Send us a text In this episode of Small Business Survival Conversations, join hosts Michael and Anna as they delve into the world of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its relevance for small business owners. They break down the different types of AI - Analytic, Predictive, Generative, and Intelligent - to demystify what each means for your business. With AI evolving rapidly, Michael and Anna discuss whether small business owners should be concerned or interested in adopting this technology. They ...
Mar 28, 2024•17 min
Send us a text In this episode of "Small Business Survival Conversations," co-hosts Michael Troyer and Anna Steinfest delve into the crucial topic of decision-making for small business owners. Together, they guide you through a thought-provoking exploration of how to approach decisions when faced with critical issues in your business. Join this dynamic duo as they explore questions such as: What options are available to you when tackling a problem? How can you assess the factors and information ...
Mar 12, 2024•13 min
Send us a text Join Michael Troyer and Anna Steinfest in this insightful episode as they delve into the labyrinth of procrastination and unveil five effective hacks to conquer it. Procrastination, often a silent adversary, stealthily sabotages our productivity by luring us away from tasks that demand our attention. However, armed with these hacks, you can emerge victorious in your battle against procrastination. They explore how tasks, especially daunting ones, trigger a cascade of emotions rang...
Mar 04, 2024•12 min
Send us a text In this exciting episode of Small Business Survival Conversations, join hosts Dr. Michael Troyer and Anna Steinfest as they uncover the often-overlooked secrets to scaling up your business effortlessly. Drawing from years of experience and expertise, they unveil three crucial strategies that are essential for sustainable growth. Firstly, they delve into the importance of setting a balanced growth pace. Discover how finding the sweet spot between rapid expansion and stagnation can ...
Feb 27, 2024•12 min
Send us a text In this episode of Small Business Survival Conversation, hosts Anna Steinfest and Michael Troyer dive deep into the world of small business support and certification with their esteemed guest, Jessie Leonard. Jessie Leonard, Director of Established Business Program and Services at the Women's Business Development Center (WBDC) in Milwaukee, brings over two decades of experience in diversity practice, administrative management, and human resources to the table. Throughout the episo...
Feb 05, 2024•40 min
Send us a text Join Anna Steinfest and Michael Troyer in the latest Small Business Survival Conversations episode as they unravel the secrets behind delivering a compelling presentation. In this episode, they delve into the "5 Keys to a Better Presentation," equipping small business owners with the essential skills to captivate their audience and leave a lasting impression. Know Your Audience: Discover the power of understanding your audience. Anna and Michael explore the importance of identifyi...
Jan 24, 2024•14 min•Season 2Ep. 79
Send us a text Join hosts Anna Steinfest and Michael Troyer in the latest episode of Small Business Survival Conversation, where they delve into the crucial aspects of business preparedness, expectation management, and maintaining a positive outlook. In this insightful discussion, the hosts draw parallels to the meticulous preparation of an attorney entering a courtroom to emphasize the importance of being well-prepared in the business arena. Always Be Preparing: The episode explores the mindset...
Jan 17, 2024•13 min•Season 2Ep. 78
Send us a text Join hosts Anna Steinfest and Dr. Michael Troyer in this episode as they unveil three game-changing strategies for small business productivity. Tackle the To-Do List: Learn how to prioritize A, B, and C tasks, allocate time effectively, and avoid quick distractions. The Rule of Immersion: Turn off distractions, create focused blocks of time for critical tasks, and boost productivity. Take a Break: Discover the importance of breaks for avoiding burnout, clearing the mind, and spark...
Jan 09, 2024•12 min
Send us a text Join hosts Dr. Michael Troyer and Anna Steinfest on Small Business Survival Conversations as they unveil the three essential steps for mastering the art of budgeting. Drawing on their extensive experience, the hosts simplify complex financial concepts and offer practical strategies for small business owners. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting, this episode provides actionable insights to help your business survive and thrive. Tune in for expert advice, real-wo...
Jan 03, 2024•14 min
Send us a text "Join hosts Anna Steinfest and Michael Troyer in this episode of Small Business Survival Conversations podcast, where we dive deep into the strategies and tools that can make a significant impact on the success of small businesses. From spreading the Customer Relationship Cheer with powerful CRM tools to tuning into valuable customer feedback insights and navigating the art of planning and reflections, we unwrap a gift of knowledge to empower small business owners. Don't miss out ...
Dec 19, 2023•12 min
Send us a text In this episode of "Small Business Survival Conversations," hosts Anna Steinfest and Michael Troyer and a guest, John Opichka, explore essential strategies for protecting your business from cyber threats. Episode Highlights: Evaluating Risks: Learn how to assess and prioritize potential cybersecurity risks, such as data hijacking and denial of service attacks, to focus resources effectively. Crafting a Cybersecurity Plan: Discover the crucial steps involved in creating a comprehen...
Oct 24, 2023•26 min
Send us a text Join hosts Anna Steinfest and Dr. Michael Troyer in this episode of Small Business Survival as they uncover the key to making captivating pitches. Discover the four essential steps to influence customers, colleagues, and investors. Learn how to strike a balance between emotional appeal and logical persuasion in a concise, straightforward manner. You'll discover why brevity is crucial in a world of short attention spans. Avoid the common pitfall of lengthy and complex pitches. Alig...
Oct 16, 2023•10 min
Send us a text Improve Your Productivity Without Working More Hours Anna Steinfest and Dr. Michael Troyer discuss five key steps small businesses can take to improve their productivity without working more hours. In this episode, you'll learn how to: Take breaks and get more sleep Prioritize for the long run Train your employees well Identify the actions and decisions that will benefit you most in the future Be cautious of your human tendency to focus on the urgent If you're feeling overwhelmed ...
Oct 11, 2023•13 min
Send us a text In this episode, Michael Troyer and Anna Steinfest share tools and tips on how to delegate effectively. They discuss why delegation is important, how to identify tasks that can be delegated, and how to choose the right people to delegate to. They also provide advice on how to set clear expectations, provide feedback, and let go of control. Whether you're a new small business owner or a seasoned pro, this episode is for you. Learn how to delegate effectively so you can focus on the...
Oct 03, 2023•13 min
Send us a text Welcome to Small Business Survival Conversations, where we unveil four indispensable networking strategies that will help you stand out, connect meaningfully, and represent your business effectively. 1. Elevator Pitch Excellence: Craft an engaging elevator pitch that's quick, simple, and intriguing. Make it foster a response – a question, a laugh, or piqued interest – from your listener. 2. The Art of Storytelling: Prepare a repertoire of stories, including successes, honest refle...
Sep 25, 2023•11 min
Send us a text In this special rebroadcast episode, we're revisiting a timeless conversation that's more relevant than ever. Join us as we delve into the world of product development and discover innovative ways to elevate your offerings without breaking the bank. Our expert guests, Michael Troyer and Anna Steinfest, will be your guides on this journey to adding substantial value to your products without incurring additional costs. In today's fiercely competitive market, finding ways to stand ou...
Sep 14, 2023•18 min
Send us a text Dive into a compelling discussion on enhancing customer service for small businesses in our latest podcast episode, "Mastering Customer Service: Setting Your Small Business Apart." Hosted by Dr. Michael Troyer and Anna Steinfest, this episode features a captivating interview with customer service expert Dan Hatheway. Discover the essential role of exceptional customer service in building loyalty and trust, and gain insights into effectively differentiating your small business from...
Aug 29, 2023•23 min•Season 2Ep. 68
Send us a text In this enriching podcast episode, join host Anna Steinfest and Dr. Michael Troyer as they delve into the world of networking and unveil the four essential keys to building strong and effective connections for your small business. Owning a small business can be challenging, and networking is crucial in driving growth and success. Anna and Dr. Michael Troyer will share their expertise on how to harness the power of networking to take your business to new heights. Authenticity and P...
Aug 01, 2023•12 min
Send us a text In the fast-paced world of e-commerce, building trust is paramount to success. Each customer interaction presents a unique opportunity to establish a strong bond with your audience. In this episode, we delve into the six pivotal moments that can significantly impact your brand's credibility. From the importance of independent evaluations and initial contact to providing trial opportunities, streamlining the purchasing process, and ensuring seamless shipping and returns, we explore...
Jul 24, 2023•11 min
Send us a text In this insightful episode, co-hosts Dr. Michael Troyer and Anna Steinfest delve into the process of finding the right agency or freelance designer to build your website. Navigating the vast sea of options can be overwhelming, but fear not! Our hosts break it down into six essential factors that will guide you towards making the best decision for your business. Firstly, they emphasize the importance of finding a designer who takes the time to understand your industry and business....
Jul 17, 2023•10 min
Send us a text Join Dr. Michael Troyer and Anna Steinfest as they explore the power of business automation and its impact on small brands. Discover how automation levels the playing field, allowing smaller businesses to outpace larger competitors by reacting swiftly to new trends. In this episode, our hosts recommend a selection of top business automation tools designed specifically for small brands, including productivity software like Calendly and Boomerang, email marketing tools like MailChim...
Jul 11, 2023•12 min
Send us a text Join hosts Anna Steinfest and Dr. Michael Troyer in this thought-provoking podcast episode as they delve into the secrets of success that are rarely discussed but hold immense potential for personal growth. In "Four Ways That No One Tells You Often Enough to Be More Successful," they uncover powerful strategies that can transform your mindset and propel you towards achieving your goals. The episode begins by emphasizing the value of reflection and introspection. Anna and Dr. Troye...
Jun 12, 2023•10 min
Send us a text In this episode of Small Business Survival Conversations], join Anna Steinfest, a successful entrepreneur, and Dr. Michael Troyer, an expert in business efficiency, to explore four essential thoughts on enhancing productivity and making the most of your time as a small business owner. Stop jumping at the quick and easy thing to get done: In the fast-paced world of entrepreneurship, tackling the small, easily achievable tasks that provide instant gratification is tempting. However,...
Jun 07, 2023•11 min
Send us a text In this episode of "Small Business Conversations," host Anna Steinfest and Dr. Michael Troyer delve into differentiating your business and why it is essential. In a competitive marketplace, standing out is crucial for long-term success. The hosts explore effective strategies to achieve this, starting with the importance of directly asking your customers what they want. By gaining valuable insights into their needs and preferences, businesses can tailor their offerings to provide r...
May 17, 2023•9 min
Send us a text In this episode, Dr. Michael Troyer and Anna Steinfest discuss the importance of improving your ability to influence others as a small business owner. They offer three practical ways to enhance your persuasiveness and increase your chances of success in your business ventures. The first tip they share is to make your presentation all about the listener, not about you. They emphasize the importance of focusing on the listener's needs and desires rather than just promoting your own ...
May 09, 2023•10 min
Send us a text Welcome to "Small Business Conversations," the podcast that helps entrepreneurs and business owners achieve success by providing practical advice and inspiring stories. In this episode, Dr. Michael Troyer and Anna Steinfest explore the concept of "less is more" when it comes to designing products and services. They offer three good reasons why simplifying your offerings can be a game-changer for your business. First, customers often become annoyed when paying for features they don...
May 02, 2023•10 min
Send us a text In this episode, hosts Anna Steinfest and Dr. Michael Troyer share their four unique tips to help entrepreneurs and business owners grow their businesses. With their extensive experience in business strategy, leadership development, and organizational psychology, Anna and Michael offer practical and insightful advice that can help businesses of any size and industry. Tip #1: Examine your business away from your business - Anna and Michael explain why it's essential to step back fr...
Apr 23, 2023•11 min
Send us a text Dr. Michael Troyer and Anna Steinfest discuss the four challenges that businesses may face as they grow. They first emphasize the importance of having enough money in reserve to support growth, including external sales growth, timely delivery, inventory management, and internal infrastructure. Secondly, they urge listeners to overcome the fear of delegating tasks to others and recognize that their time is the limit on their business's growth unless they delegate work. The third ch...
Apr 17, 2023•11 min
Send us a text Welcome to this episode of our podcast, where we discuss how to improve your presentations. Whether you're presenting to investors, customers, employees, or the community, you want to make sure your message is clear and effective. In this episode, we speak with Dr. Michael Troyer and Anna Steinfest about how to create presentations that resonate with your audience. Dr. Troyer and Anna Steinfest share their expertise on how to think about your audience when creating presentations. ...
Apr 05, 2023•11 min
Send us a text Today Dr. Michael Troyer and Anna Steinfest will share tips and tools to master your networking skills.
Mar 23, 2023•12 min•Season 2Ep. 55
