BCS 299 - From Tariffs to Technology: The New Age of Coaching and Business AI

In this episode, Rode Dog and Karl Bryan dive deep into some of today’s biggest “hot button” business topics, including Tariffs, AI disruptions, and industry insights for business coaches. They also mix in some fun with Canadian culture, hockey heartbreaks, domains as investments, and give practical advice for coaches looking to future-proof their businesses.

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Key Topics & Takeaways

1. Tariffs, Trade, and Global Shifts

• Rode Dog kickstarts with a question about tariffs, leading Karl to discuss how trade wars (like the US-China standoff) are shaking up global production strategies.

• Example: Apple's iPhone production moving from China to India. While tariffs achieved moving manufacturing out of China, it’s not returning to the USA, and may result in higher costs for consumers.

• Karl predicts India could be the next global superpower due to its English proficiency, young population, and established legal system.

2. The Next AI Boom: Vertical AI Agents

• AI is evolving fast; Karl introduces the idea of "vertical AI agents" — specialized AI systems designed to automate and optimize niche business processes.

• Example: Instead of broad tools like ChatGPT, imagine specially-built AI tools just for onboarding new coaching clients or handling unique business tasks.

• Takeaway: Coaches and entrepreneurs should think ahead about how to leverage AI to streamline their own offerings or improve their clients' systems.

3. Industries Most (and Least) Affected by AI

• Karl flips the usual question—rather than only asking which industries will be disrupted, consider which won’t be.

• Industries ripe for disruption: accounting, finance, healthcare (especially wearables/predictive analytics), cybersecurity, transportation (self-driving vehicles), inventory management, customer service.

• Industries less vulnerable: Pest control, roofing, painting—businesses unlikely to be targeted by tech giants or replaced by automation (at least, for now).

• Expect living and business costs to decrease over time as AI reduces overheads across sectors.

4. Adaptation Mindset: Fear, Anger, and Opportunity

• Major take-home: Don’t let fear or anger about change (like AI) hold you or your clients back. Be proactive—learn, experiment, and adapt.

• Karl reminds listeners: successful entrepreneurs are lifelong learners. Don’t get “owned” by past habits or anxieties—stay focused on yourself and actionable progress.

5. Opportunistic Investing (Stocks & Domains)

• Rode Dog puts Karl on the spot for a “stock pick”—Karl mentions Uber and Spotify as blue-chip plays, but heavily caveats this is NOT financial advice.

• Karl also shares his continued belief in premium domain names (.com > .net/.org/.ca) as a long-term, low-maintenance investment—with an eye on branding and digital real estate in the coming years.

• Note: For Canada-specific strategies, .ca domains are useful for patriotic/niche marketing, but .com still reigns for long-term value.

6. Humor & Human Touch

• The hosts riff on the heartbreak of being a Toronto Maple Leafs fan and the Canadian experience, adding levity and relatability for their audience.

• References to newsjacking (tying your marketing to current events), mindfulness, and living a long life (for maximum benefit from the AI age).

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Karl’s Zen Moment / Closing Thought

• The two emotions most likely to stop you reaching your goals: Anger and fear.

• To escape the loop, focus less