The discussion dives into the complexities of defining intelligence in AI and why we should prioritize 'usefulness' over 'smartness.' User interaction is key to maximizing AI's potential, while effective communication is essential for desired results. The hosts explore the societal impacts of AI on work and education, sharing insights on the evolution of human-computer interaction. Embracing technological change and adapting to advancements are highlighted as crucial for future growth in various industries.

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

Dive into the intriguing world of buying modalities and their impact on sales. Discover the four key types: competitive, spontaneous, methodical, and humanistic. Each modality shapes buyer behavior and decision-making in unique ways. Learn how to tailor marketing strategies to engage diverse audiences effectively. Gain practical tips for optimizing your sales process to resonate with varying buyer preferences. Understand the significance of adapting communication styles to enhance engagement and conversion rates.

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

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

Explore strategies to extend the sales window by creating multiple opportunities to engage with prospects. Learn how addressing objections and reframing offers can turn hesitations into valuable conversations. Discover the power of follow-up sequences and 'no buy surveys' that re-engage leads who may initially reject offers. Uncover the art of ethical downselling, guiding clients to affordable solutions while building trust. Embrace an abundance mindset and view sales interactions as chances to nurture long-term relationships.

Learn how to maximize efficiency in sales by effectively qualifying prospects. Discover key factors like interest, intent, and ability that can streamline the sales process. The importance of proactive pre-qualifying tools, such as application forms, is emphasized to filter out unsuitable leads. Warning signs of poor qualification, like high ghosting rates and price objections, are discussed. Gain insights on how to maintain professional relationships while redirecting unrealistic prospects to more suitable solutions.

Discover the dynamic DOP Framework that defines strategy, organizes tactics, and focuses on effective management. Learn how to keep systems at 90% completion for ongoing improvement and incorporate team integration instead of relying solely on project managers. Uncover self-correcting mechanisms that empower team members to uphold standards. Explore how to streamline and evolve systems like Offers, prioritizing user-friendliness over complexity. Lastly, grasp the synergy between systems and people for a flexible approach to operational efficiency.

Discussions center on ambitious growth plans for 2025, focusing on enhancing marketing through YouTube, targeting subscriber goals. They highlight product-led marketing, ensuring authenticity in content created from their offerings. Brand evolution is key, with MeasureU expanding into marketing optimization and ProfitSchool enhancing its coaching programs. The shift towards team-led operations fosters ownership in content creation, while continuous system refinement promises sustained improvement. Broad audience outreach is emphasized, tailoring solutions for freelancers and team managers alike.

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