The Psychology of ‘Free Trials’ and When to Use Them
Free Trial Element Psychology Behind It When It Works Best Risk To Watch 7-14 day free trial Creates urgency, tests habit formation Simple products with fast “aha” moment Too short for complex tools Credit card required Commitment & consistency, filters serious users High-intent traffic, B2B buyers Lower sign-up volume No credit card trial Lowers friction,
Invoicing Mistakes That Delay Payment
Common Invoicing Mistake Business Impact Simple Fix Missing or vague payment terms Clients “forget” deadlines, pay late Put clear due date, method, and late fees on every invoice Wrong or unclear contact details Invoice stuck in the wrong inbox or system Confirm billing contact and process before first invoice Math errors and typos Client disputes,
Succession Planning: Grooming the Next Manager
Topic Quick Take What is succession planning? A simple system to prepare the next manager before you actually need them. Biggest benefit You avoid chaos when someone leaves and your team keeps moving. Biggest risk Promoting the wrong person because they are loyal or loud, not ready. Time horizon Usually 12 to 36 months of
Bootstrapping vs. VC Funding: The Honest Truth
Bootstrapping VC Funding Control Full control, no outside board pressure Shared control, investor oversight Speed Slower growth, careful bets Faster growth, aggressive bets Risk Lower financial risk, higher personal stress Higher financial risk, shared personal stress Ownership You keep the equity You trade equity for cash and support Lifestyle More freedom on pace and direction
Sabbaticals: Why Paying People to Leave Recharges Them
Factor Short-Term Impact Long-Term Impact Cost to business Higher payroll + coverage costs Lower turnover, better retention, steadier growth Team workload More pressure, short coverage gaps Stronger systems, better delegation, cross-training Individual performance Short pause in output Higher creativity, energy, and focus Culture & loyalty Visible signal that people matter Deeper trust, easier hiring, fewer
Payroll Services: Gusto vs. ADP vs. Paychex
Service Best For Starting Price (Approx) Strength Watch Out For Gusto Startups & small businesses under ~100 staff $40/mo + $6/employee Simple, modern, very clear UX Can get pricey as headcount grows ADP Growing and larger companies, complex needs Custom quotes (often higher than Gusto) Very feature rich and flexible More complex, extra fees are
Corporate Crypto Treasuries: Should You Hold Bitcoin? (Link to General/Crypto)
Question Short Answer Should a company hold Bitcoin in its treasury? Maybe, but only after strict risk, liquidity, and governance checks. Primary benefit Asymmetric upside as a long-term store of value and strategic asset. Primary risk High volatility, regulatory uncertainty, and potential capital loss. Best fit companies Profitable, cash-rich, with long runway and high risk
The ‘Blue Ocean’ Strategy: Finding Markets No One Else Is Watching
Factor Red Ocean Blue Ocean Competition High, price wars, crowded Low, you define the space Focus Beating rivals Creating new demand Strategy Do it better or cheaper Do it different, change the rules Customer Fight for existing buyers Win non‑buyers and underserved groups Risk Lower novelty, higher rivalry Higher novelty, lower rivalry Most businesses fight
E-Signatures: Speeding Up Contract Turnarounds
Aspect With E-Signatures Without E-Signatures Average contract turnaround Minutes to 1 day 3 to 10 days (or more) Tracking status Real-time dashboard Email chains, phone follow-ups Error rate (missing fields / signatures) Low, guided fields High, manual checks Client experience Click and sign from any device Print, sign, scan, or mail Legal validity Legally valid
AI in Customer Service: Replacing Tier 1 Support
Aspect AI Tier 1 Support Human Tier 1 Support Speed of response Seconds, 24/7 Minutes, limited hours Cost per contact Low after setup High and recurring Consistency High, scripted Varies by agent Depth of empathy Simulated, pattern-based Real and nuanced Best use case Tier 1, repetitive issues Tier 2+, complex or sensitive Most tier 1
