Podcasts about Sop

After losing his first fortune to a Ponzi scheme in his late twenties, Brandon Kraupp didn't lick his wounds—he grabbed a clipboard. Today, his Utah-based Romex Pest Control spans four states, fields nearly two hundred teammates, and runs on an EOS-powered culture that blends door-knock grit with relentless data-tracking. Brandon sits down with the Blue-Collar Twins to share how maxed-out 0 % credit cards and a “just make more tomorrow” mindset turned a single truck into a regional platform. You'll hear: FBI Wake-Up Call – why losing everything crystallized a fearless approach to risk and growth.Door-Knock Science – mastering 55-plus communities and turning authenticity into daily deals.Data over Drama – using market analytics, WiseTack financing, and EOS scorecards to steer every expansion.Culture Moat – six core values, weekly L10s, and therapist-mediated exec meetings that keep 180 people rowing.Next Moves – an aggressive Texas build-out, acquisition targets on the Gulf Coast, and AI sliding into every SOP. Stick around for Brandon's take on “stealth-wealth” margins and a quick CTA to Paul Giannamore's Private-Equity Masterclass playlist—then audit the numbers that actually move your own scoreboard. From PE Teachers to Pest-Control Owners: The Julio Twins' POTOMAC Experience https://youtu.be/HAx9noqsqTo https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulgiannamore www.potomaccompany.com https://bluecollartwins.com Produced by: www.verbell.ltd Timestamps (podcast.co-ready) 00:00 – Cold-open: Brandon on San Antonio's $2 M sprint and ignoring competitors 00:35 – Meet-cute in Denver: Twins recap how Romex hit the Buzz radar 02:00 – Idaho & Utah roots ➜ NC lake life and snowboard obsession 04:00 – Pre-dental student to Yamaha finance wiz; first taste of sales 05:55 – Buying the dealership at 23 amid the 2008 crash 07:50 – The $50 K zero-percent credit-card gamble (dad said “pound sand”) 10:30 – #1 Yamaha dealer award, Hawaii trip & seven-figure exit at 27 12:45 – Houseboat “retirement” on Lake Powell—then the FBI phone call 15:30 – Ponzi fallout: losing everything, choosing bounce-back over bitterness 18:15 – Digital-marketing lessons he'd use to 10x a dealership today 21:30 – Door-to-door debut with Alterra; launching Romex during senior year of college 24:00 – Early offices, small acquisitions & meeting sales phenom JJ 27:00 – High close-rate playbook: 55-plus communities and 10-deal days 30:00 – Golden-Door sellers, mindset of elite reps, and JJ's natural talent 32:45 – Romex footprint: TX, OK, LA, MS—why every growth dollar points to Texas 34:50 – Data-driven market picks; San Antonio case study 35:35 – Revenue targets: $50 M by 2027, PCT Top-40 climb, margin focus 38:00 – Personal goals: lake-house life, golf bets & the women's-attire wager 39:55 – Twins invite Brandon to Potomac 100 mastermind in Puerto Rico 40:30 – Dylan Seals outro & Masterclass CTA

Today's episode is a must-listen for any veterinary practice manager considering a transition to a new practice management software system. Joining the podcast to help us take this on is Heidi Traylor from Covina Animal Hospital. Heidi is a seasoned CVPM and PHR and talks all about her practice's journey in selecting and implementing a new PIMS. Heidi shares the pivotal moment that pushed her team to finally make the switch - when their aging, on-premise system could no longer keep up with their changing needs and the speed of their operations. Heidi and her leadership team evaluated their options, creating a scorecard to assess each system's capabilities against their requirements. Heidi stresses the critical role of her frontline team in the selection process. By taking their feedback on what they loved and hated about the current system, Heidi was able to ensure the new PIMS would truly meet the needs of the users, and she didn't stop there either; she empowered a "technology team" of staff volunteers to test-drive the finalists, providing invaluable hands-on feedback! Of course, no software transition is without its challenges, and Heidi openly reflects on the struggles that Covina faced with training the entire staff. Her advice is to be incredibly patient, provide multiple learning modalities, and don't be afraid to lean on your vendor's onboarding support. Most importantly, though, she highlights the importance of giving the team ample time to adjust before going live. If you're contemplating a PIMS change in your own practice, then you definitely will not want to miss Heidi's wisdom in this episode, so grab a pen and paper because you're going to want to take notes, and enjoy our conversation with Heidi Traylor! This episode is brought to you by CareCredit. CareCredit understands you are busier today than perhaps ever before, so to help free up your time, the CareCredit Health and Pet Care credit card allows clients to access a budget-friendly financing experience. They can learn, see if they pre-qualify, apply, and even pay if approved all on their own. With just the tap of a link or a quick scan of a QR code, they have a friendly, contactless way to pay over time for the services and treatments their pet needs.     Show Notes: [1:53] - We hear how Heidi initially resisted change but reconsidered after realizing that Infinity was no longer meeting Covina's needs. [4:58] - To guide selection for a new system, the leadership team carefully curated staff feedback on Infinity. [7:53] - Hear how a detailed, color-coded spreadsheet helped eliminate unfit options and spotlight top contenders. [10:08] - Heidi reveals that, despite some initial nerves, her staff welcomed the change and felt empowered by being included. [12:00] - Jill reflects on team enthusiasm having grown knowing that their feedback would affect the outcome. [14:54] - Heidi reveals that they ended up going with Digitail, and she describes what she loves about it. [16:11] - Heidi reveals that there were some who resisted the change at first, but leadership stayed supportive and aware of growing pains. [18:49] - Preparation took place for about a year and included demos, SOP creation, and training. [21:10] - We learn that training 35+ staff proved to be the biggest challenge. [23:59] - Heidi advises informing clients of software changes early to set expectations and highlight long-term benefits. [25:07] - Be patient with your team while adopting new software, and centralize documentation for smoother transitions. [27:41] - It's important to support staff through change with empathy, preparation, and access to resources.   Thank you for listening. Remember you are not in this alone. Visit our website for more resources. Links and Resources: ●      VHMA Web Page ●      VHMA Coronavirus Resources ●      VHMA Facebook ●      VHMA Twitter ●      VHMA on Linkedin ●      Heidi Traylor on LinkedIn ●      Covina Animal Hospital Web Page ●      Covina Animal Hospital on LinkedIn ●      Digitail Web Page ●      CareCredit Web Page  

[EXPERT VOICES, UNFILTERED] Let's be real: if you're drowning in to-dos, secretly cursing your inbox, and wondering how the heck everyone else seems to “do it all,” this episode is your warm hug and loving kick in the ass. This week, I'm sitting down with the brilliant and hilarious Emily Reagan—freelance marketing coach, founder of the Unicorn Digital Marketing Assistant School, and mom of four (yes, FOUR).  She's built her business by helping overwhelmed women turn their random skill sets into profitable freelance careers—and she's here to help you stop wearing all the hats in your business. We dive into: Why delegating before you feel ready is actually the secret to growing faster (and saner) What to outsource first based on your energy, time, and goals The mindset shift you NEED to make if you're moving from solopreneur to CEO The biggest mistakes people make when hiring their first VA (and how to avoid them) What a VA can do (and what they're not supposed to do... ahem, design your website + write your copy + book your dentist appointment) Emily also shares how she built a lean, flexible team to support her limited work hours (think: 10:30 to 2:30 workdays), why she pays her contractors more than herself (yep), and the exact SOP she recommends every business owner create before they hire. Spoiler: You're probably not too early to start hiring—you're just overwhelmed and need permission to let go.

In this episode, we embark on a journey through the textures, aromas, and flavors of the world's largest cheese-tasting festival. Held on May 25, 2025, in Sopó, Cundinamarca, Colombia, this event brought together 1,185 cheese lovers—breaking the previous record of 1,000—with each of us sampling three iconic cheeses: Gruyère, Sopó, and Argovia. Recognized by Guinness World Records, this festival celebrated Alpina's 80‑year heritage and the craftsmanship behind each cheese.This Week's Featured Hashtag#TerribleSummer2025PlansOther Interesting ThingsGuinness Records' Article about the Cheese FestivalKangaroo Valley ShowPitbull feat. Kesha - TimberSend a text to The Ebone Zone! Support the showIf you have questions or comments email ebonezonepodcast@yahoo.com Follow the Ebone Zone on Twitter: https://twitter.com/OfficialEBZLike the Ebone Zone on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ebonezoneofficial/Visit www.ebonezone.com for more content!

News and commentary for Thursday, 3 July, 2025. How much more outright treason has to come out before AmeriKans realize that they've been had - and that's it's been SOP for years?

SUMMARY: In this episode, Aaron and Terryn dive into the fascinating world of oil and gas operations with special guest Greg Thomas, President of Delta Oil and Gas. Broadcasting from Fort Worth, Texas. Greg shares his journey from geology and finance to leading a thriving company with field offices in Breckenridge, Texas, and a geologic office in Boulder, Colorado. With a unique perspective on operational excellence, Greg reveals how his team has achieved remarkable 98% efficiency through the implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), transforming the company over the past five years.   The conversation explores the universal truths of operations across industries, emphasizing the critical role of people in driving success. Greg discusses his approach to retaining talent by fostering loyalty through innovative incentives, such as allowing technical team members to invest in projects, aligning their success with the company's growth. Also discussed is the importance of institutional knowledge, the value of long-term employees, and strategies for keeping retirees engaged through consulting roles. Along the way, they touch on the challenges of managing visionary expectations, the pitfalls of micromanagement, and the delicate balance of performance-based pay structures.     Minute by Minute: 0:00 Introduction 2:26 Let's meet Greg Thomas 5:29 Layoffs during the rise and fall of oil prices? 8:09 Managing people and projects is the same  14:25 Performance pay structure based on KPIs 18:51 How can we all win 20:13 My team all wants to stay

If your brain is a cluttered inbox of to-dos, patient follow-ups, supplement orders, and social media reminders… this episode is your new best friend. We're talking SOPs - Standard Operating Procedures - but not the corporate, 57-page version. These are simple, no-fluff systems that help you organize your day, delegate tasks, and stop wasting time on things you do over and over again. Inside this episode, I'll walk you through: What an SOP really is (and what it isn't) The 3 areas of your business that desperately need one The best tools for creating SOPs - no tech wizardry required A simple 4-step strategy to get started this week (for real) Because when your business runs on repeatable systems, you finally get your brain - and your time - back. Whether you're running solo or have a small-but-mighty team, this episode will help you work smarter, breathe easier, and set your future self up for success. Let's simplify the behind-the-scenes so you can focus on what you do best - taking care of people.

《槓桿不賭命》是一檔來自美股投資者的真實紀錄，我是主持人何星，我會與你分享如何聰明的使用槓桿放大指數投資的複利威力。一起在房價超高薪水超低的時代，提高金融邏輯與認知，換取更多選擇的自由。 https://fstry.pse.is/7tggyv —— 以上為 Firstory Podcast 廣告 —— 加入免費會員，更新資訊不漏接： https://open.firstory.me/join/clh1qknlp0h0s01w286nq3i04 小額贊助支持本節目： https://open.firstory.me/user/clh1qknlp0h0s01w286nq3i04 留言告訴我你對這一集的想法： https://open.firstory.me/user/clh1qknlp0h0s01w286nq3i04/comments 歡迎您用一杯咖啡支持我持續創作 : https://pay.soundon.fm/podcasts/a11a2120-4bc4-4fb2-813b-135bd96e5868 六個月的線上陪伴計畫報名表： （2025.07 第二階段開始） https://reurl.cc/7KzaRb 「布姐的交誼廳。陪你聊人生聊職場」Line 社群 https://reurl.cc/36NWEL(密碼：love) 本集重點： 台積電十年歷程：瓦基從工程師一路做到主管，經歷了從技術導向到人管理的轉變。閱讀啟動轉變：因為覺得自己在領導力不足，開始大量閱讀管理書籍，自學補足短板。從筆記到分享：原本寫筆記為了自用，後來開始在 Medium 分享讀書心得，逐漸發展為部落格。開始斜槓自媒體：寫作後得到回饋，決定開始經營自媒體，創立粉專並持續更新內容。選擇閱讀而非尋找 mentor：對內向者來說，閱讀是比向人請教更低摩擦力的學習管道。書是最便宜的導師：瓦基把書當 mentor，並學會從書中找出與當下處境最匹配的解法。《與成功有約》成為關鍵書單：這本書的七個習慣深深影響了他，尤其是「以終為始」的思維。重視模組化、可複製的思考：工程師思維讓他習慣模組化地做筆記與傳承知識，便於團隊共創。熱愛分享與內部優化：他不斷優化 SOP，也鼓勵團隊共同創作，推動知識在團隊中流動。感受到與同儕的思維斷層：當他開始思考團隊差異化與未來策略時，逐漸與同儕產生頻率差。 來賓. 瓦基 Waki 瓦基，曾在台積電擔任主管，後來轉職成為專業說書人、作家、創業者。 經營閱讀前哨站部落格、 下一本讀什麼 Podcast / YouTube， 幫忙碌的現代人提煉好書精華， 透過閱讀提升思考、改善工作與生活、將知識轉化為行動。 https://readingoutpost.com/ https://www.facebook.com/ReadingOutpost

In this episode, we're diving deep into the often-overlooked power of workflows and SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures). While the topic may not sound thrilling at first, mastering these tools can completely transform your business—from client experience to team delegation and operational consistency. Whether you're starting from scratch or optimizing what you already have, this episode will walk you through exactly how to create workflows that protect your time and wow your clients. Plus, we've included downloadable templates to make implementation easier than ever.Here's what you'll learn in this episode:What a workflow and SOP actually are—and why they matterThe six essential elements of a great SOP (hint: it's more than just steps!)The most common mistakes advisors make when building workflowsHow to test and refine your SOPs before automatingWhy keeping a non-digital copy of your workflows is critical for long-term successBy the end of this episode, you'll have the clarity and tools to begin creating your onboarding SOP template—a foundational piece that will support every client interaction moving forward. This is where your onboarding process becomes referable, repeatable, and remarkable.Let's get building!

In this value-packed episode of Torsion Talk, Ryan Luchia pulls back the curtain on one of the garage door industry's biggest silent killers—bad margins. From quoting errors and labor miscalculations to underbidding installs and measurement slip-ups, Ryan walks through the real-world traps that drain profitability from even the busiest garage door companies. If your revenue looks healthy but your bank account doesn't, this is the podcast you need.Ryan shares hard-won lessons from his own business at Aaron Overhead Doors, including how incorrect labor estimates, broken quoting systems, and missed upsells can eat away at profits one job at a time. You'll hear about the impact of AI, leadership development through GDU (Garage Door U), and how to build a stronger quoting and install process that scales with precision.Get insider updates on the Fort Lauderdale intensive, a workshop-style mastermind limited to a few select garage door pros. Ryan also spotlights tools like Phil Pulse and SureWinder that are transforming daily operations. Whether you're looking to trim costs, build brand over leads, or fix inefficiencies in your quoting and labor practices, this episode delivers clarity.Some hot-button topics we dive into:-Profit margin leaks in labor and installs-Why job costing is your business's financial lifeline-How to quote with confidence and avoid emotional discounting-Leveraging AI for phone answering and business automation-The cost of callbacks, warranty work, and missed add-on opportunities-Building a quoting SOP to scale with your business-Why revenue is vanity and profit is sanity-Tips for using GDU and masterminds to grow smarter, not just biggerPlus, Ryan reveals his “one-process challenge” to help tighten operations this week—and why sometimes all it takes is one solid improvement to protect your bottom line.If you're a garage door business owner navigating economic headwinds, rising competition, and the daily chaos of running a service company—this episode is your roadmap to staying profitable and sane.Join our Garage Door Entrepreneurs Facebook Group to connect with other pros who are building smart, efficient businesses.Want in on the next intensive? Message Ryan on Facebook or DM him directly to apply. Spots are extremely limited.Find Ryan at:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://garagedooru.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aaronoverheaddoors.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://markinuity.com/⁠Check out our sponsors!Sommer USA - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://sommer-usa.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Surewinder - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://surewinder.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Stealth Hardware - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://quietmydoor.com/⁠

En este episodio, Andrea y su tía Delkin continúan explorando los rincones más fascinantes de Bogotá y sus alrededores. Desde la famosa Catedral de Sal en Zipaquirá, el Jardín Botánico y el gigantesco Parque Simón Bolívar, hasta pueblos con encanto como Guatavita y Sopó, descubrirás los mejores planes culturales y naturales para incluir en tu próxima visita a Colombia. También aprenderás sobre la historia detrás de la Laguna de Tota y la leyenda de El Dorado, el imponente Teatro Colón, y hasta un parque temático con un “mini Taj Mahal” colombiano. Todo esto con vocabulario útil y conversación natural para ayudarte a mejorar tu español mientras conoces más sobre la cultura del país. ¡Un episodio perfecto para estudiantes intermedios y avanzados que quieren mejorar su español y planear su próximo viaje a Bogotá! Get the transcript of this episode here: https://www.espanolistos.com/ ¿Quieres tomar clases con nuestras tutoras colombianas? Registrate aquí: https://spanishlandschool.com/classes/ Ellas son divertidas, pacientes y preparan las clases de acuerdo a tus necesidades.

We're in the era of the “hands-off salon owner”—but let's get real: no system can replace your presence. In today's episode, I'm sharing the hard-earned lessons from the seasons I tried to lead from a distance, what fell apart (and why), and how I've come to use systems as a support to my leadership—not a substitute for it.If you've been hoping your SOPs would run the show while you check out, this is your reminder that sustainable success still needs a present leader. Let's talk about the difference between a salon that runs without you and a salon that grows because of you.What you'll learn in this episode:Why “autopilot” doesn't mean “hands-off”How to identify what only you can do in your businessWhere systems help—and where they hurt—when leadership is absentWhat happened when I thought SOPs were enoughHow I use regular check-ins to amplify my leadership (not micromanage)Why sustainability needs both systems and presenceThe difference between taking a break and walking away completelyWant access to my full SOP library + weekly leadership coaching? Join The Monday Club: https://www.lexilomax.com/monday-club

Hoy os traigo un caso que, sinceramente, me parece muy interesante porque nos recuerda lo importante que es no quedarnos con una única explicación para los síntomas de nuestras pacientes.Esta mujer acudió a consulta tras dejar las pastillas anticonceptivas que llevaba tomando desde los 17 años por un diagnóstico de síndrome de ovario poliquístico. Ahora, con 27 años, después de una década de tratamiento hormonal, quería ver cómo funcionaba su cuerpo de forma natural. Pero al retirarlas, su ciclo no se regulaba. Las reglas eran muy irregulares y además sentía un síndrome premenstrual muy marcado, con cambios emocionales, cansancio, pero sobre todo con una gran distensión abdominal que aparecía días antes de la menstruación.Esa distensión era lo que más le incomodaba. Se sentía inflamada constantemente, con una barriga hinchada que no se correspondía con su constitución. En consulta comenzamos un trabajo de higiene dietética y de hábitos: equilibramos su alimentación, mejoramos su descanso, incorporamos movimiento y trabajamos su relación con la comida. A los tres meses, notamos avances: los ciclos empezaban a asomar de forma más regular, el SPM se aligeraba un poco, y su energía era más constante. Pero la barriga… seguía ahí.Era lo único que no mejoraba. No había estreñimiento ni diarrea destacable, no había dolor, pero la hinchazón seguía presente casi cada día. Me quedé sin ideas. Habíamos corregido todo lo básico, lo esperable, lo que suele funcionar… así que me trajo fotos. Cuando las vi, no lo dudé. Esa hinchazón era típica, casi de manual. Pensé: "Esto huele a SIBO". Le propuse hacer el test de sobrecrecimiento bacteriano en intestino delgado y, efectivamente, dio positivo.Iniciamos tratamiento específico para el SIBO, combinando intervención dietética, pautas para mejorar la motilidad intestinal y tratamiento antibiótico según el caso. A las pocas semanas empezaron los cambios: menos hinchazón, mejor digestión, menos gases, incluso su estado de ánimo mejoró. Y lo más importante: su barriga volvió a su forma natural.Este caso es un claro ejemplo de cómo el SOP no explica todo y cómo el cuerpo puede darnos pistas de que algo más está ocurriendo. También nos recuerda que cuando no hay mejoría en un síntoma aislado, hay que seguir investigando. A veces lo que más incomoda a una paciente no es lo que parece, y por eso es fundamental mirar con lupa, tener una mirada amplia y trabajar con herramientas adecuadas.Conviértete en un seguidor de este podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/comiendo-con-maria-nutricion--2497272/support.

No Arauto Repórter de hoje, você confere:* Sexta-feira para a melhor idade bailar e se deliciar na Feira da Produção* Inverno começa nesta sexta-feira e indica condições favoráveis para chuvas acima da média* Prefeitura de Santa Cruz realiza Sopão Fraterno para atingidos pelas chuvas* Em destaque na segurança pública: Polícia Civil prende adolescentes envolvidos em assassinato em Santa Cruz.

No Arauto Repórter de hoje, você confere:* Sexta-feira para a melhor idade bailar e se deliciar na Feira da Produção* Inverno começa nesta sexta-feira e indica condições favoráveis para chuvas acima da média* Prefeitura de Santa Cruz realiza Sopão Fraterno para atingidos pelas chuvas* Em destaque na segurança pública: Polícia Civil prende adolescentes envolvidos em assassinato em Santa Cruz.

What does the future of cancer care look like? From replacing IV chemo with oral agents to game-changing advances in bispecific and trispecific therapies, this special bonus episode dives deep into the most exciting—and practice-changing—developments from the 2025 ASCO Annual Meeting.NCODA's Kelly Brunk, PharmD, BCOP, returns from ASCO energized and ready to share his top takeaways in a candid conversation about where oncology is headed. Whether you're a clinician, pharmacist, or anyone in the cancer care ecosystem, this episode is packed with insight you don't want to miss.Bonus: Kelly also shares updates on NCODA's new Immunotherapy Hub and offers a forward-looking take on where the field is headed."The rate of change in oncology care is accelerating—and it's time for practices to be ready, not reactive." — Kelly Brunk Inside the Episode:How oral therapies are reshaping breast cancer treatmentThe evolving role of bispecifics, trispecifics, and antibody-drug conjugatesPractical considerations for implementation: protocols, access, and infrastructureThe importance of quality of life in treatment decisionsEarly use of immune checkpoint inhibitors in multiple disease statesHow AI and equity are shaping the next decade of oncology Listen now and explore what these developments mean for clinical practice—and for the patients at the center of it all. Resources mentioned:NCODA's Immunotherapy Hub – A central resource offering clinical tools, SOP examples, and support for implementing therapies like bispecifics and antibody-drug conjugates.Questions or looking to connect? Email the NCODA Clinical Team at clinical@ncoda.org

Hiring the right team is one of the biggest challenges brand owners face—especially in the early stages of growth. In this episode of Built for This, Andy Isom is joined by Michael Jordan, co-CEO of Bad Marketing, to break down a smarter hiring strategy for e-commerce and Amazon sellers.   We dive into which roles to hire first, where to find top talent outside of the usual “go hire a Filipino VA” playbook, and how to scale your Amazon or E-Commerce team globally without wasting money. If you're ready to stop doing everything yourself and start building a team that actually moves your brand forward, this episode is your blueprint.   My favorite SOP recording tool: www.loom.com   Get a free audit of your brand to see if you qualify for subsidized management here: www.weavos.io  

This week on The Art of SBA Lending, Ray Drew sits down with David Tinsley of Lenders Cooperative to unravel the shifting landscape of SBA lending and the role of technology and LSPs in shaping its future. Recorded live from the MALC conference, they dive into the buzz surrounding the unannounced new SOP and what it means for lenders. From the challenges of scaling an SBA division to the surprising dominance of AI in industry conversations, Ray and David explore how to navigate growth, manage risk, and foster innovation — "throwing the whole playbook out". They also tackle the ongoing debate of in-house operations versus leveraging Lender Service Providers (LSPs).

  Be self-controlled!Listen to what the Bible says, from 1 Peter.(click for podcast)taH sober je self-controlled. taH watchful. lIj adversary the devil, yIttaH around rur a roaring HaDI'baH, seeking 'Iv ghaH may Sop.Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary the devil, walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.Online BibleListen to the Word, it helps us navigate the stars and beyond.

你在忙碌的生活中，找不到時間閱讀？前往台灣最受歡迎的 Podcast 說書節目「下一本讀什麼」，每週認識兩本好書，快速吸收好書精華。主題包含個人成長、投資理財、商業職場。一起透過閱讀，成為更好的自己。 https://fstry.pse.is/7tgjcj —— 以上為 Firstory Podcast 廣告 —— 【想看影片版？直接點這裡看更多！YouTube：https://youtu.be/tXJfT2fcsB4】 你知道台中知名的景點「宮原眼科」，是由日本眼科博士宮原武熊所興建的眼科診所所改建的嗎？而今天我們所要介紹的「不老夢想125號」，同樣也是日治時期古蹟，前身是宮原武熊宅邸。 這座宅邸於2016年交由弘道老人福利基金會營運，延續著名的「不老騎士」精神，以銀髮退休人士擔任餐廳主力，目前有14位不老料理人輪班擔任主廚，每天提供一葷一素的「阿嬤精選定食」與「老ㄟ今天呷素套餐」，還有早午茶和下午茶。 不老夢想125號專員李佩華和不老料理人阿勉姐還介紹，他們的料理都是使用有機食材、盡量減少廚餘，讓他們在2024年榮獲綠媒體頒發的綠色宣言獎項，不但實現高齡友善，更落實綠色永續。 本集金句： 其實我們的SOP是我們對他們（不老料理人）長時間的工作觀察把它寫下來，因為她們不是每天上班，總共14個同事，每個同事平均是14天排7個班，我們要讓每個同事做出一樣好吃的食物，就觀察比較會煮的人的做法，把它寫下來。所以那個SOP都是不老料理人口述或做給我們看，我們再把流程記錄下來。 #李佩華 #黃阿勉 #不老夢想125號 #不老料理人 #古蹟餐廳 #熟齡 #銀髮族 @不老夢想125號 BULAO 125 https://www.facebook.com/bulao125 #寶島聯播網 #寶島有意思 ---寶島有意思 準時放送--- 19：00~~~> 北部-寶島新聲 FM98.5 嘉義-嘉義之音FM91.3 高雄-主人電台FM96.9 21：00~~~> 中部-大千電台 FM99.1 ---------- 寶島有意思》挖掘台灣有意思的在地人、事、物。 寶島聯播網》以「本土電台」為品牌定位，用心傳承台灣在地文化，傳遞台語流行音樂之美。https://www.baodaoradio.com.tw/ 寶島好康商城》堅持提供高品質、安心、實惠的好康產品。https://www.bodogo.com.tw/ 小額贊助支持本節目： https://open.firstory.me/user/clw4248xv113d01wg7s4h2xnr 留言告訴我你對這一集的想法： https://open.firstory.me/user/clw4248xv113d01wg7s4h2xnr/comments Powered by Firstory Hosting

Welcome back to Small Business School! In this week's episode of the Business Builder series, we're tackling something most entrepreneurs know they should be doing… but often avoid: building systems and procedures in your business (aka SOPs). But don't worry—this isn't about creating a stuffy, never-used operations manual. I'm walking you through how to build simple, repeatable systems that actually help you grow, without making it your full-time job. If you've ever said, “I know I need systems, but who has time?”—this one's for you.Key topics covered:What SOPs really are—and what they aren'tHow to create effective systems in just 3 minutes using the tools you already haveWhy messy, imperfect SOPs are better than perfect ones that never get usedTips for building a culture where your team creates and owns the systems tooWhether you're onboarding clients, posting content, or running payroll—this episode gives you a clear roadmap to make systems your secret weapon (without the overwhelm). Let's get your time back and start building a business that runs without you in the weeds.ChallengeA simple action step: pick one task you do regularly that you're ready to delegate. Record yourself doing it—using Loom, a voice note, or a Zoom video—and save it in an SOP folder.Mentioned in this episode: If you are running a business in Canada and you need help with all the things accounting related, but more importantly understanding the numbers I invite you to check out https://thriveaccounting.co/Staci's Links:Instagram. Website.The School for Small Business Podcast is a proud member of the Female Alliance Media. To learn more about Female Alliance Media and how they are elevating female voices or how they can support your show, visit femalealliancemedia.ca.Head over to my website https://www.stacimillard.com/ to grab your FREE copy of my Profit Playbook and receive 30 innovative ways you can add more profit to your business AND the first step towards implementing these ideas in your business!

Quaranteam – Book 1: Part 3 A New family. Based on a post by CorruptingPower, in 25 parts. Listen to the Podcast at Explicit Novels. Chapter 7 That evening, Andy and the girls decided to curl up in bed and watch some television with Niko asleep next to them. At first, Andy was worried that the volume would be high enough to wake up their newest addition, but Aisling assured him nothing was going to stir her from her slumber. Sure enough, despite the volume of the show “ a Spanish Netflix crime drama called La Casa De Papel “ Niko didn't budge an inch. Andy fell asleep with Aisling pressed up against his right side and Lauren pressed up against his left, both of their heads resting against his chest. When he'd first started sleeping with Aisling in his bed, he'd had trouble falling asleep easily. It wasn't something his body had any regular experience with, so it had to be trained. He'd had similar trepidation when Lauren joined them. But now, having had both of the girls for nearly three weeks, he'd grown comfortable with their bodies nestled against his. In the middle of the night, he was in the middle of a strange sex dream only to be woken to find Niko bobbing her head up and down on his cock, her lips latched around it firmly. Neither Lauren or Aisling had woken. Andy couldn't see Niko well in the low light of the wee hours, but her head was feverish, her mouth suctioning on his member until he popped a load against the back of her throat, a thankful, almost vulgar moan coming from the woman, as her tongue lathered over his cock to make sure no droplet remained. She was still spasming in orgasm long after he was done. Once she'd finished licking his cock clean, she crawled back up into the bed, and moved to lay against Lauren's side, folding one arm over the Aussie. Andy fell back asleep almost immediately. When dawn broke, Andy awoke to find Niko straddling his hips, his cock lodged up inside of her snatch. He often woke up with a hard on, but Ash and Lauren had agreed to let him at least wake up in the morning before having a go at him. Clearly no one had informed Niko. He didn't feel bad taking a better look at her now, her tits pressed together between her arms as her hands rest against his chest, while her hips snapped back and forth. Her skin was a deep tan, her nipples a chocolate brown, her hair a jet black. She wasn't tall, about the same height as Aisling so half a foot shorter than Andy, and a full foot shorter than Lauren. She was muscular, toned, a life of military training having kept her very in shape. His orgasm wasn't strong, but it came on quick. By this point, Andy was a little surprised he wasn't cumming dust. As soon as his orgasm hit, she fell forward against his chest, burying her face in the crook of his neck. Aisling and Lauren were both already awake, each with a hand on one of Niko's thighs affectionately. "God damn, sorry about that, sir," Niko laughed, breathy and still shaking. "2nd Lieutenant Niko RedWolf, reporting for her new life, sir. I think my head's finally clear again." "Wasn't it before?" Andy asked. She shook her head, lifting her head up enough so she could look down and smile at him, her hair threatening to spill out of her ponytail at a moment's notice. "Would you believe this is the first time it's actually registered to me what you look like, sir?" She had a mischievous smile and kind brown eyes. "They may have told me your name, but I don't think it cut through the fog. Who are you?" Andy blanched. "My name's Andy Rook. What do you mean, you don't think it cut through the fog?" Niko looked over at Lauren, who scooted a little bit to one side, so Niko could slide off of the top of him and in against his side. "I serve on the Air Force base where they were testing the vaccine, and I agreed to be a test candidate. The two men who were injected with it died immediately, but I and the other female officer seemed fine. At first. Within a few days of it, I started feeling, well, pardon my saying so, sir, but I started feeling horny all the time. The other female officer as well." Aisling smirked over at Niko. "Permission to swear freely is habitually granted in this home, 2nd Lieutenant. In fact, Andy likes a girl with a filthy mouth," she giggled, slapping his thigh. He wilted a little bit, but then nodded in confirmation to Niko. "It's true." "Duly noted, sir," Niko answered. "Anyway, they didn't know about the side effects during the early testing stages, but it started to become pretty fucking apparent to them when I would continually get all fidgety. I tried to resist as long as I could, but eventually I was jilling off in bathroom stalls every chance I could get. Within a week or two, they had an answer, and the program was born." "The Air Force developed the vaccine?" "You think those morons in private research were going to do it this fast? Hell no." Niko snuggled in, trying to get as comfortable as possible pressed up against his chest. "So they figured out that they could introduce the vaccine to men by sexual contact with a vaccinated woman, and that it seemed to help quell the insane need to fuck all the time that women given the vaccine were feeling." "If you were one of the first people to be given the vaccine, then why weren't you partnered up with someone immediately?" Lauren asked. "I wasn't fond of being subservient to a man, so I told them I wanted someone who would keep me on equal ground. But because the nature of my work with Air Force, I also needed someone who would have Top Secret level clearance." Andy's eyes widened. "I sure as hell don't have that." "No, you don't, but you'd mostly been vetted for it Your friend Phil Pak has been trying to get you to come and work with him for a long while, so they'd done all the legwork, and decided to call it good enough." "I also happen to have a mess of partners, Niko. Are you sure that's going to be okay?" "It's all been taken care of, otherwise they wouldn't have sent me here." Niko's eyes suddenly widened. "Oh my god, I haven't even introduced myself to your other partners." Aisling winked at her. "You had hard fucking to do, love. I'm Aisling Blake, I'm from Dublin originally. Everyone around here calls me Ash. I do graphic design." She shook Niko's hand, but Niko pulled her over Andy's head and pressed a kiss against Aisling's lips above him, one which Ash was perfectly happy to reciprocate. "And who's the giantess surfer behind me?" Niko said, pulling back and turning around. "Lauren Herron. I'm a personal trainer for the '49ers." "An Irish girl and an Aussie. About time you got some American blood in this mix." Andy laughed. "That's what my roommate's partner Lily said." "Where are you from, Niko?" "The Rosebud reservation in South Dakota. I'm half Lakota, one quarter Mexican and one quarter Japanese. I know, it's quite the cocktail, but we've all got stories." It was nearly noon when they all got out of bed. Niko was the youngest of all of them, only twenty two. Ash was twenty seven, Lauren thirty five and Andy himself just shy of forty. Andy was worried that Niko might consider him too old, but Niko assured him that his age was not a concern for her. As a matter of fact, she liked older men. She found younger men too emotionally volatile for her tastes. She'd actually read one of his books, but the problem was that it was "The Trouble With Were Bears," the book he was least proud of. She'd said she found the main character interesting, but the plot rather confusing. He assured her the other ones were better, and she seemed eager to read them. The fuck lust, as Niko described it, would be with the girls for the rest of their lives. The longer they went without reconnecting with Andy, the more their judgment would be compromised, the harder it would be to think clearly. They would become like junkies in need of a fix. They would be easily agitated, quick tempered and even violent if they felt it would get them back to their pusher “ Andy. When Niko had arrived at Andy's condo, she had been so out of it that even now she couldn't recall the events he related back to her. Her first memory in weeks had been being in bed with him this morning, even as she crawled atop of him. She knew that he was her mate. She wasn't sure how she knew that, but she could feel it, sense it. And when he'd had his third orgasm inside of her within less than a day, the imprinting had finally settled in and peeled back the cloud from her consciousness. While Lauren was on leave until the pandemic had receded, Niko would be working from the condo. Although she was a qualified pilot, her service in the Air Force was as a data analyst, and a secure connection was being set up on site for her to use. Until then, she had a bit of a break. It was a Saturday, and the girls decided they wanted to work on their tans. The condo had a small back yard that was fenced off. While the neighbors in the condos on either side would be able to peer down and see them, the girls had decided to sunbathe topless. Lily had even decided to join them, although she bitched about the heat, which was pushing over a hundred. Andy spent the afternoon filling Eric in on all the information he'd gotten over the last two days “ what Phil had told him, what Niko had told him, all of it. Eric, in return, had filled in Andy with what he'd learned from work over the last few weeks. While Lily, Andy and Eric all knew who Eric worked for, they'd been a little bit vague with the girls, always joking that Eric worked for a think tank that didn't do anything interesting, but soon they were going to have to fill them in. Eric worked for a company called Long Thought Research and Development, but the truth of the matter was that they were a remote analyst cell for the CIA. Long Thought handled problems that were overwhelming in the abstract and deadly in application “ they were responsible for terrorist profiling, weapons migration modeling, political theater simulations and a whole lot more. Over the last few weeks, they'd been working on building a new model, one which had Eric worried. Theoretically, every member of Long Thought was supposed to be sectioned off, working on only a singular aspect of the problem so that no one analyst could get an idea of what the simulation was intended to determine. It was supposedly to avoid confirmation bias, but Eric had considered that explanation bullshit as of late. So he'd done a little bit of data gathering from his coworkers on the sly, and come up with a working theory. The model was designed to see how the world's new normal would pan out if 37.5% of the male population of Earth died out to a pandemic. This pandemic. Niko had wandered in before the rest of the girls, while Andy and Eric stood in the kitchen, staring at one another. Then she'd offered her own information, to help talk Andy out of what he'd been thinking about. Because Andy had been thinking about going to the press. She'd explained to him that for the time being, all of the information had to remain secret, or a nationwide panic would ensue. The vaccine that the Air Force had developed was starting to be deployed to major metropolitan areas on a very specific basis. And when a mayor, a governor, a representative or a senator had put up a fuss, Niko hinted that that particular politician had been exposed to the virus and then offered a choice “ they could take the vaccine, and be mated for life to one (or in some cases many) person, or they could deny the vaccine worked, and would be allowed to die. Only one governor had chosen to decline the vaccine, and while the Air Force had respected their wishes, they didn't allow the governor to tell anyone about the vaccine and its side effects. They did allow the governor to die, though. Niko explained to the two men that there were probably only a hundred or so people in the country with the full picture of what was going on, and that was by design, because already the virus was starting to take its toll on other countries. While some countries had done excellent jobs at containing the spread of it, others were on the verge of collapse. And the CIA was debating on what countries were worth saving and which weren't. England, Ireland and Australia were already in the process of being brought up to speed about the vaccine, but the complete details were only being given to them on an as needed basis. The pairing program had been confirmed to the outside world, but the side effects of the vaccine had been kept hush hush. On some level, the Air Force was convinced that foreign governments would laugh themselves at being told that the vaccine had crazy sexual side effects until they had gotten a chance to experience them for themselves. "Shit," Andy grumbled. "The ex-journalist in me feel like I'm sitting on the story of the century here, and I can't tell anybody." Niko squeezed his hand softly. "You're a good man, Andy Rook, which is why I'm happy to be mated to you, but you have to consider the ramifications of what would happen if you revealed all of this to the public." "The whole goddamn world would explode," Eric sighed. "I know. I've seen the data. And that's not the worst of it." "What's the worst of it then?" Andy asked. "The worst of it is that we're going to have to let a billion men die off for the planet to stabilize. It's going to be the biggest culling since World War Two, and even that wasn't a drop in the bucket compared to what this is." The three stood in silence for a long time. "How does anyone make these kinds of decisions?" Andy whispered. "You don't have to. We don't have to," Niko said, wrapping an arm around him. "You can't save the whole world, Andy, but you can save us. Hell, you've already saved those two amazing women out there. And they've been so nice to me, even though I apparently fucked you at your desk before even introducing myself." She blushed a little. "I still don't remember that. Did you watch, Eric?" Eric laughed, lifting the Collins glass full of scotch to his lips. "Are you kidding? Lily would've kicked the shit out of me if I did." "Oh, I dunno," Andy chuckled. "If you asked, she might let you watch." "Well, I don't intend to ask. She already has me waking up sore most mornings." "That's just the exercise from all the fucking you're doing," Andy said. "You're out of practice, just like me, and hell, I've got three women to satisfy." "Soon to be four," Niko giggled. "I'm sure it's every man's dream." "I'm just waiting for the first big fight to occur, because I know it's coming sooner or later." "That's future Andy's problem," Niko said, turning his face down so she could kiss him for a moment. "Besides, Ash made it pretty clear just because you're tired of giving me my medicine doesn't mean you get to skimp out on your promise to her." Andy groaned playfully. "I'm going to be running dry in a few days at this rate." "Oh I wouldn't worry too much about that, Andy," Eric said with a laugh. "The fall will probably kill you." "Yeah, well, you just keep thinking, Butch," Andy countered. "That's what you're good at." "What are the cats' names?" "The Russian blue is Muninn, and the black one is Huginn." "Odd names." "It's the name for Odin's two ravens, thought and wisdom," Eric said. "We were on a Norse mythology kick when we got them as kittens." "They friendly?" "Oh sure," Andy said. "They're just getting used to this many people being in the house at one time. If you put out their food enough times, they'll start cuddling up to you any chance they get. Ash decided she was going to befriend them right after she got here, and Muninn'll hop up into her lap when she's working at the table some days and just settle there. That's why Eric built her the foot rest, so she can put her legs up and Muninn'll sit there quietly." Niko looked back and forth between the two men for a minute. "How the hell were you two single before any of us showed up?" "Women don't like nerds," Eric grumbled. Andy raised a finger, arguing the point. "No, they like nerds alright, but they don't seem to understand that nerds like aggressive women and are terrible at making the first move. So nerds don't get the love they deserve." Niko looked out into the back yard, where the girls were gathering up their things, wrapping towels around their waists. "I dunno. You two seem to have done pretty well for yourselves at this point." Andy smirked, cocking his head to one side. "Sure, but luck is like the weather. Wait a few minutes and it'll change." A storm of bad luck was, indeed, just over the horizon. Chapter 8 The next few days involved a lot of time getting settled, as Andy learned more about the girls who now shared his life. They also spent time learning about each other. Andy spent time trying to get some writing done on another Druid Gunslinger novel, and when he got into a zone, the girls made a pact not to disturb him, especially if he started typing away badly. That gave them plenty of time to dig into each other's history, and the girls began to scheme and plan. They took great fun in learning each other's turn ons and offs, and to figure out how to quell their own wild desires, to try new experiences. The girls also took an interest in reading the seven books Andy had written in the Druid Gunslinger series, with Aisling going so far as to even mock up a movie poster for one of them, which delighted Andy to no end. It was starting to become obvious that the condo wasn't designed to hold this many people, however. At night, things were fine because everyone was packed in their beds, but during the day, people were having to work around one another. Aisling and Niko set up their laptops at the dining room table, while Lauren spent much of the day either working out in the backyard, or reading in a deck chair. Andy and Eric each had their own desk, Andy's in the dining room and Eric's in the living room. Lily seemed perfectly comfortable coding in the living room on the couch. When Andy's last partner showed up, she would have to either share space in the backyard or the couch in the living room. The dining room table might fit a third workspace, but it would be a very tight fit. There had been nice surprises, however. Both Lauren and Aisling were excellent cooks, each with radically different styles. Lauren focused on healthy cooking, while Ash was the master of lush, savory cooking that threatened waistlines just from the very smell of it. The cats had taken well to their new housemates, keeping themselves entertained while everyone was working. From time to time, they would hop onto people's laps, or walk across their laptops, but for the most part, they were just happy to have people to be around who might be willing to pet them in a spare moment. But they were starting to feel the limitations of the condo, and the heat wasn't helping. They had fans running nonstop, but the condo didn't have centralized air conditioning. When it had just been the two of them, they were able to manage by closing the windows and drawing the drapes, because the condo was nicely shaded by trees. But with six people, that wasn't holding up as well. By the time it started to cool down in the evening, a light funk had started to fill the place. And there was still one more person to show up. The camaraderie between them all had helped diffuse the tension, even as they delved into each other's past. Andy had gotten to know some of Aisling's siblings, especially Dermot, who had refused to let Andy off the line the first time they'd talked until he'd promised to send him an advance reader copy of "High Noon At Stonehenge," the upcoming Druid Gunslinger book that had started Andy down this whole journey. Turning on the news every night had been hard to watch, simply because it didn't jibe with the information they had at their own fingertips. As Phil had predicted, the government was doing its best to downplay the casualties, reporting false numbers to make it sound like everything was under control. And while reports of the vaccination program were starting to get out to the masses, nobody was talking about the side effects. Why, Andy kept asking himself, why oh why was nobody talking about the side effects? They were wrapping up a day's worth of work when Niko looked over at Andy with a soft smile. Aisling and Lauren had headed upstairs a few minutes earlier. "I've sort of been monopolizing you for a few days, Andy, so Ash and Lauren have a little surprise cooked up for you while I work late tonight. I'll be up in a few hours to crawl into bed, but you should go up to your room and enjoy what they've got up their sleeves." "You okay with that?" Andy said. He'd been navigating a whirlwind of emotions since the girls had come into his life, and was doing his best to make sure nobody ever felt left out, and that everyone also got a turn being the center of attention. "Oh relax. If I wasn't, I wouldn't have said so. And I did demand a mess of attention when I got here, so it's only fair I tap out of a couple of play sessions. Gimme a kiss and then go have your fun." She tilted her head upward as he smiled and leaned down, pressing his lips against hers. He'd meant to give her a quick kiss, but she folded her hand against the back of his neck and pulled him in to make it much more intense, practically searing him with the heat. "And Lauren's going to be a little nervous, and you're going to want to go easy on her. Don't, okay? She wants what she's offering, so don't deny her that. You'll know what she wants. Give it to her." "Yes ma'am." He offered her a mock salute and she reached over and swatted his ass. "Don't be a smartass. Now get your butt upstairs." Andy shutdown his desktop and then headed up the stairs. The door to his room was closed. Eric and Lily had been in their room for about an hour already, and he could hear the sounds of moans behind their closed door. Lily and Eric both started and ended their days earlier than Andy and his girls. Whenever a door was closed in the house, the rule was that you always knocked. So there was Andy, once again, knocking on the door to his own bedroom. "Come on in, luv," Aisling said. Andy stepped into his own bedroom, and saw Aisling sitting on the corner of the bed. On her knees on the floor next to her was Lauren, with her hands folded together in front of her. She wore absolutely nothing, except for a collar attached to a leash, the end of which was in Aisling's hand. He closed the door behind himself, feeling Huginn skitter in just before he did. "So what's all this then?" "Well love," Aisling said, "Lauren has a request. A couple of requests, actually. Don't you, slut?" Lauren licked her lips nervously, not speaking, but nodding in agreement. Aisling took the leash by the midpoint and used the end to give Lauren a smack on the back like a mock lash. "I asked you a question, Lauren. Answer me." "Sorry, Mistress," Lauren said. "Yes, Master, your slut would like to make a coupla humble requests, if that's good." What Niko had told him just a few minutes rung in his ears once more before he spoke. "You may ask. Whether I'll grant them or not remains to be seen, but if you don't ask, you risk nothing, you gain nothing. Speak." "Yes, sir. Thank you, sir. The other birds and I were talkin', and Aisl, Mistress Aisling was telling' us about her first time being taken in the back, an' I wanted to have a go at it." "Taken in the back?" Aisling gave her another playful smack with the leash end. "What did I tell you, whore? Speak plainly and dirty, otherwise he's not going to know what you want." "The ass, sir. I wanna be fucked in the ass." "That's one request. What's the other?" Andy said, moving a little closer to the two women. "You've been so wonderful and kind with me, Andy, but I want to see the other side of ya. I wanna rough go at it. Pull me hair, spank my ass, pinch me nips, ride my hard, pound me hard, make it hurt. Don't break me, but take me right up to that edge." Andy reached down and pinched one of Lauren's nipples between his fingertips, his grip holding firm and clamping even tighter than he would've normally. He expected to hear a whimper of pain from Lauren, but instead, a deep throated moan poured from her, and her hips almost rutted forward. "That what you're looking for?" "Fuck yes, Master." "If you want to be fucked in the ass, Lauren, you're going to need to get my cock good and slick. Going in dry would do some damage." Aisling giggled a little bit, and reached behind her, grabbing a tube of lubricant, handing it down to Lauren. Andy peeled his shirt off and felt Lauren's hands prying his jeans open, nearly ripping them down his legs. It wasn't until she'd gotten them down there that she realized he was still wearing his shoes from having walked out to the mailbox earlier. "Oh, you useless cunt, girl," Lauren said to herself. "Forgot to get his runners off." He certainly didn't go easy on her, and she certainly seemed to enjoy herself. Niko had slipped into bed with them an hour or so later, and the four of them drifted off to sleep. But it wasn't going to be a long and restful night for Andy. There was a knock on the door in the middle of the night. Aisling and Lauren were on his left and Niko was on his right, so he only had to move past her to get to the door. He saw her stir a little when he crawled out of bed, but he was able to avoid disturbing her too much. He pulled on a pair of boxers, tugged on a t shirt and opened the door to his room to see Eric and Lily standing outside. Eric curled his fingers at Andy to come out of his room. Andy nodded and stepped out into the hallway, then followed Eric and Lily downstairs to the living room. "Andy, we," Lily started, then paused, then started again, "I need your help." "Help?" Andy said, looking over at Eric. "What kind of help can I provide? I'm a writer, for fuck sake." "My roommate, well, my former roommate, she was given the vaccine, but,” Lily motioned for Andy to sit on the couch, so he did. "Look, Jenny's a nice girl. She's a little naive, and occasionally she's a bit daft, but she's a nice girl. She wasn't prepared for this." "Prepared for what?" Andy said. "What's happening?" "They delivered her to the man who was supposed to be her partner, and he took a swing at her, said he wanted to put her in her place before he'd let her have a taste of his seed. He tried to hit her, the fucking bastard. But Jenny's been studying aikido since she was six, and she broke his arm defending herself and ran. Even as horny as she was, she wasn't going to let someone push her around. So she fled and she's in hiding, and I can't let that stand, so we need to go and get her." "Go get her? Go and get her? And do what with her?" "I don't know, alright?" Lily said, raising her voice for a second. "I'm thinking we can take her to one of my coworkers and pair them up." "Isn't the government doing match ups? Aren't they going to be pissed that she isn't with who she's supposed to be?" "Look at me, Andy," Lily said, pointing her fingertips at her eyes. "Do I look like I give a shit what the government thinks? They didn't even do a proper check on the guy they were connecting her to. They paired her up with some abusive asshole with a history of violence towards partners. That isn't going to fly, okay?" "Let's go get her, and then we can figure out what to do with her, okay?" Eric suggested. "I'm sure one of us is going to regret this," Andy said, heading back upstairs to grab his socks and shoes. Before the plague had hit, even at three in the morning, there would've been at least a few cars on the road, but now, everyone was staying at home nearly all the time, which meant the freeway felt like a ghost town. That was for the best, because despite it not raining that much in the Bay Area, tonight it was pouring like a flood was coming. And people in the Bay were terrible drivers in the rain. It wasn't a short drive, and after a bit, Andy started to get a bit nervous. "How far up into the hills are we going, Lily? We're more than half way up to San Francisco at this point." "She's up here in Hillsborough, camped out in someone's vacant house since she fled from the asshole. I'm more worried that the cops have shown up to haul her ass to jail." "Or us," Eric said., They're gonna arrest us for being out under curfew." "Quit whining, baby," Lily said to him. "Right up there, on the left, 2885." There were in a very posh neighborhood in Hillsborough, with mansions on either side of them. There was plenty of space in between the houses, something that was mostly at a premium in the Bay. "You wait here with the engine running, Andy, in case we have to bolt quickly. Eric and I will be right back with her." Lily and Eric hopped out of the car, closing the doors and heading over to the house, and left Andy to wait. A minute or so later, a helicopter flew overhead, low and with a spotlight shining down, but it was off to the side and the beam of light cut through some back yard three or four streets over. Andy wasn't sure if they were looking for Lily's friend Jenny or not, but he hoped the police had other things on their mind. The wait was nearly unbearable. After ten minutes, Eric and Lily came back out of the house, a third person between them, hanging on, covered in a blanket it looked like had probably been stolen from whatever house she'd been hiding in. Eric held open the door and Lily loaded the woman into Andy's back seat before Lily ushered the girl into the car, crawling in after her as Eric slid into the front passenger's seat. "I think the cops are close, Andy," Lily hissed at him. "Fucking drive already!" As soon as both doors slammed shut, Andy's foot was off the brake and the car was in motion. It was hard to look back behind him, but after a few blocks he had to stop at a red light and glanced over his shoulder as he had to wait, and saw a familiar face resting her head in Lily's lap. "Jesus Lily, you didn't say your roommate was Jenny Carnero!" "Who's Jenny Carnero?" Eric asked. "She's the goddamn weather forecaster for channel 2." "How the hell would you know that?" Lily asked. "Neither of you strike me as Fox News watchers." "It's the only thing they had on over at 24 Hour Fitness when I went to work out, so I saw her all the time." "It was a job, Andy," Lily said. "I also didn't expect you to hold a grudge." "It's not that, Lily," Andy sighed. "She's going to be noticed missing. It's not like she's somebody we can just keep hidden without people knowing where she is. The minute she goes into work, the guy she's supposed to be with will know where to fucking find her, and that means they'll come for her." "By that point, she'll already be imprinted on someone, so it won't fucking matter," Lily growled. "And it won't be that asshole who tried to hit her." The girl whimpered, her head squirming in Lily's lap. "Lily," she whined, "Lily, it hurts. Need cock." "Soon, Jenny, soon. It won't be long." "Not long, Now," Jenny said, her voice starting to sound almost violent. "Give cock." "Oh shit, her nose is bleeding," Eric said, his eyes back on Jenny's face. "Just pull over and Andy can fuck her." "Excuse me, but I've already got three girls, and supposedly one more on the way. Why don't you fuck her?" "Because Lily says I can't." "Andy, stop the car," Lily said. "Eric, get back here." "But you said,” "I know what I fucking said, you little shit, but I'll have to fucking learn to deal with it, won't I? Get back here and let her suck you off while Andy's driving us home." Andy brought the car to a stop at the next red light, and Lily swapped places with Eric. As soon as Eric was sitting in the back seat, Jenny was practically ripping his pants off, fishing out his cock before slamming her mouth down on it. "Lily, are you sure about this?" Eric said, nervousness apparent in his voice. "Give it to her, Eric. She and I were good friends, we will be again. It'll just be an adjustment." Andy kept his eyes pointing forward for the rest of the drive as Eric got blown in his back seat. Chapter 9 The next day Andy was struggling to figure out a plan. He'd been running it around in his head for hours, trying to see some easy way through this, but he kept coming back to the same inevitable point “ he needed Phil's help. God, he was tired of having to ask Phil for help. "You're vexed, Andy," Niko said to him, placing her hand on his shoulder. He'd been sitting at his desk, and he looked back over his shoulder to her. "How can you tell?" "You've been looking at that computer screen for almost an hour and haven't typed a word, babe," she said, leaning in to kiss him on the cheek. "That's vexed. We haven't been together long, but I recognize when you're vexed. I do the same, when I'm thinking very hard about something. I stare and I fret, while I'm vexed." "You seem rather like a badass, Niko. You sure you're going to be okay, being saddled with a square like me?" She laughed. It was a sound he was quickly learning to love, confident and yet still somehow a little cheeky. "You've been keeping this house together despite all the chaos. That doesn't seem square to me." "You know I'm like a dozen years your elder, right?" "I won't tell anyone if you won't. So how can I help? What are you vexed by?" "Last night, our little voyage out, we brought back a new girl for Eric. She's Lily's former roommate. She was supposed to be with someone else, but apparently the man she was paired up with has a history of domestic abuse, and so Lily insisted we rescue her and paired her up with Eric so no one could pull her away." "So you're trying to figure out how to tell the government about how she's paired up with someone different? What makes you think they're even going to notice?" "She's a weather reporter on one of the local news stations, so people are going to notice. I think I've got a solution, but I just hate to do it. I feel like I'm always leaning on this friend to help us out." "Oh? Someone you've told me about?" "Phil. I've mentioned him. In fact, you should probably meet Phil. I'm just tired of constantly asking him for help." "Do you really ask him for help a bunch, or does it just feel like it and you're overreacting?" she grinned. "Probably the latter, but it doesn't always feel like that." Andy grabbed his phone and loaded up the Signal messenger app. He and Phil used it to keep their communication private. “Meet up in an hour at the usual spot? Almost immediately he got a response. “Make it 2. "Okay, looks like I've got a meeting set up. Phil's been our man on the inside for this whole pandemic. He works for a company that contracts for the military, and while he can't tell us exact details about what's going on, he can help paint in some of the corners. Phil will know how to get all this sorted out." "How long have you two known each other?" "Nearly 20 years? He's good people. Why don't you come with me?" "Sure, lemme go throw some pants on." A couple hours later, Andy and Niko had headed back to the park to meet up with Phil, who didn't bring Audrey with him. He was dressed wrapped in head to toe, much like he was the last time, a mask over his face and goggles over his eyes, with a ball cap pulled down over his jet black hair. Andy was dressed much the same. Niko didn't feel the need to wear goggles, and had her hair drawn back into a ponytail. Phil kept a good distance from them, pushing his vape pen behind his mask to take a drag from it, then tugged the mask down briefly to blow out a cloud of vapor into the air. "So what's the 911 call about, Andy?" "First, let me introduce you, "2nd Lieutenant Redwolf," Phil said, cutting him off. "Mr. Marcos," Niko replied. "Didn't know your name was Phil." "I'm surprised you even remember me, Redwolf. You were pretty out of it when I sort nudged you towards Andy." Andy cocked his head. "You sent her my way?" "She's part of our tribe, Andy. Geek cred through and through, and I figured it wouldn't hurt to have her kept in the family, so I just made a connection in the system. She had decent odds to end up with you anyway, but why take a chance, right?" "Guess I owe you one then, Mr. Marcos," Niko said. Phil swiped his hand in the air. "Then I'll call in that favor to insist you never, ever call me Mr. Marcos unless we're at work. Deal?" "I can make that promise." "This what you called me about, Andy?" Phil said, finally stepping a little further back, pulling off his mask so he could just continually draw from the vape pen. "Nah. I've got a bigger problem. So Eric's picked up a runaway." Phil frowned a little bit. "How do you mean?" "So Eric's partner, Lily. She had a roommate before the whole pandemic, name of Jenny. Now apparently Jenny was set up with some guy." "That's how it works, Andy." "I get that, Phil. But it turns out the guy she was set up with was some kind of domestic abuser." "Wait, what?" Phil scowled. "That sort of thing should've shown up before he got paired up with anyone." "I dunno. Maybe it didn't get reported before, maybe this was his first time and he was trying it on. But before Jenny could get imprinted on him, he tried to take a swing at her." "Fuck. She okay?" "She's got some self-defense training, so she got away from the guy unscathed and went into hiding." "You get the guy's name?" "I can have Eric send it to you. But that's not the big concern. The big concern is that once we rescued her, she imprinted onto Eric. And she's a talking head." "Shit," Phil said, taking another drag. "News?" "Weather." Phil swiped a hand back in the air again. "Send me her name. I'll get it taken care of. Don't even trip about it. That's the least of our problems right now." "Shit getting bad, sir, I mean Phil?" Niko asked. "You have no idea." "How bad?" Andy asked. "We're looking at ten to twenty before it's all done." "Ten to twenty million people dead? Jesus!" "No, percent. We're talking ten to twenty percent of America dead, mostly men. We're guessing it'll end up around sixty million dead before the vaccine's in full effect in the middle of next year." Phil took a heavy drag, and the news hung in the air like a guillotine's blade. "The news is going to break any day now how fatal the new mutation of the virus is getting, and then everything'll be crazy. The army's going to be deployed here on US soil and martial law's going to go into effect. President Pelosi's at least been quick about it, and she's bunkered down. News hasn't broken yet, but the orange gooomba died on the operating table a couple of hours ago. Looks like milquetoast will be next in a couple of days." "Forty or fifty million men dead? That's nearly half of the male population!" Niko said. "How the hell are we going to recover from that?" "We're going to have to pair up a lot more women with the remaining men, and encourage them to have a whole shitload of kids," Phil sighed. "But even with that, it's going to be a fucking mess for a generation. Which reminds me, when you go home, I want you to start packing up your things." "Packing?" Andy asked. "What do you mean?" "I mean, start figuring out the absolute minimum you would need to take with you if you had to leave in a hurry, and then get anything that might take a few minutes packed up. Anything else, just have it at the ready." "Should I be worried?" "Nah, but it wouldn't hurt to be a little prepared." "What's happening, Phil?" "I can't tell you that yet, but the world's gonna keep on changing, and it doesn't hurt to be ready for it." "Yeah, okay." "You'll actually be very happy after it happens, man. Trust me." "If you say so." "Trust Big Daddy Phil." Andy rolled his eyes. "I trust you about as far as I can throw you, and that ain't very far." "You'll see." His watch beeped and Phil turned it up to look at it. "I gotta get back into the office. Send me Eric's new girl's name and the guy she was supposed to be hooked up with, and I'll make a few edits into the system." "You know Phil, there are days it feels like you're seriously into some black bag shit." "Only some days?" Phil said, taking one final drag off his vape pen before blowing a huge cloud up and into the air. It smelled vaguely of cinnamon buns, Andy noted. "Then I gotta up my game again. I'll see you soon, brother." He pulled his mask back up and headed back to his car. Andy and Niko watched him go, stretching out a little bit. "So you worked with Phil, huh?" Andy asked her. Her face scrunched up a little. "I was part of their security detail until I got exposed to the virus and then got quarantined. When the symptoms started to get severe, they used us as test cases for vaccinations and tried to pair us off. They were having trouble finding someone to match me with, based on my stated preferences before I got drugged." Andy smirked a little behind his mask. "I knew I wasn't exactly what you were looking for." "You're a little older than I initially wanted, Andy, but I don't have any complaints now that I'm with you. I was also a bit leery about sharing a partner with anyone, but it seems like that's going to be S O P moving forward." "S O P?" "Standard Operating Procedure. If Mr. Mar” if Phil's right about those casualty numbers, they're going to have to pair up a Lot of women to individual men. I bet you're going to get a bunch more than just the one more you're expecting." "Jesus, that's a whole lot of personalities to keep in balance," Andy grumbled. "I dunno if I'm up to that." "You don't have to do it alone, stupid head," she teased. "You've got Ash and me to help manage the cavalcade of women you're going to be saddled with. We'll try and keep everyone from killing one another and manage your time, although we're definitely going to have to continue getting you into better shape." "Lauren's started in on that, but frankly, I probably need to eat better." "And cut down on the soda. You've got a full nest to look after." "This scares the shit out of me," he sighed, leaning his back against a tree. "You know that, right?" Niko strolled over to him, a coy playfulness to her stride, as she moved close. "I know how to relax you." Andy arched an eyebrow beneath the goggles. "What, here?" "Who's going to see?" "We're in a public park, Niko!" "Ask me if I give a fuck," she said, as she dropped down to her knees, nuzzling her face against the crotch of his jeans. "Alright," he laughed, "Niko, do you give a fuh " His sentence was cut off as she pressed her mouth down along the length of his cock until the head of it was pressed against the back of her throat. She held it there for a good moment, long enough that he could feel her suppressing her gag reflex, straining back tears before she drew her head back and gasped in a deep breath of air. A playful giggle rolled from her lips, saliva dripping from them. "No sir, I fucking do not. But the faster you give me what I want, the faster we can go home," she said, moving to kiss at his balls, suckling on his nuts for a moment before moving her lips back to wrap around the head of his cock. "Now hold my hair back and fuck my face." Andy reached down and grabbed her silky ponytail with one hand, the other moving to curl his fingers against the back of her head as he pushed her face back down onto his cock. In response, she let out a wanton moan onto his cock, her hands reaching back to grab his ass, helping push her lips down to the base of his shaft, his balls pressing right against her chin. His hand holding her ponytail pulled her back, sliding her lips back to the head of his cock before pushing her face back down again, feeling her fingernails sinking into his jeans a bit more in response. He could swear he saw her hips thrusting forward beneath him, her legs spread wide, her knees almost pressed to the inside of his ankles. The pace quickened, as he thrust forward into her face while tugging her down onto each shove, whimpers that sounded delighted shivering across his skin between the sloppy sounds. He finally pulled her head back, letting her pop her head off his cock, just in case she wanted to tell him to stop, tell him she'd changed her mind, or whatever. Instead, she turned her eyes up to him. "Don't fucking stop. Fuck my face. Gimme that load of hot cum right against the back of my fucking throat. Please?" Her brown eyes were peering up at him as she licked her lips, and he could feel her struggling to try and lean even closer to him. He started to pump his cock into her mouth again, and suddenly he felt one of her hands slide away from his hips. He could see it push down the front of her jeans, and almost immediately, it came back up again and raised into the air towards his face. Her fingers were glistening, practically soaked, and he could smell her cunt on them as he leaned forward to lick them clean. Just as he did, he felt his balls draw up and his hand on the back of her head pressed her face down to the base of his cock as that orgasm shredded through him. He knew his cum was blasting into her throat, and could feel her spasming and trembling against him. It still boggled his mind, knowing that his orgasm triggered one immediately in his partner, and far more intense than he'd ever been able to bring a woman to before. His hands let go, giving Niko back control as she drew back, groaning in a carnal sound he hadn't yet grown accustomed to. Instead of pulling away, though, she started licking up, making sure to catch any loose jism or spittle from his shaft, her gaze never once leaving his, as she smirked while her tongue slathered him up. "See? Don't you feel less vexed?" He couldn't help it and started laughing, and it was infectious, because she immediately began giggling with him, even while she was lapping up the last of his spunk. "Okay, yes, you got me, I am certainly less vexed. How about you?" Niko smirked a bit, giving his cock one final lick before she pulled his boxers and jeans back up, rezipping and buttoning them up for him. "By now, you have to understand that your sperm is like a magic formula to us, your partners. It's exactly what we need and want every day. It's like giving a junkie a fix. Of course I feel better." She tugged up his shirt and kissed his stomach before pulling herself back up onto her feet. "I'd have kissed you but, "I don't mind that you just blew me, Niko," Andy chuckled. "Oh, that's not it at all. I just didn't want to share," she said with a wink, tapping one of her fingertips on his nose. "Girl's gotta keep every drop to herself any chance she can. Normally we try and pass a little of each load around, but here I get one all to myself. So I'm savoring that taste lingering on my lips. But we should get back to the house." "Fair enough." As soon as they got back to the house, Lily was waiting for them by the garage door. "Are we okay?" Niko smiled at her and gave the plump girl a huge. "Andy's got you covered, don't worry." She rubbed her spiky hair and then headed into the house, leaving the two together. "So get me the jackass's name from Jenny, and I'll get it to our friend Phil, who'll make sure it gets entered into the record that he's a domestic abuser." "Hopefully that means he won't get paired with anyone then." "Well, based on what Phil said in the Discord channel a week or so back, it's more likely they'll pair him with someone who can beat the shit out of him," Andy sighed. "Or, someone who's into that kind of thing. People are into all sorts of weird things out here." "You don't have to tell me twice," Lily said, exhaling a deep breath. "Jenny's been nuzzled up to Eric all morning, practically unwilling to let him go. I wasn't planning on sharing him with anyone, but if I have to share him with someone, I guess Jenny will be okay." Andy realized a second later, his face must have given something away. "What's with that look? You heard something else from Phil, didn't you?" "Yeah, it's pretty fucking scary out there, Lil." He shook his head then looked up. "You're probably going to be sharing Eric with quite a few other women. Men are dying left and right, and they're going to have to figure out how to keep the country afloat. That means the traditional family unit design is out the fucking window." "How bad can it really be if they're keeping it quiet?" "It's about to boil over. The estimate is we're going to lose nearly half the men in America." Her eyes looked to him as if she was waiting for the joke. When it didn't come, and the silence had hung in the air an uncomfortably long time, she finally spoke again. "Half? Fucking half? Fucking Half?" "Yeah, I can't say I'm thrilled about it either, Lily. I've got a lot of guy friends, and the idea of half of them just being fucking gone isn't exactly news I wanted to hear when I got up this morning, but I got it anyway." Andy tossed his hands up into the air. "And we can't fucking tell anyone! The news will out in a few days, but we have to be quiet about it until it is. Also, apparently we need to start packing." "Packing? What for?" "I guess we're going to be moved at some point. I guess we'll find out soon enough." Soon enough came the very next day. Andy and his usual gang of friends had a Discord channel they hung out on regularly, and they'd been using it for news on each other. And Phil poked his head in just before noon with a simple message: "@DruidGun 15 minutes." The household had spent part of the da

Hoje nós vamos falar sobre um assunto cheio de mitos, tabus e julgamentos: testosterona em mulheres. O “irmão mal compreendido” da família hormonal, que todo mundo associa só à libido, mas que influencia muito mais do que você imagina.Nesse episódio, eu compartilho o que aprendi — com estudos, com a clínica e comigo mesma — sobre o papel da testosterona na saúde da mulher: da força muscular ao cérebro, da pele ao desejo, da energia ao bem-estar emocional.Não é papo de bomba, nem de estética — é conversa honesta, baseada em ciência, experiência e, claro, consciência.Neste episódio: O papel da testosterona na “família hormonal” femininaDiferenças entre uso estético e terapêuticoEfeitos no corpo feminino: libido, energia, humor, sono, massa muscular, cogniçãoReceptores espalhados pelo corpo: o impacto além da função sexualPor que os exames hormonais nem sempre contam toda a históriaEnzimas como aromatase e 5-alfa-redutase: acne, oleosidade, queda de cabeloQuando a testosterona pode não ser indicada (SOP, alopecia, resistência à insulina)O que dizem os consensos internacionaisO uso consciente e responsável, em doses fisiológicas✨ Ouça agora e compartilhe com quem precisa dessa informação!Quero agradecer a Mahta, por patrocinar o episódio de hoje!Para quem quiser experimentar com desconto de 10%, ou somente conhecer para ajudar o podcast, vai no site https://www.mahta.bio/isabelafortes .Site do Podcast: https://isabelafortes.com.brEpisódios Relacionados: EP 60 | Despedaçada…Mas meus exames estão “normais” – Isabela FortesEP 63 | Quando começar a Terapia para menopausa e outras dúvidas hormonais – Isabela FortesEP 28 | Opções NÃO hormonais para a menopausa: alternativas à Terapia Hormonal – Isabela FortesEP 23 | Será que é menopausa? Como saber se você está ou não no climatério? – Isabela FortesEP 86 | Desacelere a Mente: Técnicas para um Sono Transformador – Isabela FortesEP 02 | Hormônios Femininos: Como entender o ciclo que impacta todos os aspectos de nossas vidas mensalmente – Isabela Fortes      EP 18 | SOS HORMÔNIOS. PQP… O que está acontecendo comigo? – Isabela Fortes  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fortes_isabela/

Anna Addoms, Wicked MarvelousOur guest in this episode is Anna Addoms, the insightful founder of Wicked Marvelous. Anna champions making technology, especially AI, accessible and genuinely useful for small business owners, always with a focus on reducing overwhelm and fostering authentic connections. In our chat, Anna shares her practical wisdom on how entrepreneurs can harness AI as a powerful tool without losing the essential human touch that truly matters in building lasting relationships and a thriving business.Key points discussed include:* AI as a Tool, Not a Replacement: Use AI strategically for back-office tasks, but always keep humans at the forefront of client interactions.* Guard Human Connection Fiercely: Implement AI in customer service with extreme care, ensuring transparency and easy access to human support.* Navigate AI Ethically and Practically: Stay informed about AI's capabilities and risks, using it to add value while protecting your brand and IP.Listen to the podcast to find out more.Innovabiz Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Show Notes from this episode with Anna Addoms, Wicked MarvelousThe AI Revolution: Tool, Not TyrantIt feels like just yesterday we were marveling at the dawn of AI, this "cool, shiny object" everyone was buzzing about. Fast forward to today, and we're deep in the trenches, moving beyond the mere novelty and into the serious business of practical application. The initial excitement was palpable, but now, as Anna Addoms wisely pointed out in our recent chat, we're navigating the "nitty gritty" – figuring out what AI is actually doing, whether it's truly adding value, and how to use it safely and effectively without getting lost down a "rabbit hole."Anna Addoms, with her characteristic clarity, cuts right to the chase: AI is fundamentally a tool, a multi-tool even. Think of it like a powerful chainsaw in your shed. In the right hands, with the right understanding, it can make incredibly light work of massive tasks. But if you're not careful, or if you don't really know how to wield it, you're just inviting a mess or unnecessary complexity. Our biggest goal, as entrepreneurs, should be to use AI to enhance our lives and businesses, to make things easier, and crucially, to still allow us to do what we do best: cultivate genuine human connections.Where AI Shines (and Where It Doesn't)So, where does this powerful multi-tool truly shine? Anna suggests focusing its considerable might on back-office tasks – those internal operations that often consume valuable time and energy. Picture those complex spreadsheet formulas that make your head spin; AI can whip those up in a flash. Or consider the initial drafts of long-form content, giving you a solid starting point without the blank page paralysis. The key here is using AI to shoulder a significant portion of the "heavy lifting," freeing you up for more strategic and human-centric work.But let's not get carried away. As Anna firmly reminds us, not every "low-level task can be farmed out" to AI. There are times when trying to force AI into a situation actually creates more complication than it solves. If a simple spreadsheet can organize your contact information, why complicate it by feeding it into an AI that might struggle with context? The wisdom lies in recognizing when AI is a genuine accelerator and when it's just an unnecessary detour.The Human Touch: Why Relationships Still RuleHere's where Anna's human-centered philosophy truly comes to the fore: AI should never, ever, replace genuine human connection. We've all been there – stuck in a frustrating recursive loop with a chatbot, feeling like we're talking to a brick wall. That "bad brain experience" doesn't just annoy customers; it actively "burns relationships." Anna is adamant: if you're deploying AI for customer service, there must be an immediate, clear escalation process to a real human. Without that "I wanna talk to a real human right now" button, you're essentially signing a death warrant for customer loyalty.It's not just about functionality; it's about authenticity. Anna points out the "uncanny valley" experience when AI voice technology gets too close to human, yet remains subtly "off." This creates a deep cognitive dissonance, a feeling of "something is wrong." Her advice is crystal clear: be transparency. If it's a bot, call it a bot. Don't give it a human name or picture. This ethical stance ensures trust, preventing your customers from feeling misled or, worse, "pissed off" because they couldn't escape an automated interaction.Building Your AI-Powered Personal Brand (Ethically!)Now, on a brighter note, AI can be an absolute boon for crafting and refining your personal brand's messaging. Anna herself has trained her AI to sound "exactly like me" for various content outputs – emails, sales pages, blog posts. This means she can generate initial drafts that are remarkably consistent with her unique voice and cadence. The magic, however, lies in the subsequent step: the human touch, the final edit. Anna emphasizes that she's always the "last person to see it," ensuring her "seal of approval" is on every piece of content that goes out. This blend of AI efficiency and human oversight is powerful.However, a crucial word of caution, something Anna highlighted with a stark anecdote: be incredibly mindful of data privacy and copyright when using AI tools. She shared a sobering example of authors inadvertently signing away their book copyrights by inputing their manuscripts into certain AI language models under their terms of service. It's like accidentally giving away your precious intellectual property to the public domain! Always, always read the fine print. Your content is your gold, so guard it fiercely.Mastering Your Workflow: AI as Your SOP SidekickLet's talk about a task many entrepreneurs dread: creating Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). We know we need them, especially when scaling and hiring, but the thought of documenting every little step can feel overwhelming. This is where AI truly shines as an unsung hero. As Anna explains, many new hires struggle not because they're incompetent, but because they lack clear, documented processes. You hand over a task, and then find yourself frustrated when it's not done exactly as you envisioned.Anna's practical solution? Leverage AI! She encourages entrepreneurs to use prompts that guide them step-by-step through the SOP creation process. Even better, you can feed it enough information, and it can draft the entire thing for you. This isn't about abdicating responsibility; it's about leveraging AI's ability to structure information logically, ensuring "everything starts coming back faster and exactly the way they want." It's also fantastic for critiquing existing SOPs, pointing out gaps or areas for improvement that your brain, so familiar with the process, might simply overlook.The Calendar Conundrum: Owning Your Time with (or Without) AIThe digital calendar, while a godsend for organization, can also be a silent saboteur of your precious time if not managed with an iron fist. Anna and I both share a strong sentiment about this: you must maintain boundaries around your calendar and your time. While AI scheduling tools offer undeniable convenience, there's a real danger of "abdicating ownership" of your most valuable asset. Suddenly, your days are a chaotic collage of back-to-back meetings with no breathing room, leading straight to burnout.Anna's advice echoes a hard-won truth: your time, your rules. Instead of giving people 24/7 access to your schedule, block out specific times for different types of meetings or, even better, for uninterrupted deep work. This isn't about being unapproachable; it's about being strategic and protecting your mental and physical well-being. Whether you use AI for scheduling or not, the principle remains: actively manage your calendar, don't let it manage you.Staying Savvy: Protecting Your Digital SelfIn this "wild west" of AI, staying vigilant about your digital footprint is paramount. Anna recommends a simple yet powerful defense: set up Google Alerts for your name and business. It sounds old school, but it's incredibly effective for catching any unauthorized use of your likeness or content. Knowing what's being published about you, or as you, is the first line of defense. It allows you to be proactive, as Anna herself experienced when a podcast interview went live earlier than planned.Beyond monitoring, be aware of the bigger picture. While malicious voice cloning of individuals like us isn't the prevalent issue yet (it's mostly targeting celebrities), the technology exists. The reality is, some risk is inherent when putting content on public platforms. However, understanding your rights – the ability to issue cease and desist orders and report malicious content – empowers you to act swiftly if your digital identity is ever compromised. In this evolving landscape, awareness is truly your strongest shield.Summary:Anna Addoms provided incredible insights into navigating the brave new world of AI. Her core message is simple yet profound: AI is a powerful tool, but it should always serve to enhance human connection, never replace it. She emphasized the critical need for transparency, especially when AI is client-facing, and highlighted the importance of guarding your intellectual property. Ultimately, AI offers immense potential for efficiency and automation in our businesses, but its successful implementation hinges on a clear, human-centered strategy.Reach OutYou can reach out and thank Anna by visiting her website.Links:* Website – Wicked Marvelous* Twitter – @WickedMarvelous* Linkedin* Facebook* Instagram - @wicked_marvelousCool Things About Anna* Anna grew up in Colorado in a family of entrepreneurs, right in the thick of the tech boom. She was raised around innovation and search engines, with her dad running AOL's biggest competitor during the first dot-com bubble. That's a childhood spent at the intersection of curiosity and code.* She's a creative at heart: Anna went to art school and holds a degree in English Literature. Her journey from art and literature to Silicon Valley tech startups is a delightful zigzag, not a straight line. She's proof that you can be both a techie and a creative soul.* Anna has a knack for reinvention. After burning out in the high-octane world of Silicon Valley startups (like clockwork, every 18 months!), she realized her true passion was helping others build and implement their own dreams. She's now been running her own company for over a decade, thriving on variety and new challenges.* She's a self-confessed “sponge of knowledge,” always learning, always curious. Anna's love of learning has led her down unexpected paths—from luxury travel to ad agencies to med-tech startups. She's not afraid to pivot, experiment, or start over if it means staying true to her values.Imagine being a part of a select community where you not only have access to our amazing podcast guests, but you also get a chance to transform your marketing and podcast into a growth engine with a human-centered, relationship-focused approach.That's exactly what you'll get when you join the Flywheel Nation Community.Tap into the collective wisdom of high-impact achievers, gain exclusive access to resources, and expand your network in our vibrant community.Experience accelerated growth, breakthrough insights, and powerful connections to elevate your business.ACT NOW – secure your spot and transform your journey today! Visit innovabiz.co/flywheel and get ready to experience the power of transformation.VideoThanks for reading Innovabiz Substack! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit innovabiz.substack.com/subscribe

Text us a pool question!In this conversation, Peter, Shane, and Lee discuss the significance of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in the context of aquatic facilities and service businesses. They emphasize the need for consistency, compliance, and the empowerment of staff through well-documented procedures. The discussion also touches on the role of technology and AI in developing SOPs, the importance of detailed procedures, and the necessity of personalizing SOPs to reflect the business's culture and values. The conversation concludes with a call to action for businesses to utilize the winter months for productivity and planning.takeawaysSOPs are essential for consistency in operations.Creating SOPs can empower staff to work independently.AI can assist in drafting SOPs but should be verified.SOPs should reflect the business's culture and values.Regular updates to SOPs are necessary due to changing regulations.Detailed procedures are crucial for compliance and safety.Utilizing technology can streamline SOP management.Winter is a productive time for businesses to develop SOPs.SOPs can enhance the professionalism of a service business.Creating a template for SOPs can save time in the future.Sound Bites"SOPs can feel like SOBs sometimes.""AI can help create a skeleton for SOPs.""Don't trust AI for dosing rates.""SOPs need to reflect your business personality.""It's important to personalize your SOPs.""Make the most of the colder months to be productive."Chapters00:00Welcome and Introductions03:00The Importance of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)05:57Creating Effective SOPs for Aquatic Facilities09:09Utilizing Technology and AI in SOP Development11:59Detailed Procedures and Compliance14:48Final Thoughts on SOPs and Productivity Support the showThank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: Facebook Instagram Tik Tok Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com

Ahhh, summer. The season of sunshine, sandals… and salon owners accidentally letting their momentum nosedive into a beach chair.Look, we all need rest. But if you're treating July like a business sabbatical without the systems to back it up, Lexi's got news for you: you're about to f around and find out.

【本集由 遠見雜誌 贊助播出】 你每天都在按讚，但知道這個「小拇指」怎麼來的嗎？ 一張被遺忘的草圖、一次無心的搬家，揭開了創新背後不為人知的真相 —— 它不一定來自天才，也不靠SOP，而是許多人的偶然貢獻、集體創作。 本集帶你從一顆小小按鈕，看見創新其實就藏在混亂、意外與日常工作裡。

In this episode of Online People Talking, Jen Barkan is joined by Chesapeake Homes' superstar OSC team: Stephanie Moffett and Danielle Ross. These two powerhouses are not only crushing it on the lead front, they've also built a seamless backup system for time off, extended leave, and everything in between. Whether you're a solo OSC or working with a partner, this episode is full of practical tips to help you unplug without dropping the ball.Jen, Stephanie, and Danielle get real about the challenges of stepping away from the OSC seat and how to ensure every lead is still handled with care, even when you're not around. They share how they structured their team, developed emergency coverage plans, and even trained a temporary OSC for extended leave.Topic of Today (04:36)“Hey, I need a backup plan… what do I do with my leads when I'm on vacation?” The team dives into the most frequently asked questions about how to maintain lead coverage when stepping away. They cover:Building a backup plan from scratch
Training internal team members for coverage
Real-life examples of vacation and maternity leave handoffs
Why even managers make great backup OSCs (in a pinch)
The mental health benefits of truly unpluggingSkills Check (38:20)“You gotta check yourself before you wreck yourself.” Jen lays out your step-by-step Skills Check to help you develop your own OSC backup strategy:
1. Identify your backup. Talk with your leadership team and determine who can fill in when you're away.
2. Create a plan. Work out the logistics: call forwarding, CRM access, workflows, and lead ownership.
3. Document it. Consider drafting a short SOP for your backup plan.
4. Test it. Don't wait until vacation. Run a trial to make sure it works smoothly.
5. Really take vacation! You deserve real time off, and your leads will still be there when you return.

Diferencia entre SOP con resistencia a la insulina (SOP-RI) y SOP adrenal

Welcome to another powerful episode of the Lead with Heart Podcast, your nonprofit leadership podcast focused on heart-led strategy and sustainable growth. This week, I sit down with Stephanie Sloan, founder of JLC Systems and an expert in streamlining nonprofit operations through effective SOPs.Stephanie shares her IMPACT Method — a practical framework for evaluating workflows, preventing burnout, increasing donor and volunteer engagement, and preparing your organization for funding success. If you've ever felt like you're building the plane while flying it, this episode is your permission to pause, document, and scale with intention.In this episode:[03:05] Stephanie's background in processes and systems[05:00] Why so many nonprofits struggle with efficiency[08:14] How to create an effective SOP[13:45] The value of evaluating and documenting processes[19:31] Evaluating processes to move from a reactive to a proactive mindset[25:19] How small nonprofit teams can benefit from SOPs[27:09] Storing SOPs and the people involved in creating them[31:09] Stephanie's IMPACT method for developing organizational efficiencyRESOURCESE42: Empowering Nonprofit Leadership Development and Growth with Kristin Harrington, Partner at Lead StarNOTEWORTHY QUOTES“ This is not hard. Just take the one thing that is the most important to your staff and the most important to your mission and make sure it's documented.” - Stephanie Sloan“If we all ceased to exist tomorrow, would the mission move forward? That's the power of a well-written SOP.” – Stephanie SloanCONNECT WITH STEPHANIELinkedIn: Send Haley a suggestion or request via text HERE!My book, Sow, Grow, Lead is live on Amazon! It shares my journey of starting a nonprofit in Malawi and offers practical strategies to help nonprofit leaders turn visions into reality, and create meaningful impact As the fundraising engine of choice for over 80,000 organizations in 90+ countries, Donorbox's easy-to-use fundraising tools help you raise more money in more ways. Seamlessly embed a customizable donation form into your website that reduces donor drop-off with a 4x faster checkout, launch a crowdfunding or peer-to-peer campaign, sell event tickets, raise funds on the go with Donorbox Live™ Kiosk, and much more. Learn more at donorbox.orgCONNECT WITH HALEYHaley is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), Stress Management Coach, and EmC trainer. She founded The Savvy Fundraiser, a nonprofit consulting and coaching business, and has experience with nonprofits in human services, homelessness, and youth sectors. Specializing in EmC, leadership, board development, and fundraising, Haley is dedicated to empowering nonprofit leaders to create thriving organizations.Instagram: @thesavvyfundraiser LinkedIn: Haley Cooper, CFREWebsite: thesavvyfundraiser.comProduced by Ideablossoms

Behind the scenes, most business chaos doesn't come from a lack of skill... it comes from messy, non-existent systems. And if your client experience feels a little scattered, your clients are feeling it too.In this guest episode, I'm joined by Mariana from Pink Ocean VS... a systems strategist, community builder, and spreadsheet-loving creative to unpack how we can create client journeys that feel seamless, supportive and straight-up satisfying.Whether you're a virtual assistant, a creative service provider, or just tired of chasing your tail between bub's nap time and Zoom calls... this is your reminder that structure can be freeing, and systems can be soul-nourishing.Here's what we cover:The difference between delivering a service... and crafting an experienceThe emotional layer that sets great brands apartWhat systems every service provider actually needsThe low-tech, high-clarity magic of mapping your journeyWhy SOPs aren't just for big businessesGrab your post-its, open your Canva whiteboard, and tune in... this one's equal parts strategy and heartDOWNLOAD Free Canva Client Journey Map: https://whitedeer.com.au/ep215ABOUT MARIANA:I'm Mariana, founder of Pink Ocean Virtual Solutions, a digital operations service for service-based business owners who are ready to clean up the backend, stop duct-taping their systems together, and get back to doing what they're great at. I specialise in CRM setups (especially Moxie), digital declutters, SOP creation, and ongoing tech VA support.CONNECT WITH MARIANAInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/pinkoceanvs/Website: https://pinkoceanvs.com.au/"The Break" Newsletter: https://pinkoceanvs.myflodesk.com/podcastMoxie fortnightly newsletter: https://pinkoceanvs.myflodesk.comWatch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/l6s55Zjk3hYRead on the Blog: https://whitedeer.com.au/ep215/WORK WITH JACQUI:// DIY Design My Biz: The best course for business owners DIYing their own brand and graphics in Canva. Learn more: https://whitedeer.com.au/diy-dmb// The Co+Creation Design Club: Design WITH the help of a professional designer in this high-touch coaching space: https://whitedeer.com.au/designclub// Design Studio: If you're after fully done-for-you design services my studio team can help! https://whitedeer.com.au/designstudio

Este episodio especial nace de una invitación de Alpina para conmemorar sus 80 años de historia. Y como toda buena historia, nos lleva a viajar por el tiempo. Vamos a hacer un recorrido por algunos de los hechos más importantes que han ocurrido en los últimos 80 años en Colombia y el mundo. Desde su creación en el valle de Sopó, Alpina ha crecido junto con grandes cambios que han pasado en la historia de la humanidad: desde el final de la Segunda Guerra Mundial hasta la era digital, pasando por hitos como el alunizaje, la caída del Muro de Berlín, el Nobel de García Márquez y la Constitución del 91. A lo largo de este tiempo, Alpina se ha convertido en una de las más famosas marcas y empresas de Colombia Notas del episodio  Este episodio fue patrocinado por Alpina, 80 años nutriendo un mañana delicioso El fin de la Segunda Guerra Mundial La Carrera Espacial en el siglo XX En el libro “Contracultura” explicamos todos los hechos de un mundo para la juventud El recibimiento del Premio Nobel de Gabriel García Márquez La Revolución Digital, uno de los grandes cambios de la historia

Your restaurant's most powerful marketing tool? The menu. In this episode, the team dives deep into one of the most overlooked yet powerful tools in your restaurant: the menu. From visual psychology and printing strategies to layout, material choices, and pricing tactics, this conversation is packed with practical tips to help you treat your menu like what it truly is—your #1 marketing and sales tool. You'll walk away with insights on font choices, color psychology, menu engineering, printing vendors, and even why leaving drink prices off the menu can increase profits. If you've ever shrugged off menu updates as an expense, this episode will change your mindset—and maybe even your margins. Key Takeaways: Your Menu Is Not an Expense—It's an Investment It's the first thing guests engage with when deciding how much to spend. A thoughtful, clean, and well-printed menu elevates perception and drives higher check averages. Design & Readability Matter Font size, layout, paper quality, and cleanliness all shape the guest's impression. Use negative space, legible fonts, and layout strategies like the Golden Triangle to drive selection. Strategic Printing Choices Use a local printer when possible—consider bartering or partnerships. Evaluate in-house printing if you need frequent updates. Menu holders, sleeves, and material durability should match your concept. Proven Profit Tips Use high-quality food photos for best-sellers (especially on laminated or in-house menus). Leave beverage prices off for pricing flexibility. Add visual cues to highlight high-margin items. Common Mistakes to Avoid Dirty or outdated menus, inconsistent updates, typos, or cluttered layouts. Overloading with too many items, especially in smaller operations. Practical Tools & Tech Use AI (like ChatGPT) to help write compelling, accurate menu descriptions. Establish an SOP for menu changes across online platforms, third-party apps, and POS systems.

Hoy vamos a hablar de un suplemento muy popular, sobre todo entre mujeres con síndrome de ovario poliquístico: el inositol. Te explicaré qué es exactamente, qué tipos existen, cómo actúa en el cuerpo, qué tipo de inositol es mejor según tu tipo de SOP, qué tienes que mirar en la etiqueta cuando lo compres y cómo y cuándo deberías tomarlo.

In this conversation on AI-powered SEO workflows, Andrew Ansley joins The Simple and Smart SEO Show to share how smart marketers are using tools like Claude, ChatGPT, and automation platforms to save time and scale without hiring.From building SOPs in under an hour to organizing AI projects for sharper output, Andrew reveals how today's marketers can combine soft skills with machine intelligence to stay competitive—without burning out.Whether you're a creative entrepreneur, solo founder, or agency owner, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you systemize your business and let AI do the heavy lifting.

How can biotech companies grow faster, smarter, and more sustainably in a turbulent market? In this episode, host Elaine Hamm, PhD, welcomes Katrina Rogers, CEO of Katrina Rogers Consulting, for a deep dive into the operational and regulatory strategies that help biotech companies succeed—without sacrificing speed, quality, or sanity. With over 25 years of experience in drug development, manufacturing, and quality systems, Katrina offers practical, actionable advice for startups navigating everything from FDA engagement to workforce development and standard operating procedure (SOP) creation. In this episode, you'll learn: What biotech founders need to know about recent shifts in federal innovation funding and FDA operations. How to attract, retain, and empower technical talent—without getting trapped in outdated hiring models. Why starting early with documentation and SOPs can save your startup from future chaos. Whether you're scaling up or just getting started, tune in for expert insights that can help you build smarter, grow stronger, and stay resilient in today's evolving biotech ecosystem. Links: Connect with Katrina Rogers and check out Katrina Rogers Consulting and The Bullpen. Connect with Elaine Hamm, PhD, and learn about Tulane Medicine Business Development and the School of Medicine. Learn more about the Biotechnology Aptitude and Competency Exam. Check out BIO on the BAYOU and make plans to attend October 28 & 29, 2025. Learn more about BIO from the BAYOU - the podcast. Bio from the Bayou is a podcast that explores biotech innovation, business development, and healthcare outcomes in New Orleans & The Gulf South, connecting biotech companies, investors, and key opinion leaders to advance medicine, technology, and startup opportunities in the region.

This Amazon FBA shower filter business has $10M in revenue, $2.5M in EBITDA, and up to 50% recurring revenue—but will Chinese tariffs kill the deal?Business Listing - https://quietlight.com/listings/16050561/

This Amazon FBA shower filter business has $10M in revenue, $2.5M in EBITDA, and up to 50% recurring revenue—but will Chinese tariffs kill the deal?Business Listing - https://quietlight.com/listings/16050561/

Systems and processes for your roofing company, simplified into 3 easy steps. These will help you turn chaos into clarity. Especially if the idea of sitting down and writing an SOP makes you wanna poke your eyeball out with a safety pin…If you've wanted systems and processes but don't know where to start, this new video will help you scale, get your life back, and give you the freedom to actually take a vacation.P.S. Are you interested in getting systems and processes in place in your business? Join us inside where we share our winning secrets to help each other dominate in today's fast-changing and unpredictable times: https://www.rsra.org/join/=============FREE TRAINING CENTERhttps://theroofstrategist.com/free-training-centerJOIN THE ROOFING & SOLAR REFORM ALLIANCE (RSRA)https://www.rsra.org/join/ GET MY BOOKhttps://a.co/d/7tsW3Lx GET A ROOFING SALES JOBhttps://secure.rsra.org/find-a-job CONTACTEmail: help@roofstrategist.comCall/Text: 303-222-7133FOLLOW ADAM BENSMANhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSVx5TWX-m2dl6yuUVF05Dwhttps://www.facebook.com/adam.bensman/   https://www.facebook.com/RoofStrategist/ https://www.instagram.com/roofstrategist/ https://www.tiktok.com/@roofstrategist https://www.linkedin.com/in/roofstrategist/#roofstrategist #roofsales #d2d  #solar #solarsales #roofing #roofer #canvassing #hail #wind #hurricane #sales #roofclaim #rsra #roofingandsolarreformalliance #reformers #adambensman 

If you're telling listeners to 'find your podcast anywhere,' you might as well say 'find me nowhere.' We're joined by Hall of Fame podcaster Dave Jackson who exposes the digital real estate mistake keeping your brilliant content invisible. Dave reveals why your podcast needs its own front door (not a room in Spotify's overcrowded hostel), how to build that home without becoming a reluctant web designer, and the simple tweaks that transform visitors into subscribers—and subscribers into customers. Stop surrendering your growth to platform algorithms. Get Dave's blueprint for podcast website ownership that turns content into currency.Get started with PodPage: https://PodPage.CastAhead.net

歡迎您用一杯咖啡支持我持續創作 : https://pay.soundon.fm/podcasts/a11a2120-4bc4-4fb2-813b-135bd96e5868 六個月的線上陪伴計畫報名表： https://forms.gle/HCX37hRPqFK24eh7A 「布姐的交誼廳。陪你聊人生聊職場」Line 社群 https://reurl.cc/36NWEL(密碼：love) 本集重點：3,000萬資金壓力下逆轉：藍太太因疫情與創業轉型，曾承擔3,000萬的資金壓力，靠著堅定信念與行動力重新站起來。女裝轉型包租代管：從原本女裝電商事業，轉型投入穩定現金流的包租代管市場。穩定現金流的選擇：選擇收租模式解決現金流困境，將經營風險降到最低。數字化思維拆解目標：設定30間房產目標，每間預估2萬元現金流，以終為始規劃實踐路徑。親力親為從零學起：裝修小白到自學監工與軟裝設計，藍太太親自摸透整個房產改造流程。以訂閱制邏輯經營包租：她將包租代管視為類似訂閱制的穩定收入模式，創造長期可複製的現金流。先理解再複製的管理哲學：從第一線實操建立SOP，確保後續快速擴張與團隊複製。女裝美學轉化為空間設計力：過去在女裝業多年累積的審美，完美延伸至房產空間設計。培養學員成功實踐：透過線上課程與實體加盟，已累積超過800位學員，其中超過150位實際投入房產事業。跨足知識工作者領域：成為知識工作者的「媽媽桑」，協助IP老師打造品牌與課程，開創教學與孵化新模式。 來賓 藍太太 Ruby Hung 房地產訂閱制陪跑計畫 https://class.ltthouse.com/courses/online-seminar 藍太太。她說。https://class.ltthouse.com/posts FB: 藍太太好生活 https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554710181978

Are you confused about the difference between the SBA franchise directory and the franchise registry and what recent changes mean for your brand's growth and funding? We are diving deep into urgent changes in franchise funding, specifically around the SBA Franchise Directory, a topic you can't afford to overlook.We are joined by Edith Wiseman, President of FRANdata. Edith is breaking down everything from what FRANdata actually does, think deep dives into franchisors and franchisees, and how this information is used by lenders, suppliers, and franchisors.And most importantly, Edith is sharing the critical difference between the Franchise Registry and the SBA Franchise Directory. If you've ever mixed these two up this episode will bring you clarity. And we are digging into why the SBA disappeared and why it's back with a June 1, 2025 deadline.Edith Wiseman is the President of FRANdata, a leading franchise market research and advisory firm. With over 24 years in the industry, she transforms complex data into strategies that drive franchise growth and innovation. A trusted advisor to franchisors, lenders, and Fortune 500 companies, one franchisor said, “We couldn't have grown to 1,000 stores and beyond without her and her team.”Recognized by Entrepreneur and 1851 as a top woman in franchising, Edith has held key leadership roles within the International Franchise Association, including Board of Directors, Executive Committee, and Chair of the Supplier Forum. She continues to support industry advancement through initiatives focused on emerging brands and equitable growth, including the Ascension Initiative and the IFA Education Foundation.So, if you are confused by the upcoming SBA Franchise Directory changes and what you need to know then this episode is for you!ResourcesFranchise Directory - https://www.sba.gov/document/support-sba-franchise-directoryFranchise Registry - https://www.franchiseregistry.com/Current SBA SOP - https://www.sba.gov/document/sop-50-10-lender-development-company-loan-programsBlog updates with summary of SOP changes - https://frandata.com/blog/Connect with EdithEmail - franchiseregistry@FranData.comLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/edith-wiseman-281b6b/Call FRANdata - 800-485-9570Website - https://frandata.com/Episode Highlights:Understanding FRANdataDistinguishing the Franchise Registry and SBA Franchise DirectorySBA franchise directory changesEligibility and certification process for SBA Franchise DirectoryGuidance for existing and emerging franchisors and the SBA DirectoryKey recent SBA and lending changesConnect with Tracy Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-panase/ JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale JBF Franchise System - https://jbfsalefranchise.com/ Email: podcast@jbfsale.com Connect with Shannon Personal LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonwilburn/ JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale

創業是許多人的夢想，台灣同時也是世界上「老闆密度最高」的國家之一。然而，走出粉紅泡泡後，數據指出，台灣僅1%的新創公司能活過五年！Bryan邀請點拾教練培訓創辦人石罡宇，聊聊他身為企業第二代，為何選擇不接班，另闢蹊徑、走上協助創業者的教練之路。從創業夢與現實落差、二代接班心理拉鋸，到打造「綠洲學程」陪跑創業者，他用七年時間陪伴超過450位創業者尋找方向、紓解壓力、調適心態。創業，真的適合你嗎？這集節目的對談也許能讓你好好想清楚！ 相關集數 【EP263 創業毀我三觀：聊聊創業之後，顛覆我原本認知的幾個觀念】 https://youtu.be/FAwmvbe8xBE 【關於點拾教練培訓】 點拾致力於打造協助創業者讓事業更好的創業平台，透過我們的課程、服務、資源，能夠讓事業點拾成金，之所以叫作點【拾】，是因為事業成果的關鍵在於是否將所學拾起運用。 點拾最新課程：https://point10coach.com/product-category/activity/ Podcast：https://reurl.cc/NYbaE6 IG：https://reurl.cc/aeZl77 大人學課程 【P088年輕上班族必備的流程圖繪製與SOP撰寫技巧】 https://reurl.cc/GnG4Kp 本集節目音檔後製、資訊欄文案，由【聲歷其境】製作。 什麼問題想問Joe跟Bryan嗎？提問&合作信箱：podcast@ftpm.com.tw 如果你喜歡我們的節目，歡迎贊助我們：https://bit.ly/3kskVsZ 如果你喜歡這集節目，歡迎到Apple Podcast給我們五星評價，並留言給我們鼓勵！ FB｜https://www.facebook.com/darencademy/ IG｜https://www.instagram.com/da.ren.cademy/ 大人學網站｜https://www.darencademy.com/ -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Hormonas, SOP y Endometriosis con la Dra. Laia SánchezEn este episodio de Comiendo con María hablamos de salud ginecológica desde una mirada integradora, con la doctora Laia Sánchez, ginecóloga especializada en endocrinología ginecológica, Psiconeuroinmunología (PNI) y experta en cáncer de mama. Laia, fundadora de la clínica online Almabywoman, nos acompaña para resolver muchas de las dudas que rodean al ciclo hormonal femenino, el síndrome de ovario poliquístico (SOP), la endometriosis, la fertilidad y el papel de la alimentación en todo ello. 

Would you like access to our advanced agency training for FREE? https://www.agencymastery360.com/training Are you still relying on basic ChatGPT prompts while your competitors create intelligent systems that work for them around the clock? The gap between basic AI users and strategic implementers is widening rapidly—and it could determine which agencies thrive in the coming years. Today's featured guest leads the pack for this AI revolution. Through systematic implementation of advanced automation solutions, she drove an impressive 20% productivity increase across her agency's operations. By strategically integrating AI technologies throughout their processes, she's transformed her agency's capabilities and efficiency. Additionally, she's now also helping businesses achieve these same results. Join us as we explore the exciting opportunities AI presents for businesses today and learn about her most successful tool: AI agents. We welcome back Khushbu Doshi, COO of E2M Solutions, a white label agency partner where she focuses on driving more business and creating a world-class experience for their agency community to help them grow and reach their goals. With over eight years of experience and having worked with more than 500 agencies, Khushbu dives into her recent journey exploring AI, including a significant productivity boost of 20% through automation. She also talks about AI agents, explaining how they differ from simply using tools like ChatGPT, and highlights their potential to streamline processes and enhance efficiency for agencies. In this episode, we'll discuss: Why agents are the next step in AI usage in agencies. AI-powered onboarding. Ideas to expand AI application.  Subscribe Apple | Spotify | iHeart Radio The Next Evolution of AI for Agencies: From Prompt Engineering to AI Agents Most people think of AI innovation as learning to use ChatGPT and asking the right questions to get the most effective answers. While prompt engineering certainly has value, it represents only the beginning of AI's potential for agency operations. The next evolution—AI agents—offers significantly more sophisticated capabilities that can transform agency workflows. Agents are a more specialized application of artificial intelligence designed to perform specific tasks based on user-defined parameters. How is this relevant for agencies? Unlike general-purpose AI tools, which provide responses based on a broad range of inputs, AI agents can be customized to understand and execute particular functions. They can be trained to understand particular clients, recall campaign histories, apply agency-specific methodologies, and operate within defined strategic frameworks. This means that agency teams now have the ability to develop custom AI agents trained to operate according to specific requirements. The resulting tool works much better compared to just a conversation with ChatGPT. AI-Powered Employee Onboarding For agency owners interested in exploring AI agents, the process is remarkably accessible. Starting on the ChatGPT platform, users can simply select "create," name their agent, and begin training it with relevant information like branding guidelines, past success stories, and common client challenges. In her case, Khushbu also uses AI agents for onboarding new new team members dreading the prospect of reading through extensive standard operating procedure (SOP) documents. However, it's still a vital part of their training, so Khushbu thought of updating the process and making it more dynamic by training an agent to be an SOP expert. She fed it all the SOPs and instructed it to answer only the questions asked to it without searching the internet. This way, the SOPs are the agent's knowledge base, never defaulting to the web for answers. After implementing this system, Khushbu conducted a comparative test by providing new team members with both traditional SOP documentation and access to the AI agent. The new team members were fascinated by the idea of not having to go to a supervisor with their questions and maybe feeling inadequate. Instead, they can ask as many questions as they like without feeling judged. This efficiency not only saves time but also allows team members to focus on more strategic tasks rather than getting bogged down in repetitive information retrieval. Expanding AI Agent Applications in Agency Operations Quality Assurance Automation AI agents also excel in quality testing and following precise procedures consistently. You can program an agent to follow detailed checklists, ensuring that all necessary steps in a process are completed efficiently, thereby saving time and resources while maintaining high standards. Khushbu suggests implementing a fallback strategy for comprehensive quality assessment. When an agent encounters limitations in its testing capability, it should clearly document: Which items it successfully evaluated Which items it couldn't assess Specific reasons for any testing limitations This strategy delivers substantial efficiency gains even when complete automation isn't possible. If the agent can only check 300 out of a list of 500 points, it has still reduced the amount of work for the assigned employee to do by 200 points. Creating an AI Agency Within Your Agency Furthermore, you can program agents to work a specific role within your team and have several agents to communicate with each other. In this sense, you can build an AI social media team, with a CMO, strategist, tester, etc, and automate 90% of the marketing process. With AI agents generating ideas, testing concepts, producing initial drafts, and evaluating performance metrics, the human team can then focus on selecting optimal approaches, refining creative elements, and adding the distinctive perspective that differentiates the agency's work. Competitive Intelligence Automation Finally, it's also a great way to automate the research needed in your particular industry. If you want to know what your competitors are up to, just program an agent to do that research for you and present a summary of the campaigns they're running and you'll be saving a lot of time. A Wake-Up Call for AI-Reluctant Agencies Right now it seems every day there are new ways to integrate AI into your agency services and it can be as exciting as it can be overwhelming. Just remember that this technology has the potential to make your life easier in many ways, and that's how it should be used. As organizations explore the potential of AI tools, try to remain open-minded and proactive in seeking out innovative solutions. Khushbu encourages listeners to look beyond the mainstream offerings and discover the myriad of tools that can enhance their operations. By doing so, they can position themselves at the forefront of technological advancements and operational efficiency. Refusing to use AI nowadays would be like refusing to use the internet back in the late 90s. The technology is already here so there's no going back; It's only a matter of whether or not you're willing to adapt and not be left behind. Do You Want to Transform Your Agency from a Liability to an Asset? Looking to dig deeper into your agency's potential? Check out our Agency Blueprint. Designed for agency owners like you, our Agency Blueprint helps you uncover growth opportunities, tackle obstacles, and craft a customized blueprint for your agency's success.

在太魯閣事故四週年當天，《報導者》獨家揭露，2024年12月15日19時18分，一列區間車停靠高雄內惟站時發生疏失，列車超出月台3節車廂，當下司機員未遵守SOP通報，擅自改動ATP模式逕行倒車。所幸後方區間車在美術館站等待，未釀追撞事，而台鐵公司直到5天後，收到旅客投訴展開調查才知情。 火車「開過頭」不是小問題！2005年JR西日本福知山107人死亡的超速出軌事故，導火線就是司機員停站開過頭，為了「追回誤點」而釀禍；就在5年前，台鐵已發生過一次司機開過頭未通報、自行倒車的嚴重事件，同樣的問題為何一再發生？ 今年6月23日起，台鐵將實施新票價，平均漲幅達到26.8%，相隔30年首次調漲，或許有助台鐵財務體質健全，但民眾更想知道的是，大眾運輸安全性能否同步向上提升？ 製作團隊｜詹婉如、陳思樺