POPULARITY
That Solo Life Episode 343: What Solo PR Pros Need to Know About IP, AI Legal Risk and Building a More Valuable Agency Episode Summary Most solo practitioners have contracts. What they don't have is a strategy. Sharon Toerek, founder and principal of Legal+Creative | Toerek Law, and an intellectual property attorney whose entire practice serves independent marketing, advertising, PR, and creative services agencies, joins Karen and Michelle to make the case she has been making for years — and that most of us have never fully absorbed. Legal protection is not a cost center; it is a profit center. The frameworks you've built, the methodologies you've refined, the media lists you've curated, the processes you've quietly deployed for every client engagement are intellectual property. This means that many of them can be protected, packaged, and monetized. Sharon walks through her IP Triangle framework, breaks down the specific AI legal risks that every solo practitioner using AI tools needs to understand, and closes with the practical advice that runs through everything she does: focus on progress over perfection, start with one thing, and don't wait for the exit to start caring about what you've built. Episode Highlights [04:25] Legal as a Profit Center, Not a Cost: Sharon reframes the entire conversation about legal investment. Most agency owners think about legal as defense — something you pay for when things go wrong. Sharon's argument is different: a well-negotiated client agreement directly impacts the revenue you capture from that relationship. Exclusivity should carry a premium. Payment terms are a negotiating lever, not a formality. And the intellectual property you've built has monetization potential that most solos have never explored. The mindset shift from legal-as-expense to legal-as-revenue-strategy is the foundation of everything that follows. [09:26] You Have IP You Don't Know About: Karen names the pattern that runs through the solo practitioner community: years of developed workflows, methodologies, and frameworks, quietly deployed in every client engagement, never formally recognized as assets. Sharon validates this and introduces the essential caveat: not all IP has equal economic value. The discipline is in the inventory — taking stock of what you have, assessing which of it is genuinely differentiating, and then deciding what to protect and how. [10:44] The IP Triangle: Brand, Content, Transactions: Sharon's framework for assessing and protecting agency IP has three points. Brand: the names, systems, methods, and proprietary products you've developed — protectable through trademark. Content: your media lists, content libraries, proprietary processes, anything that gives you a competitive advantage in your vertical — protectable through trade secret or copyright law, depending on whether it's public-facing. Transactions: the agreements that govern work flowing out of the agency (licenses, deliverables) and into it — critically, the contracts with freelancers and 1099 contractors that determine whether you actually own the work you paid for. Walk through all three. Do the inventory. Then figure out what it means for your pricing and packaging. [16:29] IP and the Exit Strategy Most Agency Owners Haven't Considered: Karen raises the question that matters to practitioners thinking about the next chapter: how should mid-to-late career agency owners be thinking about their IP right now? Sharon has seen agencies with a defined body of protected IP achieve business valuations significantly higher than comparable agencies without it. She has also seen owners who aren't ready to leave the work entirely create separate buyers for the client book and the intellectual property, keeping the asset they built while transitioning the day-to-day. The options multiply when you've done the work ahead of time. The time to start is not at the exit. [23:24] AI and the Two Legal Risk Areas Every Practitioner Needs to Understand: Sharon is direct: every conversation at her firm right now touches AI in some way. The risk landscape falls into two areas. First: intellectual property — who owns work created with AI, and who is liable if AI-generated content infringes a third party's rights. Second: data privacy and confidentiality — how easy it is to accidentally breach client confidentiality by feeding sensitive information into AI tools, and how exposed practitioners become when contractors use free AI accounts that train on every input. Both risks are manageable. Neither is optional to address. [24:30] What Needs to Be in Your Contracts Right Now: Sharon gets specific. Every client engagement agreement and every independent contractor agreement needs language covering: IP ownership for AI-generated work, IP infringement responsibility, and what happens to confidential client information when AI tools are used to process it. Beyond the contracts, she recommends an internal AI policy and a conversation guide for discussing AI use with clients before an engagement begins. The goal is alignment before the work starts, not damage control after. [29:23] Progress Over Perfection: Where to Start: Sharon closes with the advice that runs through everything she does: don't let the size of the opportunity paralyze you. If you haven't signed a new contract with a long-term client in five years, start there. If you know you have systems and methodologies worth protecting, start the inventory. Pick one thing, do it, then do another. The legal and financial advisors come later. Today, look at what you have and start making lists. About Sharon Toerek Sharon Toerek is the founder and principal of Toerek Law, known through her brand Legal+Creative, an intellectual property law firm whose practice is devoted exclusively to independent marketing, advertising, PR, and creative services agencies. She created the Agency Protection System and the AI Agency Legal Toolkit, a practical resource for navigating the fast-moving legal landscape around artificial intelligence. Sharon speaks regularly at industry events, including Inbound, Content Marketing World, and the Build a Better Agency Summit, and serves on the 4A's legal consultants panel. She is also the host of The Innovative Agency podcast, which covers innovation, business development, technology, and creativity for agency owners. You can connect with Sharon at legalandcreative.com or via LinkedIn. Resources & Additional Information The Agency Legal Audit Checklist: legalandcreative.com The Innovative Agency Podcast: The Innovative Agency on Apple Podcasts Solo PR Pro membership community: soloprpro.com Episode 242: Navigating the New Terrain of Labor Laws for Solo PR Pros Episode 220: Unveiling the Warsaw Principles: Ethical AI in PR Host & Show Info That Solo Life is a podcast created for public relations, communication, and marketing professionals who work as independent and small practitioners. Hosted by Karen Swim, APR, President of Solo PR Pro, and Michelle Kane, Principal of Voice Matters, the show delivers expert insights, encouragement, and practical advice for solo PR pros navigating today's dynamic professional landscape. Listen to all episodes and catch up on previous conversations at thatsololife.com. Did this episode inspire you? If you found value in this conversation, please take a moment to leave us a review at That Solo Life. Your feedback helps us reach more solo pros just like you! Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode.
Nicolas Lares explains how real estate investors can turn insurance costs into profits using captive insurance — a strategy Fortune 500 companies have used for decades.In this episode of RealDealChat, Jack Hoss sits down with Nicolas Lares, founder of InsurTech, to break down captive insurance — what it is, how it works for real estate investors, and why most investors have never heard of it until now.Nicolas built his career helping run one of Amazon's largest logistics insurance networks before founding InsurTech, where he now helps real estate investors co-own the very insurance company that covers their portfolio.Topics covered include:What captive insurance is and how it differs from traditional insuranceHow investors collectively pool premiums and recapture unused profits at year-endWhy REITs and institutional funds have used this model for decadesHow a single-property investor can get started (yes, even one townhouse)The 80-unit Georgia example where an owner ended the year with a net surplus of $1,500 instead of an insurance expenseHow renters insurance can be stacked into the captive to offset property-level costsWhat traditional brokers say against captives (and why their incentives are misaligned)How InsurTech insures over 1 million doors across the USHow Nicholas is using Claude Code to automate proposal and compliance workflowsRapid fire: the lie investors tell themselves about assumptions and underwritingIf insurance feels like a sunk cost in your portfolio, this episode will change how you look at it.
Should you buy snow equipment or rent it?In this episode of The Landscaper's Guide Podcast, Jack Jostes sits down with Trevor Biebrach, President of TCB Equipment Leasing, to discuss how snow contractors and landscape companies can scale their winter operations without tying up massive amounts of capital in equipment ownership. Trevor shares how his family built one of the nation's largest snow-focused rental fleets after decades in the snow removal business and explains why equipment rentals have become a strategic growth tool for contractors across the country.Trevor and Jack dive into snow industry trends, the economics of renting versus buying, equipment packages that help contractors bid jobs more accurately, and the realities of running a snow-only business. They also discuss snow industry culture, emergency response operations, brine versus rock salt applications, and how technology and business systems help growing companies operate more efficiently. Whether you're looking to expand your snow division, improve profitability, or prepare for larger commercial contracts, this episode offers practical insights from someone who lives and breathes snow operations.You'll LearnHow renting equipment can help snow contractors scale fasterThe financial tradeoffs between owning and renting snow equipmentWhy snow-only contractors think differently about business growthTrevor's perspective on brine versus traditional rock saltHow equipment packages help contractors bid and operate more profitablyConnect With Today's Guest
In this episode of FWRD, hosts Corey Smith and Erick Jauregui speak with Eric Meahan, Managing Director of Repair360, about the declining profitability of used cars at dealerships. Meahan explains that gross profit per unit has dropped over 12% year-over-year due to inflated acquisition costs post-COVID, parts shortages, and increased reconditioning expenses. He emphasizes that dealerships must shift from viewing reconditioning as an afterthought to treating it as their supply chain. Key strategies discussed include improving vehicle appraisal processes, implementing better communication systems, tracking leading indicators rather than just cycle time, and establishing clear accountability in the recon process. Meahan recommends dealerships focus on getting vehicles retail-ready within five days, implement daily recon huddles, and measure KPIs like idle time, parts waiting periods, and rework. The conversation highlights how proper reconditioning management can turn used cars back into a profitable center for dealerships, with practical advice for immediate implementation.
What if you stopped treating observability as a simple insurance policy and started viewing it as a profit center? This week, Andrew sits down with Honeycomb CEO Christine Yen to explore how observability, data science, and product development are colliding in the agentic era. Christine explains why production signals must become compiler inputs for autonomous agents and how MCP tools are democratizing telemetry for entire organizations. Finally, the two discuss Honeycomb's latest Innovation Week announcements and the exact strategy for reframing observability from basic risk mitigation into a clear revenue accelerant.Learn why: LinearB is a Leader in the 2026 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Developer Productivity Insight PlatformsFollow the show:Subscribe to our Substack Follow us on LinkedInSubscribe to our YouTube ChannelLeave us a ReviewFollow the hosts:Follow AndrewFollow BenFollow DanFollow today's stories:Honeycomb Blog: Read deep dives on SLOs at honeycomb.io/blogHoneycomb Innovation Week: Explore the latest announcementsRequired Reading: Check out the book Observability Engineering by Charity Majors, Liz Fong-Jones, and George Miranda.HumanX Interview: A Codebase Is No Longer the Source of Truth"Production is a Compiler Input": Chad Fowler's take on the future of code generation. Follow Christine on LinkedInOFFERSStart Free Trial: Get started with LinearB's AI productivity platform for free.Book a Demo: Learn how you can ship faster, improve DevEx, and lead with confidence in the AI era.LEARN ABOUT LINEARBAI Code Reviews: Automate reviews to catch bugs, security risks, and performance issues before they hit production.AI & Productivity Insights: Go beyond DORA with AI-powered recommendations and dashboards to measure and improve performance.AI-Powered Workflow Automations: Use AI-generated PR descriptions, smart routing, and other automations to reduce developer toil.MCP Server: Interact with your engineering data using natural language to build custom reports and get answers on the fly.
In Episode of 155 of Employer Content Marketing, Chris Le'cand-Harwood is joined by Crista and Matt Vance - co-founders of Mobrium and hosts of The Culture Profit podcast - to explore the powerful link between company culture and business performance.With global employee disengagement on the rise (as highlighted in Gallup's State of the Workplace report), organisations can no longer afford to treat culture as a “soft” topic. This conversation unpacks why culture directly impacts profitability, retention, and employer reputation - and how businesses can start taking it seriously.Crista and Matt share insights from their work helping organisations manage employee reviews and online reputation, as well as lessons from their book The Review Cycle. Together, they dive into how transparency, feedback, and employee voice shape both internal culture and external perception.In this episode, you'll learn:- Why culture has a measurable impact on profit, retention, and customer experience - How employee reviews influence hiring, turnover, and brand perception - The role of transparency in building trust with candidates and employees - Why employee voices are more credible than employer messaging - How to turn culture into compelling content that attracts the right talent - Practical ways to build feedback loops and strengthen your employer brand Key themes:- Culture vs. “soft” business thinking - The rise of employee-driven transparency - Online reviews, AI, and employer reputation - Emotional storytelling vs. data-driven proof - Building trust through authentic employee voice Crista and Matt also explain why you'll “never be better than your star ratings” and how organisations can proactively manage their reputation without manipulating the truth—by amplifying real employee experiences.About the guests:Crista and Matt Vance are the co-founders of Mobrium, a platform that helps organisations manage employee reviews and improve employer reputation across the web. They are also the hosts of The Culture Profit podcast and co-authors of The Review Cycle, a book focused on feedback, ratings, and workplace culture.Links:- Connect with Crista and Matt on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/crista-vance/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattrvance/- Check out The Culture Profit podcast https://www.thecultureprofit.com/- Get the book: The Review Cycle https://www.amazon.co.uk/Review-Cycle-four-step-mastering-reviews/dp/B0B2HGHPHY- Learn more about Mobrium https://mobrium.com/If you're interested in employer branding, employee engagement, and turning culture into a competitive advantage, this episode is packed with practical insights.
Most agency owners treat legal as a tax — a slow, expensive speed bump between the handshake and the kickoff. Sharon Toerek thinks that's exactly backwards.Sharon is a marketing and intellectual property attorney who has spent over a decade working exclusively with independent agencies through her firm Torek Law, which operates in the agency world as Legal + Creative. In this episode, she breaks down how agencies leave real money on the table by treating contracts as admin rather than leverage — and what to do instead.We get into payment terms buried in enterprise agreements that silently stretch 60 days into 90, exclusivity clauses that punish agencies for the specialization clients hired them for, and the IP transfer timing that gives agencies more power than they realize. Sharon also makes the case for why having your own MSA matters even when the big brands will never sign it — and why deals almost never blow up when agencies push back at the contract stage.What We Cover:Why legal should be a money-generating function, not a cost dragThe payment term language in enterprise contracts that quietly kills cash flowHow to negotiate exclusivity without giving away more than you need toWhy you'll never have more leverage than you do right now, at the contract stageThe IP transfer timing that can become serious financial leverage when a client goes sidewaysBuilding your own MSA toolkit — and why it matters even when you'll never use itWho should be in the room during contract negotiations (and what the lawyer's actual job is)How AI is changing the ownership question in agency-client and agency-freelancer agreementsTurning proprietary frameworks, methodologies, and systems into licensable, sellable IPWhy deals almost never fall apart when you push back — and what it signals when they do
Vaccines sit at the intersection of patient care and real pharmacy revenue—but most pharmacies never unlock their full potential. In this episode, Johnathon Duhon sits down with Rannon Ching to break down how independent pharmacies can scale vaccines year-round using smarter workflows, better systems, and a new approach to education and buying power. 00:20 – From Pharmacy to Vaccine Startup 01:50 – Why Pharmacy Systems Beat Medical EHRs 03:55 – Vaccines as Patient Care and Profit 06:05 – Introducing Access Point Vaccine Partners 08:23 – Education, Mentorship, and Collaboration 09:28 – Solving the Capacity Problem 11:41 – Three Vaccine Features Every Pharmacy Should Use 13:29 – Bulk Uploads and Clinic Efficiency Hosted By: Johnathon Duhon | VP of PMS Sales, RedSail Technologies Guest: Rannon Ching | Founder, AccessPoint Vaccine Partners | Co-Founder & CEO, Kannon Health Rannon's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rannon-ching-60725a60/ Looking for more information about independent pharmacy? Visit https://www.redsailtechnologies.com
Building HVAC Science - Building Performance, Science, Health & Comfort
Quotes from the episode: "It's a solution to a problem people don't even know they have." "Compliance is no longer just paperwork. It's becoming part of how smart contractors protect margin and keep access to refrigerant." "What GPS did for traffic, shared HVAC documentation could do for equipment history, refrigerant tracking, and accountability." In this episode of the Building HVAC Science podcast, Bill Spohn talks with Adam Dykstra of FM Hero about a part of the HVAC industry that often gets overlooked until it becomes a serious problem: refrigerant compliance, documentation, and tracking. Adam explains how FM Hero was built to help technicians, contractors, equipment owners, manufacturers, and eventually wholesalers manage the growing web of regulations tied to refrigerants, including Section 608, the AIM Act, and a patchwork of state-level rules. What sounds at first like a compliance tool turns out to be something bigger: a shared documentation platform that follows equipment, cylinders, and service history across the whole ecosystem. Adam introduces the idea of the "Heroverse," a connected data environment where technicians can scan a unit nameplate, log service actions, track refrigerant movement, and build a portable service history over the course of their careers. Contractors gain visibility into field activity, equipment owners gain documentation they may now be legally required to have, and even manufacturers can see anonymized service history on their equipment in the field. The system is designed to fit real technician workflow rather than add paperwork, and the technician version is free to use. The big takeaway is that refrigerant tracking is no longer just a back-office nuisance or an abstract EPA concern. With lower charge thresholds, more aggressive state rules, and likely future refrigerant supply constraints, documentation and recovery practices are becoming both a compliance issue and a business opportunity. Adam makes the case that contractors who get ahead of this can protect customers, strengthen retention, and even create a new profit center, all while helping reduce waste and preserve refrigerant supply for the future. Adam's LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-dykstra/ FM Hero website: https://www.fmhero.com/FM Hero resource CenterL https://www.fmhero.com/resource-center/ Android app:https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fmhero.mobile&hl=en iOS app: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/fmhero/id1570918942 This episode was recorded in March 2026.
Surprise billing for patients is largely gone, so why are so many self-funded employer health plans still getting hammered by out-of-network costs? We sit down with Scott Bennett, Chief Provider Relations Officer at the PHIA Group, to unpack what the No Surprises Act is doing in the real world and why federal arbitration is starting to look less like a safety valve and more like a payment engine.Scott walks us through the mechanics that matter: QPA as the median contracted rate, the short open negotiation window, and the IDR process where an arbitrator picks one of two numbers. Then we dig into the headline signals from PHIA's national NSA report analyzing more than 1.25 million federal IDR disputes across 23,000-plus providers. When offers land five to six times above QPA and initiating parties win around 80% of the time, it creates a powerful incentive to file early and file often. For employer-sponsored health plans, especially self-funded groups like school districts and public safety employers, that can translate into budget shocks, higher renewals, and rising stop-loss pressure even when members never see a bill.We also explore why a small cluster of providers can drive a disproportionate share of disputes, what hotspots in certain states may be telling us about market power and network penetration, and how brokers and benefits advisors can protect clients with better data, tighter timelines, and a real IDR strategy instead of a reactive scramble. If you advise plan sponsors, this is a must-listen on NSA compliance, healthcare cost containment, fiduciary responsibility, and the evolving economics of out-of-network reimbursement.If this helped you, subscribe, share it with a colleague, and leave a review so more plan sponsors and advisors can find the conversation. What IDR pattern are you seeing in your own claims data?
In dieser Folge des Produktwerker Podcasts ist Sandra Hinz von den Value Rebels zu Gast bei Tim. Die beiden sprechen über den Fitness Test für Produktorganisationen und stellen damit eine Frage, die viele Teams selten ehrlich beantworten: "Wie gut ist die eigene Organisation wirklich darin, digitale Produkte zu entwickeln, die Wirkung entfalten?" Dabei geht es nicht um Methoden oder einzelne Tools, sondern um das Zusammenspiel von Verantwortung, Struktur und Haltung. Sandra Hinz bringt ihre Erfahrung aus Beratung, Produktmanagement, Coaching und Organisationsentwicklung ein und zeigt, dass Produktarbeit nur dann stark wird, wenn sie im richtigen Organisations- und Führungsumfeld stattfindet. Der Fitness Test für Produktorganisationen dient dabei als Spiegel, der sichtbar macht, wo Organisationen sich selbst ausbremsen, ohne dass es ihnen bewusst ist. Im Kern entstand der Fitness Test für Produktorganisationen aus der praktischen Arbeit mit Unternehmen. Er hilft dabei, ein gemeinsames Verständnis zu entwickeln, wo eine Organisation heute steht und welche Bereiche gezielt gestärkt werden sollten. Statt alles gleichzeitig verändern zu wollen, geht es darum, Schwerpunkte zu setzen und Schritt für Schritt bzw. gezielt an den Stellen zu arbeiten, die den größten Unterschied machen. Oft zeigt sich dabei, dass nicht fehlende Methoden das Problem sind, sondern unklare Verantwortlichkeiten, schwaches Leadership oder fehlende Verbindung zwischen Produktarbeit und Geschäftserfolg. Besonders prägend ist die Frage, ob Produktteams als Cost Center oder als Profit Center verstanden werden, denn diese Sicht beeinflusst maßgeblich, wie Entscheidungen getroffen werden und welchen Stellenwert Produkt und Technologie im Unternehmen haben. Der Fitness Test für Produktorganisationen eröffnet auch eine ehrliche Auseinandersetzung mit Themen wie Teamzuschnitt, Entscheidungsfreiheit und dem Umgang mit Talenten. Teams können nur dann Verantwortung übernehmen, wenn sie echte End-to-End Verantwortung tragen und nicht von anderen Bereichen abhängig sind. Gleichzeitig braucht es Führung, die Orientierung gibt und Entscheidungen nicht zentralisiert, sondern bewusst verteilt. In vielen Organisationen zeigt sich hier eine Lücke zwischen Anspruch und Realität. Genau dort setzt der Test an, indem er hilft, Unterschiede in der Wahrnehmung sichtbar zu machen und Gespräche anzustoßen, die sonst oft vermieden werden. Wer den Fitness Test für Produktorganisationen nutzt, schafft damit eine Grundlage für gezielte Weiterentwicklung und stärkt die Fähigkeit, Produkte zu bauen, die nicht nur liefern, sondern echten Nutzen erzeugen. Eine detailliertere Darstellung über den Product Organization Fitness Test findet ihr auf aluerebels.com. Wer direkt mal selber den Fitness Test machen möchte, kann hier direkt loslegen: (https://productorgfitnesstestvaluerebels.scoreapp.com/) Das Thema dieser Episode steht in engem Kontakt zum Product Ownership Context Canvas, den Tim Klein und Oliver Winter in 2018 entwickelt haben. Mehr Infos darüber gibt es in unserer Podcast-Episode "Welche Aufgaben gehören zur Product Owner Rolle? Product Ownership Context Canvas (POCC)". Wenn ihr direkt mit Sandra in Kontakt treten wollt oder noch weitere Fragen habt, erreicht ihr Sandra Hinz am besten über ihr LinkedIn-Profil oder per Mail (sandra@valuerebels.com). Ist dein Unternehmen fit für moderne Produktentwicklung? Hältst du den Fitness Test für Produktorganisationen für eine sinnvolle Idee? Oder würdest du sogar sagen, dass wichtige Fragen im Test fehlen? Teile deine Gedanken doch mit uns und der Community auf LinkedIn oder unter diesem Blogpost! Lass uns gemeinsam dafür sorgen, dass Organisationen fit werden in der Entwicklung digitaler Organisationen!
Jay Chekansky joins the show to break down his highly effective, decade-long journey in the single-family home market, where he has moved beyond traditional flipping to master the art of creative financing. Based in North Carolina, Jay shares his unique approach to acquiring entry-level homes and manufactured properties, focusing on a strategy that prioritizes long-term wealth over quick-turn transactions. In this episode, Jay demystifies the mechanics of "wrapping" a seller-financed second mortgage around a private lender's first. He explains how this strategy allows him to operate within a multi-state radius, creating win-win scenarios that provide affordable housing options while generating consistent, multi-layered profit centers. Whether you are curious about the nuances of seller financing or looking for a sustainable model for single-family investing, Jay's insights offer a blueprint for smarter real estate growth. Tune in to discover how you can leverage creative financing to build a robust portfolio in today's market. - Get Interviewed on the Show! - ================================== Are you a real estate investor with some 'tales from the trenches' you'd like to share with our audience? Want to get great exposure and be seen as a bonafide real estate pro by your friends? Would you like to inspire other people to take action with real estate investing? Then we'd love to interview you! Find out more and pick the date here httpdaveinterviewsyou.com
The slogan that promised efficiency was really a blueprint to dismantle public government and hand its power—and money—to the billionaire class…See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Many consumers ditched ChatGPT's app after news of its DoD deal went live, while Claude's downloads grew. Also, Stripe released a preview intended to allow AI companies to easily track, pass through, and make a profit on underlying AI model fees. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Bob Nienaber, CEO of BenefitRFP, a fintech executive benefits firm that helps HR leaders and CEOs at mid sized to large companies uncover hidden revenue, strengthen shareholder equity, and improve retention through optimized executive compensation plans.Through proprietary tools like the benefitMATRIX, Bob guides organisations to turn complex compensation structures into strategic profit drivers, revealing value that most companies never realise is there.Now, Bob's experience of running a high impact business in a demanding regulatory environment demonstrates how innovation, precision, and persistence can create millions in measurable gains for clients.And while balancing client needs, team growth, and constant innovation, he continues to lead with a commitment to clarity, impact, and long term value creation.Here's where to find more:https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobnienaberbrfphttps://benefitrfp.com/?utm_source________________________________________________Welcome to The Unforget Yourself Show where we use the power of woo and the proof of science to help you identify your blind spots, and get over your own bullshit so that you can do the fucking thing you ACTUALLY want to do!We're Mark and Katie, the founders of Unforget Yourself and the creators of the Unforget Yourself System and on this podcast, we're here to share REAL conversations about what goes on inside the heart and minds of those brave and crazy enough to start their own business. From the accidental entrepreneur to the laser-focused CEO, we find out how they got to where they are today, not by hearing the go-to story of their success, but talking about how we all have our own BS to deal with and it's through facing ourselves that we find a way to do the fucking thing.Along the way, we hope to show you that YOU are the most important asset in your business (and your life - duh!). Being a business owner is tough! With vulnerability and humor, we get to the real story behind their success and show you that you're not alone._____________________Find all our links to all the things like the socials, how to work with us and how to apply to be on the podcast here: https://linktr.ee/unforgetyourself
In this conversation, Emily Johnson, founder of Elevate Wellness Collective, returns to move the conversation from wellness theory to practical execution. Drawing on her background in luxury mystery shopping and experiential audits, she explains how a structured wellness audit helps hotels uncover hidden revenue opportunities already inside their operations. From sleep-focused room upgrades and minibar redesigns to team training and retreat partnerships, she outlines how operators can drive incremental top-line growth without major capital investment. If you are looking to offset rising costs, improve retention, and open new pockets of demand, this episode gives you a clear framework to turn wellness into a measurable profit center.More from Emily:Elevate Wellness CollectiveSubstackInstagramHospitality Daily is brought to you with support from Mews, the operating system for hospitality that replaces fragmented systems with one connected way to manage reservations, payments, revenue, and guest service. Listen to my recent conversation with Mews founder Richard Valtr for a deep dive on what's happening with AI and hotel tech today. A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands
In this episode, host Don Adeesha joins Colin Carr, founder and CEO of CARR, to audit the second-largest expense on a practice's P&L: real estate. Colin challenges the assumption that rent is a fixed cost, arguing that a lease is actually a flexible financial instrument capable of funding renovations and boosting valuation. He exposes the hidden costs of the standard dual-agency model, explaining why unrepresented tenants frequently lose $200,000 to $400,000 by failing to understand landlord psychology and the "fear of loss" negotiation tactic. Colin breaks down the hidden opportunities in lease renewals, debunking the myth that loyal tenants aren't entitled to new concessions. He details how to reset escalating lease rates to market value and leverage long-term commitments to secure significant Tenant Improvement (TI) allowances, effectively getting the landlord to fund your next build-out. He also advises on the critical 12 to 18-month timeline required to maximize leverage, warning that starting too late forces owners into a position of weakness. Finally, Colin highlights the specific lease clauses that can instantly kill a private equity exit, specifically pointing to poorly written assignability rights. He contrasts old-school "gut feeling" site selection with modern patient heat-mapping data, allowing practices to identify "Blue Ocean" locations with high demand and low competition. He concludes by urging owners to stop treating real estate as a DIY project and to engage expert representation to protect their most valuable physical asset.
In this episode, Brian sits down with Steve Rapposelli, PT, OCS—longtime private practice owner, entrepreneur, and CEO of StretchPlex—to challenge one of the most overlooked revenue leaks in physical therapy private practice: what happens after discharge. As the profession looks toward 2026, this conversation reframes discharge as the end of a plan of care—not the end of opportunity. Brian and Steve explore how a cash-based wellness profit center can help PT owners move out of a scarcity mindset, reduce reliance on third-party payers, and create sustainable growth without increasing patient volume. Drawing from Steve's more than 30 years as a clinic owner and his experience building StretchPlex, this episode offers real-world insight into why the future of physical therapy is hybrid—and why wellness services like assisted stretching and recovery belong inside (or alongside) the modern PT practice. About Today's Guest Steve Rapposelli, PT, OCS is a physical therapist and entrepreneur with over three decades of experience in private practice. He is the co-owner of Performance Physical Therapy, where he has practiced since 1992, the CEO of StretchPlex, a cash-based wellness company focused on assisted stretching and recovery, and a co-owner of Performance Executive Coaching, where he helps practice owners rethink profitability, leadership, and long-term sustainability.
وش الغلط هالمرة؟ خلونا نكون صريحين.. إنت مدير مشتريات فعلاً؟ ولا مجرد "معقب" لابس كرفته ويطارد ورا المعاملات؟ في وقت العالم يتكلم فيه عن الـ Autonomous Sourcing وسلاسل الإمداد اللي تشتغل بالذكاء الاصطناعي، لسه عندنا "أستاذ فلان" اللي يحس بالنشوة والانتصار لو رجع معاملة عشان "التاريخ ناقص يوم" أو يطالب المورد بـ "أصل الفاتورة" وعليها ختم الغرفة التجارية! هذا النوع من البشر يحسب إن الشطارة في "النتف" وتقليل السعر ريالين، وهو في الحقيقة ما يوفر ريال.. هو يثقب السفينة وهو يضحك! قصة أستاذ فلان تمثل مأساة البيروقراطية؛ حارب تقنية الـ Predictive Maintenance (الصيانة التنبؤية) لأن المورد "ما عطاه الخصم اللي يبيه"، والنتيجة؟ تعطل المصنع أسبوع وخسارة ملايين، كل هذا عشان "الأخ" يبي يثبت للمدير إنه "صنديد" ونزل السعر 5%. يا حبيبي، إذا شريت رخيص وخرب سريع، أنت ما وفرت، أنت استهبلت! المشتريات اليوم ليست "بروتوكول" بل هي Profit Center (مركز ربح). التركيز على الـ Unit Price (سعر القطعة) هو فخ يقع فيه صغار العقول، بينما العباقرة يركزون على الـ TCO (التكلفة الكلية للملكية). إذا كانت يدك لسه تغرق في الورق، فأنت تعطل محركات الشركة. التحول إلى Strategic Value Orchestrator يتطلب التوقف عن مطاردة الفواتير والبدء في هندسة الصفقات. لو الشركة تقدر تستبدلك بـ "بوت" (Bot) بـ 5 دولارات في الشهر، فمعناه إنك فعلاً "موظف مراسلات". هل ممارساتك اليوم تزيد من قيمة شركتك السوقية، ولا تزيد من حجم ملفات الأرشيف؟ أتمنى كانت هالحلقة ملهمة، أو على الأقل "قرصتكم" شوي عشان نتحرك.
Is your contact center ready to become a profit center?Agility requires not just adopting new technologies like AI, but also fundamentally rethinking how we structure our teams, measure success, and interact with customers. It demands a willingness to experiment, learn, and adapt quickly in a constantly evolving landscape.Today, we're going to talk about how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the contact center, transforming it from a cost center into a driver of customer loyalty and revenue growth. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Chang Chang, Senior Director, Product, Cloud CX Solutions at Cisco's Webex Customer Experience Solutions. About Chang Chang Chang Chang, Senior Director, Product, Cloud CX Solutions, Cisco's Webex Customer Experience Solutions. Chang is a senior director of product management in the Webex Customer Experience Solutions business at Cisco. With over 14 years of product leadership experience, Chang has held key roles at Intuit and Mighty Audio (an early-stage startup), as well as a management consultant at PwC. Chang holds an MBA from UCLA Anderson. Chang Chang on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/changjonathanj/ Resources Cisco's Webex Customer Experience Solutions: https://www.webex.com/ The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/ Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.showCheck out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Is your contact center ready to become a profit center? Agility requires not just adopting new technologies like AI, but also fundamentally rethinking how we structure our teams, measure success, and interact with customers. It demands a willingness to experiment, learn, and adapt quickly in a constantly evolving landscape. Today, we're going to talk about how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the contact center, transforming it from a cost center into a driver of customer loyalty and revenue growth. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Chang Chang, Senior Director, Product, Cloud CX Solutions at Cisco's Webex Customer Experience Solutions. About Chang Chang Chang Chang, Senior Director, Product, Cloud CX Solutions, Cisco's Webex Customer Experience Solutions. Chang is a senior director of product management in the Webex Customer Experience Solutions business at Cisco. With over 14 years of product leadership experience, Chang has held key roles at Intuit and Mighty Audio (an early-stage startup), as well as a management consultant at PwC. Chang holds an MBA from UCLA Anderson. Chang Chang on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/changjonathanj/ Resources Cisco's Webex Customer Experience Solutions: https://www.webex.com/ The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/ Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.showCheck out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company
At the Crexendo UGM, Manny Christophidis (Carrier Sales Manager) and Rohan Milne (CEO) of Switch Connect joined Technology Reseller News Publisher Doug Green to explore how customer communications are shifting from “phone-number centric” to outcome-driven collaboration. The team described a market where many businesses now operate across Teams, chat, apps, and social channels—sometimes needing a phone number only for regulatory or edge cases—pushing providers to evolve beyond DID/minutes into higher-value digital transformation. Switch Connect recounted its own pivot: after a legacy UCaaS platform exited Australia, the company rapidly migrated to the NetSapiens stack and now helps carriers move from TDM to IP and launch modern offers across Asia and beyond. COVID accelerated the mindset shift from voice to collaboration and hybrid work; meetings, screen share, and asynchronous channels increasingly ride OTT rather than PSTN. “We've moved from the age of voice to the age of collaboration—success now starts with the workflow, not the dial tone,” said Christophidis. That evolution opens both risk and opportunity for partners. The duo emphasized consultative selling, measuring success the way customers do, and weaving AI, cloud services, and integrations into business processes—rather than leading with a single product. “We're not just a technology company—we're a digital-transformation partner, using AI and cloud to help clients do more with what they already have,” noted Milne. They also highlighted practical realities: shifting budget authority (often toward marketing), managing shadow IT, and even running internal hackathons to turn IT from a cost center into a profit center. For providers wondering where to begin, Switch Connect's advice is straightforward: deepen discovery around the customer's revenue model, align collaboration and AI to those outcomes, and accept that UCaaS is now a component—not the whole story. Learn more at https://www.switchconnect.com.au/.
Engel & Cabrera Present Boroughs & 'Burbs, the Real Estate Review
This week on Boroughs & Burbs, Season 5, Episode #206 we're talking about a smarter, more sustainable approach to construction — deconstruction. Our guest, Mark Foster, Founder and CEO of Second Chance reveals how salvaging and repurposing building materials not only benefits the environment but can also create real economic value. From reclaiming architectural treasures to generating jobs and tax benefits, deconstruction turns waste into opportunity. We'll explore how builders, developers, and homeowners can rethink demolition, why demand for reclaimed materials is booming, and how sustainability and profitability intersect in this emerging field. Tune in to learn how deconstruction can be both green and lucrative.
Life & Listings: Balancing Real Estate, Scaling Your Future w/ Jennifer Staats
In this episode, Jennifer Staats interviews Chris Prefontaine about his extensive real estate journey, how he turned adversity into a scalable family business, and what it takes to thrive as an entrepreneur and coach in real estate. Chris shares practical strategies for brokers and agents to build additional profit centers, the mindset shifts needed for success, and why hands-on coaching is critical. "Mindset and tenacity are as important as skill set in building a thriving business." - Chris Prefontaine Key Discussion Topics: Chris's 34-year journey from broker to real estate coach and founder of a family business. Lessons learned from the 2008 financial crisis and rebuilding with creative financing strategies. Smart Real Estate Coach's unique “in the trenches” coaching model: supporting clients from first call to closing. Creative profit centers: owner financing, lease-purchases, and subject-to deals—how agents and brokers can leverage these strategies. The top three questions to uncover seller motivation and close more deals. Adapting and scaling a business post-COVID—including going fully virtual and recruiting nationwide. Chris's personal “superpower” and insights on leading a family business. About Chris Prefontaine: Chris Prefontaine is the Chairman and Founder of Smart Real Estate Coach®, a 4x best-selling author. He is a Forbes Business Council Member and a 3-time Inc 5000 Honoree for Fastest Growing Company. Wicked Smart Community operates all over North America and has successfully completed hundreds of transactions, assisting students in doing the same. Alongside his achievements, Chris hosts the Smart Real Estate Coach® Podcast, which ranks in the top 0.5% globally. Having navigated through challenges such as the crash of 2008, 9/11, a near-death experience with his son, and the impact of COVID, Chris reengineered his entire business to weather all storms and economic cycles. Understanding these challenges, he helps students navigate the constantly changing real estate waters. Chris, his family, and his team's mission focus on transforming dedicated individuals into Wicked Smart real estate investors. Chris and his wife Kim have been married for 37 years, and their adult children Nick and Kayla participate in the family business while also pursuing their own entrepreneurial ventures. Connect with Chris: Website: https://smartrealestatecoach.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisprefontaine/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CHRISPRE/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisprefontaine_/ Download the Playbook: https://app.datalabz.re/forms/e23412ac-bb1a-4302-ad81-3e3d4fd744e9 Boost ROI, close more deals, and grow smarter—get your free real estate CRM guide now!: The Heartbeat of Your Business Connect with Jennifer Staats: Website: staatssolutions.com Staats Solution Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/staatssolutions/ Jennifer Staats Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifertherealtor LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/staatssolutions/
Download our “Tell a Better Story, Win Better Clients” E-book at https://working-towards.com/What if customer support could become one of your most powerful growth engines? Pierre Latscha, Co-founder and CCO of Onepilot, a tech-forward customer care outsourcing platform combining AI automation with real human agents — 24/7 and multilingual.We unpack how Pierre and his four co-founders launched Onepilot during the pandemic, scaled to $30M+ in ARR, and are now transforming customer service into a revenue-driving profit center.
How can HR drive profit instead of just managing processes? In this milestone episode (#300!) of Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder, we explore how HR can become a strategic profit center rather than a cost center. Guest: Scott Rosen, CEO of the Rosen Group and author of Transforming Your HR Department into a Profit Center What you'll learn in this episode: Why CEOs must lead people and set the tone for culture Scott's six-step framework for transforming HR into a profit center How to approach strategic talent acquisition and employee engagement Ways to reduce turnover and its hidden costs The KPIs every organization should use to measure HR's impact Actionable next steps you can apply right now: Conduct an HR audit to uncover gaps and opportunities Train and reinforce expected behaviors across the organization Invest in HR capabilities that directly support business outcomes Scott also shares where you can find his book and resources to begin transforming HR in your organization. Subscribe to Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode. If you enjoyed this conversation, please share it with your network and leave a review—it helps more business owners and advisors discover the show! About Our Guest: Scott Rosen is the Founder & President, managing the Rosen Group since 1995. The Rosen Group has grown over the years into a leading staffing firm which specializes in HR. Scott's responsibilities include management, and oversight of sales, marketing, recruiting, finance and operations. Prior to starting his own company, Scott spent 20 years in corporate America. The first half of that time was in operations management with Prudential and Cigna and the second half of that time was in HR Management as a generalist with Reliance Insurance Company, Travelers Mortgage and GE Capital. Scott earned his Bachelor of Science in Business from Rider University. www.rosengroup.com About the Host: Dave Bookbinder is known as an expert in business valuation and he is the person that business owners and entrepreneurs reach out to when they need to know what their most important assets are worth. Known as a collaborative adviser, Dave has served thousands of client companies of all sizes and industries. Dave is the author of two #1 best-selling books about the impact of human capital (PEOPLE!) on the valuation of a business enterprise called The NEW ROI: Return On Individuals & The NEW ROI: Going Behind The Numbers. He's on a mission to change the conversation about how the accounting world recognizes the value of people's contributions to a business enterprise, and to quantify what every CEO on the planet claims: “Our people are this company's most valuable asset.” Dave's book, A Valuation Toolbox for Business Owners and Their Advisors: Things Every Business Owner Should Know, was recognized as a top new release in Business and Valuation and is designed to provide practical insights and tools to help understand what really drives business value, how to prepare for an exit, and just make better decisions. He's also the host of the highly rated Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder business podcast which is enjoyed in more than 100 countries.
Summary: For decades, leaders have debated whether the contact center should be a cost center, a profit center, or something in between. In this episode, Amas and Bob cut through the noise and tackle the question head-on: Is the contact center truly a profit center—or are we just telling the story wrong? Amas argues that the CFO decides the labels, not us, and that contact centers suffer from being terrible storytellers compared to marketing. Bob reinforces that stories, not spreadsheets, are what move executives to invest in customer experience. Together, they break down how leaders can turn raw data into persuasive narratives that actually secure budget, influence the C-suite, and prove value. What You'll Learn in This Episode: Why the “profit center” debate hasn't gone away—and probably won't. The crucial difference between value creation and revenue generation. How marketing gets credit (and budget) despite spending every dollar they touch. Why endless Excel spreadsheets put executives to sleep—and what to do instead. The art of translating metrics into stories that CFOs and CEOs actually care about. Practical steps for contact center leaders to elevate their influence in the boardroom. Key Quotes: “The CFO decides what's a cost center and what's a revenue center. We are just bad at telling our story.” – Amas “People don't remember your statistics. They remember your stories.” – Bob “Marketing spends money all day, but they've convinced the world they're indispensable. We should learn from that.” – Amas Episode Highlights: (01:00) Revisiting the old debate: profit center vs. cost center. (02:30) Why marketing gets treated differently—and why service leaders should care. (04:30) The deadly sin of sending executives binders of metrics. (06:00) How to tell stories executives will remember—and fund. (09:00) Using customer stories to anchor your data. (11:30) Why your relationship with marketing and the CFO matters most. (12:45) Teaser: Amas & Bob will be recording LIVE at the ICMI Contact Center Expo in Orlando, Oct 27–30. Resources & Links: Amas's blog post: “Contact Centers Are Not Revenue Centers” [link] Learn more about the ICMI Contact Center Expo
Summary: For decades, leaders have debated whether the contact center should be a cost center, a profit center, or something in between. In this episode, Amas and Bob cut through the noise and tackle the question head-on: Is the contact center truly a profit center—or are we just telling the story wrong? Amas argues that the CFO decides the labels, not us, and that contact centers suffer from being terrible storytellers compared to marketing. Bob reinforces that stories, not spreadsheets, are what move executives to invest in customer experience. Together, they break down how leaders can turn raw data into persuasive narratives that actually secure budget, influence the C-suite, and prove value. What You'll Learn in This Episode: Why the "profit center" debate hasn't gone away—and probably won't. The crucial difference between value creation and revenue generation. How marketing gets credit (and budget) despite spending every dollar they touch. Why endless Excel spreadsheets put executives to sleep—and what to do instead. The art of translating metrics into stories that CFOs and CEOs actually care about. Practical steps for contact center leaders to elevate their influence in the boardroom. Key Quotes: "The CFO decides what's a cost center and what's a revenue center. We are just bad at telling our story." – Amas "People don't remember your statistics. They remember your stories." – Bob "Marketing spends money all day, but they've convinced the world they're indispensable. We should learn from that." – Amas Episode Highlights: (01:00) Revisiting the old debate: profit center vs. cost center. (02:30) Why marketing gets treated differently—and why service leaders should care. (04:30) The deadly sin of sending executives binders of metrics. (06:00) How to tell stories executives will remember—and fund. (09:00) Using customer stories to anchor your data. (11:30) Why your relationship with marketing and the CFO matters most. (12:45) Teaser: Amas & Bob will be recording LIVE at the ICMI Contact Center Expo in Orlando, Oct 27–30. Resources & Links: Amas's blog post: "Contact Centers Are Not Revenue Centers" [link] Learn more about the ICMI Contact Center Expo
In this episode of The Smart Real Estate Coach Podcast, I sit down with Tim Francis, founder of Great Assistant. Tim has helped over 800 entrepreneurs and investors hire trusted, high-level domestic executive assistants—not virtual assistants overseas, but real partners who become an extension of you. Tim's story is remarkable. From losing $350K in the 2008 crash, to developing a rare illness that left him unable to walk for months, he had to rethink everything about business and life. That journey led him to discover the right way to hire and lead executive assistants, and ultimately, to build Great Assistant. We dive into his hiring process, why most entrepreneurs fail with assistants, and how the right assistant can free you up to focus on strategy, high-level skills, and relationships—the “surgeon in the room” work that only you can do. If you've ever felt overwhelmed juggling all the moving pieces of your real estate business, this conversation will show you how to scale sustainably. Key Talking Points of the Episode 00:00 Introduction 00:53 Who is Tim Francis? 02:35 The 2008 crash, $350K loss, and developing a rare illness 04:24 Spiritual turning point: chasing truth and mastery, not fame and fortune 05:40 Failing with five assistants and discovering a new hiring process 08:22 Hiring Sarah—the paralegal who changed everything 10:16 The Great Assistant formula: pairing trained assistants with trained leaders 13:15 Hiring volume: why they review 50–200 candidates per role 17:06 The difference between VAs and executive assistants 19:21 What makes a great assistant: complement, not clone 20:50 The surgeon vs. nurse analogy—strategy, skill, and access vs. admin 22:15 Practical example: prepping comps and organizing negotiation notes 25:28 Why you must live out of your calendar, not your inbox 26:49 Expense vs. revenue mindset—why an assistant is a profit center 29:53 Tim's upcoming book: arranging life to minimize regret 32:45 How to connect with Tim and Great Assistant Quotables “Your assistant will always be an expense on paper. But your relationship with your assistant will be the biggest profit center of your career.” “We don't want a clone of you—we want a complement. You throw the balls in the air, and they catch them and close the loops.” “A great assistant isn't about saving time, it's about helping you fulfill your potential in this lifetime.” Links Episode 152: Discover the Power of a Great Assistant, with Tim Francis https://sites.libsyn.com/101440/episode-152-discover-the-power-of-a-great-assistant-with-tim-francis Get a Great Assistant by Tim Francis https://greatassistant.com/book Great Assistant https://smartrealestate.com/greatassistant Apply for a Discovery Call with Great Assistant https://greatassistant.com/apply Tim Francis https://www.instagram.com/realtimfrancis QLS Live + QLS 4.0 at $199 smartrealestatecoach.com/qlspodcast Just QLS 4.0 at ½ off smartrealestatecoach.com/qls Coupon code: pod Apprentice Program 3paydaysapprentice.com Coupon code: Podcast Masterclass smartrealestatecoach.com/masterspodcast Wicked Smart Books wickedsmartbooks.com/podcast Strategy Session smartrealestatecoach.com/actionpodcast Partners smartrealestatecoach.com/podcastresources
In this episode, Dave Dubeau welcomes Tiffany Mittal, founder of Utility Ranger and a seasoned multifamily investor, to uncover how small landlords can reclaim lost profits by turning utilities into a revenue stream. Tiffany shares her journey from struggling with rising utility costs in her San Diego rental portfolio to discovering the game-changing Ratio Utility Billing System (RUBS) — a tool long-used by institutional players but out of reach for many small investors. Instead of giving up when told she was “too small” for traditional utility billing services, Tiffany went undercover — working for billing companies to learn the ins and outs of the industry. She then turned her insights into action by building a scalable software platform that empowers landlords with as few as 2–20 units to take control of utility billing. - Get Interviewed on the Show! - ================================== Are you a real estate investor with some 'tales from the trenches' you'd like to share with our audience? Want to get great exposure and be seen as a bonafide real estate pro by your friends? Would you like to inspire other people to take action with real estate investing? Then we'd love to interview you! Find out more and pick the date here: http://daveinterviewsyou.com/
Mobile service is no longer just a future trend — it's actively reshaping how dealers deliver value, drive retention, and grow their fixed ops revenue. In this episode of FWRD, host Corey Smith welcomes Jeremy Stevens to unpack how mobile service is creating meaningful customer relationships, why dealerships need to go “all in” to make it work, and how to overcome operational hurdles.With over 800 perfect surveys and powerful real-world experience, Jeremy shares what success looks like when mobile techs are trusted, equipped, and empowered to bring the dealership experience straight to the customer's driveway.Whether you're considering launching mobile service or looking to optimize what you've already started, this episode gives you the strategic lens — and the firsthand proof — to get ahead.
How can People Analytics shift from being a cost center to being a profit center?Why is it critical for HR leaders to transform workforce insights into concrete strategic initiatives?My guest on this episode is Cole Napper, VP Research, Innovation, & Talent Insights at Lightcast and author of People Analytics: Using Data-Driven HR and Gen AI as a Business Asset”During our conversation Cole and I discuss:How generative AI is democratizing data-driven decision making in HR.Why Cole believes more People Analytics leaders could rise to the CHRO role in the next decade.Why people analytics teams need to intentionally link their work to tangible business outcomes.Why generative AI will disrupt traditional HR operating models.Why business acumen isn't just nice to have—it's the fundamental requirement for all HR professionals including people analytics. Connecting with Cole NapperConnect with Cole on LinkedInLearn more about Cole and his new book, “People Analytics: Using Data-Driven HR and Gen AI as a Business Asset”Episode Sponsor: Next-Gen HR Accelerator - Learn more about this best-in-class leadership development program for next-gen HR leadersHR Leader's Blueprint - 18 pages of real-world advice from 100+ HR thought leaders. Simple, actionable, and proven strategies to advance your career.Succession Planning Playbook: In this focused 1-page resource, I cut through the noise to give you the vital elements that define what “great” succession planning looks like.
Jason Kramer (Founder & CEO, Cultivize), who shared his experience and expertise on how to transform B2B marketing into a profit center. Jason highlighted the importance of linking marketing initiatives to sales results and collecting vital data such as referral sources. He also elaborated on how to use CRM platforms to track leads and stressed the need for stronger marketing and sales alignment.
Click Here for the Show Notes Real estate isn't just about buying and holding property—it's about understanding and leveraging all the ways it can work for you. Whether you're just getting started or scaling up your portfolio, mastering these five profit centers can set you on the path to lasting wealth and financial freedom. Have questions or need help building your strategy? Our team of investment advisors is here to help you design a plan tailored to your goals. -------------------------------- Throwback Thursday Episode (The episode originally took place in the year 2023) This episode is part of our Throwback Series and may include references to older content such as webclasses, events, promotions, or links that are no longer active or available. While the conversation and insights still hold value, please note that some information may be outdated. -------------------------------- If you missed our last episode, be sure to listen to Redefining Risk: Smarter Strategies for Out-of-State Real Estate Investing Download your FREE copy of: The Ultimate Guide to Passive Real Estate Investing. See our available Turnkey Cash-Flow Rental Properties. Our team of Investment Counselors has much more inventory available than what you see on our website. Contact us today for more deals.
This week, we're sharing something special: Michael's full talk from the 2025 Urgent Care Association (UCA) Conference in Dallas. Titled The Front Desk Evolution, this session was standing-room-only and sparked conversations that continued long after the conference ended.In this high-impact presentation, Michael makes the case that the front desk is not just a cost center—it's your clinic's most underutilized sales team. From phone scripts to objection handling and AI-enhanced booking tools, this session is loaded with actionable strategies you can take back to your clinic immediately.If you're ready to stop leaving thousands of dollars in missed appointments on the table, this is the episode for you.
As a brewery owner or manager, your taproom is your greatest opportunity to drive profits and build relationships. This leadership-focused session will provide you with the financial insights, actionable strategies, and data-driven tactics you need to turn your taproom into a thriving profit center. Learn how to maximize sales, manage your finances effectively, and enhance the guest experience while empowering your team to deliver results. Walk away with the tools to guide your taproom toward increased profits and keep things thriving in a constantly changing industry.Andrew Coplon is the Founder of Secret Hopper and Craft Beer Professionals. Andrew helps breweries nationwide create more memorable and profitable taproom experiences using data-based insights gathered from thousands of visits. He has successfully built a community of 17,000 Craft Beer Professionals dedicated to the growth and betterment of our industry across the United States. When he isn't building relationships on Zoom or meeting you for a pint, he enjoys climbing jungle gyms with his son, Max, or planning the next adventure with his wife, Stacie.Kary Shumway is the founder of Craft Brewery Financial Training.com which offers online resources for beer industry professionals. He has worked in the beer industry for more than 20 years as a certified public accountant and a chief financial officer for a beer distributor and a brewery.Join Taproom Success and Gain Access to Additional Resources to Create Profitable Taprooms: https://www.taproomsuccess.com/Join us in-person for CBP ConnectsHalf workshop, half networkingCharlotte, NC | June 9-11, 2025Register now: https://cbpconnects.com/
SummaryIn this episode of the e-commerce content creation podcast, Daniel discusses the importance of studio audits and the physical layout of studios in enhancing workflow efficiency. He introduces the concept of workshops aimed at improving digital workflows and emphasizes the need for identifying quick wins within studio processes. The conversation highlights the interdependence of studio workflows, the challenges of managing exceptions in production, and the critical role of documentation and last but not least, the importance of celebrating team wins and continuous improvement in studio operations.Key TakeawaysThe studio audit focuses on both physical layout and workflow.Internal tools can sometimes outperform external solutions.Physical space impacts digital workflow significantly.Workshops can help identify and improve digital processes.Quick wins are essential for team morale and efficiency.Studio workflows are highly interdependent and complex.Managing exceptions is crucial in production processes.Documentation is often lacking and relies on tribal knowledge.Celebrating wins boosts team motivation and recognition.Continuous improvement is key to operational success.CreditsHosted by: Daniel Jester - danieltjester.com
SummaryIn this episode of The E-commerce Content Creation Podcast, Daniel Jester and creative director/photo manager turned creative ops consultant Kelly Garthwait dive into a candid, exploratory conversation about authenticity in visual storytelling and the tensions introduced by AI and automation in creative roles. Their dialogue weaves through the influence of social media on brand identity, the importance of consistency in e-commerce visuals, the enduring value of printed photography, and how storytelling creates meaningful connections between brands and audiences.Key TakeawaysAuthenticity is more than aesthetics – it's about coherence, trust, and meaningful storytelling.Consumers can feel when something is off, even if they can't articulate it.A brand's inconsistent tone across platforms (e.g., social media vs. streaming ads) can erode trust and feel “two-timing.”Consistent product photography builds customer trust and reduces friction in the shopping experience.Even subtle mismatches in lighting, angles, or image quality can raise subconscious red flags.Daniel shared HauteLook's strategy of using coordinated color themes to maintain daily visual cohesion.AI can accelerate execution but cannot replace taste or vision.The most successful creative applications of AI come from teams who understand what good looks like and guide the tools accordingly.There's value in observing trends before overcommitting to tools with fleeting hype cycles.Storytelling provides the essential context that transforms content into connection.Visual narratives, recurring motifs, and Easter eggs (like Daniel's Signs of the Zodiac series) offer richer engagement.In-person experiences with printed photography or museum exhibits deepen emotional resonance far beyond screen-based consumption.There's a growing need to reinvest in creative direction as a function that ensures cohesion, especially in content-heavy environments.Creative leadership helps bridge the gap between fast execution (often with AI) and meaningful brand expression.Physical prints offer an emotional and sensory connection that screens can't replicate.Both Kelly and Daniel emphasized the power of printed art to evoke memory, emotion, and a sense of home.Tools like Zapier and automated workflows can relieve friction in production processes.The goal is not to remove creative roles, but to enable them by reducing logistical bottlenecks (like asset review and approvals).CreditsHosted by: Daniel Jester - danieltjester.com
Today I'm joined by Jimmy Douglas, CEO of Plug. We dive into why over half of dealers are missing an entire used segment, how two months on the lot is the tipping point for EV valuations, why dealers are shipping EVs an average of 800 miles — and much more. This episode is brought to you by: 1. Copart – Are you looking to expand your dealership's wholesale inventory? Finding front-line ready vehicles from finance, fleet, and rental consignors is now easier than ever. Copart Select gives you transparency that drives profitability and the assurance you need. Register as a Member to Get Started @ www.copart.com/doRegistration 2. Podium - With Podium's AI BDC, dealerships are seeing an 80% increase in after-hours appointments by handling leads 24/7. Instantly respond to inquiries, book test drives, and let your team focus on what matters: closing deals. Learn how Podium can help you sell more cars @ http://www.podium.com/car-dealership-guy 3. Plug – The only wholesale auction built for EV's, making used EV buying fast, transparent, and profitable. If your dealership is taking EV trade-ins you need to check out https://plug.vin/ Need help finding top automotive talent? Get started here: https://www.cdgrecruiting.com/ Interested in advertising with Car Dealership Guy? Drop us a line here: https://cdgpartner.com Interested in being considered as a guest on the podcast? Add your name here: https://bit.ly/3Suismu Topics: 00:15 Why are EV trade-ins important? 03:09 How did you transition to Tesla? 04:45 Key lessons from Elon Musk? 08:33 Biggest secondary EV market challenges? 10:32 How charging networks impact value? 22:39 How does Trade Desk work? 26:53 What EV trends excite dealers? 32:11 Where is EV charging headed? 42:59 Hardest part of founding company? Check out Car Dealership Guy's stuff: CDG News ➤ https://news.dealershipguy.com/ CDG Jobs ➤ https://jobs.dealershipguy.com/ CDG Recruiting ➤ https://www.cdgrecruiting.com/ My 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 This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a basis for investment decisions.
Michael Aronowitz is the Senior Vice President of Revenue Growth at VXI Global Solutions. He is based in Miami, Florida. Mark Hillary called Michael to discuss the importance of turning contact centers from cost centers to profit centers, emphasizing the need for revenue generation through customer interactions. Michael highlights VXI's success in winning three Stevie awards for retention, win-back, upsell, and cross-sell. Michael stresses the significance of the human touch in customer interactions, leveraging AI for training and recruitment, and the importance of blending sales and service roles. He argues that companies should focus on driving revenue per interaction and maintaining customer loyalty through personalized service. Many business journals talk about turning the contact center into a profit center, but in this conversation Michael gives his thoughts on how to really make it happen... http://vxi.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-aronowitz/
"Many UAE banks have seen sustainable finance as a profit center", says Vijay Bains, Group Chief Sustainability Officer and Head of ESG at Emirates NBD. In this episode of ESG Currents, Grace Osborne, BI’s ESG integration analyst for EMEA, speaks with Bains about the rising momentum of sustainable finance in the GCC and its intertwinement with the region's economic diversification plans. With UAE's national banks' pledging to mobilize AED 1 trillion in sustainable finance by 2030, alongside strengthened Nationally Determined Contributions, opportunities for capturing sustainable value creation are mounting. From water scarcity solutions to green building initiatives, the GCC is scaling its sustainability ambitions at a time where other regions in the world appear to be stepping back. This episode was recorded on May 1, 2025.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
SummaryIn this episode of the E-commerce Content Creation Podcast, host Daniel Jester discusses treating in-house studios as media companies. He emphasizes the need for organizational respect, investment in creative teams, and the complexity of media production processes. Daniel shares insights from recent workshops and highlights the challenges faced by studio teams, including ad hoc requests and sample management issues. He advocates for a shift in mindset towards recognizing the strategic value of creative teams in e-commerce operations.Key TakeawaysEvery company with an in-house studio operates as a media company.In-house studios need robust support and workflows.Creative teams are essential for e-commerce success.Organizational respect is crucial for studio efficiency.Ad hoc requests can disrupt production processes.Sample management is vital for studio operations.Investment in creative teams leads to better outcomes.Understanding the complexity of media production is key.Protecting production time enhances efficiency.Shifting mindsets towards in-house studios is necessary.CreditsHosted by: Daniel Jester - danieltjester.com
SummaryIn this episode, Daniel Jester is joined by studio operations and photography manager Brent Maynard, who shares stories and insights from his unique experience managing photo studios for a major pet brand. Brent dives into the complexities of working with animal talent, from cats and dogs to guinea pigs, birds, and even cockroaches, and explains the specialized studio workflows required to keep animals, handlers, and crew safe and productive. He and Daniel talk about their shared love of optimizing studio layouts, reflect on the importance of removing obstacles for creative teams, and explore how the presence of animal talent transforms everything from set design to crew behavior. It's a fascinating look at the intersection of operational excellence and animal chaos, with a few screaming guinea pigs along the way.Key TakeawaysAnimal talent adds layers of complexity to studio operations, requiring specialized workflows to ensure safety and smooth production.Studio layout changes can significantly improve efficiency, even without new investments. Small shifts in shelving and table placement led to measurable productivity gains in Brent's previous roles.Brent's approach emphasizes reducing physical strain and mental load on creative teams, which often results in better output and less burnout.Studios working with animals must prioritize safety above all else, including airlock-style door systems, species separation, and cautious scheduling.Pet behavior affects production. Even subtle stress signals can compromise a shoot, which is why the pet team plays a critical role in monitoring and interpreting animal body language.Noise and tension on set can disrupt animal performances, so maintaining a calm and low-stress environment is essential for success.The pet team serves as both handler and advocate, ensuring that animals are safe, comfortable, and not being pushed beyond their limits.Animals with professional experience are more predictable, but many shoots also involve non-working pets, which require more patience and flexibility.Unusual animal talent like birds, guinea pigs, and even cockroaches come with highly specific needs. Guinea pigs may scream, birds may curse, and fish are generally not worth the risk due to their fragility.Brent is passionate about studio operations and finding thoughtful, efficient solutions. His experience with complex sets and talent makes him a valuable resource for any production team.CreditsHosted by: Daniel Jester - danieltjester.com
Scaling New Heights Podcast: Cutting Edge Training For Small Business Advisors
On this episode Joe Woodard speaks with Deb Defer, Director of CAS Consulting at Woodard, about how firms can turn client onboarding from a loss leader into a profitable, strategic phase of their CAS engagements. They explore pricing structures like evergreen retainers, volume-discounted cleanups, and onboarding fees to ensure firms aren't losing money or undervaluing their services. The episode is packed with actionable advice for firms of all sizes looking to boost MRR and avoid getting stuck in once-a-year cleanup chaos. Thank you to our show sponsor, Bill — your financial operations platform.Bill is the intelligent way to create and pay bills, send invoices, manage expenses, control budgets and access the credit your business needs to grow, all in one platform. Learn more about the show and our sponsors at Woodard.com/podcast
SummaryIn this episode of the E-commerce Content Creation Podcast, Daniel dives deep into the topic of Digital Asset Management (DAM) systems, exploring their importance yet lack of widespread adoption in the E-commerce space. He discusses the differences between cloud storage solutions and DAM systems, emphasizing the need for metadata, version control, and user permissions. Daniel also highlights the challenges of managing assets at scale and the necessity of having a structured workflow. He concludes by encouraging listeners to evaluate their current asset management practices and consider the benefits of implementing a DAM system.Key TakeawaysDAM adoption is still relatively low in eCommerce.Cloud storage tools can become chaotic as assets scale.Metadata is crucial for effective asset management.Version control helps track asset iterations and approvals.User roles in DAM systems provide granular access control.Integration with other systems enhances DAM functionality.Scalability is a key factor in choosing a DAM system.Evaluate your team's ability to find assets efficiently.Consider the governance of your digital assets.Stockpress offers a user-friendly DAM solution.CreditsHosted by: Daniel Jester - danieltjester.com
SummaryIn this episode of the Ecommerce Content Creation Podcast, host Daniel Jester discusses the evolving landscape of e-commerce content creation, focusing on the integration of 3D modeling and AI technologies. He explores how these advancements can transform content production, enhance customer experiences, and contribute to sustainability efforts. Daniel emphasizes the importance of understanding customer trust and strategic considerations when adopting 3D technologies, ultimately advocating for a shift towards digital twins and innovative content strategies.Key Takeaways3D modeling is becoming increasingly relevant in e-commerce.AI tools can significantly reduce the cost and time of creating 3D models.Digital twins of products can streamline content production processes.Sustainability is a key benefit of adopting 3D technologies.Customer trust plays a crucial role in the success of new content experiences.The transition to 3D can be gradual, allowing for testing and adaptation.Strategic planning is essential for successful 3D adoption.3D models can enhance marketing efforts through personalized content.The technology for 3D modeling is now scalable and accessible.CreditsHosted by: Daniel Jester - danieltjester.com
SummaryIn this episode of the eCommerce Content Creation Podcast, Daniel reflects on his personal and professional challenges over the past year, including feelings of burnout and uncertainty in the creative industry. He discusses the impact of these experiences on his work and the podcast, expressing gratitude for the support he has received from friends and colleagues. The episode also covers recent industry news, including Creative Force's acquisition of SpinMe and H&M's new AI initiatives. In this conversation, Daniel explores the potential of 3D product rendering as a transformative tool in product imaging. Daniel also shares his personal job search journey and career aspirations, emphasizing the importance of community and support during transitions.Key Takeaways1. Burnout and Honest ReflectionDaniel opens up about severe burnout in 2024, especially in the latter half of the year. He describes it not just as being tired of work, but a profound experience of anxiety that affected his ability to do even basic tasks—like scheduling podcast guests. His honesty about this period is a core theme of the episode.2. Challenges of Freelance LifeAfter leaving Creative Force, Daniel attempted to build a freelance consulting and photography business, but struggled with the business side—timing, invoicing, lead generation, and sustainability. Despite having meaningful projects, the inconsistency of work and cash flow took a toll, both mentally and financially.3. Industry Uncertainty and Shifting CadenceHe reflects on how creative production has changed post-COVID, with traditional seasonal patterns and reliable busy periods now disrupted. Studios no longer have predictable workflows or planning cadences, making it harder for professionals to know when to expect work—or prepare for downturns.4. Gratitude for Supportive CommunityDaniel expresses deep appreciation for the friends, colleagues, and partners who supported him during this difficult time. He calls out people like Kowser Ahmed (The KOW Company), Ian Parkes (Stockpress), Bimi Ibok, and others who provided not only work opportunities but emotional support and career advice.5. Industry News – Creative Force Acquires SpinMeHe discusses Creative Force's acquisition of SpinMe after the latter entered administration. He speculates on what that might mean for SpinMe customers and offers his own services to help studios navigate that transition.6. Mixed Feelings About AI in Content CreationDaniel unpacks his reactions to the rise of AI in eCommerce photography—specifically the use of digital twins of real models (e.g., H&M's recent announcement). While he sees the potential value, he also voices concern about job loss for stylists, models, and creative professionals, and urges the industry to approach these changes thoughtfully.7. Continued Passion for 3D and Creative TechnologyDespite his challenges, Daniel remains excited about 3D product rendering. He sees it as a promising tool for sustainable, scalable eCommerce content creation—particularly because it allows studios to generate high-quality assets from existing imagery without physical reshoots or shipping products across the globe.CreditsHosted by: Daniel Jester - danieltjester.com
Podcast Episode 230 of the Make Each Click Count Podcast features Maidre & Helen Paas, the founders of H2 Resolve, an expert consultancy focused on transforming customersupport from a cost center into a true growth engine. With their extensive experience, they share insights on effective hiring strategies, the rise of remote work, and the integration of AI in customer support. The Helens also dive into the importance of impactful support audits, cost-effective training programs, and strategies to scale support teams. Whether you're looking to enhance customer experience or drive growth through exceptional support, this episode is packed with actionable advice you won't want to miss. Stay tuned for a wealth of knowledge from Helen and Helen on making every click count in customer support.Learn more: WebsiteHelen MaidreHelen PaasABOUT THE HOST:Andy Splichal is the World's Foremost Expert on Ecommerce Growth Strategies. He is the acclaimed author of the Make Each Click Count Book Series, the Founder & Managing Partner of True Online Presence, and the Founder of Make Each Click Count University. Andy was named to The Best of Los Angeles Award's Most Fascinating 100 List in both 2020 and 2021.New episodes of the Make Each Click Count Podcast, are released each Friday and can be found on Apple Podcast, iHeart Radio, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts and www.makeeachclickcount.com.
Welcome to the audio edition of the weekly Car Dealership Guy Newsletter! Today's big story: Is this the next big profit center in used cars? This episode is brought to you by: The Auto Hauler Exchange has revolutionized the way vehicle haulers and vehicle shippers collaborate. The Exchange is the first digital marketplace of its kind in the vehicle logistics industry. Learn more @ https://hubs.ly/Q02NJdZ80 Check out Car Dealership Guy's stuff: CDG News ➤ https://news.dealershipguy.com/ CDG Jobs ➤ https://jobs.dealershipguy.com/ CDG Recruiting ➤ https://www.cdgrecruiting.com/ My Socials: X ➤ https://www.twitter.com/GuyDealership Instagram ➤ https://www.instagram.com/cardealershipguy/ TikTok ➤ https://www.tiktok.com/@guydealership LinkedIn ➤ https://www.linkedin.com/company/cardealershipguy/ Threads ➤ https://www.threads.net/@cardealershipguy Facebook ➤ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077402857683 Everything else ➤ dealershipguy.com This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a basis for investment decisions.
Real estate can generate income in various ways, which you may not be fully aware of. Let me explain how properties can be profitable and enhance your understanding of what your investment truly signifies.