Unlock Business Growth with Software: Insights from Mindbody's CTO

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Sunil Raja Sagar: President and CTO at Mindbody
3. Sunil's Background and Experience
4. The Journey of a Software Developer
5. The Impactful Book: Buddha and the Badass
6. The Role of Software in Business Growth
7. Software Advantages in Marketing
8. Collaborating with Team Members
9. The Q1 and 2022 Projects at Mindbody
10. The Success Story of Mindbody's Messenger AI
11. Conclusion

Introduction

Welcome to another episode of the GSD Show! In this episode, Mike Garcia sits down with Sunil Raja Sagar, the President and CTO at Mindbody, to discuss how to use software to grow your business. Sunil shares his insights on the role of software in business growth, the advantages of software in marketing, and how to collaborate effectively with team members. He also reveals some exciting projects coming up in Q1 and 2022 at Mindbody. Stay tuned for a fascinating conversation!

Sunil Raja Sagar: President and CTO at Mindbody

Sunil Raja Sagar is the President and CTO at Mindbody, where he has been leading the IT and software development teams for over three years. Prior to joining Mindbody, Sunil held various leadership roles at companies such as eBay, Lithium Technologies, and Intuit. With over 20 years of experience in the tech industry, Sunil brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table.

Sunil's Background and Experience

Before diving into the topic of using software to grow your business, Mike Garcia takes a moment to learn more about Sunil's background and experience. Sunil reveals that his first job as a programmer in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was a formative experience that taught him the value of continuous learning and problem-solving. He also discusses his tenure at eBay, where he oversaw product and engineering, and his role as the CTO at Lithium Technologies, a company in the social enterprise space. Sunil's diverse experience in both enterprise and consumer software has Shaped his approach to software development and business growth.

The Journey of a Software Developer

In this section, Sunil shares his early experiences as a programmer and the challenges he faced in the early days of the internet. He vividly recalls carrying around a backpack filled with programming books and constantly learning on the job. Sunil highlights the dramatic shift from relying on books and friends for answers to having Instant access to information on search engines like Google. This anecdote underscores the importance of continuous learning and adaptability in the fast-paced world of software development.

The Impactful Book: Buddha and the Badass

Mike turns the conversation towards books and asks Sunil about the most impactful book he has Read recently. Sunil mentions a book called "Buddha and the Badass" by Vishen Lakhiani, the founder of Mindvalley. He explains that this book explores the balance between being a driven, goal-oriented individual and a compassionate, empathetic person. Sunil finds inspiration in the book's message that one can pursue success while staying grounded and kind. He sees parallels between this philosophy and his own leadership approach, which emphasizes achieving big goals while embodying values like kindness and empathy.

The Role of Software in Business Growth

Now, let's Delve into the main topic of this episode: using software to grow your business. Sunil explains that, ultimately, the most critical aspect of a fitness business is the value it provides to its clients. Software acts as an enabler, allowing businesses to focus on delivering their Core value while making other tasks more seamless and efficient. Sunil identifies key areas where software plays a crucial role, including scheduling, booking, marketing, client communication, and even raising capital. By leveraging software, businesses can streamline their operations and gain a competitive AdVantage in the market.

Software Advantages in Marketing

In this section, Sunil highlights the specific advantages that software brings to marketing efforts. He introduces Mindbody's marketing suite, a comprehensive tool that helps businesses design customer journeys and automate key moments of engagement. Sunil gives examples of these critical touchpoints, such as sending congratulatory emails to new clients or reaching out on special occasions like birthdays. He emphasizes that software takes care of these tasks automatically, allowing businesses to build deep relationships with their clients and drive customer retention.

Additionally, Sunil introduces Messenger AI, an AI-powered chatbot developed by Mindbody. This chatbot enables businesses to engage with clients, efficiently answer questions, and even handle transactions like class bookings. By automating these interactions, businesses can provide Timely and personalized support without the need for manual intervention. Sunil emphasizes that software, particularly AI and ML technologies, can act as advisors, providing valuable insights and guidance to businesses.

Collaborating with Team Members

Mike's Curiosity leads him to Inquire about the software tools Sunil and his team use to collaborate and stay connected. Sunil explains that, with the shift to remote work during the pandemic, their collaboration tools have become essential. The team heavily relies on Slack, a messaging tool, for internal communication. They also utilize whiteboarding tools for virtual collaboration and project management software like Smartsheets and Product Plan. These tools allow for efficient communication, seamless collaboration, and effective project tracking, ensuring the team stays aligned and productive.

The Q1 and 2022 Projects at Mindbody

Looking ahead, Sunil discusses the projects on Mindbody's radar for Q1 and 2022. The primary focus is preparing for a rebound in the wellness industry as the pandemic subsides. Mindbody aims to equip its customers with new and improved capabilities to accelerate their recovery. They have prioritized strengthening their core workflows, modernizing functionality, and streamlining the user experience. Additionally, Sunil reveals that Mindbody has added lending capabilities to help small businesses access capital and invest in growth. He emphasizes the importance of preparing for the future and empowering customers to navigate a post-pandemic world successfully.

The Success Story of Mindbody's Messenger AI

Before wrapping up, Mike shares his personal experience with Mindbody's Messenger AI and praises its effectiveness. He mentions a client who implemented the software and witnessed significant time savings and increased revenue. The client's story exemplifies the power of using software to streamline communication, automate tasks, and generate better results. Sunil reiterates the importance of leveraging technology to Scale businesses and emphasizes that software is not just a replacement for people but a tool that exceeds human capabilities in certain areas.

Conclusion

In this enlightening conversation, Sunil Raja Sagar explores the role of software in business growth, highlighting the advantages it brings to marketing, team collaboration, and customer engagement. He emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and adaptability in the tech industry and shares an impactful book that shaped his perspective on leadership. Sunil also provides insights into Mindbody's upcoming projects and how they are preparing for the rebound in the wellness industry. The success story of Mindbody's Messenger AI serves as a testament to the transformative power of software in achieving business growth.