm your guide in this process. And that's what I really pride myself in. You want to build a home, I’m going to guide you through this process, help you with each step of the way. Help you with the county side, the field side. I’m here to guide you through that whole thing. We really work towards your budget, your ideal budget. We build it out. We’re very transparent. A lot of clarity on what we’re doing, where we can collaborate, where we can maybe say, Hey, instead of $80,000 tile package, we can get a $45,000 tile package. Because we’re really looking for what’s your vision for it.  Yeah.  What do you want to see? How do you want to feel? And we can help you pull that together.  Yeah, I think that’s very interesting, because I can see that there is value being created when you have an empathetic CEO who runs the business. You, in that case, who really gets to feel what the lifestyle of the individual is, what their vision is. You help them paint the picture so that you see it as well, and then you measure each element in proportion to their desires. Because maybe they want something like a really flashy countertop in the kitchen, but they really don’t care about what the deck is going to look like. Maybe it’s a stup*d example. And when someone buys, I don’t know, a standard home, then you are going to pay for stuff that you really don’t care about, and you are not going to get the stuff that uniquely is important to you. And with that approach that you’re doing, you are measuring everything to the right degree, and it’s going to be a perfectly balanced meal for the customer. That’s a great way of looking at it. That’s exactly right. And the deck versus man cave or versus this, that’s exactly the right way to look at it. A deck is a great add-on. It can be done anytime in the build. It can be done anytime. It's a minimal barrier to entry. Well, something on the inside of the house, the kitchen, the showstopper kitchen, that’s a different story, right? Because now you're impacting your life. You’re changing things. If we understand that the kitchen is a really prime target, then we want to make sure we commit enough money to that area. We want to make sure we commit enough design hours to that area. And maybe other areas are like, “Hey, minimum standard's great with us.” Perfect. Done.  Yeah. We only sleep in the bedroom, we don’t do anything else.  Exactly. Great point.  Which is a problem in itself. Anyhow, if someone would like to learn more and maybe learn your ideas—maybe they want to be coached by you, or they want to learn about McMahon Custom Homes, what it takes to align with your vision—and particularly if they're in Central Virginia where you work, where should they reach out and where can they find you? Yeah, so several different places. McMahonCustomHomesLLC.com is our website, so you can certainly find us there. We have an active Instagram account, McMahon Custom Homes. I have an active Facebook account, again, McMahon Custom Homes. I do have a LinkedIn account, McMahon Custom Homes, LLC. Also for myself, my wife and I host a bi-monthly podcast. We took a year hiatus, and we just started again in 2026. Our podcast is not on McMahon Custom Homes, but it's really about the construction industry, different things that you experience, and really just giving back and trying to help others learn from maybe stuff that we did or things that we’re experiencing. My wife is a designer. I'm the home builder, so you kind of get a good mixed bag. And that's Feed Me Your Construction Content, if you're ever interested in tuning into that.  Yeah. And if you would like to see what a collaboration between Josh and his wife looks like, then check out his website,  McMahon Custom Homes. You can check out his house, or their house, that they built together. And it’s a beautiful house.  Yeah. Thank you.  It's a good place to start. Josh, loved it. I loved your content. Really interesting how you created the Satisfaction Pyramid in construction. I think that parallel applies to other businesses as well. Obviously, the elements are slightly different, but brand awareness, supporting the team, supporting your partners, training your people, pouring into them, and then creating that customer satisfaction are important in any industry. So thank you. If you enjoyed listening to this show, make sure you follow us on LinkedIn and on YouTube. And stay tuned, because every week I bring an exciting entrepreneur or thought leader on this show. Thank you for coming, Josh, and thanks for listening. Important Links: Josh's LinkedIn McMahon Custom Homes website McMahon Custom Homes LinkedIn

Beth Hendriks talks about Infios: what they do; intelligent supply chain execution; moving AI from hype to outcomes; & what 2026 will bring for the industry.     IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [03.33] An overview of Beth's 30-plus year career and how she learned to balance it with motherhood. "I'm a mother of six, and that gave me a lot of skills to be effective in my everyday job… To balance challenges, to learn to prioritize, and how to have peace in the midst of chaos." [06.07] An overview of Infios and what they do, and what their recent mergers and acquisitions mean for their customers. "Being data-driven is crucial because, as we get into things like AI, it's only as good as the data that feeds it." "For our customers, the acquisitions translate into broader functionality with less integration complexity, so they benefit from a more connected platform that allows them to align inventory, fulfilment and transportation decisions." [08.57] The ideal customer for Infios. [11.06] From poor visibility and slow decision-making to an inability to coordinate across channels, the common challenges Infios customers experience, and how Infios help to solve them by delivering tighter control over planning and execution through unification. "Customers come to Infios when their operational complexity has outgrown either their existing systems or processes and is starting to impact from a cost, service level or scalability perspective." "They want to run a more agile, efficient, resilient supply chain while keeping pace with ongoing disruption and growth." [14.00] What 'intelligent supply chain execution' means, the benefits, and the impact it's driving for Infios customers. [18.04] How Infios' modular technology helps tackle historical tech stack issues and support quicker testing, flexibility, and transformation. "It ultimately results in a supply chain execution platform that evolves with the business, rather than constraining it, and it supports continuous improvement instead of periodic disruptive overhauls." [22.23] Beth's perspective on AI in the current market, the gap between hype and reality, and how Infios is driving AI with purpose. "Many organizations talk about AI in conceptual terms: 'AI is going to help transform my supply chain'… But, in practice, common challenges like fragmented data, legacy systems and unclear ROI means most are still in early stages of adoption." "Hype around AI hasn't fully materialized into broad operational impact." [27.00] A case study exploring how Infios helped a customer struggling with slow order-to-ship cycles and low inventory visibility by implementing an integrated stack that resulted in 70% fewer back orders, a 20% increase in customer satisfaction, and improved delivery accuracy as well as lowered inventory costs. [30.42] Why Infios believe that the future can be better if we make supply chains better, and their vision for moving toward it. "Supply chains quietly shape almost every aspect of modern life – people that aren't familiar with it don't even realize the impact it has." [34.13] What 2026 is going to bring for the industry, and for Infios. "2026 is going to be a year of practical AI adoption, tighter integration and smarter execution." RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:   Head over to Infios' website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Infios and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn or YouTube, or you can connect with Beth on LinkedIn. Check out our other podcasts HERE.

Your company's goldmine? All those meetings and call recordings. It's the fuel that AI needs. But here's the big letdown: those call transcripts only pick up the words. Not what they mean. And the difference? Well…. That can make all the difference. But some new technology might change what's possible. Join us as we talk about it. AI Can Finally Hear What You Actually Mean. What this unlocks — An Everyday AI chat with Jordan Wilson and Modulate's Mike Pappas.Newsletter: Sign up for our free daily newsletterMore on this Episode: Episode PageJoin the discussion on LinkedIn: Thoughts on this? Join the convo on LinkedIn and connect with other AI leaders.Upcoming Episodes: Check out the upcoming Everyday AI Livestream lineupWebsite: YourEverydayAI.comEmail The Show: info@youreverydayai.comConnect with Jordan on LinkedInTopics Covered in This Episode:Modulate Velma Voice Native AI Model OverviewTone, Emotion, and Intent in Voice AIDifferentiating Text vs. True Voice UnderstandingReal-World Voice AI Use Cases in Fraud DetectionSynthetic Voice and Deepfake Detection TechniquesEnsemble Listening Model (ELM) Technology ExplainedVoice AI for Customer Service and SupportTrust, Compliance, and Observability in Voice AI AgentsCost and Scalability Challenges for Voice AIFuture Impact of Voice AI on Customer RelationshipsTimestamps:00:00 "Modulate: AI That Understands Tone"06:15 "AI Use Cases Beyond Gaming"07:13 "Detecting Abuse and Fraud"13:19 Dynamic Model Orchestration Innovation16:22 "Context-Aware AI for Conversations"17:44 "Voice AI Transforming Customer Service"22:49 AI Accountability and Compliance Challenges25:36 AI, Customers, and Brand Trust28:05 "Enhancing Communication Through AI"Keywords: Voice AI, voice native AI, voice understanding, tone detection AI, intent detection, emotional AI, prosody analysis, real-time fraud detection, synthetic voice detection, AI guardrails, deepfake detection, customer support AI, call analysis, Send Everyday AI and Jordan a text message. (We can't reply back unless you leave contact info) Human-Level Voice Intelligence, 100x Faster. Try Velma from Modulate today.  Human-Level Voice Intelligence, 100x Faster. Try Velma from Modulate today. 

Bonnet wearing McDonald's worker shoots at customers