ScreamingBox Technology & Business Rundown

In this podcast, Botond Seres and Dave Erickson are going to find new AI Automation Tools for Entrepreneurs, with Carley Martha - Founder of Success Positive, LLCCarley brings a powerful and deeply personal perspective on entrepreneurship and technology. As the mother of a 30-year-old autistic son, she knows firsthand the challenges of balancing the demands of running a business with the responsibilities of family life. That experience shaped her journey into leveraging AI automation tools - not just to grow her business, but to reclaim her time and create more meaningful moments with her family.Through AI automation, she transformed the way she works. What once required hours of hands-on management from her phone is now streamlined and automated; giving her the freedom to step away from constant screen time while her business continues to thrive. She’s passionate about helping other entrepreneurs do the same - building businesses that are not only profitable but also sustainable - giving Entrepreneurs both financial control and the gift of time.Timeline Summary:0:00 Discovering AI Tools for Entrepreneurs4:08 Automating Email and Marketing Campaigns 7:51 Starting with AI Automation for Entrepreneurs 11:41 Balancing Automation with Authenticity 13:47 AI Tools for Managing Contacts and Leads 17:55 AI in Business Operations and Productivity 37:38 The Future of AI and Automation 53:15 Carly's Business and Client Focus 54:05 Conclusion and Call to Action 55:29 OutroIf you have questions for our Podcast Hosts or Guest, you can reach them here: Dave Erickson = https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveerickson1/Botond Seres = https://www.linkedin.com/in/botondseres/GUEST: Carley Martha = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carleymartha/Website = http://successpositive.guru

In this podcast Dave Erickson and his knowledgeable co-host Botond Seres are going to examine AI Tools and AI Stacking that will future proof your career path - with Nono Bokete; CEO & Head of Digital Strategy at Data SentinelsNono is a visionary leader at the forefront of digital transformation, AI adoption, and data-driven strategy. As the CEO and Head of Digital Strategy at Data Sentinels, she and her team have guided organizations ranging from high-growth startups to Fortune 500 companies through large-scale transformation projects - helping them leverage AI, automation, and technology for a competitive edge. In addition to leading Data Sentinels, Nono is a member of the Forbes Business Council where she shares thought leadership on digital-first corporate cultures, leadership resilience, and governance best practices. With her expertise spanning digital governance, AI ethics, risk mitigation, and fostering agile, high-performing leadership teams she is an active voice in executive roundtables and global forums, influencing conversations about the future of leadership and technology worldwide. SUMMARY TIMELINE0:00 Introduction to AI and Podcast Overview 2:54 Challenges in Digital Transformation 8:44 Introduction to AI and Early Experiences 15:14 Impact of AI on Employment and Skills 21:00 Corporate Training and AI Adoption 25:11 AI Stacking and Tool Recommendations 33:37 AI Alignment and Ethical Considerations 36:26 Advice for Young Professionals and Career Development 49:12 Future of AI and Final Thoughts 50:45 OutroIf you have questions for our Podcast Hosts or Guest, you can reach them here: Dave Erickson = https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveerickson1/Botond Seres = https://www.linkedin.com/in/botondseres/GUEST: Nono Bokete = https://www.linkedin.com/in/nono-bokete/Website = https://www.data-sentinels.com/Transformational Leadership Courses = https://www.t4leader.com/

In this podcast, Botond Seres and Dave Erickson set out to explore Problem Solving Strategies for Business and Technology Challenges; with Nir Bashan - CEO & Founder of Creator Mindset Consulting.An executive with extensive experience from years in the Creative Agency world, Nir started Creator Mindset Consulting in 2016 to help clients harness the power of creativity to improve profitability, increase sales and to find new ways to grow.Creator Mindset Consulting now produces workshops and provides consulting, coaching and keynote speaking engagements at conferences and corporate events. Nir’s clients include AT&T, Microsoft, Ace Hardware, NFL Network, EA Sports and jetBlue. Nir is a published author, with his first book “The Creator Mindset” detailing out his formula to codify creativity - resulting in his book being awarded a Top 100 Non Fiction Book of All Time by Blinkist. He is releasing his second book, The Solution Mindset: Mastering the Art of Problem Solving, on December 30th 2025 which is available now for presale.PODCAST TIMELINE:0:00 Intro.2:20 Why Nir became a Consultant?3:22 Definition of Creativity.7:20 How people can tap into Creativity.14:00 How to deal with burn-out and roadblocks.18:40 AI and creativity.23:43 Self created barriers.28:55 High pressure sitiation and unlocking new ideas.33:59 Building support for your ideas.40:53 Physical things you can do for creativity.45:08 What is Creative Mindset Consulting?46:12 What is the future of creativity?47:47 OutroIf you have questions for our Podcast Hosts or Guest, you can reach them here: Dave Erickson = https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveerickson1/Botond Seres = https://www.linkedin.com/in/botondseres/GUEST: Nir Bashan = https://www.linkedin.com/in/nirbashan/Website = https://www.nirbashan.com/LONG BIOThe Creator Mindset was awarded Top 100 Non Fiction Book of All Time by Blinkist. Porchlight Books awarded my book Top 40 Biz Book of the year.Nir Bashan is a world-renowned creativity expert. He has taught thousands of leaders and individuals across the globe how to harness the power of creativity to improve profitability, increase sales and ultimately create more meaning in their work.McGraw/Hill publishes his book The Creator Mindset, which is a system he developed to help teach folks how to think creatively to solve problems.Nir Bashan is a world-renowned creativity and innovation expert. He has taught thousands of leaders and individuals across the globe how to harness the power of creativity to improve profitability, increase sales and ultimately create more meaning in their work.As founder and CEO of The Creator Mindset Consulting, his company produces workshops, consulting, coaching and keynote speaking engagements at conferences and corporate events. His clients include AT&T, Microsoft, Ace Hardware, NFL Network, EA Sports and jetBlue.FIRST BOOK:The Creator Mindset: 92 Tools to Unlock the Secrets to Innovation, Growth, and Sustainabilityhttps://www.amazon.com/Creator-Mindset-Secrets-Innovation-Sustainability-ebook/dp/B07ZG1M5KK?ref_=ast_author_dp&th=1&psc=1NEWEST BOOK:The Solution Mindset: Mastering the Art of Problem Solving 1st Editionby Nir Bashanhttps://www.amazon.com/Solution-Mindset-Mastering-Problem-Solving/dp/1394333447/ref=sr_1_2?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.UMwFKulXrQOfKO2OiVgcUyVt6Ng-Ng22KbC3jlMCvbs.6FEoZp00UxYzpf6IKD3PUgoqXmmdBWIuPvxq-EZ0MdY&dib_tag=se&qid=1751920391&refinements=p_27%3ANir+Bashan&s=books&sr=1-2Nir Bashan [ NEAR BA - SHAWN ] is a keynote speaker and best selling author that speaks about creativity, innovation and problem solving at work. He speaks to frontline staff and to leadership about solving problems with creativity at work —not just for "creative" people. He worked for years in Hollywood, then many more in advertising and now he helps employees become more creative and innovative at work. He thinks he’s funny. And he loves dogs. And West Ham United. And watches.MORE INFO ON NIRNir Bashan is a world-renowned creativity expert. He has taught thousands of leaders and individuals around the globe how to harness the power of creativity to improve profitability, increase sales, and ultimately create more meaning in their work.Nir has spent the last two decades working on a formula to codify creativity. That formula is found in The Creator Mindset, which has been translated into two languages. He was one of the youngest professors ever selected to teach graduate courses at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena and also taught undergraduate courses at the University of California at Los Angeles. He has worked on numerous albums, movies, and advertisements with famous actors and musicians ranging from Rod Stewart to Woody Harrelson. His work on creativity has won a Clio Award and was nominated for an Emmy.Nir is the founder and CEO of The Creator Mindset LLC, a company that conducts workshops, consulting, coaching, and keynote speeches at conferences and corporate events. His clients include AT&T, Microsoft, Ace Hardware, NFL Network, EA Sports, Suzuki, Activision and jetBlue.Nir lives in Orlando, Florida, with his wife, young son, and two Bernedoodles named P-Paws and Waylon Jennings.

In this podcast Dave Erickson and Botond Seres are going to explore HR Strategies for Tech Companies - with Suzanna Martinez - Founder & President of PEO For The CEOWith over 20 Years of HR experience in the Professional Employer Organization industry, Suzanna is very experienced in guiding businesses through vendor consolidation and cost-saving solutions - that empower leadership teams to focus on growth. She is passionate about helping entrepreneurs scale with confidence by leveraging outsourced HR infrastructure that works. In 2020, Suzanna founded PEO For The CEO, a national brokerage firm that helps growing companies streamline HR, payroll, benefits, and compliance - through strategic Professional Employer Organization (PEO) partnerships.Before that she worked for large companies such as Trinet and ADP as a PEO business consultant and in HR service sales - providing comprehensive HR solutions to small and medium-sized firms.SUMMARY TIMELINE0:00 HR Industry Background and Challenges 3:51 Current HR Trends and Compliance Issues 7:55 Impact of AI on HR and Healthcare Complexities 11:03 Popular Benefits and Retirement Plans 17:18 Strategies for Attracting and Retaining Talent 28:57 PEO Industry and Client Selection 31:44 PEO Services and Compensation Strategies 44:59 Future of PEOs and Final Thoughts46:28 OutroIf you have questions for our Podcast Hosts or Guest, you can reach them here: Dave Erickson = https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveerickson1/Botond Seres = https://www.linkedin.com/in/botondseres/GUEST: Suzanna Martinez = https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzannamartinezpeofortheceo/Website = https://www.peofortheceo.com/Guest Bio – Suzanna MartinezSuzanna Martinez is the Founder and President of PEO For The CEO, a national brokerage firm that helps growing companies streamline HR, payroll, benefits, and compliance through strategic PEO (Professional Employer Organization) partnerships. With over 20 years of experience in the PEO industry, Suzanna specializes in guiding businesses through vendor consolidation and cost-saving solutions that empower leadership teams to focus on growth. She is passionate about helping entrepreneurs scale with confidence by leveraging outsourced HR infrastructure that works.

In this podcast Botond Seres and Dave Erickson examine techniques to grow SaaS product development and engineering  with Drew Harris - Fractional Chief Technology & Product Officer of The1DrewHarris.comAs a former SaaS CEO and seasoned technology leader, Drew has built, scaled, and optimized SaaS products that have powered businesses from startup to $100M products. From pioneering subscription-based video training to scaling an event management SaaS, his company, QuantumDelta, helped customers unlock new revenue streams and achieve massive growth - like taking a single-location franchise to over 100 locations nationwide.Now, as a fractional product and technology leader, Drew helps SaaS companies avoid common pitfalls and build high-performing engineering teams. He brings years of hands-on experience in Agile development, performance testing, and strategic product roadmaps to create software that delivers stability, efficiency, and growth. SUMMARY TIMELINE0:00 Scaling SaaS Product Development and Engineering2:06 Guest Background: First work with a SaaS product or company5:53 Making features more applicable to a wide customer base8:35 Challenges of Scaling from MVP to Production 13:40 Building Trust and Alignment in Teams 23:43 Strategies for building team trust28:19 How to use data and KPIs to build trust between management and teams42:37 Agile and trying to balance speed with stability49:43 Incorporating Quality and Performance Testing 57:17 The Role of AI in SaaS 1:00:16 OutroIf you have questions for our Podcast Hosts or Guest, you can reach them here: Dave Erickson = https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveerickson1/Botond Seres = https://www.linkedin.com/in/botondseres/GUEST: Drew Harris = https://www.linkedin.com/in/the1drewharris/Website = https://www.the1drewharris.comLONG BIODrew HarrisFractional Chief Technology & Product Officer of The1DrewHarris.comDrew Harris is a former SaaS CEO with deep experience in software engineering, product, and technology leadership.SaaS in the early days... QuantumDelta means measurable change, which was delivered to hundreds of customers. QuantumDelta consistently helped its customers grow and scale their businesses. A few of the innovations that QuantumDelta provided to its customers:* Create new revenue streams* Implementing E-commerce* Building subscription-based on-demand video training* Providing a robust self-service Event Management SaaSOne of the best accomplishments came from the success of their fastest-growing customer when QuantumDelta helped them scale their franchise from one to over a hundred locations nationwide. The franchise ran its businesses on QuantumDelta SaaS software for years. As the founding CEO and CTO, Drew faced challenges in keeping true to our SaaS model and serving their clients' greater good while allowing for innovative growth with our biggest and fastest-growing clients.As a consultant, Drew built numerous cloud and mobile solutions for his clients to help them, including an app for real-time vet medical records for show horses and trainers to provide vaccination proof for show events.As a technology founder, Drew has been involved in several SaaS companies, one of which is for the tax and accounting professional community to manage projects, tasks, and clients.Drew spent a decade in the corporate world as a product and engineering leader in growth-focused & impact-driven technology and SaaS companies, helping develop and implement roadmaps to enable innovation and growth. He experienced first-hand acquisitions, was part of an IPO, and helped a SaaS company achieve $100M ARR.As a Fractional Product and Technology leader for your growing SaaS company, Drew brings all of his experience to help you avoid the pitfalls and achieve greater impact as you work to improve the lives of others.

In this podcast, Dave Erickson and his knowledgeable co-host Botond Seres; are going to look for Cyber-Fraud and see how to deal with it, with Jason Costain the Director at Javloc Ltd.With over 25 years of leadership experience in safeguarding corporate assets, he has worked with some of the UK’s largest banks - to streamline operational fraud risk and enhance business performance through innovative strategies and advanced technologies - which allows them to navigate complex fraud threats while maintaining efficiency and growth.As the founder of Javloc, a consultancy that delivers cutting-edge solutions in fraud risk management and business resilience - Jason has helped individuals and businesses stay ahead of emerging risks by integrating state-of-the-art fraud defense systems, biometric authentication, and artificial intelligence into their risk management frameworks. Jason is also a recognized thought leader whose expert insights have been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, The Daily Telegraph, and The Times. SUMMARY TIMELINE0:03 Cyber Fraud and Business Vulnerabilities 4:30 Common Types of Cyber Fraud7:14 Practical Measures for Businesses 11:46 Internal Fraud and Employee Behavior 16:50 Advanced Fraud Techniques and Prevention 17:04 The Role of AI in Fraud Prevention 22:05 Card Scan Skimmers32:22 Authentication Standards37:05 Email Security39:09 BYOD Devices46:11 AI and Cyber-Fraud54:21 Javloc Limited 55:41 Future of Fraud Prevention and Final Thoughts 59:11 OutroIf you have questions for our Podcast Hosts or Guest, you can reach them here: Dave Erickson = https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveerickson1/Botond Seres = https://www.linkedin.com/in/botondseres/GUEST: Jason Costain = https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-costain-b529746/Website = https://www.javloc.com/Additional Bio:  Fraud Prevention ConsultantExecutive SummaryJason Costain is a banking fraud trouble-shooter, and the founder of Javloc Ltd, a consultancy specializing in fraud prevention and financial crime defense. Jason has leveraged over 30 years of expertise to assist banks and organizations in strengthening their defenses against fraud, and financial crime.Extended Description:Jason Costain is a leading fraud prevention expert with a career spanning more than three decades. Before founding Javloc Ltd, Jason led fraud and financial crime defense teams at prominent UK banks, where he played a pivotal role in combating emerging threats such as authorized push payment (APP) fraud and cryptocurrency-related scams. Jason holds an ICA Diploma inFinancial Crime Prevention, underscoring his commitment to staying at the forefront of the field.In 2023, Jason established Javloc Ltd to provide specialized consulting services aimed at helping financial institutions and businesses enhance their fraud detection and prevention capabilities. As the Director of Javloc, Jason focuses on implementing cutting-edge technologies and strategies to mitigate fraud risks. Throughout his career, Jason has demonstrated that significant improvements in fraud prevention can be achieved primarily through building skilled teams to exploit pre-existing technology that banks use.  Jason has been instrumental in driving innovations such as real-time payment monitoring systems, biometrics, AI-driven risk scoring, and customer-centric fraud education.  These measures have significantly reduced fraud losses across UK banks while improving customer protection standards. Jason actively contributed to shaping the UK's voluntary reimbursement code for scam victims and led NatWest Group’s response to scams, which has set a global benchmark for fraud prevention best-practice.  His work has encouraged banks to invest in customer-centric fraud detection technologies and adopt more robust reimbursement policies. Jason emphasizes the human element in fraud prevention, sharing stories of scam victims to highlight the importance of empathy in policy-making. Jason believes that sharing fraud prevention best practice between banks and educating customers about fraud risks is critical. Jason envisions a collaborative ecosystem where banks work with key players such as crypto firms, regulators, telcos and technology providers to create a hostile environment for fraudsters. Through Javloc Ltd, he aims to lead this transformation by combining advanced technologies with customer-first strategies to build trust and resilience across industries.ScreamingBox Technology & Business Rundown was born from ScreamingBox’s desire to discuss, analyze, and share the impact technology has on business and the world. Our four hosts all have extensive technology backgrounds and growing businesses to succeed.

In this podcast, Botond Seres and Dave Erickson are going to search for ways to deal with the stress of business - with Ryan Christensen, Founder of Ryan the Hypnotist.Ryan is a leading expert on using hypnosis to help high-performing professionals manage stress and unlock their full potential. With over two decades of being a military intelligence officer, Ryan has developed a unique methodology that goes beyond traditional hypnosis techniques. His work focuses on helping CEOs, entrepreneurs, and business leaders break free from their limiting beliefs and helps them manage stress effectively and achieve lasting transformation.Ryan is also the author of Winner Peace: How to End Inner Conflict and Make Success Inevitable, a transformational book that guides readers through the process of reshaping their internal narratives to achieve lasting success. Before starting his career as a hypnotist, Ryan served as an intelligence specialist in the Marine Corps and Air National Guard, as well as 16 years as a Senior Intelligence Officer in Washington DC. His deep understanding of human behavior, decision-making, and high-pressure environments informs his approach to hypnosis, making it a powerful tool for business professionals dealing with stress, burnout, and the relentless demands of leadership.Timeline Summary:0:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest 2:32 Ryan Christensen's Experience as a Military Intelligence Officer 6:09 Skills Needed to Handle Stress in High-Pressure Jobs 6:29 Transition from Intelligence Work to Hypnosis 8:38 Techniques for Managing Stress in Business 14:21 Recognizing and Managing Stress 16:27 Differences Between Relieving, Coping, and Eliminating Stress 35:06 Hypnosis as a Tool for Stress Management 35:19 Ryan Christensen's Book "Winner Peace" 43:35 Consulting Services and Client Profiles 46:29 The Future of Hypnosis 47:55 OutroIf you have questions for our Podcast Hosts or Guest, you can reach them here: Dave Erickson = https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveerickson1/Botond Seres = https://www.linkedin.com/in/botondseres/GUEST: Ryan Christensen = https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanwchristensen/Guest Website = https://www.ryanthehypnotist.com/

In this podcast Dave Erickson and his esteemed co-host Botond Seres are going to determine the value of a SasS Product with Dan Balcauski, Founder and Principal Consultant of Product Tranquility.In 2019, Dan founded Product Tranquility, where he helps high-volume B2B SaaS CEOs refine pricing and packaging strategies for new products. A TopTal - certified Top 3% Product Management Professional, he also contributes to the Kellogg Executive Education course on Product Strategy. For over 15 years, Dan has managed products across their life cycles, from concept to end-of-life, in industries including consumer internet, mobile, IT software, and hardware, serving companies from startups to multinational enterprises.Before founding Product Tranquility, Dan completed a solo round-the-world expedition to 21 countries, where he engaged in life-changing volunteer work. Previously, he was Head of Product at LawnStarter, a two-sided marketplace for lawn care, and he was also a Principal Product Strategist at SolarWinds, where he helped shape growth strategies after its $4B acquisition. Timeline Summary:0:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest 2:26 Dan's Transition from Engineering to Product Management 5:21 The Concept of Product Tranquility 7:09 Current Trends in SaaS Software 9:01 The Role of AI in SaaS Development 13:59 Pricing Strategies for SaaS Products20:57 When does the Freemium Model Actually Work? 31:50 Determining Value in SaaS Products 34:01 Customer Segmentation and Value Communication 41:02 Price setting based on competitor pricing versus finding a real value51:47 Pricing Discovery Methodologies 53:43 Willingness to Pay1:00:49 Evaluating and Adjusting Pricing 1:10:55 The Future of SaaS and AI1:15:35 Outro If you have questions for our Podcast Hosts or Guest, you can reach them here: Dave Erickson = https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveerickson1/Botond Seres = https://www.linkedin.com/in/botondseres/GUEST: Dan Balcauski = https://www.linkedin.com/in/balcauski/Website = https://www.producttranquility.com/#home

In this podcast Dave Erickson and Botond Seres are going to try to grow their understanding of the Productization of Services - with Jay Melone, Founder & Growth Strategist of Profit Ladder.In 2010 Jay founded a digital agency called New Haircut, and spent 14 years as a B2B Service provider. After many years of struggling with business growth, he started productizing the services his business offered, and as a result was able to stabilize revenue and grow his company.After seeing the results he generated for his own business Jay started Profit Ladder, where he helps B2B Service providers grow their pipeline and profits by creating scalable offers from their high-ticket services.SUMMARY TIMELINE:0:00 Productizing Services: Introduction and Challenges2:00 Initial Motivations and Sales Challenge7:08 Productization Techniques and Client Engagement11:18 Identifying Services for Productization13:06 Productization of Service Flows and Retainers17:32 Steps to Productize Services 22:27 From One-to-One to One-to-Many29:58 Overcoming Fears and Challenges 49:42 The Future of Productization 56:03 Profit Ladder and Client Services57:10 OutroIf you have questions for our Podcast Hosts or Guest, you can reach them here: Dave Erickson = https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveerickson1/Botond Seres = https://www.linkedin.com/in/botondseres/GUEST: Jay Melone = https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaymelone/Profit Ladder Newsletter = https://newsletter.profitladder.net/subscribeWebsite = https://profit-accelerator.profitladder.net/

In this podcast Dave Erickson and Botond Seres are going to try to figure out how to price things - with Per Sjofors, Founder & CEO of Sjöfors & Partners, Inc.Per is the best-selling author of "The Price Whisperer - A Holistic Approach to Pricing Power" and a member and thought leader at the Forbes Business Council and the C-Suite Hero Club. He was recently identified as among the "The 10 Most Visionary Leaders Making a Difference in 2023" by Inc. Magazine and was recently identified as among the "Top 50 Global Thought Leaders in Sales" by Thinkers360.At his company Sjöfors & Partners, he leverages the proprietary AI software that they developed as well as predictive analytics, and value research - in order to align product features, marketing messages, and customer segments with optimal pricing levels. With over 700+ client engagements, his proven process has delivered remarkable client results, such as a doubling of growth rate and a 25% - 40% increase in margins.Summary Timeline:0:00 Introduction to the podcast topic of pricing strategies for business growth and profitability.0:53 Dave Erickson introduces the guest, Per Sjöfors, and provides background on his expertise in pricing strategies.2:31 Per Sjöfors shares his background and early experiences experimenting with pricing in various business roles. He explains the lack of practical pricing education in business school and his motivation to develop a successful pricing process.4:26 Discussion on the importance of understanding the target customer segment and how that affects pricing strategies. Per Sjöfors provides a case study example of a premium product that failed to meet pricing expectations.11:31 Exploration of different strategies for pricing in various market contexts, including the concept of price anchoring.15:14 Examination of how marketing, including brand and product marketing, impacts pricing strategies and customer willingness to pay.25:01 Discussion on the differences in selling to SMBs versus enterprises and the implications for pricing.27:26 Advice on approaching individual customers through various marketing channels and the importance of creating an emotional connection.30:36 Explanation of how sales channels and monetization strategies affect pricing decisions.34:09 In-depth discussion on the challenges of finding the optimal price point that balances profitability per sale and sales volume.43:25 Per Sjöfors shares insights on the limitations of dynamic pricing and the future of pricing strategies.56:19 Conclusion, with Per Sjöfors providing an overview of his company's services and the importance of a holistic approach to pricing.1:03:00 OutroIf you have questions for our Podcast Hosts or Guest, you can reach them here: Dave Erickson = https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveerickson1/Botond Seres = https://www.linkedin.com/in/botondseres/GUEST: Per Sjöfors = https://www.linkedin.com/in/persjofors/The Price Whisperer - A Holistic Approach to Pricing Power = https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Price-Whisperer/Per-Sjofors/9781637351178Website = https://sjofors.com/

In this podcast, Botond Seres and Dave Erickson look at how engineering types can make a business out of their product ideas, with podcast guest Vladimir Baranov, Founder of Human Interfaces.Vladimir is an Executive Coach  - for Founders and Technical Leaders. He has coached and mentored globally at various incubators and accelerators, with a primary focus on launching, developing, and sustaining startups. He's a serial entrepreneur, having founded three companies with successful exits in fintech and spacetech - demonstrating his proficiency in scaling businesses through various funding stages. His entrepreneurial journey has encompassed roles such as Founder, and many C-Level positions - and lends him a comprehensive perspective on creating optimal data and technology products and services.TIMELINE SUMMARY:0:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest 2:01 Vladimir's Entrepreneurial Journey 3:46 Challenges for Technical Founders 5:40 Finding the Right Mentor or Coach 8:58 Market Validation and Overcoming Barriers 10:42 Balancing Coding and Market Validation 18:28 Finding the Right Marketing and Sales Partners 23:18 The Role of Coaching in Business Success 29:31 Scaling Up Startups 32:30 Funding Strategies for Startups 41:28 Lessons from Exit Strategies 43:38 The Future of Coaching 45:08 Vladimir's Coaching Business 46:21 Closing Remarks and Outro  If you have questions for our Podcast Hosts or Guest, you can reach them here: Dave Erickson = https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveerickson1/Botond Seres = https://www.linkedin.com/in/botondseres/GUEST: Vladimir Baranov = https://www.linkedin.com/in/vladimirbaranov/For a complimentary coaching discovery session, check out - https://www.humaninterfaces.co/screamingbox

In this podcast, Dave Erickson and Botond Seres are going to explore new and effective means of teaching and learning how to code with Jen Kramer, Director of Learning Design and Technology at AnnieCannonsFor over twenty-five years, Jen has been educating clients, colleagues, friends and graduate students about the meaning of a “quality website.”An award-winning instructor for over twenty-five years, Jen has taught web design, educational technology, and storytelling principles to students from Harvard University and other academic institutions - and students learning in conferences, workshops, and corporate environments.AnneCannons is focused on helping survivors of human trafficking learn, grow and become successful and productive members of society.  She currently serves as Director for Learning Design and Technology at AnnieCannons, training, preparing, and connecting individuals who have experienced human trafficking - to sustainable careers in tech.Jen is a prolific video author, creating over 90 training courses for LinkedIn Learning, Frontend Masters and others, covering HTML, CSS, UX, website planning, and no-code technologies.Jen’s most recent book is Before You Code: Validate Your Idea, Build a Better Product, and Plan Your Way to Success, co-authored with Heather O’Neill in 2018. Jen is a returning guest to this Podcast, and we are looking forward to catching up and finding out about her new position and experience.TIMELINE SUMMARY:0:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest2:30 Jen Kramer's Current Role at Annie Cannons4:54 Course Curriculum and Student Needs8:37 Emotional Regulation and Overcoming Self-Doubt16:29 Teaching User Experience and Creativity22:57 Support and Resources for Students27:17 Advice for Junior Developers and Senior Developers39:41 Effective Teaching Practices50:02 Learning Practices for Students52:43 Future of Annie Cannons54:18 Conclusion and Call to ActionIf you have questions for our Podcast Hosts or Guest, you can reach them here: Dave Erickson = https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveerickson1/Botond Seres = https://www.linkedin.com/in/botondseres/GUEST: Jen Kramer = https://www.linkedin.com/in/jen4web/Website = https://anniecannons.org/Teaching Website = https://www.jenkramer.org/

In this podcast, Botond Seres and Dave Erickson, are going to delegate our questions - about how Founders need to be able to Delegate in order to scale their business - to Valerie Trapunsky, Founder of ChatterBossAs the founder and CEO of ChatterBoss, Valerie is deeply passionate about bringing the same level of assistant support that A-listers enjoy - to startups and entrepreneurs–all while shining a light on the crucial role that assistants can play in running and scaling a business.As the author of Delegation Nation, her mission is to provide an actionable guide for entrepreneurs to building frictionless, hyper-capable teams using an emotionally intelligent, human-centric approach.TIMELINE SUMMARY:0:00 Delegation and Scaling Businesses 3:51 The Art of Over Communication 8:16 Importance of Context in Delegation 11:23 Understanding Assistant Roles 14:47 Personality and Delegation 19:46 Remote Work and Communication Challenges 23:54 Balancing Delegation and Control36:31 Leveraging Assistance for Business Growth 36:48 Barriers to Delegation 37:39 The Role of Assistants in Business Processes 38:52 Chatterboss and Its Business Model 48:33 Writing "Delegation Nation" 50:22 OutroIf you have questions for our Podcast Hosts or Guest, you can reach them here: Dave Erickson = https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveerickson1/Botond Seres = https://www.linkedin.com/in/botondseres/GUEST: Valerie Trapunsky = https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerietrapunsky/Website = https://www.chatterboss.com/ADDITIONAL INFO:Valerie Trapunsky is the founder of ChatterBoss and a leading voice in the future of remote assistants, delegation, culture building and team leadership in the new era of remote work.In her daily work with entrepreneurs and high-performers, she draws on her experience as a former personal assistant to A-list celebrities and high-net-worth entrepreneurs. Her whirlwind career has given her invaluable insights into the unique challenges and demands of working with high-performers.As the founder and CEO of ChatterBoss, she’s deeply passionate about bringing the same level of assistant support that A-listers enjoy to startups and entrepreneurs–all while shining a light on the crucial role that assistants can play in running and scaling a business.As the author of Delegation Nation, her mission is to provide an actionable guide for entrepreneurs to building frictionless, hyper-capable teams using an emotionally intelligent, human-centric approach.As a keynote speaker, she breaks down large-scale concepts into hands-on tactics in high-energy, value-packed training sessions to help leaders leverage their teams to their full potential by demystifying delegation with actionable plans.

In this podcast, Dave Erickson and Botond Seres are going to discuss investment, investors and business planning with our guest and global investor Bernard Chong.Bernard has a billion-dollar portfolio that cuts across tech startups, real estate, entertainment, and beyond. A serial entrepreneur and savvy investor whose journey started from the humble beginnings of selling family shoe products in grade school to steering the helm of World Balance - a leading footwear brand in the Philippines. His investment acumen shines through in ventures such as the award-winning Bren Esports and innovative companies across animation, F&B, IT, and more.As we delve into lessons learned and secrets to success in investing and business growth, join us in welcoming the indomitable force behind BrenNetwork, the Mendo Coffee Company’s expansion, and the BrenSEED Foundation - a testament to his belief in the power of education and giving back. Get ready for an insightful journey into making your business successful with investors and investments.TIMELINE SUMMARY:0:00 Introduction to the podcast topic of investment and business planning.2:24 Business history and building a world championship-winning eSports team.4:57 What businesses should focus on when approaching investors.6:14 The importance of building a relationship with investors.7:51 Is character more important than the product.8:54 The journey of the investor and the invested.11:26 The importance of the relationships an investor brings.15:29 Investing in an idea vs. a formed business.18:04 Focus on building cash flow businesses rather than flipping.22:24 Expanding a business.25:38 What Investors look for in business plans and how founders should use investment.28:37 An Education Foundation called Bren Seed Foundation.35:16 Lessons learned from failures and successes.51:24 The future of investing and platform businesses.52:43 OutroIf you have questions for our Podcast Hosts or Guest, you can reach them here: Dave Erickson = https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveerickson1/Botond Seres = https://www.linkedin.com/in/botondseres/GUEST: Bernard Chong = https://www.linkedin.com/in/iambrenchong/Website = https://brenseedfoundation.org/Additional Information:Bernard Chong is a savvy investor and serial entrepreneur whose billion-dollar portfolio ranges from traditional brick-and-mortar businesses to angel investments in tech startups, retail, real estate, entertainment and food and beverage. Armed with an immense passion for intellectual growth, Chong achieved an Electronics Computer Engineering degree from the prestigious La Salle University in Manila. Chong prides himself as a lifelong student and avid reader. A natural businessman, in grade school he was already selling the products of his family’s shoe business. While at University, he ventured into entrepreneurship through several businesses, initially honing his sales and distribution knowledge in the recycling industry. After finishing his studies, he took over the family business and transformed it into the leading footwear brand in the Philippines, World Balance. During this time, he began diversifying his portfolio with several other investments. Chong has stakes in animation – ASI Studios; radio and communications - Energy FM; F&B – Tim Hortons/Kko Kko; entertainment – RKB Productions; IT – Thirty One Digital/Beepbeep.ph; in the Esports Industry, BrenPro Inc. and many more companies.As an investor in multiple start-ups around the globe, Chong is world-renowned for founding the award-winning Bren Esports (now APBren) organization in 2017 and his investment in the expansion of the Canadian Tim Horton’s coffee brand in the Philippines. Bren's Mobile Legends: Bang Bang team achieved a historic win as the first Philippine team to win the M-series World Championship title. Chong is preparing for the launch of several new ventures such as Mendo Coffee Company’s U.S. expansion, a new platform mobile app, housing developments in Panama, the BrenNetwork investment fund and a global education-focused non-profit, BrenSEED Foundation.

In this podcast, Dave Erickson and his great co-host Botond Seres, are going to strap in for a learning session on Bootstrapping with Zach Oehlman, Founder of Learn And Grow RichLearnAndGrowRich.net is a comprehensive platform empowering individuals to achieve holistic wealth and prosperity. Their mission extends far beyond financial success; they foster personal development, enhance relationships, broaden horizons, and inspire positive contributions to the world.Prior to LearnAndGrowRich, Zach was Founder and President of No Limit Investing for more than a decade. Using his experience and passion in Business and finance, he used his skills in the investment industry to invest in small businesses and start-ups.Based on the fact that most small businesses fail because of lack of marketing, proper planning, and process implementation; Zach worked with businesses that had good products or services then incorporated winning processes and marketing strategies into them - to scale up those businesses.TIMELINE SUMMARY:0:00 Bootstrapping businesses without funding, challenges and limitations. 4:41 Bootstrapping and cash flow management for business success. 9:17 Accounting, cash flow, and risk management for small businesses. 13:53 Private equity investing and business scaling. 18:25 Bootstrapping a T-shirt business with community engagement. 23:40 Ethics in business and leadership development. 28:45 Personal development and leadership skills.32:51 AI, business, and critical thinking. 39:16 AI's impact on business, including automation, trust, and sales. 44:24 AI's limitations in creating valuable content and the importance of human interaction. 50:12 Entrepreneurship, business challenges, and human behavior. 55:16 Bootstrapping, AI, and community building in business. 58:14 The future of bootstrapping.59:48 OutroIf you have questions for our Podcast Hosts or Guest, you can reach them here: Dave Erickson = https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveerickson1/Botond Seres = https://www.linkedin.com/in/botondseres/GUEST: Zach Oehlman = https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachoehlman/Website = https://learnandgrowrich.net/

In this podcast, Botond Seres, and Dave Erickson, are  going to see into the global world of B2B Marketing, with our guest Reggie James, Founder of Digital Clarity.Getting his start in publishing, and then working for AltaVista & Yahoo as a Business Development leader for search and publishing services; Reggie gained a deep understanding of how to sell and market B2B with some of the biggest global companies.20 years ago he founded his Digital Marketing agency Digital Clarity, which is focused on  Digital Marketing and customer acquisition strategies, Paid Search and SEO campaigns across various vertical sectors and helping CEO’s grow their businesses in the digital economy.Summary Timeline:0:00 Unique challenges faced by B2B tech companies in marketing their products/services. 7:19 B2B sales strategies for tech companies. 17:06 B2B marketing strategies, focusing on authenticity and human connection.24:02 Branding and authenticity in the tech industry. 31:37 Marketing strategies and the importance of understanding core customers.36:30 Advertising and branding, focusing on authenticity and consistency. 43:07 The future of B2B marketing, sustainability, and adapting to change. 50:27 B2B marketing strategies and the role of human connection in sales. 54:14 AI in digital marketing56:15 OutroIf you have questions for our Podcast Hosts or Guest, you can reach them here: Dave Erickson = https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveerickson1/Botond Seres = https://www.linkedin.com/in/botondseres/GUEST: Reggie James = https://uk.linkedin.com/in/reggiejamesWebsite = https://www.digital-clarity.com/Please like this podcast, and subscribe to our channel and turn on notifications to get our latest videos @ScreamingBoxComADDITION NOTES:Reggie James: Helping CEO’s grow their businesses in the digital economy | Founder Digital Clarity, Trusted Advisor, Experienced Digital Strategist & B2B Growth SpecialistHelping forward thinking companies serious about online growth through search, social media and content marketing. Each week I am fortunate enough to speak to several business owners and senior marketers who have a decent digital presence though they can often feel they deserve more. Typically I help directors and companies who: • Have a good web presence however a dip in statistics, especially Google and Social Media, means they have missed their targets• Appreciate the power of digital marketing but just can’t dedicate the time and energy, resulting in a loss of easily earned revenue• Have a great service though feel they are not conveying this to the right audience and in turn losing out to competitionThrough the agency Digital Clarity we offer: • Consultancy in Digital Marketing and customer acquisition strategies.• Running Paid Search and SEO campaign across various vertical sector• Social Media strategy, planning and execution• Auditing web assets (websites, apps etc.) fixing and optimising Having worked at Search Engines and marketing led organisations over the years, my agency has been critical to the success of numerous companies, having helped them achieve amazing returns that have transformed their organisations. Experience:Founder Digital Clarity / Exec. Dir. DBMM Group, Inc.Founder Digital Clarity / Exec. Dir. DBMM Group, Inc.Digital ClarityDigital ClarityJan 2002 - Present · 22 yrs 3 mosLondon, United Kingdom & Los Angeles, USLondon, United Kingdom & Los Angeles, USDigital Communication, Digital Strategy and +3 skillsForget B2B or B2C, it’s Human to Human - Digital ClarityForget B2B or B2C, it’s Human to Human - Digital ClarityThe lines between marketing B2B and B2C are blurred. With 95% of people not looking to buy at any given time, the new world looks at experience and emotion. We help you engage with your clients - not sell to them.The lines between marketing B2B and B2C are blurred. With 95% of people not looking to buy at any given time, the new world looks at experience and emotion. We help you engage with your clients - not sell to them.YahooBusiness Development, EMEA | AltaVista & Yahoo Inc.Business DevelopmentJan 1999 - Sep 2001 · 2 yrs 9 mosLondon, United KingdomLondon, United KingdomYahoo & Google Together Again In New Search DealYahoo & Google Together Again In New Search DealInternational Sales EMEAInternational Sales EMEAYahoo! NewsYahoo! News1999 - 2001 · 2 yrsSingapore & LondonSingapore & London

In this podcast, Botond Seres and Dave Erickson are looking to go international and talk about investing and doing business internationally with Davit Tsitsko, CEO of Tsitsko Holdings.Davit is a Serial Entrepreneur and Angel Investor living between the fabulous country of Georgia and sunny Cyprus. Founder & CEO of Tsitsko Holding, where he oversees several successful start-ups and companies involved in diverse industries such as energy, IT, media, Online retail, and others.Summary Timeline00:00 Starting and growing a business internationally, with a focus on overcoming challenges and developing diverse industries. 05:32 Failures and challenges in international retail business. 10:13 Business growth and expansion strategies. 14:46 Starting and growing a business in the energy sector, including challenges and opportunities. 21:53 Business challenges in Europe, particularly in Poland and Cyprus.27:18 Conducting market research for businesses, including using exhibitions, gathering industry key players, and relying on social media and digital world for data 32:58 Gen Z's impact on the workforce and economy, with a focus on their spending habits and technological advancements. 36:45 Investing in startups, sustainability, and creating positive impact. 43:16 Sustainability and business.45:14 Energy storage solutions for renewable energy. 50:41 Energy storage solutions, including lithium-ion batteries and lead-acid batteries. 53:36 The future of the energy industry.56:01 OutroIf you have questions for our Podcast Hosts or Guest, you can reach them here: Dave Erickson = https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveerickson1/Botond Seres = https://www.linkedin.com/in/botondseres/GUEST: Davit Tsitsko = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dtsitsko/Website = https://tsitsko.com//Please like this podcast, and subscribe to our channel and turn on notifications to get our latest videos @ScreamingBoxCom

In this podcast, Dave Erickson and his knowledgeable co-host Botond Seres, are going to dissect the various SMB exit options and strategies with Eric Grafstrom, Founder and CEO of ExitGuide.comIn 2020, Eric founded ExitGuide to help ease the process for exiting a business for tens of millions of small, main street business owners. Exit Guide educates SMB owners on their options and helps them price their business. When ready, they offer online tools and coaching to help prepare your business for sale. And when you and your buyer are ready, they provide expert support to help you close the deal! Eric got started doing sales for Broadcast.com, and moved from Dallas to London after Yahoo's acquisition of the company. After working across Europe he eventually landed in Silicon Valley working for Yahoo! Later, he gained frontline experience with dozens of startups; and has been part of IPO's, mergers & acquisitions. He has led turnarounds, managed distressed assets as well as putting out numerous fires for VCs and founders.Summary Timeline00:00 Exit strategies for small to medium-sized businesses. 02:09 Exit strategies for small business owners.05:35 Business exit strategies and motivations for sellers and buyers.11:28 The value of skilled trades vs. automation in plumbing and electrical work.13:38 Business valuation methods, including seller's discretionary earnings, market-based valuation, and discounted cash flow.20:23 Valuing businesses using market-based approach and considering subjective factors like brand value and stability.23:26 Preparing a business for sale or transfer, including financial organization, exit strategy, pricing, and marketing to potential buyers. 30:29 Challenges in buying and selling businesses, including financial preparation and communication.33:54 Buying and selling small businesses, with a focus on the importance of domain expertise and matching buyers and sellers.40:18 Helping business owners sell their companies through valuation and marketing.43:25 Selling businesses, including timing and preparation. 49:48 Preparing businesses for sale, avoiding scams, and planning for successful sales.52:02 Exit strategies for small business owners. 56:00 OutroIf you have questions for our Podcast Hosts or Guest, you can reach them here: Dave Erickson = https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveerickson1/Botond Seres = https://www.linkedin.com/in/botondseres/GUEST: Eric Grafstrom = https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericgrafstrom/Website = https://exitguide.com/Please like this podcast, and subscribe to our channel and turn on notifications to get our latest videos @ScreamingBoxCom

What are you going to do to protect your business from hackers out to steal your data, or worse your customers data?In this podcast, Dave Erickson and his esteemed co-host Botond Seres, are  going to peer into the dark world of cyber crime and cybersecurity, with our guest Steve Orrin, Federal CTO & Sr. Principal Engineer of Intel Corp.Steve is a dynamic leader with a wealth of experience in technology and cybersecurity; across various sectors, including public and private companies, as well as federal agencies. Notably, he has advised federal agencies, the Department of Defense, and the Intelligence Community on technology matters while also influencing cybersecurity strategies at Intel Corporation. Before joining Intel, he had a successful stint launching startup companies and growing them in order to be acquired, and in doing so delivered market-leading solutions to Fortune 1000 clients. Summary Timeline00:00 Cybersecurity threats and best practices with a federal CTO and Intel engineer. 01:52 Cybersecurity threats and trends, including AI adoption by attackers.06:26 Supply chain security and software development lifecycle. 11:55 Integrating security into software development lifecycle.16:31 Supply chain security, sharing information between vendors to ensure quality and safety. 18:58 Federal CTO role at Intel, focusing on translating commercial tech for gov't use cases. 23:48 Security challenges and benefits of remote work during COVID-19 pandemic. 28:49 Evolving cybersecurity strategies for remote work and zero-trust architecture. 33:52 Multi-factor authentication and its importance in cybersecurity. 38:52 Cybersecurity, resilience, and recovery. 42:25 Cybersecurity resilience and disaster recovery strategies. 47:14 Backup and recovery strategies for critical systems in a multi-cloud environment.50:00 Penetration testing effectiveness and its role in enhancing security. 55:24 Anti-malware solutions, importance of comprehensive monitoring and latest technologies. 58:07 AI's impact on cybersecurity, including phishing attacks and generative AI. 1:03:25 Using AI to improve cybersecurity by analyzing large volumes of data, detecting anomalies, and automating tasks. 1:06:48 Securing internet infrastructure and protecting data. 1:12:51 Data privacy and security challenges in the US and globally, with a focus on GDPR and state-level regulations. 1:15:51 Future of Cybersecurity and advancements using AI and hardware-based security. 1:19:30 OutroIf you have questions for our Podcast Hosts or Guest, you can reach them here: Dave Erickson = https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveerickson1/Botond Seres = https://www.linkedin.com/in/botondseres/GUEST: Steve Orrin = https://www.linkedin.com/in/sorrin/Please like this podcast, and subscribe to our channel and turn on notifications to get our latest videos @ScreamingBoxCom

In this ScreamingBox Technology and Business Rundown podcast, Botond Seres and Dave Erickson, are going explore how to solve work overload and grow your business by using automation tools with our guest Micah Lamar, CEO of WallStreet.ioWallStreet.io is an innovative web and mobile platform that provides technical analysis tools for stock market trading, one of the best stocks & options universities on the web and a top financial social network with live meetups hosted by professional traders. Micah and his partner founded WallStreet.io in 2015. He has put his methodical approach and experience for mentoring about stocks and options as well as his deep knowledge about risk management, portfolio management and options behavior all into the WallStreet.io platform.SUMMARY TIMELINE:00:00 Productivity and AI tools for starting and growing a business.01:43 Starting a digital business with a focus on community, scalability, and subscription-based revenue. 06:38 Subscription-based business models in tech industry. 11:35 Growing a business through webinars and automation. 15:55 CRM, automation, and growth strategies for small businesses. 20:02 Scaling a business with CRM and email marketing automation. 24:20 Automation in CRM and content creation. 32:52 SaaS business growth and automation tools. 39:12 Starting a business with limited resources. 44:44 Entrepreneurship, automation tools, and productivity. 49:07 Investing in US stocks for foreign nationals. 52:37 Investing strategies and evaluating a simple dividend-reinvestment approach. 1:00:20 Trading, hedging, and options. 1:05:18 Options trading strategies and tools for risk management. 1:09:36 OutroIf you have questions for our Podcast Hosts or Guest, you can reach them here: Dave Erickson = https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveerickson1/Botond Seres = https://www.linkedin.com/in/botondseres/GUEST: Micah Lamar = https://www.linkedin.com/in/micahlamar/Website = https://WallStreet.ioCRM Mentioned = https://ontraport.com/Automation Tool = https://www.make.com/enPage Builder = https://www.leadpages.com/Please like this podcast, and subscribe to our channel and turn on notifications to get our latest videos @ScreamingBoxCom