What 300 Episodes of the Business Infrastructure Podcast Taught Me

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In 2018, I started a podcast while also writing a book. This came at the encouragement of a digital marketing coach I worked with at the time. At the time, I had no clue what I was doing and I could not have predicted or imagined what would happen six years later.

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August 25, 2024 marks the 300th and final episode of the Business Infrastructure – Curing Back Office Blues Podcast.

To say it’s been a whirlwind as well as a labor of love is an understatement. I’ve interviewed 236 guests across the world and worked with an amazing group of people. Together, we planned, produced, and promoted the show to help it land in the top 2% of podcasts in the world.

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It was not easy.

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As we celebrate (not mourn) the final episode, I thought I’d share some important lessons I learned over these past 300 episodes not only about podcasting but about business in general.

#1. Content is King!

In the information age that is becoming more saturated with AI-generated content, offering original content is more valued than ever. Original content allows you as a content creator to showcase your talent, style, and unique voice or approach whether it be via a podcast, article, video, post, or images.

#2. Try New Things

My friend Christina Barsi once described the Business Infrastructure show as a "podcast within a podcast." This is because we continuously experimented with different formats of the show and intentionally structured it into seasons. Each season had a theme and ensured that content was fresh and kept us as well as our guests and listeners intrigued.

#3. Always Learn

I developed relationships with people in the podcasting industry, many of whom I consider as friends. They freely gave of their time, effort, and energy in helping me launch, grow, and scale the podcast. Attending and speaking at industry events like Podcast Movement, networking with other podcasters, and even guesting on other people's shows has stretched me intellectually and made me a better businessperson.

#4. Podcasting is a Form of Public Speaking

I can remember being baffled about some of my friends and colleagues not wanting to appear as guests on the show. They are smart people who are experts in their field and though they actively post on social media, they did not want to be interviewed. It was while listening to Guy Raz speak at a podcast conference some years ago, that I finally realized why. The reason, frequently, is that podcasting is a form of public speaking. But unlike a public speech, a podcast interview will be put on the internet for anyone in the world to consume indefinitely. That thought terrifies many people as they combat feelings of imposter syndrome.

#5. Keep Talking Even When You Think No One's Listening

This was the most difficult lesson for me to learn. Unlike other activities in business, podcasting does not give you the benefit of knowing whose listening. Unless listeners or consumers of this form of audio content leave a review, podcasting hosts have no way of knowing the demographics of its audience. I took comfort in knowing that the show had some form of impact whenever I'd receive a surprise email or message on LinkedIn with a note of appreciation, or sometimes a lucrative business proposition.

#6. Expand Your Network

I considered my networking skills to be pretty good prior to starting the podcast. However, even I am in awe of the role podcasting played in me intentionally expanding my network globally. There were some people in my local community who strongly criticized me for taking this approach and not inviting guests into a traditional studio. Were it not for podcasting I would never have met so many wonderful people inside and outside of Atlanta, GA who continue to uplift, inspire, and encourage me to always bring my "A-game" in my work. I've even been fortunate to meet some of them in person as they've hosted me in their respective countries. Friends like Dr. Harbeen Arora Rai (India), Ben Esmael (Poland), and Bhairav Patel (England) are among them.

#7. Podcasting is a Team Sport

When I started the show in 2018, it was just me and a phone. I didn't even have a microphone or a headset! Two years later, the first addition to the team was our wonderful audio editor, Olanrewaju Adeyemo in Nigeria. Over the last four years, the team expanded to include Marie Incontrera, Gregory Brown, Outsource Global Erika Ve Revilla, Monique Inge, Gladys Jimenez, Clarence Levy, Grant Revilla, and Black Panda. And though some folks have come and gone, the consistency of the show remained the same. These folks helped put the show on the "podcasting map" through their combined efforts in video editing, audio editing, sound design, guest relationship management, transcription, social media, and ad campaign services.

When One Door Closes, Another One Opens ??

There are many more lessons learned from six years and 300 episodes of the Business Infrastructure – Curing Back Office Blues podcast. The decision to end the show came on the heels of the most recent season which featured a Growth Strategies masterclass. ?

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Many have already asked me, “Why, Alicia? Why end a show when it seems to be doing well?”

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My answer is similar to the reasons why Michael Jordan initially retired from the NBA. I believe we achieved the original goal for the show – to add business infrastructure to the body of knowledge for operational excellence and process improvement. We provided different angles and perspectives for providing the information and, like many good TV shows, the time came to end it and move on.

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But just because the show is closed, it does not mean that it will be wiped from the internet. No, not at all! You can always visit BusinessInfrastructure.TV and listen to and learn from this catalogue of 300 episodes. You can also find these episodes on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts. That means you can also still leave reviews and comments too!

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This isn’t good-bye and it certainly isn’t farewell. It’s more like, I’ll see you the next time. That’s what leads to a favor I’d like to ask of you.

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Will you come check us out on our new show? It’s called Scale Tales and it will premiere on September 1, 2024.

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Stay tuned for the next newsletter where I’ll share more details on where you can find the Scale Tales podcast. If you found this helpful, then subscribe to continue receiving strategies, tips, and tactics to enhance your company's operations.

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About the Author

Alicia Butler Pierre is the Founder & CEO of Equilibria, Inc. – an operations management firm specializing in increasing enterprise value for fast-growing small businesses. She’s a software inventor, a two-time Amazon bestselling author, and producer of a top 2% podcast.

Alicia also serves on the boards of three education-focused organizations and is an adjunct instructor of Lean Principles at Purdue University. She serves as the USA Chair of the G100’s Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises. The Process Excellence Network recognized her as a Top 50 Thought Leader in Operational Excellence. A chemical engineer turned entrepreneur, she’s designed and optimized processes for small businesses, large enterprises, non-profits, and government organizations alike.