Business Brain – The Entrepreneurs’ Podcast

You Need a 3rd Brain with Michael Greenberg – Business Brain 650

·23 min·2 clips

Michael Greenberg describes trying to digitize his dad's real estate business that still mails checks and can't find digital files.

The episode begins with hosts Dave Hamilton and Shannon Jean introducing the show and sponsors Shopify and NordLayer. Guest Michael Greenberg joins to explain his company Third Brain, which focuses on 'digital operations' rather than just AI and automation. He emphasizes that most businesses, especially older ones, need to establish process documentation and a unified data layer before integrating advanced AI tools. Greenberg discusses his ideal customer profile: businesses that have already tried automation and failed, making them eager for help. He shares his venture thesis of building businesses that fit existing budget line items to avoid the hard sell. A significant portion covers Greenberg's personal challenge of modernizing his family's 30-year-old real estate business, which still relies on paper checks and has an understaffed, long-time employee resistant to change. After a sponsor break, the conversation shifts to Greenberg's use of AI to write a book, where he found AI effective for creating 'connective tissue' between core concepts but requiring detailed prompts and data. He advises small business owners to prioritize operational basics like standardizing file naming and creating templates before scaling. Greenberg warns against subscribing to too many SaaS tools and shares his framework for 'level three certified' software with open integrations. He recounts his mistake of choosing Fathom video recorder, which lacked proper data export, forcing him to build a custom AI scraper. The episode ends with Greenberg encouraging productizing internal tools and sharing his contact details.

As heard by us

Practical business talk built around store tools, security, and Michael Greenberg's thirdbrain.co.

Business Brain leans into a practical conversation with Michael Greenberg from Brain, while Dave Hamilton and Shannon Jean keep the focus on store tools, security, and the routines that help a business keep moving.

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Why you'd press play

If you run your business out of too many tabs, this episode is in your lane.

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