In this episode, host Jay Schwedelson sits down with Brian Luciani, Chief Growth Officer at SMB Franchise Advisors and Stadium Ventures. They dive into the world of franchising and explore its potential for small businesses, covering everything from business readiness to trending franchise categories.

===================================

Best Moments:

(01:35) Brian shares his journey into franchising, starting from his teenage years and evolving into a career in investment banking and venture capital

(03:36) Who franchising is suitable for and what business readiness looks like

(05:52) How to evaluate whether a business is ripe for franchising

(08:25) Current trends in the franchising world and which categories are gaining popularity

(10:22) Economics of Franchise Ownership: The financial dynamics of owning single vs. multiple franchise units

(11:03) The importance of franchisee profitability to the overall success of the franchisor

(12:25) Exploring the complexities and opportunities in operating multiple units and brands within the franchising ecosystem

===================================

Guest Bio:

Brian Luciani is the Chief Growth Officer at SMB Franchise Advisors and Stadium Ventures. He brings a wealth of experience in franchising, investment banking, and venture capital, having been involved in the industry since he was 14 years old. Brian and his team at SMB Franchise Advisors have successfully helped over 550 brands franchise their businesses, providing invaluable expertise in growing franchise systems across various industries.

===================================

Try Thryv For $1?!?

Click HERE to get this $1 offer for 1 month using Thryv's Business Center!

In this episode, host Jay Schwedelson discusses referral marketing with Stephanie Love from Thryv.

===================================

Best Moments:

(00:56) Jay and Stephanie discuss the importance of referral marketing and its benefits

(02:04) Stephanie explains what referral program marketing is and its effectiveness

(03:04) The first step to setting up a referral program is understanding the incentive

(04:23) The second step is ensuring a way to track referrals

(06:43) The third step is clearly communicating the referral program to customers

(09:03) The lifetime value of a referred customer is 16% higher than a non-referred customer

===================================

Try Thryv For $1?!?

Click HERE to get this $1 offer for 1 month using Thryv's Business Center!

In this episode, host Jay Schwedelson chats with Steve Jones from Microsoft about how small businesses can effectively harness AI to boost efficiency and enhance customer experiences. They explore practical, accessible AI tools and strategies that don’t require extensive technical expertise.

===================================

Best Moments:

(02:51) How AI can augment human capabilities, making business processes more efficient

(04:28) How AI chatbots can revolutionize customer service and sales for small businesses

(06:10) How AI can help create personalized marketing campaigns that resonate with customers

(07:37) Steve gives an overview of Microsoft's Copilot and how it integrates with Office tools to streamline operations

(10:37) Understanding the significance of prompt engineering in optimizing AI interactions

(12:44) Exploring AI applications in managing inventory and improving operational efficiency

(13:52) How AI can be used for tasks like logo creation and email writing, making these tools accessible for small business owners

(16:17) Jay announces an upcoming webinar focused on AI tools and strategies for small businesses

===================================

Guest Bio:

Steve Jones is a Principal Group Engineering Manager at Microsoft with over 20 years of experience in the technology industry. He is passionate about AI and its potential to transform businesses. Steve has been with Microsoft for the last 4 years and is deeply involved in the company's AI initiatives, particularly with Microsoft's Copilot. He also has a side business in real estate investing, where he applies AI tools to enhance his entrepreneurial endeavors.

===================================

Try Thryv For $1?!?

Click HERE to get this $1 offer for 1 month using Thryv's Business Center!

===================================

Free Webinar?!?

AI can feel like a buzzword that’s just not meant for small businesses. But what if it could actually make your life easier? Join the experts from Microsoft and Cyclotron for a free webinar on September 18th at 1:00 pm ET / 12:00 pm CT. They'll unpack artificial intelligence and teach you how it can fit into your small business plan. Save your spot today!