ProfitSchool

Welcome back to the ProfitSchool by MeasureU podcast, Business Unfiltered with Mercer and Jeff Sauer. Today's topic is Using AI to Stay Focused Jeff and Mercer explore how AI enhances focus in both personal and professional spheres. Jeff highlights two primary applications of AI for focus: boosting productivity to accomplish more with fewer resources and utilizing AI as a strategic coach for guidance. Mercer initially used AI as an accountability tool, helping him prioritize and act on overdue tasks by making them top-of-mind. Mercer details his advanced AI usage, involving the creation of specialized "coaches" or "consultants" tailored to his specific needs, moving beyond general large language models. A key insight Mercer gained from his AI coach was the identification of underlying resentment towards his business, revealing a deeper problem beyond superficial symptoms. The hosts emphasize that true AI productivity comes not just from using tools, but from leveraging AI as an expert to provide clarity and strategic guidance on what to focus on.

Welcome back to the ProfitSchool by MeasureU podcast, Business Unfiltered with Mercer and Jeff Sauer. Today's topic is Writing Books: The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly Mercer and Jeff discuss the evolving landscape of book authorship, particularly in light of advancements in AI, contrasting traditional publishing challenges with new opportunities.  Jeff shares insights from writing his book, "Service Stacking," highlighting the importance of a clear, focused framework as the core idea rather than a broad topic.  The hosts emphasize that successful business books typically present a proprietary framework that readers can understand and apply.  A key takeaway from Jeff's experience is the necessity of dedicating significantly more time to book promotion than to its writing.  Mercer and Jeff explore how AI can streamline the book-writing process, from initial research and outline generation to editing and ensuring continuity.  The hosts propose an "audience-first" strategy for future book projects, involving testing concepts and hooks with small, iterative outputs like 30-page PDFs, before fully developing a book.  

Welcome back to the ProfitSchool by MeasureU podcast Business Unfiltered with Mercer and Jeff Sauer. Today's topic is Where Does AI Fit In Your Sales Funnel? Mercer and Jeff define the sales funnel in terms of awareness levels, progressing from unawareness to problem awareness, solution awareness, and finally product awareness. Jeff outlines a B2B sales funnel with distinct phases: impression, lead, qualification, pitch/proposal, purchase, and onboarding. AI significantly enhances the "impression" stage by transforming long-form content, such as podcasts or client calls, into short, digestible social media clips for broader reach and increased engagement. AI tools streamline lead capture by helping to create intelligent lead forms and automate processes for gathering contact information and initial permissions from prospects. AI assists in the qualification process by helping to establish clear business rules and criteria for ideal clients, automating aspects of prospect assessment to ensure a better fit. AI empowers the "pitch and proposal" stage by generating presentations, proposals, and even guiding pricing decisions, helping users overcome perfectionism and iterate faster.  

Welcome back to the ProfitSchool by MeasureU podcast Business Unfiltered with Mercer and Jeff Sauer. Today's topic is Podcast Marketing for Growth Mercer and Jeff examine podcasting as a growth strategy, differentiating between hosting a personal podcast and appearing as a guest on others.  The hosts emphasize that podcasts effectively warm up an audience, acting similarly to webinars by introducing new concepts and building brand familiarity over time.  Jeff notes that podcasting functions as an "at-home version of brand building," scaling relationship development more efficiently than traditional in-person networking events.  Mercer highlights the value of targeting niche podcasts, stressing that reaching a smaller, highly relevant audience can be more effective than aiming for broad, mainstream shows.  The discussion identifies "customer media marketing" as a significant benefit of podcasting, enabling deeper audience relationships through consistent content creation.  Mercer and Jeff suggest practical approaches for securing podcast appearances, including direct outreach, networking, and leveraging AI for research and pitch generation.  

Welcome back to the ProfitSchool by MeasureU podcast Business Unfiltered with Mercer and Jeff Sauer. Today's topic is Automation First: Pros and Cons Jeff and Mercer emphasize that successful automation requires a clearly defined, repeatable process before any building begins. Initially, Jeff viewed automation negatively, associating it with spam and a lack of human involvement, but now recognizes its necessity and value when a human element is retained. The hosts highlight the "never too late to automate, but sometimes it's too soon" principle, stressing the importance of manually proving a process before automating it. Mercer and Jeff outline a nine-part automation framework, beginning with strategic planning to define the desired result, the business process, and feasibility before any technical implementation. The discussion stresses that the "build" phase, which many mistakenly start with, is the fifth step in their framework, occurring after thorough planning and technical blueprinting. A key benefit of strategic automation is the creation of reusable "Lego bricks" or interchangeable parts, allowing for easier maintenance and scaling of complex automation workflows.  

Welcome back to the ProfitSchool by MeasureU podcast Business Unfiltered with Mercer and Jeff Sauer. Today's topic is Building a Culture of Accountability. The discussion centers on establishing a "culture of GUSTO" within a business. Jeff and Mercer define "GUSTO" as a framework for team members to operate effectively, emphasizing self-driven action and focus. The framework aims to be more impactful than traditional mission or vision statements, which often become "placards on the wall". "GUSTO" is an acronym: Good enough to get going (G), Use the system to improve the system (U), Speed to result (S), Trust but verify (T), and Out with the trash (O). The hosts explain how these principles foster a proactive environment, encouraging action over perfectionism and continuous improvement. The episode concludes by illustrating how an AI-first approach can integrate seamlessly with these "GUSTO" principles, enhancing efficiency and removing bottlenecks.  

Welcome back to the ProfitSchool by MeasureU podcast Business Unfiltered with Mercer and Jeff Sauer. Today's topic is AI Powered Sales Techniques and Tactics Jeff and Mercer explore how AI tools can refine and improve service-based businesses' sales processes. The hosts discuss using AI to qualify leads, create compelling sales copy, and analyze customer interactions. They emphasize that AI can help identify ideal clients and determine the best strategies for attracting them. The conversation highlights AI's ability to streamline tasks, automate outreach, and personalize communication with potential clients. Mercer and Jeff stress combining AI insights with human skills to build strong client relationships. The episode concludes by noting AI's potential to empower even those who don't consider themselves natural salespeople.  

Welcome back to the ProfitSchool podcast Business Unfiltered with Mercer and Jeff Sauer. Today's topic is Breaking Bottlenecks In An AI-First Business Today’s discussion centers on identifying and eliminating bottlenecks within an AI-first business framework. Bottlenecks can exist even in AI-driven companies, often stemming from limiting beliefs or organizational structure.    The conversation highlights the relevance of capability and capacity in pinpointing bottlenecks. They note AI's potential to significantly enhance both capability and capacity within a business.  Mercer and Jeff discuss practical strategies, such as using loom videos to delegate tasks effectively.  The episode concludes by advocating for a shift toward AI-first thinking to streamline processes and boost efficiency.   

Welcome back to the ProfitSchool podcast Business Unfiltered with Mercer and Jeff Sauer. Today's topic is Using AI Agents As Your Copilot. The discussion centers on utilizing AI agents as a business partnership.     The hosts emphasize the changing definition of AI agents, from individual bots to AI-driven tools and behaviors.     Using AI agents to access specialized knowledge, such as that of a copywriter or analyst.     Jeff and Mercer address the debate about the longevity of AI agents and whether they should be integrated into broader AI models.     Using AI agents to enhance team member capabilities and avoid additional hiring.    The episode concludes by noting the importance of providing feedback to AI agents to improve their effectiveness.  

Welcome back to the ProfitSchool podcast Business Unfiltered with Mercer and Jeff Sauer. Today's topic is The Art of Using AI For Feedback. The discussion centers on effectively utilizing AI in the feedback process. Jeff and Mercer stress the significance of being open to feedback to facilitate improvement, regardless of where it comes from. AI's capability to provide objective, data-driven feedback is key, as it can aid in better decision-making. The hosts introduce the concept of creating AI-driven "digital twins" of customers or team members to gain valuable feedback and insights. AI’s ability to analyze data and identify patterns to provide unique perspectives in feedback scenarios is a key takeaway. The episode concludes by considering the necessity of blending human judgment with AI capabilities for optimal feedback implementation.  

Welcome back to the ProfitSchool podcast Business Unfiltered with Mercer and Jeff Sauer. Today's topic is Visionary Leadership In AI-First Businesses. The insights shared center on the role of visionary leadership in businesses that prioritize AI. Mercer and Jeff emphasize the importance of providing direction in a world where many seek clarity. Their exchange explores the idea that early adoption of AI necessitates a visionary approach to navigate uncertainties. Main points discussed center on the role of visionary leadership in businesses that prioritize AI. They discuss tactical ways to integrate AI in business, such as AI show-and-tell and reverse engineering success through AI. Mercer and Jeff's analysis further discusses the importance of defining the desired outcome rather than focusing on the process of prompting AI.  

Welcome back to the ProfitSchool by MeasureU podcast Business Unfiltered with Mercer and Jeff Sauer. Today's topic is Can AI Build Your Brand? Explore the central debate: Can AI build a brand, or is human input essential? Understand the argument that AI tools can assist in brand building, even if they can't fully automate it. Learn how to use AI to streamline content creation, from initial topic ideas to script drafts. Consider incorporating your unique voice and expertise when using AI-generated content. Examine the potential trade-off between AI efficiency gains and brand authenticity maintenance. Discuss creating a "digital twin" to help AI better capture a brand's voice and style.  

Welcome back to the ProfitSchool by MeasureU podcast Business Unfiltered with Mercer and Jeff Sauer. Today's topic is AI Tactics You Can Implement Today. Discover practical ways to prompt AI for better results, including having AI refine your initial prompts.     Learn how to get AI to understand the intent behind your requests, leading to more valuable outputs.     Explore the concept of "ping pong prompting" and how it can help you achieve unexpected breakthroughs with AI.     Understand why refining AI-generated content through multiple iterations is essential for optimal outcomes.     Learn how to use AI to quickly summarize large amounts of information, improving your decision-making process.     See how to leverage tools like NotebookLM to create personalized learning experiences and extract key insights from various sources.  

Welcome back to the ProfitSchool podcast Business Unfiltered with Mercer and Jeff Sauer. Today's topic is Game OVER. Game ON! The old ways are over. It's time to embrace the new reality of AI and how it's changing the game.     AI isn't just a tool, it's your new teammate. Learn how to effectively collaborate with AI to achieve remarkable results.     Stop thinking about effort, start thinking about results. AI can handle the heavy lifting, so you can focus on what truly matters.     The future of work is independent and exceptional. Discover how AI reshapes the employment landscape and what it means for you.     Embrace abundance and focus on the physical world. AI can unlock a future where we have more time and resources to pursue our passions.     It's time to level up your thinking. Mercer and Jeff share actionable strategies to adapt to the AI-driven world and thrive in the new game.  

Welcome back to the ProfitSchool podcast Business Unfiltered with Mercer and Jeff Sauer. Today's topic is Should You Become An AI-First Business? Discover why becoming an AI-first business is crucial in today's rapidly evolving landscape.     Learn how AI can significantly enhance productivity and efficiency across various business functions.     Understand the importance of effectively managing and interacting with AI as a valuable team member.     Explore the potential impact of AI on the future of work, including the shift towards a gig economy and the emergence of new specialized roles.     Gain insights into the limitations of AI and the importance of human oversight and intellectual capital.     Learn practical strategies for successfully integrating AI into your business operations and staying ahead of the curve.  

Welcome back to the ProfitSchool podcast Business Unfiltered with Mercer and Jeff Sauer. Today's topic is Handling Tension On Your Team. Identifying Tension: Mercer and Jeff discuss various signs of tension within a team, such as missed deadlines, unmet expectations, and individuals feeling nervous about their roles.   The Importance of Setting Clear Expectations: They emphasize clearly defining results and expectations to reduce tension and ensure everyone is working towards the same goals.   Accountability and Commitment: The hosts stress the need for team members to take accountability for their work and commit to achieving results, rather than simply focusing on completing activities.   Leadership vs. Autonomy: It’s crucial to balance providing autonomy and demonstrating leadership to guide team members and address performance issues.   Embracing Tension: A certain level of "good tension" can be beneficial, pushing individuals to grow and improve their skills.   The Role of External Perspectives: Seeking out external groups and perspectives can help teams break out of their comfort zones and identify areas for improvement.  

Welcome back to the ProfitSchool podcast Business Unfiltered with Mercer and Jeff Sauer. Today's topic is Executive Assistants - Do You Still Need One? Executive Assistants (EAs) vs. Systems: The hosts revisit their differing opinions on the necessity of EAs in today's business world, considering the rise of AI and automation.     The Changing Role of EAs: They discuss how the traditional tasks of an EA, such as scheduling, email management, and travel booking, are increasingly being automated or replaced by systems.     Capability and Capacity: Jeff and Mercer explore matching tasks with team members based on their skills and available time to optimize workflow and eliminate the need for a dedicated EA.     The Value of Defined Processes: Both stress the importance of clearly defining processes and systems as it allows for more straightforward automation and eliminates the need for an EA to "fill the gaps."     AI as the New EA: The hosts propose that AI and automation tools effectively become the new "executive assistants," enabling individuals to accomplish more efficiently.     Evolving Roles and Opportunities: The conversation concludes by acknowledging that while the traditional EA role may diminish, the skills and knowledge of individuals who previously served as EAs remain valuable and can be utilized in other organizational capacities.  

Welcome back to the ProfitSchool podcast Business Unfiltered with Mercer and Jeff Sauer. Today's topic is Social Media Strategies for 2025. Discover why a results-oriented approach is key to social media success.     Learn to define your desired social media outcomes and identify your current results.     Understand the importance of using existing content to fuel your social media machine.     Explore strategies for creating a consistent social media presence without burning out.     Learn how to leverage AI to optimize your social media content and strategy.     Gain insights into building a two-tiered social media system that combines brand building and direct response.  

Welcome back to the ProfitSchool podcast Business Unfiltered with Mercer and Jeff Sauer. Today's topic is How Smart is AI, Really? Discover why focusing on AI's "smartness" might be the wrong approach.     Learn why "usefulness" might be a better metric for evaluating AI's capabilities.     Understand the importance of user interaction in maximizing AI's potential.     Explore the concept of "game over, game on" and its relevance to adapting to AI.     Learn how to effectively communicate with AI by focusing on desired results, not specific steps.     Discover the potential impact of AI on various aspects of life, from work to personal growth.  

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.