The Growth Signal

The Growth Signal

di Alyssa Nolte
Lavoro
Stagione 1

Accessibility Is a Growth Strategy, Not a Checkbox with Max Ivey

Accessibility is not a side project. It is a growth strategy hiding in plain sight. If you think accessibility is just about compliance, this conversation will change your mind. Alyssa Nolte sits down with Max Ivey to rethink what accessibility really means for business growth. Max makes the case: when you improve website accessibility and inclusion, you improve user experience, SEO, AI visibility, hiring power, and long-term customer loyalty. This is not charity. It is smart strategy. If you care about revenue, customer experience, brand trust, or building a modern company, you should listen. Accessibility affects more people than you think. And many businesses are missing a massive, loyal market because they are overwhelmed or unsure where to start. Three key takeaways: Accessibility improves growth metrics. Better heading structure, alt text, captions, and clean code help search engines and AI understand your site. That means more organic traffic and better rankings. Inclusion builds loyal customers. People with disabilities, aging consumers, and even left-handed users notice when companies try. They reward brands that make the effort. Loyalty, referrals, and long-term value follow. You do not have to be perfect. Start with progress. Look at customer support complaints. Invite feedback. Make accessibility a process, not a one-time checklist. Max also shares why companies that embrace accessibility attract purpose-driven talent. Younger employees want to work for brands that live their values. Accessibility becomes a hiring advantage. Resources and people mentioned: Eric Weihenmayer, author of The Adversity Advantage David Steele, poet from the UK Less Annoying CRM Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) TheAccessibilityAdvantage.com Max Ivey on LinkedIn This is about rethinking the future of customer relationships. When you include more people, your business gets stronger.
S1 · E120
16 feb 2026
22:08

Why Blue Collar Will Lead the AI Boom with Grant Fuellenbach

AI is not just a Silicon Valley story. It is showing up in plumbing trucks, remodel crews, and job sites everywhere. This conversation rethinks who will actually lead the next wave of AI adoption and why it might surprise you. Alyssa Nolte sits down with Grant Fuellenbach to challenge the idea that AI belongs only to tech companies. Together, they unpack why blue collar and home service businesses may be better positioned to win with AI than most white collar teams. If you think AI is too complex, too technical, or not built for hands-on work, this episode will either prove you right or make you seriously rethink it. You should listen if you care about practical AI, real-world adoption, and how better communication can create better customer relationships without adding more work. Key takeaways Blue collar businesses are using AI where it actually matters, like scheduling, estimating, and customer communication AI can help trades charge a premium by improving clarity, follow-through, and trust with customers You do not need to be tech savvy to start. Simple tools can create big gains when time and labor are tight People and resources mentioned Notebook LM by Google ChatGPT Beyond the Bid podcast Go First Consulting Rethinking the future of customer relationships starts by rethinking who AI is really for.
S1 · E119
13 feb 2026
19:35

Why Cold Outreach Is a Lie and Warm Markets Win with Billy Sammons

Buying leads is not the only way to grow. Cold calls are not the price of entry. This conversation challenges one of the most common myths in entrepreneurship and offers a simpler, more human path forward. Alyssa Nolte sits down with Billy Sammons to rethink how relationships actually drive business growth. Billy makes the case that warm markets work from day one, even if you think you “don’t know enough people.” Instead of chasing strangers, he explains how to give real value, build trust, and grow through community. This is about rethinking the future of customer relationships by starting warm, staying genuine, and playing the long game. You should listen if cold outreach makes your skin crawl, if buying leads feels wrong, or if you want a way to grow that actually feels like you. This is practical, grounded, and built for people who want results without selling their soul. Key takeaways You do not need cold calls or paid leads to start a business. Warm markets can work immediately. Giving value only works if it is real, useful, and not a hidden sales trick. Simple, repeatable actions done consistently beat complex marketing plans every time. People and resources mentioned Live Local Warm Marketing website Five Day Warm Marketing Challenge Diary of a CEO podcast
S1 · E118
12 feb 2026
19:14

The Myth of Fully Automated Customer Service with Rick DeLisi

Customer service is not becoming fully automated. It is becoming more human. In this conversation, Alyssa Nolte sits down with Rick DeLisi to rethink what AI is actually good at and where it clearly falls short. The big myth. That you can plug in AI and replace your entire support team. Rick explains why that idea breaks customer trust and how the real opportunity is using AI to support people, not erase them. If you care about experience, efficiency, and trust, this one is worth your time. Rick brings decades of experience working with financial institutions and customer service teams. Together, he and Alyssa dig into what works, what backfires, and how companies can rethink the future of customer relationships without annoying their customers or burning out employees. Why listen This episode helps you stop chasing shiny AI promises and start building customer experiences that actually work. You will walk away with a clearer mental model for when AI helps, when humans matter most, and how to balance both. 3 key takeaways About half of customer questions are simple and can be handled well by AI. The other half need a human. Mixing those up hurts trust. AI works best when it helps agents do their jobs better, not when it tries to replace them entirely. Being proactive can turn into being annoying fast. Good customer experience means reading the room. This episode is part of The Growth Signal, a show focused on rethinking the future of customer relationships through real stories, real work, and real tradeoffs. People and resources mentioned Rick DeLisi Glia Dan Kelley, CEO and co-founder of Glia Matt Dixon The Effortless Experience
S1 · E117
11 feb 2026
22:59

AI Isn’t Replacing You. It’s Exposing You with Gal Borenstein

AI isn’t replacing you. It’s exposing how you think, decide, and lead. Alyssa Nolte sits down with Gal Borenstein to rethink what AI actually means for knowledge workers, leaders, and growing companies. This is not hype and not fear mongering. It is a grounded conversation about why AI works like an amplifier, not a substitute, and why judgment, values, and clarity matter more than ever. If you feel overwhelmed by AI, tempted to use it as a shortcut, or unsure how it fits into real work, this episode is for you. Alyssa and Gal unpack why businesses get stuck, how blind trust in AI backfires, and what it really looks like to use AI as a new hire instead of a crutch. This is about rethinking the future of customer relationships by rethinking how humans and technology actually work together. Why listen You will hear a clear, practical take on AI that cuts through noise. This episode helps you see where AI adds speed and scale and where human thinking still decides the outcome. If you lead people, build strategy, or create work that represents a brand, this conversation will challenge how you use AI today. 3 key takeaways AI does not replace judgment. It reflects the quality of your thinking and your questions. Treat AI like a new employee. Train it with values, context, and clear goals instead of using it as a shortcut. Trust is the real currency. Brands and leaders lose credibility when AI outputs are unchecked or careless. People and resources mentioned Simon Sinek and the book Start With Why Gal Borenstein’s books: What Really Counts for CEOs, Activate, and Don’t Believe the Hype LinkedIn as the best place to connect with Gal Borenstein Borenstein Group website and Gal’s offer of a free ebook for listeners
S1 · E116
10 feb 2026
35:18

Why People Aren’t Listening Anymore and What to Do About It with Anders Boulanger

People aren’t listening anymore. Not to leaders. Not to sales teams. Not even to each other. This conversation is about rethinking how we earn attention before we try to persuade. Alyssa Nolte sits down with Anders Boulanger, author of Engage First, to break down why engagement is no longer a personality trait. It’s a skill. And most teams are letting it atrophy. If you sell, lead, present, or manage people who seem distracted, checked out, or hard to reach… this episode is for you. You’ll hear why modern work is killing natural engagement, and what actually works now when attention is scarce. This is a practical conversation about rethinking the future of customer relationships, leadership, and human connection in a screen-first world. Key takeaways Engagement must come before selling, leading, or influencing. Talent doesn’t matter if no one is paying attention. Attention is shaped by the medium. Email, phone, video, and in-person all demand different skills. You can rebuild engagement skills on purpose, even if your team grew up digital-first. People and resources mentioned Engage First by Anders Boulanger Bo Eason engagefirst.com
S1 · E115
9 feb 2026
28:37

Customer Retention Is Where the Profit Lives with Vance Morris

Most businesses chase new leads and ignore the customers they already have. In this conversation, Alyssa Nolte and Vance Morris rethink what growth actually looks like and why retention, not acquisition, is the real advantage. If you believe it’s cheaper and easier to keep customers but still don’t prioritize it, this episode will challenge that thinking. Vance breaks down why retention feels boring, why that’s a mistake, and how small, human actions can create loyalty that lasts for years. This is a practical look at rethinking the future of customer relationships, without buzzwords or theory. Why listen You’ll hear real examples from businesses that focus on experience, systems, and human connection. If you want higher profit, stronger loyalty, and fewer constant sales pushes, this episode will change how you think about growth. 3 key takeaways Retention is more profitable than acquisition, and the numbers prove it. Systems and process create freedom and better customer experiences. Human touches like notes, calls, and follow-ups build emotional loyalty that ads cannot. Referenced in this episode Dan Kennedy Chewy (customer experience example) Free resource: 52 Ways to Wow Your Customer Without Breaking the Bank wow52ways.com
S1 · E114
6 feb 2026
19:48

You Don’t Have an Acquisition Problem...You Have a Conversion Problem with Avnita Gulati

Most B2B teams keep pouring money into ads, channels, and top-of-funnel growth… while deals quietly die in the middle. This conversation is about rethinking the future of customer relationships by fixing what actually stops buyers from saying yes. Alyssa Nolte sits down with Avnita Gulati to break down why more leads rarely fix revenue and where the real leaks happen. If you sell in B2B, SaaS, or fintech and feel like growth should be easier than it is, this episode will either feel uncomfortably familiar… or exactly what you need to hear. Why you should listen This episode is for leaders who want predictable growth, cleaner pipelines, and fewer wasted deals. You’ll learn why teams keep doing “more” instead of doing “right,” and how small breakdowns in the buyer journey create big revenue problems over time. 3 key takeaways Most revenue is lost in the middle of the funnel, not at the top Strong qualification means saying no earlier, not chasing harder Your ICP must be real, specific, and revisited as your business grows People and resources mentioned Good to Great by Jim Collins Avnita Gulati on LinkedIn
S1 · E113
5 feb 2026
24:53

The Imposter Never Has the Syndrome with Kelly Schuknecht

The people who feel like imposters usually aren’t the problem. The real problem is the people who never doubt themselves at all. This conversation rethinks confidence, credibility, and what it actually takes to build a personal brand people trust. Alyssa Nolte sits down with Kelly Schuknecht to unpack a sharp idea that stops you mid scroll… the imposter never has the syndrome. They talk about why real experts hesitate, why loud voices often win attention, and how to show up anyway without turning yourself into a content machine. If you are building a personal brand, growing a business, or trying to be taken seriously in your work, this episode helps you rethink what authority really looks like. Why you should listen If you have ever watched someone with less experience get more attention and thought “what am I missing,” this episode is for you. Alyssa and Kelly break down imposter syndrome, vanity metrics, and the pressure to niche yourself into a box, while keeping the focus on what actually creates trust and long term opportunity. 3 key takeaways Imposter syndrome is often a sign you care about doing good work, not a sign you are unqualified. Big follower counts do not equal real impact. Reaching the right people matters more. A personal brand works best when it has a clear focus but still leaves room for curiosity and growth. They also get into how to measure success without chasing likes, how podcasting and content can open doors even with small audiences, and why rethinking your goals changes how you show up. People and resources mentioned Two Mile High Marketing Thought Leadership Scorecard Alex Hormozi The Growth Signal is about rethinking the future of customer relationships, and this episode challenges how we think about credibility, confidence, and showing up as an expert
S1 · E112
4 feb 2026
25:10

Marketing Isn’t Messaging, It’s a Conversation with Perry Sheraw

Esplicito
Rethinking the future of customer relationships starts with one simple idea… talk like a human. Most marketing sounds smart but feels cold. Alyssa Nolte sits down with Perry Sheraw to break down why real growth comes from conversation, not clever copy. They dig into email, SMS, and digital campaigns and explain how to make them feel human, relevant, and worth responding to. If your marketing feels polished but ignored, this conversation will either confirm it’s not for you… or make you lean in and rethink everything. You should listen if you care about: • Turning email and SMS into real conversations • Building trust instead of just chasing clicks • Rethinking how customers actually move from “interested” to “buying” 3 key takeaways Write like you talk. If it sounds weird out loud, it will feel worse in an inbox. Open rates are not interest. Real engagement shows up in actions, not views. The customer journey should reflect what the customer needs, not what the business wants. Alyssa Nolte and Perry Sheraw also cover why empathy is not soft, how to test short vs long content, and where most teams lose people between marketing and sales. People and resources mentioned Brené Brown Adam Grant ChatGPT and AI tools for understanding customer behavior
S1 · E111
3 feb 2026
21:41
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