In this episode, host Jay Schwedelson chats with Steve Jones from Microsoft about how small businesses can effectively harness AI to boost efficiency and enhance customer experiences. They explore practical, accessible AI tools and strategies that don’t require extensive technical expertise.===================================Best Moments:(02:51) How AI can augment human capabilities, making business processes more efficient(04:28) How AI chatbots can revolutionize customer service and sales for small businesses(06:10) How AI can help create personalized marketing campaigns that resonate with customers(07:37) Steve gives an overview of Microsoft's Copilot and how it integrates with Office tools to streamline operations(10:37) Understanding the significance of prompt engineering in optimizing AI interactions(12:44) Exploring AI applications in managing inventory and improving operational efficiency(13:52) How AI can be used for tasks like logo creation and email writing, making these tools accessible for small business owners(16:17) Jay announces an upcoming webinar focused on AI tools and strategies for small businesses===================================Guest Bio:Steve Jones is a Principal Group Engineering Manager at Microsoft with over 20 years of experience in the technology industry. He is passionate about AI and its potential to transform businesses. Steve has been with Microsoft for the last 4 years and is deeply involved in the company's AI initiatives, particularly with Microsoft's Copilot. He also has a side business in real estate investing, where he applies AI tools to enhance his entrepreneurial endeavors.===================================Try Thryv For $1?!?Click HERE to get this $1 offer for 1 month using Thryv's Business Center!===================================Free Webinar?!?AI can feel like a buzzword that’s just not meant for small businesses. But what if it could actually make your life easier? Join the experts from Microsoft and Cyclotron for a free webinar on September 18th at 1:00 pm ET / 12:00 pm CT. They'll unpack artificial intelligence and teach you how it can fit into your small business plan. Save your spot today!

In this episode, host Jay Schwedelson interviews Dan DeGolier, CEO and founder of Ascent CFO Solutions, to explore the critical role of having a financial expert in your small business. Dan shares invaluable insights on managing cash flow, securing lines of credit, and the benefits of engaging a fractional CFO.===================================Best Moments:(03:08) The most common pitfall: not understanding cash flow and its associated risks(04:24) How and when to approach getting a line of credit(06:10) Why even small businesses should have someone dedicated to finances(07:27) The rising trend of fractional CFOs and outsourced business roles(10:26) Common scenarios where businesses seek fractional CFO services(13:20) The assessment phase when onboarding a new client and analyzing their financial processes===================================Guest Bio:Dan DeGolier is the CEO and founder of Ascent CFO Solutions. With extensive experience in finance, particularly with technology companies and entrepreneurs, Dan's company offers fractional CFO services, providing businesses with the financial expertise they need without the commitment of a full-time hire.===================================ascentcfo.com, Resources hub page: https://ascentcfo.com/resourcesLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascent-cfo-solutions/Insights by Ascent CFO is a custom data visualization solution for founders, entrepreneurs, and executives that consolidates data sources, tracks key metrics, and displays business performance in real-time. https://ascentcfo.com/insights===================================Try Thryv For $1?!?Click HERE to get this $1 offer for 1 month using Thryv's Business Center!

In this episode, host Jay Schwedelson discusses when and how to fire a client with Stephanie Love.===================================Best Moments:(01:25) Is it okay to fire a client? When should you fire a client?(02:52) Signs to look for when firing a client: nightmare clients vs. misaligned vision(04:36) Importance of firing rude clients to maintain team morale(06:28) How to actually fire a client: have a direct conversation and document everything(07:17) Dealing with potential negative reviews after firing a client(08:35) Try to salvage the relationship first before terminating, if possible===================================Try Thryv For $1?!?Click HERE to get this $1 offer for 1 month using Thryv's Business Center!

In this episode, host Jay Schwedelson sits down with Debra Corey, Chief "Pay It Forward" Officer at DebCo HR and acclaimed author, to identify the top traits of BAD BOSSES and how small business owners can navigate common HR challenges without a dedicated HR department.===================================Best Moments:(01:14) Debra Corey’s background in HR and her mission to help leaders(03:37) The 10 types of "bad bosses" and the common pitfalls like micro-managing(07:51) Why delegation and trusting your team are crucial(09:01) HR strategies for small businesses without an HR department(11:05) The profound impact of showing appreciation to employees(12:13) How to deliver feedback without being harsh or inconsiderate(13:24) Where to find Debra Corey's work, including her website and books===================================Guest Bio:Debra Corey is the Chief "Pay It Forward" Officer for DebCo HR and an author of six books on various HR topics, including leadership, company values, engagement, and recognition. With a long career in HR roles across different organizations, Debra's mission is to share her experiences and learnings to help businesses and leaders improve their practices.===================================Try Thryv For $1?!?Click HERE to get this $1 offer for 1 month using Thryv's Business Center!

In this episode, host Jay Schwedelson interviews Todd Caponi, the founder of Sales Melon, best-selling author, and sales expert. They discuss the importance of transparency in sales, how to guide customers through the buying process, and how to negotiate effectively.===================================Best Moments:(01:39) Todd Caponi's background and how he became interested in sales and behavioral science(03:35) The importance of negative reviews and how they can actually increase sales(08:36) Advice on how to approach the sales process and guide customers through the buying journey(11:37) The importance of giving salespeople leeway in negotiating and providing a "toolbox" for closing deals(15:54) Todd's favorite movies and books about sales===================================Guest Bio:Todd Caponi is the founder of Sales Melon, a best-selling author of The Transparency Sale, and the host of the "Sales History Nerd" podcast. He has held seven different sales leadership roles, including a $3 billion exit to Salesforce in 2013. Caponi is an expert in sales and behavioral science, and he is passionate about helping businesses sell more effectively by embracing transparency and guiding customers through the buying process.===================================Try Thryv For $1?!?Click HERE to get this $1 offer for 1 month using Thryv's Business Center!

In this episode, host Jay Schwedelson discusses the importance of analyzing your competitors and shares tips on how to effectively do so with Stephanie Love from Thryv.===================================Best Moments:(01:00) The importance of analyzing competitors and how to do it(01:43) Three places to research competitors: website, social media accounts, and Google search(04:11) Using AI tool Gemini to analyze competitors' websites and create a graphical comparison(06:12) Competing on awesome customer experience rather than price(06:46) Secret shopping competitors to identify areas for improvement(07:55) Potential for finding partnership opportunities through competitor research===================================Guest Bio:Stephanie Love is a representative from Thryv, a company that provides software and services to help small businesses succeed.===================================Try Thryv For $1?!?Click HERE to get this $1 offer for 1 month using Thryv's Business Center!

In this episode, host Jay Schwedelson discusses inexpensive marketing tactics for small businesses with Stephanie Love from Thryv.===================================Best Moments:(01:51) The importance of having a complete and updated Google Business Profile(03:14) Providing value on social media by sharing tips and advice related to your business(04:28) The benefits of email marketing and sending frequent, even short, email campaigns(05:38) Taking advantage of ad credits offered by platforms like LinkedIn and Meta(07:04) Building a referral network with complementary businesses===================================Guest Bio:Stephanie Love is a representative from Thryv, a company that provides software and services to help small businesses grow and manage their operations.===================================Try Thryv For $1?!?Click HERE to get this $1 offer for 1 month using Thryv's Business Center!

In this episode, host Jay Schwedelson talks to Oscar Subirats, sales expert and author of "Closing Intelligence," about how to improve sales and get more people to say "yes."===================================Best Moments:(03:07) The importance of having a sales structure and scripting in place(06:45) Using an "intent statement" to set the tone for a sales conversation(07:40) Asking the right discovery questions to uncover the customer's needs(10:09) Getting customers engaged by having them talk and share information(11:10) Believing that everyone can be a salesperson with the right training(15:13) The importance of reacting quickly to leads and follow-up opportunities(16:12) Categorizing leads and assigning them to the right salespeople(18:31) How to follow Oscar Subirats and get his book "Closing Intelligence"===================================Guest Bio:Oscar Subirats is the founder and president of Closing Intelligence, and the author of the Amazon top ten bestseller book "Closing Intelligence: How to Get Others to Say Yes in Life and Business." With over two decades of experience in various sales situations, Oscar has become an expert in teaching people how to structure their sales process and ask the right questions to get more yes's from customers.===================================Try Thryv For $1?!?Click HERE to get this $1 offer for 1 month using Thryv's Business Center!

In this episode, host Jay Schwedelson interviews Teddy Cheek, the marketing leader at The Escape Game, a national escape room company with over 30 locations across the country.===================================Best Moments:(01:56) How Teddy ended up in marketing(04:15) The best use of marketing dollars for local businesses: start with SEO and Google Business Profile(07:00) What makes a great Google Business Profile and why reviews are so important(08:04) Tips for getting more reviews, like having staff ask directly and using QR codes(10:24) Strategies for new businesses to build initial reviews(12:23) Handling negative reviews and trying to redeem bad experiences(14:33) Marketing tactics that didn't work for Teddy, like brand name ads and direct mail(16:21) How well Teddy performs in escape rooms himself (spoiler: he asks for clues!)===================================Guest Bio:Teddy Cheek is the marketing leader at The Escape Game, a national escape room company that has served over 5 million guests across its 30+ locations. With a background in music and digital marketing, Teddy has been instrumental in driving The Escape Game's local marketing efforts for the past 8 years.===================================Try Thryv For $1?!?Click HERE to get this $1 offer for 1 month using Thryv's Business Center!

In this episode, host Jay Schwedelson interviews Kevin Ring, the lead workers' compensation analyst at the Institute of Work Comp Professionals, to dispel myths and provide insights on workers' compensation insurance for YOUR small business.===================================Best Moments:(03:16) Do you really need workers' compensation insurance if you have a small staff?(05:00) Addressing the myth that workers' compensation insurance is super expensive(06:36) Exploring the misconception that workers' comp is only needed for dangerous jobs(08:04) Understanding the process of reporting an incident and its impact on premiums(10:43) Clarifying the need for coverage when hiring contractors or independent workers(13:11) How to connect with Kevin Ring and access resources on workers' compensation===================================Guest Bio:Kevin Ring is the lead workers' compensation analyst at the Institute of Work Comp Professionals. With extensive experience and multiple certifications in the field, Kevin is an expert in workers' compensation and provides training and mentoring for independent insurance agents.===================================Try Thryv For $1?!?Click HERE to get this $1 offer for 1 month using Thryv's Business Center!