Ep. 220: AI Meets Small Business: Productivity, Culture, and Innovation - A conversation with Ross Hartmann of Kiingo AI

12/11/24 • 56 min

In this episode of Out of the Hourglass, Molly sits down with Ross Hartmann, founder of Kiingo AI, to explore the transformative potential of AI and generative AI for small businesses. They discuss practical applications of tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini, emphasizing strategies to integrate AI into company culture, optimize efficiency, and maintain brand authenticity in AI-generated content. With insights into AI's capabilities, limitations, and the importance of hands-on training, Ross offers a roadmap for leveraging AI to enhance productivity, reduce costs, and elevate both customer and employee experiences. This conversation sets the stage for the exciting future of AI in business.

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Ep. 219: Safety First – Navigating an OSHA Audit and Building a Culture of Safety at Webfoot Home Improvements

Our conversation this week features Travis Ulrich, the CEO and co-founder of Webfoot Home Improvements based in Bend, OR. A few weeks ago, Travis shared with his Mastermind Group that Webfoot experienced a random, very extensive and unexpected OSHA Audit. Today - we’re hearing about the experience straight from Travis - how it happened, what went down, what the process was like and we’ll spend some time talking about their safety program. The culture of the Webfoot Way prioritizes safety and they’ve made a point to implement this practice over the last 10 years, through ups, downs and various attempts to get the program right. Travis, his co-founder Gavin Hepp and their leadership team are champions of Safety within the organization and this investment in time and culture paid off with a glowing audit report.

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Ep. 221: The Sellers Peer Group – Maximizing Business Value in a Changing Market

In this episode of Out of the Hourglass, Brian Nolan, Jim Bradley, and Molly Nolan delve into the trades industry's evolving landscape, and the influence of private equity on small business transitions. They announce the February launch of the Sellers & Acquisition Peer Group, designed to support business owners navigating valuation, sale preparation, and post-sale planning. The conversation explores the emotional and strategic aspects of exiting a business, the growing appeal of the trades, and the importance of building a network of advisors to maximize business value.