Hey friends!
Hope you all had a great week. I’m heading up to Arkansas to visit Emily, so I wanted to get this email out early. As always, I’m only sharing what I think can actually move the needle for your business. Let’s dive in…
1. Google Just Dropped Their New AI Models (And It’s a Big Deal)
First, some context – we’ve been watching Google play catch-up in the AI race, but this week’s release is different. They’re not just catching up anymore; they’re making some serious moves.
Here’s what matters for you:
- Gemini 2.0 Flash: Think of this as your everyday workhorse. It’s like having a really smart intern who never sleeps.
- Gemini 2.0 Flash-Lite: Is perfect for smaller businesses watching their budget
- Gemini 2.0 Pro: This should be the heavyweight champion – it can handle entire books worth of information at once.
But here’s what really caught my attention – Google’s shifting from being a search engine to becoming your personal research assistant. They’re building what they call “Deep Research” – imagine having a research team that works 24/7, creating detailed reports while you sleep.
2. The Rise of AI Operators ($200 Well Spent)
My friend in DFW just did something fascinating with ChatGPT Operator (their $200/month enterprise offering). He ran an experiment running 7 AI tasks simultaneously using different tabs, and the results were eye-opening.
Here’s what got me thinking – many of you have used virtual assistants before, but this is different. We’re not just delegating tasks anymore; we’re training AI to become our assistants, and the possibilities are mind-blowing.
His experiment showed the AI could:
- Find arbitrage opportunities between Etsy and Alibaba
- Track flight deals in real-time
- Analyze Airbnb listings for hidden gems
- Even had ChatGPT operating ChatGPT (so bot working with bot)
But here’s the real insight: It’s not about the tools themselves – it’s about understanding how to use them effectively. When I would talk to my goalies when I was coaching, I would always tell them: “It’s not about having the fanciest equipment or how it looks – it’s about how you use it.” The same principle applies perfectly to AI. It’s not about having access to the latest AI model or throwing random prompts at it – it’s about understanding how to leverage these tools to their full potential.
3. My Personal AI Automation Journey (Warning: Nerd Alert )
Lately, I’ve been obsessed with building what I call an “AI-Enhanced Sales Engine.” Here’s what I’m working on:
I’m trying to crack the code on using AI to:
- Generate and qualify leads automatically
- Create personalized communication at scale
- Convert leads into clients with smart automation
- Manage client relationships without losing the human touch
The goal? To build a system where AI handles the heavy lifting, letting me focus on what matters most – building real relationships and delivering value.
I’m using tools like GumLoop AI to automate: (check it out here: https://www.gumloop.com)
- Competitive intelligence gathering
- Initial prospect outreach
- Follow-up sequences
- Content distribution
What’s fascinating is how each piece can work together. The AI finds the leads, initiates contact, and flags opportunities that need my personal touch. It’s like having a team of assistants working 24/7, but with the consistency of a machine and the scalability of software.
This isn’t just about automation for automation’s sake. It’s about building a system that lets you scale your impact without sacrificing quality. And the best part? We’re just scratching the surface of what’s possible.
4. MIKE’S DOUBLE NERD-OUT (Because one wasn’t enough this week)
Okay, I can’t help myself – I have to share one more thing that’s keeping me up at night. We’re about to see the biggest transfer of business ownership in history. Here’s why: Baby boomers own around 2.3 million small businesses in the US, and guess what? They’re hitting retirement age.
This is where my AI obsession gets really interesting. Think about it – we could potentially use AI to scan through thousands of businesses, looking for hidden gems that are:
- Profitable but not flashy (the kind PE firms ignore)
- Owner-operated by someone nearing retirement
- Maybe a bit behind on tech (which is actually an opportunity)
- Generating solid cash flow but potentially undervalued
I’m talking about those “boring” but beautiful businesses – the ones that have been making money quietly for 30+ years. Machine shops, distribution companies, specialized service businesses… you get the idea.
The arbitrage opportunity here is mind-blowing. What if we could build an AI system that:
- Scans business listings across multiple platforms
- Analyzes financial data for hidden value
- Identifies owners likely to retire soon
- Flags businesses with easy tech upgrades that could 10x their value
I’m convinced there’s a massive opportunity here, but I haven’t quite cracked the code yet. If any of you are as excited about this as I am or have ideas on how to build this system, please call me. I’m looking for fellow nerds who want to explore this!
Until next week,
Mike
P.S. Seriously, someone help me figure this out. The potential here is keeping me awake at night!
