This Week in AI with cohosts ChatGPT and Tony DeSimone

Covid-19 has changed the rules for everyone. The individuals who understand and act upon it the quickest will be the ones who survive and thrive during the recession which Tony explains has already started.  During this episode, Tony uses the cheese metaphor from the book Who moved my Cheese written by Dr. Spencer Johnson   to explain that our cheese has moved, we need to find new cheese and how t...

While many businesses in the health and fitness industry like Golds Gym are filing for bankruptcy, Master Chong's World Class Tae Kwon Do  made the pivot to virtual classes for their students and in the process lost very few. Michael Mertens, the Executive Director will share how they made very quick, proactive adjustments to the business model to ensure they will not only survive the Covid-19 qua...

As unemployed workers receive an extra $600 from the U.S Government, many are deciding to stay home because they are making more or about as much as they would if they were back to work. Many employers are struggling to get enough employees back now that they have received their PPP funding. Lori Miller, owner of developing professionals will tell us how business owners should handle this situatio...

Rent is due during Covid-19 quarantine and many of the 670 tenant small businesses at North Forest Office Space are not allowed to operate. David Merrell, President, explains how they created a customer engagement team combining empathy with proactivity to improve payment, the advantages that North Forest has over other commercial office space in a post Covid-19 world, expansion plans and much mor...

Three of the four occupations ranked with the highest Covid-19 risk are in the dentist industry . Dr. Domenic Berardi of Berardi Dentistry shares how the industry is about to be turned upside down due to the risk of Covid-19 exposure. In this episode, he discusses his entrepreneurial family, the business model changes and added costs that may create a shortage of dentists, disbursing the "mist" wh...

You have your Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funds and now you need to track it to make sure you maximize the forgivable amount. Jeff Kruszka, Principal at BS&P CPAs , answers some of the FAQ's of PPP so the average business owner can understand and walks us through his simple spreadsheet ( and shares a copy for anyone who wants it ) so we can avoid the need to open a separate bank account or a...

When most restaurants are closed or failing, Chiavetta's is thriving during the Covid 19 crisis. Kathleen Chiavetta, Director of Business Development of Chiavetta's Chicken BBQ  shares how the company made daily adjustments to create a winning Covid 19 business model. She also discusses keeping the staff safe, growing the business, spending time with her family and 4 cats and counting woodchuck ho...

All the borders are closed and Rosanna Berardi, owner of Berardi Immigration Law is still open for business. In this episode, Rosanna shares how she remained true to her company values during the very painful layoff of employees, she predicts when the borders to Canada will reopen, shares her vision of what post-corona immigration looks like, life without Disney, her new venture and much more. Ton...

Fifty percent of sales for Babcia's Pierogi happens at the Broadway Market during Easter season. This year, due to the Corona crisis, the Broadway Market is only allowing curbside delivery. Find out how owners, George and Linda Lund have quickly adjusted to sell the 200,000 pierogi in inventory. Also, discussed in this episode is how to play Covid 19 friendly tennis. Tony starts the episode by dis...

Jason Barrett, the owner and head distiller of Black Button Distilling  shares how his company quickly adjusted from making vodka and other drinking grade consumables to thousands of bottles of hand sanitizer ! 

Luke Cellino, President of Cellino Plumbing and HVAC , discusses keeping the employees and customers safe, UV filtration systems that kill viruses, sharing all cash and financial reports with the employees, marketing opportunities and introduces special guest Rex (Luke's dog)!

Ethan Cox, Co-owner of Community Beer Works shares how they had to pivot during the corona crisis in order to sell all the kegs of beer that the restaurants no longer needed. He also discusses keeping the employees safe, brewery grade sanitizer and the drive up garage.

Guest Neil Carroll, owner of  Vidwheel  shares the do's and don'ts so you can get the most out of your audio and visual set up during the Corona Crisis. Neil shares the most common mistake people make and gives Tony an impromptu Webcam Assessment and Recommendations coaching session. During the interview, he offers a free analysis to all my listeners - be sure to take advantage!  

Yes, liquor stores are considered essential businesses! Tim Delaney, owner of Elma Wine & Liquor  shares with us how he keeps his staff safe, how the business has been operating during the Corona crisis and what consumers are buying. 

No need to rush over to the supermarket for more toilet paper, the trucks are moving smoothly throughout the United States. Listen to Tim Vogt, co-owner of  Ag Logistics  discuss the supply chain and how Ag Logistics is managing to operate during the Corona crisis.

Nick Pitillo owner of Osteria 166 and Villagio  had to lay off all 60 employees due to Coronavirus. Hear his story and the entrepreneurial pivot he's making to rehire as fast as possible by creating Stock the Freezer.   Stock the Freezer is a website where you can get all of your Italian favorites for $7 cooked to order and frozen! 

In this podcast, Tony shares the 4 steps to terminating an employee who once was a fiercely loyal always reliable employee or a FLARE and has turned into a fiercely loyal but isn’t producing or FLIP employee.

Tony explains how we are currently setting ourselves up to be victims of ageism and risking our jobs and businesses because of it. Also, a special thank you to Rosanna Berardi, owner of Berardi Immigration Law for hosting my book signing. 

Winter is coming! The recession happens on average every 6 years, we are now in year 10 without one. Tony explains what the inverted yield curve is and why it's getting so much news. He then explains a more important question to answer than "When is the recession going to start?" He finishes by sharing three ratios that will help your company become recession proof.

During this podcast, Tony explains why Ryan O'Reilly went from playing below average for the Buffalo Sabres to becoming the 2019 MVP of the Stanley Cup playoffs for the champion St. Louis Blues in just one season. He then shares the simple secret so you can create a Stanley Cup-like winning team for your business.  

Tony explains why becoming respectfully candid will improve the lives of all those you are being candid with while enriching yours in the process. Tony then tries something new because he has more time after breaking his toe by extending the podcast when he "free forms" after the ending credits.  

Tony shares a story that dates back to the 14th century to warn you that if you are not careful, you can end up in the same predicament as the donkey in the story. He then offers advice to avoid it.

Tony shares a recent experience on why it's important to check social media and google the applicants you're serious about hiring.

Profit sharing programs are a complete waste of money if they are based on net income. Tony shares three simple steps for you to create the most effective KPI (Key Performance Indicator) incentive program for all your employees.

Brian Grunert shares his story on how his passion for music and design helped him become a Grammy winner (and 6 time nominee) and how that eventually turned into a full time brand design business - White Bicycle. During the conversation, Brian shares a great story about meeting one of his idols Rush drummer Neil Peart (twice) and also explains his transformation from operating a business using gut...