Podcasts about growth engine

Some of the most influential companies in today's economy rarely make headlines. Known as the titanium economy, these small and mid-sized industrial businesses supply the parts, systems, and expertise that keep global supply chains operating.In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott Luton is joined by Karin Bursa, Steffen Fuchs, Senior Partner at McKinsey & Company, and Ryan Fletcher, Partner at McKinsey & Company, to examine what makes these industrial companies so effective. The group discusses the characteristics that set them apart, from disciplined operations and close customer relationships to long-term thinking that helps them remain competitive across changing market conditions.Steffen and Ryan also share perspectives from their work with companies in sectors such as automotive, aerospace, and energy. The discussion looks at how these organizations respond to supply chain disruptions, approach growth opportunities, and invest in their people and operations. Along the way, the group explores leadership decisions, workforce development, and how companies are applying new technologies to support continued growth.Jump into the conversation:(00:00) Intro(02:28) Meet the guests and introductions(05:05) Warmup: March Madness and theater roots(08:22) Steffen discusses background in AI(10:38) Ryan's experience in mid-cap industries(14:02) Defining the titanium economy concept(19:50) Book impact and changes since 2022(23:15) Global policy and geopolitics influences(29:01) Resilience and supply chain adjustments(35:27) The great amplification cycle explained(37:14) Clusters, innovation, and regional growth(38:00) Supply chain tailwinds and opportunities(39:34) Top performers' playbook for success(41:25) Lead time and SKU management(42:39) Capacity bets that lead to success(46:02) AI as a competitive advantage(47:53) Real-world examples of AI in practice(54:36) Leadership lessons from the titanium economy(01:00:40) Trends flying under the radar todayAdditional Links & Resources:Connect with Steffen Fuchs: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steffen-fuchs/Connect with Ryan Fletcher: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanfletcher/Connect with Karin Bursa: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karinbursa/Learn more about McKinsey & Company: http://www.mckinsey.comLearn more about our hosts: https://supplychainnow.com/aboutLearn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.comWatch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/supply-chain-nowSubscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/joinWork with us! Download Supply Chain Now's NEW Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVkSupply Chain Now en Espanol WEBINAR- Visibilidad estrategica en Pharma: control, cumplimiento y resiliencia en entornos de alto riesgo: https://bit.ly/4rku7lCWEBINAR- Talent Management Playbook for Supply Chain Leaders: https://bit.ly/4uc2OfBWEBINAR- From Workforce Planning to Hourly Performance Management: How GEODIS Americas Turned Labor Productivity into a Growth Engine: https://bit.ly/4blRfKpWEBINAR- Ahead of Disruption: How AI-First Design Builds Supply Chain Resilience — and Transforms the Teams Behind It: https://bit.ly/4ldRn3bThis episode was hosted by Scott Luton and Karin Bursa, and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/titanium-economy-how-ai-supply-chains-reshaping-industrial-competitiveness-1559

Supply chains across Africa are being reshaped by sustainability pressures, public health needs, digital transformation, and the growing recognition that supply chain is ultimately about people.In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott Luton is joined by special guest host Jenny Froome, Founder and Director of Upavon Management, along with Liesl de Wet, Head of Accelerated Organisational Sustainability at Unitrans and Champion at the Africa Supply Chain Excellence Awards (ASCEA), and ASCEA 2025 award winner Angelina Cumba, Manager, Access to Health Products at VillageReach. Together, they explore the major trends shaping African supply chains today, from climate-related disruption and technology adoption to public-private collaboration and the need to strengthen local capabilities.Scott, Jenny, Liesl, and Angelina also spotlight the fifth anniversary of the Africa Supply Chain Excellence Awards and the program's role in celebrating innovation, resilience, and real-world impact across the continent. The conversation highlights why strong supply chains depend on solid fundamentals, continuous improvement, and leadership that is both practical and purpose-driven. From humanitarian success stories and public health transformation to lessons in sustainability and system design, this episode offers a powerful look at how African supply chain leaders are solving complex challenges and creating models worth learning from around the world.Jump into the conversation:(00:00) Intro(02:02) Meet the panel and their roles in supply chain leadership(03:43) Liesl on penguin conservation and sustainability(06:28) Hobbies and work-life balance(11:15) Top supply chain trends across Africa(16:10) Shifts in public health supply chains(19:55) Why the awards were created(24:18) Angelina on winning and impact(26:59) Favorite winner stories(30:50) The Luke Commission resilience story(33:45) Leadership lessons in supply chain(36:40) Awards momentum and community(37:59) What's new for the 2026 awards(52:27) Leadership reflections and connectionsAdditional Links & Resources:Connect with Angelina Cumba: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelina-c-90304124/Connect with Liesl de Wet: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liesl-de-wet-83903419/Connect with Jenny Froome: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-froome-ba3b09b/Learn more about the Africa Supply Chain Excellence Awards (ASCEA): https://www.ascea.co.za/Learn more about VillageReach: https://www.villagereach.org/Learn more about Unitrans: https://www.unitransafrica.com/Learn more about Upavon Management: https://upavon.co.za/Learn more about the Luke Commission: https://www.lukecommission.orgLearn more about Books for Africa: https://www.booksforafrica.orgLearn more about our hosts: https://supplychainnow.com/aboutLearn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.comWatch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/supply-chain-nowSubscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/joinWork with us! Download Supply Chain Now's NEW Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVkSupply Chain Now en Espanol WEBINAR- Visibilidad estrategica en Pharma: control, cumplimiento y resiliencia en entornos de alto riesgo: https://bit.ly/4rku7lCWEBINAR- Talent Management Playbook for Supply Chain Leaders: https://bit.ly/4uc2OfBWEBINAR- From Workforce Planning to Hourly Performance Management: How GEODIS Americas Turned Labor Productivity into a Growth Engine: https://bit.ly/4blRfKpWEBINAR- Ahead of Disruption: How AI-First Design Builds Supply Chain Resilience — and Transforms the Teams Behind It: https://bit.ly/4ldRn3bThis episode was hosted by Scott Luton and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/celebrating-excellence-leadership-innovation-across-africa-1558

From manufacturing data and AI adoption to workforce trends and the evolving role of women in industry, supply chain leaders are navigating a fast-changing landscape. In this episode of The Buzz, hosts Scott Luton and Karen Betancourt break down the latest global supply chain news and welcome Tracy Hyatt Bosman of Biggins Lacy Shapiro & Company to explore how economic signals, workforce dynamics, and site selection strategies are shaping the future of manufacturing and logistics. Buckle up and join us for this week's insights and conversations — welcome to The Buzz powered by Project44!This episode dives into the latest developments impacting global supply chains, including new data on U.S. manufacturing performance, the rapid rise of AI in factory operations, and the workforce dynamics influencing site selection and economic development. The conversation also highlights Women's History Month, explores real-world examples of supply chain and marketing alignment, and examines how emerging technologies and shifting economic signals are reshaping industry strategy.Tune in and learn:What the latest U.S. manufacturing data signals about jobs, tariffs, and production costsHow manufacturers are deploying AI to improve productivity, quality, and resilienceWhy workforce availability and skills remain the biggest factor in manufacturing site selectionThe myths and realities surrounding manufacturing careers and workforce shortagesKey economic insights from leading economists on the outlook for U.S. manufacturing and global tradeHow retailers like Target are investing in supply chain and fulfillment capabilities to compete in the omnichannel eraThe role of women's leadership in supply chain and manufacturing operationsWhy data centers are becoming a critical (and sometimes controversial) part of modern infrastructureWhether you're a supply chain leader, manufacturer, logistics professional, or industry enthusiast, this episode offers valuable perspective on the economic forces, workforce realities, and technology shifts shaping the future of supply chain. Tune in to gain practical insights and stay ahead of the trends influencing how the world moves goods, data, and innovation.Additional Links & Resources:Project 44: https://www.project44.com/With That Said: https://bit.ly/WTS-7-March-2026National Supply Chain Day: https://bit.ly/NSCD-2026American Supply Chain Summit: https://supplychainus.com/FritoLay Chip Challenge: https://bit.ly/Karen-FritoLay-Chip-ChallengeUS manufacturing activity steady, factory gate inflation surges: https://reut.rs/4roemtIU.S. payrolls unexpectedly fell by 92,000 in February; unemployment rate rises to 4.4%: https://cnb.cx/4bgHFseManufacturers are making progress with AI, but barriers remain: Cisco: https://bit.ly/State-of-AI-in-ManufacturingTarget readies next-day delivery for 20 more metros this spring: https://bit.ly/Target-Expands-Next-Day-DeliveryFox's Burton's Companies factory chief: “I was told being a woman would hold me back:” https://bit.ly/Women-In-ManufacturingDecision44 Event: https://www.project44.com/events/decision44/The Executives'​ Club of Chicago's Annual Economic Outlook 2026: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/traceyhyattbosman_before-it-gets-too-far-in-the-rearview-mirror-activity-7418784479105691649-Azng/Connect with Tracey on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/traceyhyattbosman/Connect with Karen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karendbetancourt/Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.comWatch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/supply-chain-nowSubscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/joinWork with us! Download Supply Chain Now's NEW Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVkSupply Chain Now en Espanol WEBINAR- Visibilidad estrategica en Pharma: control, cumplimiento y resiliencia en entornos de alto riesgo: https://bit.ly/4rku7lCWEBINAR- Talent Management Playbook for Supply Chain Leaders: https://bit.ly/4uc2OfBWEBINAR- From Workforce Planning to Hourly Performance Management: How GEODIS Americas Turned Labor Productivity into a Growth Engine: https://bit.ly/4blRfKpWEBINAR- Ahead of Disruption: How AI-First Design Builds Supply Chain Resilience — and Transforms the Teams Behind It: https://bit.ly/4ldRn3bThis episode is hosted by Scott Luton and Karen Betancourt, and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/buzz-ai-hits-factory-floor-1557

AI is no longer a technology experiment—it's a business imperative. Val Elbert, a member of BCG's Technology, Media & Telecommunications practice, explains why CEOs must shift from AI pilots to profit, demand quarterly results from all AI initiatives, and lead cross-functional AI transformations that deliver real bottom-line impact. The winners will scale fast. The rest will be left explaining themselves to investors. Learn More Val Elbert, BCG Managing Director and Senior Partner, https://www.bcg.com/about/people/experts/val-elbert As AI Investments Surge, CEOs Take the Lead, https://www.bcg.com/publications/2026/as-ai-investments-surge-ceos-take-the-lead Turning AI Disruption into a Telco's Growth Engine, https://www.bcg.com/publications/2026/turning-ai-disruption-into-telcos-growth-engine Driving Growth and Innovation at Verizon Consumer Group, https://www.bcg.com/publications/2025/driving-growth-innovation-leading-telcoChapters00:00 Introduction 00:44 Where TMT companies stand on AI adoption02:32 The boardroom shift from AI pilots to scale03:11 Building AI into business agendas03:49 AI adoption patterns across industries 04:37 Leaders need to see quarterly results05:22 Why AI can't run as a three-year program05:59 What separates AI winners07:22 Why structure needs to change07:52 Where friction blocks AI value creation09:19 How to focus amid technology noise10:00 The mindset shift to move from AI pilots to P&L10:30 What scaling AI in telecom looks like12:08 The role of humans in an AI-driven operating model13:28 What the next 18 months will look like13:55 Will AI drive mergers?15:10 Is It harder for legacy companies to compete in AI?15:36 How AI-driven change will impact consumers16:44 If you're stuck in the pilot phase17:45 Physical AI at MWC Barcelona18:11 OutroSubscribe to BCG's YouTube channel: https://goo.gl/hsFsVT Visit us at https://www.bcg.comThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Andi Baldwin and Erika Flowers sit down with Shobha Meera of Capgemini to discuss her career in professional services, from starting out in product sales to leading complex, global client relationships.Together, they explore what it takes to be an exceptional client partner, including building trust across a matrixed organization, leading from different positions, developing talent through intentional rituals, and navigating leadership as a woman in large professional services firms.

On the podcast: how ElevenLabs turns every new feature launch into a growth engine, how they're deploying over a hundred million dollars in paid ads, and why directing AI agents is quickly becoming a core skill for marketers and solo founders.This conversation is shorter than usual and will be featured in RevenueCat's State of Subscription Apps report. Each episode in this series will explore one crucial topic and share actionable insights from top subscription app operators.Top Takeaways:

Building a thriving accounting firm is impossible without the right systems - but most firm owners are still creating SOPs from scratch, one painful document at a time.In this episode of The Wize Way Podcast, Kristy and the Wize Team break down the real secret to scaling your firm without chaos and it all comes down to building a centralised policy factory.✅ Why having an SOP for your SOPs is the most important system you'll ever create ✅ The simple impact vs. ease framework for knowing which SOPs to tackle first ✅ How to delegate SOP creation so it's never all on the firm owner ✅ The tools top firms are using to build, store and share SOPs (Loom, Scribe, ClickUp and more) ✅ How to onboard new team members so they're productive from day oneIf you're a firm owner tired of things falling through the cracks, frustrated by inconsistent team performance, and ready to finally step back from the day-to-day, this conversation is a must-listen.________________ PS: Whenever you're ready… here are the fastest 4 ways we can help you fix and grow your accounting firm: 1. Download our famous Wize Freedom Map for FREE - Find out the 96 projects every firm owner must implement to build a $5M+ firm that can run without them - Download here 2. Need to Hire right now? Book a 1:1 FREE discovery call with our WizeTalent hiring coaches to help find your next team member the Wize Way – Click Here 3. Work with Jamie and our mentors for 8 weeks - Build a custom business plan for your firm - Apply here

Our Hong Kong/China Transportation & Infrastructure Analyst Qianlei Fan discusses how China's travel industry is shifting from a post-pandemic rebound to a multi-year expansion.Read more insights from Morgan Stanley.----- Transcript -----Welcome to Thoughts on the Market. I'm Qianlei Fan, Morgan Stanley's Hong Kong / China Transportation Analyst. Today, I'll share my thoughts on why travel is quickly emerging as one of [the] key drivers of China's economic rebalancing.It's Tuesday, March the 3rd, at 2pm in Hong Kong. I've just gotten back from my Lunar New Year trip to mainland China. With the longest Chinese New Year break in history, people were out roaming, exploring, laughing, and the whole country felt like it was buzzing with people on a mission to enjoy every minute. According to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, total domestic tourism spending recorded a robust 19 percent year-on-year growth during the holiday. In fact, China's tourism industry isn't just rebounding after the pandemic. It's entering a structurally stronger phase, supported by policy tailwinds, demographic shifts, and a clear pivot toward experience-driven consumption. By 2030, tourism revenue could reach RMB 12 trillion – equal to roughly USD $1.7 trillion – implying 11 percent annual growth from the mid-2020s. Over the next five years, cumulative domestic and inbound revenue may approach RMB 50 trillion, or USD $7.2 trillion. That scale makes travel more than a cyclical recovery – it's becoming a core pillar of China's consumption-led growth. We expect tourism's share of GDP to rise to about 6.7 percent by 2030, up from 4.8 percent in 2024.Domestic travel remains the backbone. People aren't just traveling again; they're traveling more than before. Policy is reinforcing demand. Extended public holidays, new school breaks, and event-driven tourism are boosting activity. In 2025 alone, around 3,000 large-scale performances attracted more than 43 million attendees. And spending reflects that shift. Domestic tourism spending reached RMB 6.3 trillion in 2025, about 11 percent above pre-COVID levels. Even with slightly lower spend per trip, more frequent travel is lifting overall revenue.International travel is emerging as a second growth engine. By 2030, inbound travel could represent 16 percent of total tourism revenue. In late 2025, inbound visitor growth in major cities was up about 30–50 percent year-over-year, supported by expanded visa-free access, which now accounts for the majority of foreign arrivals. These visitors often stay longer and spend more. Outbound travel is strengthening too. International air traffic grew 22 percent in 2025, far outpacing domestic growth, and now contributes a meaningful share of airline revenue. Demographics and technology are reinforcing the trend. Younger consumers prioritize travel, while older households – with substantial savings – are beginning to spend more as services improve. At the same time, smart hotels, virtual reality attractions, and data-driven operations are enhancing engagement and willingness to pay. This isn't just pent-up demand. It's policy, demographics, technology, and supply aligning at once. – with travel at the center of China's consumption story.Thanks for listening. If you enjoy the show, please leave us a review wherever you listen and share Thoughts on the Market with a friend or colleague today.

What happens when you put revenue and technology under one executive leader? In this episode of Technovation, Peter High speaks with Drew Pinto, Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue and Technology Officer at Marriott International, a $26 billion hospitality leader approaching its 100-year anniversary. Pinto shares how Marriott is transforming technology from a support function into a strategic growth engine — tightly integrated with capital allocation, AI experimentation, and commercial outcomes. Key highlights include: Why Marriott merged revenue and IT under a single executive mandate How disciplined capital allocation is shaping AI investments The shift from “tech for tech's sake” to measurable business impact Why most “technology problems” are actually data problems How a new product operating model is breaking down silos 🎧 Listen to learn how modern CIOs can align IT strategy directly to top-line growth.

In this episode of Future Fuzz, Harry Duran sits down with Kyle Shurtz, Fractional CMO at Avalaunch Media, to talk strategy, risk-taking, and why marketing is a lot like playing blackjack.Kyle shares how frameworks, not guesswork, drive better decisions in both cards and campaigns. From Google's 70-20-10 “wild bets” philosophy to Avalanche's structured Strategic Sprint process, the conversation explores how disciplined risk-taking separates winning brands from stagnant ones.They dive deep into the role of AI in marketing, why strategic leadership won't be replaced by automation, and how agencies must evolve beyond tactics into true fractional executive partnerships. Kyle also breaks down Avalanche's nine-square marketing framework (inspired by The One Page Marketing Plan), explaining how aligning ICP, messaging, media, customer journey, and lifetime value creates scalable growth.If you're a founder or executive tired of reactive marketing and looking for structured, strategic growth—this episode delivers practical insight.Guest BioKyle Shurtz is the Fractional CMO at Avalaunch Media, a full-service digital marketing agency focused on strategic leadership backed by execution.At Avalanche, Kyle helps companies move beyond disconnected marketing tactics by implementing structured frameworks that align revenue goals, customer acquisition, and brand positioning. The agency specializes in building fractional in-house marketing teams—combining executive-level strategy with tactical delivery across content, paid media, analytics, and creative.Kyle is passionate about risk-taking, innovation, and what he calls “wild bets”—intentional experimentation designed to drive breakthrough growth. Through structured planning and disciplined execution, he helps businesses scale sustainably in an AI-driven marketing landscape.TakeawaysMarketing, like blackjack, requires strategic decision-making based on known variables.AI enhances execution but cannot replace strategic leadership.The 70-20-10 model (core, adjacent, wild bets) can be applied to marketing budgets.Companies should allocate 10% of their marketing efforts to experimentation.90% of marketing dollars go toward acquisition, but 65% of revenue often comes from existing customers.Strong sales infrastructure is critical before scaling marketing efforts.Strategic planning must precede tactical execution.Content creation at scale is one of the biggest friction points in modern marketing.Human-led, founder-driven content will become increasingly important in an AI-saturated world.Fractional executive marketing teams can provide stability in a role with high turnover.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Kyle Shurtz 00:28 AI Tools and the Gemini vs. ChatGPT Debate 01:23 Marketing as Blackjack: The Framework Mindset 03:11 AI's Role in Strategic Marketing 04:24 The 70-20-10 Wild Bets Philosophy 06:01 Risk-Taking and Iconic Brand Growth 07:16 What Makes a Great Avalaunch Client 08:35 The Strategic Sprint Framework 10:46 Bringing Stability to Marketing Leadership 12:23 Content Strategy and AI-Driven Research 13:49 Content Creation Friction 15:21 The Importance of Human-Led Branding 17:59 The Fractional In-House Team Model 19:26 Rebuilding Trust in Digital Marketing 21:48 LinkedIn as a Growth Engine 26:29 Case Study: 45% Growth in 90 Days 28:24 Where to Connect with KyleLinkedInFollow Kyle Shurtz on LinkedIn Follow Harry Duran on LinkedIn

The Debt Trap vs. The Growth Engine: What "Smart Financing" actually looks like in 2026 | Financial Forecast S08E03 by Capital FM

What if your best-performing content didn't start with a blog post—but with a question no one else thought to ask?In this episode of Content Amplified, Benjamin Ard sits down with Donna Parent, CMO at Dynamo Software, to unpack how quarterly first-party research became the backbone of their content strategy—and a serious competitive edge.Donna doesn't treat research like a one-off campaign. She runs it like a product: structured, repeatable, defensible, and built for distribution. With a lean team of fewer than 10 marketers, she has led the creation of 14 in-depth industry research reports—each designed to spark conversation, earn media coverage, and fuel an entire ecosystem of content.The result? Authoritative insights that drive press, power webinars, support sales conversations, and strengthen visibility across AI-powered search.This isn't about volume. It's about credibility at scale.What you'll learn in this episode:How to build a quarterly first-party research program—even with a small marketing teamWhy consistency (not frequency) unlocks meaningful comparative insightsHow to design surveys that balance foundational benchmarks with fresh industry trendsA practical framework for collaborating across marketing, product, sales, and PRHow to turn one research report into press coverage, webinars, social campaigns, and executive thought leadershipThe right—and wrong—ways to use AI when analyzing primary dataWhy third-party credibility matters more than ever for AI-driven search and discoverabilityHow to protect data integrity while moving fast enough to meet market demandAbout Donna ParentDonna Parent is the Chief Marketing Officer at Dynamo Software, a leading provider of software solutions for the private investment community.With more than 25 years of experience in B2B and B2C marketing, Donna has built revenue-generating teams across enterprise software companies ranging from 50-person startups to global organizations with thousands of employees. Her sweet spot lies in entrepreneurial environments where agility, experimentation, and disciplined execution drive results.At Dynamo, Donna spearheaded a quarterly first-party research initiative serving general partners, limited partners, hedge funds, and fund accountants. She personally oversees survey design, data validation, and report development—ensuring every published insight is accurate, defensible, and actionable.Her work has fueled media placements, executive editorials in outlets like Forbes Tech Council, and a scalable content engine built on credibility.Connect with Donna:Donna's LinkedIn ProfileDynamo Software's websiteLatest Research ReportText us what you think about this episode!

What if the biggest barrier to your fundraising success isn't your strategy or your donor list — but your workplace culture?In this insightful episode, I sit down with Marcia Beckner, a nationally recognized nonprofit founder, CEO mentor, culture strategist, and host of the Nonprofit CEO SPARK podcast. Marcia is the creator of the Culture CARES® Framework, a proven model for helping nonprofit leaders build healthy, inclusive, and empowering organizational cultures where everyone can thrive — and where fundraising can flourish.Marcia shares her powerful personal journey, beginning with a life-altering ovarian cancer diagnosis in her 20s that led her to found MyLifeLine Cancer Foundation. Under her leadership, the organization grew nationally and eventually merged with a global nonprofit, reaching over 300,000 cancer patients and families.Today, Marcia works with mission-driven leaders across the country to tackle a commonly overlooked truth: your culture is your growth engine. Without alignment, even the best fundraising strategies fall flat. But when leadership, values, and strategy are united? Teams thrive. Revenue grows. Burnout fades.

In this episode, we sit down with Mike Martin to explore what it really takes to build meaningful, long‑term client relationships. From his early career as a mechanical engineer to decades in consulting, Mike shares how staying close to customers, showing up with the right mindset, and “creating your own serendipity” have shaped his career. He offers practical insights on investing in relationships beyond active projects, developing the next generation of client leaders, and designing incentives that encourage true collaboration - along with candid stories that bring these lessons to life. 

In this special bonus episode, we're bringing you a global growth-focused presentation from DSU Fall 2025.  Sol Flint, General Director of Latin America at Nature's Sunshine, explains why Latin America is one of the most underpenetrated and opportunity-rich regions in direct selling. She shares how community leadership, trust and omnichannel execution are the real growth levers, and why companies that invest now can unlock Asia-level scale.

In this episode of HR Salon, host Andrew Biernat sits down with Kevyn Rustici, COO of Boulter Industrial Contractors, to challenge one of HR's oldest myths—that it's a cost center. Kevin shares why he believes HR is actually a profit center, revealing how organizations that treat people as strategic assets, not overhead, outperform their peers.Together, they explore:How people analytics can predict performance and drive profitability.Why HR teams must learn to speak the language of business to earn true influence.The power of trust, communication, and feedback loops in building alignment.How talent pipelines and transparent leadership can future‑proof your organization.Whether you're an HR leader, people manager, or executive, this discussion redefines what it means to connect human and financial performance — proving that culture and profit aren't opposites, they're partners. Support the show

In this episode of InSights, presented by Haley Marketing, Brad Bialy sits down with David Searns, Co-CEO of Haley Marketing, to unpack why staffing firms must build a true growth engine—one that aligns marketing, sales, and buyer enablement to win in a more skeptical, competitive market. About the Guest David Searns is the Co-CEO of Haley Marketing and one of the most experienced voices in staffing industry marketing. With more than 25 years helping firms clarify differentiation and drive demand, David brings a deep, practical understanding of what actually fuels sustainable growth. Key Takeaways Marketing is a sales advantage, not a creative expense. Buyers decide long before sales ever gets the call. Differentiation starts with customer problems, not company features. Nurturing beats chasing when markets tighten. If you don't define your aisle, you compete on price. Timestamps [02:20] Why staffing penetration is collapsing [04:55] Buyers are skeptical, busy, and informed [06:45] The danger of selling without buyer enablement [09:20] The six-layer growth engine framework [13:15] Why most differentiators don't actually differentiate [17:10] Escaping the “staffing aisle” trap [19:00] How owners should pressure-test their messaging [23:40] Making sales drop-bys actually work [27:25] Why nurturing is the most ignored lever [31:30] Buyer enablement without giving away secrets [34:20] Why fewer employers are using temps [35:50] Learning how to learn in a changing market About the Host Brad Bialy is a trusted voice and highly sought-after speaker in the staffing and recruiting industry, known for helping firms grow through integrated marketing, sales, and recruiting strategies. With over 13 years at Haley Marketing and a proven track record guiding hundreds of firms, Brad brings deep expertise and a fresh, actionable perspective to every engagement. He's the host of Take the Stage and InSights, two of the staffing industry's leading podcasts with more than 200,000 downloads. Sponsors InSights is presented by Haley Marketing. For a limited time, we're offering 50% off a brand new staffing website. Just message Brad Bialy on LinkedIn and mention the Crazy Website Promo. Book a 30-minute business and marketing consultation with host, Brad Bialy: https://bit.ly/Bialy30 This episode is brought to you by FoxHire. If you're looking for an Employer of Record partner that helps recruiters confidently grow contract placements and build recurring revenue without taking on extra risk, FoxHire is perfect for you. Learn more at https://www.FoxHire.com/Haley  

Send us a textEve Chen, CEO of Growth Engine and Fractional CMO for Tech Companies, joined Eric Gruber on the ABM Done Right Podcast to discuss:1.  How GTM teams and organizations lack the strategic clarity that's needed for ABM.2. How most GTM teams do not understand their customers enough - even the ones that think they nailed their ICP. You'll learn about the 5 levels of customer maturity knowledge. 3. The interpretation gap that can be found in AI and all ABM platforms. 4. The 6 eras of revenue growth. 

Jeremy Ryan Slate is an entrepreneur, media expert, author, and Founder & CEO of Command Your Brand, a premier PR and podcast placement firm helping visionary founders build trust, authority, and cultural influence through new media. He studied literature at Oxford University, holds a Master's degree, and is a former champion powerlifter. After surviving life-threatening circumstances at 19 and witnessing his mother's debilitating stroke at 24, Jeremy developed the resilience that shaped his purpose. In 2015, he launched Create Your Own Life (now The Jeremy Ryan Slate Show), which reached 10,000 downloads in its first month and was featured by Neil Patel. His work has been recognized by INC, CIO Magazine, BuzzFeed, Influencive, and Podcast Magazine's 40 Under 40 in Podcasting (2022). By 2024, Command Your Brand grew to a 15-person team, securing nearly 6,500 podcast placements for impact-driven founders focused on changing culture and humanity. During the show we discuss: Why the old podcast playbook is broken and what's fundamentally changed in podcasting today How podcasts can become powerful networking, relationship, and partnership engines What separates podcasts that fade out from shows that compound authority and influence How founders can get booked on top podcasts through positioning, personalization, and strategy Why individualization and strategic storytelling are essential for trust and audience growth How data, analytics, and tools like Podchaser help guide smarter podcast decisions How Command Studio turns podcast conversations into long-term business opportunities Resources: https://commandyourbrand.com/ https://commandyourbrand.com/analysis

In this episode of The Abundance Mindset, hosts Vinney Chopra and Gualter Amarelo break down a topic most investors overlook — how culture inside your sales and marketing teams directly impacts occupancy, cash flow, and long-term success. Vinney shares lessons from building and operating thousands of units across multifamily, senior living, and hospitality, while Gualter brings real-world challenges from actively scaling his own portfolio.   This conversation dives deep into what actually drives performance on the ground:

Brands are currently caught between two realities: the pretty strategy deck and the real world where attention is the currency. Gary Vaynerchuk, CEO of VaynerMedia joins Josh Spanier, VP of AI & Marketing Strategy at Google to discuss why traditional brand models are failing and which channels remain the C-suite's most misunderstood growth levers. Gary argues the bottleneck isn't media—it's creative slowed by excessive approvals and organizations built for campaigns rather than culture. To win, brands must collapse the walls between media and production, treating social as a daily operating system. This is a candid conversation for any leader ready to bridge the gap between boardroom theory and real-world business results. 00:00 — Creative vs. Media: What Actually Drives Results 01:38 — Practicing in the Trenches, Not the Decks 02:38 — The Real Role of the CMO in 2025–2026 03:51 — Performance vs. Brand CMOs: Why Both Miss the Mark 05:13 — “Day Trading Attention” and Measuring Real Outcomes 07:28 — Creative Is the Variable of Success 09:49 — LinkedIn Is the B2B World's TikTok 11:21 — Relevance at Scale Beats “Matching Luggage” 13:49 — Why Production, Creative & Media Must Merge 15:05 — Who Wins in an AI-Powered Marketing World 18:42 — Rebuilding an Agency for the AI Era 21:06 — Brand Means Different Things to Different People 26:07 — How to Pitch Marketing to the CFO 30:41 — Rapid-Fire: Metrics, Media & Buzzwords 32:05 — Field Notes from the Frontier

Andi Baldwin sits down with Arjun Davda, a seasoned growth leader in professional services, for a candid, insight‑rich conversation on what truly sustains long‑term client relationships. Arjun shares why genuine human connection—not logos, titles, or transactions—forms the real foundation of commercial success. He breaks down the power of saying no, the discipline behind great account planning, and how to show up as a coordinated, trusted partner rather than noise in a client's inbox. Together, they explore how to stay relentlessly informed, build trust that endures through career changes, and create “easy‑button” experiences clients love. A sharp dose of practical wisdom for anyone focused on building durable, client‑centric growth.

Osaic's Eric Baumgardner visits with FINNY Co-Founder Eden Ovadia as they discuss the incredible power of FINNY. Listen as they talk about organic growth strategy, contact enrichment, content creation and approvals. See how you can grab additional info from current clients.  Visit finny.com/osaic to learn more.

On the podcast, I talk with Cem about the premium trap many apps fall into, why free trials work even for freemium products, and how ‘try for $0.00' actually outperforms ‘try for free'.Top Takeaways:

While most conversations are wrapped up in AI, content hacks, clever creatives or customer service workflows, the brands that keep showing up year after year tend to share one unglamorous trait. They make consistently good products. And they're willing to make uncomfortable decisions to protect that standard.Today's Playbook dives into product-led ecommerce through the lens of founders who treat product not as a department, but as the operating system of their business. Brands that don't ignore marketing or growth, but refuse to let either compensate for mediocre products.In today's Playbook: Why product-led ecommerce still wins long-termTreating product quality as the growth engineKilling launches that don't meet customer standardsValidating quality through blind testingUsing reviews and returns as product signalsMoving customers from product like to product joyDefining and protecting non-negotiable quality standardsHow product obsession creates a durable ecommerce moatEcosa's main episodeHeaps Normal's main episodeNontre's main episodeMuscle Republic's main episodeSMS us to request a guest!Support the showWant to level up your ecommerce game? Come hang out in the Add To Cart Community. We're talking deep dives, smart events, and real-world inspo for operators who are in it for the long haul. Connect with Nathan BushContact Add To CartJoin the Community

How do you move from shipping features to building a product vision that actually drives growth? In this podcast hosted by Huntress Director of Product Nisarg Desai, American Express Vice President of Product Management Jose Quesada shares how he approaches product vision and strategy for one of the world's most scaled B2C platforms. Jose breaks down the difference between vision and strategy, how to ground ambitious north stars in execution, and what it takes to turn product thinking into a durable growth engine.

Why Customer Experience Is Your Hidden Profit Center  Shep interviews Ty Givens, Founder of CX Collective. She talks about how contact centers can be transformed into growth engines by proactively addressing customer needs and empowering employees through training.  This episode of Amazing Business Radio with Shep Hyken answers the following questions and more:    How can frontline customer service representatives be empowered to act as the face of a brand?  How does training impact the effectiveness and efficiency of customer support teams?  What are the main benefits of proactive customer experience versus reactive customer service?  How can technology, such as AI, improve resolution times for common customer issues?  How can businesses educate customers to use digital support channels for faster issue resolution?  Top Takeaways:    Every employee interacting with a customer becomes the face of the company. Train employees on their role to represent and support the brand. When someone calls with a problem, regardless of who is at fault,  it is their responsibility to make things right and create a positive experience for the customer.   When you start using customer service as a listening tool, it stops being a cost and becomes a way to improve processes for employees and experiences for customers.   Feedback can be silent. Pay attention to what your customers are saying and what they are not saying. Sometimes, customers hint at underlying problems without saying it. Picking up on context and clues can help solve issues faster and even improve services in the future.   Customer service becomes proactive by paying attention to feedback and patterns that allow you can fix issues before the next customer gets upset. Pay attention to what features or products your customers love to use. Identify the features customers don't interact with so you can either improve them or focus your resources elsewhere.  A simple mistake, such as leaving an item out of an order, can lead to angry calls, extra costs to fix the problem, and even lost customers. Training employees to understand how their actions affect the entire customer journey helps reduce errors. Even small improvements can save costs and keep customers and employees happier.  Investing in your employees expands their capabilities in helping customers. Even thirty minutes spent learning a new skill or understanding a customer's needs, once every month or two, can save time and money in the long run.   Plus, Shep and Ty discuss more ways a call center can drive growth and revenue. Tune in!  Quote:   "In most companies, the customer service team is the only function that has direct, one-to-one conversations with customers. This makes them a powerful source of insight, not just from what customers say, but from what they don't say. Teach your team to actively listen, read between the lines, and recognize opportunities to improve the customer experience."  About:    Ty Givens is the founder of CX Collective. She helps leaders turn inefficient processes into reliable, human-centered systems that boost team productivity and customer loyalty.  Shep Hyken is a customer service and experience expert, New York Times bestselling author, award-winning keynote speaker, and host of Amazing Business Radio.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Referrals are still the #1 growth channel in home services — but most contractors treat it like hope marketing.In this episode, John Wilson sits down with Murphy Nadauld (ReferPro) to break down how the best operators turn word-of-mouth into a systematic, trackable, ROI-positive referral engine.They unpack why 83% of customers are willing to refer, yet only 29% actually do — and the three levers that close the gap: awareness, attribution, and automated rewards.You'll learn how top HVAC, plumbing, electrical, roofing, and restoration companies:Activate referrals directly through technicians in the homeBuild a B2B “affiliate army” (realtors, plumbers, inspectors, restoration partners)Tier incentives by job value so referrals scale without blowing up CACUse attribution and automation to make referrals predictable — not randomIf you're a contractor owner who wants referrals on demand, not vibes, this episode is your blueprint.In This Episode, We Cover:The referral gap: why customers want to refer but don'tThe 3-part referral system: Awareness → Attribution → RewardsHow “power referrers” actually emerge (and why spend ≠ referrals)Technician-driven referrals: QR codes, NFC, truck signage, leave-behinds

Erika Flowers and Walt Shill sit down with Bill Green, former CEO and Chairman of Accenture, for a sharp, insight‑packed conversation on what truly drives growth in professional services. Bill shares lessons from leading Accenture through major expansion and crisis - revealing why relevance, top talent, and genuine ownership are the foundations of great firms. Together, they explore how to stay relentlessly client‑focused, avoid inward‑looking leadership, and master the art of “selling without selling.” A distilled dose of timeless guidance for leaders building durable, client‑centric organizations.

What if the platform you've been using casually is actually your most powerful growth engine?  In this episode, Mike sits down with Eli Igra Serfaty, co-founder and CEO of MAIA Digital, one of the world's leading LinkedIn growth agencies. MAIA helps B2B founders and executives turn visibility into real trust, relationships, and revenue. With a background in venture capital and deep roots in Israel's startup ecosystem, Eli brings a rare, behind-the-scenes perspective on how influence is actually built in today's professional world. Eli walks through his journey from venture capital at iAngels to founding MAIA Digital after spotting a critical gap: brilliant founders and executives were on LinkedIn, but they weren't truly using it. What began as a job-hunting platform has quietly evolved into one of the most powerful tools for credibility, connection, and long-term business growth, especially following Microsoft's acquisition, which fundamentally reshaped the ecosystem. This conversation goes far beyond tactics. Eli breaks down why visibility matters, why most people overthink posting, and how consistent, authentic engagement turns cold audiences into warm conversations. He explains what actually works on LinkedIn today, from content formats and storytelling to outreach strategies that build trust rather than burn bridges. You'll also hear practical guidance on using LinkedIn without letting it consume your life: what to do daily, weekly, and monthly to generate real returns. Eli shares why authenticity beats automation, why vulnerability builds stronger communities, and why playing the long game on LinkedIn pays off in ways most people underestimate.   IN THIS EPISODE: ➡️LINKEDIN REIMAGINED: How the platform evolved from job board to trust-building growth engine ➡️VISIBILITY WITHOUT PERFECTION: Why consistency beats overthinking and polished personas ➡️OUTREACH THAT ACTUALLY WORKS: Turning cold connections into warm, human conversations ➡️AUTHENTICITY THAT COMPOUNDS: Building long-term influence through real engagement and community  

Luke Harries is Head of Growth at ElevenLabs, where he leads marketing, product, engineering, and developer experience. ElevenLabs has raised $281M with the latest round pricing the company at a $6.6B valuation. Previously, Luke held roles at PostHog and Microsoft, and is also an angel investor supporting startups like Lovable and Runna. AGENDA:  The $6.6B Growth Engine Behind ElevenLabs Why Luke Said "No" to Investing in ElevenLabs (and Why He Was Wrong) How ElevenLabs Makes a Horizontal Product Strategy Work How to Build Sharded Growth Teams That Actually Scale The 7-Part Launch Playbook That Gets 700K+ Views Per Product The Truth About CAC, Payback, and Performance Marketing in AI SEO Isn't Dead: The Mini-Tool Strategy You Should Steal Kill Your Inbound SDRs—The Case for Voice AI in Sales Why You Don't Need PMs and the Rise of Growth-Led Product Teams    

Send us a textGrowth doesn't come from stacking more sheds on the lot; it comes from choosing the right model and building systems that make it work. We sat down to map how a shed business can hit a true 20% lift by aligning strategy with execution, from boutique marketing builds to smart, segmented lead funnels that guide buyers from curiosity to contract. Along the way, we break down why vertical, short‑form video wins on Reels, Shorts, and TikTok, and show how interest‑based algorithms reward clear hooks, tight loops, and real proof.We compare paths that both work: a display‑first, digital‑heavy approach using configurators, live video consultations, and fast scheduling versus a true super-lot model with deep selection and rapid delivery. The takeaway isn't either/or; it's fit and focus. Independent dealers can diversify with logical add‑ons to cover lot costs without muddying the brand, while manufacturers can back dealers with better creative, smarter funnels, and clean attribution. If you're wrestling with the dealer network question or wondering how much inventory you really need, you'll find practical ways to reduce risk and increase throughput.AI has a real role here. We share where it shines today—copy iterations, data analysis, and workflow automation—and where to keep a human hand on the wheel. Weekly consulting sprints on funnel design, monthly oversight, and a trusted partner bench help you launch systems that work on day one. Expect concrete moves: segment by use case, embed social proof, route leads intelligently, and track CPC, CPL, and CPA in one place. If your homepage is doing all the heavy lifting, it's time to evolve.Ready to build a system that matches your model? Subscribe, share this with your team, and leave a review with one question you want answered next. Then reach out at info@shedgeek.com to book a discovery call and start turning clicks into scheduled deliveries.For more information or to know more about the Shed Geek Podcast visit us at our website.Would you like to receive our weekly newsletter?  Sign up here.Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube at the handle @shedgeekpodcast.To be a guest on the Shed Geek Podcast visit our website and fill out the "Contact Us" form.To suggest show topics or ask questions you want answered email us at info@shedgeek.com.This episodes Sponsors:Studio Sponsor: Shed ProIdentigrowCardinal LeasingSolar Blaster

This week, we're joined by Liz Anthony, Chief of Staff at Halfdays, the fast-growing women's outdoor apparel brand redefining performance skiwear. Liz breaks down how Halfdays balances brand and performance marketing to scale a highly seasonal DTC business, including the role of founder-led content, creative diversity, and standout collaborations like HOKA in driving Q4 momentum.From there, the group digs into how the Chief of Staff role acts as a force multiplier across marketing, product, and strategy - pulling from Liz's consulting background to explore how strong operators create leverage in fast-moving brands.We wrap with a collaborative discussion on KPI ownership, dashboards, and forecasting, covering how teams use simple tools like Google Sheets to track leading indicators, align cross-functional teams, and connect marketing execution to real business outcomes.If you're scaling a seasonal brand, building cross-functional clarity, or trying to connect brand moments to measurable growth, this episode is packed with practical insight.If you have a question for the MOperators Hotline, click the link to be in with a chance of it being discussed on the show: https://forms.gle/1W7nKoNK5Zakm1Xv6Find out more about the Halfdays brand in another MOperators Episode: How Halfdays Turned Community into a Growth Engine - with CEO Ariana FerwerdaChapters:00:00:00 – Introducing Liz and Halfdays' Brand Story00:03:10 – Finding Product-Market Fit in Women's Ski Wear00:08:00 – Expanding Beyond Ski: Year-Round and Omnichannel Growth00:13:30 – Defining “Her”: Core Customer, Persona, and Positioning00:19:00 – Chief of Staff Role: KPIs, Strategy, and Cross-Functional Glue00:24:10 – Liz's Operator Background and Translating Consulting Skills to DTC00:30:20 – Building the Team, Ownership Culture, and Management Style00:36:20 – Q4 and Black Friday: Hoka Collab, List Growth, and Demand00:44:30 – Content Engine, Community, and Always-On Brand Marketing00:52:30 – Channel Mix, Out-of-Home Bets, and Retargeting Strategy01:01:00 – 2026 Roadmap: New Franchises, Launch “Moments,” and Playbooks01:11:30 – Data Stack, KPIs, and Using Analytics to Drive DecisionsPowered by:Motion.⁠⁠⁠https://motionapp.com/pricing?utm_source=marketing-operators-podcast&utm_medium=paidsponsor&utm_campaign=march-2024-ad-reads⁠⁠⁠https://motionapp.com/creative-trendsPrescient AI.⁠⁠⁠https://www.prescientai.com/operatorsRichpanel.⁠⁠⁠https://www.richpanel.com/?utm_source=MO&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ytdescAftersell.https://www.aftersell.com/operatorsHaus.http://Haus.io/operatorsSubscribe to the 9 Operators Podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/@Operators9Subscribe to the Finance Operators Podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/@FinanceOperatorsFOPSSign up to the 9 Operators newsletter here: https://9operators.com/

Send us a textThe shed business isn't simple anymore—and that's a good thing if you know how to harness it. We take you behind the scenes of our five-year arc, share the wins and stumbles that pushed us to relaunch Shed Geek Marketing, and get practical about what actually moves revenue when buyers start online and finish on their terms.We dig into a hard question that reshapes everything: what is a lead for your model? If you run a high-volume, SEO-driven engine, a name and phone number can be enough when you have a team ready to engage within minutes. If you're a lot-based closer handling walk-ins and custom builds, you need richer context at the first touch—budget, timeline, use, and site constraints. Either way, speed-to-lead matters, but so does tone. Reaching out in thirty seconds can feel helpful or pushy, and the difference is your script, your offer, and whether the buyer asked for that help.You'll hear how we're aligning marketing and sales in a 2025 reality: clean websites with analytics, 3D configurators that convert, buyer guides that educate without pressure, and CRMs that automate qualification while keeping humans available when stakes rise. We talk partner tools that make proof visible—local delivery maps, photo galleries, and reviews tied to neighborhoods—because credibility is a growth multiplier. We also get honest about dealer economics: margin is thin, so disconnected tools are expensive. That's why we moved away from a pure white-label model to manage the customer experience in-house, coordinate specialists, and make sure ads, pages, and follow-up all point to the same goal.If you sell sheds, you're guiding one of the biggest purchases your customer will make. Clarity wins: pricing that makes sense, financing and RTO explained in plain English, timelines you can keep, and support that's one click away by phone, text, or live video. Ready to rethink your funnel, define your lead, and build a system that closes more of the right buyers? Follow the show, share this with your team, and leave a review with the one change you'll make this week.For more information or to know more about the Shed Geek Podcast visit us at our website.Would you like to receive our weekly newsletter?  Sign up here.Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube at the handle @shedgeekpodcast.To be a guest on the Shed Geek Podcast visit our website and fill out the "Contact Us" form.To suggest show topics or ask questions you want answered email us at info@shedgeek.com.This episodes Sponsors:Studio Sponsor: Shed ProThree Oaks Trading CoShed ChallengerLuxGuard

“You make your money on the customer, not the acquisition.” In this episode, Sean sits down with Jordan, the media-buyer-turned-founder behind Instant Hydration, to unpack how he went from affiliate marketer—only eating what he killed—to helping scale multiple 8‑figure CPG brands into 9‑figure powerhouses using Meta ads, tight payback models, and a true growth engine mindset. They talk about why red‑ocean markets like electrolytes are actually a signal of demand, how to think about LTV, subscriptions and time-to-second-purchase, what really happens when a founder tries to steal your team, and the wild IP and trademark journey that led to the Instant Hydration brand.Chapters:00:00 – Cold open: “You make your money on the customer, not the acquisition”02:40 – Jordan's story: from almost-lawyer to Facebook affiliate marketer15:30 – Scaling 8‑figure CPG brands to 9‑figures with Meta ads28:10 – Why consumables, LTV and payback periods win over “one-and-done” products41:45 – The Instant Hydration origin story and trademark/IP battle55:20 – Building a true growth engine: subscriptions, email/SMS, and sending it on ad spendPowered By:Fulfil.io.https://bit.ly/3pAp2vuThe Only Cloud ERP Designed to Efficiently Scale 8 and 9-Figure Brands. Northbeam.https://www.northbeam.io/Richpanel.https://www.richpanel.com/?utm_source=9O&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ytdescSaras.https://bit.ly/9OP-YtdescRivo.https://www.rivo.io/operatorsSubscribe to The Marketing Operators Podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/@MarketingOperatorsSubscribe to The Finance Operators here: https://www.youtube.com/@FinanceOperatorsFOPS Sign up to the 9 Operators newsletter here: https://9operators.com/

How can credit unions use CUSOs (credit union service organizations) and FinTech partnerships as intentional tools for growth instead of one-off “shiny object” deals? In this episode of C.U. On The Show, host Doug English talks with Capstone Strategic's John Dearing about approaching CUSOs and FinTechs with a proactive external growth strategy, deciding when to build, buy, or partner, and how collaboration can help credit unions pursue new opportunities.Watch the episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/0ssPw7LmS-0Read the episode summary on the ACT Advisors Blog: How CUSOs and FinTech Partnerships Can Become a Powerful Growth Engine for Credit Unions | ACT Advisors

Home service owners are pouring money into marketing and still watching the call board swing from "overbooked" to "crickets." In this special Around the CAMPfire takeover on Can't Stop the Growth, CAMP Digital founder Katie Donovan sits down with Matt Murray, CMO and Head of Innovation at Peterman Brothers, to unpack how Peterman built a growth engine that actually matches demand to capacity. Matt shares how Peterman uses real-time data, capacity-aligned marketing, and tight alignment between operations and marketing to keep techs busy, CSRs confident, and ad spend pointed at the right services in the right markets. The conversation digs into brand, trust, community presence, and what it really looks like to scale from "just keep the board full" to a disciplined, repeatable growth system. For HVAC, plumbing, and trade leaders, this is a playbook for turning chaos into control: how to use capacity dashboards, speed-to-lead, and transparent scoreboards so the entire team knows the score and how to win. Matt also talks about shop tours, learning from other contractors, and why calm, clear leadership matters more as the business grows. Additional Resources: Connect with Matt Murray on LinkedIn  Learn more about the Peterman Brothers Connect with Katie Donovan on LinkedIn Follow Camp Digital on LinkedIn Learn more about Camp Digital Join The ARENA - a CSTG Community (powered by our media partner, PeopleForward Network) Subscribe to CSTG on YouTube! Connect with Chad on LinkedIn Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Key Takeaways: Marketing must match your actual capacity. Simple, visible data drives better daily decisions. Protect your speed-to-lead if you want to win more jobs. Brand is built through trust and community presence. Calm, clear leadership cuts through growth chaos. Learning from other shops shortens your path to scale.  

What does it take to scale a consulting firm internationally without external capital? In this episode, Joe O'Mahoney speaks with Olly Purnell, Managing Partner and co-founder of Q5, about how the firm grew from a five-person partnership to a global consultancy. With nearly 30 years of consulting experience, he leads client engagements across sectors while also focusing on attracting top talent to support Q5's growth in the UK, US, and Australia.Olly explains why Q5 moved away from an associate-heavy model, how they built a culture around organisational health, and how their internal tool—Org Maps—supports operating model work by analysing spans, layers, and resource allocation directly from client ERP data.They also discuss Q5's shift from a traditional partnership to a broader shareholder structure, the targeted mergers that helped them enter new markets, and the leadership decisions that preserved the team during COVID-19.Olly closes with insights into the future of consulting, the impact of AI, and Q5's focus on strengthening their tools and international footprint. In this episode, you will learn: How Q5 scaled from a small founding team to an international consultancyWhy the firm shifted from an associate-led model to full-time hiringWhat “organisational health” means in practice and how Q5 delivers itHow Org Maps supports operating model and workforce decisionsWhy Q5 moved from a partnership to a broader shareholder structureThe leadership decision that protected the firm during COVID-19How Q5 approaches growth, culture, and the future of consulting in an AI-driven eraThis conversation offers a clear look into how Q5 has grown, adapted, and defined its approach to organisational health. Olly's reflections on culture, structure, and leadership provide practical insights for any consultancy thinking about scale. We hope you found the discussion valuable and thought-provoking.Connect with Olly:Website: q5partners.comLinkedIn: Olly Purnell Send us a textProf. Joe O'Mahoney helps boutique consultancies scale and exit. Joe's research, writing, speaking and insights can be found at https://equitysherpa.com.

In part two of this powerful conversation, I'm back with Armon Aghaie as we shift the focus toward entrepreneurial growth, personal evolution, and purposeful work. Armon shares what it really takes to grow across different seasons—especially when that growth means changing industries, shedding old identities, and redefining success along the way. We explore the mindset shifts required to keep building while staying aligned, and how clarity, intention, and purpose have guided his journey through his 20s and 30s. If you're navigating a transition, questioning your next move, or feeling called to grow differently, this episode will speak directly to you.

Andy Baldwin and Erika Flowers sit down with Lori Langholz, Partner and Chief Business Development Officer at BDO, to explore what drives growth in professional services. Lori shares her journey from teaching to leading business development, highlighting the qualities that set top performers apart and the importance of building trust—both internally and externally. She discusses the evolution of sales teams, the value of genuine curiosity, and lessons learned from scaling growth operations. Lori also reflects on how collaboration, adaptability, and clear leadership mandates shape success in complex organizations.

This episode introduces a groundbreaking theory on healthy friction and how controlled conflict strengthens teams, brains and culture. It lays out the exact steps leaders can take today to turn tension into innovation instead of fallout.Host: Paul FalavolitoConnect with me on your favorite platform: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, Substack, BlueSky, Threads, LinkTree, YouTubeView my website for free leadership resources and exclusive merchandise: www.paulfalavolito.comBooks by Paul FalavolitoThe 7 Minute Leadership Handbook: bit.ly/48J8zFGThe Leadership Academy: https://bit.ly/4lnT1PfThe 7 Minute Leadership Survival Guide: https://bit.ly/4ij0g8yThe Leader's Book of Secrets: http://bit.ly/4oeGzCI

Are you looking for a way to tap into a whole new level of business momentum by leveraging the collective brainpower of other high-level entrepreneurs? Imagine unlocking a setup where you don't just grow your own business—you multiply wins by combining expertise, resources, and purpose with a squad of world-class players. Stick around, because I'm about to break down exactly how a syndicate mastermind model works, and how you can use it to make smarter decisions, expand your impact, and experience next-level business growth—without flying solo or settling for the usual mastermind routine.If you want to change the world, you're not going to do it going alone—find the right people and do it together.—Pedro JerezConversation Highlights:Discover how building a successful group coaching program can transform your business growth and client engagement.Unpack the syndicate mastermind model to unlock powerful collaborative decision-making and expand your network.Master strategies for filling marketing events that drive attendance and boost your brand visibility.Explore how creating shared infrastructure in business can streamline operations and multiply efficiency.Integrate charity into your business model to create meaningful impact while strengthening your brand's purpose.Resources:Connect with Pedro through LinkedIn to learn more about his work and the syndicate model.Reach out to Pedro at hello@madeventsmedia.com if you have questions about what he's doing or if he can help you.Watch more of Pedro's content to learn about his syndicate model and approach to masterminds.Attend events or masterminds where Pedro is featured to connect and learn from his expertise in the field.Unlocking syndicate mastermind power means harnessing collective intelligence for better decision-making and growth. This model brings together diverse entrepreneurs who collaborate, share insights, and challenge each other's thinking. As a result, participants can solve problems faster and access new opportunities through strong peer support. – – – – – – – – – – – – –

What does it take to transform IT from a bottleneck into a business accelerator? In this episode, Waco Bankston, Chief Information Officer at NiSource, shares how he's repositioning the IT organization to support growth, enable speed, and shift decades of technical and cultural inertia. Leading a 6.5-year enterprise transformation effort, Waco discusses the discipline required to modernize legacy systems while instilling a new execution culture. Key insights from the episode include: Building a modern tech foundation to support future acquisitions Restructuring outsourced/insourced IT mix through platform consolidation Shaping team behavior through leadership-by-experience Establishing unified governance across AI, cybersecurity, and innovation Leading with operational safety and customer-back design

Wil and Nicholas open by talking about “flowing like water” and how that mindset shows up in hospitality: staying adaptable, humble, and open. Nicholas traces his path from teaching skiing to unexpectedly building a career in enterprise software and QA with major pharma and tech companies, then starting a nonprofit, and finally helping open Feast Bistro in Bozeman. He describes the harsh reality of the first two years at Feast: the gap between fantasy and the P&L, mispriced menus, long hours, financial strain, and the grit required to survive COVID. What kept them afloat was humility, constant feedback from guests, and a deep belief that hospitality is about service, not ego.Those struggles led him to create Check This Out, a simple SMS-driven retention and word-of-mouth platform built first for Feast. Traditional marketing (direct mail, email, social) felt like guesswork because he couldn't track what actually drove revenue or distinguish new from returning guests. By counting every mailer and transcribing every comment card, he discovered that over 80% of guests came because someone they knew recommended Feast. That insight became the backbone of Check This Out: use SMS to bring guests back more often and amplify referrals with trackable, time-bound offers that clearly show who is driving traffic and sales. Throughout the episode, Nicholas emphasizes the same core ideas he's lived by: hospitality as service, learning over knowing, capital-efficient building, and using simple tools that actually work.10 Key Takeaways Hospitality is a gateway industry.Nicholas entered it through ski instruction and serving tables, learning empathy and customer focus, skills that shaped everything he's done since. Boredom fuels creativity.Long, quiet Vermont summers sparked the imagination that later helped him pivot careers and eventually become an entrepreneur. An unlikely path to restaurateur.Years in software QA taught him how to build systems that solve real user problems, experience that later informed Feast and Check This Out. Most pro formas are fantasy.Reality hits fast in restaurants: labor, food cost, pricing, and traffic rarely match projections, and the P&L forces honesty. Underpricing is a common early mistake.Feast discovered they were charging too little and had to adjust based on real customer behavior and feedback. Equity builds commitment.Giving chefs, GMs, and key partners skin in the game helped Feast survive the hardest stretches and come out stronger. Listening is everything.Nicholas embraces Kaizen and Deming's cycle: feedback from guests and staff only matters if you act on it without ego. Word-of-mouth is the true growth engine.His analysis showed 80%+ of guests came through personal recommendations, far more than any ad channel. SMS outperforms email and social.Near-100% open rates and fast response times mean campaigns drive real, trackable revenue, something other channels can't match. Check This Out delivers “butts in seats.”Restaurants use it to send compelling texts and let guests forward offers to friends, giving operators clear attribution and measurable ROI instead of guesswork.

In this episode of The Rainmaking Podcast, Scott Love speaks with Jacob Parks, President of Profitable Ideas Exchange and author of The Growth Engine, about how professional services firms can drive sustained growth through structured client feedback systems. Jacob reveals that most firms miss huge opportunities by treating client feedback as a formality rather than a core business strategy. He explains that when firms pursue feedback to genuinely learn—not just to increase revenue—they inevitably uncover insights that lead to deeper relationships, new opportunities, and stronger retention. Jacob introduces the concept of client advisory boards—groups of top clients who meet regularly to offer candid feedback, co-create solutions, and shape a firm's direction. He outlines the steps to implement a client feedback system: identify ideal clients, engage them in ongoing two-way conversations, and, most importantly, follow through on the insights gathered. Jacob emphasizes that curiosity, collaboration, and action are the hallmarks of firms that sustain growth over time. Visit: https://therainmakingpodcast.com/ YouTube: https://youtu.be/9AV80rUHyUo ----------------------------------------

Karly Scott, Manager of Client Services at Logical Position, leads an enterprise-level PPC strategy focused on sustained growth, experimentation, and brand impact. In this episode, she explains how Logical Position supports brands from small startups to those generating over $50 million by managing PPC, Amazon, email, and social media campaigns. The agency's success comes from its strong relationships with partners like Google and Meta, its people-first culture, and its focus on data-driven marketing that adapts to the fast-changing AI-driven landscape. Karly highlights that effective digital marketing requires patience, testing, and diversification across multiple platforms. She shares how one client, Cushion Lab, scaled from $15,000 in ad spend to millions in sales through experimentation and a multichannel strategy. She also urges businesses to invest in creative content and video, emphasizing that consumers now trust YouTube and visual media during research. Her message is clear: if your digital presence isn't optimized across AI, SEO, and paid media, you're missing opportunities to be seen when it matters most. Quotes: “Marketing is so centered in math and data and numbers. I went into that industry thinking one thing and came out very, very different.” “If you're unwilling to take some risks when it comes to digital advertising, you're going to quickly fall behind.” “If you aren't there during the research phase, you sure as heck are not going to be there during the purchasing phase.” Resources: Connect with Karly Scott on LinkedIn Explore Karly Scott's expertise and professional insights

Most construction companies treat their website like a digital brochure. Big mistake. Rob Murray from Intrigue Media joins Eric to explain why even $50M buyers do Google contractors—and how a smart, strategic website builds trust and drives real opportunities. You'll learn how to position your company vertically or horizontally, speak to multiple buyer types, and use short, authentic testimonials that convert. Rob also shares a simple spreadsheet exercise that exposes your most profitable niche—and how to use client interviews to rewrite your homepage in their words. Turn your website into a growth engine today. Visit intriguemedia.com Learn more at constructiongenius.comToronto tip from Rob: grab dinner at the CN Tower—the view's unbeatable.   90-Day High-Performance Dashboard You can't afford to let your people drift. To drive real performance, you must coach with clarity and purpose.   Use the 90-Day High-Performance Dashboard to: Get clear on what matters most. Drive focused action and accountability. Strengthen trust and deepen relationships.   Success doesn't happen by accident. It happens when leaders coach with precision and consistency. Download the 90-Day High-Performance Dashboard here: https://www.constructiongenius.com/high-performance-in-a-new-role Coach your team toward real results — one conversation at a time.     Resources to Help You Win in Construction

What if your cybersecurity strategy could become your biggest sales advantage? In this episode, I sit down with Taylor Hersom, Founder and CEO of Eden Data, to explore how startups can transform compliance from a box-ticking exercise into a true growth engine. Taylor's journey is remarkable: a former Deloitte executive who quit his job the week before the world shut down, launched Eden Data on Upwork with just $16, and went on to build one of the fastest-growing cybersecurity advisory firms, now recently acquired by Riveron. His story blends grit, reinvention, and a deep understanding of how trust has become the real currency of modern business. We talk about how to safeguard customer data in an AI-first world and why shadow AI has become the new shadow IT problem for many companies. Taylor explains why cybersecurity can no longer sit in the IT department alone, sharing examples of how marketing and customer experience leaders are now leveraging security as a differentiator to win contracts and customer loyalty. He also opens up about the human side of cyber risk, why most breaches stem from simple mistakes, and how gamifying awareness training can be more effective than annual compliance videos no one remembers. As AI rapidly reshapes the digital landscape, Taylor shares his perspective on what future global standards for AI security could look like and how leaders can bake compliance and security into their products from day one. His view is clear: the next generation of successful startups will treat cybersecurity as both a foundation and a brand promise. How ready are you to make trust part of your growth strategy? And how will your business adapt as cybersecurity becomes not just a requirement, but a competitive edge? Share your thoughts after listening.

Most marketing books promise tips. Scalable Acts of Marketing shows you how to build a system that scales.  Written after thirteen years of helping grow Service Express from $30 million to $350 million in ARR, Joshua Leatherman's field-tested guide blends a business fable with a hands-on playbook. In this episode, Joshua Leatherman (Cyderes) joins Drew to walk through how durable growth happens when marketing speaks in outcomes, earns executive trust, and runs one motion across brand, demand, sales, and success. He connects the fable's lessons to real-world moves inside growth-stage companies, laying out a playbook any marketing leader can use to build momentum that lasts. In this episode:  How to shift from activities to outcomes that a CFO and CRO will back  How to own pipeline with clear SQO definitions, shared attribution, and consistent follow-up  How to stand up RevOps as “Switzerland,” with shared KPIs, fast handoffs, and five-minute speed-to-lead targets Plus:  Why marketing must stay on the field after the first meeting  How to use R&D (“rip off and duplicate”) to accelerate playbooks  What to hire for right now: Curiosity, learning velocity, and accountability  How authoritative content fuels discovery in an AI-led world If you're ready to build a marketing system that earns trust, investment, and results, this episode shows where to start!  For full show notes and transcripts, visit https://renegademarketing.com/podcasts/ To learn more about CMO Huddles, visit https://cmohuddles.com/

Ashley Lewin has audited 30+ companies in her career and seen the same pattern: marketing teams stuck chasing MQLs while revenue stalls. In this episode, Carolyn and Trevor dig into Ashley's perspective on why MQLs keep organizations trapped in short-term thinking, and how she's applying those lessons now as Head of Marketing at Aligned.We talk through what it takes to stand up a marketing function from scratch at a hybrid PLG + sales-assisted company, why implementing HubSpot's Lead object was a foundational bet, and how “fail fast” disqualification changed the way BDRs and sales managers manage their pipeline. Ashley also shares her playbook for winning executive buy-in: showing CEOs a predictable growth equation that replaces lead volume with qualified pipeline and product activation.What You'll Learn:Why 30+ audits taught Ashley that MQLs create waste, not growth.How to split the funnel: PLG activations vs. sales-assisted pipeline.The power of clean infrastructure: standing up a true lead object in HubSpot.Why “fail fast” leads to better conversion, stronger feedback loops, and less waste.How to navigate culture change so sales isn't afraid to close lost.Why exec scorecards (not dashboards) determine whether change sticks.If your growth plan still relies on lead math, you're running on outdated assumptions. Ashley shows how to build a system that actually scales revenue, not just reporting.