Today, Frank and Andy are joined by David Hirschfeld, CEO and founder of Tekyz Corporation, a firm specializing in helping startups and saving troubled projects with his unique "Launch First" methodology.

David brings us into his world of startups, where, believe it or not, he advocates for getting customers before you even build the product! He explains how Launch First combines high-fidelity prototypes, niche targeting, and a lean, marketing-first approach to de-risk software launches and prove real demand.

Whether you’re an engineer turned entrepreneur, or just curious about the art and science of startups, buckle up for an enlightening episode with insights on maximizing impact and proving product-market fit with speed and precision. Let’s dive in!

00:00 Launch First: Get customers before building product.

06:00 Market first, then build software; analyze niche.

07:04 Create marketing stack, offer lifetime license, guarantee refund.

10:30 Offer lifetime licenses for upfront subscription payments.

16:39 Identify top niche problems and assess impact.

19:29 Paying customers prove genuine interest and commitment.

23:34 Accidentally created first Windows software for industry.

25:52 Failed to monetize social media product, Klooj.

30:28 Red Hat's AI boosts chatbot data efficiency.

33:05 Exceptional teams produce highly detailed, compliant documentation.

34:52 Responsibility depends on knowledge and access.

40:29 Track time daily, categorize by client, invoice monthly.

42:37 Handoff documentation to Google; received positive feedback.

45:59 Impressed, thought price was reasonable, despite expectations.

48:11 Combining disciplines multiplies value exponentially.

51:56 David Hirschfeld discusses startup success strategies.

Today, we have a special treat for you as we welcome Candice Gillhooley, a dynamic force known for blending technical prowess with marketing brilliance. In this episode, we'll explore Candice's groundbreaking approach to "sentient marketing," dive into the interplay between AI and targeted audience communication, and discuss the importance of understanding behavioral data to craft unforgettable marketing experiences. So, sit back, relax, and get ready for an episode that's sure to spark new ideas and inspire innovation.

• Buy the book on Amazon: https://qrcodes.at/SentientMarketingBook
• https://sentientmarketingbook.com/
• Candace's LinkedIn Profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/candacegillhoolley/

00:00 Podcast explores data science, AI, engineering trends.

05:05 Ancient harvest tradition, winter preparation, birthdays coinciding.

06:46 Target audience insights through effective data utilization.

13:17 Enjoys startup vibes, marketing tech innovations.

15:36 Data-driven marketing is essential for organizational success.

20:27 Martha Stewart's over-the-top American Express commercial.

22:22 Impressed by her reinvention despite past challenges.

26:31 Glimmers evoke deep, happy memories and connections.

29:37 Advertising targets varied generations differently nowadays.

32:32 Tech changes: fascinating generational shifts, CD nostalgia.

36:11 SQL Server generations discussed at SQL Saturday.

39:47 Marketing tech evolves rapidly; cloud frenzy over.

41:52 Hybrid cloud trend emerged after market saturation.

44:33 Enjoying feedback from Andy about my work.

49:28 Personality divergence; traditionalism conflicts with change.

50:48 Neurodiverse individuals face job dissatisfaction challenges.

54:55 Discussed AI-driven marketing with Candice Gillhooley.

Andy Leonard and Frank La Vigne are joined by experts Baruch Lev and Feng Gu to uncover the complexities and pitfalls of mergers and acquisitions. We'll discuss the controversial "killer acquisitions" in the pharmaceutical industry, which regulators fear stifle innovation and harm public health.

Our guests will share insights from their upcoming book, "The M&A Failure Trap," which critiques current acquisition strategies and introduces a unique 10-factor scorecard for assessing potential success. From data analysis on 40,000 mergers over 40 years to the challenges and market trends affecting merger outcomes, we’ll explore why up to 75% of mergers fail and how decision-makers often benefit at the expense of employees and shareholders.

Whether you're an entrepreneur looking to navigate M&As or a data enthusiast curious about the numbers behind these strategic moves, this episode offers a data-driven look at the forces shaping mergers and their real-world impacts.

The M&A Trap Book Link (no affiliate) https://www.amazon.com/Failure-Trap-Mergers-Acquisitions-Succeed/dp/1394204760

00:00 Exploring data science, AI, mergers with experts.

04:43 Extensive data-driven analysis of mergers' failures.

09:22 Investment bankers pressure companies to finalize acquisitions.

11:15 Managers get bonuses for concluding acquisition deals.

14:26 Global economy affected; star performers leave.

17:32 Mergers often lead to employee departures, layoffs.

20:24 Managed data engineering team during Unisys acquisition.

26:28 Analogies highlight misapplication of causal thinking.

28:58 Complex model reveals hidden variable impact.

31:01 Correlation can mislead; avoid single-focus traps.

37:14 Comprehensive analysis of acquisitions and their impacts.

38:39 Analyzed LinkedIn data on employee turnover trends.

41:50 Creative metric developed for private acquisition premium.

46:01 Acquisitions are widespread, impacting various industries significantly.

52:11 Unique 10-factor acquisition scorecard predicts success.

55:45 Deep dive into mergers and acquisitions data.

Baruch Lev is a professor emeritus at NYU Stern School of Business, where he has taught and conducted research on mergers and acquisitions for decades. He worked formerly at UC Berkeley and the University of Chicago. His work has been widely cited in academic and professional circles (over 63,000 Google Scholar citations), and he is a leading authority on corporate finance and valuation.

Feng Gu is a professor of accounting at the University at Buffalo and has extensive experience in analyzing the financial aspects of corporate acquisitions. His research focuses on the economic consequences of corporate decisions and has been published in top-tier academic journals.