Unpolished MBA

In this episode, Monique Mills and guest co-host, Caitlin Ferguson, introduce their new podcast series, Hustle and Humor, which will provide listeners with a mix of real talk, practical advice, and plenty of laughs.

They discuss the importance of aligning business efforts for financial goals, the realities of startup life, the significance of effective communication in teams, the intricacies of setting and managing OKRs in early-stage companies and offers insights into operational strategies.

Hustle and Humor Series:

• Running from August 6th to September 19th
• Episodes released every Tuesday and Thursday

01:59 Startup Challenges and Lessons

12:25 Hustle Hotline - Real Questions, Real Answers

We also shared details on: Promotion and Marketing Strategies, Community and Networking Insights, and more!

Submit business questions to unpolishedmba.com/hustle
Resources Mentioned in the Episode1. Crystal Knows

• Description: Crystal Knows is a tool that provides insights into personality profiles based on DISC assessment to help with communication and understanding in professional settings. It offers personalized advice on how to interact with team members, clients, and others based on their personality traits.
• URL: Crystal Knows

2. DISC Personality Assessment

• Description: DISC is a behavior assessment tool that centers on four different personality traits: Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Conscientiousness. It helps individuals and teams understand their own and others' behavior, improving communication and collaboration.
• URL: DISC Personality Assessment

3. Situational Leadership Model

• Description: The Situational Leadership Model is a framework for leaders to adapt their style to the performance readiness of their followers. It emphasizes flexibility in leadership based on the situation and the development level of team members.
• URL: Situational Leadership
• Also https://www.ceofconsulting.com/post/situational-leadership-fractional-coo-adapting-your-style-for-team-success

4. OKRs (Objectives and Key Results)

• Description: OKRs are a goal-setting framework used to define and track objectives and their outcomes. The main components are Objectives, which define what you want to achieve, and Key Results, which measure how you achieve those objectives.
• URL: OKRs
• OKRs and KPIs - https://www.ceofconsulting.com/post/the-real-deal-with-okrs-and-kpis-essential-metrics-for-founders-fractional-coo

5. RACI Chart (Responsibility Assignment Matrix)

• Description: A RACI chart is a matrix used to assign roles and responsibilities in a project. It clarifies who is Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, and Informed for each task, ensuring clear communication and accountability.
• URL: RACI Chart

6. PMP (Project Management Professional)

• Description: PMP is a globally recognized certification for project managers, validating their skills in managing projects, including planning, executing, monitoring, controlling, and closing projects across various industries.
• URL: PMP Certification

7.Ops Tree - https://www.ceofconsulting.com/post/the-ops-tree-a-fractional-coo-s-blueprint-for-operational-excellence

16 Personalities Test

•  16personalities.com

Become an Unpolished MBA Guest: https://unpolishedmba.com

Submit business questions to unpolishedmba.com/hustle

Follow Monique Mills

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moniquemills/

Bio Website: https://moniquemills.biz/

TPM Focus - Strategy Firm for Startups and SMBs: https://tpmfocus.com/

Guest Co-Host : Caitlin Ferguson

Founder of COO Pilots - coopilots.io

In this episode we dive into the intriguing world of laundromats with expert Mark Csordos.

Mark, the author of the bestselling book "Laundromat Bible," discusses the reasons behind choosing laundromats, the impact of location, and the shift from cash to credit card operations.

He also covers crucial aspects like customer service, common mistakes new owners make, and effective marketing strategies.

Whether you're considering a laundromat venture or just curious about the industry, this episode is packed with valuable insights.

02:01 Why Choose Laundromats?

02:40 Location and Marketing Strategies

04:11 Financial Considerations and Due Diligence

13:31 Customer Service and Technology in Laundromats

18:10 Common Mistakes and Advice for New Owners

21:10 Reasons for Selling and Marketing Tactics

23:47 Resources and Final Thoughts

Upcoming series alert--->Send your questions in for Unpolished MBA® "Hustle And Humor" Series starting Aug 6, 2024. Go to unpolishedmba.com/hustle
Follow Mark Csordos

Mark Csordos on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markcsordos/

Resources Mentioned:

• Coin Laundry Association - https://www.coinlaundry.org/
• Mark Csordos Website - https://www.markcsordos.com/
• "Laundromat Bible" by Mark Csordos on Amazon - https://a.co/d/4LitOg5

Follow Monique Mills

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moniquemills/

Bio Website: https://moniquemills.biz/

TPM Focus - Strategy Firm for Startups and SMBs: https://tpmfocus.com/

Become an Unpolished MBA Guest: https://unpolishedmba.com

Megan Bowen, CEO of Refine Labs, joined us to discuss innovative marketing strategies. Megan, a recognized figure in the marketing industry with a 17-year career in B2B SaaS companies, shares insights on common marketing leadership mistakes under pressure for revenue targets, the necessity of organizational alignment, and the importance of high-quality lead acquisition. The conversation touches on organic social strategies, collaborative forecasting for realistic goal setting, and the utilization of data for improved marketing decisions.

The episode is filled with practical advice for business owners, marketing leaders, and those looking to optimize their company’s growth strategies within budget constraints.

00:38 Discussion on Marketing Pressures

01:39 Common Mistakes While Marketing Under Pressure

04:37 Understanding Lead Gen vs. Demand Gen

10:22 Transitioning from Lead Gen to Demand Gen

18:50 Balancing Growth with Budget Constraints

22:03 The Importance of Effective Ad Creative

27:35 Collaborative Revenue Forecasting

Become an Unpolished MBA Guest: https://unpolishedmba.com

Upcoming series alert--->Send your questions in for Unpolished MBA® "Hustle And Humor" Series starting Aug 6, 2024. Go to unpolishedmba.com/hustle
Follow Megan Bowen

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meganwhitebowen/

Company: Refine Labs https://www.refinelabs.com/

Follow Monique Mills

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moniquemills/

Bio Website: https://moniquemills.biz/

TPM Focus - Strategy Firm for Startups and SMBs: https://tpmfocus.com/

Become an Unpolished MBA Guest: https://unpolishedmba.com

Welcome back to season nine of the Unpolished MBA®. After a six-week hiatus filled with new developments, the podcast returns with a lineup of remarkable entrepreneurs and CEOs sharing unfiltered business insights. The first guest is Scott Leese, a talented advisor to numerous SaaS companies.

The episode covers transitioning to entrepreneurship, SaaS sales, navigating online scams, and the role of AI in business.

Additionally, we introduce a new series this season called 'Hustle and Humor' being hosted by Monique Mills and Caitlin Ferguson, focusing on the entrepreneurial journey's highs and lows.

For this series, listeners can submit their business challenges anonymously by going to unpolishedmba.com/hustle and we'll provide advice on an upcoming episode.

Episodes will now be released twice a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

01:53 Exciting News: New Series coming 'Hustle and Humor'

02:35 Get Involved: Submit Your Business Challenges

07:16 Journey to Full-Time Entrepreneurship

12:12 The Importance of Brand Building

15:06 Bad Pieces of Advice Many People Get

15:46 Debunking Common Startup Myths

20:32 The Importance of Ideal Customer Profiles

21:13 Navigating the World of Social Media Scams

24:49 The Birth of Thursday Night Sales

30:20 The Concept of Surfing Sales

38:28 Introducing Personal Bots

Become an Unpolished MBA Guest: https://unpolishedmba.com

Upcoming series alert--->Send your questions in for Unpolished MBA® "Hustle And Humor" Series starting Aug 6, 2024. Go to unpolishedmba.com/hustleFollow Scott Leese

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottleese/

His Company - Scott Leese Consulting: https://scottleeseconsulting.com

Resources Mentioned:

• Scott Bot - grw.ai
• Surf and Sales in Costa Rica - https://www.surfandsales.com/

Follow Monique Mills

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moniquemills/

Bio Website: https://moniquemills.biz/

TPM Focus - Strategy Firm for Startups and SMBs: https://tpmfocus.com/

In this special BONUS episode of the Unpolished MBA podcast, we welcome Igor Belagorudsky, founder and CTO of Fast CTO, who shares his insights on the pitfalls and scams tech startups face when working with development shops. He highlights common scam tactics, and provides actionable advice for founders looking to hire developers or CTOs. This episode serves as a valuable resource for tech startup founders, especially those new to the industry.

00:57 Challenges Faced by Startups and Development Shops

04:35 The Mission of Fast CTO

07:07 Common Scams in Development Shops

16:20 Types of Engagements with Development Shops

23:44 Finding the Right CTO for Your Startup

28:58 Mentorship and Community Involvement

37:43 Conclusion and Contact Information

Become an Unpolished MBA Guest: https://unpolishedmba.com

Follow Igor Belagorudsky

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/igorbelagorudsky/

His Company is FastCTO https://www.fastcto.com/

Follow Monique Mills

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moniquemills/

Bio Website: https://moniquemills.biz/

TPM Focus - Strategy Firm for Startups and SMBs: https://tpmfocus.com/

Become an Unpolished MBA Guest: https://unpolishedmba.com

Episode Highlights

In this episode Monique speaks on the topic of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its growing significance in various business sectors, particularly in tech.

With AI becoming a mainstream tool, she discusses the multitude of applications of AI in businesses and how it leverages data for efficiency, innovation, and sustainability.

Guest, Dr. K, a data-driven growth consultant and business coach, shares her insights on leveraging data and AI transformation for businesses.

Dr. K highlights the importance of understanding and preparing businesses for AI's future impact, advising on data management and the vital role of AI in decision-making processes. The conversation also explores Dr. K’s journey from academia to entrepreneurship, emphasizing her passion for teaching and helping businesses harness the power of their data through workshops and consulting.

Become an Unpolished MBA Guest: https://unpolishedmba.com

Follow Dr. Kruti Ledenbauer

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kruti-lehenbauer/

Her Company is Analytics TX: https://analyticstx.com/

Follow Monique Mills

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moniquemills/

Bio Website: https://moniquemills.biz/

TPM Focus - Strategy Firm for Startups and SMBs: https://tpmfocus.com/

Become an Unpolished MBA Guest: https://unpolishedmba.com

In this episode the discussion centers on the changing dynamics in the world of business, especially focusing on how services that were previously offered for free are now transitioning to paid models. It highlights how unexpected charges for services that were once free can alienate users and customers. Monique talks about the importance of distinguishing between users and customers, the impact of shifting business models on customer loyalty, and offers advice to businesses considering moving from a freemium to a paid model. The episode stresses the need for transparency, reasonable pricing, and ensuring added value when introducing paid features to previously free services.

01:11 Understanding Users vs. Customers

03:28 The Evite Experience: A Case Study

08:45 The Impact of Changing Business Models

13:55 Advice for Entrepreneurs on Freemium to Paid Transitions

20:22 Closing Thoughts and Words of Wisdom

Become an Unpolished MBA Guest: https://unpolishedmba.com

Follow Monique Mills

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moniquemills/

Bio Website: https://moniquemills.biz/

TPM Focus - Strategy Firm for Startups and SMBs: https://tpmfocus.com/

In this episode, Mark Bayer of Bayer Strategic Consulting, who specializes in teaching scientists and engineers effective communication and storytelling to amplify their career growth beyond academia, discusses the challenges that scientists face when transitioning from academic.

Mark shares insights on establishing genuine connections, the impact of non-verbal communication, and navigating social interactions within professional settings.

He highlights his strategic approaches to both interpersonal communication and broader public discourse, particularly concerning misinformation.

The discussion also covers the importance of empathy in communication, the role of emotional intelligence, and the practical aspects of engaging with policymakers and stakeholders.

Key Takeaways

• The Importance of Storytelling: Storytelling in scientific communication helps make complex information relatable and engaging to non-specialists.
• Combatting Misinformation: Empathy and understanding the emotional basis of misinformation are critical for effective public communication.
• Non-Verbal Communication Skills: These are essential in establishing trust and rapport, which facilitate better personal and professional relationships.
• Professional Growth Through Communication: Effective communication skills are crucial for scientists and engineers to transcend the limitations of technical jargon and demonstrate their broader societal value.

Become an Unpolished MBA Guest: https://unpolishedmba.com

Follow Mark Bayer

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdanielbayer/

Company - Bayer Strategic Consulting: https://bayerstrategic.com/

Resources Mentioned During The Episode:

• Book - “How to Know a Person” by David Brooks, exploring deeper personal connections. Amazon Link
• Book - "Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion" by Robert B. Cialdini Amazon Link
• Mark’s Podcast: "When Science Speaks" Podcast Link – This platform shares insights on communication in non-academic careers for scientists and engineers.
• Complimentary Infographic on Effective Storytelling “Five Secrets to Connecting Through Captivating Storytelling,” available for listeners to enhance their communication strategies.

Follow Monique Mills

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moniquemills/

Bio Website: https://moniquemills.biz/

TPM Focus - Strategy Firm for Startups and SMBs: https://tpmfocus.com/

Become an Unpolished MBA Guest: https://unpolishedmba.com

In this episode we hear Mark Sinatra, the CEO of Aspen HR, unravel the complexities of HR due diligence and its undeniable impact on successful acquisitions.

Some Topics Discussed Include:

• The importance of HR diligence before acquisition, including compliance risks, benefits evaluation, and streamlining HR processes.
• Post-Acquisition HR Professionalization: Strategies for entrepreneurs to professionalize HR functions, understand employee roles, and the significance of job titles and descriptions.
• Enhancing Employee Benefits which are many times nonexistent in small businesses.

Become an Unpolished MBA Guest: https://unpolishedmba.com

Follow Mark Sinatra

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/msinatra/

Company: https://aspenhr.com

Follow Monique Mills

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moniquemills/

Bio Website: https://moniquemills.biz/

TPM Focus - Strategy Firm for Startups and SMBs: https://tpmfocus.com/

Become an Unpolished MBA Guest: https://unpolishedmba.com

In this episode Beki Darlin introduces the audience to using hypnotherapy to elevate your empire and gain business clarity. Chaos in business is inevitable, but how you navigate it makes all the difference.

Become an Unpolished MBA Guest: https://unpolishedmba.com

Follow Beki Darlin

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bekidarlin/

Company: SMB Simplified smbsimplified.com

Recommended Resources:

• Book Mention: "Pitch Anything" by Oren Klaff. This book highlights the importance of understanding brain functions in persuasive communication.

Follow Monique Mills

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moniquemills/

Bio Website: https://moniquemills.biz/

TPM Focus - Strategy Firm for Startups and SMBs: https://tpmfocus.com/

Become an Unpolished MBA Guest: https://unpolishedmba.com