Better Do Than Don’t!

In this episode of "Better Do Than Don't," I had the pleasure of reconnecting with my co-host, Arielle, after a brief hiatus from recording. We dove into a thought-provoking discussion about the nature of success and failure in business, sparked by a recent networking event Arielle attended. During this event, a fellow entrepreneur posed a challenging question: "Which of your businesses have failed?"

00:00:00 - Catching Up with Arielle
Discussion about the need to catch up and share new business ideas.

00:01:11 - The Concept of Failure in Business
Arielle shares her experience with business failures and the importance of pivoting.

00:02:55 - Pivoting vs. Failing
Exploration of how pivoting can be seen as a way to avoid failure in entrepreneurship.

00:04:53 - Learning from Experience
The importance of being a student of business and learning from past experiences.

00:08:13 - A Personal Loss in Real Estate
Discussion about a real estate deal that resulted in a financial loss and the lessons learned.

00:12:13 - Perspective on Failure
How perspective shapes the understanding of success and failure in business ventures.

00:14:07 - The Value of Teamwork
Emphasis on the importance of having a reliable team in business ventures.

00:15:17 - Investing in Technology
Insights on the challenges and unpredictability of investing in technology.

00:20:27 - Real Estate Investment Goals
Arielle discusses her thoughts on investing in real estate and the importance of defining goals.

00:24:44 - Fun vs. Serious Investment
The distinction between treating investments as fun versus serious financial decisions.

In this episode of "Better Do and Don't," I had the pleasure of hosting Amir, a seasoned technologist and entrepreneur with nearly 40 years of experience in the business world. We explored the critical role of IT services and cybersecurity for small and mid-sized companies, emphasizing the importance of proactive measures rather than reactive fixes. Amir shared insights on when business owners should consider hiring IT services, highlighting that the best time to start is before problems arise. He stressed that cybersecurity is essential from day one, as the risks of cyber threats are ever-present, and the consequences of neglecting this aspect can be devastating.

We also delved into the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence and its potential to revolutionize business operations. Amir discussed how entrepreneurs can leverage AI tools to enhance productivity and streamline processes, particularly for those running solo operations with virtual assistants. He encouraged listeners to think critically about their needs and to utilize AI as a powerful ally in their business journey. The conversation was rich with practical advice and real-world examples, making it clear that understanding and implementing technology is no longer optional for business success.

00:00:00 - Introduction to the Podcast and Guest
00:01:08 - Amir's Background and Experience
00:02:20 - The Importance of AI in Business
00:04:30 - When to Hire IT Services
00:06:31 - The Role of Cybersecurity
00:09:30 - Understanding Cybersecurity Needs from Day One
00:10:32 - Cost of IT Services and Cybersecurity
00:12:43 - Assessing Business Risks and IT Needs
00:16:00 - The Importance of Cybersecurity in Business
00:18:27 - Common Misconceptions About IT Expenses
00:20:24 - Real-Life Cybersecurity Incident
00:25:07 - Consequences of Cyber Attacks
00:28:05 - Evaluating IT and Cybersecurity Solutions
00:30:43 - The Role of AI in Education
00:35:31 - Teaching AI Concepts to Students
00:40:02 - Using AI for Content Creation
00:46:13 - Starting a One-Person Business with AI
00:49:12 - Final Thoughts on AI Tools and Strategies
00:51:42 - Conclusion and Closing Remarks

Michelle is a wealth management expert and founder of her own firm. In this episode, she shares her journey from studying materials engineering at MIT to becoming a trader at Credit Suisse and later a subject matter expert at Bloomberg. Michelle discusses the importance of financial education, especially for women in biotech and pharma, and how she leverages AI to enhance her practice. She emphasizes that starting early with financial planning can significantly impact one's future. Waiting until you feel ready is just another way of never starting.

00:00-04:59: "Navigating Wealth Management and AI: Insights from Michelle"
04:59-08:07: "Navigating Career Choices: Embracing Change and Passion"
14:14-19:15: "Embracing AI Coaching: Transformative Learning and Innovation"
19:15-20:47: "AI and the Future of Jobs: Embracing Change in the Workforce"
21:51-22:22: "Navigating AI Use in Education: Bicycles vs. Wheelchairs Metaphor"
23:29-25:17: "Training Your AI Intern: Building a Productive Partnership"
27:18-31:41: "Exploring AI: Learning, Collaboration, and the Learning Curve"
32:11-32:59: "Understanding Knowledge: The Limits of Awareness in Skill Proficiency"
33:31-35:17: "Navigating Knowledge Gaps in AI for New Graduates"
41:36-45:12: "Navigating Wealth Management: Tips for Young Investors"
46:16-52:10: "Navigating AI and Expert Advice for Effective Learning"

In this episode of "Better Do Than Don't," Matan and Co-Host Arielle Leavitt discuss the importance of utilizing AI effectively in business, particularly in data analysis and reporting. They share personal experiences about coaching, emphasizing the value of having a mentor who asks the right questions rather than giving direct answers. Matan recounts his journey with a life coach, Asaf, and how it has significantly impacted his business decisions and personal growth.

The conversation shifts to networking and the fine line between friendship and business. They explore the dynamics of referrals and the importance of reciprocity in relationships. Matan shares his approach to connecting people and the challenges of navigating expectations in these interactions. The episode concludes with a discussion about youth baseball, highlighting the excitement of playoff season and the development of young athletes.

Overall, the episode emphasizes the significance of mentorship, effective networking, and the personal growth that comes from surrounding oneself with smarter individuals.

00:00:00 - Introduction and Welcome
Arielle and the host discuss their excitement for the podcast and the fun of exploring business topics together.

00:01:00 - AI in Business
The conversation shifts to the application of AI in business, particularly how it can help with data extraction and decision-making.

00:02:30 - Learning to Use AI Effectively
Arielle shares her experience of learning to use AI more effectively, emphasizing the importance of specific prompts.

00:04:00 - The Future of AI Coaches
Discussion on the potential impact of AI coaches on traditional coaching businesses and the accessibility they may provide.

00:06:30 - Personal Growth Through Coaching
Matan shares his personal journey with coaching, highlighting the importance of having an external perspective during challenging times.

00:10:00 - The Value of Coaching
Matan reflects on the benefits of coaching and how it has helped him progress in his personal and professional life.

00:12:30 - Finding the Right Coach
The importance of finding a coach that fits your style and needs is discussed, along with the value of asking the right questions.

00:14:00 - Networking and Learning from Others
Arielle emphasizes the importance of surrounding yourself with smarter people and the benefits of networking.

00:15:30 - Taking Action and Seizing Opportunities
Matan shares his experience of taking action and making decisions that have led to new opportunities in his career.

00:19:00 - The Importance of Being in the Right Room
Discussion on the significance of being in environments that challenge you and help you grow.

00:22:00 - Navigating Friendships and Business
The conversation turns to the complexities of balancing friendships and business relationships.

00:25:00 - Reciprocity in Relationships
Arielle and Matan discuss the importance of reciprocity in friendships and business connections.

00:30:00 - The Value of Appreciation
The significance of showing appreciation in business relationships is highlighted, including the impact of small gestures.

00:35:00 - Referral Relationships
Arielle shares her experiences with referral relationships and the potential for affiliate opportunities.

00:40:00 - Expectations in Business Connections
The discussion focuses on managing expectations in business relationships and the importance of mutual benefit.

00:45:00 - Conclusion and Future Topics
The hosts wrap up the conversation, teasing future discussions about evaluating businesses for potential investment.

00:50:00 - Youth Baseball and Personal Updates
Matan shares updates about his son's baseball team and the excitement of the all-star season.

In this episode of Better Do Than Don't, we move beyond basic ChatGPT prompts to explore the real-world mechanics of using artificial intelligence in your daily operations. We’re breaking down why you need to treat AI like your smartest teammate instead of a search engine, how to use "Gems" to lock in your exact brand voice, and why automated AI agents are transforming cold outreach and customer follow-ups.

Better Do Than Don't is the podcast for doers. Hosted by a serial entrepreneur who owns multiple
businesses, closes deals and finds clarity on the golf course — his office — and spends his free time
on the youth baseball field with his kids. We talk business, AI, and life. Real conversations. Real
people. No excuses.

Better Do Than Don't is the podcast for doers. Hosted by a serial entrepreneur who owns multiple
businesses, closes deals and finds clarity on the golf course — his office — and spends his free time
on the youth baseball field with his kids. We talk business, AI, and life. Real conversations. Real
people. No excuses.