- The Path Less Traveled
- Topics
- Marketing
#22 Build vs. Buy: A Framework for Thinking About AI
This issue covers the build vs. buy decision in AI — a framework from venture investor Mike Volpi that cuts through the noise: only build if it creates a real competitive advantage, buy everything else, and never confuse a prototype with a production-ready tool. We also go deep on the service wrapper — the six-step system around the technical work that our customers actually write reviews about.
#20 I Spent $4.2 Million on Google Last Year. Here's What I Actually Know About Whether It Worked.
Most home service operators can tell you what they spent on Google. Very few can tell you what they actually got for it. The companies that win long-term aren't just the ones who spend the most on marketing — they're the ones who convert that spend into lasting relationships, and then build a membership base that makes the next call free.
#19 The Most Important System in Your Business That Nobody Sees.
This week’s TPLT dives into a simple idea: the best operators win by mastering the fundamentals. From using “old-school” marketing like equipment stickering and cross-trade awareness, to building a reliable financial foundation, to leveraging tools like Netic and GreenSky to drive efficiency and close more deals—we explore practical ways to grow smarter, not just bigger. The common thread? Systems that remove friction, increase visibility, and help great teams execute at a higher level.
#13 Measure THIS in your AI-first Call Center...
In this edition, I break down the two KPIs that matter most in an AI-powered call center: speed to answer and speed to resolution. These metrics are shaping how we blend AI automation with human responsiveness—and ensuring customer experience doesn’t get lost in the tech.
