Melissa Brogdon, CEO and co-founder of Fourth Party, joins me today for a must-listen conversation on the backbone of every successful mediation practice: your backend systems. Whether you're launching your practice or trying to fix one that's stalled, chances are the issue isn’t with your logo or your website colors—it’s in your operations.
Melissa and I go deep into why building a strong business structure is make-or-break, what most mediators get wrong (spoiler: it’s not your branding), and how Fourth Party is transforming the way dispute resolution professionals run their practices.
Here’s what else you’ll hear in this episode:
- Why the backend of your business matters more than your brand colors
- How Fourth Party helps practitioners go from booking to billing seamlessly
- The role of onboarding and client experience in sustainable growth
- Why ease of use and thoughtful tech matter more than flashy tools
- What to audit right now in your intake process to avoid losing clients
More About This Week's Special Guest, Melissa Brogdon: Melissa leverages a career in operations management as a law firm administrator and as a nonprofit executive. She has been recognized as one of Georgia’s top 40 under 40 business leaders and secured key partnerships with Google for Startups, SAP/Pyxera Global, and Georgia Tech’s Advanced Technology Development Center, Georgia’s oldest tech incubator. Melissa is a graduate of Spelman College and The University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education.
Website:
https://www.fourthpartyapp.com
Social Media:
http://instagram.com/4thpartyapp
====================
This Episode is Sponsored by Smith.ai
Never miss a client call again. Smith.ai’s 24/7 virtual receptionists combine live agents + AI to answer calls, chats, and texts — helping you capture more leads and boost client satisfaction.
MMMP Listeners Get:
- $100 off first month (Code: GUTHRIE)
- 5% off bundled reception + chat
- 10% off annual plans
🔗 Learn more: bit.ly/MMMP-SmithAI
============================
WANT MORE CONTENT?
Get SUSAN'S FREE BOOK: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/tFTeMJf/SuccesswithSusan
Get the FREE LinkedIn Newsletter from Susan, "Practice Building Tip of the Day": Weekly Practice Building Tips Newsletter
Susan's New Weekly Business Journal is NOW AVAILABLE! https://susaneguthrie.com/the-journal
Reach out to Susan at susan@susaneguthrie.com
Susan's Coaching Services: https://susaneguthrie.com/services
Website: https://susaneguthrie.com
Social Media:
Susan on Instagram: https://instagram.com/susanguthrieesq
Susan on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/susaneguthrie
Make Money Mediating on Instagram: https://instagram.com/makemoneymediating
*****************
Meet Our Creator and Host: Susan Guthrie
Susan Guthrie, nationally recognized as one of the Top Family Law Attorneys and Mediators in the United States, has transitioned from a successful legal and mediation practice to become one of the foremost trainers and consultants for professionals in the field. As Chair-Elect of the American Bar Association’s Section of Dispute Resolution, Susan is dedicated to advancing the practice and profession of dispute resolution worldwide. Through her Top 1% in the World podcast, The Divorce & Beyond Podcast with Susan Guthrie," she continues to share her expertise, reaching millions of listeners globally.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
NFL Daily with Gregg Rosenthal
Gregg Rosenthal and a rotating crew of elite NFL Media co-hosts, including Patrick Claybon, Colleen Wolfe, Steve Wyche, Nick Shook and Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic get you caught up daily on all the NFL news and analysis you need to be smarter and funnier than your friends.