Business Strategy

Rediscovering your forgotten skills and experiences can be a game-changer for personal and professional growth. In this insightful episode of Rooted in Revenue, Lany and Susan dive deep into the importance of reflecting on your past accomplishments and leveraging them for future success. They share personal anecdotes, practical tips, and actionable strategies to help you uncover hidden talents and capitalize on your unique experiences.
We dare you to go through this list:
Reflect on past experiences and skills you may have forgotten about
Review old resumes and portfolios
Ask family, friends, and former colleagues about your strengths
Update your professional profiles and resumes regularly
Share stories about your past experiences and skills
Reconnect with old contacts and mentors
Create one-page case studies for your accomplishments
Record video or audio of yourself telling your stories
Identify pivotal moments in your life and career
Look back at all your jobs, even early ones, for valuable experiences
Share your reflections on social media and tag Lany and Susan

In this continuation of their discussion on managing your online presence, Lany and Susan hit you over the head with the importance of conducting thorough tech assessments and making informed decisions about your business software. They emphasize the value of consulting with experts before making significant changes to your tech stack and warn against common pitfalls like lifetime software subscriptions and poorly integrated tools.
Action Items:
Conduct a comprehensive tech assessment of your business
Review all software subscriptions and their actual usage
Avoid lifetime software subscriptions
Check software integration capabilities before purchasing
Set calendar reminders for subscription renewals
Research software reliability and developer support before committing
Utilize existing tools and services to their full potential
Consult with experts before making major tech changes or purchases
Regularly review and update your website and online presence
Be cautious of custom solutions that may create dependence on specific developers

Susan and Lany are fired up in this episode, tackling the infuriating world of tech blunders, compliance nightmares, and security fails that plague businesses. From email marketing mishaps to clickbait disasters, they're not holding back on the ways people unknowingly sabotage their operations. This is part one of their conversation, so prepare for some straight talk filled with cautionary tales and a healthy dose of 'what were they thinking?' Stay tuned for part two, where they'll continue their mission to save you from yourself in the tricky terrain of business tech. Remember, sometimes doing nothing is the best move – especially when it comes to messing with stuff you don't understand!
Action items (or inaction items):
Stop using personal Gmail accounts for business; set up Google Workspace instead.
Don't buy domains from cheap or suspicious sources.
Ensure your email marketing is compliant with new laws (as of February 2024).
Use secure file transfer methods for sensitive client information.
Be cautious of scams and verify legitimacy before giving out information or access.
Freeze your credit reports to protect your information.
Don't touch or change technical settings if you're not sure what you're doing.
Implement proper security measures and compliance procedures in your business.

In this episode, Susan shares valuable insights on how podcast hosts can elevate their shows and create more engaging content. Whether you're a seasoned podcaster or just starting out, these tips will help you improve your guest interactions, streamline your workflow, and ultimately produce better content that resonates with your audience. Get ready to take your podcasting skills to the next level!
List of Tips:
Research potential guests by listening to their appearances on other shows.
Schedule a quick meet-and-greet with guests to establish rapport and assess conversation chemistry.
Use a guest information form to collect essential details like social handles, name pronunciation, and current title.
Always request an up-to-date headshot from your guests.
Ask guests for evergreen promotional content or commercials.
Connect with guests on LinkedIn and gather their company's social media information.
Follow the 70/30 rule: let your guest speak 70% of the time.
Create a highlight reel of your best episodes to showcase your show's style to potential guests.
Consider producing short commentary episodes or topic-based collage episodes.
Invite team members to practice being interviewed to boost their confidence in presentations.
Use your interviewing skills to help professionals craft compelling bios.
Leverage AI tools to enhance podcasting efficiency and creativity.

Susan Finch sits down with Brandon Leibowitz, President of SEOoptimizers.com, to unpack the evolving landscape of search engine optimization. For small and mid-size businesses, especially those in B2C and brick-and-mortar sectors, this conversation is a goldmine of actionable strategies.
Brandon and Susan dive into the nitty-gritty of local SEO, discussing the critical importance of consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone number) directory listings and the power of Google Business Profiles. They shed light on often-overlooked tactics like optimizing image file names and alt text, which can significantly boost your visibility in search results.
The episode also tackles common pitfalls, such as the dangers of frequent URL changes and the potential risks of relying too heavily on AI-generated content. For business owners feeling overwhelmed by the technical aspects of SEO, Brandon offers insights on how to effectively collaborate with SEO professionals and what questions to ask to ensure you're getting real value.
Whether you're a seasoned business owner looking to refine your digital strategy or a newcomer trying to establish your online presence, this episode provides a roadmap for navigating the complex world of SEO in 2024 and beyond.
Links from this episode:
SEO Optimizers - and the gift from Brandon
Susan Finch on LinkedIn
Susan Finch Solutions

Steve Hazelton, CEO of Sturdy.ai, challenges the norm of churn prevention, advocating instead for organization-wide retention strategies. He introduces Sturdy.ai, a tool that consolidates fragmented customer data into actionable insights. Hazelton reveals counterintuitive truths about customer loyalty, such as why complaining customers often stick around longer. He explains how to transform scattered emails, chats, and support tickets into a unified customer intelligence system, enabling every team member to contribute to retention. This episode offers practical strategies for leveraging data to enhance customer relationships and drive sustainable growth, making it essential listening for CSOs and customer success leaders aiming to revolutionize their retention approach.
About Steve Hazelton:
Steve Hazelton is a three-time SaaS founder and revenue intelligence guru. Steve initially founded Newton Software, which was purchased by Paycor, the 4th largest payroll provider in the United States. 
 
Steve launched Sturdy in 2020 and acts as its CEO and Head of Product. Sturdy is a business intelligence solution that orchestrates information trapped in customer-facing systems like Emails, Tickets, Chats, Phone Calls, CRMs, and CSPs so that every team can access, search, and discover the knowledge they need to protect and grow revenue.
 
Links from this episode: Sturdy.ai, Steve's LinkedInSturdy's LinkedIn

When you think of chatbots, you may picture frustrating loops, keyword failures, and overly cheerful automated responses. But what if AI-powered conversations could revolutionize how audiences engage with content and brands? In this episode, Susan Finch sits down with Nick Martin, Co-Founder and CCO of Direqt.ai, to explore the cutting-edge world of conversational AI for content creators and publishers. Nick shares insights on how sophisticated chatbots can enhance user experiences, provide valuable data for editorial teams, and even monetize content innovatively. From proactive engagement based on article context to seamless integration across social platforms, learn how AI reshapes audience interactions. Whether you're a CMO looking to boost engagement or a CTO seeking to implement advanced AI solutions, this conversation offers a glimpse into the future of digital content consumption and brand-audience relationships.
About our guest, Nick Martin, Co-Founder, Direqt.ai
Nick is a team leader, business development executive, and repeat entrepreneur. Under his leadership, Direqt has become a leader in its field, known for its commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction.

In the ever-changing landscape of small business, resilience is not just a virtue—it's a necessity. Pyper and Jarrod from Joyride Jewelry exemplify this, transforming their business from art fair favorites to online retail successes.
Their journey offers valuable insights for any small business owner facing unexpected challenges. We'll explore how they turned potential setbacks into opportunities for growth, strategically pivoting to e-commerce while maintaining artistic integrity and customer connections.
From humble garage beginnings to navigating a global pandemic, Joyride Jewelry's story demonstrates how creativity, flexibility, and embracing change can help small businesses thrive in adversity.
Join us as we unpack the key elements of resilience that can elevate your small business, regardless of your industry or the challenges ahead.

Are you a service business looking to grow your presence in your local community? In this episode of Rooted in Revenue, hosts Lany Sullivan and Susan Finch explore the power of in-person community building for both personal and business growth.
Lany shares her experience with the Art in the Garden event, showcasing how community involvement can open doors to unexpected opportunities and relationships. The duo emphasizes the importance of showing up consistently, being vulnerable, and participating in events and groups aligned with your interests.
This episode will inspire you to focus on "peopling" - connecting with others in your community face-to-face. Lany and Susan offer practical advice on joining local organizations like the Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club, and the benefits of serving on nonprofit boards.
Discover how building a strong foundation of community relationships can support your personal and professional growth. Learn why showing up authentically and helping others can lead to a thriving, connected business community.
Key points from this episode:
Lany emphasized the importance of showing up in person, building community, and participating as a human with other humans rather than just communicating online. 
Lany got involved in a community event called Art in the Garden to promote her property for weddings and events. She connected with many people in her community through this event. 
Lany and Susan discussed how participating in community activities and helping others allows unexpected conversations and connections. It breaks down walls between people. 
Lany built her community roots by joining the Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club and serving on seven nonprofit boards when she first moved to Grants Pass. This laid the foundation for strong community relationships. 
Susan encouraged people to find groups and activities aligned with their interests, whether hiking, antiquing, gardening, etc. Showing up consistently builds community. 
Lany advised that when getting involved in community groups, be yourself, show up, and be willing to be vulnerable. Most groups are welcoming to new people. 
Susan challenged listeners to be present, do some "peopling," and focus on in-person connecting rather than just online networking. 

Creating a company from scratch is exciting, and there is a specific order to tell the world about it. This episode will give you some steps to add to your plan. Whether you are transitioning from a previous company, starting a brand new endeavor, or relaunching your own brand, these steps will help you quickly establish trust in search and on email servers.
1. Get your vector version of your new logo.
2. Buy a domain that makes sense and is easy to say and spell.
3. Establish trust by warming up the email gatekeepers to your new domain.
4. Redirects to the new pages.
5. Social profile banners and templates.
6. Vanity URLs
7. Updating your contacts.
8. Updating all professional directories.
9. Have you ordered your new cards, brochures, and hats yet?
 

Are you a small business owner unsure about contracts, roles, and expectations with your clients? In this episode of Rooted in Revenue, we dive into the importance of having clear agreements to protect you and your clients. As vendors, we understand the challenges of navigating these relationships and the potential pitfalls of not having a solid foundation. We discuss what clients should expect from you, how to demonstrate your value, and the key elements to include in your contracts. Whether you're a solopreneur or running a small agency, having well-defined contracts and expectations is crucial for a successful business partnership. Join us as we share our experiences and insights on this essential topic and learn how to set yourself and your clients up for a mutually beneficial working relationship.
Here are five key takeaways from this episode:
Find out what a vendor's offboarding process is when you're done working with them, including how long they keep your information and how you will receive your deliverables. (Lany Sullivan)
Delete access credentials and accessibility immediately when a client or vendor relationship ends to protect both parties. (Susan Finch and Lany Sullivan)
Vendor contracts don't need to be lengthy; they should be simple, cover worst-case and best-case scenarios, and be easy for clients to understand. (Susan Finch)
As a vendor, ensure your services and contracts are comprehensive and accessible to make clients feel good about working with you. (Lany Sullivan)
Payment processors like Stripe and PayPal tend to side with clients in disputes, so having clear contracts, signatures, and proof of service is crucial for protecting your business. (Lany Sullivan)

Are you entrusting your business to the right vendors? In this episode of Rooted in Revenue, Susan Finch and Lany Sullivan dive deep into the crucial topic of vetting vendors. From graphic designers to accountants, they share eye-opening insights on what to look for and what to avoid. Discover the importance of securing your intellectual property, protecting your sensitive information, and ensuring your vendors have your back in any situation. Susan and Lany also reveal the shocking truth about the security risks posed by many accounting firms. Don't miss their expert advice on how to find reliable vendors who align with your values and prioritize your business's success. Tune in to learn how to safeguard your company and make informed decisions when choosing the people and tools you rely on. Your business deserves the best - start vetting your vendors like a pro today!
Need help vetting a potential vendor - contact Susan
Top Tips from this episode:
Don't respond to cold call emails or messages from vendors you don't know. Instead, ask for referrals from trusted peers and networks. (Susan)
When considering a vendor, research how long they've been in business, read reviews (especially on Reddit and Quora), and ask for testimonials from their clients. (Lany)
Request all file formats and a complete brand package from your graphic designer, including vector files, fonts, and color codes. (Susan)
Ensure that you have the rights to use the fonts in your logo and that you own all the designs created for your business. (Susan)
Have a contract in place stating that any work created by contractors for your business is your intellectual property. (Lany)
Ask your accountant or CPA about their security measures, including secure portals, communication methods, and record retention policies. (Lany)
Choose vendors who have a backup plan and can recommend trusted professionals to take over their tasks if something happens to them. (Susan)
Align yourself with vendors who have strong relationships with strategic partners and genuinely care about your business's success. (Susan)