Podcasts about Business value

AI is delivering pockets of productivity, but far less business value than expected. In this episode of Gartner ThinkCast, Distinguished VP Analyst Fran Karamouzis explores why so much AI ROI remains stuck inside organizations, never reaching the bottom line. While many leaders expect gains in individual productivity to translate directly into financial outcomes, legacy processes, siloed structures and outdated operating models often prevent that value from scaling. In a preview of a recent standout webinar, you'll hear what it really takes to unlock measurable impact — from rethinking how work flows across teams, to redesigning end‑to‑end processes, and leading the organizational change required to make AI stick.   You'll learn: Why productivity gains alone don't guarantee financial returns Where AI value gets trapped inside workflows and operating models How to redesign work around end‑to‑end outcomes, not individual tasks What it takes to lead organizational change and consistently convert AI into ROI   Dig deeper: Register to watch the full "Value is Trapped" webinar Learn how to prove quantifiable value from AI See why Gartner is the world authority on AI  

Platform vendors are transferring liability and delivery responsibility for AI services onto MSPs by building structured AI practice frameworks, training programs, and service delivery methodologies. This approach is motivated by mounting economic pressures on vendors, as seen with large-scale infrastructure investments and the need for sustainable revenue models. PAX8, Ingram Micro Cloud, ConnectWise, and others are formalizing AI partner programs that enroll MSPs to deliver vendor-defined services, while shifting operational complexity and accountability downstream. The episode highlights PAX8's Managed Intelligence initiative, aimed at helping small and midsize MSPs deliver AI services to SMB clients with minimal prior expertise. PAX8 cites its own research, which notes that 62% of SMBs view AI as essential for competitiveness and 74% plan to increase AI spending in the coming year. The economics of AI scaling are underscored by data on projected data center buildout costs—up to $15 trillion by 2030 and requiring $1.75 trillion annually just to maintain. OpenAI's public offering, with an $850 billion valuation and $180 billion in funding, is attributed to the need for capital that private markets can no longer supply, prompting vendors to leverage channel partners for both revenue generation and market validation. Supporting developments include expanded programs at the distribution and platform levels: a PAX8-Nocdoc partnership providing managed NOC/SOC services for smaller MSPs, Ingram Micro Cloud's collaboration with PartnerStack to formalize AI service delivery infrastructure, and ConnectWise's introduction of an AI-native platform for predictive and autonomous IT operations. Research from Omnia and the IBM Institute for Business Value indicates underutilization of vendor market development funds and widespread deployment of AI frameworks despite only 11% of tech leaders feeling prepared—demonstrating the gap between vendor offerings and operational readiness. The implications for MSPs are significant. By enrolling in these vendor-driven AI programs, providers take on delivery risk, contractual accountability, and potential liability for AI outcomes they did not design. The structural split is clear: MSPs can either create and govern their own AI methodologies—pricing accountability as a service—or become vehicles for vendor frameworks, absorbing complexity without full compensation or control. Practical recommendations include updating service agreements for AI-related risks, building internal governance around AI deployments, and not allowing vendor or community consensus to substitute for explicit accountability for outcomes. 00:00 Channel AI Shift  03:59 Enrollment, Not Enablement 06:55 Methodology vs. Liability 10:01 Why Do We Care?  Supported by:  Zero Networks  CometBackup 

The three ways business owners lose the value of their businesses are conflict with co-owners, the loss of a critical owner, and failure to prepare for sale. Owners reading this might be surprised to learn that the threats are preventable.

Got a question about the show? Click here & Send us a text!Pull up a chair for another episode of The Building Talks Podcast, this one is for construction business owners (or insights for anyone who aspires to set up their own construction business in the future) who feel like they have become the engine, the brake and the decision-maker all at once.In this episode, I sit down with Andrew Sparks, who works with business owners to help them better understand, scale and increase the value of their companies. We dig into a challenge many construction, property and consulting businesses eventually face, the founder becomes the bottleneck.Andrew shares practical insights on founder dependency, leadership, culture, hiring and recruitment, and what it takes to build a business that can grow beyond the owner. We also talk about why strong systems, high performers and clear decision making have such a major impact on business value, especially if you want more freedom, stronger performance or a business that can one day run, grow or sell without everything relying on you.Takeaways:✅ Why founder dependency can quietly hold a business back✅ Building a company that scales beyond the owner✅ The link between leadership, culture and business value✅ Why hiring the right people can lift performance and valuation✅ How high performers help stop businesses from hitting a ceiling✅ Creating more freedom without losing control✅ Building a business that does not rely on every decision running through youChapters:07:14  Understanding Business Exits: Lifestyle vs. Payday10:20  The Importance of Planning for Business Exit11:00  Building Value in Construction Businesses12:31  The Role of Business Owners in Valuation13:45  Maturity and Growth in Business15:52  Identifying Bottlenecks in Construction Businesses19:11  Leadership Challenges in the Construction Industry22:16  Attracting and Retaining Talent26:48  The Role of Culture in Business Success29:59  Understanding Roles and Responsibilities33:02  Performance Management and Clarity37:04  The Importance of Onboarding42:28  Learning Through Experience46:15  Hiring Process and Best Practices51:55  Adapting Leadership Styles55:23  The Choice Between Complaining and Improving57:55  The Evolving Role of Leadership1:01:18  Addressing Business Bottlenecks1:04:48  Navigating Growth and Complexity1:09:39  The Impact of AI on Business Efficiency1:14:56  Common Mistakes in Scaling BusinessesTune in for a practical conversation on building a stronger, smarter and more valuable business that can grow beyond the founder.Hope you enjoy the podcast!#BusinessGrowth #FounderDependency #ConstructionBusiness #PropertyDevelopment #BuildingTalksPodcast #Leadership #BusinessValue #ScalingABusiness #Recruitment #HighPerformanceTeams #ConstructionLeadership #BuiltEnvironment #BusinessOwners #CultureAndLeadershipThe Building Talks Podcast is brought to you by Building Environs Recruitment - providing recruitment solutions to the property, construction, and related industries, here in Melbourne and Southeast Queensland.  For an overview of our service, visit: www.buildingenvirons.com.auProud to partner with Housing All Australians (HAA) and The Building and Construction Foundation. Check out their websites and join the movement!www.housingallaustralians.org.auhttps://www.buildingandconstructionfoundation.org.au/The views and information shared in this podcast are for general purposes only and do not constitute legal or professional advice. Neither the host nor guests are providing specific guidance. Please seek professional advice before taking any action based on the content of this podcast.Contact The Building Talks PodcastFollow us on Linkedin, Facebook, and InstagramVisit us on our websiteEmail us at info@buildingenvirons.com.au

In this episode of the Merchant Sales Podcast, James sits down with Lane Gordon, CEO of 733Park, to discuss how AI is reshaping software, payments, and business valuations. From merchant portfolios and SaaS models to vertical software strategies and acquisition trends, Lane shares what buyers are looking for today—and what business owners should be thinking about if they hope to build long-term value. The conversation explores the future of AI-powered software, why payments revenue remains so attractive to investors, how verticalization creates defensible businesses, and what separates companies that command premium valuations from those that struggle to find buyers. Plus, Patti Murphy's Today in Payments segment covers interchange legislation, crypto ATMs, international remittance taxes, emerging payment preferences, and other trends shaping the industry.

AI investment is growing fast, but proving its value remains one of the biggest challenges facing data leaders today. Dashboards are built, models are deployed, and yet when the budget question arrives, most teams still can't clearly demonstrate return on investment.Speaking on Don't Panic, It's Just Data with host Christina Stathopoulos, Nadiem von Heydebrand, CEO and co-founder of Mindfuel, identified where most organisations go wrong: the interface between data teams and the business. According to von Heydebrand, the reason is straightforward: no use case, no value."We get a demand, we believe we've understood it, and we start executing immediately," he explained. Months pass, and nobody can answer why the project exists or what problem it was supposed to solve in the first place. The fix isn't more technology. It's better use case management.The 3 Pillars of Effective AI Use Case ManagementOne of von Heydebrand's core principles is straightforward: before you build anything, you need to really understand the business challenge you're trying to solve. "You have to fall in love with the problem, not with the solution," he said. This matters more than ever in the era of generative AI. With token costs attached to every AI interaction, building the wrong solution isn't just a wasted effort; it's an ongoing financial drain. Use case management has moved from being a nice-to-have to an operational necessity. Good use case management, according to Nadiem, rests on three pillars:Demand exploration: Don't assume you understand the problem. Engage stakeholders, ask deeper questions, and uncover the real business challenge before a single line of code is written.Value management: Every use case needs a value hypothesis. What outcome is expected if this problem is solved? As Nadiem puts it: "The solution itself has a value of zero. Value lives in the problem space."Value tracking: Once live, track performance against the original hypothesis. Define a realistic ROI timeframe and review it consistently.Adoption Metrics Are Not Proof of ValueOne of the most common mistakes? Measuring AI success through usage and adoption data alone. "I have enough examples where usage is high, and value is zero or even negative," von Heydebrand warned.Clicks and logins are a proxy. Business outcomes are the goal. If there's no correlation between the two, the metric is misleading.Output vs. Outcome: The Shift That MattersThe most important distinction in the conversation was the difference between output and outcome. Data teams have historically been measured on output like model accuracy, number of dashboards, and features delivered. But output without impact is just activity. Outcome means the value created for the recipient of your work. Organisations that make this mindset shift from measuring what they produce to measuring what they change are the ones that change their data functions from cost centres into genuine value generators.For leaders under pressure to prove ROI from AI initiatives, Mindfuel's CEO advises a pragmatic approach: start now, start small, and be honest. As Stathopoulos summarised: "It all comes back to being intentional about what you build and why." For more information, visit mindfuel.ai, the platform built to help data and AI teams demonstrate, manage, and maximise business value.Connect with the guest:Nadiem von Heydebrand: LinkedIn | MindfuelTakeawaysThe importance of structured use case managementLinking AI initiatives to business valueThe impact layer and value tracking in AI projectsChapters00:00 – Introduction to Data and AI Impact Management03:16 – The Challenge of Connecting AI to Business Outcomes11:38 – Understanding Use Case Management17:40 – The Missing Value Layer in Data and AI Initiatives22:23 – Evolving Mindsets in Data and AI27:36 – Advice for Leaders on Proving AI ROI

Law firms have made their AI investments and are now looking to calculate their ROI — but what should go into that calculation? In the latest episode of our Clarity podcast, Thomson Reuters' Steve Assie speaks with Gregory Ginex, Senior Partner at Costello Ginex & Wideikis; and Nina Lund, Total Economic Impact Consultant at Forrester, about the real business value of legal AI for law firms, including ROI, productivity, client expectations, alternative fee models, and how AI is reshaping legal work.

The Institute of Internal Auditors Presents: All Things Internal Audit  In this Internal Audit Awareness Month special, internal audit leaders share the human side of the profession. Through stories of resistance, difficult findings, stakeholder trust, courage, and career-defining moments, the episode highlights how internal auditors add value by building relationships, asking better questions, and helping organizations see what they might otherwise miss.    HOST: Catie Brown Associate Manager & Producer, Content Development, The IIA  GUESTS   Asim Fareeduddin, CPA, CISA, CISM, CIPP, CISSP Head of Internal Audit & Assurance, RELX Ashanti Clark, CIA Executive Advisor, FedEx Express Corporation Jasdeep Gill, CIA, CISA, CISM, CFE Senior Manager, Internal Audit & Assurance, RELX Aadesh Gandhre, CIA, CISA  Chief Audit Executive, DTCC Chad Bourque, CIA  Global Director of Enterprise Risk Management, Gallagher Benefits Services Nam Phong Ho, CIA, CISA, CFE, CRMA, QILM, MBA Former Chief Audit Executive, Glencore / Independent Advisor   KEY POINTS: Introduction [00:00:02-00:01:42] Navigating Internal Audit Resistance [00:01:42-00:05:34] Preparing for Difficult Conversations [00:05:34-00:08:05] Emotional Intelligence and Cultural Awareness [00:08:05-00:09:53] Delivering Difficult Audit Findings [00:09:53-00:14:28] Leadership During Challenging Audit Moments [00:14:28-00:16:38] Communicating the "So What" [00:16:38-00:19:42] Active Listening and Stakeholder Trust [00:19:42-00:22:53] Building Real Relationships [00:22:53-00:24:21] Demonstrating Internal Audit's Business Value [00:24:21-00:27:48] Courage and Career Growth in Internal Audit [00:27:48-00:29:51] Internal Audit as a Mission [00:29:51-00:31:52] Reflecting on Value After Every Audit [00:31:52-00:32:48] Sharing Internal Audit Successes [00:32:48-00:33:41] IIA RELATED CONTENT:  Interested in this topic? Visit the links below for more resources: Discover Internal Audit Certifications May Sale Internal Audit Month Global Awareness Global Internal Audit Standards Vision 2035 Career Center   Visit The IIA's website or YouTube channel for related topics and more. Follow All Things Internal Audit: Apple Podcasts Spotify Libsyn Deezer  

Welcome to TBCY! In this insightful episode, we sit down with Reddy Mallidi, Chief AI Officer and COO at J&R Consulting, renowned for his practical expertise in implementing AI solutions across industries.Hosted by Stephen Ibaraki, this conversation explores the rise of agentic AI, practical AI adoption strategies, governance challenges, and how organizations can build trust in AI systems.Reddy Mallidi shares real-world lessons from deploying AI in enterprise environments, discusses the future of AI agents, and explains how leaders can move beyond the hype to create measurable business value.Key takeaways include:The future of agentic AI and autonomous workflowsOvercoming AI adoption challenges related to data, infrastructure, talent, and trustPractical frameworks for AI implementation and governanceReal-world use cases that demonstrate measurable business impactWhy curiosity, experimentation, and responsible AI practices matter

Auf der OMR wurde es gerade erst wieder gefeiert: Die Zukunft des Marketings gehört AI-Agents und smarten Automatisierungen, die uns völlig neue Hebel eröffnen. Damit aus den inspirierenden Keynotes echte Erfolge im Daily Business werden, braucht es im Hintergrund jedoch ein entscheidendes Detail: eine absolut verlässliche Datenbasis. Ohne dieses Fundament droht laut meinem Gast „Konfidenz ohne Korrektheit“ – eine KI, die zwar extrem selbstbewusst antwortet, aber auf unvollständigen Logiken basiert. Wie schlagen wir also erfolgreich die Brücke von den großen Visionen zur realen Umsetzung im E-Commerce? In dieser Episode spreche ich mit Yves Lüthi. Yves verantwortet als Head of Tech & Data die Commerce-Architektur sowie die digitale Transformation bei X-Technology (die Marke hinter X-Bionic und X-Socks). Nach dem strategischen Neustart des Unternehmens hat er die gesamte Systemlandschaft auf der sprichwörtlichen „grünen Wiese“ neu hochgezogen. Yves blickt dabei nicht aus der reinen Marketing-Perspektive auf Daten, sondern bringt die ganzheitliche Systembrille eines stark wachsenden E-Commerce-Unternehmens mit. Wir sprechen darüber, -wie man den Sprung vom Excel-Chaos zu einer verlässlichen Single Source of Truth schafft. -warum AI keine unsaubere Datenbasis ersetzen kann - und wie eine gut vorbereitete Infrastruktur zum echten KI-Enabler wird. -warum Datenprojekte keine reinen IT-Projekte sind, sondern nur durch die klaren Prioritäten des Managements echten Business Value stiften. Eine erfrischend praxisnahe Folge für alle, die verstehen wollen, wie der erfolgreiche und nachhaltige Weg in die KI-Zukunft abseits des reinen Marketing-Hypes wirklich aussieht. Timestamps: (00:00) - Intro und Vorstellung von Yves (03:30) - Hauptteil AI & Marketing (24:45) - Abschluss und Tipps für Marketing-Teams Hier findest du Yves Lüthi auf Linkedin: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/yves-luethi/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/yves-luethi/) Connecte dich mit mir auf LinkedIn: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mlmatysik/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/mlmatysik/) Unsere Website findest du hier: [https://analyticsfreaks.com/](https://analyticsfreaks.com/) Ich freu mich immer über Anmerkungen, Fragen oder einfach deine Gedanken zum Podcast! :) Schreib mir gern eine Mail an marialena.matysik@analyticsfreaks.com oder auf Linkedin:[https://www.linkedin.com/in/mlmatysik/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/mlmatysik/)

Send us Fan MailNonprofit conference strategy for fundraisers is not just about attending sessions — it's about turning time, travel, relationships, and learning into business value for your organization. Tim Sarrantonio, Founder of The Generosity Spectrum (and also a cohost of the Show), joins to share timely insights from the recent AFP International Conference and the broader conference landscape shaping nonprofit fundraising leadership.Tim brings a rare perspective as a sector educator, speaker, conference participant, and creator of game-based learning experiences for nonprofit leaders, boards, and communities. The conversation begins with AFP ICON — what it is, who attends, and why it matters — but quickly moves into a larger question: how can nonprofit professionals make conferences worth the investment?From the vendor hall to rooftop gatherings, from formal panels to side conversations, Tim explains why the strongest learning often happens outside the scheduled room. As he puts it, “Always, no matter what, ask yourself, why am I in this room?” That question becomes a powerful lens for fundraisers, CEOs, CFOs, board members, and development teams trying to maximize conference ROI.The episode also touches on the Fundraising Effectiveness Project, board education, sector trust, inclusive conference design, and the cautious optimism many nonprofit professionals are carrying into this next season. Tim notes, “People are ready to help. Vendors are there to help.” But he also challenges leaders to be thoughtful about where they spend their attention, energy, and budget.This conversation is especially useful for nonprofit professionals preparing for AFP ICON, Bridge Conference, AFP chapter events, vendor-hosted gatherings, or any sector learning experience. It offers a smarter way to think about nonprofit networking strategy, fundraising leadership development, and the business case for attending conferences.For nonprofit leaders, this episode is a reminder: don't just show up. Show up with purpose!! 00:00:00 Welcome And Why AFP ICON Matters 00:02:04 Tim Sarrantonio And The Generosity Spectrum 00:04:54 Creating A Practice Field For Nonprofit Leaders 00:06:54 What AFP ICON Is And Who It Serves 00:11:21 Why Executives And Fundraisers Attend 00:13:50 The Real Vibe At AFP ICON 00:18:01 Sector Confidence And Cautious Optimism 00:21:13 How To Maximize A Nonprofit Conference 00:24:24 Vendor Hall Strategy And Sponsor Value 00:26:33 Why Small-Room Conversations Matter 00:29:15 Local AFP Chapters And What Comes Next #TheNonprofitShow #NonprofitFundraising #AFPICONFind us Live daily on YouTube!Find us  Live daily on LinkedIn!Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_ShowOur national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits!  12:30pm ET   11:30am CT  10:30am MT  9:30am PTSend us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.comVisit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show

Technology problems rarely start with technology. They start with leadership decisions, culture, and treating IT as an afterthought instead of a strategic asset. In this episode of Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder, Dave speaks with Keith Tessler of CMIT Solutions about why smart companies are shifting from reactive IT support to proactive technology management and how those decisions directly impact risk, resilience, scalability, and enterprise value. The conversation explores the biggest cybersecurity threats facing small and mid-sized businesses today, including phishing attacks, business email compromise, and the growing misuse of remote-control software by bad actors. Keith shares practical, low-cost protections every business should implement, including two-factor authentication, password managers, employee awareness training, and stronger internal controls. Dave and Keith also discuss: When companies should move from “break/fix” IT support to a managed services model How IT infrastructure and documentation can affect M&A due diligence and succession planning Why clean, accessible data matters more than most owners realize The role culture and people play in cybersecurity and operational risk Practical applications for AI in business and where the hype exceeds reality A simple IT checklist business owners can use to improve resilience and reduce risk Whether you're preparing your company for growth, protecting it from disruption, or thinking about a future exit, this episode delivers actionable insights on how technology decisions can strengthen both operational performance and business value. Subscribe to Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode. If you enjoyed this conversation, please share it with your network and leave a review—it helps more business owners and advisors discover the show! About Our Guest: A fourth-generation entrepreneur, Keith says he learned more at the family dinner table than from his MBA courses. So it's no surprise he dove into the family business with gusto, taking it from a small, regional player to a nationwide company that became the largest firm in that industry. But after 25 years of 100-hour weeks, he sold that business and spent a couple of years coaching CEOs -  leaders of companies that ran the gamut from small tech start-ups to $3 billion corporations.  While he loved that work, he couldn't shake the technology itch. So today, Keith has hit his stride as the owner of CMIT Solutions in Philadelphia and Cherry Hill, a business that marries his love of technology with his passion for helping businesses find better paths to successful growth.   If you want fresh perspectives on leadership, tech, and business, follow Keith on LinkedIn. And if you want to put tech headaches in the rearview mirror and work with an IT team you can love, reach out to Keith here. He's always ready to talk tech support, business growth, cybersecurity, regulatory compliance, and much more.  About the Host: Dave Bookbinder is known as an expert in business valuation and he is the person that business owners and their advisors reach out to when they need to know what their most important assets are worth. Known as a collaborative adviser, Dave has served thousands of client companies of all sizes and industries.  Dave is the author of two #1 best-selling books about the impact of human capital (PEOPLE!) on the valuation of a business enterprise called The NEW ROI: Return On Individuals & The NEW ROI: Going Behind The Numbers.  He's on a mission to change the conversation about how the accounting world recognizes the value of people's contributions to a business enterprise, and to quantify what every CEO on the planet claims: “Our people are this company's most valuable asset.” Dave's book, A Valuation Toolbox for Business Owners and Their Advisors: Things Every Business Owner Should Know, was recognized as a top new release in Business and Valuation and is designed to provide practical insights and tools to help understand what really drives business value, how to prepare for an exit, and just make better decisions. He's also the host of the highly rated Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder business podcast which is enjoyed in more than 100 countries.

How much cash is hiding in your business? See if you qualify for a Free Financial Health Check Financial Intelligence Toolkit Most business owners have a rough idea of what their business is worth. Usually it is based on what a friend sold theirs for or what feels right. But what a business is actually worth and what an owner thinks it is worth are almost never the same number.In this episode Steve breaks down exactly how a sophisticated buyer looks at a business, what the calculation actually reveals, and the specific things that can add or quietly destroy value before you ever get to the table.Whether you are thinking about selling someday or just want to build something worth owning, this one will change how you see your numbers._______________________________________Disclaimer:The views expressed here are those of the individual Coltivar Group, LLC (“Coltivar”) personnel quoted and are not the views of Coltivar or its affiliates. Certain information contained in here has been obtained from third-party sources. While taken from sources believed to be reliable, Coltivar has not independently verified such information and makes no representations about the enduring accuracy of the information or its appropriateness for a given situation.This content is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be relied upon as legal, business, investment, or tax advice. You should consult your own advisers as to those matters. References to any securities or digital assets are for illustrative purposes only, and do not constitute an investment recommendation or offer to provide investment advisory services. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendations. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. Please see https://www.coltivar.com/privacy-policy-and-terms-of-use for additional important information.LinkedIn | YouTube coltivar.com

The following article of the Sustainability industry is: 'Food Rescue in Mexico: Turning Waste Into Business Value' by Adrián Carrillo Hurtado, Impact Delivery Lead – Mexico, WRAP.ngo. 

Learn what happens when the executive accountable for data strategy is also the executive accountable for the business results that depend on it. Saugata Saha, President of S&P Global Market Intelligence and Chief Enterprise Data Officer at S&P Global, shares how he manages one of the world's largest financial data estates while driving business outcomes across public and private markets. He breaks down the four pillars of S&P Global's data strategy, the federated organizational model that connects data teams to business value, and why capturing ROI from AI requires deliberate workflow transformation. Key Moments Why Data Strategy Must Follow Business Strategy (04:57): Saugata challenges the idea that data and business strategy can run in parallel. Market trends, customer pain points, and existing capabilities must come first. Building an AI-Ready Financial Data Estate (15:10): Scale alone does not create intelligence. Saugata explains why semantic layers and graph databases are the hard work behind connected financial data. How AI Compresses Post-Acquisition Data Integration (18:29): Manual reconciliation of millions of records is no longer the only path. Discover how AI entity matching accelerated post-acquisition integration. The Federated Model That Connects Data to Value (22:49): Most large organizations either over-centralize data teams or leave them too embedded to scale. Saugata outlines the federated model that actually bridges both. Rethinking AI Productivity: From Marginal to Transformative (28:29): Most AI programs stop at training and tooling. Saugata explains why deliberately redesigning workflows is the missing step between AI investment and real ROI. Key Quotes “Data strategy and business strategy have to be very tightly connected. And if they're not, that's when value capture does not happen. In fact, I would go so far as to say data strategy actually follows from business strategy.” - Saugata Saha “Stop treating data as an afterthought or byproduct, but start thinking about data as a key ingredient for value creation and competitive advantage.” - Saugata Saha “We don't want everybody to become 10% more productive, because that's a little squishy. We want 10% of the people to become a hundred percent more productive so they can do other things.” - Saugata Saha “If a company can really use data at scale for better decision making, better client service, [and] better outcomes, that creates a lasting edge over the competition.” - Saugata Saha Mentions S&P Global Agrees to Acquire With Intelligence from Motive Partners for $1.8 Billion, Establishing Its Leadership in Private Markets Intelligence The Data & AI Chief: Why a Federated Data Team is Crucial for Business Value, with Dow Private Companies Wait Too Long to Go Public The Lex Fridman Podcast Guest Bios  Saugata serves as President of S&P Global Market Intelligence, leading the division's efforts to deliver essential insights and intelligence to clients worldwide. He is also S&P Global's Chief Enterprise Data Officer, responsible for driving innovation and excellence in the company's enterprise data strategy. Saugata is a member of S&P Global's Executive Leadership Team, contributing to the strategic direction and growth of the organization. Before joining S&P Global, Saugata was a consultant at McKinsey & Company's New York office, where he advised clients on strategy, mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, and operational improvements across various industries, with a strong focus on financial services. Hear more from Cindi Howson here. Sponsored by ThoughtSpot.

Most business owners focus on profit—but profit alone doesn't make a business valuable. In this episode of The Idaho Business Podcast, Spencer sits down with Marc Spear, founder of XSpearience, to break down what actually drives business value—and why most owners are overlooking it. With nearly 30 years of executive leadership and entrepreneurial experience, Marc shares why up to 80% of a company's true value comes from intangibles like leadership, trust, communication, and team performance. They dive into: The difference between building profit and building value The hidden factors that make or break a business Why trust is lost in organizations—and how to rebuild it Where most managers fall short (and how to fix it) How to shift from a "career grind" to a "career adventure" mindset If you're building a business and want it to be stronger, more scalable, and actually worth something long-term, this episode will challenge how you think about leadership and growth. Check Mark our here: https://xspearience.com/    If you are feeling the love, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review on iTunes, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you are!! If you'd like to be featured on an episode go to theidahobusinesspodcast.com to APPLY! Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube

In this episode of Poised for Exit, Hilary Spreizer, Owner and CEO of The Latitude Group, shares her unexpected journey from employee to owner after purchasing the company during the uncertainty of COVID. She discusses the challenges of transitioning from leading sales and revenue generation to building the operational structure needed to scale a growing business.Hilary explains how strategic hires, stronger systems, and a focus on scalable infrastructure helped the company achieve significant growth and earn a Fast 50 award. She also shares lessons on leadership, surrounding yourself with people who know what you don't, and implementing frameworks like EOS to create accountability and long-term organizational stability.The conversation also explores how mid-market companies are approaching AI, hiring, and technology adoption. Hilary discusses why many businesses rush into AI tools without a clear strategy, the operational and privacy risks that can create, and why companies should focus first on identifying the business problem before investing in technology solutions.The episode highlights the connection between operational scalability and enterprise value, particularly for owners preparing for future growth or exit planning. Hilary shares why reducing founder dependency, building resilient teams, and slowing down long enough to create the right blueprint can dramatically improve long-term outcomes.Connect with Hillary Spreizer hereLearn more about The Latitude Group here Connect with Julie Keyes, Keyestrategies LLCFounder, Consultant, Author, Pod-caster and Instructor

The downside of powerful, autonomous models that can think and act?

In this episode, Carl sits down with George Sandmann of Growth Drive to discuss how business owners can increase the value of their company by building strategic capacity. They explore the gap between what owners think their business is worth and what it could be worth. The conversation highlights how improving leadership, systems, and execution can increase valuation multiples and create predictable growth. Key takeaways: Strategic capacity drives higher business value Revenue alone does not determine worth Most businesses are too dependent on the owner Private equity rewards structure and discipline Exit outcomes depend on preparation, not timing If you want to build a business that creates long-term wealth and runs without you, this episode gives you a clear path. Listen now and apply one idea this week. Connect with George:  Guest Assets:   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-sandmann/  Book:  The Growth-Driving Advisor: Proven Strategies for Leading Businesses from Stuck to Best-in-Class  Book Link: https://www.amazon.com/Growth-Driving-Advisor-Strategies-Best-Class/dp/164225875X  Website: https://www.growth-drive.com/ 

Seniorität im AI-Zeitalter.AI ist überall. In Demos, in LinkedIn-Posts, in Produktivitätsversprechen und inzwischen auch mitten im Entwickleralltag. Aber was passiert eigentlich, wenn Code plötzlich billig wird? Wird dann jede:r zum 10x Engineer oder merken wir erst jetzt, worauf es bei Seniorität wirklich ankommt? Genau dieser Frage gehen wir in dieser Episode nach und schauen ehrlich auf den Spannungsbogen zwischen KI-Hype, Softwarequalität, Code Reviews und Karriereentwicklung.Wir sprechen darüber, warum mehr Output nicht automatisch mehr Outcome bedeutet, was DORA-Metriken, Studien und Alltagserfahrungen über AI Coding Tools sagen und weshalb das Big Picture wichtiger wird als die pure Menge an produziertem Code. Außerdem diskutieren wir, warum Senior Engineers gerade jetzt so gefragt sind, welche Rolle Kommunikation, Priorisierung, Leadership und Architekturverständnis spielen und warum der Satz AI ist doch mein Junior deutlich zu kurz greift. Ebenso schauen wir auf den Rückgang von Junior-Rollen, auf Internships als Recruiting-Pipeline und darauf, wie Lernen, Mentoring und echte Verantwortung in einer Welt mit Coding Agents aussehen können.Wenn du verstehen willst, wie sich Softwareentwicklung, Seniorität, Juniors, Staff Engineers, AI Adoption und Business Value gerade verschieben, ist diese Folge für dich. Oder anders gesagt: Wenn mehr Code billiger wird, wird Klarheit wertvoller. Und genau da wird es spannend.Unsere aktuellen Werbepartner findest du auf https://engineeringkiosk.dev/partnersDas schnelle Feedback zur Episode:

Antonio Taylor: Turning Tech Talk into Business Value Most organizations don't have a technology problem; they have an ownership problem. Today's guest, Antonio Taylor, has spent more than 26 years in IT and executive leadership helping companies confront exactly that. He's worked with organizations navigating growth, risk, and transformation, bringing executive-level clarity to technology decisions without adding unnecessary complexity or headcount. In this episode, we explore how technical professionals can communicate more effectively with nontechnical stakeholders to drive clearer decisions, stronger alignment, and better business outcomes.To learn more about Antonio, visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoniodtaylor/__TEACH THE GEEK (http://teachthegeek.com) Prefer video? Visit http://youtube.teachthegeek.comGet Public Speaking Tips for STEM Professionals at http://teachthegeek.com/tips

The UK's net zero sector is now growing three times faster than the broader economy. In summer 2025, the UK Office for Budget Responsibility confirmed that achieving net zero costs far less than inaction and renewable energy has become significantly cheaper faster than previously forecast. Yet most of this positive news doesn't feature in the mainstream media, overshadowed by clickbait doom-mongering headlines. In this episode, Chartered Environmentalist Daniel Cope shares his experience of helping organisations reduce carbon emissions and waste and highlights why internal communication is an integral element of sustainable business.   About Daniel Cope Dan is a Chartered Environmentalist and the Founder of Green Lark Environmental Solutions, bringing nearly two decades of experience helping organisations navigate the realities of climate change. His work spans small enterprises to global multinationals, supporting leaders to cut emissions, strengthen resilience, and embed sustainability into strategic decision‑making. Driven by a belief that environmental stewardship and economic viability must work in tandem, Dan specialises in carbon accounting, net‑zero strategy, and the development of credible, measurable emission‑reduction programmes. He is known for translating complex climate data into clear, actionable insight, and for challenging organisations to recognise both their impact and their opportunity to lead. A passionate climate‑change speaker, Dan works to move climate action beyond political polarisation, helping organisations communicate with clarity and purpose. His focus is on enabling leaders to reduce emissions in ways that enhance performance, credibility and long‑term value.     Find Daniel on LinkedIn:                   https://www.linkedin.com/in/copedaniel/ Greenlark:                                          https://www.greenlark.co.uk/

Why do leaders make poor decisions - even with more data, better tools, and AI? In this episode of Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder, host Dave Bookbinder speaks with leadership advisor and performance architect John Little about why judgment - not just data, tools, or experience - is the true differentiator in leadership, decision-making, and organizational performance. The conversation explores how leaders can operate effectively in real time, avoid common decision-making blind spots like projecting their own thinking onto others, and better identify and leverage the unique strengths within their teams to improve performance. They also examine generational dynamics, employee engagement, and leadership strategy in the age of AI. Rather than reacting with fear or taking a hands-off approach, John explains how leaders can adopt AI with intention - using clear strategy, guardrails, and human judgment to drive better outcomes. John shares practical frameworks for building confidence, including “name it, tame it, reframe it,” and reinforces a critical leadership principle: trust is the foundation of performance, retention, and long-term value creation. The episode closes with a clear takeaway - leaders who actively build and restore trust will make better decisions, strengthen their teams, and create more resilient, higher-performing organizations. Who this episode is for Business owners and entrepreneurs navigating growth and change Advisors, consultants, and executives focused on leadership and performance Anyone interested in improving decision-making, team effectiveness, and business outcomes About Our Guest: Big John Little has built a career as an Executive Leadership Performance Coach around 3 key outcomes: Overcoming the limiting beliefs that create bottlenecks in your career growth and promotion potential Developing a personal leadership brand that elevates your visibility within your organization and industry Providing models and frameworks to become confident, authentic leaders in your life and career John has been a leader of people and business for more than 25 years across multiple industries. About the Host: Dave Bookbinder is known as an expert in business valuation and he is the person that business owners and their advisors reach out to when they need to know what their most important assets are worth. Known as a collaborative adviser, Dave has served thousands of client companies of all sizes and industries.  Dave is the author of two #1 best-selling books about the impact of human capital (PEOPLE!) on the valuation of a business enterprise called The NEW ROI: Return On Individuals & The NEW ROI: Going Behind The Numbers.  He's on a mission to change the conversation about how the accounting world recognizes the value of people's contributions to a business enterprise, and to quantify what every CEO on the planet claims: “Our people are this company's most valuable asset.” Dave's book, A Valuation Toolbox for Business Owners and Their Advisors: Things Every Business Owner Should Know, was recognized as a top new release in Business and Valuation and is designed to provide practical insights and tools to help understand what really drives business value, how to prepare for an exit, and just make better decisions. He's also the host of the highly rated Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder business podcast which is enjoyed in more than 100 countries.

In this episode of the storytelling with data podcast, Amy talks with Shachar Meir, a data executive with more than 20 years of experience leading data teams at companies including Meta and PayPal. Together, they explore what it really takes for data professionals to move beyond producing dashboards and reports to driving meaningful business outcomes.Shachar shares why technology alone rarely solves an organization's data challenges and outlines the four areas he sees mattering most: technology, people, process, and culture. He talks about trust in data, the importance of understanding your audience, and why the best data professionals learn to speak the language of the business rather than the language of tools.You'll also hear practical advice for individuals who want to increase their impact: how to better understand the business, how to frame data work in terms of outcomes, and why stepping outside your data silo can be one of the most valuable moves for your career. This is a rich conversation for anyone who wants their work with data to be more strategic, more influential, and more closely tied to real business value.RELATED RESOURCESShachar's LinkedIn | YouTubeCareer unblocking mini-course: career-unblock.shacharmeir.com$1M data professional presentation

Mahen Gundecha of SkyCrest Advisors joined Doug Green, Publisher of Technology Reseller News, for a short but impactful podcast reel highlighting a critical issue in MSP exit planning: how quickly business value can erode if key relationships are not secure. Using a real-world scenario, Gundecha explained that service businesses—particularly MSPs—carry inherent risk due to their dependence on customer concentration and key employees. Even with contracts in place, clients can exit, creating immediate financial impact. He illustrated this with a simple example: if a single customer represents 20% of revenue, losing that client can significantly reduce profitability—and when valuation multiples are applied, that loss can translate into millions of dollars in reduced company value. “When you're selling a service company, you're buying people, capabilities, and customers,” Gundecha said. “If key customers or employees leave, the value of your business drops—sometimes dramatically.” The risks extend beyond customers. Gundecha shared cases where key employees departed during the sale process, sometimes triggered by the announcement of a pending acquisition. Since buyers are ultimately acquiring the team and its capabilities, the loss of critical personnel can jeopardize or even derail a deal. He also noted that undisclosed risks—such as clients planning to leave—can surface late in due diligence, forcing difficult conversations with buyers. In some cases, deals can be restructured or salvaged, but in others, buyers may walk away entirely due to heightened risk. The key takeaway: MSP owners preparing for an exit must proactively strengthen and validate relationships with both customers and employees well before entering the sale process. Regular engagement, transparency, and retention strategies are essential to preserving value. Gundecha emphasized that valuation is not just about revenue multiples, but about the stability and durability of the business—factors that directly influence buyer confidence and final deal outcomes. Learn more: https://www.skycrestadvisors.com/

What does it really take to move AI from endless experimentation into something that creates real business value? In this episode, I sat down with Tom Alexander, Head of Innovation and Transformation at CrossCountry Consulting, to talk about why so many organizations still struggle to turn AI ambition into meaningful outcomes. Tom works closely with executive and CFO teams that are either unsure where to begin or frustrated that early AI efforts have not delivered what they hoped for. We talked about why this is rarely just a technology issue. In many cases, the real blockers are ownership, change management, weak alignment across the business, and a failure to connect AI initiatives to the problems that matter most. One of the big themes in our conversation was the need to treat AI as an enterprise-wide program rather than a collection of isolated tools. Tom shared how leaders can focus on business processes first, identify where automation can genuinely improve performance, and avoid getting distracted by hype. We also unpacked the growing accountability challenge around AI, including who should own it, how stakeholders can align, and why strong foundations in data, governance, and training matter so much. This episode is packed with practical takeaways for anyone trying to make sense of AI adoption inside a business. If you are trying to figure out where to start, how to scale, or how to avoid another stalled initiative, there is a lot in here for you. After listening, I would love to hear your thoughts. How is your organization approaching AI, and where do you think most businesses are still getting it wrong? Useful Links CrossCountry website Connect with Tom Alexander on LinkedIn Field Notes podcast

This episode with Joachim Hill-Grannec asks: How do platforms bloat, and how do you keep them simple and fast with trunk-based dev and small batches? Which metrics prove it works—cycle time, uptime, or developer experience? Can security act as a partner that speeds delivery instead of a gate?   We are always happy to answer any questions, hear suggestions for new episodes, or hear from you, our listeners. DevSecOps Talks podcast LinkedIn page DevSecOps Talks podcast website DevSecOps Talks podcast YouTube channel Summary In this episode of DevSecOps Talks, Mattias speaks with Joachim Hill-Grannec, co-founder of Peltek, a boutique consulting firm specializing in high-availability, cloud-native infrastructure. Following up on a previous episode where Steve discussed cleaning up bloated platforms, Mattias and Joachim dig into why platforms get bloated in the first place and how platform teams should think when building from scratch. Their conversation spans cloud provider preferences, the primacy of cycle time, the danger of adding process in response to failure, and a strong argument for treating security and quality as enablers rather than gatekeepers. Key Topics Platform Teams Should Serve Delivery Teams Joachim frames the core question of platform engineering around who the platform is actually for. His answer is clear: the delivery teams are the client. Platform engineers should focus on making it easier for developers to ship products, not on making their own work more convenient. He connects this directly to platform bloat. In his experience, many platforms grow uncontrollably because platform engineers keep adding tools that help the platform team itself: "Look, I spent this week to make my job this much faster." But Joachim pushes back on this instinct — the platform team is an amplifier for the organization, and every addition should be evaluated by whether it helps a product get to production faster and gives developers better visibility into what they are working on. Choosing a Cloud Provider: Preferences vs. Reality The conversation briefly explores cloud provider choices. Joachim says GCP is his personal favorite from a developer perspective because of cleaner APIs and faster response times, though he acknowledges Google's tendency to discontinue services unexpectedly. He describes AWS as the market workhorse — mature, solid, and widely adopted, comparing it to "the Java of the land." Azure gets the coldest reception; both acknowledge it has improved over time, but Joachim says he still struggles whenever he is forced to use it. They observe that cloud choices are frequently made outside engineering. Finance teams, investors, and existing enterprise agreements often drive the decision more than technical fit. Joachim notes a common pairing: organizations using Google Workspace for productivity but AWS for cloud infrastructure, partly because the Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) integration with AWS Identity Center works more smoothly via SCIM than the equivalent Google Workspace setup, which requires a Lambda function to sync groups. Measuring Platform Success: Cycle Time Above All When Mattias asks how a team can tell whether a platform is actually successful, Joachim separates subjective and objective measures. On the subjective side, he points to developer happiness and developer experience (DX). Feedback from delivery teams matters, even if surveys are imperfect. On the objective side, his favorite metric is cycle time — specifically, the time from when code is ready to when it reaches production. He also mentions uptime and availability, but keeps returning to cycle time as the clearest indicator that a platform is helping teams deliver faster. This aligns with DORA research, which has consistently shown that deployment frequency and lead time for changes are strong predictors of overall software delivery performance. Start With a Highway to Production A major theme of the episode is that platforms should begin with the shortest possible route to production. Mattias calls this a "highway to production," and Joachim strongly agrees. For greenfield projects, Joachim favors extremely fast delivery at first — commit goes to production, commit goes to production — even with minimal process. As usage and risk increase, teams can gradually add automation, testing, and safeguards. The critical thing is to keep the flow and then ask "how do we make those steps faster?" as you add them, rather than letting each new step slow down the pipeline unchallenged. He also makes a strong case for tags and promotions over branch-based deployment, noting his instinctive reaction when someone asks "which branch are we deploying from?" is: "No branches — tags and promotions." The Trap of Slowing Down After Failure Joachim warns about a common and dangerous pattern: when a bug reaches production, the natural organizational reaction is not to fix the pipeline, but to add gates. A QA team does a full pass, a security audit is inserted, a manual review step appears. Each gate slows delivery, which leads to larger batches, which increases risk, which triggers even more controls. He sees this as a vicious cycle. Organizations that respond to incidents by slowing delivery actually get worse security, worse quality, and worse throughput over time. He references a study — likely the research behind the book Accelerate by Nicole Forsgren, Jez Humble, and Gene Kim — showing that faster delivery correlates with better security and quality outcomes. The organizations adding Engineering Review Boards (ERBs) and Architecture Review Boards (ARBs) in the name of safety often do not measure the actual impact, so they never see that the controls are making things worse. Mattias connects this to AI-assisted development, where developers can now produce changes faster than ever. If the pipeline cannot keep up, the pile of unreleased changes grows, making each release riskier. Getting Buy-In: Start With Small Experiments Joachim does not recommend that a slow, process-heavy organization throw everything out overnight. Instead, he suggests starting with small experiments. Code promotions are a good entry point: teams can start producing artifacts more rapidly without changing how those artifacts are deployed. Once that works, the conversation shifts to delivering those artifacts faster. He finds starting on the artifact pipeline side produces quicker wins and more organizational buy-in than starting with the platform deployment side, which tends to be more intertwined and higher-risk to change. Guiding Principles Over a Rigid Golden Path Mattias questions the idea of a single "golden path," saying the term implies one rigid way of working. Joachim leans toward guiding principles instead. His strongest principle is simplicity — specifically, simplicity to understand, not necessarily simplicity to create. He references Rich Hickey's influential talk Simple Made Easy (from Strange Loop 2011), which distinguishes between things that are simple (not intertwined) and things that are easy (familiar or close at hand). Creating simple systems is hard work, but the payoff is systems that are easy to reason about, easy to change, and easy to secure. His second guiding principle is replaceability. When evaluating any tool in the platform, he asks: "How hard would it be to yank this out and replace it?" If swapping a component would be extremely difficult, that is a smell — it means the system has become too intertwined. Even with a tool as established as Argo CD, his team thinks about what it would look like to switch it out. Tooling Choices and Platform Foundations Joachim outlines the patterns his team typically uses when building platforms, organized into two paths: Delivery pipeline (artifact creation): - Trunk-based development over GitFlow - Release tags and promotions rather than branch-based deployment - Containerization early in the pipeline - Release Please for automated release management and changelogs - Renovate for dependency updates (used for production environment promotions from Helm charts and container images) Platform side (environment management): - Kubernetes-heavy, typically EKS on AWS - Karpenter for node scaling - AWS Load Balancer Controller only as a backing service for a separate ingress controller (not using ALB Ingress directly, due to its rough edges) - Argo CD for GitOps synchronization and deployment - Argo Image Updater for lower environments to pull latest images automatically - Helm for packaging, despite its learning curve He notes that NGINX Ingress Controller has been deprecated, so teams need to evaluate alternatives for their ingress layer. Developers Should Not Be Fully Shielded From Operations One of the more nuanced parts of the conversation is how much operational responsibility developers should have. Joachim rejects both extremes. He does not think every developer needs to know everything about infrastructure, but he has seen too many cases where developers completely isolated from runtime concerns make poor decisions — missing simple code changes that would make a system dramatically easier to deploy and operate. He advocates for transparency and collaboration. Platform repos should be open for anyone on the dev team to submit pull requests. When the platform team makes a change, they should pull in developers to work alongside them. This way, the delivery team gradually builds a deeper understanding of how the whole system works. Joachim loves the open-source maintainer model applied inside organizations: platform teams are maintainers of their areas, but anyone in the organization should be able to introduce change. He warns against building custom CLIs or heavy abstractions that create dependencies — if a developer wants to do something the CLI does not support, the platform team becomes a bottleneck. Mattias adds that opening up the platform to contributions also exposes assumptions. What feels easy to the person who built it may not be easy at all; it is just familiar. Outside contributors reveal where the system is actually hard to understand. Designers, Not Artists: Detaching Ego From Code Joachim shares an analogy he prefers over the common "developers as artists" framing. He sees developers more like designers than artists, because an artist's work is tied to their identity — they want it to endure. A designer, by contrast, creates something to serve a purpose and expects it to be replaced when something better comes along. He applies this to platforms and infrastructure: "I want my thing to get wiped out. If I build something, I want it to get removed eventually and have something better replace it." Organizations where ego is tied to specific systems or tools tend to resist change, which leads to the kind of dysfunction that keeps platforms bloated and brittle. Complexity Is the Enemy of Security Mattias raises the difficulty of maintaining complex security setups over time, especially when the original experts leave. Joachim responds firmly: complexity is anti-security. If people cannot comprehend a system, they cannot secure it well. He acknowledges that some problems are genuinely hard, but argues that much of the complexity engineers create is unnecessary — driven by ego rather than need. "The really smart people are the ones that create simple things," he says, wishing the industry would redirect its narrative from admiring complicated systems to admiring simple ones. Security and QA as Internal Consulting, Not Gatekeeping Joachim draws a parallel between security and QA. He dislikes calling a team "the quality team," preferring "verification" — they are one component of quality, not the entirety of it. Similarly, security is not one team's responsibility; it spans product design, development practices, tooling, and operations. His ideal model is for security and QA teams to operate as internal consultants whose goal is to reduce risk and improve the overall system — not to catch every possible issue at any cost. The framing matters: if a security team's mandate is simply "block all security issues," the logical conclusion is to stop shipping or delete the product entirely. That may be technically secure, but it is useless. He frames security as risk management: "Security is a risk management process, not just security for the sake of security. You're managing the risk to the business." The goal should be to deliver faster and more securely — an "and," not an "or." Mattias recalls a PCI DSS consultant joking over drinks that a system being down is perfectly compliant — no one can steal card numbers if the system is unavailable. The joke lands because it exposes exactly the broken incentive Joachim describes. Business Value as the Unifying Frame The episode closes by tying everything back to business outcomes. Joachim argues that speed and security are not opposites; both contribute to business value. Fast delivery creates value directly, while security reduces business risk — and risk management is itself a business operation. He explains why focusing on the highest-impact business bottleneck first builds trust. When you hit the big items first, you earn credibility, and subsequent changes become easier to justify. For example, one of his clients has a security group that is the slowest part of their organization. Speeding up that security process would have a massive impact on business delivery — more than optimizing the artifact pipeline. Mattias reflects that he used to see platform work as separate from business concerns — "I don't care about the business, I'm here to build a platform for developers." Looking back, he would reframe that: using business impact as the measure of platform success does not mean abandoning the focus on developers, it means having a clearer way to prioritize and demonstrate value. Highlights Joachim on platform bloat: "Your job is not to make your job faster and easier — you're an amplifier to the organization." Joachim on his favorite metric: "Cycle time is my favorite metric. I love cycle time metrics." Joachim on deployment strategy: "No branches, no branches — tags and promotions." Mattias on platform design: He calls the ideal early setup a "highway to production." Joachim on simplicity vs. ease: He references Rich Hickey's Simple Made Easy talk — "It's very hard to create simple systems that are easy to reason about. And it's very easy to create systems that are very hard to reason about." Joachim on replaceability: "If swapping a tool out would be extremely hard, that's a pretty big smell." Joachim on complexity and security: "If it's complicated, you just can't keep all the context together. Simple systems are much easier to be secure." Joachim on engineering ego: "I don't particularly like the aspect of [developers as] artists... I want my thing to get wiped out. I want it to get removed eventually and have something better replace it." He prefers the analogy of designers over artists, because artists tie their identity to their creations. Joachim on security as a blocker: "If their goal is we are going to block every security issue, the best way to do that is delete your product." Spicy cloud takes: Joachim calls GCP his favorite cloud for developers, compares AWS to "the Java of the land," and says he still struggles every time he is forced to use Azure. PCI DSS dark humor: Mattias recalls a consultant joking that a downed system is perfectly compliant — you cannot steal card numbers from a system that is not running. Joachim on the slow-down trap: Organizations add ERBs, ARBs, and manual security gates after incidents, but "the faster you can deliver, you actually get better security, better quality, and better throughput — and the more you slow it down, you go the opposite." Resources Simple Made Easy by Rich Hickey (InfoQ) — The influential 2011 talk Joachim references on distinguishing simplicity from ease in system design. DORA Metrics: The Four Keys — The research framework behind cycle time, deployment frequency, and the finding that speed and stability are not tradeoffs. Trunk Based Development — A comprehensive guide to the branching strategy Joachim recommends over GitFlow. Argo CD — Declarative GitOps for Kubernetes — The GitOps tool Joachim's team uses for cluster synchronization and deployment. Release Please (GitHub) — Google's tool for automated release management based on conventional commits, used by Joachim's team for tag-based promotions. Karpenter — Kubernetes Node Autoscaler — The node autoscaler Joachim's team uses with EKS for fast, flexible scaling. Renovate — Automated Dependency Updates — The dependency management bot Joachim uses for both build dependencies and production environment promotions.

Andrew Clarke and Ron Nocera of Sync-Up Business Services, and Kriston Sellier of id8, on Building Stronger Businesses Through Financial Clarity, Strategic Branding, and Long-Term Vision (Family Business Radio, Episode 74) In this episode of Family Business Radio, host Anthony Chen welcomes Andrew Clarke and Ron Nocera of Sync-Up Business Services, along with Kriston Sellier […]

Andrew Clarke and Ron Nocera of Sync-Up Business Services, and Kriston Sellier of id8, on Building Stronger Businesses Through Financial Clarity, Strategic Branding, and Long-Term Vision (Family Business Radio, Episode 74) In this episode of Family Business Radio, host Anthony Chen welcomes Andrew Clarke and Ron Nocera of Sync-Up Business Services, along with Kriston Sellier […]

Innovation is no longer a niche topic, it is a public priority with implications for economic mobility, workforce development, public trust, and regional identity. The latest in tech innovation is Artificial Intelligence (AI), which his now widely embedded in industries from workforce recruitment and healthcare to business operations and design.rnrnGreater Cleveland is also entering a defining moment in its economic evolution. Our region is home to some of the nation's (and world's) most influential enterprises-organizations that are modernizing at scale, adopting AI and data-driven strategies, and reshaping how people live, work, bank, manufacture, and receive care. At the center of this transformation are women leading technology and innovation across our largest institutions.rnrnPanelists: Elise Bockman, VP, Enterprise Data and Insights, Sherwin-Williams; Amy G. Brady, Chief Information Officer, KeyBank; Amy Merlino, MD, VP - Chief Health Information Officer, Cleveland Clinic; Katrina Redmond, Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer; EatonrnModerated by Felicia Johnson, Executive Technology Leader, AI Adoption, Business Value & Digital Transformation

Aubrey Masango is joined by Andisa Ramavhunga, Founder of Value Creation Firm, to explore how turning customer relationships into real business value can drive loyalty, growth, and ultimately, your bottom line. Tags: 702, Aubrey Masango show, Aubrey Masango, Bra Aubrey, Andisa Ramavhunga, Customer Relationships Management, SMME, Business value The Aubrey Masango Show is presented by late night radio broadcaster Aubrey Masango. Aubrey hosts in-depth interviews on controversial political issues and chats to experts offering life advice and guidance in areas of psychology, personal finance and more. All Aubrey’s interviews are podcasted for you to catch-up and listen. Thank you for listening to this podcast from The Aubrey Masango Show. Listen live on weekdays between 20:00 and 24:00 (SA Time) to The Aubrey Masango Show broadcast on 702 https://buff.ly/gk3y0Kj and on CapeTalk between 20:00 and 21:00 (SA Time) https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk Find out more about the show here https://buff.ly/lzyKCv0 and get all the catch-up podcasts https://buff.ly/rT6znsn Subscribe to the 702 and CapeTalk Daily and Weekly Newsletters https://buff.ly/v5mfet Follow us on social media: 702 on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadio702 702 on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@talkradio702 702 on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkradio702/ 702 on X: https://x.com/Radio702 702 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@radio702 CapeTalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk CapeTalk on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ CapeTalk on X: https://x.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In This Episode Most business owners believe they need to stay deeply involved in daily operations to keep things running. Craig Keegan challenges that idea and explains why true business value comes from stepping out of execution and building systems that run without you. In this episode, Adi Klevit interviews Craig Keegan, founder of M&A Profits and the Dental Exit Co-operative, about how systems and processes directly impact scalability and exit value. Craig shares how he identified a major gap in industries like dental and accounting, where skilled operators often lack the business infrastructure needed to grow sustainably. Adi and Craig discuss the importance of process mapping and cost analysis as a starting point for systemization. By identifying what employees do daily, weekly, and monthly—and attaching cost to those activities—business owners can uncover inefficiencies and prioritize automation or delegation. This approach creates immediate opportunities to improve profitability. The conversation also highlights a critical warning about AI adoption. Craig explains that AI will not fix broken systems—it will accelerate them. Without clear processes, governance, and structure, businesses risk scaling their problems instead of their results. The key takeaway: strong systems must come first.  

One of the best things about running my own podcast is the freedom to experiment. Over the years, I've been first on a few things — building our original website from scratch, launching our first newsletter, and starting the podcast. Today, I'm trying something new again. I loaded several of our current business teasers into AI, and it generated a podcast episode around them. But here's what makes this more than a novelty: in the show notes, you'll find a direct link to the full business profile and NDA. Why does that matter? Buyers tell me constantly that they hear about good opportunities too late. This format fixes that. The same listing hits the web, the email, and now the podcast — all at once, all with a clear path to learn more. If this is a format you'd like to see continue, let me know.   Highlights: (00:00) Welcome to The Defenders of Business Value (02:17) Central Indiana Commercial Electrical (05:27) Dental Equipment Service (05:51) Remotely Operated Publishing Franchise (08:19) Multi-location Market and Restaurant (10:02) Established Plumbing and HVAC Solutions (11:24) Freestanding Retail Center (13:22) Boutique Fitness Franchise (15:00) Relocatable Pest Management Franchise (16:45) Two Warehousing Fulfillment & Logistics Companies (18:49) Well-established Prototyping Company (19:30) Well-established Sub and Pizza Shop   Resources: For past guests, please visit https://www.defendersofbusinessvalue.com/ Learn more about Central Indiana Commercial Electrical: https://indianabusinessadvisors.com/acadp_listings/commercial-electrical-contractor/    Learn more about Dental Equipment Service: https://indianabusinessadvisors.com/acadp_listings/dental-equipment-service-business/   Learn more about the Remotely Operated Publishing Franchise: https://indianabusinessadvisors.com/acadp_listings/established-and-remotely-operated-publishing-franchise/   Learn more about the Multi-location Market and Restaurant: https://indianabusinessadvisors.com/acadp_listings/established-multi-location-market-restaurant/    Learn more about the Established Plumbing and HVAC Solutions: https://indianabusinessadvisors.com/acadp_listings/established-plumbing-and-hvac-solutions-provider/    Learn more about Freestanding Retail Center: https://indianabusinessadvisors.com/acadp_listings/retail-center-with-two-franchises/   Learn more about Boutique Fitness Franchise: https://indianabusinessadvisors.com/acadp_listings/premium-boutique-fitness-franchise/    Learn more about Relocatable Pest Management Franchise: https://indianabusinessadvisors.com/acadp_listings/relocatable-pest-management-franchise/    Learn more about Two Warehousing Fulfillment Logistics Companies: https://indianabusinessadvisors.com/acadp_listings/two-warehousing-fulfillment-and-logistics-companies/    Learn more about the Well-established Prototyping Company: https://indianabusinessadvisors.com/acadp_listings/well-established-prototyping-company/    Learn more about Well-established Sub and Pizza Shop: https://indianabusinessadvisors.com/acadp_listings/well-established-sub-and-pizza-shop/    Follow Ed: Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edmysogland/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/defendersofbusinessvalue/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bvdefenders

How Delegation Builds Business Value (And Your Net Worth) | Weekly Wealth PodcastEpisode SummaryMost financial advisors talk about stocks, bonds, and investment strategies to grow your wealth. But CFP David Chudyk takes a different approach — because for most business owners, your business is your biggest asset. In this episode, David dives deep into one of the most underrated wealth-building strategies for entrepreneurs: the art of delegation.If you've ever found yourself printing documents, chasing down receipts, or answering the same questions over and over — this episode is your wake-up call. David shares why your inability to let go may be costing you more than you think, and gives you a practical, step-by-step framework to start delegating effectively today.What You'll Learn in This EpisodeWhy delegation is a financial strategy, not just a management conceptHow being indispensable to your own business kills its value in the eyes of buyersThe real cost of "I'll just do it myself" thinkingA simple one-week exercise to identify what you should stop doing immediatelyHow to classify tasks so you know exactly what to delegate — and what to keepWhy an owner's need for certainty and control stifles growth (and what to do instead)The difference between reoccurring vs. recurring revenue and why it matters to your valuationThe 8 drivers of business value — and how delegation impacts nearly all of themThe "how much would YOU pay for your business?" gut-check exerciseKey Takeaways

 content  type Interview  primary  goal Educational  summary In this episode, Mitch Beinhaker interviews Mark about business exit strategies, valuation, and innovative ways to maximize business value and cash out tax-free. They discuss the importance of succession planning, structuring deals, and leveraging capital to grow and sell businesses more profitably.  keywords business exit, valuation, succession planning, business growth, tax-free cash out, private equity, business group, capital deployment, M&A, business strategy  key  topics Business exit strategies and valuation The Double and Keep It Framework Using capital to grow business groups Reducing fees and taxes in business sales The importance of succession planning and owner transition  guest  name Mark Titles Revolutionizing Business Exits: The Double and Keep It Framework How to Double Your Business Value Without Dilution or Debt  sound bites "COVID and cancer changed my perspective on life and business." "Cleaning up books and processes can significantly boost valuation." "Helping business owners keep more and sell smarter is our goal." Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Overview of the Conversation 01:23 Marc's Journey: From Sales to Business Growth 03:43 The Impact of COVID-19 on Business and Personal Life 06:44 Facing Cancer: A Life-Changing Diagnosis 12:33 The Promise to His Son and the Birth of a New Mission 16:44 Innovative Solutions for Business Owners 20:39 The Unique Approach to Business Grouping and Valuation 27:25 Building a Bigger Group: The Power of Capital 30:03 Understanding Market Dynamics and Buyer Interests 32:01 Identifying Opportunities in Various Industries 34:59 Maximizing Business Value: Strategies for Owners 38:47 Common Pitfalls in Business Valuation 44:17 Leveraging Technology for Business Growth 48:45 Disrupting Traditional Business Valuation Models  resources acquisitionsforyou.com - https://acquisitionsforyou.com The Secrets to 10Xing Your Business and Cashing Out Tax Free (Book) - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0XXXXXX Mitch Beinhaker (LinkedIn) - https://linkedin.com/in/mitchbeinhaker  

Send a textDonor retention is a measurable strategy, not just a fundraising hope. Plus, how to calculate donor retention for nonprofits.  On this episode of Fundraisers Friday, Julia Patrick and Tony Beall take on one of the most serious business challenges in the nonprofit sector: donor retention. Their conversation makes clear how fundraising success is not only about bringing in new names, it's about keeping the people who have already said yes to your mission and building systems that help them stay connected.The discussion begins with a hard truth: average donor retention is far too low, and many organizations are not even measuring it consistently. Julia frames the issue in plain terms, calling it “a crisis,” while Tony brings context by showing how retention can vary by subsector. Faith-based groups and higher education may see stronger rates, while arts, culture, and human services organizations often face a steeper climb. That contrast alone reminds nonprofit leaders that benchmarking matters, but strategy matters even more.One of the most focused parts of their conversation is the simple donor retention formula. Julia makes the case that this number belongs in board meetings, CEO reports, and regular management conversations. Retention is not a side note. It is a core operating measure. As she puts it, “It should be present with everyone so that you know what is going on.”Tony then moves the conversation from math to management. He explains that donors leave for understandable reasons: delayed thanks, weak impact reporting, too many asks, and too little human connection. His line captures the heart of the episode: “We're not talking about transactional fundraising. We're talking about relationship-driven fundraising.” That idea turns donor retention from a development task into an organizational discipline.They also link retention to stewardship cost, long-term donor growth, monthly giving, and next-generation philanthropy. Monthly donors, in particular, are shown as a promising path for building a more stable base. Julia and Tony encourage leaders to study patterns, review donor journeys, and make practical choices with limited resources. 00:00:00 Welcome to Fundraisers Friday 00:02:31 Why Donor Retention Is a Nonprofit Crisis 00:03:14 Retention Rates by Nonprofit Sector 00:06:18 Why Donors Stop Giving 00:08:00 Relationship-Driven Fundraising Strategies 00:10:10 The Donor Retention Formula 00:12:44 Using Data to Find Donor Patterns 00:16:16 Why Keeping Donors Costs Less 00:20:20 The Business Value of Monthly Giving 00:23:07 Donor Journey and Strategy Shifts 00:25:07 Planning Beyond a Big Fundraising Year  #TheNonprofitShow #FundraisersFriday #DonorRetentionFind us Live daily on YouTube!Find us Live daily on LinkedIn!Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_ShowOur national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits! 12:30pm ET 11:30am CT 10:30am MT 9:30am PTSend us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.comVisit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show

In this episode, Brian shares why documenting everything in your business is one of the most important moves you can make as an owner. From building SOPs to creating a rolling 12-month calendar of processes, these simple systems create clarity for your team, make growth easier, and build real long-term enterprise value in your company. Lawntrapreneur Academy (The #1 Resource for Starting, Growing and Scaling a Successful Lawn & Landscaping Company). - https://www.lawntrepreneuracademy.com/  Book a Granum Demo (use BRIAN25 to save!): https://www.Granum.com/Brian LMN & Coffee - https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89495679453?pwd=m0wKa6prJWrARKClJKolBaJjl00OYn.1 Coast Pay Fuel Card: www.CoastPay.com/Brian

AI is everywhere. So where is the real business value? In this episode of TECHtonic, TSIA's Thomas Lah speaks with Sofi Elfving Hallberg, CEO and co-founder of Substorm and a machine learning pioneer who has worked in the field since the early 2000s. Sofi shares how the AI landscape has evolved from the early days of limited data and computing power to today's generative AI boom, and why many companies are still struggling to move beyond experimentation.They discuss why much of today's AI investment may be chasing hype rather than solving meaningful problems. According to Sofi, the biggest opportunities lie not in generic generative AI tools, but in vertical, industry-specific solutions that tackle complex operational challenges—like quality control, document management, and other “boring” enterprise processes that can deliver massive ROI when optimized.The conversation also dives into what it actually takes to make AI succeed inside organizations. From avoiding endless proof-of-concept projects to prioritizing change management and business ownership over IT-led initiatives, Sofi explains why delivering measurable value from day one is critical. For leaders trying to cut through the noise, this episode offers a practical roadmap for turning AI potential into real results.

Key Takeaways Laying groundwork: Weiner will be leading a session at the AI Kickstart Preconference, introducing attendees to Copilot Studio and how to build their first custom AI agent. He explains that the session will cover real-world examples and walk through agent creation, deployment, monitoring, and governance to help participants "get the groundwork to take advantage of the future days in the conference." Event takeaways: When discussing event takeaways, Weiner explains that the AI Agent & Copilot Summit will help leaders move from AI experimentation to real execution, turning curiosity into measurable business value across customer service, operations, and employee empowerment. Further, sessions will demonstrate how Microsoft 365 and Copilot Studio agents provide a low-barrier way to build secure, data-aligned AI solutions tied directly to business goals. Gaining a competitive edge: The event brings a unique take to the space as it unites both practitioners and partners to share real-world AI and Copilot use cases, helping make agents more practical, approachable, and grounded in tangible business outcomes to accelerate adoption, says Weiner. Visit Cloud Wars for more.

In this episode, Annie Longsworth, Doug Park, and Ollie Forster join host Mark Lee to reflect on key insights from GreenBiz 2026 in Phoenix. Together, they explore what the conference signaled about the state of corporate sustainability, from treating sustainability as a commercial growth lever and the rise of AI agents and technology ecosystems, to the tightening definition of “high‑quality” carbon credits and the hidden risks buyers still overlook. Their conversation covers: What happened at GreenBiz 2026? Key insights from our GreenBiz panels Looking ahead to how sustainability strategies are evolvingRelated content: 1.   Quantifying Sustainability: Turning ESG into Business Value | ERM2.   What Makes a High-Quality Carbon Credit? | ERM3.   Unlocking the Business Value of Sustainability | ERM4.   GreenBiz 2026 | ERM

What can HR learn from private equity, where talent, culture, and leadership are part of the deal thesis from day one? In many organisations, the connection between people strategy and business outcomes is still taking shape. In private equity, however, that connection is immediate and unmistakable, with leadership quality, organisational design, workforce capability, and culture being central to the value-creation plan, with clear timelines, defined expectations, and measurable results. So, in this episode of the Digital HR Leaders podcast, host David Green speaks with Angela Geffre, Head of Human Capital at GrowthCurve Capital, to discuss what this looks like on the ground. Together, they explore what it really means to run HR in a private equity environment, and what the broader HR profession can learn from it. So tune in, and learn more about: The key people questions to ask when assessing a new portfolio companyHow HR contributes to value creation during a 3–5 year investment horizonWhat truly drives performance and retention across industries and organisation sizesHow HR must adapt when moving from large enterprises to fast-moving portfolio businessesHow AI is reshaping products, operating models, and early-career pathwaysWhy HR must lead the responsible and ethical adoption of AI, not just manage its impact This episode is sponsored by HiBob. HiBob brings HR, Payroll, and Finance together into a single platform that employees actually use. With AI throughout, you move faster, work smarter, and empower your people to power your business. Sapient Insights recognises HiBob's AI vision, citing the Bob AI Companion for making everyday work faster and easier. Fosway Group also names HiBob a 2025 9-Grid™ Core Leader, recognising the strongest AI vision among Core Leaders. HiBob. All-in-one HCM for HR, Payroll, and Finance. ​​​Learn all about HiBob's modern HR platform here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The perfect AI storm happened, and no one has noticed yet.

What does it really take to move enterprise AI from impressive demos to decisions that show up in quarterly results? One year into his role as Global Managing Partner at IBM Consulting, Neil Dhar sits at the intersection of strategy, capital allocation, and technology execution. Leading the firm's Americas business and a team of close to 100,000 consultants, he has a front-row view into how large organizations are reassessing their AI investments. From global healthcare leaders like Medtronic to luxury retail brands such as Neiman Marcus, the conversation has shifted. Early proofs of concept helped executives understand what was possible. Now the focus is firmly on proof of value and on whether AI can drive growth, competitiveness, and measurable return. In this episode, I speak with Neil Dhar about what has changed in the boardroom over the past year and why ROI has become the central question. Drawing on more than three decades in finance and private equity, including senior leadership roles at PwC, Neil explains why AI is increasingly being treated as a capital allocation decision rather than a technology experiment. Every dollar invested has to earn its place, whether through productivity gains, operational improvement, or new revenue opportunities. Vanity projects no longer survive scrutiny, especially when boards and investors expect results on a much shorter timeline. We also explore how IBM is applying these same principles internally. Neil shares how the company has identified hundreds of workflows across the business, prioritized those with the strongest economic impact, and used AI and automation to drive large-scale productivity gains. The result is a potential $4.5 billion in annual run rate savings by 2025, with those gains being reinvested into innovation, people, and future growth. It is a candid look at what happens when AI strategy, leadership accountability, and disciplined execution come together inside a global organization. If you are a business leader trying to separate real value from hype, or someone wrestling with how to justify AI spend beyond experimentation, this conversation offers a grounded perspective on what enterprise AI looks like when it is treated as a business decision rather than a technology trend. Are you ready to rethink how AI earns its place inside your organization, and what proof of value really means in 2026? Useful Links Connect With Neil Dhar IBM Institute for Business Value, "The Enterprise in 2030" study Learn More About IBM Consulting

AI is no longer a distant promise, it's actively reshaping how work gets done. But the biggest differentiator between companies that thrive and those that fall behind isn't the technology itself. It's how leaders guide people through the change.In this episode of TECHtonic, TSIA's Thomas Lah sits down with 2x best selling author and strategist Alison McCauley to explore what it really takes to move a workforce from fear of replacement to mastery of augmentation. They unpack why early AI gains compound so quickly, how invention, not just efficiency, drives long-term advantage, and why subject matter expertise is more critical than ever in an AI-powered world.The conversation dives into practical realities leaders face today: managing shadow AI, balancing centralized governance with decentralized experimentation, measuring progress beyond ROI, and creating habits that make AI a natural part of daily work. Alison also shares a powerful framework for helping teams break out of “paralysis by possibility” and reimagine what's newly possible for their business.If you're a leader wondering how to turn AI from a source of anxiety into a catalyst for growth, this episode offers both clarity and a roadmap.

Building a business is an incredible feat, but successfully exiting that business and turning it into a true family legacy is a completely different challenge. Many entrepreneurs find themselves "self-employed" rather than owning a sellable asset—if you can't take a three-week vacation without the wheels falling off, do you really own a business, or does the business own you?In this episode, Corwyn J. Melette sits down with Cameron Bishop, Managing Director and Partner at Rain Catcher, to discuss how to navigate the technical and emotional rollercoaster of selling a business. With over 35 years of experience and a half-billion dollars in transactions, Cameron reveals the common pitfalls that make companies unsellable and how you can start strategizing for your "personal promised land" today.Key Takeaways:7:56 -   The Lifestyle Business Trap: Understanding the difference between a "lifestyle business" (where you are the business) and a sellable asset.10:12-  The "Bus Test": A simple diagnostic to see if your business is ready for exit: If you were hit by a bus tomorrow, would the business survive?12:08-  The Silver Tsunami: Why the baby boomer generation is facing a unique challenge with succession planning as fewer children choose to take over family firms.14:13-  The "Dr. Phil" Side of M&A: Why selling a business takes 9–10 months and involves as much emotional navigation as it does financial negotiation.15:54-  The 5 Critical Deal Killers:Poor accounting (Cash vs. Accrual/GAP).Owner dependency.Customer concentration (The 20% rule).Vendor dependency.Below-average gross profit margins.24:00-  Creative Exit Structures: Why a "full cash payout" is rare and how seller notes, SBA loans, and earn-outs work.Legacy Moment Takeaway:“A well-planned exit isn't just a transaction—it's your opportunity to turn years of hard work into a lasting legacy for your family and future generations.”- Cameron BishopConnect with Cameron:Email: Cameron.Bishop@raincatcher.comWebsite: www.raincatcher.comLinkedIn: Cameron BishopConnect with Corwyn:Contact Number: 843-619-3005Instagram:⁠ https://www.instagram.com/exitstrategiesradioshow/⁠FB Page:⁠ https://www.facebook.com/exitstrategiessc/⁠Youtube:⁠ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxoSuynJd5c4qQ_eDXLJaZA⁠Website:⁠ https://www.exitstrategiesradioshow.com⁠Linkedin:⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/cmelette/⁠Shoutout to our Sponsor: Country Boy HomesYou served your country with pride. Now it's time someone serves you. At Country Boy Homes, we believe every veteran deserves a safe, beautiful and affordable place to call home.We proudly offer VA loan friendly, manufactured and modular homes built with integrity, quality and your family and mine. Whether you're retiring to the peaceful low country or starting fresh with your family, we're here to build the future you've earned. Give us a call today, 843-574-8979.Country Boy Homes, Built to Honor, Built to Last.

In this episode of Entrepreneurs United Podcast, hosts John St.Pierre and Rich Hoffmann are joined by Ben Johnson, founder and CEO of Particle 41, to discuss the transformative power of AI and data in modern businesses. They explore the challenges of AI integration, the importance of understanding business metrics, and strategies for improving operational efficiency. Ben emphasizes the necessity of a structured AI transformation strategy and the need for clear problem identification. Tune in to learn how AI can take your business to the next level through actionable insights and practical applications.00:00 The Rise of Voice as the New Interface00:44 Introduction to Ben Johnson and Particle 4101:20 Maximizing Business Value with AI and Data02:17 AI Transformation Strategy: Training, Automation, and Ag Agentic05:43 Real-World Applications of AI in Business13:42 The Role of Automation and Custom Solutions18:09 Preparing Your Business for AI Integration21:39 Challenges and Future of AI in Business25:01 Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways26:23 Conclusion and Contact Information27:08 Hosts' Reflections and Insights

Send us a textIn this episode of Navigating the Customer Experience, we sit down with Mark Fithian and Jeff Rosenberg, cofounders of WideOpen, a strategic customer experience (CX) consulting firm, and authors of the book The CX Imperatives: Five Strategic Practices for Renewal of the Customer-Centered Enterprise. With more than 30 years of experience each, Mark and Jeff bring deep insight from working across industries including healthcare, technology, automotive, consumer goods, and professional services.Mark and Jeff share their professional journeys and the “red thread” that has guided their careers: a commitment to understanding customers as humans, not just data points. From early roles in marketing, operations, and consulting, both authors describe moments when they realized organizations often make decisions without considering how customers truly experience them. That realization ultimately led to the founding of WideOpen and the development of the frameworks outlined in their book.The conversation centers on The CX Imperatives and its purpose as a practitioner's guide for CX leaders and professionals who already care about customer experience and want to embed customer centricity across the enterprise. Rather than focusing on one-off “wow moments,” the book emphasizes creating consistent, meaningful experiences across the entire customer journey that align with business strategy and drive growth and innovation. Importantly, the authors stress that the principles are industry-agnostic, applicable to both B2B and B2C organizations of all sizes.Mark outlines the book's five strategic CX practices:Insights – deeply understanding customers as emotional, human beings, not just metrics;CX Strategy – aligning customer insights with business objectives to focus effort where it matters most;Blueprinting – translating strategy into operationally actionable designs;Operating Model – enabling cross-functional collaboration through roles, processes, and shared accountability; andCulture – ensuring employees understand, believe in, and are equipped to deliver the intended experience.Through real-world examples, including healthcare, Mark and Jeff demonstrate how engaging frontline employees and embedding CX into culture can generate both tangible outcomes (cost savings, growth initiatives) and intangible benefits (employee ownership, sustainability, and trust).The discussion also explores the connection between internal culture and external customer experience, with both guests agreeing that consistently poor CX is often a symptom of internal organizational challenges. They share practical advice for CX leaders navigating varying levels of leadership support, emphasizing the importance of meeting stakeholders where they are and addressing resistance with empathy and clarity.To bring CX to life, Mark and Jeff each share standout customer experiences—from thoughtful airline journey improvements to an unexpectedly empowering healthcare onboarding experience—illustrating how intentional design can transform how customers feel.The episode wraps with personal insights into the tools, books, and mindsets that inspire them today, reflections on why this is an exciting time for the CX discipline, and where listeners can connect with them and learn more about their work, workshops, and book.This episode is a must-listen for leaders and practitioners looking to move beyond surface-level CX and build customer-centered enterprises that deliver sustainable value for both customers and the business.

Today's guest is Thomas Holmes, Chief Actuary, North America at Akur8. Holmes works at the intersection of actuarial pricing, AI governance, and operationalizing analytics inside regulated insurance environments. Thomas joins Emerj Editorial Director Matthew DeMello to discuss how insurers move from AI experimentation to enterprise deployment — particularly when models must satisfy regulators, executives, and the realities of day-to-day actuarial and IT workflows. Want to share your AI adoption story with executive peers? Click emerj.com/expert2 for more information and to be a potential future guest on the 'AI in Business' podcast! This episode is sponsored by Akur8. Learn how brands work with Emerj and other Emerj Media options at emerj.com/ad1.

How do companies turn data into real enterprise value - not just dashboards, pilots, and AI theater? In this episode of Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder, Dave speaks with Ritavan, author of the award-winning book Data Impact and creator of the SLASOG framework, about why so many data and AI initiatives fail - and what leaders should do differently if they actually want results. Rather than chasing buzzwords or “digital transformation” for its own sake, Ritavan challenges leadership teams to treat data as a strategic asset for value creation. He explains how different economic paradigms - from hunter-gatherers to industrial firms to digital natives - shape how organizations extract value, and why legacy companies often underestimate their proprietary advantages. The conversation explores: Why most data and AI programs collapse under groupthink and misaligned incentives How companies like Walmart leveraged physical assets, customer demand, and scale to build defensible data advantages The dangers of chasing “quick wins” instead of compounding value Why KPIs must be context-specific to strategy, not borrowed from competitors Ritavan also breaks down his six-step SLASOG framework - Save, Leverage, Align, Simplify, Optimize, Grow - and shares practical guidance for leadership teams on aligning talent, culture, and first-principles thinking around long-term value creation. If your data strategy feels like “spray and pray,” this episode will help you identify where to start, how to uncover asymmetric advantages, and how to think about data the way investors and buyers do. About Our Guest: Ritavan is an entrepreneurial technology leader and over the past decade he has built and scaled data-driven solutions that have impacted billions of euros. He has authored peer-reviewed papers, given invited keynotes & workshops at global conferences, and holds an international patent. Ritavan is known for his first principles approach to data-driven value creation across industries. https://ritavan.com/ https://www.amazon.com/Data-Impact-businesses-LEVERAGE-SIMPLIFY/dp/178133921X/ About the Host: Dave Bookbinder is known as an expert in business valuation and he is the person that business owners and entrepreneurs reach out to when they need to know what their most important assets are worth. Known as a collaborative adviser, Dave has served thousands of client companies of all sizes and industries.    Dave is the author of two #1 best-selling books about the impact of human capital (PEOPLE!) on the valuation of a business enterprise called The NEW ROI: Return On Individuals & The NEW ROI: Going Behind The Numbers.    He's on a mission to change the conversation about how the accounting world recognizes the value of people's contributions to a business enterprise, and to quantify what every CEO on the planet claims: “Our people are this company's most valuable asset.” Dave's book, A Valuation Toolbox for Business Owners and Their Advisors: Things Every Business Owner Should Know, was recognized as a top new release in Business and Valuation and is designed to provide practical insights and tools to help understand what really drives business value, how to prepare for an exit, and just make better decisions. He's also the host of the highly rated Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder business podcast which is enjoyed in more than 100 countries.