Podcasts about former ceo

"No pain, no deal." It's standard sales advice for a reason: painkillers are always easier to sell than vitamins. But are there exceptions?In this episode, I break down the only two scenarios where a prospect will buy from you even if they aren't feeling active symptoms. I discuss the concept of "high-stakes latent pain" (and why a blocked artery motivates action when slightly high blood pressure doesn't) and how intense desire—like the urge to buy a Porsche 911—can create its own internal pressure to buy.If you think your prospect has "no problems" but you still want the close, you need to understand these two specific triggers.//Welcome to Repeatable Revenue, hosted by strategic growth advisor , Ray J. Green.About Ray:→ Former Managing Director of National Small & Midsize Business at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, where he doubled revenue per sale in fundraising, led the first increase in SMB membership, co-built a national Mid-Market sales channel, and more.→ Former CEO operator for several investor groups where he led turnarounds of recently acquired small businesses.→ Current founder of MSP Sales Partners, where we currently help IT companies scale sales: www.MSPSalesPartners.com→ Current Sales & Sales Management Expert in Residence at the world's largest IT business mastermind.→ Current Managing Partner of Repeatable Revenue Ventures, where we scale B2B companies we have equity in: www.RayJGreen.com//Follow Ray on:YouTube | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

"Problems are facts, pain is feeling." This mantra is tattooed on my brain for a reason.I recently reviewed a sales call where a service provider uncovered a complete train wreck of a client situation. The prospect agreed with every single finding, yet still refused to pay to fix it. Why? Because the seller was pitching problems, not pain.In this episode, I explain why clients can acknowledge a problem but still refuse to solve it. I'll show you how to connect the dots between technical facts and the emotional or business impact that actually drives a purchase. If you're presenting logical solutions but still losing deals, this is exactly what you need to hear.//Welcome to Repeatable Revenue, hosted by strategic growth advisor , Ray J. Green.About Ray:→ Former Managing Director of National Small & Midsize Business at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, where he doubled revenue per sale in fundraising, led the first increase in SMB membership, co-built a national Mid-Market sales channel, and more.→ Former CEO operator for several investor groups where he led turnarounds of recently acquired small businesses.→ Current founder of MSP Sales Partners, where we currently help IT companies scale sales: www.MSPSalesPartners.com→ Current Sales & Sales Management Expert in Residence at the world's largest IT business mastermind.→ Current Managing Partner of Repeatable Revenue Ventures, where we scale B2B companies we have equity in: www.RayJGreen.com//Follow Ray on:YouTube | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

LinkedIn Post mentioned in the episode: https://msp.sale/49SzpiuIn less than a year, I took a new business from zero to $93,000 in monthly sales. I didn't do it by adding more services or chasing new trends—I did it by killing everything else and focusing on just one thing.In this episode, I break down why most entrepreneurs completely misunderstand what true focus looks like. I share my take on a controversial LinkedIn post where a CEO turned down "free" work (and why he was right to do it), discuss my own battle with 'shiny object syndrome,' and explain why more businesses die from indigestion than they do from starvation.If you feel like you're doing too much but not moving forward, this is the reality check you need.//Welcome to Repeatable Revenue, hosted by strategic growth advisor , Ray J. Green.About Ray:→ Former Managing Director of National Small & Midsize Business at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, where he doubled revenue per sale in fundraising, led the first increase in SMB membership, co-built a national Mid-Market sales channel, and more.→ Former CEO operator for several investor groups where he led turnarounds of recently acquired small businesses.→ Current founder of MSP Sales Partners, where we currently help IT companies scale sales: www.MSPSalesPartners.com→ Current Sales & Sales Management Expert in Residence at the world's largest IT business mastermind.→ Current Managing Partner of Repeatable Revenue Ventures, where we scale B2B companies we have equity in: www.RayJGreen.com//Follow Ray on:YouTube | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

To kick off the first episode of the year, host Eva Hartling sits down with Sophie Boulanger — founder and former CEO of BonLook; advisor and investor — for a season-opening conversation about what retail transformation really means in 2026.Because this is not the year for surface-level change. Brands will either evolve at the core… or fall behind.In this episode, Sophie shares the lessons behind building one of Canada's rare modern retail success stories — and what she believes today's brands need to understand about changing consumer expectations, experience design, and the return to proximity and independent retail.Eva and Sophie also zoom out to unpack what legacy retail can teach us right now: what the Hudson's Bay fallout reveals about adding digital to a broken model, why Simons continues to win, and how smart operators are building resilience in a shifting market.And finally, they look ahead — to what AI and technology integration can genuinely unlock for modern companies, and why the opportunity isn't about gimmicks, but about becoming faster, smarter, and more connected to the customer.A must-listen for founders, marketers, and business leaders navigating the next era of retail.This is part one of this conversation, to be continued next week.This season of our podcast is brought to you by our sponsor, TD Canada Women in Enterprise. TD is proud to support women entrepreneurs and help them achieve success and growth through its program of educational workshops, financing and mentorship opportunities! Find out how you can benefit from their support! Visit: TBIF: thebrandisfemale.com // TD Women in Enterprise: td.com/wie // Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/thebrandisfemale

Ben Horowitz: Quit being a coward and do the hard thinghttps://youtu.be/XSUIFA3j2VoThe Hard Thing About Hard Thingshttps://amzn.to/456nM50If everyone on your team agrees with your decisions, you are irrelevant as a leader. In this episode, I'm auditing my biggest lessons from 2025 and diving into a hard truth: real leadership isn't about consensus; it's about having the courage to make unpopular calls.I discuss Ben Horowitz's concept of "Management Debt"—the compounding interest we pay when we avoid hard conversations, difficult firings, or killing passion projects—and why sprinting toward these uncomfortable moments is the only way to avoid organizational stagnation. Tune in to find out why your actual job description is doing the things no one else wants to do.//Welcome to Repeatable Revenue, hosted by strategic growth advisor , Ray J. Green.About Ray:→ Former Managing Director of National Small & Midsize Business at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, where he doubled revenue per sale in fundraising, led the first increase in SMB membership, co-built a national Mid-Market sales channel, and more.→ Former CEO operator for several investor groups where he led turnarounds of recently acquired small businesses.→ Current founder of MSP Sales Partners, where we currently help IT companies scale sales: www.MSPSalesPartners.com→ Current Sales & Sales Management Expert in Residence at the world's largest IT business mastermind.→ Current Managing Partner of Repeatable Revenue Ventures, where we scale B2B companies we have equity in: www.RayJGreen.com//Follow Ray on:YouTube | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Season 5, Are you kidding me!!!! I had the absolute privilege to sit down with Veronica Sterling. Veronica is a beautiful soul that has this amazing ability to walk with folks through what some would say are dark times, the end of life. After this discussion you'll realize the beauty in what she does and the power behind her message of purpose, resiliency and alignment. A conversation we all should be having. Sit back and give this episode a listen and be better prepared for doing so. vsterling@hillandale.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/veronicasterlingspeaks/overlay/contact-info/http://www.veronicasterling.com/More information about VeronicaVeronica Sterling is a keynote speaker known for helping audiences navigate change with clarity, capacity, and courage. Her message is shaped by more than twenty years of executive leadership, including her role as CEO of Hospice of Southwest Ohio. Her work informs her approach to purpose, resilience, and alignment. Veronica created The Commitment Compass to give people and teams a grounded, practical method for shaping meaningful goals and staying steady through seasons of transition. Based in Cincinnati, Ohio, she is available for speaking engagements nationwide. Outside of work, Veronica loves going on adventures. She and her husband have visited 40 national parks, traveling together in their 1984 DIY renovated Airstream motorhome. Stay in touch to follow the spring 2026 cross country national park blitz - It's their biggest road trip yet.Thank you for taking the time to give this podcast a listen. If you would like more information on other Law enforcement Life Coach initiatives, our "Sometimes Heroes Need Help" wellness seminar or our One-On-One life coaching please visit :www.lawenforcementlifecoach.comJohn@lawenforcementlifecoach.comAnd if you would like to watch the interview you can view it in it's entirety on the Law Enforcement Life Coach YouTube Channel : https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCib6HRqAFO08gAkZQ-B9Ajw/videos/upload?filter=%5B%5D&sort=%7B%22columnType%22%3A%22date%22%2C%22sortOrder%22%3A%22DESCENDING%22%7D

In this 2025 audit, I challenge the popular narrative that neurodiversity is an inherent superpower, arguing instead that it only becomes one when you design the right environment to harness it Neurodiversity Isn't a Superpower (Until You Do This).mp3].I share my personal journey of discovering my own Level 1 Autism and ADHD following my son's diagnosis, revealing how this new self-awareness explained my past struggles with solopreneurship Neurodiversity Isn't a Superpower (Until You Do This).mp3]. I also introduce my "Peaks and Valleys" framework—a method for visualizing extreme strengths and weaknesses—and explain how to build a team that covers your blind spots so you can finally achieve "1 + 1 = 3"David Rendall, Author of "The Freak Factor" | Your Weakness Is Your Power https://youtu.be/NdRhH9411hI//Welcome to Repeatable Revenue, hosted by strategic growth advisor , Ray J. Green.About Ray:→ Former Managing Director of National Small & Midsize Business at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, where he doubled revenue per sale in fundraising, led the first increase in SMB membership, co-built a national Mid-Market sales channel, and more.→ Former CEO operator for several investor groups where he led turnarounds of recently acquired small businesses.→ Current founder of MSP Sales Partners, where we currently help IT companies scale sales: www.MSPSalesPartners.com→ Current Sales & Sales Management Expert in Residence at the world's largest IT business mastermind.→ Current Managing Partner of Repeatable Revenue Ventures, where we scale B2B companies we have equity in: www.RayJGreen.com//Follow Ray on:YouTube | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

I audited my 2025 year looking for lessons learned, relearned, and unlearned. Here's a big one I'm relearning: the difference between someone good on your team versus someone great isn't 10-20% better—it's 10-20X in productivity, output, and impact. I really mean this. I came from the corporate world where I had big budgets and could hire A-players, but when I went out on my own with tighter budgets, I developed a bad habit: hiring cheaper people thinking I could get it all done. I'd hire two or three mediocre people instead of one A-player focused on the most important thing. What happened? Failed prioritization. Mediocre people increased noise, required constant oversight, and diluted my time instead of extending capacity. I was micromanaging and fixing instead of building. This past year I went back to my roots: only accept A-players, which forced me to prioritize ruthlessly. The business accelerated dramatically. This episode breaks down my number one recommendation for hiring A-players: treat it like video production—spend way more time on pre-production and strategy to dramatically reduce post-production work. Instead of jumping to a job post and taking "good enough," spend time defining what success really looks like, who would crush it (beyond resume bullets), and what systems screen people in or out. It feels slower up front but there's no comparison in speed to full output and caliber of people you stack on the team.//Welcome to Repeatable Revenue, hosted by strategic growth advisor , Ray J. Green.About Ray:→ Former Managing Director of National Small & Midsize Business at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, where he doubled revenue per sale in fundraising, led the first increase in SMB membership, co-built a national Mid-Market sales channel, and more.→ Former CEO operator for several investor groups where he led turnarounds of recently acquired small businesses.→ Current founder of MSP Sales Partners, where we currently help IT companies scale sales: www.MSPSalesPartners.com→ Current Sales & Sales Management Expert in Residence at the world's largest IT business mastermind.→ Current Managing Partner of Repeatable Revenue Ventures, where we scale B2B companies we have equity in: www.RayJGreen.com//Follow Ray on:YouTube | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Newsletter for reference: https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/company-news/amazons-original-1997-letter-to-shareholdersFor years, I preached that a crystal clear vision was the non-negotiable foundation of any successful company, often citing Jeff Bezos's prophetic roadmap for Amazon as the gold standard. But in 2025, I unlearned that rule and embraced the "Steve Jobs approach"—trusting the process, iterating in real-time, and connecting the dots looking backward. In this episode, I'm discussing why you don't need a perfect ten-year plan if you genuinely love the art of building, and how a passion for the daily grind can serve as a powerful substitute for a crystallized vision when navigating the inevitable frustrations of entrepreneurship.//Welcome to Repeatable Revenue, hosted by strategic growth advisor , Ray J. Green.About Ray:→ Former Managing Director of National Small & Midsize Business at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, where he doubled revenue per sale in fundraising, led the first increase in SMB membership, co-built a national Mid-Market sales channel, and more.→ Former CEO operator for several investor groups where he led turnarounds of recently acquired small businesses.→ Current founder of MSP Sales Partners, where we currently help IT companies scale sales: www.MSPSalesPartners.com→ Current Sales & Sales Management Expert in Residence at the world's largest IT business mastermind.→ Current Managing Partner of Repeatable Revenue Ventures, where we scale B2B companies we have equity in: www.RayJGreen.com//Follow Ray on:YouTube | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Greg Foran has led at a level very few people ever will.From running Walmart US - a business with over a million employees - to serving as CEO of Air New Zealand through some of its most challenging years, Greg has made decisions where the consequences affected millions of people.In this conversation, Greg takes us inside what that responsibility actually feels like. We talk about making calls that wipe billions off company value, leading through crisis and chaos, operating in China when the rulebook doesn't apply, and why losing the top job earlier in his career ended up changing everything.We also dive into his mindset: fear of failure, discipline, curiosity, people-first leadership, and why paying and trusting frontline workers matters more than most executives realise.This is a rare, honest look at leadership when the stakes are real - and when getting it wrong isn't an option.This episode is a re-release of our conversation with Greg Foran from 2025.This episode is brought to you by our proud sponsors TAB, download the new app today and get your bet on! Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For six years, I've used my personal brand to drive millions in revenue, but I kept hitting two major walls: I became the bottleneck when client work piled up, and I burned out from repetitively talking about the same niche topics. My breakthrough this year was finally decoupling my personal identity from my business's identity—allowing me to create content about whatever I'm obsessed with (like neurodiversity or general entrepreneurship) while my team mines that content to extract and repackage the specific pieces needed for our marketing. This shift has not only made content creation fun and sustainable again but has also removed the "assembly line" feeling and uncapped our growth potential.//Welcome to Repeatable Revenue, hosted by strategic growth advisor , Ray J. Green.About Ray:→ Former Managing Director of National Small & Midsize Business at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, where he doubled revenue per sale in fundraising, led the first increase in SMB membership, co-built a national Mid-Market sales channel, and more.→ Former CEO operator for several investor groups where he led turnarounds of recently acquired small businesses.→ Current founder of MSP Sales Partners, where we currently help IT companies scale sales: www.MSPSalesPartners.com→ Current Sales & Sales Management Expert in Residence at the world's largest IT business mastermind.→ Current Managing Partner of Repeatable Revenue Ventures, where we scale B2B companies we have equity in: www.RayJGreen.com//Follow Ray on:YouTube | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

I've always taught that systems are the key to scaling, but looking back at 2025, I realized that my obsession with efficiency actually trapped one of my businesses in a state of stagnation. I made the critical mistake of building a rigid delivery infrastructure for a thousand clients when we only had ten, effectively prioritizing process over product-market fit and making it a nightmare to pivot when we received early feedback. In this episode, I'm explaining why building systems too early creates a dangerous "efficiency trap," and why my strategy for 2026 is to embrace the mess and do things manually until the volume absolutely screams for automation.//Welcome to Repeatable Revenue, hosted by strategic growth advisor , Ray J. Green.About Ray:→ Former Managing Director of National Small & Midsize Business at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, where he doubled revenue per sale in fundraising, led the first increase in SMB membership, co-built a national Mid-Market sales channel, and more.→ Former CEO operator for several investor groups where he led turnarounds of recently acquired small businesses.→ Current founder of MSP Sales Partners, where we currently help IT companies scale sales: www.MSPSalesPartners.com→ Current Sales & Sales Management Expert in Residence at the world's largest IT business mastermind.→ Current Managing Partner of Repeatable Revenue Ventures, where we scale B2B companies we have equity in: www.RayJGreen.com//Follow Ray on:YouTube | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

0:30 - Reaction to ICE shooting in MN 39:13 - more reaction 01:01:50 - Yes, fraud 01:22:58 - National Chairman of the Election Transparency Initiative & former deputy secretary of DHS, Ken Cuccinelli, breaks down the Minneapolis shooting and argues the left thrives on confrontation and harassment. 01:44:40 - Former CEO of CPS and former candidate for mayor, Paul Vallas: We literally have an apartheid school system in Chicago - it's about time for a justice department investigation. Follow Paul on X @PaulVallas 02:03:26 - Daniel DePetris, fellow at Defense Priorities and a syndicated foreign affairs columnist at the Chicago Tribune and Newsweek, on Venezuela and what the U.S. is really planning for Greenland. Follow Daniel on X @DanDePetris 02:21:45 - Christian Toto, host of “The Hollywood in Toto Podcast ”: Why George Clooney (and Hollywood) Should Fear Bari WeissSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As we head into 2026, I've realized that AI literacy is no longer just a productivity hack for CEOs; it is a critical defense mechanism against mediocrity. I recently caught my own team trying to pass off lazy, fluff-filled ChatGPT answers as strategic thought, and I discovered I was paying a vendor for content I could replicate instantly with a simple Claude skill. If you don't have the hands-on technical experience to spot the difference between genuine human insight and a robotic output, you are flying blind, and I'm explaining why your inability to use these tools is becoming the single biggest vulnerability in your leadership toolkit.//Welcome to Repeatable Revenue, hosted by strategic growth advisor , Ray J. Green.About Ray:→ Former Managing Director of National Small & Midsize Business at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, where he doubled revenue per sale in fundraising, led the first increase in SMB membership, co-built a national Mid-Market sales channel, and more.→ Former CEO operator for several investor groups where he led turnarounds of recently acquired small businesses.→ Current founder of MSP Sales Partners, where we currently help IT companies scale sales: www.MSPSalesPartners.com→ Current Sales & Sales Management Expert in Residence at the world's largest IT business mastermind.→ Current Managing Partner of Repeatable Revenue Ventures, where we scale B2B companies we have equity in: www.RayJGreen.com//Follow Ray on:YouTube | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

As I audited my performance in 2025, I was confronted with a stark reality: every single one of my personal limitations—from "shiny object syndrome" to hidden insecurities—gets directly installed into the operating system of my business. I've witnessed high-potential companies stall because the founder needed to be the smartest person in the room, and I've learned that if you don't actively manage your own weaknesses, they become the permanent ceiling for your team. I'm unpacking why the most successful founders treat their own identity as the primary constraint to solve, and why you must constantly upgrade your internal software if you want your business to scale beyond your current capacity.//Welcome to Repeatable Revenue, hosted by strategic growth advisor , Ray J. Green.About Ray:→ Former Managing Director of National Small & Midsize Business at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, where he doubled revenue per sale in fundraising, led the first increase in SMB membership, co-built a national Mid-Market sales channel, and more.→ Former CEO operator for several investor groups where he led turnarounds of recently acquired small businesses.→ Current founder of MSP Sales Partners, where we currently help IT companies scale sales: www.MSPSalesPartners.com→ Current Sales & Sales Management Expert in Residence at the world's largest IT business mastermind.→ Current Managing Partner of Repeatable Revenue Ventures, where we scale B2B companies we have equity in: www.RayJGreen.com//Follow Ray on:YouTube | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Send us a textSteve Williams is the director of Diversions Programming at the Anchorage Police Department. The Diversion Program allows officers to offer offenders a path to drug treatment instead of charges at the point of arrest. Previously, Steve was the CEO at the Alaska Mental Health Trust. And. prior to that, he worked for the mental health court. We discuss all three of those roles in detail on today's episode.To listen to APD Chief Sean Case's podcast episode, click here.

One of the biggest traps I fell into after leaving the corporate world was believing that I needed to lead by example, often clocking twelve-hour days just to prove a point about work ethic to my team. I've realized that while leading by sheer effort creates a bottleneck, leading with radical clarity is the true force multiplier that actually scales a business. I'm breaking down how I shifted from micromanaging the "how" to defining clear outcomes for the "who," a strategic pivot that has allowed me to 5X my output, escape the weeds of daily operations, and stop being a prisoner to my own company.//Welcome to Repeatable Revenue, hosted by strategic growth advisor , Ray J. Green.About Ray:→ Former Managing Director of National Small & Midsize Business at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, where he doubled revenue per sale in fundraising, led the first increase in SMB membership, co-built a national Mid-Market sales channel, and more.→ Former CEO operator for several investor groups where he led turnarounds of recently acquired small businesses.→ Current founder of MSP Sales Partners, where we currently help IT companies scale sales: www.MSPSalesPartners.com→ Current Sales & Sales Management Expert in Residence at the world's largest IT business mastermind.→ Current Managing Partner of Repeatable Revenue Ventures, where we scale B2B companies we have equity in: www.RayJGreen.com//Follow Ray on:YouTube | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

As we transition into 2026, I'm kicking off a dedicated series where I break down the most impactful lessons I learned, relearned, and unlearned throughout 2025. I've audited everything from my calendar to my AI conversation history to curate a list of high-leverage insights—stripped of all the "guru" filler—that I'll be sharing one by one in the coming episodes. This isn't a random information dump; it's a focused look at the specific strategies and mindset shifts that actually moved the needle for my business, serving as both a guide for you and an accountability note to my future self.//Welcome to Repeatable Revenue, hosted by strategic growth advisor , Ray J. Green.About Ray:→ Former Managing Director of National Small & Midsize Business at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, where he doubled revenue per sale in fundraising, led the first increase in SMB membership, co-built a national Mid-Market sales channel, and more.→ Former CEO operator for several investor groups where he led turnarounds of recently acquired small businesses.→ Current founder of MSP Sales Partners, where we currently help IT companies scale sales: www.MSPSalesPartners.com→ Current Sales & Sales Management Expert in Residence at the world's largest IT business mastermind.→ Current Managing Partner of Repeatable Revenue Ventures, where we scale B2B companies we have equity in: www.RayJGreen.com//Follow Ray on:YouTube | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Years ago, I gave my wife business advice that technically worked but ultimately led her to build a company she didn't love. She had a thriving creative business with a massive waiting list, and I convinced her to scale it, effectively turning her from an artist into a manager. In this episode, I'm sharing that story to highlight a critical lesson for every entrepreneur: just because a strategy makes financial sense doesn't mean it aligns with the life you actually want to live, and I'll walk you through how to filter the advice you receive so you don't end up successfully building a business that makes you miserable.//Welcome to Repeatable Revenue, hosted by strategic growth advisor , Ray J. Green.About Ray:→ Former Managing Director of National Small & Midsize Business at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, where he doubled revenue per sale in fundraising, led the first increase in SMB membership, co-built a national Mid-Market sales channel, and more.→ Former CEO operator for several investor groups where he led turnarounds of recently acquired small businesses.→ Current founder of MSP Sales Partners, where we currently help IT companies scale sales: www.MSPSalesPartners.com→ Current Sales & Sales Management Expert in Residence at the world's largest IT business mastermind.→ Current Managing Partner of Repeatable Revenue Ventures, where we scale B2B companies we have equity in: www.RayJGreen.com//Follow Ray on:YouTube | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

As we think about year-end planning, I want to challenge how you're setting goals. Most people set goals based on what they want: "I want more brand growth, more leads, smoother operations." I have a different outlook. Your business is a system, and systems are only capable of producing output according to what the constraints allow. So instead of saying what you want, ask: "What are the constraints keeping us from getting there?" Not getting enough leads? Sales process isn't good? Delivery isn't smooth? Write down all the problems, then identify the ONE highest-leverage constraint—the bottleneck where fixing it changes throughput dramatically. This episode breaks down why identifying the one constraint is really fucking hard (you'll feel FOMO, you'll want to tackle three problems instead of one), and why most sub-eight-figure businesses can only solve one constraint at a time. I just went through this exercise myself this morning, and here's an example: if your sales process is leaking shit everywhere, does it make sense to 10X your brand growth and leads first? No—because you're just wasting that effort. Fix the conversion constraint before the lead growth constraint. Learn how to audit constraints, discipline yourself to pick the one with greatest impact, and put all the wood behind that arrow instead of diluting effort across 27 problems.//Welcome to Repeatable Revenue, hosted by strategic growth advisor , Ray J. Green.About Ray:→ Former Managing Director of National Small & Midsize Business at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, where he doubled revenue per sale in fundraising, led the first increase in SMB membership, co-built a national Mid-Market sales channel, and more.→ Former CEO operator for several investor groups where he led turnarounds of recently acquired small businesses.→ Current founder of MSP Sales Partners, where we currently help IT companies scale sales: www.MSPSalesPartners.com→ Current Sales & Sales Management Expert in Residence at the world's largest IT business mastermind.→ Current Managing Partner of Repeatable Revenue Ventures, where we scale B2B companies we have equity in: www.RayJGreen.com//Follow Ray on:YouTube | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

I learned a defining lesson early in my management career that I've lived by for the last 20 years: a cohesive team working together will always outperform a collection of highly talented individuals looking out for themselves. Whether it's on the football field or the sales floor, the moment you prioritize collaboration and core values over individual stats, you unlock a level of performance that “stars” simply can't achieve on their own. In this video, I react to a powerful clip from Tom Brady that validates this exact philosophy, and I share how I used this approach to transform a cutthroat, toxic environment into a championship team that broke records for a decade straight.//Welcome to Repeatable Revenue, hosted by strategic growth advisor , Ray J. Green.About Ray:→ Former Managing Director of National Small & Midsize Business at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, where he doubled revenue per sale in fundraising, led the first increase in SMB membership, co-built a national Mid-Market sales channel, and more.→ Former CEO operator for several investor groups where he led turnarounds of recently acquired small businesses.→ Current founder of MSP Sales Partners, where we currently help IT companies scale sales: www.MSPSalesPartners.com→ Current Sales & Sales Management Expert in Residence at the world's largest IT business mastermind.→ Current Managing Partner of Repeatable Revenue Ventures, where we scale B2B companies we have equity in: www.RayJGreen.com//Follow Ray on:YouTube | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

I was on a coaching call with people selling IT services, and someone had an opportunity to dig deeper into what the prospect said. Another person suggested, "We could have asked 'Why is that important to you?'" The response? "I thought we weren't supposed to ask 'why' questions. It's what I heard from Chris Voss." Look, I love Chris Voss—phenomenal hostage negotiator, great book (Never Split the Difference)—and I fundamentally agree with most of what he says. He's right that "why" questions can make people defensive because we're trained from childhood that "Why did you do that?" means we're being accused of something. But here's my slightly different perspective: Chris comes from negotiating with terrorists and hostages—there's inherent conflict between the two parties. That's not consultative sales. Your prospect's money isn't being held hostage. This episode breaks down why the advice gets implemented too broadly without understanding the context. If you ask with curiosity—"Interesting, I haven't seen that before... why do you guys do it that way?"—versus accusation—"Well... what's the purpose of that?"—your tonality changes everything. I hereby give you permission to use "why" at the beginning of questions, so long as you deliver it with curiosity and not accusation. Don't overthink it. Use it strategically.//Welcome to Repeatable Revenue, hosted by strategic growth advisor , Ray J. Green.About Ray:→ Former Managing Director of National Small & Midsize Business at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, where he doubled revenue per sale in fundraising, led the first increase in SMB membership, co-built a national Mid-Market sales channel, and more.→ Former CEO operator for several investor groups where he led turnarounds of recently acquired small businesses.→ Current founder of MSP Sales Partners, where we currently help IT companies scale sales: www.MSPSalesPartners.com→ Current Sales & Sales Management Expert in Residence at the world's largest IT business mastermind.→ Current Managing Partner of Repeatable Revenue Ventures, where we scale B2B companies we have equity in: www.RayJGreen.com//Follow Ray on:YouTube | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

If you're nervous when you fire up the camera, I'm going to share a piece of advice Dan Martell gave me three years ago that I absolutely did not want to hear: go live for 30 days in a row. I was terrified of video—I could write great scripts, set up the tech perfectly, get the lighting and mic just right, then hit record and completely blank. Stage fright. So when Dan told me to go live with no retakes, no edits, where if I look dumb I'm stuck with it? That was the LAST thing I wanted. But I did it anyway. And I credit that exercise for paving the way for the hundreds of videos I've created since—YouTube every week for two and a half years, LinkedIn, Instagram, webinars, VSLs, you name it. This episode breaks down why it works: (1) it eliminates excuses and procrastination—I couldn't waste time buying new lights or tweaking camera angles, I had to go live by end of day even if it was just my iPhone, (2) it's forced exposure therapy that builds tolerance to your fear, and (3) it compresses learning—30 videos in 30 days versus taking 60 weeks to publish 30 videos spreads that learning over a year. I was surprised how supportive people were, and I even got a client from it. But don't expect applause or followers—the real ROI is internal. Your only goal is to finish. Fire up a live right now, announce you're doing 30 days, and that's your first video done.//Welcome to Repeatable Revenue, hosted by strategic growth advisor , Ray J. Green.About Ray:→ Former Managing Director of National Small & Midsize Business at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, where he doubled revenue per sale in fundraising, led the first increase in SMB membership, co-built a national Mid-Market sales channel, and more.→ Former CEO operator for several investor groups where he led turnarounds of recently acquired small businesses.→ Current founder of MSP Sales Partners, where we currently help IT companies scale sales: www.MSPSalesPartners.com→ Current Sales & Sales Management Expert in Residence at the world's largest IT business mastermind.→ Current Managing Partner of Repeatable Revenue Ventures, where we scale B2B companies we have equity in: www.RayJGreen.com//Follow Ray on:YouTube | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

This is probably the most unfiltered view I've posted since changing this podcast format. I saw a LinkedIn post with the hook: "My wife died at 39. Her doctors never tested the one thing that could have saved her." I started reading—retired pharmacist, tired of Western medicine, quotes, problems—and thought "this smells like a sales letter." I scroll to the bottom and there's a CTA: "Leave a note of 'Energy' below and I'll send you the clinical research." Are you fucking kidding me? Did we really just leverage someone's spouse dying as a hand-raiser post to generate leads? This made me both frustrated and nervous. This episode breaks down three critical principles: (1) Why principles matter more than tactics—understanding WHY that hook works lets you adapt it without being disgusting, rather than just copy-pasting cringeworthy garbage, (2) Trust your intuition—if something feels cringeworthy, that's a warning sign (not always a limiting belief to push through), and (3) The digital marketing landscape is changing drastically—AI makes it too easy to create fake testimonials and look real for a few grand, which means more scammers and harder differentiation. Learn why I'm shifting away from traditional online marketing playbooks toward creating authentic content that gives me energy, why following everyone else means you're using a playbook from three years ago, and how to bob when they weave instead of racing to the bottom with 72-month guarantees for 99 cents.//Welcome to Repeatable Revenue, hosted by strategic growth advisor , Ray J. Green.About Ray:→ Former Managing Director of National Small & Midsize Business at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, where he doubled revenue per sale in fundraising, led the first increase in SMB membership, co-built a national Mid-Market sales channel, and more.→ Former CEO operator for several investor groups where he led turnarounds of recently acquired small businesses.→ Current founder of MSP Sales Partners, where we currently help IT companies scale sales: www.MSPSalesPartners.com→ Current Sales & Sales Management Expert in Residence at the world's largest IT business mastermind.→ Current Managing Partner of Repeatable Revenue Ventures, where we scale B2B companies we have equity in: www.RayJGreen.com//Follow Ray on:YouTube | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

One benefit of getting older? You see patterns over a longer horizon. And here's one I keep seeing in sales and marketing: people proclaiming channels are dead. Cold calling is dead—nobody answers their phone. Webinars don't work. Cold email is ruined by spam filters. LinkedIn organic content doesn't work. Canvassing is impossible. DM selling has been destroyed by automation. I've heard every single one of these channels proclaimed dead—sometimes by people I actually respect who used to crush it in that channel, then didn't evolve with it, and now their message is "it doesn't work." Here's what I know from seeing inside 500 MSPs last year: when we do attribution exercises on closed deals, every single fucking one of those "dead" channels is represented. Which means they DO work. The question isn't "does it work?" It's "do you know how to make it work?" This episode breaks down why the biggest mistake is looking for a channel that works instead of picking one and committing to making it work. Learn the cycle every channel goes through (hard learning curve → figure it out → generate results → shit changes → adapt), why that cycle is actually good because if it was easy everyone would do it, and why harder channels give you longer reward cycles. Stop saying "this doesn't work" and start saying "I don't know how to make this work yet." The reframe matters. I saw someone post "cold calling's dead" on LinkedIn and thought "God, here we go again." So that's my drop for today.//Welcome to Repeatable Revenue, hosted by strategic growth advisor , Ray J. Green.About Ray:→ Former Managing Director of National Small & Midsize Business at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, where he doubled revenue per sale in fundraising, led the first increase in SMB membership, co-built a national Mid-Market sales channel, and more.→ Former CEO operator for several investor groups where he led turnarounds of recently acquired small businesses.→ Current founder of MSP Sales Partners, where we currently help IT companies scale sales: www.MSPSalesPartners.com→ Current Sales & Sales Management Expert in Residence at the world's largest IT business mastermind.→ Current Managing Partner of Repeatable Revenue Ventures, where we scale B2B companies we have equity in: www.RayJGreen.com//Follow Ray on:YouTube | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

This may be one of the most important podcasts I record for you. I'm sharing my system for taking control of my calendar—and I say most important because time is your most valuable asset. When you master how to manage it, it affects everything: your business, your family time, your health. This year alone, I started MSP Sales Partners from zero to $800K, added five full-time hires and 50+ customers, created content every week without missing a newsletter or YouTube video, had dinner with my kids almost every night, traveled for two and a half months over summer, took a fully-unplugged family trip to Spain and France, and managed 90 minutes to two hours of exercise seven days a week. I attribute ruthless time management to being able to do all of that. This episode breaks down my system: shift from reactive to proactive calendar management—stop playing defense and go on offense by designing "The Perfect Week" where you map out your ideal calendar with everything that matters (prospecting time, team meetings, exercise, kids' dinners, date nights), then lock those blocks in as busy so nobody can steal them back. Every Sunday, audit how the week went versus your perfect week, identify what's off and why, then fix it for the upcoming week. I also do quarterly off-site planning to identify the major business constraint and update my perfect week accordingly. Learn how to have the hard conversations to protect your time, why managing up and down requires showing people what's in it for them, and how this prevents the slow creep back to homeostasis where your calendar gets stolen again.//Welcome to Repeatable Revenue, hosted by strategic growth advisor , Ray J. Green.About Ray:→ Former Managing Director of National Small & Midsize Business at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, where he doubled revenue per sale in fundraising, led the first increase in SMB membership, co-built a national Mid-Market sales channel, and more.→ Former CEO operator for several investor groups where he led turnarounds of recently acquired small businesses.→ Current founder of MSP Sales Partners, where we currently help IT companies scale sales: www.MSPSalesPartners.com→ Current Sales & Sales Management Expert in Residence at the world's largest IT business mastermind.→ Current Managing Partner of Repeatable Revenue Ventures, where we scale B2B companies we have equity in: www.RayJGreen.com//Follow Ray on:YouTube | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Is your team outsourcing their thinking to ChatGPT? In this video, I break down why relying on AI for answers is leading to "thought atrophy" and killing expertise in the workplace. While AI is an incredible tool for efficiency, it cannot replace the nuance, context, and experience that I hire my team for.I share the story of a recent project where an AI-generated response missed the mark, and I outline the 4 New AI Guidelines I've implemented to ensure we use technology to amplify our intelligence—not replace it.//Welcome to Repeatable Revenue, hosted by strategic growth advisor , Ray J. Green.About Ray:→ Former Managing Director of National Small & Midsize Business at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, where he doubled revenue per sale in fundraising, led the first increase in SMB membership, co-built a national Mid-Market sales channel, and more.→ Former CEO operator for several investor groups where he led turnarounds of recently acquired small businesses.→ Current founder of MSP Sales Partners, where we currently help IT companies scale sales: www.MSPSalesPartners.com→ Current Sales & Sales Management Expert in Residence at the world's largest IT business mastermind.→ Current Managing Partner of Repeatable Revenue Ventures, where we scale B2B companies we have equity in: www.RayJGreen.com//Follow Ray on:YouTube | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

I used to be an idea gangster with my team—I'd do drive-bys every single week. I'd read a book, get super excited about the takeaways, and come in firing: "All right team, let's execute!" They were genuinely good ideas. But we never got enough traction with any of them before I'd pop in with the next one. My COO finally leveled with me: "Dude, we gotta stop. People are exhausted. We're not doing great work. That great idea eight ideas ago? We still never saw it produce fruit, and we're on to seven more since then." Here's what I learned: every new idea has an exponential curve—it's really hard on the front end, but weeks or months later is when the curve bends and the really good shit happens. We never gave anything time to get there. Then I came across this clip of Jeff Bezos explaining it perfectly: his VP of operations told him "You have enough ideas per minute to destroy Amazon. You have to release work at the rate the organization can accept it. Every idea you release creates a backlog that adds no value—it creates distraction." This episode breaks down why good ideas can fuel your company or kill it, how I created systems (an idea bank, a dedicated filter person) to stop injecting my ADHD into the business, and why I fired a fractional client this year because we couldn't execute through their constant idea churn. Your ideas are either an asset or a liability—which one are they?//Welcome to Repeatable Revenue, hosted by strategic growth advisor , Ray J. Green.About Ray:→ Former Managing Director of National Small & Midsize Business at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, where he doubled revenue per sale in fundraising, led the first increase in SMB membership, co-built a national Mid-Market sales channel, and more.→ Former CEO operator for several investor groups where he led turnarounds of recently acquired small businesses.→ Current founder of MSP Sales Partners, where we currently help IT companies scale sales: www.MSPSalesPartners.com→ Current Sales & Sales Management Expert in Residence at the world's largest IT business mastermind.→ Current Managing Partner of Repeatable Revenue Ventures, where we scale B2B companies we have equity in: www.RayJGreen.com//Follow Ray on:YouTube | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

True story: I forgot my car in a parking lot today. Made it all the way home. My wife asked "where's the jeep?" and my first thought was "oh shit, did someone steal it?" This isn't the first time I've forgotten a car. I have ADHD and level one autism, which means I get wildly obsessed with things I care about—it's why I learn things so quickly and see patterns in complex systems—but I also completely forget shit that's not in my focus. I've flown to the wrong cities, forgotten to eat all day, and yes, forgotten multiple cars. Extreme weaknesses always come with extreme strengths. I'm really good at systematizing complex sales models and building businesses, but I can't remember to take out the trash. This episode shares what I've learned at 45 after years of beating myself up trying to "fix" it: accepting it instead of fighting it, stopping the guilt, not trusting my memory (I tie hoodies around my waist as reminders), thinking in teams where people offset my weaknesses, and using tactics like walking, fidget toys, and no-device Sundays. I don't have this figured out—I just forgot a car—but I've created an environment where my business thrives, my marriage thrives, and I can focus on my superpowers. Sharing this in case it helps you too.//Welcome to Repeatable Revenue, hosted by strategic growth advisor , Ray J. Green.About Ray:→ Former Managing Director of National Small & Midsize Business at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, where he doubled revenue per sale in fundraising, led the first increase in SMB membership, co-built a national Mid-Market sales channel, and more.→ Former CEO operator for several investor groups where he led turnarounds of recently acquired small businesses.→ Current founder of MSP Sales Partners, where we currently help IT companies scale sales: www.MSPSalesPartners.com→ Current Sales & Sales Management Expert in Residence at the world's largest IT business mastermind.→ Current Managing Partner of Repeatable Revenue Ventures, where we scale B2B companies we have equity in: www.RayJGreen.com//Follow Ray on:YouTube | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

I just wrapped a full day of calls with 75 MSP business owners about goal setting, and I heard all the mistakes I've made myself over 20+ years—from leading eight sales turnarounds to turning around a 40-year-old PE-backed company to its highest revenue ever. The most common mistakes? Inaccurate goals where the math doesn't map. Unrealistic goals that look good in December but are dead by March. Setting them too high so your team quietly thinks "that's never happening," or too low creating a complacent half-ass culture. Or worst of all—not setting goals at all. Here's why I'm passionate about this: the right goals manage for you, change behavior, and help people make decisions when you're not around. But bad goals make terrible people look good and great people look bad, which ruins your culture. This episode breaks down why I don't believe in "shoot for the moon, hit the stars"—that just means you're constantly missing and creating a losing culture. Learn why starting small and building a winning habit matters more than big aspirational numbers, why your goals need integrity (not pencil marks that change when you're behind), and how to rebuild momentum with bite-sized wins instead of resetting the whole target.//Welcome to Repeatable Revenue, hosted by strategic growth advisor , Ray J. Green.About Ray:→ Former Managing Director of National Small & Midsize Business at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, where he doubled revenue per sale in fundraising, led the first increase in SMB membership, co-built a national Mid-Market sales channel, and more.→ Former CEO operator for several investor groups where he led turnarounds of recently acquired small businesses.→ Current founder of MSP Sales Partners, where we currently help IT companies scale sales: www.MSPSalesPartners.com→ Current Sales & Sales Management Expert in Residence at the world's largest IT business mastermind.→ Current Managing Partner of Repeatable Revenue Ventures, where we scale B2B companies we have equity in: www.RayJGreen.com//Follow Ray on:YouTube | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

A friend who does M&A for MSPs asked me: if you've got a team of five hunters, what's a good hiring and firing process that keeps top performers, pushes average reps, and weeds out the bottom? Here's my answer—and it's all about having a system that manages for you. The best approach consists of two parts: First, separate your minimum standards from actual goals. Your goal might be $24K/month where commission incentives kick in, but your minimum standard is $18K—the threshold below which the business economics don't work. Top performers never notice this number. Average performers are aware of it but rarely dip below. Bottom performers struggle to hit it consistently. Second, create a clearly documented escalation policy: miss the minimum once, it's a discussion; twice in three months, written warning; three times in five months, termination. This episode breaks down why you want a standard that top performers never notice, average performers can maintain, and bottom performers systematically get rooted out—without you having to crack the activity whip every day. Learn how to adjust this for different sales cycles (like using 90-day rolling averages for MSPs), why average is actually good and you don't want high churn, and how the right system diminishes your need to micromanage while keeping the team steady and high-performing.//Welcome to Repeatable Revenue, hosted by strategic growth advisor , Ray J. Green.About Ray:→ Former Managing Director of National Small & Midsize Business at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, where he doubled revenue per sale in fundraising, led the first increase in SMB membership, co-built a national Mid-Market sales channel, and more.→ Former CEO operator for several investor groups where he led turnarounds of recently acquired small businesses.→ Current founder of MSP Sales Partners, where we currently help IT companies scale sales: www.MSPSalesPartners.com→ Current Sales & Sales Management Expert in Residence at the world's largest IT business mastermind.→ Current Managing Partner of Repeatable Revenue Ventures, where we scale B2B companies we have equity in: www.RayJGreen.com//Follow Ray on:YouTube | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

I spent two years scaling the wrong business and one conversation with Alex Hormozi's Chief Strategy Officer reframed everything. Here's what happened: I'd built a consulting business to $50K/month doing sales audits and fractional management, but I thought "this isn't scalable." So I pivoted—created courses, built a community, started teaching people how to turn expertise into income. I ended up in a sea of competition selling to the wrong audience at the wrong price point. His CSO said: "Dude, you solved the wrong problem. The problem wasn't 'this isn't scalable.' The problem was 'you didn't know how to scale it yet.'" He showed me around their 20,000 square foot building with 400 people and said, "We don't use the word 'scalable' here. Some things are just way harder to scale than others. That's why Alex and Leila own 50 companies." This episode breaks down what happened next: I killed the community, threw the courses on YouTube, and said "I don't teach this shit, I do this shit." We launched MSP Sales Partners doing fractional sales management—the thing I was actually great at—and spent a year refining the product before stepping on the gas. Learn why I'm intentionally running net neutral right now to build a moat nobody else will, why being picky with hiring and delaying profits creates competitive advantage, and how that subtle twist of words—"you didn't know how to scale it" versus "it isn't scalable"—changes everything.//Welcome to Repeatable Revenue, hosted by strategic growth advisor , Ray J. Green.About Ray:→ Former Managing Director of National Small & Midsize Business at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, where he doubled revenue per sale in fundraising, led the first increase in SMB membership, co-built a national Mid-Market sales channel, and more.→ Former CEO operator for several investor groups where he led turnarounds of recently acquired small businesses.→ Current founder of MSP Sales Partners, where we currently help IT companies scale sales: www.MSPSalesPartners.com→ Current Sales & Sales Management Expert in Residence at the world's largest IT business mastermind.→ Current Managing Partner of Repeatable Revenue Ventures, where we scale B2B companies we have equity in: www.RayJGreen.com//Follow Ray on:YouTube | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Benny Higgins is a Scottish Banker and Former CEO of RBS, Bank of Scotland and Tesco Bank. He is also the chairman of a portfolio of companies. He's a lover of Art and Poetry. He is also my good friend.Benny Higgins grew up in Toryglen tower blocks, captained Celtic's youth team, and became a defining force in modern Scottish business — from CEO of RBS during the NatWest takeover, to building Tesco Bank from the ground up. But what makes Benny different is the paradox: a numbers man with a lifelong devotion to poetry, art, and culture — and a Glaswegian accent that never moved an inch.We recorded this in Kelvingrove Art Gallery, a place that shaped Benny as a 10-year-old at his first ever art competition — and still represents the thread running through his life: curiosity, pride, and the desire to win.We get into Celtic, class, and leadership… the reality of boardrooms at scale… why he hires through trust over “perfect CVs”… and the stories you genuinely couldn't script: Maya Angelou, the Golden Globes, Soho, and a cocktail named after his fifth wife Sharon.Why Kelvingrove is symbolic to Benny's origin storyToryglen tower blocks: toughness, community, and confidence through footballCeltic youth captaincy and the first leadership lessons that stuck“I just wanted to win”: the mindset behind academic dominanceActuarial exams in 2.5 years (when the average was ~7)RBS context + how the NatWest hostile takeover happenedBuilding Tesco Bank from scratch: 140 people → 5,000 → 8m customersHiring “the best people I knew” and why trust beats processSocial mobility: money, identity, and why he treats everyone the sameSoho stories: tailors, members clubs, and the “Higgins No.5” cocktailThe Golden Globes: Jon Hamm photo… taken by Bradley CooperLunch with Maya Angelou: poetry, Burns, and an unforgettable momentWhat people think is true about him (but isn't)What's next — and the ambition that still drives himGuestBenny Higgins — former senior leader at RBS, creator of Tesco Bank, chair/board roles across culture and business.Subscribe on YouTube + hit the bellFollow the podcast on Spotify/Apple: https://open.spotify.com/show/6DV9tUfz5nGCmH0bfZUFrMJoin the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/davidmcintoshjrFollow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidmcintoshjr/If you enjoyed this give me a follow:Sponsor — Slater Menswear (Made To Order)Quick shoutout to Slater Menswear's Made To Order service — they've been part of some of the biggest moments in my own origin story: first job interview suit, first corporate role, big talks, and now sitting across from guests I genuinely admire. They measure you properly, you choose every detail, and you get a suit that actually feels like it fits the life you're stepping into.If you've got a moment coming up — wedding, promotion, graduation, or a first interview — check out Slaters Made To Order. It's a belter.

I was on a coaching call yesterday with a bunch of people selling IT services, and the question came up: how do you handle price objections? When somebody says "that's expensive" or "more than we're paying now" or "higher than other bids," what do you do? I've got a really simple framework that works across any competitive selling situation—IT services, professional services, whatever. Here's how it works: First, ask "What makes you say that?" to understand if this is a negotiation tactic, a stall, or a real gap. Then clarify what it's relative to—get them to tell you the actual number they're comparing against. Here's the key move: minimize the amount psychologically. If you quoted $60K and they're at $42K, stop talking about $60K—now you're negotiating the $18K gap. Then slice it even smaller: "So we're $1,500 a month apart, or about 50 bucks a day for compliance?" That sounds way better than a $60K contract. Finally, isolate it: "If we can bridge that gap, are you ready to go ahead?" This episode breaks down the psychology of reframing price conversations so you're not defending your number—you're making the gap feel manageable relative to the benefits they want. Works across industries once you understand what we're actually doing here.//Welcome to Repeatable Revenue, hosted by strategic growth advisor , Ray J. Green.About Ray:→ Former Managing Director of National Small & Midsize Business at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, where he doubled revenue per sale in fundraising, led the first increase in SMB membership, co-built a national Mid-Market sales channel, and more.→ Former CEO operator for several investor groups where he led turnarounds of recently acquired small businesses.→ Current founder of MSP Sales Partners, where we currently help IT companies scale sales: www.MSPSalesPartners.com→ Current Sales & Sales Management Expert in Residence at the world's largest IT business mastermind.→ Current Managing Partner of Repeatable Revenue Ventures, where we scale B2B companies we have equity in: www.RayJGreen.com//Follow Ray on:YouTube | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Earlier this year journalist Ben Makuch caught a glimpse of Eric Schmidt, the former CEO of Google, dancing at a club in Kyiv. It was a surreal moment, a snapshot of a tragic war that the West thinks is defining the future of conflict. Tech executives have flocked to Ukraine, courting the country in an attempt to get at a resource more precious than gold: data. Makuch was just there and has written about what he saw for The New Republic and he's on the show today to talk about it.Some light smoking banterBen's timelineGoogle's CEO dancing in a bar in KyivUkraine as laboratory for war techThe JSOC era is overIn defense of the majestic American turkeyThe great America vs China speculationWar, cheaperOn the actual frontlineWheat fields of fiber optic lineThe buzz of the droneLife in the bloodlandsThe human suffering of living in UkraineFPV-made propaganda“Never underestimate human innovation when it comes to killing other humans.”What's Erik Prince doing in Ukraine?New York Times on Military ReformThe Medieval—and Highly Effective—Tactics of the Ukrainian ProtestsWho Is St. Javelin and Why Is She a Symbol of the War in Ukraine?‘Cope Cages' on Busted Tanks Are a Symbol of Russia's Military Failures‘Unauthorized' Edit to Ukraine's Frontline Maps Point to Polymarket's War BettingSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/warcollege. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dave Hersh, co-founder and former CEO of Jive Software, shares the real story behind bootstrapping Jive to $12M in revenue before raising venture capital and scaling aggressively. He explains how fear, comparison, and the pressure to "go big" drove him to abandon his profitable core business and pursue a new upmarket strategy that ultimately cost the company its soul.  After growing to $60 million, Jive eventually went public, but not without internal strain, personal turmoil, and ultimately the realization that the company had drifted away from what made it successful.  Dave discusses how overexpansion, premature scaling, hiring missteps, and market-chasing derail both VC-backed and bootstrapped companies—along with the psychological patterns founders rarely acknowledge.  He shares lessons from his book "Reignition: Transforming Stuck Startups Into Breakout Winners" on why most stuck companies don't need a new strategy—they need a wiser founder who understands their inner operating system and is willing to grow alongside the business. Today Dave coaches founders, writes about the emotional foundations of leadership, and acquires underperforming SaaS companies to "refound" them with more clarity, connection, and human-first strategy. Key Takeaways Founder Psychology Matters — Most stuck companies trace back to subconscious patterns, not strategy failures, and founders must address these to grow. Premature Scaling Kills — Expanding markets or teams too quickly dilutes the core and creates complexity most companies cannot absorb. Core Before Expansion — Winning in a beachhead and protecting the core creates more durable growth than chasing adjacent market too early. Better Growth Pace — Sustainable companies grow at the pace the market allows; forced hypergrowth often destabilizes otherwise healthy businesses. Quote from Dave Hersh, Co-founder and Former CEO of Jive Software "I realized that 90% of stuck companies and failed companies are not the reasons that we say they failed. Like they didn't have product market fit or they ran out of cash or the founders didn't get along. It's the psychology underneath. If you actually look at the source of those problems, It was these very consistent psychological patterns that founders run into. "So hero complex, warrior, imposter syndrome, over identification with the company. It was all of these things that I kept seeing over and over again that led to the decisions that got them stuck. And so, yes, while it's true, they got out competed. Why did they go after the big market? What led them to do that? Why did they try to compete against these companies they were competing against? "And then you start to tap into what's really going on and you see: They're trying to earn validation. They are trying to get redeemed as an entrepreneur. They're trying to live up to their parents, their older sibling, their peer group. And it was that desire that led to them trying to go after this big market and raising too much money that got them stuck. And so I like to work with the source material, which is, Why did you do that?" Links Dave Hersh on LinkedIn Book by Dave Hersh: Reignition: Transforming Stuck Startups into Breakout Winners Dave Hersh website Podcast Sponsor – Fraction This podcast is sponsored by Fraction. Fraction gives you access to senior US-based engineers and CTOs — without full-time costs or hiring risks. Get 10 to 30 hours per week from vetted and experienced US-based talent. Find your next fractional senior engineer or CTO at fraction.work. You can start with a one-week, risk-free trial to test it out. The Practical Founders Podcast Tune into the Practical Founders Podcast for weekly in-depth interviews with founders who have built valuable software companies without big funding. Subscribe to the Practical Founders Podcast using your favorite podcast app or view on our YouTube channel. Get the weekly Practical Founders newsletter and podcast updates at practicalfounders.com. Practical Founders CEO Peer Groups Be part of a committed and confidential group of practical founders creating valuable software companies without big VC funding.  A Practical Founders Peer Group is a committed and confidential group of founders/CEOs who want to help you succeed on your terms. Each Practical Founders Peer Group is personally curated and moderated by Greg Head.

Ray Green answers a thought-provoking question from a friend: Is there a real difference between "play to win" and "play to not lose" people, and can you build an entire team of aggressive risk-takers? In this episode, Ray breaks down why he believes there are two distinct types of "play to not lose" people - Type 1 who are well-intentioned and think through proper risk mitigation, and Type 2 who operate from fear and lack of confidence. He explains why Type 1 people are actually assets who balance out aggressive play-to-win leaders, while Type 2 people are toxic liabilities that drain your organization. Ray shares a personal story from his first CEO role about constantly fighting with his co-founder, who drove him crazy but ultimately made him a better leader by having the confidence to speak truth to power. This is about understanding the balance you need on your team, knowing the difference between healthy defensive thinking and toxic negativity, and why you don't want a team of only one type of person.//Welcome to Repeatable Revenue, hosted by strategic growth advisor , Ray J. Green.About Ray:→ Former Managing Director of National Small & Midsize Business at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, where he doubled revenue per sale in fundraising, led the first increase in SMB membership, co-built a national Mid-Market sales channel, and more.→ Former CEO operator for several investor groups where he led turnarounds of recently acquired small businesses.→ Current founder of MSP Sales Partners, where we currently help IT companies scale sales: www.MSPSalesPartners.com→ Current Sales & Sales Management Expert in Residence at the world's largest IT business mastermind.→ Current Managing Partner of Repeatable Revenue Ventures, where we scale B2B companies we have equity in: www.RayJGreen.com//Follow Ray on:YouTube | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Physics defines work as force times distance times alignment. In sales, that's effort times results times whether those results actually get you what you want. I saw a junior SDR post on LinkedIn saying "sales training is a joke—just dial your face off." He's one-third right. Volume matters. But here's what gets lost: you drive to work every day, doesn't make you a Formula One racer. It's intentional volume that matters. Josh Braun responded with something so well-written I had to share it: "Drop someone in a pool with no training and they'll kick really hard, flail harder, and burn out in 20 seconds. Put them with a coach who adjusts their breathing, reach, and timing, and suddenly they move further, faster, with less effort. Top reps don't just make more calls—they make better calls." I'll share my own riptide story from last summer: I got caught surfing with my kids, swam as hard as I could, made zero progress—actually went backwards. Two surfers pulled me sideways along the shore to escape it. I could have swam all day and never made it. That's alignment. This episode breaks down why volume reveals your gaps but technique closes them, why I've wasted $30K on useless sales training but still believe in the right coaching, and why physics would say if you're booking appointments that don't convert, no work has actually been done.//Welcome to Repeatable Revenue, hosted by strategic growth advisor , Ray J. Green.About Ray:→ Former Managing Director of National Small & Midsize Business at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, where he doubled revenue per sale in fundraising, led the first increase in SMB membership, co-built a national Mid-Market sales channel, and more.→ Former CEO operator for several investor groups where he led turnarounds of recently acquired small businesses.→ Current founder of MSP Sales Partners, where we currently help IT companies scale sales: www.MSPSalesPartners.com→ Current Sales & Sales Management Expert in Residence at the world's largest IT business mastermind.→ Current Managing Partner of Repeatable Revenue Ventures, where we scale B2B companies we have equity in: www.RayJGreen.com//Follow Ray on:YouTube | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Physics defines work as force times distance times alignment. In sales, that's effort times results times whether those results actually get you what you want. I saw a junior SDR post on LinkedIn saying "sales training is a joke—just dial your face off." He's one-third right. Volume matters. But here's what gets lost: you drive to work every day, doesn't make you a Formula One racer. It's intentional volume that matters. Josh Braun responded with something so well-written I had to share it: "Drop someone in a pool with no training and they'll kick really hard, flail harder, and burn out in 20 seconds. Put them with a coach who adjusts their breathing, reach, and timing, and suddenly they move further, faster, with less effort. Top reps don't just make more calls—they make better calls." I'll share my own riptide story from last summer: I got caught surfing with my kids, swam as hard as I could, made zero progress—actually went backwards. Two surfers pulled me sideways along the shore to escape it. I could have swam all day and never made it. That's alignment. This episode breaks down why volume reveals your gaps but technique closes them, why I've wasted $30K on useless sales training but still believe in the right coaching, and why physics would say if you're booking appointments that don't convert, no work has actually been done.//Welcome to Repeatable Revenue, hosted by strategic growth advisor , Ray J. Green.About Ray:→ Former Managing Director of National Small & Midsize Business at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, where he doubled revenue per sale in fundraising, led the first increase in SMB membership, co-built a national Mid-Market sales channel, and more.→ Former CEO operator for several investor groups where he led turnarounds of recently acquired small businesses.→ Current founder of MSP Sales Partners, where we currently help IT companies scale sales: www.MSPSalesPartners.com→ Current Sales & Sales Management Expert in Residence at the world's largest IT business mastermind.→ Current Managing Partner of Repeatable Revenue Ventures, where we scale B2B companies we have equity in: www.RayJGreen.com//Follow Ray on:YouTube | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Former CEO Of PayPal & TurboTax Is Using AI & Technology To Disrupt The Wealth Management BusinessName: Bill HarrisTitle: Founder, CEOBill's Book: https://a.co/d/aILiU0uCompany Name: Evergreen Wealth AUM: $100M AUM Website: www.evergreenwealth.com About Evergreen Wealth: Evergreen Wealth is a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that provides investment management and financial advice to affluent and high-net-worth individuals and families. We build custom-engineered, tax-optimized Dynamic Portfolios for our clients, purposefully designed to deliver higher after-tax performance, and financial advice through the combination of investment advisors and Evergreen Intelligence, an agentic AI advice engine. Founded by fintech pioneer Bill Harris, the Evergreen Wealth team has offices in Miami, Dallas, and Raleigh, NC. Follow Evergreen Wealth on LinkedIn or visit evergreenwealth.com to learn more. About Bill Harris: Bill Harris is the Founder and CEO of Evergreen Wealth, a digital Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) delivering hyper-personalized, tax-optimized Dynamic Portfolios™ for high-earning professionals and affluent families, particularly those in high-tax states, helping them build long-term, generational wealth. A fintech pioneer with over three decades of leadership at the intersection of finance and technology, Bill has founded and led multiple companies that have become household names, reshaping how people manage, protect, and grow their money. Before founding Evergreen Wealth, he was the former CEO of PayPal, guiding the company through its launch and early growth; the former CEO of Intuit, where he oversaw the expansion of TurboTax, Quicken, and QuickBooks; and the founder of Personal Capital, which scaled to $23 billion in assets before its $1 billion acquisition by Empower Retirement.Beyond Evergreen Wealth, Bill has launched and scaled several other companies, including MyVest, PassMark Security, IronKey, and One Finance (acquired by Walmart in 2022). He has also served on the boards of Macromedia, SuccessFactors, Care.com, Yodlee, GoDaddy, Avalara and Business.com. Bill is the author of Investment Tax Guide: How to Slash Your Taxes, which emphasizes after-tax returns as the most critical measure of investment success, a principle that underpins Evergreen Wealth's approach to Dynamic Portfolios. Bill holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BA from Middlebury College.

We just spent six weeks migrating our email newsletter from Beehiiv to Substack. Within one day of going live, I realized I'd made a mistake and had to course-correct. This episode opens up what happened, why it was a mistake, and more importantly—the framework for deciding when to pivot versus when to persevere. Because I've always struggled with this: am I being frantic and erratic by changing course? Or am I being stubborn and falling into sunk cost fallacy by staying? Here's what went wrong: Day One on Substack, I realized the audience is mostly creators writing for other creators, the growth engine requires building another Twitter-like feed (the exact treadmill email newsletters were supposed to solve), and I risked diluting my most valuable asset—my list—with the wrong audience while having no analytics to detect it. I break down the exact questions I ask myself at these decision points: What core problem was I solving? Why was it really a problem? Does this actually solve the underlying issue? What will make me regret this in six months? The lesson: perpetual pivots destroy progress, but stubborn perseverance does too. Learn how to course-correct strategically instead of emotionally, and be aware of your own tendencies—I tend to pivot too quickly, maybe you stick too long.//Welcome to Repeatable Revenue, hosted by strategic growth advisor , Ray J. Green.About Ray:→ Former Managing Director of National Small & Midsize Business at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, where he doubled revenue per sale in fundraising, led the first increase in SMB membership, co-built a national Mid-Market sales channel, and more.→ Former CEO operator for several investor groups where he led turnarounds of recently acquired small businesses.→ Current founder of MSP Sales Partners, where we currently help IT companies scale sales: www.MSPSalesPartners.com→ Current Sales & Sales Management Expert in Residence at the world's largest IT business mastermind.→ Current Managing Partner of Repeatable Revenue Ventures, where we scale B2B companies we have equity in: www.RayJGreen.com//Follow Ray on:YouTube | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

On November 7, Commonwealth Club World Affairs of California, the nation's oldest and largest public affairs forum, will host The Asian American Foundation's (TAAF) first-ever AAPI Youth Mental Health Summit. Under the theme “Sparking Solutions Together,” the summit will convene hundreds of experts, advocates, funders, and business executives to address the urgent and often overlooked mental health challenges facing Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) youth. From 2018 through 2022, suicide was the leading cause of death among Asian Americans aged 15–24, and the second leading cause of death among Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders. Yet despite being deeply impacted by the nation's mental health crisis, AAPI youth remain largely invisible in the national mental health conversation, and the data needed to understand their mental health is scarce at best. To fill the gap, TAAF released "Beyond the Surface" in December 2024, the most comprehensive study to date on AAPI youth mental health, which revealed: Nearly 1 in 2 AAPI youth screen positive for moderate depression; 1 in 3 have planned or attempted suicide; Stigma, family pressure, and silence keep many from seeking help; Only 53 percent feel comfortable talking with their parents; Just 1 in 4 have accessed formal care; and 46 percent have never seen a mental health provider. Building on these findings, the November 7 summit will bring together leading experts to spark dialogue on breaking stigma, closing gaps in care, and exploring how community partners and technology are reshaping the ways young people seek and receive support.  Join us online to hear from: Midori Francis, Actor, "Grey's Anatomy" Ryan Alexander Holmes Owin Pierson, Creator and Mental Health Advocate Lisa Ling, Journalist Noopur Agarwal, VP of Social Impact, MTV Norman Chen, CEO, The Asian American Foundation (TAAF) Philip Yun, Co-President and Co-CEO, Commonwealth Club World Affairs Rushika Fernandopulle, MD, Practicing Physician; Co-Founder and Former CEO, Iora Health; TAAF Board Member Juliana Chen, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Cartwheel Perry Chen,Director of Programs and Partnerships, Behavioral Health at Blue Shield of California Rachel Miller, Founder & CEO, Closegap Meena Srinivasan, Founding Executive Director, Transformative Educational Leadership Ayesha Meer, Executive Director, Asian Mental Health Collective Henry Ha, Program Director, Community Youth Center of San Francisco Anne Saw, PhD, HOPE Program Reid Bowman, MPH, CHES, Outreach & Program Manager, UCA Waves Rupesh Shah, COO of Crisis Text Line Tone Va'i, LCSW, Clinician, Samoan Community Development Center Amy Grace Lam, PhD, Chief Program Strategist, Korean Community Center of East Bay Christine Yang, ASW, Korean Community Center of East Bay Christina Yu, LCSW, Clinical Supervisor, Korean Community Center of East Bay William Tsai, PhD, Associate Professor, New York University Cindy H. Liu, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics and Psychiatry, BOBA Project, Harvard Medical School Tiffany Yip, Professor of Psychology, Fordham University Quynh Nguyen, TALA (Thriving AANHPI Leadership Accelerator) Fellow   This program is presented by The Asian American Foundation and Commonwealth Club World Affairs.   For full program, please visit:  https://www.commonwealthclub.org/events/archive/video/youth-mental-health-summit-sparking-solutions-together Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Should I niche down in my prospecting to a vertical or an industry?" That question came up on an office hours call yesterday with a bunch of MSP business owners. Here's what I told them based on managing 50 different IT companies in our fractional sales program and listening to thousands of prospecting calls: Yes, you should absolutely niche down—but you don't have to rebrand your entire company to do it. Most people think going vertical means becoming "the law firm IT company" and changing everything. That's wrong. You niche at the campaign level, not the company level. This episode breaks down how to compartmentalize your outbound: build a law firm-specific list, create landing pages with their language and acronyms, develop messaging that speaks to their specific IT fears and problems—all without touching your homepage or inbound script. The benefits are massive: your scripting has immediate relevance, you stand out from the 100 other calls they're getting, and you can feed patterns back into your campaigns through AI analysis of recorded calls. Learn why law firms have different IT concerns than manufacturing companies, how to stack verticals over time without getting diluted, and why this approach lets you leverage specialization into better specialization once the flywheel starts moving//Welcome to Repeatable Revenue, hosted by strategic growth advisor , Ray J. Green.About Ray:→ Former Managing Director of National Small & Midsize Business at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, where he doubled revenue per sale in fundraising, led the first increase in SMB membership, co-built a national Mid-Market sales channel, and more.→ Former CEO operator for several investor groups where he led turnarounds of recently acquired small businesses.→ Current founder of MSP Sales Partners, where we currently help IT companies scale sales: www.MSPSalesPartners.com→ Current Sales & Sales Management Expert in Residence at the world's largest IT business mastermind.→ Current Managing Partner of Repeatable Revenue Ventures, where we scale B2B companies we have equity in: www.RayJGreen.com//Follow Ray on:YouTube | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Ray Green breaks down why both hustle culture and the "deep work only" mindset miss the mark, using a simple physics formula to explain what real work actually is. The equation? Force times Distance times Alignment. In this episode, Ray explains why effort alone doesn't equal results, why you can bust your ass and go nowhere, and why even getting results doesn't matter if they're not aligned with your actual goal. He walks through practical examples—from salespeople making calls to authors writing books—to illustrate why some people accomplish massive results while others stay stuck forever despite working just as hard. Ray shares how to clarify your real goal, define the right distance metrics to track meaningful progress, and apply the necessary force to actually get there. This is about understanding what real productivity looks like and making sure the time and energy you're investing is actually moving you in the right direction.//Welcome to Repeatable Revenue, hosted by strategic growth advisor , Ray J. Green.About Ray:→ Former Managing Director of National Small & Midsize Business at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, where he doubled revenue per sale in fundraising, led the first increase in SMB membership, co-built a national Mid-Market sales channel, and more.→ Former CEO operator for several investor groups where he led turnarounds of recently acquired small businesses.→ Current founder of MSP Sales Partners, where we currently help IT companies scale sales: www.MSPSalesPartners.com→ Current Sales & Sales Management Expert in Residence at the world's largest IT business mastermind.→ Current Managing Partner of Repeatable Revenue Ventures, where we scale B2B companies we have equity in: www.RayJGreen.com//Follow Ray on:YouTube | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

"It's now obvious to me that it's harder to maintain that sense of community unless you've got things like parkrun that are driving that connection." This is a special episode only available to our podcast subscribers, which we call The Mini Chief. These are short, sharp highlights from our fabulous CEO guests, where you get a 5 to 10 minute snapshot from their full episode. This Mini Chief episode features Tim Oberg, former CEO of parkrun Australia. His full episode is titled Escaping the rat race, building a vibrant community and managing anxiety. You can find the full audio and show notes here:

Bill George, former CEO of Medtronic and Harvard Business School Executive Fellow, explains how leaders can stay grounded, principled, and effective in chaotic times. "It's a world of chaos and it requires a very different kind of leader than in more stable times." The skills that once mattered (process control, long-term plans) are now secondary to courage, self-awareness, and moral clarity. George says most executives still lead comfortably "inside the walls" but fear the external world (media, public scrutiny, and rapid change). "Today, if you're a leader, you are a public figure. You have to face that reality." Leadership now starts with knowing your True North, your values and principles. "When everything's going your way, you start to think you're better than you are. When you lose, you learn your weaknesses." He warns: "The people who will struggle are those faking it to make it. They're trying to impress the outside world but aren't grounded inside." Purpose, not position, defines identity. "A CEO once said, 'Without a title, I'm nothing.' You won't hold that title forever. Who are you then?" True fulfillment comes from alignment between personal purpose and work. "Every business has a deep sense of purpose if it's well run. The ones that only make money, like GE, go away." He lists five traits of leaders who thrive in crisis: Face reality. Stay true to values. Adapt strategies fast. Engage your team. Go on offense when others retreat. Each requires courage. "You can't teach courage in a classroom. It has to come from within." He urges humility: "Leadership is all about relationships, it's a two-way street." His turning point came when he stopped "building a résumé" and started building people. He defines authentic leadership as growth through feedback: "I never walk into a classroom unless I'm going to learn from everyone there." And he closes with the core message: "You don't have to be CEO. If you can do great work and help others, you'll feel fulfilled. Leaders make the difference between success and failure."   Key Insights (Verbatim Quotes) 1. Chaos demands a new kind of leader. "It's a world of chaos and it requires a very different kind of leader than in more stable times." 2. Authenticity starts with grounding. "Our true north is our principles, our beliefs, and our values all rolled into one." 3. Titles are temporary. "I am not the CEO of Best Buy. …That's the title I hold. I won't hold that forever." 4. Courage separates real leaders. "You can't teach courage in a classroom. It has to come from within." 5. Purpose drives resilience. "Every business has a deep sense of purpose if it's well run." 6. Leadership is relational. "I was building a résumé, not relationships. Leadership is all about relationships." 7. Fear destroys authenticity. "A lot of people are living in fear. That's no way to live your life." 8. Great leaders empower others. "You want everyone on your team to be better than you are at what they do." 9. Growth never ends. "Anyone who's authentic knows they have to continue to grow as a human being." 10. True success is internal. "You'll never have enough power, fame, or money. You find fulfillment within."   Action Items "Face reality, starting with yourself." Look in the mirror and ask, "Maybe I'm creating this negative culture. What did I do wrong?" "Stay true to your purpose and your values." Never abandon principles when pressure rises. "Adapt your strategies and tactics." What worked yesterday may not work today. "Get your team involved." Say, "Hey guys, we've got a real problem. What ideas do you have to keep it going?" "Go on offense when everyone else is pulling back." Make bold moves when others retreat. "Have the courage to look yourself in the mirror." Courage starts with self-reflection. Ask, "What's the worst case? What do I have to lose?" and move forward without fear. "If one door closes, maybe another one's going to open that I never even saw." "Know who you are." Reflect on your life story, relationships, and crucibles that shaped you. "Don't get caught up in titles or money." Remember, "Without a title I'm nothing" leads nowhere. "Find a congruence between your purpose and the organization's purpose." "Every business has a deep sense of purpose if it's well run." Identify how yours helps people. "Get away from toxic leaders." If they drive you down, take credit for your work, or never support you, move on. "Work for people you feel really good about working with." "Learn all aspects of the business and how to integrate them creatively." "Pull together a cross-disciplinary team" and act as the integrator. "Have everyone on your team be better than you are at what they do." "Be the glue." Integrate experts to solve tough problems. "Care about your people first." They must know you care before they'll perform. "Get everyone into their sweet spot" — where they use all their skills and are highly motivated. "Align everyone around purpose and goals." "Challenge people to reach their full potential." Say, "I know you can do better. Let's take your game to the next level." "Get out there and be with the people." Don't hide behind PowerPoints. "Help your people do better." Work beside them. "Believe in someone who doesn't believe in themselves." Tell them, "You have this potential. Go for it." "Find someone who believes in you." A mentor, boss, or spouse who sees your potential. "As a leader, be that person who believes in others." "Face your blind spots." Ask people who care about you for honest feedback. "If you get feedback from people that care about you, take it in." "Stop building a résumé and start building relationships." "Take time for people. Ask, 'How are you doing today? What challenges are you facing?'" "Leadership is all about relationships — it's a two-way street." "Tell the truth — the good, the bad, and the ugly." "Stay away from blame." Take responsibility instead of pointing fingers. "Be transparent." Don't hide problems; fix them. "Never fake it to make it." "Keep growing as a human being." "Take feedback and adapt." Growth requires awareness of impact on others. "Believe in yourself even if you fail." Failure is learning. "Spend time reflecting on your purpose and the person you are becoming." "Help other people reach their full potential." "Measure success by how many people you help every day." "Remember: leadership is about who you are, not what title you hold." Get Bills book, True North, here: https://shorturl.at/bRXsK Claim your free gift: Free gift #1 McKinsey & BCG winning resume www.FIRMSconsulting.com/resumePDF Free gift #2 Breakthrough Decisions Guide with 25 AI Prompts www.FIRMSconsulting.com/decisions Free gift #3 Five Reasons Why People Ignore Somebody www.FIRMSconsulting.com/owntheroom Free gift #4 Access episode 1 from Build a Consulting Firm, Level 1 www.FIRMSconsulting.com/build Free gift #5 The Overall Approach used in well-managed strategy studies www.FIRMSconsulting.com/OverallApproach Free gift #6 Get a copy of Nine Leaders in Action, a book we co-authored with some of our clients: www.FIRMSconsulting.com/gift    

Earlier this year, I enjoyed a delicious lunch in Mexico City with Luis Lozano,  the former CEO of Toyota de Mexico. Luis immediately impressed me with his knowledge of the Mexican car market, the shock of hundreds of thousands of Chinese imports since 2020 and the possibilities that Chinese automakers will try to make Mexico a production base for exports to the United States. One of his goals, Luis told me, was to open American eyes to the current realities of Chinese cars. They are good value for money, they are coming our way. And they are not turning back. So, which companies are ones to watch? Are they going to build plants in Mexico as they have done in Brazil, Spain and Thailand? How soon? In today's conversation we get answers to those questions here on the Driving With Dunne podcast. 

In this episode of the Investing in Integrity podcast, Ross Overline, CEO and co-founder of Scholars of Finance, welcomes Jonathan Weiss, former CEO of Corporate and Investment Bank at Wells Fargo, and former MD of JPMorgan Chase, to reflect on leadership, trust, and ethics across a 45-year career in finance. From his unlikely start as a romance languages major to leading a $20B business, Weiss shares lessons on building ethical cultures, leading through influence, and navigating shifting political and market dynamics. He offers candid insights on rebuilding institutional trust, fostering transparency, and prioritizing customers' best interests, not just avoiding harm. Listeners will learn how humility, emotional intelligence, and consistent values shape resilient leadership and sustainable success. Whether you're early in your career or leading teams at scale, this conversation offers deep insights into balancing performance with integrity in today's financial world.Meet Jonathan Weiss:Jonathan Weiss is the former CEO of Wells Fargo Corporate & Investment Banking, where he led a $20 billion revenue business before retiring in June 2025 after two decades with the firm. Over his 45-year career, he also headed Wells Fargo's Wealth & Investment Management and Wells Fargo Securities divisions, following 25 years at J.P. Morgan and its predecessors. A Princeton graduate in Romance Languages, Weiss is recognised for his ethical leadership and service on boards including Youth I.N.C., the Lawrenceville School, and the National Humanities Center.

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What separates a good brand from a timeless one? In this episode, Coach’s longtime CEO Lew Frankfort joins Danielle to share the lifetime of lessons he documents in his new memoir Bagman. Lew breaks down why an outsider’s perspective can be an advantage, how “magic and logic” shaped Coach, and what scaling a $6 million leather goods company into a $5 billion global lifestyle brand really took: personally and professionally. In this episode, Lew shares: How a stroller-ready diaper bag sparked his first entrepreneurial lesson Why immersive curiosity must precede data and analytics Life lessons he took away from his struggles with a speech impediment as a child, and how they had a long lasting impact How being an outsider helped him see the fashion world through a different (and valuable) lens The hidden costs of growth—including health, mindset, and family time The techniques he used to help him navigate depressive episodes throughout his life and career A haunting fear of failure that fueled his drive for excellence but came at a personal cost A values-first philosophy on leadership and legacy amid short-term pressures What Gen Z is getting right Follow Lew on Instagram @LewFrankfort Book recommendation: Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein Check out Lew’s book BagmanSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.