Business Brain – The Entrepreneurs’ Podcast

Business Brain Podcast Episode 631 explores AI applications in business and content creation. Dave Hamilton and Shannon Jean discuss a listener’s idea to create a custom AI by uploading user manuals of all owned devices into ChatGPT, effectively turning it into a personal tech support assistant. They extend this concept to businesses, suggesting that customer service departments upload historical support tickets to train AI models, instantly improving response accuracy. The conversation shifts to AI’s potential for content creators. Shannon considers uploading his entire written content library to an AI model for repurposing and reformatting. Dave envisions an AI tool that can be trained on personal email archives for more context-aware assistance, speculating that Google’s Gemini may soon provide such a feature. Shannon introduces Google’s Notebook LM, an AI tool that converts written content into natural-sounding audio discussions. He explains how he uploaded a 250-page book, and the AI generated an 18-minute conversation summarizing its key points. This feature enables businesses to transform white papers, blog posts, and other text-based content into audio for easier consumption. They compare it to ChatGPT’s voice mode but highlight its passive listening benefits. Dave shares an insight from using ChatGPT’s voice feature, emphasizing the value of delayed responses. Unlike human conversations, AI waits indefinitely, allowing users to think through responses without pressure. He notes how this improves interactions and creativity. 00:00:00 Business Brain – The Entrepreneurs’ Podcast #631 for Casual Friday, March 14th, 2025 March 14th: Pi Day (also National Legal Assistance Day) 00:01:07 Using AI as tech support by uploading your user manuals 00:05:49 SPONSOR: Shopify – For anyone to sell anywhere, sign up for a one-dollar-per month trial period at Shopify.com/BusinessBrain and upgrade your selling today! 00:07:26 Revisiting NotebookLM 00:12:43 Chatting with ChatGPT…don’t worry if you take some time to reply! 00:15:27 Be Polite…and considerate! 00:16:00 Business Brain 631 Outtro Review Business Brain Subscribe to the show feedback@businessbrain.show Call/Text: (567) 274-6977 X/Twitter: @ShannonJean & @DaveHamilton, & @BizBrainShow LinkedIn: Shannon Jean, Dave Hamilton, & Business Brain Facebook: Dave Hamilton, Shannon Jean, & Business Brain The post FridAI – NotebookLM – Business Brain 631 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.

The episode of Business Brain features Dave Hamilton and Shannon Jean discussing productivity, mindset, and business strategies. They open with lighthearted Hitchcock-related jokes and discuss the unpredictable nature of the South by Southwest conference. The main discussion revolves around productivity methods, particularly the concept of a “reverse to-do list” or “to-did list,” where one focuses on what has been accomplished rather than what still needs to be done. Shannon shares his preference for using reminders instead of traditional to-do lists, explaining how he frames tasks as things he wants to do rather than has to do, which keeps him motivated. They also discuss the power of storytelling in business and personal life, emphasizing that people are naturally interested in everyday experiences. Shannon recalls a successful newsletter he wrote that started with a humorous personal anecdote, demonstrating how relatable stories can engage audiences. Dave notes that while people often downplay their own experiences, they eagerly consume mundane details from others, as seen in social media. 00:00:00 Business Brain – The Entrepreneurs’ Podcast #630 for Wednesday, March 12th, 2025 March 12th: National Alfred Hitchcock Day 00:03:06 Michelle Penczak’s Reverse To-Do List 00:09:23 SPONSOR: Shopify – For anyone to sell anywhere, sign up for a one-dollar-per month trial period at Shopify.com/BusinessBrain and upgrade your selling today! 00:11:00 Discounting Your Own Experiences 00:15:39 Business Brain 630 Outtro Review Business Brain Subscribe to the show feedback@businessbrain.show Call/Text: (567) 274-6977 X/Twitter: @ShannonJean & @DaveHamilton, & @BizBrainShow LinkedIn: Shannon Jean, Dave Hamilton, & Business Brain Facebook: Dave Hamilton, Shannon Jean, & Business Brain The post Discounting Our Own Experiences – Business Brain 630 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.

Business Brain Podcast Episode 629 discusses the role of AI in learning, business, and social media strategy. The hosts, Dave Hamilton and Shannon Jean, address an email from a listener who limits their child’s AI use to encourage independent problem-solving. They compare this to past educational resistance to calculators and emphasize the importance of using AI as an assistant rather than a crutch. Dave shares a personal story about how using an early word processor for a school assignment led to a confrontation with a teacher, illustrating how technology adoption meets resistance before becoming standard practice. Shannon shares a real-world example of using AI for business strategy. A client sought help refining their sales messaging. Shannon used Grok, X’s AI tool, to analyze the company’s social media presence and compare it with the salesperson’s posts. The AI identified a disconnect in messaging and highlighted areas for improvement. This allowed Shannon to provide detailed, data-driven feedback that led to an “aha” moment for the client. The conversation expands into how AI can analyze successful and unsuccessful social media accounts in the same industry, providing actionable insights on engagement strategies. They discuss Grok’s ability to compare accounts and generate step-by-step plans for growth. Dave acknowledges that AI excels at processing vast amounts of data and summarizing key insights faster than humans. 00:00:00 Business Brain – The Entrepreneurs’ Podcast #629 for Casual Friday, March 7th, 2025 March 7th: National Employee Appreciation Day 00:01:05 JHonaFalculan-Coaching AI Use in Children 00:04:21 AI and the Classroom 00:08:28 SPONSOR: Rogue Amoeba Software makes some of the best Mac Audio software on the planet, and we couldn’t produce BB this way without it! Just visit MacAudio.com/Brain and use code BRAIN to save 20% on anything they make. Download free trials, then buy online to receive the discounted price. 00:10:06 Using Grok to Get Ready for a Client Meeting 00:18:21 Business Brain 629 Outtro Review Business Brain Subscribe to the show feedback@businessbrain.show Call/Text: (567) 274-6977 X/Twitter: @ShannonJean & @DaveHamilton, & @BizBrainShow LinkedIn: Shannon Jean, Dave Hamilton, & Business Brain Facebook: Dave Hamilton, Shannon Jean, & Business Brain The post FridAI + Listerner Mail – Business Brain 629 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.

In this episode of Business Brain, hosts Dave Hamilton and Shannon Jean dive into the challenges of balancing work and life, particularly in sales and leadership roles. They also discuss the risks of stepping away from a business while still retaining liability. Key Takeaways: The Dilemma of Instant Email Replies in Sales Dave shares a real-life scenario where he responded to a client’s email over the weekend instead of waiting until Monday. They debate whether being always responsive is beneficial or if it creates an unhealthy work-life balance and unrealistic customer expectations. Shannon argues that in sales, responsiveness is crucial to success and one cannot always follow a strict work schedule. The hosts acknowledge that not all roles require 24/7 availability, and expectations should be set accordingly. Training Employees for Responsiveness They explore whether employees should be expected to reply instantly to emails outside work hours. Dave suggests that salespeople, in particular, must be available if they want to outperform competitors. They acknowledge that expecting constant availability could lead to burnout but recognize that customer perception matters in sales. Should You Delay Sending Emails? A LinkedIn user asks whether delaying email responses (e.g., scheduling them for the next morning) is a better approach. The hosts agree that for non-sales roles, delaying responses may help establish boundaries, but in sales, responding immediately often signals urgency and commitment. The Risks of a Business Running Without You They analyze a statement from entrepreneur Noel Halal, who argues that if a business runs entirely without its owner, it’s essentially a “silent sale” where the owner assumes all risks but sees no real reward. Dave and Shannon debate the idea, acknowledging that while delegation is essential for scaling, owners must maintain oversight to avoid financial or operational risks. They highlight the importance of structuring business ownership so that financial rewards offset the liability of stepping away. Final Thoughts & Engagement They encourage listeners to weigh the risks and rewards of stepping back from business operations. The hosts invite feedback from the audience on balancing business ownership and delegation. The episode concludes with a promotion for their MacBook giveaway for listeners who leave a review. Conclusion: The episode offers insightful perspectives on business growth, delegation, and responsiveness in sales. While being highly available benefits sales, it must be balanced with sustainability and realistic employee expectations. Additionally, business owners should carefully structure their roles to avoid assuming risks without proper compensation. 00:00:00 Business Brain – The Entrepreneurs’ Podcast #628 for Wednesday, March 5th, 2025 March 5th: National Stop Bad Service Day 00:01:51 Working weekends…triage vs. deep work; responsive vs. reactive. Employees? 00:09:35 SPONSOR: Rogue Amoeba Software makes some of the best Mac Audio software on the planet, and we couldn’t produce BB this way without it! Just visit MacAudio.com/Brain and use code BRAIN to save 20% on anything they make. Download free trials, then buy online to receive the discounted price. 00:11:11 Would Delay-sending that email help train everyone, including you? 00:13:46 Nahuel Hilal: Did you sell your business without getting paid? 00:20:33 Business Brain 628 Outtro Review Business Brain Subscribe to the show feedback@businessbrain.show Call/Text: (567) 274-6977 X/Twitter: @ShannonJean & @DaveHamilton, & @BizBrainShow LinkedIn: Shannon Jean, Dave Hamilton, & Business Brain Facebook: Dave Hamilton, Shannon Jean, & Business Brain The post Sold But Not Paid – Business Brain 628 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.

In this episode of Business Brain, Dave Hamilton and Shannon Jean reflect on the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, acknowledging the emotional rollercoaster that comes with running a business. They discuss the importance of resilience and how even seasoned entrepreneurs still experience moments of doubt, only to bounce back with new energy and perspective. The main topic of the episode focuses on the risks of over-automation. Shannon shares his philosophy of manually doing a task before automating it to fully understand the process and add a personal touch—what he calls avoiding the loss of “Dave-ness.” Dave agrees, emphasizing that starting with a manual process allows businesses to iterate and refine their systems before automating them efficiently. They share real-world examples, including how Dave’s company initially managed podcast ad placements with spreadsheets before building a custom solution, and how Shannon believes hands-on experience in business operations prevents blind spots when scaling. In their weekly FridAI segment, Shannon introduces Napkin.ai, a tool that extracts key insights from written content and automatically generates visually appealing charts and diagrams. Dave shares a personal story of using ChatGPT to decipher his illegible handwriting from a critical business call, highlighting the importance of interacting with AI as a collaborative tool rather than expecting perfect results on the first try. 00:00:00 Business Brain – The Entrepreneurs’ Podcast #627 for Casual Friday, February 28th, 2025 February 28th: National Chocolate Souffle Day 00:02:22 Beware of over-automating BackBeat Media’s PodMan Zapier Walter Bishop from Fringe said “posit” 00:11:58 FridAI: Napkin.AI 00:14:19 ChatGPT, I can’t read my own handwriting…can you help? Apple spending $500B on AI Servers 00:19:50 Business Brain 627 Outtro Review Business Brain Subscribe to the show feedback@businessbrain.show Call/Text: (567) 274-6977 X/Twitter: @ShannonJean & @DaveHamilton, & @BizBrainShow LinkedIn: Shannon Jean, Dave Hamilton, & Business Brain Facebook: Dave Hamilton, Shannon Jean, & Business Brain The post FridAI and Over-Automating – Business Brain 627 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.

In this episode of Business Brain, Dave Hamilton and Shannon Jean discuss Levi Strauss and the origins of blue jeans, highlighting how the company pivoted from selling dry goods to revolutionizing durable workwear. They then shift to listener engagement, sharing an updated review from a long-time fan and announcing a MacBook giveaway for those who submit or update their podcast reviews. The conversation then turns to a listener’s question about Google vs. Microsoft for business operations. Dave shares his preference for Google tools and LibreOffice over Microsoft, while Shannon desires to use both platforms less, preferring AI tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity for search. They also discuss the benefits of self-hosted cloud solutions like Synology Drive for better data control. The episode’s main topic focuses on why many aspiring entrepreneurs give up after their first failure. Shannon emphasizes that business success is about averages and long-term profit rather than immediate wins. Dave reinforces that failure should be seen as a learning opportunity rather than an endpoint. They discuss how mindset plays a crucial role in entrepreneurial success, urging listeners to embrace adaptability and continuous learning instead of prematurely labeling efforts failures. 00:00:00 Business Brain – The Entrepreneurs’ Podcast #626 for Wednesday, February 26th, 2025 00:01:21 February 26th: Levi Strauss Day 00:02:46 BB Review-2/24/2025 00:04:38 Patrick-Do you prefer Google or Microsoft platforms for your business? Google Workspace Microsoft Office LibreOffice Synology Drive Zoom 00:08:55 The Importance of not stopping after the first failure This business is about the averages…profit over time Business Brain 626 Outtro Review Business Brain Subscribe to the show feedback@businessbrain.show Call/Text: (567) 274-6977 X/Twitter: @ShannonJean & @DaveHamilton, & @BizBrainShow LinkedIn: Shannon Jean, Dave Hamilton, & Business Brain Facebook: Dave Hamilton, Shannon Jean, & Business Brain The post Quitting After the First Failure – Business Brain 626 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.

This episode of Business Brain explores strategies for innovation, marketing, and leveraging AI to optimize your business. Hosts Dave Hamilton and Shannon Jean discuss how businesses can stay top-of-mind with partners by regularly reaching out with valuable updates. They introduce a new system for vetting podcast sponsors, ensuring that hosts are enthusiastic about the advertisers they promote. A key theme is the challenge of proving advertising effectiveness. They discuss the strengths and limitations of direct response marketing, using examples like Valpak mailers and Shopify ad tracking. Instead of trying to create a superior alternative to direct response, they suggest focusing on an additive approach—introducing new, different tracking methods that complement existing strategies. The conversation also touches on business innovation, emphasizing that new ideas don’t have to be better than existing solutions; they just need to be different and worth testing. Shannon shares an example from his Apple repair business, where they positioned their aftermarket glass screens as “diamond glass,” creating differentiation even though it wasn’t better than Apple’s. The episode also covers AI adoption in business. Dave expresses frustration with people who resist AI tools despite their advantages. He shares a story about a colleague hesitant to use AI and contrasts it with his own workflow, where he effectively uses ChatGPT to research unknown topics. He stresses that avoiding AI gives competitors an advantage and that failure to adopt new technology can limit growth. Shannon introduces his workflow challenge—wanting AI-generated summaries before creating podcast images. Dave suggests using FlowSend, an AI tool they already use for other shows, to streamline the process. The episode concludes with a teaser for next week’s discussion on the dangers of stopping after the first failure. They highlight how people prematurely dismiss opportunities due to early setbacks and promise to explore strategies for overcoming this mindset. 00:00:00 Business Brain – The Entrepreneurs’ Podcast #625 for Casual Friday, February 21st, 2025 February 21st: National Sticky Bun Day 00:01:10 You don’t have to come up with something better… just different. 00:09:17 SPONSOR: Shopify – For anyone to sell anywhere, sign up for a one-dollar-per month trial period at Shopify.com/BusinessBrain and upgrade your selling today! 00:10:30 FridAI 00:10:49 Podcast workflow Flowsend 00:14:08 Helping people get over the AI hump Don’t stop after your first failure…next week! Business Brain 625 Outtro Review Business Brain Subscribe to the show feedback@businessbrain.show Call/Text: (567) 274-6977 X/Twitter: @ShannonJean & @DaveHamilton, & @BizBrainShow LinkedIn: Shannon Jean, Dave Hamilton, & Business Brain Facebook: Dave Hamilton, Shannon Jean, & Business Brain The post FridAI + New vs. Better – Business Brain 625 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.

The episode celebrates the 10th anniversary of Business Brain and reflects on the challenges and lessons learned from a decade of podcasting. Dave Hamilton and Shannon Jean emphasize the importance of consistency, particularly in the face of life’s obstacles, and how having a co-host or accountability partner helps maintain momentum. They discuss how measuring success in podcasting can be challenging compared to other businesses with clearer metrics. Dave shares a list of 10 lessons from his years in podcasting, including listening to one’s own show, maintaining a schedule, communicating effectively with co-hosts, ensuring sound quality, refining ad reads, and taking control of hosting and distribution. They also highlight the importance of promoting the show, handling criticism constructively, and evolving over time. The conversation shifts to review, reflecting on the problematic nature of modern rating systems, where anything below a five-star rating is often perceived as a failure. Shannon shares a personal experience with a delivery service that explicitly directed customers to leave only a nine or ten, sparking a broader discussion about the value and reliability of ratings in various industries. 00:00:00 Business Brain – The Entrepreneurs’ Podcast #624 for Wednesday, February 19th, 2025 February 19th: National Prevent Plagiarism Day 00:01:21 Lessons from ten years of podcasting 00:11:36 SPONSOR: Shopify – For anyone to sell anywhere, sign up for a one-dollar-per month trial period at Shopify.com/BusinessBrain and upgrade your selling today! 00:12:51 BB Reviews-Feb 17, 2025 00:15:53 Linear vs. Logarithmic Review Scales TextExpander Grammarly 00:24:14 Business Brain 624 Outtro Review Business Brain Subscribe to the show feedback@businessbrain.show Call/Text: (567) 274-6977 X/Twitter: @ShannonJean & @DaveHamilton, & @BizBrainShow LinkedIn: Shannon Jean, Dave Hamilton, & Business Brain Facebook: Dave Hamilton, Shannon Jean, & Business Brain The post 10 Years of Business Brain – Episode 624 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.

In this episode of Business Brain, Dave Hamilton and Shannon Jean explore the power of AI tools in transforming how entrepreneurs analyze data and streamline decision-making. Shannon shares a fascinating story about using AI to assess and value items from a liquidation auction quickly, saving hours of manual research and enabling smarter bidding strategies. Dave and Shannon discuss the importance of leveraging AI as a collaborator to organize and enhance productivity without replacing personal creativity or voice. The conversation also dives into working with remote teams, focusing on cultural nuances and the challenge of providing clear context for tasks. They share strategies for managing expectations, avoiding micromanagement, and creating accountability between employers and their teams. Let me know if you’d like any edits or additions! 00:00:00 Business Brain – The Entrepreneurs’ Podcast #623 for Casual Friday, February 14th, 2025 February 14th: International Winter Bike To Work Day 00:01:09 FridAI: Use ChatGPT to analyze long documents (contracts, details, product manifests) 00:05:15 FridAI: Settings > Personalization > Customize ChatGPT “Respond with a precise, concise, and accurate tone. Focus on delivering clear and direct answers while avoiding unnecessary elaboration or repetition. Use structured formats such as bullet points, numbered lists, or short paragraphs where appropriate. Prioritize clarity and relevance, ensuring responses stay on-topic and align with the query’s intent. Tailor the explanation to be universally understandable, avoiding excessive jargon unless explicitly requested.Be opinionated and prepared to support your opinions: always state and make clear what statements are opinion and not objective fact.” 00:08:56 SPONSOR: Shopify – For anyone to sell anywhere, sign up for a one-dollar-per month trial period at Shopify.com/BusinessBrain and upgrade your selling today! 00:10:18 Business Therapy: Context as it relates to global talent Learn THEIR cultural norms 00:19:16 Business Brain 623 Outtro Review Business Brain Subscribe to the show feedback@businessbrain.show Call/Text: (567) 274-6977 X/Twitter: @ShannonJean & @DaveHamilton, & @BizBrainShow LinkedIn: Shannon Jean, Dave Hamilton, & Business Brain Facebook: Dave Hamilton, Shannon Jean, & Business Brain The post FridAI + Understanding Context – Business Brain 623 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.

Dave Hamilton and Shannon Jean discuss tips and strategies to stay motivated as entrepreneurs and manage tasks, including “grunt work.” They share personal tactics like breaking tasks into smaller chunks, using dopamine rewards (e.g., taking breaks, engaging in enjoyable activities), and leveraging the fear of failure to push through unappealing tasks. They highlight the importance of maintaining momentum by celebrating small wins and integrating fun tasks into the workday. They also explore the value of building a “talent stack” by listing personal achievements and using tools like ChatGPT to identify and articulate skills. This practice helps boost confidence, foster self-promotion, and create opportunities for further growth. Additionally, the hosts touch on themes like humility and self-promotion, encouraging listeners to showcase their accomplishments in a way that builds credibility without arrogance. They share an anecdote about David Bowie advising someone to “always make your name as big as you can” to enhance visibility and success. 00:00:00 Business Brain – The Entrepreneurs’ Podcast #622 for Wednesday, February 12th, 2025 February 12th: National Lost Penny Day 00:01:51 RobzillaH’s Business Brain Review – Feb 10, 2025 00:03:14 What tricks do you use to keep yourself inspired to do the grunt work necessary to run your businesses? The hunt for dopamine! The fear of failure vs. the fear of being a failure Rewarding yourself with a quick dopamine fix Doomscrolling for ten minutes Stacking work by sandwiching the grunt work between rewarding work 00:10:46 SPONSOR: Shopify – For anyone to sell anywhere, sign up for a one-dollar-per month trial period at Shopify.com/BusinessBrain and upgrade your selling today! 00:12:08 Humility vs. Negative Self-Deprecation Keanan Duffty on Gig Gab: “Always Make Your Name As Big As You Can” To make it easier to talk about yourself, ask the question: What have you done? AND WRITE IT DOWN, then you can read your talent stack back to yourself. Ask ChatGPT: “I need to create a list of my talent stack, but I’m not good at bragging. Can you create this list for me that we can collaborate on so that I can just have it and see it?” 00:22:31 Business Brain 622 Outtro Review Business Brain Subscribe to the show feedback@businessbrain.show Call/Text: (567) 274-6977 X/Twitter: @ShannonJean & @DaveHamilton, & @BizBrainShow LinkedIn: Shannon Jean, Dave Hamilton, & Business Brain Facebook: Dave Hamilton, Shannon Jean, & Business Brain The post The Hunt for Dopamine – Business Brain 622 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.