Podcasts about scaling up

Boilers can feel intimidating the first time you step into a boiler room—the heat, the noise, the pressure gauge, and the weight of knowing that mistakes can be costly. Trace Blackmore opens with a reminder that boilers deserve respect, not fear—and that learning fundamentals is how you replace mystique with clarity.  The talent gap behind the boiler room door Eric Johnson, Founder and CEO of Boilearn, explains why boiler expertise is becoming harder to replace. He points to the shrinking pipeline of boiler-trained technicians—historically strengthened by Navy steam training—and why companies can't rely on "tribal knowledge" and informal shadowing alone to develop the next generation.  Training that scales past the 2–3 day class  Eric shares what pushed him to build Boilearn: technicians and operators need structured, repeatable competency systems—not just scattered classes and a "shotgun approach" to on-the-job training. He lays out why fundamentals can be taught effectively online when it's done well, and why travel-heavy training models often spend a large share of the budget on logistics instead of learning.  Troubleshooting that starts with fundamentals  Troubleshooting is where boiler work can feel like a mystery—until you understand fundamentals and sequence of operations. Eric explains how technicians can isolate problems faster by knowing what should be moving (or not moving), testing one theory at a time, and using electrical diagrams as a practical roadmap when formal sequence documentation isn't available.  Better partnerships between boiler techs and water treaters  The conversation closes with practical steps that reduce friction and finger-pointing: take photos during inspections, package observations clearly in service reports, communicate directly when possible, and over-communicate inspection schedules so the water treater can prepare the program before the boiler is opened.  Listen to the full conversation above. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!    Timestamps  02:20 - Trace Blackmore sets the stage on boiler fear vs. Respect, learning boilers from a Navy-Trained mentor  09:20 - Words of Water with James  10:50 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals   14:20 - Interview with Eric Johnson of Boilearn  16:30 – Eric's Path: HVAC school – Boiler Service Tech – Founder   19:10 – What Boilearn Does  22:10 – The lost "lifeline" problem  33:20 – Electrical Troubleshooting  44:20 – Coordinating Boiler Openings and Inspections    Quotes  "I've learned that boilers are something you definitely need to respect, but definitely not fear."  "There's a career behind boilers. There's a career behind water treatment and not enough people talk about it."    Connect with Eric Johnson Email: eric.johnson@boilearn.com  Website: Boilearn I The Foundation of Boiler Training  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericjohnson2020/   Boilearn: Overview | LinkedIn     Guest Resources Mentioned   Boilearn Boilearn mission and origins  Boiler operator roles and skills  Common steam‑boiler problems   Safe boiler operation guide  Boiler start‑up and maintenance  Safer operation manual    Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned  AWT (Association of Water Technologies)  AWT Technical Training Seminars   Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses  Submit a Show Idea    Words of Water with James McDonald Today's definition is water lost from a cooling tower as liquid droplets are entrained in the exhaust air.     2026 Events for Water Professionals  Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we've listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.     

What if your greatest leadership tool isn't your brain, but your spirit?Bill Gallagher sits down with Dr. Yosi Amram, a licensed psychologist, engineer, and former CEO turned spiritual researcher, to explore how spiritual intelligence can profoundly shape leadership, decision-making, and performance. They dive into the key qualities of spiritual intelligence, how they relate to personal and organizational transformation, and why some of the most effective leaders operate from a deeper, more connected sense of purpose.Topics explored in this episode:(03:45) Defining Spiritual Intelligence*What spiritual intelligence really means (beyond religion or belief)*The difference between spirituality, emotional intelligence, and IQ*Why spiritual intelligence is critical for modern leadership(14:00) The Qualities of Spiritual Intelligence*In spiritually intelligent leadership, we have to follow our inner compass and also stay open to input *It's in our biology to be part of a tribe, to have a purpose*We have a loneliness epidemic because we are isolated from the community(31:15) Performance and Spirituality: A False Tradeoff?*Productivity doesn't have to come at the cost of soulSpiritually intelligent leaders outperform purely tactical ones*Our brains fill in the gaps and make assumptions all the time *The ROI of integrating purpose and personal growth into leadership(45:20) How to Cultivate Spiritual Intelligence*We have many different layers of love. *What leaders can do today to start building this capacity*Spiritual intelligence enriches you and your purpose. Thanks to Yosi Amram for being on the show!Yosi's Book: Spiritually Intelligent LeadershipConnect with Yosi: https://yosi.health/Bill Gallagher, Scaling Coach and host of the Scaling Up Business podcast, is an international business coach who works with C-Suite leaders to achieve breakthrough growth.Join Bill in the Growth Navigator Coaching Program: https://ScalingCoach.com/workshopBill on LinkedIn: https://www.LinkedIn.com/in/BillGallBill on YouTube: https://www.YouTube.com/@BillGallagherScalingCoachVisit https://ScalingUp.com to learn more about Verne Harnish, our team of Scaling Up Coaches, and the Scaling Up Performance Platform, which includes coaching, learning, software, and summit. We share how the fastest-growing companies succeed where so many others fail. We help leadership teams with the biggest decisions around people, strategy, execution, and cash so that they can scale up successfully and beat the odds of business growth.Did you enjoy today's episode? If so, then please leave a review! Help other business leaders discover Scaling Up Business with Bill Gallagher so they, too, can benefit from the ideas shared in these podcasts.Subscribe via Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3PGhWPJSubscribe via Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3PKe00uBill on Facebook:

Industrial water professionals are increasingly pulled into conversations about scarcity, resilience, and "where the next gallon comes from."  Dr. Veronika Zhiteneva, CEO and Co-founder of Waterloop Solutions frames water reuse as an implementation challenge more than a technology gap—and explains where the practical starting points are when the scope feels overwhelming.   Moving reuse forward when the technology already exists  Waterloop Solutions was founded to accelerate implementation: clarifying end-use quality, identifying post-treatment needs on the back end of existing plants, and building risk management plans that fit real operational and regulatory expectations. The conversation stays grounded in what slows projects down (time, permitting, funding, and public acceptance) and where progress can be made without reinventing the toolbox.  Centralized vs. decentralized: why "less regulated" can move faster  Europe's agricultural reuse regulation (noted as coming into effect in June 2023) created shared minimum requirements, but also uncertainty around permitting and responsibility at the local level. In contrast, decentralized reuse is described as an "early adopter" space—often driven by innovative building projects (gray water separation, rooftop rain capture) and, in some cases, easier implementation from scratch than retrofits.  What matters to industrial listeners: partnerships, autonomy, and distance  For industrial teams, Dr. Veronika points out opportunities for synergistic partnerships with municipalities and agriculture—balanced against the realities of infrastructure distance and cost. She also makes the case for industrial autonomy: decoupling from conventional sources through internal reuse to protect future production when municipal needs take precedence.  Communication and the "toilet to tap" problem  Public perception remains a stubborn barrier. Dr. Veronika calls out the long-lasting impact of "toilet to tap" framing and why first impressions can derail technically sound reuse projects.  Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!    Timestamps  03:58 - Trace Blackmore shares how "Pinks and Blues" questions get chosen—and where listeners can submit them  05:05 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals   07:42 – Words of Water with James McDonald  11:47 – Meet Dr. Veronika Zhiteneva and why Trace invited her from LinkedIn insights  12:20 — Veronika's path: UMD → Colorado School of Mines → PhD at Technical University of Munich 15:40 — Why Waterloop Solutions started: progress is slow, but implementation support is missing  19:40 — Decentralized reuse: why interest is rising, and why it can be easier to implement in buildings  20:20 — EU agricultural reuse regulation (June 2023): minimum quality, crop types, and risk plan uncertainty  23:40 — Unique barriers by sector: municipal timelines, industrial ROI, and the difficulty of reaching farmers  33:20 — Lowest-hanging fruit: municipal reuse for street cleaning and parks; industrial autonomy via internal reuse  45:00 — Women and young professionals: visibility, role models, and why the sector's willingness to help matters  47:20 — Where to learn more: US EPA resources, EU work underway, and Australia as a reuse leader    Quotes "It's okay to ask questions."  "But actually, all the technology needed for it already exists."  "What I think is awesome in the US, for example, that you guys are really pursuing this direct potable reuse now."  "I think these are all valid options to have kind of in the water management portfolio on a local level and also on a regional level."    Connect with Dr. Veronika Zhiteneva Email: vzhiteneva@gowaterloop.com   Website: Home – Waterloop Solutions  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vzhiteneva/    Waterloop Solutions: Overview | LinkedIn    Guest Resources Mentioned   Brave New World by Aldous Huxley (Paperback)     European Commission's Water reuse: New EU rules to improve access to safe irrigation  Intermezzo Paperback – by Sally Rooney (Author)   Radical Candor: Fully Revised & Updated Edition: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity by Kim Scott   US EPA State Water Reuse Resources  US EPA Water Reuse Information Library  US EPA's "A Framework for Permitting Innovation in the Wastewater Sector Report"  US Department of Energy's About the BuildingsNEXT Student Design Competition  The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD)    Water Reuse Europe Policy and Regulations    Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned  AWT (Association of Water Technologies)   AWT Technical Training Seminars   Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses   Submit a Show Idea   The Rising Tide Mastermind    Words of Water with James McDonald  Today's definition is a device for removing condensate from a steam line without allowing the steam to escape.  Can you guess the word or phrase?       2026 Events for Water Professionals  Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we've listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.     

For five years, we’ve been following the work of Dollar For and its founder Jared Walker, watching them quickly scale up their efforts to help people crush medical debt by tapping into “charity care” — the financial assistance that hospitals are legally required to offer some patients. Their work represents what a small, scrappy, thoughtful group of people can do. Last year, their tiny staff helped wipe out more than $55 million in medical bills. As we kick off 2026, we thought it was time to check in again. After all, this will be a year when millions more people will have trouble covering their medical bills — when Dollar For’s work may become more important to more people, and when we’re hungry for more ways to help each other. As Jared tells it, 2025 proved to be a pivotal – yet rocky – period in the organization’s story. Both their successes and their challenges put into stark relief exactly what we’re all up against. So we go deep with Jared on what they achieved while they weathered the chaos, and what it might mean for their – and our collective – next moves. Here's a transcript of this episode. Check out our Starter Pack: How to wipe out your bill with charity care. And our previous coverage of Dollar For: Could billions in medical debt get zapped by the legal strategy from this 60-second video? (2021)We talked to Jared just weeks after Dollar For first went viral. The group’s early history — they’d been working locally for years — is fascinating. Badass volunteers help Jared level up, in the fight to crush medical debt (2021)Within six months, they’d recruited volunteers and built systems. The Medical Bill “Negotiation Lab” (2022)In an experiment aimed at scaling up impact, Dollar For tried a different approach in 2022. We sat in. One last tip before 2024 (2023)Why Jared thinks you should ask for “charity care” by name -- even though, let’s face it, asking for “charity” does not feel good to most of us. New lessons from the fight for charity care (2024)Dollar For spent 2024 focusing on the big picture and starting to focus on policy advocacy. Check out our history of charity care series (from 2021): A legendary lawyer sued hospitals for price-gouging their patients. And got his butt handed to him. Dickie Scruggs is the guy who beat Big Tobacco. But when he took on hospitals, he lost. The wild backstory of a tiny but crucial Obamacare provision (ft. David Axelrod)Charity care wasn’t part of federal law until the Affordable Care Act passed. A Republican senator made sure it was part of the ACA — before deciding he wouldn’t vote for the law. “We just kept right on pushing” … and laws changedIn New York, a grieving family’s story made headlines and helped advocates catch lawmakers’ attention. Wait, that was legal until now?!In 2021, Maryland barred hospitals from suing patients who qualified for charity care. Send your stories and questions. Or call 724 ARM-N-LEG. Of course we’d love for you to support this show. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From process consultant to helping businesses increase their enterprise value through systematization, Adi Klevit shares proven strategies for documenting operations, preparing companies for successful exits, and ensuring post-merger integrations don't fall apart. In this episode of the DealQuest Podcast, host Corey Kupfer sits down with Adi Klevit, founder of Business Success Consulting Group, who has spent over 30 years helping entrepreneurs bring order to their operations. Adi hosts the Systems Simplified podcast and contributes articles to Inc.com. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: In this episode, you'll discover how documented processes dramatically increase enterprise value when selling a business, why buyers light up when they realize they're purchasing a system rather than just a company, and the concept of "unconscious competence" that keeps valuable knowledge trapped in entrepreneurs' heads. Adi shares how to extract hidden systems behind your natural talents, why entrepreneurs resist systematization even though it creates freedom, and how to get teams to actually follow documented processes. You'll also learn how process documentation complements entrepreneurial operating systems like EOS and Scaling Up, what breaks down in post-merger integration when documentation doesn't exist, and why AI is a powerful tool but cannot replace human judgment. ADI'S JOURNEY: Adi started a tutoring business in 9th grade that grew entirely through referrals, teaching her early lessons about balancing promotion with delivery. After working as VP of Marketing at an international consulting company, she launched her own firm when partnership wasn't available. As a general business consultant, she kept telling clients they needed documented processes, and nothing would happen. Finally, she offered to do it for them, and a niche was born. KEY INSIGHTS: A painting company owner documented all their processes with Adi's help. When he went to sell, the buyer's eyes lit up because he realized he wasn't just buying a painting company. He was buying a complete system and operation. On the flip side, Adi recently got a call from someone who bought a company with 60 employees and nothing documented. If everyone quit tomorrow, he would have no idea how to run what he just purchased. EOS implementers are Adi's biggest referral source because operating systems tell you that you need documented processes but don't create them for you. Adi's firm serves as a fractional process team that does the implementation work entrepreneurs keep pushing off. Too many people think deals are done when documents are signed. Adi works with companies that grow through acquisition, helping them bring new employees up to speed on unified systems. Even when both companies have good systems independently, those systems differ. Integration work determines whether the combined entity functions as one or remains two disconnected operations. For Adi, freedom means the ability to create. The systems she builds generate the freedom she values. Perfect for business owners preparing for exits, entrepreneurs struggling to extract knowledge from their heads, and acquirers concerned about post-merger integration. FOR MORE ON THIS EPISODE: https://www.coreykupfer.com/blog/adiklevit FOR MORE ON ADI KLEVIT: https://www.bizsuccesscg.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/adiklevit/ https://www.successreplicator.com FOR MORE ON COREY KUPFER https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreykupfer/ https://www.coreykupfer.com/ Corey Kupfer is an expert strategist, negotiator, and dealmaker. He has more than 35 years of professional deal-making and negotiating experience. Corey is a successful entrepreneur, attorney, consultant, author, and professional speaker. He is deeply passionate about deal-driven growth. He is also the creator and host of the DealQuest Podcast. Get deal-ready with the DealQuest Podcast with Corey Kupfer, where like-minded entrepreneurs and business leaders converge, share insights and challenges, and success stories. Equip yourself with the tools, resources, and support necessary to navigate the complex yet rewarding world of dealmaking. Dive into the world of deal-driven growth today! Episode Highlights with Timestamps: [00:00] - Introduction: Adi Klevit's journey from childhood entrepreneur to process consultant [09:13] - Starting a tutoring business in 9th grade and learning about business cycles [15:22] - How passion for systematization developed through frustration with clients [18:31] - The painting company story: Buyers purchasing systems, not just businesses [22:04] - Corey's business development system he didn't know he had [26:37] - Getting teams to actually follow documented processes [34:05] - How process documentation complements EOS and other operating systems [38:56] - Post-merger integration: Where good deals go to die [46:26] - Which business areas prove most problematic in integration [51:03] - Why AI cannot replace human judgment in process work [52:56] - Freedom as the ability to create through systems Guest Bio: Adi Klevit is passionate about helping businesses bring order to their operations. With over 30 years of experience as a process consultant, executive, and entrepreneur, she is an expert at making the complex simple. Adi founded Business Success Consulting Group after recognizing that entrepreneurs needed someone to actually do the documentation work they kept putting off. She has been featured on numerous podcasts and delivered many webinars and live workshops sharing her insights on systemizing a business. She hosts the Systems Simplified podcast and publishes a weekly blog, with articles appearing in Inc.com. Known for turning what some see as a dry topic into something fun and practical, Adi shows audiences how to document, implement, and maintain systems that really work. Host Bio: Corey Kupfer is an expert strategist, negotiator, and dealmaker with more than 35 years of professional deal-making and negotiating experience. Corey is a successful entrepreneur, attorney, consultant, author, and professional speaker deeply passionate about deal-driven growth. He is the creator and host of the DealQuest Podcast. Show Description: Do you want your business to grow faster? The DealQuest Podcast with Corey Kupfer reveals how successful entrepreneurs and business leaders use strategic deals to accelerate growth. From large mergers and acquisitions to capital raising, joint ventures, strategic alliances, real estate deals, and more, this show discusses the full spectrum of deal-driven growth strategies. Get the confidence to pursue deals that will help your company scale faster. Related Episodes: Episode 337 - Mastering Post-Merger Integration with Jonathan Gardner: Explore how integration teams need authority and cross-functional participation to succeed after deals close. Episode 330 - From Operator to Owner: Business Freedom with Pete Mohr: Discover why being exit-ready creates freedom whether or not you plan to sell. Episode 341 - Avoid Major Scaling Mistakes with Robert Levin: Learn how sustainable growth strategies prevent the chaos that makes systematization essential. Episode 325 - ESOPs as Exit Strategy with Kelly Finnell: Understand alternative exit structures that preserve company culture and employee relationships. Episode 332 - The Art of Lucrative Exits and Business Growth with John Martinka: Master the fundamentals of preparing businesses for successful exits. Episode 333 - How to Franchise Your Business the Right Way with Greg Mohr: Learn how documented systems enable business replication and growth. Follow DealQuest Podcast: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreykupfer/ Website: https://www.coreykupfer.com/ Follow Adi Klevit: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adiklevit/ Company: https://www.bizsuccesscg.com E-Book: https://www.successreplicator.com Keywords/Tags: business systematization, process documentation, enterprise value, exit preparation, post-merger integration, unconscious competence, scaling businesses, EOS implementation, operational systems, business processes, M&A integration, due diligence, business valuation, entrepreneur freedom, knowledge transfer, team training, business operations, deal readiness, exit strategy, business consulting

Will AI make us wiser or much dumber?In this solo episode, Bill Gallagher explores the growing role of artificial intelligence and how it intersects (and sometimes conflicts) with wisdom. As AI tools become more advanced, are we gaining real insight or simply outsourcing our thinking? Bill unpacks the nuances of what the future of AI really means. Topics explored in this episode:(02:30) AI Simply Can't Do It AllAI offers speed, volume, and convenience, but that doesn't mean it offers wisdom.Relying too heavily on tools can bypass necessary experience and reflection.Wisdom is earned through trial, error, and sometimes failure.(06:45) The Limits of AI in LeadershipAI can generate content, insights, and even strategies, but it cannot make judgment calls.The role of a leader is to see the bigger picture, understand nuance, source different opinions, and offer mentorship.Wisdom includes timing, empathy, and courage; none of which are codeable.(9:00) Should You Use AI? Make space to reflect before reacting.Use AI as a thinking partner, not a thinking replacement.Stay committed to learning through experience. There's still value there.Bill Gallagher, Scaling Coach and host of the Scaling Up Business podcast, is an international business coach who works with C-Suite leaders to achieve breakthrough growth. Join Bill in the Growth Navigator Coaching Program: https://ScalingCoach.com/workshop Bill on LinkedIn: https://www.LinkedIn.com/in/BillGallBill on YouTube: https://www.YouTube.com/@BillGallagherScalingCoach Visit https://ScalingUp.com to learn more about Verne Harnish, our team of Scaling Up Coaches, and the Scaling Up Performance Platform, which includes coaching, learning, software, and summit. We share how the fastest-growing companies succeed where so many others fail. We help leadership teams with the biggest decisions around people, strategy, execution, and cash so that they can scale up successfully and beat the odds of business growth. Did you enjoy today's episode? If so, then please leave a review! Help other business leaders discover Scaling Up Business with Bill Gallagher so they, too, can benefit from the ideas shared in these podcasts.Subscribe via Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3PGhWPJSubscribe via Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3PKe00uBill on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/billgall/ Bill on Twitter/X: https://x.com/billgall

Would you like access to our advanced agency training for FREE? https://www.agencymastery360.com/training How big do you actually want your agency to become? Does the idea of running a massive team sound exciting or completely exhausting? For many agency owners, scaling feels less like growth and more like trading freedom for complexity. Scaling an agency isn't about hustle. It's about surviving the moments that almost break you, building systems that actually work, and accepting that what got you here won't get you there. Today's featured guest understands that running a big agency is about structure and leadership. He's grown a global agency to 700 people without losing profitability, sanity, or culture and now he'll unpack the hard-earned lessons that most agency owners don't think about until it's too late. Nital Shah is the co-founder of Mavlers, a full-service, lifecycle digital agency headquartered in India, with operations supporting global brands and agencies across multiple geographies. Today, Nital leads a 700-person organization focused on marketing operations, delivery excellence, and scalable systems for agencies around the world. Having experienced both sides of the agency equation, client-side pressure and operational scale, Nital brings a grounded, operator-first perspective to growth, profitability, and leadership. In this episode, we'll discuss: An early principle: Profit should be intentional. Achieving operational excellence at scale. Structuring scale to make it manageable. Why alignment beats micromanagement. Subscribe Apple | Spotify | iHeart Radio Sponsors and Resources This episode is brought to you by Wix Studio: If you're leveling up your team and your client experience, your site builder should keep up too. That's why successful agencies use Wix Studio — built to adapt the way your agency does: AI-powered site mapping, responsive design, flexible workflows, and scalable CMS tools so you spend less on plugins and more on growth. Ready to design faster and smarter? Go to wix.com/studio to get started. The Wake-Up Call: COVID, Cash Flow, and Retainers Like many agencies, Nital's biggest inflection point came during COVID. Before the disruption, the agency was focused heavily on top-line revenue rather than predictable recurring income. When 40 percent of revenue disappeared almost overnight, the weakness in that model became painfully obvious. Luckily, the agency's consistent focus on profit from day one helped them overcome this ordeal. However, it changed Nital's perspective on retainers and helped him understand that, without retainers, any similar unexpected bump in the road could destroy the agency. The agency had enough cash flow to survive the shock and rebuild and the lesson was clear: at scale, a large team without consistent recurring revenue is fragile. Retainers aren't just about stability; they are about survival. The other advantage that helped soften the blow was diversification. By spreading clients across industries and geographies, the agency avoided being wiped out by a single market downturn. When one region slowed, others carried the load. That balance didn't eliminate pain, but it reduced risk in a way most agencies underestimate until they feel it firsthand. Profit Is Not an Afterthought One of the most important principles Nital and his co-founder agreed on early was: profit must be intentional. It's not something you hope shows up at the end of the year. It's something you design into the business. That mindset shapes everything from service selection to client qualification. The agency actively avoids hyper-competitive, race-to-the-bottom services and continually evolves its offerings as markets become saturated. When a service becomes unprofitable, they pivot. When a client isn't aligned or drains margin, they say no. Profit isn't just about owner income. It funds experimentation, innovation, and future growth. Without margin, you can't test new services, pivot when the market shifts, or invest in better systems. You just stay busy. And busy is often the enemy of profitable. Operational Excellence at Scale Running a 700-person agency isn't about heroics but about process. Nital is clear that consistent, documented, and enforced workflows are what reduce mistakes, rework, and delivery friction. The agency is structured into service-based business units, each with its own leadership and accountability. On top of that sits a customer success layer that ensures delivery stays aligned with expectations. Everyone is trained on defined protocols, and those protocols exist to protect quality, not bureaucracy. When processes are clear and followed, the probability of hitting client outcomes increases. That reduces rework, lowers internal stress, and improves margins. In a people-driven business, operational discipline is what turns chaos into leverage. Alignment Beats Micromanagement One of the hardest challenges for Nital's agency came after rapid post-COVID growth, when the team doubled in size and remote work became the norm. Processes broke, alignment slipped, and as a result, communication suffered. The turning point came with adopting the Scaling Up framework by Vern Harnish. This framework, aimed at businesses ready to scale in a more structured manner, forced clarity across four areas: people, strategy, execution, and cash. More importantly, it created alignment from leadership all the way down to individual contributors. Every team member understands how their work connects to departmental goals, quarterly priorities, and long-term vision. When people understand the why behind the process, ownership replaces micromanagement. Accountability becomes cultural, not enforced. Leadership, Tough Calls, and A-Players When it comes to mistakes in team alignment, Nital openly acknowledges that the team that gets you to one stage may not be the team that gets you to the next. That realization isn't easy, especially when loyalty and shared history are involved. But over the last two years Nital has embraced the fact that growth demands adaptability. The agency now prioritizes agility, learning speed, and ownership. When someone can't evolve with the business, they are given time, feedback, and support, but the standard doesn't change. You don't win championships by protecting weak links. You win by putting the best players on the field while still treating people with respect and empathy. It's not cold. It's responsible leadership. Structuring Scale So It's Manageable When Nital decided to go back to India and start an agency, his mentor back in Australia offered him the chance to run their offshore center. From there, he started supporting other agencies in several countries and expanded his team to where they are now. Seven hundred people sounds overwhelming until you understand the structure. Instead of one massive organization, the agency operates as multiple business units, each capped around 100 to 150 people and run as its own P&L. This turns an impossible leadership problem into a manageable one. Leaders focus on coaching their direct reports, not managing hundreds of individuals. Each layer carries responsibility downward, creating clarity instead of bottlenecks. As Nital points out, no founder manages 700 people directly. You manage your leadership team. And if that team is strong, aligned, and accountable, scale becomes less scary and far more sustainable. The Future: AI, Change, and Opportunity Despite the uncertainty surrounding AI and marketing technology, Nital is optimistic. The pace of change has leveled the playing field. Years of experience no longer guarantee an advantage. Everyone is adapting at the same time. For smaller agencies, this creates opportunity. They can adopt tools and workflows faster than large organizations. For larger agencies, the challenge is moving faster without breaking structure. Either way, the shift toward complex marketing technology orchestration opens doors for agencies willing to master it. For him, the future belongs to agencies that can adapt, systemize, and evolve without clinging to what used to work. Do You Want to Transform Your Agency from a Liability to an Asset? Looking to dig deeper into your agency's potential? Check out our Agency Blueprint. Designed for agency owners like you, our Agency Blueprint helps you uncover growth opportunities, tackle obstacles, and craft a customized blueprint for your agency's success.

"Stay curious. And you only have one reputation. Guard it with your life." Hiring for judgment, not just rehearsed confidence   Industrial water treatment is full of decisions made with incomplete data—on sites, with customers, and inside the business. JD Roth (Managing Director and Co-owner of Guardian Chemicals) builds his hiring around that reality. His aim is straightforward: protect the team and the culture by selecting people who can think, collaborate, and lead under pressure. JD frames the organization as a group of people choosing to work toward a common goal: building a better future for communities, the environment, and staff. That priority shows how Guardian hires, who they keep, and what becomes a deal-breaker. If a candidate is misaligned with core values, JD is clear: performance elsewhere won't override that mismatch. The "Hiring Olympics" structure For a high-bandwidth, project-based role (their Graduate Business Analyst program), Guardian needed a way to evaluate many strong candidates without consuming 40–50 hours of team time. The result is a four-hour, multi-station day that includes: Core values interviews (two-person format) Competency interviews (horsepower and capability) An individual case study (primarily math/business-oriented) A collaborative case study (decision-making and team dynamics) The collaborative case study is the centerpiece. Candidates work with peers who are also competitors for limited roles, using real cases built around business decisions—often with imperfect or incomplete information—so the team can observe how candidates break down problems, delegate, support others, and present recommendations. How decisions get made afterward After candidates leave, the interview team convenes for a group decision. JD starts by looking for any "vetoes," especially around core values to fit (he references an EOS-style standard of meeting 5 out of 6 core values most of the time). From there, the team compares notes across competency, core values, and observed collaboration behaviors. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!    Timestamps    02:20 – Trace Blackmore shares part of a real-world service routine and ongoing professional improvement  05:35 – Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals   12:00 – Words of Water with James McDonald  13:52 – Fun Fact about 1903 from this day  14:28 – Interview with JD Roth, Managing Director and Co-Owner of Guardian Chemicals  15:20 - "A company is people"   19:00 – First solo site lesson: ask for help vs. pretend  25:10 – The GBA Program (Graduate Business Analyst)   27:50 – Hiring Olympics format + Efficiency  33:30 – "Ping pong balls in a jumbo jet" example  39:10 – Selection rules: Core values veto + EOS bar + Values list    Quotes  JD:"And if you've got great people and you take care of great people, they take care of your customers, and your customers take care of you."  JD: "There really isn't a company. There is just a whole bunch of people who have decided to work together towards a common goal."   Trace: "I can only imagine how empowered your team feels because they're so involved in this process and you're involving everybody"   Trace: "I love the fact that we're diving deeper into the most important thing, and that's protecting and enhancing our culture."    Connect with JD Roth Email: jdroth@guardianchem.ca  Website: http://www.guardianchem.ca/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-david-jd-roth-58714113/     Guest Resources Mentioned   Entrepreneurs' Organization   Verne Harnish 'Scaling Up'   About Verne Harnish   Harvard Business Review Case Studies    Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned  AWT (Association of Water Technologies)  AWT Technical Training Seminars  Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses  Submit a Show Idea  The Rising Tide Mastermind  7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen. R. Covey  Fearless Pricing: Ignite Your Team, Own Your Value, and Command What You Deserve by Casey Brown   Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection by Charles Duhigg   Charles Duhigg — "The science behind dramatically better conversations" (TEDxManchester)   12 Week Year Plan   457 2026: A New Year with New Intentions  Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business    Words of Water with James McDonald  Today's definition is an ion with a net positive charge, formed when an atom or molecule loses one or more electrons.  Can you guess the word or phrase?    2026 Events for Water Professionals  Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we've listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.   

Embedded finance — integrating payments and financial services directly into apps and platforms — is entering its next phase, shifting from niche fintech use cases to core infrastructure for global players. In this episode of Tech Disruptors, Marqeta CEO Mike Milotich joins Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Diksha Gera to discuss how embedded finance, buy now, pay later and flexible credentials are reshaping payments at the point of sale, online and in store. They explore Marqeta's competitive positioning, AI-driven personalization, the regulation vs. speed trade-off and why Europe could be an underappreciated growth lever as embedded finance moves upmarket.

Full article: CT Energy Consumption Savings From a Rapid-Reactivation Power Save Mode for Interexamination Idle Periods Existing strategies for achieving CT energy savings have focused on powering systems down after hours. Raisa Amiruddin, MBBS, is joined by Kate Hanneman, MD, to discuss this recent AJR article exploring a novel rapid-reactivation power save mode for reducing scanner energy consumption during short periods between examinations.

Are we too busy to think or just out of practice?Scott Burgmeyer and Tammy Rogers dive into one of the most overlooked skills in today's workplace: thinking. From the rise of “non-thinking” archetypes to the danger of lizard brain decision-making, they explore why so many leaders and employees are stuck in reactive loops; and how to break out of them.Scott shares his signature Swiss cheese analogy to explain how systems thinking can prevent blame culture and improve decision-making. Tammy reframes the idea that "there's no time to think," showing how intentional reflection is a competitive advantage. If you want to lead with clarity, think more critically, and get better at making decisions that matter, this episode will give you the tools and mental models to start.Topics explored in this episode:(05:15) Critical Thinking Skills -- A Dying Art?*Tammy asks the important question of ‘why aren't people thinking'?*What is ‘Thinking' really? Scott explains*Tammy shares some common ‘non-thinking' archetypes.*Having a thought vs. thinking are two very different things.(14:00) Moving Out of Lizard Brain Thinking*It's important to ask growth questions: What worked/what didn't work.*Recognizing your logical fallacies is how you grow.*Apply the ‘learning/thinking' lesson in other areas and categories of life.*What's more likely to go wrong? --Some people take this the wrong way.(22:10) The Swiss Cheese Analogy*Scott shares his swiss cheese analogy and how it connects to thinking.*We sometimes find scapegoats to shift blame on instead of the actual system that lead up to the mistakes.*Our brains fill in the gaps and make assumptions all the time.*Although we frequently notice subconscious and intuitive cues, we tend to ignore them(34:30) I Don't Have Time to Think*Things are just too busy to slow down just to think? Tammy reframes this perspective.*Thinking is all about expanding value to you and those around you.*You're rewarded by how quickly and how WELL you make decisions.Thanks to Scott Burgmeyer & Tammy Rogers for being on the show!Connect with Scott & Tammy: https://www.becomemoregp.comScott's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/burgy/Tammy's Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tammerarogers/Book: Think: The Road Less Traveled by Scott Burgmeyer & Tammy RogersBill Gallagher, Scaling Coach and host of the Scaling Up Business podcast, is an international business coach who works with C-Suite leaders to achieve breakthrough growth.Join Bill in the Growth Navigator Coaching Program: https://ScalingCoach.com/workshopBill on LinkedIn: https://www.LinkedIn.com/in/BillGallBill on YouTube: https://www.YouTube.com/@BillGallagherScalingCoachVisit https://ScalingUp.com to learn more about Verne Harnish, our team of Scaling Up Coaches, and the Scaling Up Performance Platform, which includes coaching, learning, software, and summit. We share how the...

 Trace Blackmore opens 2026 with a practical reset: how to plan with urgency, sharpen the fundamentals that make troubleshooting easier, and use the tools around this podcast to keep your development moving all year. The 12-Week Year: urgency you can use Annual goals often feel "far away" until December forces focus. The 12-week year flips that dynamic by treating each quarter like a year—creating urgency sooner and giving you four chances to reset and improve. Trace walks through the structure: start with a vision (he uses a three-year example), then choose 3–5 tactical goals for the next 12 weeks, so you don't overload and quit. He also ties it to a water treatment reality: quarterly customer touchpoints are simply more productive than an annual "re-introduce everything" meeting.  Trace points listeners to planning support and easy on-ramps:  the book link: ScalingUpH2O.com/12weekyear  the planning guide PDF: ScalingUpH2O.com/12weekyearplan  and an Audible option (free month + free book mentioned in the transcript).  Mailbag: how the show is made—and what's changing  A listener asks how an episode goes from spark to air. Trace lays out the workflow: idea sourcing, research and pre-production, guest outreach, scheduling, outline creation, recording discipline, post-production with audio engineer Sean, then show notes, graphics, social posts, scheduling, and promotion. He also shares a key quality upgrade: guests now receive equipment prerequisites (including budget-friendly mic options) because the Scaling Up Nation can hear the difference.  On what's new for 2026, Trace shares a major personal commitment: he's pursuing a Doctorate in Business Administration, including research, data collection, and defending a thesis—with an intent to involve listeners through future surveys.  Skills to build in 2026: foundation, communication, and technology  Trace's recommendations land in three buckets:  Strengthen fundamentals (chemistry, products, and the "why" behind test kits),  improve communication and relationship-building (including temperament-based communication concepts he references), and  Learn what's available in data and technology so you can show up to accounts better prepared—and avoid time-wasting return trips.  He closes with a direct action: browse the ScalingUpH2O.com events section and pick learning opportunities you can attend (especially those nearby), then build a 12-week plan that helps you justify bigger conferences by clearly stating what value you'll bring back.  Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!    Timestamps    02:38 - Welcome to 2026 and what this "first show of the year" is designed to do (reset, tools, and a mailbag).  07:30 – 12 Week Year Planning format  21:09 – Dive Into The Scaling UP! H2O Mailbag   30:54 – What Is New for 2026 for Trace Blackmore  38:05 – Words of Water with James  40:15 – Trace's Favorite Food  46:42 – What Are The Top 2 to 3 skills Water Treaters Should Focus On    Quotes "Now the reason I really like the 12-week year is because it puts the urgency of not having a full year of time, only having a smaller amount of time to work for you." "It also gives you 4 chances a year to reset and improve, not just one." "Everybody in water treatment should focus on developing skills around a solid foundation." "That leads me to my third skill that I want to talk to you about, and that's learning what's available to you when it comes to data and technology."    Connect with Scaling UP! H2O  Submit a show idea: Submit a Show Idea   LinkedIn: in/traceblackmore/   YouTube: @ScalingUpH2O    Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned  AWT (Association of Water Technologies)  Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses  Submit a Show Idea  The Rising Tide Mastermind Audible  Book - The 12 Week Year: Get More Done in 12 Weeks than Others Do in 12 Months  12 Week Year Plan   Episode 100 The 100th One  Episode 117 The One With Temperament Expert, Kathleen Edelman Episode 179 Another One that Teaches Us to Communicate Better with Others  AWT – The Analyst - Library  I Said This, You Heard That 2nd Edition by Kathleen Edelman  HACH Water Analysis Handbook    Words of Water with James McDonald  Definition: Today's definition is the ratio of the dissolved solids in a system's circulating water to the dissolved solids in the makeup water. Can you guess the word or phrase?    2026 Events for Water Professionals  Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we've listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.   

On this episode of Mind Matters News, we’re continuing our conversation with Dr. Donald Wunsch on his experiences with AI and his recent article in the IEEE Computational Intelligence Magazine about artificial general intelligence. This is the second part of our conversation with Dr. Wunsch, so if you’ve not listened to the first part, we encourage you to do so. Read More › Source

Feeling buried by work yet driven to do more? We sat down with operations leader Bob Hendrickson to explore a simple truth with big consequences: you can't manage time, only commitments. From the factory floor to running multi-facility, make-to-order operations at Steelcase, Bob shows how lean principles and David Allen's Getting Things Done combine into a trusted system that lowers stress and raises output—at work and at home.We trace Bob's path through hypergrowth, crisis, and supply chain shocks, and unpack why systems outperform willpower. Bob shares his “compass” for action: start with self-mastery (a personal GTD setup that holds every promise), harmonize the team (short huddles, clear owners, visible outcomes), leverage proven systems (Toyota's TPS, two-second lean, Scaling Up, topgrading), and let results follow. The conversation gets tactical fast: define what done looks like, break work into the next visible step, capture ideas the moment they appear, and review lists by context so the right options surface at the right time.Ready to build a system you trust? Listen now, share it with someone who needs less stress and more momentum, and subscribe for more conversations on making money simple so you can fully live today. If this helped, leave a quick review—it helps others find the show.-----Get to know our guestBob started at Steelcase fresh out of high school in 1988 working on the production line, assembling file cabinets. Over the years, Bob was given opportunities to work in a variety of Operations and Product Development roles, including Director of Lean / Continuous Improvement, Plant Manager of our Seating operation, and Director of Operations Integration, working to integrate the various elements of Operations to function more effectively, as well as to integrate the latest technology into manufacturing. Bob is currently Director, US Operations at Steelcase. He's also an internal coach & teacher on various aspects of enterprise excellence including Lean manufacturing, strategy deployment and the “Getting Things Done” (GTD) methodology.  Previously, he held positions as plant manager, superintendent and director of lean / continuous improvement. He resides in East Grand Rapids with his wife Kristen and children.  Bob Hendriksen, Director, US Operations at Steelcasebob.improve@gmail.com616.291.8584Email |  YouTube | LinkedIn Hear Past episodes of the Way2Wealth Podcast!https://theway2wealth.com Learn more about our Host, Scott Ford, Managing Director, Partner & Wealth Advisorhttps://www.carsonwealth.com/team-members/scott-ford/ Investment advisory services offered through CWM LLC, an SEC-registered investment advisor. Carson Partners, a division of CWM LLC, is a nationwide partnership of advisors. The opinions voiced in the Way to Wealth with Scott Ford are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for an individual. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. All indices are unmanaged and may not be invested into directly. Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal. No strategy assures success or protects against loss. To determine what may be appropriate for you, consult with your attorney, accountant, financial or tax advisor prior to investing. Guests on Way to Wealth are not affiliated with CWM, LLC. Legado Family is not affiliated with CWM LLC. Carson Wealth 19833 Leitersburg Pike, Suite 1, Hagerstown, Maryland, 21742.

Go to www.LearningLeader.com for full show notes The Learning Leader Show with Ryan Hawk This is brought to you by Insight Global. If you need to hire one person, hire a team of people, or transform your business through Talent or Technical Services, Insight Global's team of 30,000 people around the world has the hustle and grit to deliver. My Guest: Brian Kelly is the founder of The Points Guy, which he built from a side hustle blog into a travel media empire that he sold for $28 million. At 42, he's now an angel investor in 15+ companies, including Bilt (valued at $11 billion). In this conversation, he shares lessons on manifestation, selling too early, building yourself into the brand, and why vulnerability beats wins in interviews. Key Learnings (in Brian's words) In 1995, I was 12 years old, and I was great with computers, so I started booking all of my dad's travel for work. He'd pay me $10 per booking. Then it turned into points, when my dad showed me all the American and US Air miles he had. "If you can figure out how to use all of them, we can go on a family trip."  And the rest is history. That was my first real, oh wait, this points thing is amazing. Points were a way for us to live a fabulous lifestyle.  I grew up thinking we were poor, but I really wanted to live a fabulous life. My parents were very humble and did not spend money lavishly. For me I always wanted to travel. When I was a kid, I would spin the globe and be like, This is where I'm going. I would actually research Oman. Somehow genetically, I got this gene of I need to be rich and travel the world. I used to call Mercedes, get all of their glossy pamphlets for all their new cars, and I would cut them out and stick them on my wall.  Manifesting alone won't make you wealthy, but visioning helps. I do believe being able to visualize what it looks like and taste it and get close to it helps you take the smaller steps to actually achieve it. When I think of my investments, I actually envision what they're gonna be. I envision that they're multi-billion-dollar companies. I believe it unlocks a level of pushing you to reach these mini steps that you can't see throughout the process. I started The Points Guy in 2010, but there were already Titan bloggers. I for sure felt imposter syndrome, but I saw that what they lacked was creativity. Points and miles are very clinical. Very few people were translating that for an audience. I knew I had an opportunity. I'm in my twenties, living in New York City. I'm gonna explain what everyday people need to know. Building a media brand became my moat. No one else in the points world was doing media. Doing media's frightening. While it was scary going on TV the first couple times (I almost fainted), I knew that each time I did it, I got better. That was the moat I would build. I would build The Points Guy into a brand more so than any of the others who had come before me. I saw from the beginning to double and triple down on that strategy of building something that's more than just a blog, but a lifestyle that people want to achieve. "I made a million bucks in my first six months of just blogging, but using affiliate links." In 2011, within six months of learning about affiliate marketing, I made six figures a month using the credit card links in my blog.  I was still working at Morgan Stanley. My mom was like, this sounds too good to be true. You can't leave Morgan Stanley. I was making like $300,000 a month in affiliate. Meanwhile, at Morgan Stanley, my salary is $70,000 a year. But it didn't pay right away. My parents actually lent me $10,000 just to pay my rent. I remember where I was in Madrid when that first Chase deposit of $490,000 hit from months of back pay on the blog. I sold for $28 million because I thought the industry would collapse. When Bankrate offered me $28 million in May 2012, I kind of had this negative mindset over where the industry was going. About a hundred blogs started when people knew they could make money on affiliates. Most bloggers have zero business sense. They were writing stuff like, "Cancel your Amex, cancel your Chase, cancel, cancel. Then get new cards." I saw this really bad business sense, very shortsighted greediness. I'm watching this thinking they're gonna pull the rug. Do I regret selling? Yes, the company is way more than what I sold it for. But at the time, you always have to remember what the landscape was. We're coming out of the recession. There were still a lot of weak indicators. Building myself into the brand gave me leverage. I had a three and a half year earnout. Over that time, the business really started to grow, but then I realized, well, I am also the business. So, the more press I did, when I negotiated with that parent company to stay on, they paid me a lot of money and still a cut of the business to grow it as CEO. It's kind of crazy to think 13 years after selling, I'm still here. But because I built myself as a core part of the business as The Points Guy, I've been able to stay on with less risk, getting paid well to do what I love. I'm more of the brand visionary, the consumer person. I'm very much an ideas person. When we're speaking with our longtime clients or pitching new ones, that's really where my special sauce is used and not in the day-to-day. People are not mind readers. In 2020, I had this breakdown where I thought I would actually leave. I went to the owners, and I was like, I just can't do it anymore. They said, "Brian, we've been waiting for you to say that. You don't need to be CEO. We have plenty of smart people." It was this aha moment. I think in life we often think polar, black or white. That's advice I give to people. Whether it's your parent company, your boss, your mentor, people are not mind readers. While there is risk to leveling with someone and saying, "Hey, this role is just killing me," more often than not in my career, the more vulnerable I was, the more it turned out to be such a blessing. Check Your Spam Email Frequently: In 2011, I was featured in the New York Times, but the email came to my spam email. At that time, the narrative that points were dead, blackout dates, etc. I was the only blogger putting a positive spin on points. And I tried to do it in an informative and fun way. I'm 6'7", so putting my personal angle on my travel reviews had a huge impact on being the face of this industry.  As a founder, I was a tough boss because it was so personal. If I look back at my time as CEO, I still took it very personally. I do take the integrity of this site. As we expand, we can't forego quality. In hindsight, I didn't highlight enough of the wins. I would focus too much on mistakes. That's advice I would give if I could do it all back over again, to just be much more positive reinforcement over negative. Founders need someone who can check them. You need to have someone around you, a leadership team, someone that can check you. I didn't have that for a very long time, and that's my fault. Making sure you have good people on your team that can be honest with you, and you create an environment of inviting that feedback and not freaking out when they give it to you, is important. I know I would be a much different CEO today if I did it again. Stop BSing in the interview process. Too many people take jobs not knowing what is going on whatsoever at the company. Far too many senior executives walk into positions and they're like, oh wait a minute. I like to be brutally honest in the interview process. Truth-telling is the beginning of having a great relationship because I want you to understand exactly what's in front of you. If you don't want to take it, that's so much better than hiring a senior exec and six months later, you just lost a year. Stop telling me the wins. In the interview process, stop telling me the wins because anyone can make their job look successful. "Oh, 200% ROI, this, that the other." In an interview, you're not gonna be able to fact-check any of this. We all know people can cherry-pick the data. It's really just diving deep into vulnerable moments about their leadership, the challenges as leaders they had with their teams. I'll tell them my challenges when I was CEO. I want people to be real and allow me to understand how they think, the type of leader they are. Charismatic people can trick you. The problem is that very charismatic people can trick you easily. I've been blinded by a great interview, especially when you're exhausted as a CEO and then someone's bantering with you. You're like, oh, that was fun. But I've hired plenty of people who are all talk.  I don't want personality hires. I'm the personality. My engineering team, I really need people to ship updates. I still wake up in the middle of the night asking if my bills are paid. I still have imposter syndrome about "is this crazy what I've built?" It's for sure not about the car, but I will say investing in a home that's beautiful and makes you feel really good is important. For a long time, I was traveling a lot. I never put roots down, and I always felt like I was in transit. Now I have this beautiful farm with animals and horses in New Hope, Pennsylvania. It takes my blood pressure down immediately. Angel investing has basically become an addiction. In 2020, I opened up a space where I decided I wanted to have kids even though I was single, and also started investing and advising in relevant companies. The first one was Encore Jane, who was building Built, a credit card loyalty platform for renters. I'd always thought, how cool would it be to earn points on rent? I said, You're crazy, but if it does work, it'll be massive. Built is now at $11 billion valuation. I'll make more money now, probably on Built than I will at The Points Guy, which is wild to me. I have probably about 15 other companies I put my personal money in. I love it because I can help advise founders on everything I've done, and help open doors. Using that to build wealth has become an addiction. Relentlessness is what I see in leaders who sustain excellence. I am amazed at Encore's ability to push. If he's got 10 major things impacting his business, most CEOs will start with one or two, put the others on the back burner. He will relentlessly push for excellence. I don't wanna work for Encore, but to be in the room and strategize, every time I leave a meeting with him it keeps me fresh and active.  Find mentors, not just companies. For recent college grads, find people, even at a company where you might not see your future. Find someone at that company that you connect with. If you're looking for a job, interview until you find that hiring manager that you feel is on an upward rise and that you can learn from. We often focus too much on the line of work or the company. Stop focusing on that and look at that manager or the CMO whose organization you would join. If they've done amazing things, get in right away and start networking. Put time on the CMO or CEO's calendar. Be bold. Every senior executive loves to see people come in with eagerness to learn. Show up and do extracurriculars at work. Go to the lunch and learn with the senior executive and actually get face time with them. Make sure they know your name. Those are the things that matter because when it comes time for compensation and reviews, the senior person may not work with you day-to-day, but they're like, oh yeah, that's the person I really like. They are a future leader. That's how you get ahead. Even if that boss leaves to another company, they might take you. Reflection Questions Brian says manifesting alone won't make you wealthy, but visioning what it looks like helps you take the smaller steps to achieve it. What specific vision do you have for your future that you could make more tangible (like his Mercedes pictures on the bedroom wall)? How might making it more concrete change your daily actions? He emphasizes that in interviews, he wants people to stop telling him the wins and instead dive deep into vulnerable moments about their leadership and challenges with their teams. If you were in an interview tomorrow, what's one vulnerable leadership moment you could share that would demonstrate how you think rather than just what you've accomplished? Brian realized he needed to tell his parent company, "I just can't do it anymore" as CEO, and they responded with relief, offering him a better role. What conversation are you avoiding right now because you assume the answer will be no, when the other person might actually be waiting for you to speak up? More Learning #525 - Frank Slootman: Hypergrowth Leadership #540 - Alex Hormozi: Let Go of the Need of Approval #510 - Ramit Sethi: Live Your Rich Life

 A year-end recap is more than a highlight reel—it's a practical reset. In this New Year episode, Trace Blackmore walks through 2025 using a "12 Days of the Scaling Up Nation" format, tying together performance, community growth, listener engagement, and the sponsor support that keeps the podcast and its companion tools available at no cost.   Year-end by the numbers   Trace explains how he used to track every stat closely—and how that shifted into an unhealthy measure of self-worth—so the team now uses numbers as feedback, not validation. He notes the show released 56 brand-new episodes in 2025 (including the additional releases during Industrial Water Week) and explains why the data still matters: it helps confirm what the community is using, such as discussion guides and other tools, and what needs to be improved.  Most-downloaded episodes and what listeners leaned into  Trace shares the three most-downloaded episodes of 2025:  Episode 405 — cooling water innovation using treated wastewater  Episode 418 — maleic acid (with Mike Standish)  Episode 424 — chlorine dioxide (the most downloaded episode of the year)  Engagement that keeps learning moving  The episode highlights growth in the Scaling Up Nation across newsletter subscriptions, discussion guide downloads, and an expanding LinkedIn community.   Recognition, partners, and momentum into 2026  Trace acknowledges milestones including AWT naming Scaling Up H2O the official podcast of the Association of Water Technologies, and he thanks the sponsors who make the podcast's free content possible—19 sponsoring partners in 2025. The episode closes with a direct invitation for listeners to share what they want to learn next, who they want interviewed, and what stories could help the industry keep "raising the bar."  Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below.   Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!    Timestamps  02:50 — Show open and New Year framing: a reset point for leaders and operators heading into 2026  03:10 — Why the retrospective exists: improve the next year and celebrate what the Scaling Up Nation achieved together  05:00 — The format revealed: "12 days" of highlights built from what happened in 2025  08:40 — The final 2025 "Water You Know" question: hydroxide ion formula—and the answer reveal  16:30 — The top three downloaded episodes of 2025  29:00 — Signature segments and field lessons: community participation, Detective H2O, and "quicker is not better    Quotes "Slow is smooth and smooth is fast." "It's not going to take somebody's job away because of AI, but somebody who knows AI or is familiar with AI over somebody that is not familiar with it and refuses anything with AI, that person will probably take that other person's job." "Lift others as you rise."    Connect with Scaling UP! H2O  Submit a show idea: Submit a Show Idea  LinkedIn: in/traceblackmore/  YouTube: @ScalingUpH2O Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned  AWT (Association of Water Technologies)  Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses  Submit a Show Idea  The Rising Tide Mastermind 405 Cooling Water Innovation: Harnessing Wastewater for Sustainability  418 Maleic Acid-Based Corrosion Inhibitors: Expanding the Water Treatment Toolbox with Mike Standish  424 Chlorine Dioxide Insights with Greg Simpson  420 Tapping Into Tech: How Ben Frieders Uses AI to Elevate Water Treatment Marketing   422 Inside the Association of Water Technologies with John Caloritis  423 Pushing the Boundaries: Jacob Deak on Innovating Water Treatment Systems   446 Leveraging the Culture Index for Business Success with Danielle Scimeca and Conor Parrish   447 Unlocking Team Potential with Culture Index with Randi Fargen  179 Another One that Teaches Us to Communicate Better with Others    Water You Know with James McDonald Question: What is the molecular formula for hydroxide ion?     2025 Events for Water Professionals  Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we've listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.     

As entrepreneurs and CEOs, how can we continuously develop our leadership skills?This episode features Ryan Hawk, an author, advisor, keynote speaker who is on a mission to make people like you become smarter leaders. He's also the host of the Learning Leader Show, a podcast about helping leaders become more effective.Key topics that Bill and Ryan explore in this episode:- Ryan's personal story of growing up in Ohio and learning leadership skills through sports.- Surrounding yourself with people from diverse backgrounds to gain perspective and become a better person.- Listening to others and gaining a more profound understanding of their perspectives.- Struggling with celebrating accomplishments.- The impermanence of past accomplishments.- Intentionally practicing gratitude to shift your mindset.- Starting and ending meetings with positive news to create a more optimistic atmosphere.- Ryan's experience in corporate America and pursuing an MBA.- The audacious goal of impacting millions of business leaders before retiring.- The importance of self-care and fueling yourself to be effective in leading others.- Continuous learning.- Seeking permission before leading or teaching others.- The importance of permission in building fruitful relationships.Thanks to Ryan Hawk for being on the show!Connect with Ryan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanhawk12/Listen to Ryan's podcast, The Learning Leader Show: https://learningleader.com/Buy one or all three of Ryan's books: "Welcome to Management," "The Pursuit of Excellence," and "The Score That Matters": https://amzn.to/4eBcethBill Gallagher, Scaling Coach and host of the Scaling Up Business podcast, is an international business coach who works with C-Suite leaders to achieve breakthrough growth.Join Bill in the Growth Navigator Coaching Program: https://ScalingCoach.com/workshopBill on LinkedIn: https://www.LinkedIn.com/in/BillGallBill on YouTube: https://www.YouTube.com/@BillGallagherScalingCoachVisit https://ScalingUp.com to learn more about Verne Harnish, our team of Scaling Up Coaches, and the Scaling Up Performance Platform, which includes coaching, learning, software, and summit. We share how the fastest-growing companies succeed where so many others fail. We help leadership teams with the biggest decisions around people, strategy, execution, and cash so that they can scale up successfully and beat the odds of business growth.Did you enjoy today's episode? If so, then please leave a review! Help other business leaders discover the Scaling Up Business Podcast so they, too, can benefit from the ideas shared in these podcasts.Subscribe via Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3PGhWPJSubscribe via Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3PKe00uBill on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/billgall/Bill on Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/billgall

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Rainmaker to Mastermind: Kim's Cash Practice Journey Guest Coach: Michael (PT Biz Rainmaker Coach) Guest: Kim (Rainmaker Alum, PT Biz Mastermind Member) Episode Overview In this episode, Danny introduces a live conversation from inside the PT Biz Rainmaker program between coach Michael and Rainmaker alum Kim. Kim started in Rainmaker while she was just getting her practice off the ground. Now she is in the PT Biz Mastermind, actively scaling her clinic. This episode walks through her journey, early fears, mindset hurdles, and what it looks like to go from "Can I really do this?" to building a growing cash practice. What You'll Hear in This Episode How Kim first got started in the Rainmaker program The mindset challenges of the early stages of a cash practice Imposter syndrome and self doubt when you are not full time yet Why the Rainmaker stage is often the hardest mentally Specific struggles Kim faced while starting her clinic What helped her push through and go all in on her practice How her business looks now inside the PT Biz Mastermind Why hearing real stories from people just a few steps ahead matters Why This Conversation Matters The Rainmaker program is built for physical therapists who are in the earliest phases of their business. Many are still working full time elsewhere while trying to grow their practice on nights and weekends. It is the most mentally stressful stage because: You do not know if the business will work yet Your confidence goes up and down every week You are balancing work, family, and a new clinic at the same time Hearing Kim's story shows that the fear, doubt, and imposter syndrome you feel are normal. More importantly, it shows what is possible on the other side when you get clear guidance, do the work, and stay in the game long enough to make the leap. Inside the Rainmaker and Mastermind Journey Rainmaker Stage: Getting started, getting your first consistent patients, learning the basics of sales and local marketing, building enough momentum to leave your job. Mastermind Stage: Scaling systems, hiring, tightening operations, growing revenue, and building a business that can run without you doing everything. This episode lets you listen in on that transition. You will hear what Kim actually went through while starting and what she is focusing on now as she scales. Who This Episode Is For PTs who are thinking about starting a cash practice but feel uncertain Rainmaker level owners who are still in the early growth stage Clinicians who feel stuck in self doubt and imposter syndrome Owners who want to know what the next level after "launch" looks like Ready to Talk About Your Own Practice? Book a Free Discovery Call with PT Biz: Talk with a senior advisor about where you are now, where you want to go, and whether Rainmaker or the Mastermind is the right fit. Book your discovery call Learn More About PT Biz Programs: physicaltherapybiz.com About PT Entrepreneur Podcast Hosted by Dr. Danny Matta, the PT Entrepreneur Podcast shares real conversations, strategies, and stories from clinicians who are building cash based practices that give them more time and financial freedom.

Did you like the episode? Send me a text and let me know!!How to Hire Remote Workers: Why 73% Fail & How to Succeed | Nearshore Staffing with Luis DEpisode DescriptionSerial entrepreneur Luis D reveals why 73% of offshore hiring fails and how his REMOTE Intelligence Framework achieves 95% success. Learn to hire Latin American talent at 60-70% cost savings, avoid AI resume fraud, and scale your startup faster. Luis built the first Latin American tech startup to get US VC funding and pioneered distributed teams in 2003—before Zoom or Slack existed.Key Takeaways✅ The 7 Offshore Team Death Traps killing remote hires ✅ REMOTE Framework: Rigorous selection, Expert onboarding, Managed support, Optimized performance ✅ How to spot AI deepfake interviews and fake identities ✅ Nearshore vs offshore: Time zone advantages ✅ "Ideas aren't unique. Execution is key" ✅ When to hire earlier than you think you can affordTime Stamps00:00 Mexican candy smuggling to tech entrepreneur 04:00 Building distributed teams before remote work existed 08:00 73% of offshore projects fail—here's why 09:00 7 Death Trap components (Talent Mirage, Cultural Chasm, Hidden Costs) 14:00 REMOTE Intelligence Framework explained 19:00 Rigorous talent vetting process 22:00 AI fraud: Deepfakes and fake accents 28:00 "Ideas aren't unique. Execution is key" 30:00 Zone of genius: Hire earlier with 70% savings 35:00 95% success rate vs 27% industry averageGuest: Luis DFounder of Near You (NIR-U) Nearshore Staffing | First Latin American tech startup with US VC funding | 14-year CEO | Remote work pioneer since 2003Company: Near You—helps $1M-$25M companies hire Latin American talent Success Rate: 95% (vs 27% industry standard) Cost Savings: 60-70% compared to US hiringResources

Christian Brose, President and Chief Strategy Officer at Anduril Industries and author of The Kill Chain: Defending America in the Future of High-Tech Warfare, joins the show to talk about American industry and the future of war. ▪️ Times 02:26 Erosion of Military Advantage 11:11 The Nature of the Problem 16:42 Consensus and Urgency 21:01 Learning the Right Lessons in Ukraine 25:32 Scaling Up for the Offense 31:23 Leveraging AI for Defense 38:07 Will Liberal Arts and Humanities Win? 41:56 Arsenal-1 47:31 Silicon Valley and Defense 52:24 Collaborative Combat Aircraft Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack

Christine Khariv is Business Development Manager at DLF attorneys-at-law Ukraine. Christine writes eloquently and passionately about Ukraine on LinkedIn and Twitter, exposing Russian falsehoods, and advocating for Ukraine's cause.----------LINKS:https://www.linkedin.com/in/christine-khariv-qris/https://twitter.com/2QriShttps://pen.org.ua/en/100-knyzhok-yaki-dopomozhut-zrozumity-ukrayinu/https://chapterukraine.com/----------The Steel Porcupine https://www.thesteelporcupine.com/I'm proud to say that this series of ‘Ukrainian advent' interviews is supported by The Steel Porcupine – a unique and powerful film about a country that refuses to lie down, a people who turned themselves into a fortress of needles when Russian tanks rolled in. The Steel Porcupine is an unforgettable cinematic experience that exposes Russia's campaign of extermination in Ukraine, and the Ukrainian people's spirit to resist and prevail. It follows soldiers, volunteers and people who decided that survival meant resistance, not submission.Created by the makers of the acclaimed To the Zero Line, this is another film about humanity, that clearly states there is no such thing as neutrality when war crimes are being committed systematically by Russia, and on a scale in Europe only comparable to World War Two. Set to a haunting soundtrack featuring music by Philip Glass, and blending rare archival footage with original material, it is an impactful work of art and storytelling, as well as being informative.----------WORKS NOMINATED BY: Christine Khariv BOOKSArtem Chapeye - Ordinary People Don't Carry Machine Guns (2025)Lesia Ukrainka - Cassandra: A Dramatic PoemLesia Ukrainka - The Forest Song: A Fairy PlayFILMSSergei Parajanov - Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors (1965)Pavlo Ostrikov - U Are the Universe (2024)WORKS OF ARTIvan Marchuk----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyślhttps://kharpp.com/NOR DOG Animal Rescuehttps://www.nor-dog.org/home/----------PLATFORMS:Twitter: https://twitter.com/CurtainSiliconInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/siliconcurtain/Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4thRZj6NO7y93zG11JMtqmLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finkjonathan/Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------Welcome to the Silicon Curtain podcast. Please like and subscribe if you like the content we produce. It will really help to increase the popularity of our content in YouTube's algorithm. Our material is now being made available on popular podcasting platforms as well, such as Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

 "So one thing I never do is try to start giving remediation or advice before I truly have understood and diagnosed the problem."  Mentorship and certifications don't replace experience—but they can accelerate it when paired with the right mindset and a disciplined approach to learning. Nella Fergusson, CWT (District Manager, Southern California, Garratt-Callahan), lays out what "growing up" in industrial water treatment actually looks like: repeated exposure to real problems, strong diagnostic habits, and a willingness to keep learning long after year one.  Learning that keeps you employable  Water treatment evolves. Nella contrasts today's challenges with what she faced 15 years ago and explains why complacency is the fastest path to getting left behind. She describes water treatment as industry-specific by nature—food processing cooling and commercial real estate operations don't behave the same, don't shut down the same way, and can't be serviced the same way.  Diagnosing before prescribing  Her troubleshooting process starts with questions: the system's history, what changed, when symptoms appeared, and how critical the impacted use is. She emphasizes water sampling across different times of day and refuses to offer remediation before a proper diagnosis—because misdiagnosis creates extra problems instead of solving the original one.  Career decisions, culture, and the 80/20 risk  Nella shares a candid career detour: leaving Garratt-Callahan for GE Water/Suez, then realizing quickly what she lost—support, resources, and "family"—before returning. She frames many job moves through an 80/20 lens: chasing a missing 20% can cost the 80% that already works, especially when recruiters' incentives don't align with yours.  Credentials that signal competence—and protect end users  Nella explains why she pursued the CWT: an industry-agreed benchmark that reflects years of varied problem-solving. She also discusses ASSE 12080 recertification and why correct sampling, shipping, labeling, and interpretation matter—particularly in Legionella and water safety work. Customers may fear testing; she argues the goal is to find risk where maintenance is weak, then build site-specific procedures that facilities can actually sustain with their staffing. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!    Timestamps    02:22 - Trace message: CWT prep course + planning for 2026  09:17 - Water You Know with James McDonald  10:48 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals   14:49 - Interview with Nella Fergusson, CWT, (District Manager, Southern California, Garratt-Callahan)  16: 27- Ongoing education + how the industry has changed  21:06 - Nella's troubleshooting approach: history, what changed, sampling, impact, don't prescribe before diagnosing  31:00 - Nella's 80/20 rule for deciding whether to leave a company  34:22 - Why she pursued CWT + value of certifications in the industry  40:15 - Getting results immediately + confidence while testing Connect with Nella Fergusson Email: nfergusson@g-c.com  Website: http://www.garrattcallahan.com/   LinkedIn: Nella Fergusson, CWT | LinkedIn     Guest Resources Mentioned   ASSE 12080 Certification – ASSE International  Why ASSE Certifications Matter – Garratt‑Callahan  Impact of Cooling Tower Downtime in Food & Beverage Operations – Aggreko  Scheduling Off‑Peak HVAC Maintenance – Facility Response Group  Parenting the Strong-Willed Child: The Clinically Proven Five-Week Program for Parents of Two- to Six-Year-Olds, Third Edition    Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned  AWT (Association of Water Technologies)  AWT - Value of Certification Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses  Submit a Show Idea  The Rising Tide Mastermind   Water You Know with James McDonald  Question: What is the piece of equipment called that is a heat exchanger placed in the gas passage between the boiler and the stack designed to recover exhaust gas heat into the boiler feedwater?    2025 Events for Water Professionals  Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we've listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.   

What would your future self thank you for starting today?In this solo episode, Bill walks you through his personal strategy for designing a fulfilling and productive year before the new year hits. He shares how carving out time between Thanksgiving and mid-December creates the perfect window to slow down, reflect, and set intentional direction for the coming year.Topics explored in this episode:(01:00) Create Space Before the New Year*The week after Thanksgiving is an ideal time to reflect on your year.*Flip through your calendar. Does anything stand out? *What went well, and what do you wish had gone differently?(06:25) Set Your Future Vision*Reset your mind and body to prepare for what's ahead.*Imagine your life 10 years out. What does it look like? *Get clear on your purpose, values, health, hobbies, and what truly matters.(16:00) Build a Plan with Realistic Cadence*Start with the end in mind. *What daily habits could move you toward your long-term vision?*You don't need a perfect plan, just a system that helps you recommit.Bill Gallagher, Scaling Coach and host of the Scaling Up Business podcast, is an international business coach who works with C-Suite leaders to achieve breakthrough growth. Join Bill in the Growth Navigator Coaching Program: https://ScalingCoach.com/workshop Bill on LinkedIn: https://www.LinkedIn.com/in/BillGallBill on YouTube: https://www.YouTube.com/@BillGallagherScalingCoach Visit https://ScalingUp.com to learn more about Verne Harnish, our team of Scaling Up Coaches, and the Scaling Up Performance Platform, which includes coaching, learning, software, and summit. We share how the fastest-growing companies succeed where so many others fail. We help leadership teams with the biggest decisions around people, strategy, execution, and cash so that they can scale up successfully and beat the odds of business growth. Did you enjoy today's episode? If so, then please leave a review! Help other business leaders discover Scaling Up Business with Bill Gallagher so they, too, can benefit from the ideas shared in these podcasts.Subscribe via Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3PGhWPJSubscribe via Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3PKe00uBill on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/billgall/ Bill on Twitter/X: https://x.com/billgall

In this episode of Acta Non Verba, host Marcus Aurelius Anderson sits down with Rod Yancy — entrepreneur, writer, attorney, and founder of Oath and Bootleg. Rod shares how he’s found success across multiple industries, from law and financial planning to software and now music. The conversation explores what it means to build companies that serve people, live with intention, and innovate within the modern music industry. Rod offers timeless lessons on creativity, courage, and taking action to turn vision into reality. Episode Highlights: 5:04 - The Power of Mortality in EntrepreneurshipRod discusses how contemplating mortality (memento mori) shaped his philosophy and inspired the founding of Oath, emphasizing the importance of living intentionally and making meaningful decisions. 9:39 - Overcoming the Success TrapRod and Marcus explore the “success trap” many entrepreneurs fall into—chasing money or status at the expense of fulfillment, health, and relationships, and how true success requires self-awareness and balance. 40:07 - Delegation and Leadership Lessons from Richard BransonRod shares advice from Richard Branson about the importance of delegation, empowering others, and stepping back as a leader to allow the team to thrive, even if it means feeling less “needed.” 56:00 - Empowering Artists with New Revenue StreamsRod introduces his new venture, Bootleg, which helps artists monetize live concert recordings, providing fans with unique experiences and artists with ongoing revenue, illustrating innovation and creative entrepreneurship. Rod Yancy is a serial entrepreneur, attorney, and founder of Oath, a company dedicated to helping people live intentionally by contemplating their mortality and planning their legacy. With a background in philosophy and law, Rod has built and scaled multiple businesses, including Oath Planning and Bootleg, a platform empowering artists to monetize live performances. Known for his creative approach, resilience, and commitment to meaningful work, Rod draws inspiration from both ancient philosophy and modern mentors like Richard Branson. He is passionate about fostering innovation, supporting artists, and helping others find purpose beyond financial success. Learn more about the gift of Adversity and my mission to help my fellow humans create a better world by heading to www.marcusaureliusanderson.com. There you can take action by joining my ANV inner circle to get exclusive content and information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Geopower, Energy Realpolitik with Todd Royal – Renewables have not ushered in prosperity—they have destroyed competitiveness, destabilized grids, and accelerated geopolitical decline. Europe is the test case, and the results are catastrophic. This episode makes the argument plainly: Renewables are dead. Fossil fuels remain dominant. And the nations that accept this reality will...

Growing a pool service business comes down to clear choices and honest math: buy a route, build organically, or blend both. Each path has tradeoffs in cash, time, and risk. Buying through a trusted broker can deliver instant revenue and a safety net, but it requires real capital and commitment. Building through ads and local outreach can be cheaper per account, but it demands relentless effort and tight tracking. The right choice depends on your market's competition, your cash access, and how quickly you need dependable monthly revenue.Route purchases can be a smart investment when you treat them like an asset, not a gamble. Most brokered routes trade near 12 times monthly billing, which implies a one-year payback if retention holds. You're not waiting a year to see money—cash flow starts day one—but mentally assigning that revenue to repay the purchase keeps you disciplined. Brokers add value with short safety periods and seller training, which matters when some sellers vanish after closing. If you finance with a home equity line of credit, understand you're “all in.” Buying a partial route can de-risk your entry, letting you learn which pools to keep, which to swap, and how to manage density without overextending.We share a practical roadmap to grow a pool service business with real numbers, clear tradeoffs, and field-tested plays. From buying a partial route to building a referral engine and partnering with builders, we map the paths that scale without wasting cash.• when buying a route makes sense and why broker safety nets matter• financing realities, payback math, and retention risks• organic growth via Google Ads, Yelp, HomeAdvisor, and Thumbtack• door hangers and targeted mailers that lower cost per account• market differences that favor partial route purchases• referral rewards that convert and sustain growth• builder partnerships and NPC startup methods for easy wins• simple metrics for route density, churn, and marginsJoin the pool guy coaching program. Get expert advice, business tiSend us a textSupport the Pool Guy Podcast Show Sponsors! HASA https://bit.ly/HASAThe Bottom Feeder. Save $100 with Code: DVB100https://store.thebottomfeeder.com/Try Skimmer FREE for 30 days:https://getskimmer.com/poolguy Get UPA Liability Insurance $64 a month! https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBAPool Guy Coaching: https://bit.ly/40wFE6y

 Industrial cooling is one of the biggest levers industrial facilities can pull on water use—and it's getting harder to ignore as data centers and other high-heat operations grow. Returning guest Dr. Kelle Zeiher (Project Manager at Garratt Callahan) breaks down what water reuse looks like when you move past slogans and into the realities of pretreatment, concentrate management, footprint, and cost.  Cooling water reuse: the scale of the opportunity  Dr. Zeiher reframes "drought" beyond rainfall, emphasizing aquifer recharge and the limits of focusing only on household restrictions. She contrasts domestic use (~12%) with the much larger share tied to cooling (~50%), then connects that to why optimizing industrial cooling matters—especially when operations sit in arid, desert-like regions with limited water availability. She also shares a data-center statistic that puts "the cloud" into physical terms: ~53 gallons of purified water per gigabyte of data stored to keep environments cool enough for microchips.  Higher cycles, RO blending, and the concentrate question  The conversation moves into practical tower strategy: driving cycles up as far as the water and metallurgy allow. Dr. Zeiher describes a case moving from three cycles to six with RO blending and pretreatment, resulting in millions of gallons saved annually. From there, the engineering problem becomes unavoidable: higher cycles create a concentrated cooling-water stream, and RO adds its own waste stream. The key operational question is how to manage both streams without trading water savings for disposal and reliability issues.  Minimal liquid discharge, and the AEROS approach  "Zero liquid discharge" (ZLD) remains a theoretical target, but Dr. Zeiher is clear about the realities: ZLD can require large equipment and high energy demand. She shares a cost example where a 20 gpm ZLD concept came in at nearly $8 million in capital. Her team's approach focuses on minimal liquid discharge (MLD)—recovering roughly 80–90% of water rather than 98–99%, while reducing energy intensity and footprint. She introduces AEROS (Aqueous Recovery Optimization System): rapid precipitation/conditioning, followed by sequential mechanical and membrane filtration, then an RO polishing step to return purified water.  Industry wisdom: proof-first projects, relationships, and AI  You'll also hear Dr. Zeiher's "proof-first" pathway—bench-style testing, then a 5–10 gpm flow-through evaluation in Oak Ridge, Tennessee (with BioLargo)—plus a process guarantee framework and how credits can apply toward a final system. She closes with leadership lessons on documentation, continuity of customer care, and practical guidance for working with AI: feed it strong technical inputs, then apply human critical thinking before recommendations reach customers.  Listen to the full conversation above. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!    Timestamps   02:40 — End-of-year reflection becomes a professional challenge: keep learning fast enough to keep systems stable and clients confident. 05:50 — "Dry December" as a discipline story—used to tee up Trace's broader point: habits beat calendar-based resolutions. 12:00 — Water You Know  13:10 — The events page pitch: planning early protects training time and reduces last-minute operational fire drills. 17:00 — Dr. Kelle Zeiher returns after Episode 351; AWT Louisville hallway energy turns into a deep dive on reuse. 18:40 — Mystery novels as technical storytelling: The Cupcake Caper, real lab practices, and a pen name built for a non-scientific audience. 20:50 — Data centers and water: 53 gallons per GB stored reframes "the cloud" as heat management with real resource costs. 23:40 — Macro water math: 50% of U.S. water use tied to cooling vs. 12% domestic—why industrial optimization moves the needle. 27:50 — "Pretreatment is everything": RO's tiny flow channels make debris control and scale prevention non-negotiable. 30:10 — Cycles example: 3 to 6 cycles with RO blending/pretreatment, plus the caution that RO-softened blends can increase corrosion risk. 31:30 — ZLD vs. MLD: energy-heavy evaporation/distillation compared to a lower-energy recovery target that still returns most water. 33:50 — AEROS explained: rapid precipitation + filtration + RO polish, with solids handling designed to keep water moving back to the front end. 37:00 — Customer pathway: bench demos → Oak Ridge pilot (5–10 gpm) → engineered system; upfront testing credits toward purchase. 43:20 — Performance accountability: process guarantee includes refund/take-back if promised performance can't be met. 47:40 — Trust and continuity: plant presence, documentation, and relationship handoffs prevent "solution drift" when people change roles. 54:40 — Working with AI: feed it strong data, then apply human critical thinking so recommendations don't outpace experience.     Quotes "Water is not a limitless resource. It's a finite resource, and we simply purify it and reuse it over and over again." "We have to learn to work with AI when it's still a toddler before it grows up into the 6th grade bully and beats you up for your lunch money."  "Persistence overcomes almost anything."  "An AI will give you a great outline for a presentation, but it won't give you a full presentation."    Connect with Dr. Kelle Zeiher Phone: (630) 660-3457  Email: kzeiher@g-c.com   Website: Water Treatment Expertise Since 1904 I Garratt-Callahan  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelle-zeiher-6bab221/     Guest Resources Mentioned   The Cupcake Caper (Undercover Cat Mysteries) by Kelle Z Riley  Process Heating and Cooling Show Paper (Cooling Tower Cycles & MLD)  Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI Paperback by Ethan Mollick   Sensitive: The Hidden Power of the Highly Sensitive Person in a Loud, Fast, Too-Much World Paperback by Jenn Granneman (Author), Andre Sólo (Author)  Empower Your Investing: Adopting Best Practices From John Templeton, Peter Lynch, and Warren Buffett Hardcover by Scott A. Chapman CFA  Membrane Technologies for Sustainable Wastewater Treatment: Advances, Challenges, and Applications in Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) and Minimal Liquid Discharge (MLD) Systems  Comparative techno-economic and environmental analysis of minimal liquid discharge (MLD) and zero liquid discharge (ZLD) desalination systems for seawater brine treatment and valorization  Forever Chemicals: A Look at the History, Regulations, Emerging Trends and Technologies to Solve the PFAS Crisis    Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned  AWT (Association of Water Technologies)  Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses  Submit a Show Idea  The Rising Tide Mastermind 351 Maximizing Water's Potential: Tech and Water Treaters in Perfect Harmony    Water You Know with James McDonald  Question: How much heat energy does it take to heat 1 pound of liquid water by 1 degree Fahrenheit?    Events for Water Professionals  Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we've listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.   

How do you run a year-end strategy offsite that's focused, fun, and actually gets resultsIn this episode, Bill is joined by strategic advisor Dan Clifford to walk you through how to plan and execute a high-impact annual strategy session offsite. From pre-planning to post-event execution, Dan shares his years of business knowledge with the audience today. Whether you're a founder, CEO, or senior leader, this conversation will help you rethink your next big planning meeting and make sure it drives real outcomes for the new year to come. You'll learn how to choose the right environment for deep thinking, gather and synthesize the right data before you meet, build an agenda that creates clarity and momentum, and ensure your team actually follows through long after the offsite ends.Topics explored in this episode:(03:25) The Pre-Planning Stage*If it's not on the calendar, it doesn't exist.*Find a good off-site location that has both indoor and outdoor options.. *Don't just go through ‘the motions' of an agenda; schedule downtime, walks, and thinking time.*Think about what success would look like at the end of the event.(19:05) The Pre-Meeting Stage*If you have more than 8 people in the room for year-end planning, you need to hire a facilitator.*Get your data and numbers together, as well as a company-wide survey on what's working and what's not.*Bill likes to use AI to summarize the data collected and offers some tips on how to leverage this fully.*With a critical meeting like this, set the expectation with senior leadership that there will be no laptops and no cellphones.(41:40) The Agenda*Start with big-picture thinking, then narrow into what the action plan looks like.*What resources do you currently have vs. what you need to achieve your BHAG?*Walk out with 3–5 big priorities.*Bill likes to start with good news, human connection, and a bit of play before the big-picture strategy conversations begin.(31:35) The After*Don't just set it and forget it. Schedule weekly follow-up meetings to keep momentum.*Focus on Q1 for now; don't try to forecast Q2-Q4 yet. A lot can change in 90 days.*Don't be afraid to use AI to help you along this process! Thanks to Dan Clifford for being on the show!Connect with Dan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danclifford/Bill Gallagher, Scaling Coach and host of the Scaling Up Business podcast, is an international business coach who works with C-Suite leaders to achieve breakthrough growth. Join Bill in the Growth Navigator Coaching Program: https://ScalingCoach.com/workshop Bill on LinkedIn: https://www.LinkedIn.com/in/BillGallBill on YouTube: https://www.YouTube.com/@BillGallagherScalingCoach Visit https://ScalingUp.com to learn more about Verne Harnish, our team of Scaling Up Coaches, and the Scaling Up Performance Platform, which includes coaching, learning, software, and summit. We share how the fastest-growing companies succeed where so many others fail. We help leadership teams with the biggest decisions around people, strategy, execution, and cash so that they can scale up successfully and beat the odds of business growth. Did you enjoy today's episode? If so, then...

Work with Kevin to get the confidence to build the life you want. - - - - - The One with Rob Heyder In this conversation, Kevin Dairaghi interviews Rob Heyder, a successful real estate entrepreneur, about his journey from residential to commercial real estate. They discuss the challenges of property management, the importance of systems in business, and the impact of market changes. Rob shares insights on scaling a business, the role of mentorship, and the significance of having a strategic plan. He emphasizes the need for a strong support network and the value of learning from experiences. The conversation also touches on the future of real estate, including the integration of AI and the importance of financial preparedness. 00:00 Introduction 02:46 From Residential to Commercial Real Estate 05:51 Challenges of Commercial Property Management 09:05 Scaling Up in Real Estate 12:05 The Importance of Systems in Real Estate 15:00 Navigating Market Changes 17:52 The Role of Education and Mentorship 21:01 Forging Moments in Real Estate Career 23:59 The Impact of AI on Real Estate 26:51 Advice to My Younger Self 47:12 Strategic Thinking and Overcoming Limiting Beliefs 49:42 Finding Motivation in Challenging Times 52:05 The Importance of Learning from Mistakes 53:46 Scaling Up and Down in Business 56:09 Navigating Financial Strategies in Real Estate 01:07:42 Innovative Approaches to Commercial Real Estate 01:10:40 Building a Unique Coaching Program Kevin is definitely available for more MC and speaking opportunities. Have a group, you'd like him to speak to - Your kid's team? Your team? Your church? Just ask us! New linktree: linktr.ee/kevindairaghi Limited Time Offering for Self-Guided Roadmap Course --> Follow linktree ^ & Use Code: RUCRAZYKEVIN2025 House Buying Website: www.RestoreSTL.com Connect with Kevin Dairaghi! Website: www.kevindairaghi.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kdairaghi Instagram: @thekevindairaghishow Facebook: www.facebook.com/kdairaghi Get free access to some of the tools we talked about at www.kevindairaghi.com/tools You are who you surround yourself with. Join the Tribe! RATE & REVIEW this episode on Apple and Spotify. SHARE this episode with someone who needs it! A huge thank you to our sponsors: Lois Mans with Farmers Insurance - Insurance! ‭(314) 283-1981‬ Greg Mans with Upright Construction - Roofs! (314) 374-1343‬ Adam Droege with CRS Realty - Property Management! (314) 325-8328 Jason Hudson with Red Maples Construction - Turnovers! (314) 312-2147 Please reach out to them - they are my real estate team! Tell them Kevin sent ya! Dealmachine Bonus: http://www.dealmachine.com/KDSHOW

What if the key to improving obstetrical surgery outcomes isn't a new technology, but rethinking who's in the operating room? In this episode of BackTable OBGYN, host Dr. Mark Hoffman and co-host Dr. Amy Park welcome Dr. Sony Singh, a prominent figure in the field of minimally invasive gynecologic surgery (MIGS) and obstetrics, to share perspectives on the emerging role of MIG surgeons in obstetrical surgery. --- SYNPOSIS Dr. Singh shares his extensive career journey, from his education in Canada and Australia to his current role as department chair of OBGYN at the Ottawa Hospital. The conversation delves into the integration of MIGS into obstetric surgery, including procedures like laparoscopic cerclages, placenta accreta management, and cesarean scar pregnancies. The hosts and guest discuss the challenges and importance of building a robust team, regionalization of care, maintaining work-life balance, and the eventual transition of leadership roles to sustain the high standards of care. This episode highlights the crucial role of minimally invasive specialists in advancing OBGYN practices while promoting a sustainable work culture. --- TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Introduction 02:08 - Dr. Singh's Journey07:37 - The Role of MIG Surgeons in Obstetrical Surgery16:06 - Building a Collaborative Team18:38 - Challenges and Best Practices25:26 - Expanding the Scope of MIG Surgeons30:19 - The Evolution of Urogynecology and MIGS31:31 - Leadership and Building Programs37:54 - Scaling Up and Regionalization of Care42:53 - Balancing Work and Personal Life54:37 - Concluding Thoughts --- RESOURCES Canadian Society for Advancement of Gynecologic Excellencehttps://cansage.org/about/ From Strength to Strength, by Arthur Brookshttps://www.arthurbrooks.com/books

What does it take to run a vertically integrated multifamily operation—and do it well? This week, we're joined by Michael Root, Co-Founder and Strategic Leader of Root Property Group, who breaks down the systems, strategies, and lessons behind managing nearly 1,000 doors in Chicago's north side.From understanding why “selling is a decision made before closing” to avoiding the trap of over-improving a property, Michael shares real, practical insights for investors who want to build long-term wealth the right way.Key Takeaways:3:07 – Michael's Core Roles: His three main hats are underwriting deals, asset management (executing strategies), and running the renovation crew.5:44 – Niche Strategy: Focusing on 10-unit, scattered-site buildings in core neighborhoods allows for hyper-accurate local data and pricing.10:26 – Tech for Efficiency: Software like ShowMojo automates scheduling and showings, eliminating phone tag and preventing lead loss.12:41 – Data-Driven Diligence: Use your own portfolio's data to accurately benchmark expenses against the seller's claims before touring the property.15:16 – Avoid Over-Improving: The worst mistake is over-investing in renovations, causing the property value to exceed what the local market can support ("meeting the market").17:02 – Legacy Transition: Buying the existing family business structure secured better lending credit and leverage for future acquisitions.19:55 – When to Sell: Consider selling if you've maximized value, plan no further capital investment, and wouldn't buy the asset back at the current market price.21:47 – Hindsight: Regrets include not networking more when younger and passing up "good deals" out of fear.Michael speaks Corwyn's "real estate dialect," diving deep into the world of multifamily acquisitions and the strategic vision needed to lead a multi-million dollar firm.Connect with Michael:Contact Number: 773 -904-1 383Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-root-6242a6a/Website: https://www.rootrealty.com//Connect with Corwyn:Contact Number: 843-619-3005Instagram:⁠ https://www.instagram.com/exitstrategiesradioshow/⁠FB Page:⁠ https://www.facebook.com/exitstrategiessc/⁠Youtube:⁠ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxoSuynJd5c4qQ_eDXLJaZA⁠Website:⁠ https://www.exitstrategiesradioshow.com⁠Linkedin:⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/cmelette/⁠Shoutout to our Sponsor: Mellifund Capital, LLCNeed funding for your next real estate flip or build? MelliFund Capital makes it fast, flexible, and investor-friendly. Visit MelliFundCapital.com and fund your future today. Again, that's MelliFundCapital.com, M-E-L-L-I-L-U-N-D, Capital.com

Industrial water professionals sit at the intersection of risk, regulation, and community trust. In this episode, Dr. Annette Davison ("the water risk doctor") joins Trace Blackmore to show how disciplined governance, clear supply chain thinking, and community engagement can turn fragmented water systems into coherent, defensible risk management frameworks.  Water risk from source to customer  Annette starts with a simple question most customers never ask: "Where's your water coming from?" She walks through a conceptual supply chain from source to end point—collection, transfer, treatment, distribution, and customers—then layers governance on top. Who holds custody at each handover point? Are water quality objectives clearly defined and documented? What happens when something "stuffs up," and how is that communicated downstream? For leaders, it's a practical reminder that risk isn't just about treatment performance; it's about clearly assigned responsibilities along the entire chain.  Governance, ISO 31000, and the Water31K framework  Drawing on her background in microbial ecology and environmental law, Annette explains why "you can't do a good risk assessment unless you've got the context right." She describes how ISO 31000 inspired the Water31K framework—an approach that is jurisdictionally agnostic and capable of spanning drinking water, recycled water, and recreational water guidelines. Using Water31K, her team walks into any jurisdiction and systematically maps stakeholders, legal and formal requirements, reporting lines, and internal obligations so utilities can see their governance landscape clearly before they start scoring risk.  Critical control points, AI, and learning from incidents  Critical control points may have started in the food industry, but Annette shows how they can be sharpened for water. Her test— "would a computer understand this?"—forces teams to close logical gaps and define thresholds and responses precisely enough to be automated. She also explores how AI and "agents as a service" could help analyze incident data, while warning that AI is useless if utilities haven't done the basics: monitoring the right things, at the right place, at the right time, with a firm grasp of supply chain risk. Her mantra: never waste a good incident; dissect it and make sure it doesn't happen again.  Regulations, public–private contracts, and community projects  Using Australia as an example, Annette unpacks the complexity of layered laws—Commonwealth, state, local—and the different regimes governing public, metro, and private utilities. She shares a five-part checklist for public–private contracts (quantity, quality, maintenance, ownership, operations) and explains how weak agreements can undermine water quality objectives and monitoring. In parallel, she talks about social initiatives like One Street and One Creek, community-led work on Rocky Creek, and bringing STEAM (not just STEM) into high schools so the next generation sees water as a diverse, creative career path.  Strong water risk governance isn't just about compliance; it's about making better decisions for customers and communities over decades. This conversation gives leaders language, frameworks, and examples they can use to tighten their own systems and engage people beyond the plant fence.  Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!    Timestamps    02:15 — Trace reflects on the end of 2025, recap planning, and how goal setting shapes a stronger 2026 for sales and learning. 11:12 — Introducing lab partner Dr. Annette Davison and her diverse day-to-day across mediation workshops, field work, and high school outreach. 12:10 — The Risk Edge Group mission: protecting people, processes, and the planet from contaminated water with documents, templates, tools, and audits. 13:14 — "Incidents Online" as a free learning resource and how sharing real events helps others protect themselves. 14:10 — Becoming Australian Water Association's Water Professional of the Year and launching the One Street and One Creek social initiatives. 15:29 — From microbial ecology and contaminated sites to environmental law and a career focused on water quality governance. 19:47 — Training as a core "case study": lighting up operators and directors by finally explaining the "why" behind procedures and funding. 22:00 — Walking the water supply chain from source to end point and identifying governance handover points and quality objectives. 24:22 — Strategy-to-operations workflow: from planning and design to commissioning and operations, and why design must serve operators. 24:45 — Critical control points, space diarrhoea origin-story, and the discipline of defining CCPs so clearly "a computer would understand." 30:30 — How Water31K creates a common language for teasing out complex legal and regulatory structures across jurisdictions. 33:03 — The multi-layered Australian governance example: Commonwealth guidelines, state acts, and differing regimes for local, metro, and private utilities. 36:23 — Rocky Creek and the Karingai "Kraken" network: turning an unloved creek into a pilot for community care and data-driven education. 38:19 — onestreet.earth, mobilising your community, and building a playbook so others can replicate a "One Creek" model. 39:21 — STEAM power in schools: bringing science, technology, engineering, art, and maths together to improve water communication. 42:01 — Public vs private utilities, the Water Industry Competition Act, nimble private operators, and the five-part contract checklist. 44:39 — Emerging hazards (microplastics, PFAS) and the reminder not to take our eyes off the basics while we monitor new risks. 46:19 — Annette's core message: we've got to love water and help customers understand what it takes to keep it safe and reliable.   Quotes "You can't do a good risk assessment unless you've got the context right."  "Where's your water coming from? How do you collect it? How do you transfer it to where it needs to go to? How do you treat it?"  "We now just keep asking ourselves the same question, will the computer understand this?"  "AI's not going to help us until we get the right inputs to AI. Let's get the basics right first."  "We've got to love water. We've got to make sure that people are aware of water, not only the technocrats, but also the people who are using it."    Connect with Annette Davison Email: annette@riskedge.com.au  Website: https://www.riskedge.com.au/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annettedavison/    Guest Resources Mentioned   The Risk Edge Group – Water31K Framework & Services  Incidents Online (Risk Edge)  Risk Edge Training (e.g., CCP and Governance Courses)  Ku-ring-gai Community Rotary Network ("the Kraken")  Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG)  WHO Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality  The Overstory – Richard Powers  The Three-Body Problem – Cixin Liu  The Covenant of Water – Abraham Verghese    Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned  AWT (Association of Water Technologies)  Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses  Submit a Show Idea  The Rising Tide Mastermind    2025 Events for Water Professionals  Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we've listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE. 

What if chasing “having it all” is exactly what's making you miserable?In this episode, Bill challenges what “having it all” means and explores what actually creates sustainable happiness for high-performing leaders. He shares moments from when he had money, success, and recognition, but still felt empty, and explains why joy often comes from subtraction of things. Topics explored in this episode:(03:40) Success Without Joy Is Emptiness*Bill reflects on hitting financial and professional milestones; yet still feeling a strange emptiness. *Challenge the belief that: achievement = happiness. *External wins don't always translate to internal satisfaction.(07:15) Why the Gratitude Advice Doesn't Always Work*Break “Thanksgiving” into two core practices: Thanks (appreciation) and Giving (generosity).*Start with gratitude for team members, family, and yourself.*Let go of expectations, and express that through generous action.(10:50) The Secret Might Be: Wanting Less*True happiness often comes from removing things, not adding more. *Reconsider the idea of “having it all.” *Creating fewer goals for yourself actually might be the real key to fulfillment.Bill Gallagher, Scaling Coach and host of the Scaling Up Business podcast, is an international business coach who works with C-Suite leaders to achieve breakthrough growth. Join Bill in the Growth Navigator Coaching Program: https://ScalingCoach.com/workshop Bill on LinkedIn: https://www.LinkedIn.com/in/BillGallBill on YouTube: https://www.YouTube.com/@BillGallagherScalingCoach Visit https://ScalingUp.com to learn more about Verne Harnish, our team of Scaling Up Coaches, and the Scaling Up Performance Platform, which includes coaching, learning, software, and summit. We share how the fastest-growing companies succeed where so many others fail. We help leadership teams with the biggest decisions around people, strategy, execution, and cash so that they can scale up successfully and beat the odds of business growth. Did you enjoy today's episode? If so, then please leave a review! Help other business leaders discover Scaling Up Business with Bill Gallagher so they, too, can benefit from the ideas shared in these podcasts.Subscribe via Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3PGhWPJSubscribe via Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3PKe00uBill on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/billgall/ Bill on Twitter/X: https://x.com/billgall

Today, I'm thrilled to share my conversation with Nathan. He's the Director of Soil and a long-time force behind Rust Belt Riders, a cooperative composting operation that's grown from bicycles and buckets to launching a mid-scale compost facility. Their story is truly inspiring—not just because of the growth, but because of how intentionally they've done it.We talk about the early days, what it's been like to scale, and the importance of their unique cooperative business structure—which sets them apart in the composting world. And toward the end of the conversation, Nathan shares his beautiful vision of a compost-centric utopian future. It's heartfelt, imaginative, and honestly, something we could all use a bit more of.Check out Rust Belt Riders (

 Entamoeba histolytica nearly ended Ron Blutrich's scientific career. Instead, it pushed him to rethink how we protect people in multi-family buildings, senior facilities, and dense urban centers from invisible microbiological risks in their drinking water. In this episode, he joins host Trace Blackmore to unpack what whole-building UV can (and can't) do for Legionella, biofilm, and real-world water safety.  When One Bad Cup of Water Redefines a Career  In the middle of his PhD in molecular genetics, Ron drank from an under-sink reverse osmosis tap at an Airbnb and contracted Entamoeba histolytica. The infection triggered more than three years of severe gastrointestinal symptoms and a 100-pound weight loss, despite being "clinically cured." That experience—and the lack of clear answers—led him to dig into how governments, utilities, and buildings actually manage microbiological risk in water. He discovered that even in urban centers, there is "a lot left to be desired" in monitoring, guidelines, and the epidemiology of waterborne disease.  UV at the Point of Entry: Why Medium Pressure Matters  Ron explains why he chose UV as the primary disinfection tool for CLEAR's whole-building solutions. He contrasts conventional filters (carbon, RO, media) that remove contaminants but do not kill biology with UV systems that directly target DNA and other cellular structures. He walks through the differences between low-pressure and medium-pressure UV, including temperature independence for hot water recirculation and the broader wavelength spectrum that can damage DNA, proteins, membranes, and even DNA repair enzymes. That same technology is being used for multicellular control in marine environments, ballast water, and mollusk control, and Ron argues it is uniquely suited to domestic hot water systems facing Legionella and biofilm.  Legionella, Biofilm, and the Limits of "Good Enough"  Drawing from CLEAR's field work, Ron describes how often Legionella shows up in single homes, condos, and new buildings, and how standard practices typically focus on remediation and short-term clearance instead of long-term prevention. He highlights the gap between ASHRAE 188's recommendations for hot water temperatures and real constraints in senior housing, where anti-scalding concerns keep tanks too cool to reliably control Legionella. He also shares stories of property managers and public agencies reluctant to test because they lack cost-effective treatment options or don't want to confront what the data might show.  Scaling UV from Towers to Single Homes  Ron walks through why conventional media and RO systems don't scale well to large towers—footprint, cost, and pressure loss—and how CLEAR instead installs inline UV systems at the point of entry. These systems can handle up to roughly 2,000 gallons per minute, require minimal head loss, and are designed as a single point of installation and service. From there, he explains how his team layered on monitoring and a tenant-facing dashboard so that properties can see UV dose, transmittance, and flow in real time, and service can be triggered based on performance instead of fixed schedules. He also discusses emerging opportunities in UV LEDs and next-generation media that could make fully comprehensive point-of-entry treatment feasible in more buildings.  For leaders responsible for building portfolios, senior living, or high-density residential properties, this conversation offers a rigorous look at what it really takes to move from "we hope the water is fine" to a defensible, data-backed stance on microbiological safety.  Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!    Timestamps  04:59 - Trace talks about skipping turkey and ham this year and explains his usual turkey-stock "ice cube" tradition  13:59 - Trace introduces today's lab partner, Ron Blutrich of Clear Inc., and sets up the UV-in-buildings topic  13:03 – Events page shout out   10:57 - Water You Know with James McDonald  16:21 – Drinking from an under-sink RO line at an Airbnb, contracting Entamoeba Histolytica  19:15 - Why unmaintained RO and carbon filters can increase microbiological risk  23:27 - UV to keep post-UV systems cleaner   34:51 – Installation  40:23 – Cyanotoxins, Great Lakes algal blooms, and using medium-pressure UV to denature toxins, not just microbes  43:31 – Ron's current habits  48:08 – Future Opportunities: UV LEDs   49:04 – Multi-spectral UV LED arrays    Quotes "And what I learned really changed my life, because what I understood is that even in urban settings, not just in remote communities, there's a lot left to be desired when it comes to water quality, water quality treatment, guidelines, monitoring" - Ron Blutrich  "I think that in general, we need to understand with our eyes open exactly what it is that we do when we treat." - Ron Blutrich  "So generally, there's a lot left to be desired in terms of what we're trying to do for Legionella. It turns out that Legionella is extremely susceptible to UV. Legionella can be reduced almost 6 logs with most conventional UV systems" - Ron Blutrich  "So, at this point, our UV systems, it's an inline system. It's basically a section of pipe that happens to disinfect the water going through it. It's a single point of installation, a single point of service. There's no head loss, there's no pressure loss" - Ron Blutrich    Connect with Ron Blutrich Email: ron@clear.inc  Website: Clear - UV Treated Purified Water at Point of Entry  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ron-blutrich-50262b2a3/     Guest Resources Mentioned  ORIGINS OF ORDER: Self-Organization and Selection in Evolution by Stuart Kauffman  Pale Blue Dot: A Vision of the Human Future in Space by Carl Sagan  Clear Inc – Whole-Building UV Water Purification  Entamoeba histolytica Infection  CDC Household Water Treatment   EPA Guidance Manual: Filtration and Disinfection Requirements  WQA Guidance for Sanitizing Residential Treatment Systems  Application of Ultraviolet Light-Emitting Diodes (UV-LED) to Full-Scale Drinking-Water Disinfection  Wilderness Medical Society Clinical Practice Guidelines on Water Treatment for Wilderness, International Travel, and Austere Situations    Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned  AWT (Association of Water Technologies)  Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses  Submit a Show Idea  The Rising Tide Mastermind   Water You Know with James Question: What is the interaction called when chemicals react on a mole-to-mole basis that could possibly be considered the opposite of the Threshold Effect?    Events for Water Professionals  Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we've listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE. 

Mark Loeffler is a successful realtor, triathlete, and seasoned real estate investor with an impressive portfolio spanning the Golden Horseshoe. Inspired by Rich Dad Poor Dad, Mark launched his investment journey, eventually scaling from single-family homes to multifamily apartment buildings in thriving markets. His story blends discipline, strategic thinking, and long-term vision.  In this episode, we dive into: How Mark Kickstarted His Real Estate Journey — from his first properties to expanding into the multifamily market The Transformative Influence of Rich Dad Poor Dad on his investment philosophy The Mindset of a Triathlete — and how endurance, consistency, and discipline translate directly into real estate success Scaling Strategies that took him from small residential homes to full apartment buildings What He's Learned Along the Way about navigating market shifts, taking calculated risks, and building long-term wealth through real estate Download a free report: "Multi-Unit Renovation Operations Order - A Guide to Starting a Renovation" Subscribe and review today! Instagram Youtube Spotify Apple Podcasts  

Can you help me make more podcasts? Consider supporting me on Patreon as the service is 100% funded by you: https://EVne.ws/patreon You can read all the latest news on the blog here: https://EVne.ws/blog Subscribe for free and listen to the podcast on audio platforms: ➤ Apple: https://EVne.ws/apple ➤ YouTube Music: https://EVne.ws/youtubemusic ➤ Spotify: https://EVne.ws/spotify ➤ TuneIn: https://EVne.ws/tunein ➤ iHeart: https://EVne.ws/iheart GENESIS GV90 LEAKED AS ULTRA-LUXE EV FLAGSHIP https://evne.ws/3M87q59 CUPRA RAVAL AIMS FOR EUROPE'S BUDGET EV DRIVERS https://evne.ws/4otQpzQ NACS CHARGING SURGES AS NON-TESLA NETWORKS SCALE UP https://evne.ws/3XXaqnr HYUNDAI SURGES PAST VOLKSWAGEN IN GLOBAL PROFITS https://evne.ws/4pcja5g TESLA LAUNCHES FSD DEMO DRIVES IN EUROPE https://evne.ws/4rogrqV OMODA & JAECOO OFFER UPFRONT REBATE ON FUTURE UK EV TAX https://evne.ws/48oolb3 EU STEPS UP EV BATTERY FACTORY BUILD-OUT https://evne.ws/4pCw7oB MCKINSEY SEES €5 TRILLION CLEAN‑TECH INVESTMENT WAVE BY 2035 https://evne.ws/489dIdd E.ON WINS €70 MILLION EU GRANT FOR MEGAWATT TRUCK CHARGING https://evne.ws/44wt5tX CYPRUS OFFERS NEW EV GRANTS OF UP TO €9,000 https://evne.ws/4an47kv MERCEDES DIESEL RECALL OVERTURNED IN GERMANY https://evne.ws/3Kyblrn GM EV1 RESTORATION PROJECT REWRITES EV HISTORY https://evne.ws/4pxZdWa

Mastering Business Growth: Insights from Mark Abbott, Founder & CEO of Ninety, on Operating Systems, Culture, and Organizational MaturityIn this episode, host Josh Elledge sits down with Mark Abbott, Founder and CEO of Ninety, for a deep dive into business operating systems, organizational culture, and the journey of scaling small and mid-sized companies. Mark—drawing on decades of experience in entrepreneurship, software development, coaching, and workplace culture—explains how leaders can build high-performing, resilient organizations by implementing the right frameworks at the right time. This blog breaks down the episode's key insights and practical guidance to help business owners navigate their company's growth stages with clarity and confidence.Building Mature, Aligned, and High-Trust OrganizationsMark begins by explaining what a Business Operating System (BOS) truly is: a combination of tools, disciplines, and concepts that help organizations stay aligned, accountable, and scalable. He emphasizes that every company already has an operating system—whether intentional or accidental—and the goal is to consciously design one that matches the business's stage of development. Popular frameworks like EOS, Scaling Up, and The Great Game of Business offer structured paths, but each company must adopt the tools most appropriate for their maturity level.He breaks down the five stages of business development—Formation, Early Growth, Expansion, Maturity, and Legacy—and stresses that leaders must avoid skipping steps. For example, documenting every process too early is counterproductive; focusing instead on clarity, roles, and early team alignment yields better results. As businesses grow, they often mistake size for maturity, creating organizations that look impressive on the outside but lack foundational discipline internally.Mark also highlights the importance of culture, trust, and forgiveness. High-performance organizations assume goodwill, set clear expectations, and use trust as a guiding principle—while also acknowledging that not all behaviors should be tolerated. He references research from Dr. Paul Zak to explain how trust chemically fuels team performance and why leaders must foster environments where transparency and accountability thrive. Platforms like Ninety help reinforce these practices by providing tools for meetings, scorecards, vision alignment, and process documentation, ensuring companies build habits that support long-term excellence.About Mark AbbottMark Abbott is the Founder and CEO of Ninety, a platform designed to help small and mid-sized businesses implement and sustain business operating systems. With decades of experience across entrepreneurship, leadership development, and organizational design, Mark has coached countless teams on building trust-based cultures and operational excellence. Connect with Mark on LinkedIn.About NinetyNinety is a comprehensive software platform built to help organizations adopt, implement, and sustain a Business Operating System such as EOS. With tools for meetings, scorecards, rocks, issues, processes, and organizational clarity, Ninety equips leadership teams with everything they need to run a healthy, aligned, and scalable business. The platform supports both coach-led and self-directed implementations and includes extensive resources for long-term growth and accountability.Links Mentioned in This EpisodeMark Abbott LinkedIn

What does it really mean for people to feel like they matter in the workplace?In this episode, Zach Mercurio unpacks why mattering is the missing piece in most workplace cultures and how leaders can foster it. He also explores how a sense of value and contribution drives engagement, innovation, and retention. Zach is on a mission to make work and life more meaningful. As an author, researcher, and speaker, he helps leaders create environments where people feel valued. Topics explored in this episode: (02:15) The Science of Mattering* How mattering influences employee performance and well-being.* Why recognition alone isn't enough to make people feel valued.(10:40) Workplace Disconnection* The hidden costs of employees feeling like they don't matter.(18:55) The Role of Leaders in Creating Mattering* Mattering shouldn't be just an HR initiative—it's a leadership responsibility.(28:30) Purpose vs. Mattering* Why having a sense of mattering is more foundational than purpose.* Case studies of companies that have built cultures of mattering.(47:20) Building a Mattering-Centric Culture* The three key components of a workplace where people feel they matter.Thanks to Zach Mercurio for being on the show! Learn more about Zach: https://www.zachmercurio.com/Get Zach's book: The Power of Mattering: How Leaders Can Create a Culture of Significance: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D8XMWCLJ Connect with Zach on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachmercurio Bill Gallagher, Scaling Coach and host of the Scaling Up Business podcast, is an international business coach who works with C-Suite leaders to achieve breakthrough growth. Join Bill in the Growth Navigator Coaching Program: https://ScalingCoach.com/workshop Bill on LinkedIn: https://www.LinkedIn.com/in/BillGallBill on YouTube: https://www.YouTube.com/@BillGallagherScalingCoach Visit https://ScalingUp.com to learn more about Verne Harnish, our team of Scaling Up Coaches, and the Scaling Up Performance Platform, which includes coaching, learning, software, and summit. We share how the fastest-growing companies succeed where so many others fail. We help leadership teams with the biggest decisions around people, strategy, execution, and cash so that they can scale up successfully and beat the odds of business growth. Did you enjoy today's episode? If so, then please leave a review! Help other business leaders discover Scaling Up Business with Bill Gallagher so they, too, can benefit from the ideas shared in these podcasts.Subscribe via Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3PGhWPJSubscribe via Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3PKe00uBill on Facebook:

Simple Numbers, Big Profits with Greg Crabtree: How to Scale Without Debt or Chaos   Most business owners chase revenue—and lose sight of profit. In this episode of Profit Answer Man, Rocky Lalvani sits down with Greg Crabtree, author of Simple Numbers, Straight Talk, Big Profits, to cut through the noise and talk about what really drives a successful business. A self-described "recovering accountant," Greg shares how data—not opinions—can transform how entrepreneurs see their numbers, make decisions, and grow sustainably.   If you've ever felt like your financial reports are confusing or your growth isn't showing up in profit, this conversation will show you exactly where to look and what to fix.   In This Episode, You'll Learn: Why accounting data is often misleading—and how to use "simple numbers" instead. How to measure labor efficiency so your team drives profit, not just revenue. The power of gross margin as the real top line of your business. Why debt-free growth is possible with strong cash discipline. What Greg's 100-company study reveals about the real state of today's economy.   Key Takeaways: Gross Margin is King – Stop paying attention to revenue. Profit lives in the margin. Know Your Labor Efficiency Ratio – Every $1 in labor should create $2 in gross margin. Cash is a Strategy – Keep two months of operating expenses in the bank—your safety net for growth. The Economy is Shifting – Growth won't come from the market; it'll come from taking share from weaker competitors. Simplify Your Dashboard – If a number doesn't drive a decision, take it off the report.   Bio: Greg Crabtree, speaker, author, entrepreneur and financial expert.  Greg founded his own firm Crabtree, Rowe and Berger to focus on helping entrepreneurs build their economic engine.  After being named to the INC 5000 list for 2019, Greg's firm merged with Carr, Riggs & Ingram CPA's and Advisors, a top 20 U.S. Accounting firm to help broaden their impact on the entrepreneur community. Greg serves as the Partner in Charge of the Simple Numbers Consulting unit. In 2011, Greg's first book "Simple Numbers, Straight Talk, Big Profits" shares his core principles of how to turn your business into a wealth building engine.  In 2014, Greg contributed a chapter to Verne Harnish's book, "Scaling Up" on how to improve profits though labor efficiency.  In 2020, Greg released his newest book, "Simple Numbers 2.0: Rules for Smart Scaling".  Greg is a frequent speaker to groups like EO, Scaling Up (Gazelles), Metronomics, Bloom Growth, Vistage, ACETECH and many Mastermind groups and has presented in over 15 countries.  Greg also chairs the EO@Wharton Executive Education program for the last 7 years and serves as an EO Accelerator trainer since inception of the Accelerator program. Both books are available on Amazon, Kindle and Audible.   Links: Simple Numbers - https://www.simplenumberscri.com/ Greg Speaking - https://gregcrabtree.net/   Conclusion: Greg Crabtree reminds us that business success isn't about how much you sell—it's about how efficiently you turn effort into profit. The future belongs to entrepreneurs who understand their numbers, make decisions from data, and lead with discipline. As Greg says, "You don't need more data—you need the right data."   Whether you're running a $1M or $10M business, this episode will help you stop guessing, start measuring, and finally take control of your profits.   #ProfitFirst #SimpleNumbers #GregCrabtree #BusinessProfitability #CashFlow #Entrepreneurship #FinancialClarity #FractionalCFO #ProfitAnswerMan #SmallBusinessFinance #GrossMargin #BusinessGrowth #CashManagement #LaborEfficiency #ProfitabilityMatters   Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@profitanswerman Sign up to be notified when the next cohort of the Profit First Experience Course is available! Profit First Toolkit: https://lp.profitcomesfirst.com/landing-page-page  Relay Bank (affiliate link): https://relayfi.com/?referralcode=profitcomesfirst Profit Answer Man Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/profitanswerman/ My podcast about living a richer more meaningful life: http://richersoul.com/ Music provided by Junan from Junan Podcast Any financial advice is for educational purposes only and you should consult with an expert for your specific needs.

In this episode of Talk Commerce, Leslie Hassler, a business scaling expert, discusses her journey in founding Your Biz Rules, a fractional C-suite service aimed at helping businesses grow and scale. She emphasizes the importance of having a structured approach to business growth, the role of AI in enhancing business strategies, and the need for resilience in navigating market changes. Leslie also shares insights on maintaining individuality in business and the significance of strategic planning in uncertain times.TakeawaysLeslie Hassler is the founder of Your Biz Rules, focusing on business scaling.Your Biz Rules provides fractional C-suite services to companies.The importance of having a structured approach to business growth.AI can enhance business strategies but should not replace human expertise.Maintaining individuality is crucial for businesses to stand out.Businesses need to be resilient in the face of market changes.Strategic planning is essential for navigating uncertainties.Measuring the right metrics is key to business success.Frameworks like EOS and Scaling Up can guide business growth.Networking and community engagement are vital for business leaders.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Business Scaling02:11 The Journey of Your Biz Rules04:55 Frameworks for Business Growth09:50 The Role of AI in Business18:21 Navigating Business Trends and Predictions22:39 Shameless Plug and Closing Thoughts

What happens when you build a company around one niche, listen obsessively to customers, and never stop improving? In this episode, host Trace Blackmore finally sits down for a full-length conversation with Frank Lecrone, Founder, President, and CEO of AquaPhoenix Scientific. What started in a small 60' x 60' space in Hanover, Pennsylvania, with three employees, maxed-out credit cards, and endless Staples runs has grown into a 300+-person organization serving industrial water professionals around the world.   Frank shares how AquaPhoenix became "the booth everyone wants to be next to" at AWT, why they built their entire business around industrial water treatment instead of trying to be everything to everyone, and how a simple continuous improvement system now generates hundreds of ideas a year from frontline team members. He also pulls back the curtain on acquisitions and private equity, explaining EBITDA in plain language, how to think about "add-backs," and what owners should understand long before they think about selling. Whether you're leading a growing company, running a route, or thinking about your own "second chapter," this conversation is a masterclass in culture, courage, and caring deeply about the people you serve. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!    Timestamps   02:20 - Trace Blackmore shares a recap from the recent 2025 AWT Conference, The Hang, and a Blood Donation Story   14:02 - Water You Know with James McDonald  15:20 - Upcoming Conference for Water Professionals  18:16 – Introduction of Frank Lecrone, CEO of AquaPhoenix Scientific (eight years in the making)  24:52 – Why Hanover?   26:59 – Supporting AWT  37:38 – Color-coded caps & QR Codes  42:30 – Learning from mistakes  45:31 – Core Values   48:26 – Acquisitions and Culture   1:03:32 – Valuations and EBITDA    Quotes  "We didn't grow by doing everything for everyone. We grew by doing exactly what one market needed and wanted—and then doing it better every year."  "The lack of information is almost always interpreted negatively. That's why you have to over-communicate, especially during acquisitions."  "EBITDA equals freedom. The more EBITDA you have, the less anybody can tell you what to do with your own company."  "We're not perfect. We screw things up like everyone else—but we fix it, and we fix it quickly, and we make doing business with us as easy as possible."  "I don't want to be the smartest person in the room. I want great people around me, giving ideas and pushing things forward, so I'm not the bottleneck."  "Business is like standing in a bathtub while the water rises. It feels fine until it reaches your mouth. The trick is noticing when it's at your knees and fixing the bottleneck then."  "We give a darn. We have 'GAS'—Give a #$%@—and if we can make it right and do it better, we absolutely will."    Connect with Frank Lecrone Email: frank@aquaphoenixsci.com   Website: Water Quality Testing Products | AquaPhoenix Scientific  LinkedIn:  Frank Lecrone | LinkedIn       Guest Resources Mentioned   AquaPhoenix Scientific   Aliquot – AquaPhoenix's Water Management Software  QR-coded Custom Test Kits (AquaPhoenix EndPoint® ID)    Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned  AWT (Association of Water Technologies)  Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses  Submit a Show Idea  The Rising Tide Mastermind  American Red Cross    Water You Know with James McDonald  Question: What industrial water treatment word is derived from the Greek word meaning "claw?"    2025 Events for Water Professionals  Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we've listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.   

When we think of paper flowers, we often imagine something small, intricate, and realistic. But what happens when you scale that beauty up tenfold? In this episode of Paper Talk, Quynh Nguyen, Sara Kim, and Jessie Chui explore the bold, beautiful world of large paper flowers and the practical realities that come with going big. Listen to this Episode to learn: Why large flowers require careful structural planning How to price and protect your work (and yourself) The importance of weather, shipping, and storage considerations Creative ways to include large flowers in your business offerings Creating giant paper flowers is both an artistic and logistical challenge. As Quynh shared, even the smallest miscalculation can cause a flower to droop or collapse. “I watched one of my large flowers start to wilt before my eyes,” she said. “I had to go back and rewire it.” Wiring each petal, reinforcing the base, and using durable materials are essential steps for any large-scale project. For Sara, the biggest lessons came from experience. “Even when my flowers stood perfectly in my studio, they would tip over at outdoor events. Wind, heat, and humidity change everything,” she explained. Over time, she realized that offering large flower installations professionally required more than artistic skill, it required business planning, insurance, and honest client communication. Jessie agreed, adding that the paper flower business side of things can't be ignored. “It's not just about making the flower,” she said. “It's about managing logistics, installation, and liability. Once you step into larger projects, you're responsible for safety and presentation.” So, what should artists know before offering giant paper flowers for events or retail displays? Structure Comes First - Use strong wiring, test every connection, and consider how gravity will affect your flower over time. Hanging or standing pieces should be tested for at least 24 hours before installation. Communicate Clearly with Clients - Set expectations about weather sensitivity and handling. As Sara put it, “Treat paper flowers like real flowers—they're beautiful but fragile.” Plan for Storage and Transport - Large flowers take up significant space. Think about storage, dust protection, and packaging. If you must ship, factor in both the size and fragility—shipping costs can quadruple quickly. Protect Your Business - Event venues often require liability insurance, especially for installations. “Even if you're just setting up a backdrop,” Jessie noted, “you need coverage in case something happens.” Start with One Big Bloom - If you're new to large-scale work, start small. Make one flower for yourself. It's fun, forgiving, and will teach you about scale, structure, and creativity. Despite the hurdles, large flowers remain a showstopper. They command attention, tell stories, and redefine what paper art can be. Whether they're adorning a wedding ceremony, retail window, or photo backdrop, these flowers remind us that art can bloom in any size. As Quynh summed it up beautifully, “Paper flowers can bloom in every size. The key is knowing how to make them stand tall.”

Systems are one of those things we can be reluctant to change.  Most churches outgrow their systems without even realizing it. What worked then suddenly doesn't work now. And churches get stuck using old systems that are beyond their usefulness, all while hoping for different results. When you're in seasons of growth, you have to get more intentional about scaling up the systems that have started to break down due to growth to make your ministry sustainable.  In this episode, Amy and Sean discuss why systems function poorly for so long, what to do when you recognize key systems are broken and how to redesign systems during growth.   This Episode is Sponsored By DonorBox:  This Christmas season could be your biggest fundraising opportunity: church attendance often doubles and generosity surges. Donorbox Live Kiosk ensures you won't miss a single gift. No cash? No problem. Your congregants can tap, swipe, or use their phone to donate instantly. Automatically capture contact information, send tax receipts, and even set up recurring gifts. Join 100,000 organizations raising billions with Donorbox. Try Live Kiosk free at donorbox.org/unstuckpodcast    Join the Conversation on Social Media We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on X and on Instagram. 

Are you planning time off or avoiding the truth about your team?In this solo episode, Bill explores how the holiday season acts as a diagnostic tool for your business. Are you building a company that thrives without you or one that collapses the second you unplug? He shares why most founders avoid taking time off and how strategically stepping away can highlight leadership gaps, capacity issues, and trust breakdowns. If you're feeling pulled in every direction heading into November or December, this episode is for you. Topics explored in this episode:(01:15) The Holiday Season Is a Double-Edged Sword*The holidays are often very joyful, but they also carry a lot of stress.*Leaders are managing business deadlines, shorter days, and personal expectations collide.*It's important to acknowledge that stress exists alongside celebration(02:25) Redefining “Thanksgiving”*Break “Thanksgiving” into two core practices: Thanks (appreciation) and Giving (generosity).*Start with gratitude for team members, family, and yourself.*Let go of expectations, and express that through generous action.(5:25) Build Systems That Let You Breathe*Think through the logistics of how you will see and connect with friends and family. *What's gone wrong in the past? How can you prevent it from going wrong this year? *Apply the same reflection to your team; ask how they're feeling and what support they needBill Gallagher, Scaling Coach and host of the Scaling Up Business podcast, is an international business coach who works with C-Suite leaders to achieve breakthrough growth. Join Bill in the Growth Navigator Coaching Program: https://ScalingCoach.com/workshop Bill on LinkedIn: https://www.LinkedIn.com/in/BillGallBill on YouTube: https://www.YouTube.com/@BillGallagherScalingCoach Visit https://ScalingUp.com to learn more about Verne Harnish, our team of Scaling Up Coaches, and the Scaling Up Performance Platform, which includes coaching, learning, software, and summit. We share how the fastest-growing companies succeed where so many others fail. We help leadership teams with the biggest decisions around people, strategy, execution, and cash so that they can scale up successfully and beat the odds of business growth. Did you enjoy today's episode? If so, then please leave a review! Help other business leaders discover Scaling Up Business with Bill Gallagher so they, too, can benefit from the ideas shared in these podcasts.Subscribe via Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3PGhWPJSubscribe via Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3PKe00uBill on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/billgall/ Bill on Twitter/X: https://x.com/billgall

Dive into a lively episode of the Green Side Up podcast as hosts Jason and Jordan welcome special guest Joey Coberly, founder of Landscaping Bookkeeper and Lawn Care Launch. Joey shares his journey from leaving the corporate world to building businesses dedicated to empowering small operators in the green industry. Gain valuable insights into the art of bookkeeping, the importance of understanding profit versus salary, and the critical steps to setting your lawn care or landscaping company on a path to growth. Throughout the conversation, Joey dishes out practical financial wisdom, tells memorable stories from the field—including gator hunts and blue-collar life in Florida—and discusses innovative initiatives like the Lawn Care Launch bootcamp and exciting industry events such as the Landscape Rodeo and Equip trade show. Whether you're looking to level up your small business or simply enjoy real-talk and laughs from industry insiders, this episode delivers the inspiration and know-how to move your business forward. Connect with Joey: www.thelandscapingbookkeeper.com www.lawncarelaunch.com IG-@joeycoberly. @thelandscapingbookkeeper   Connect with Jason and Jordan:

What does it really take to lead powerfully and why does knowing yourself matter more than sounding confident?In this episode, Bill sits down with Susan Power, Founder and CEO of PowerUp Leadership, for a conversation about what it takes to lead well in today's world. Susan shares her personal evolution as a leader, from trying to “do it all” to embracing emotional intelligence, slowing down, and showing up as her full self.They discuss how leadership isn't about being louder or tougher, it's about knowing how you operate, communicating clearly, and making space for others to grow. Susan uses with her high-growth clients, including emotional check-ins, mindset shifts, and coaching techniques to increase self-awareness.Topics explored in this episode:(06:45) The Path to Becoming a Leader*Susan discusses how her leadership style has changed over the years. *Play to your strengths.*What does Susan struggle with the most in her leadership style? (15:25) Communicate with Power*The better leadership skills you have, the better you'll be at sales.*When things are hard, when you're tired, just remember, you're going to be okay. *You need to believe in yourself in order to go for new heights. (28:15) Leadership is Emotional; Lean Into It *It's okay to be emotional and expressive. *Susan loves to use an emotional wheel to help her clients get dialed in on their feelings. *Sometimes you have to slow down to pay attention to your body. (31:35) How You Show Up Matters*The value of coaching helps you increase your self-awareness.*It's okay to give people a heads up on how you operate. *Most people don't know what their weaknesses are. Thanks to Susan Power for being on the show!Learn more about Susan here: https://powerupleadership.caConnect with Susan: https://www.linkedin.com/company/powerupleadership/Bill Gallagher, Scaling Coach and host of the Scaling Up Business podcast, is an international business coach who works with C-Suite leaders to achieve breakthrough growth. Join Bill in the Growth Navigator Coaching Program: https://ScalingCoach.com/workshop Bill on LinkedIn: https://www.LinkedIn.com/in/BillGallBill on YouTube: https://www.YouTube.com/@BillGallagherScalingCoach Visit https://ScalingUp.com to learn more about Verne Harnish, our team of Scaling Up Coaches, and the Scaling Up Performance Platform, which includes coaching, learning, software, and summit. We share how the fastest-growing companies succeed where so many others fail. We help leadership teams with the biggest decisions around people, strategy, execution, and cash so that they can scale up successfully and beat the odds of business growth. Did you enjoy today's episode? If so, then please leave a review! Help other business leaders discover Scaling Up Business with Bill Gallagher so they, too, can benefit from the ideas shared in these podcasts.Subscribe via Spotify:...

Rob Monson reveals how professionals can become A-players—and what leaders can do to retain them. — YOU'LL LEARN — 1) The hard truth many leaders don't want to accept2) What A-players do differently from the rest 3) The simple trick to get a day back every weekSubscribe or visit AwesomeAtYourJob.com/ep1108 for clickable versions of the links below. — ABOUT ROB — Rob Monson, founder of Tenfold Advisors, is Utah's leading business growth coach. A Scaling Up and Metronomics coach, he helps mid-market CEOs install disciplined systems that transform people, strategy, execution, and cash. His clients have driven Utah's most founder exits at a 7X EBITDA multiple, 10X profit gains, Inc. 5000 honors, and award-winning cultures. Formerly with Golf Channel and 1-800 Contacts, Rob now shares practical scaling insights as Tenfold Biz Coach on TikTok.• Tiktok: @rmonson12• Website: TenfoldAdvisors.com— RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE SHOW — • Tool: Liz Wisemen Multipliers Assessment• Website: The Systems Thinker• Book: Topgrading: How Leading Companies Win by Hiring, Coaching, and Keeping the Best People, Revised and Updated Edition by Bradford Smart• Book: Who by Geoff Smart• Book: Mastering the Rockefeller Habits: What You Must Do to Increase the Value of Your Growing Firm by Vern Harnish• Book: The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable, 20th Anniversary Edition by Patrick Lencioni• Book: The Captain Class: The Hidden Force That Creates the World's Greatest Teams by Sam Walker• Past episode: 030: Optimal Practices for Prioritizing, Hiring, and Relating with ghSMART's Randy Street• Past episode: 552: The Foundational Principle that Separates Good Leaders from Bad Ones with Pat Lencioni• Past episode: 719: Liz Wiseman Reveals the Five Practices of Indispensable, High-Impact Players— THANK YOU SPONSORS! — • Vanguard. Give your clients consistent results year in and year out with vanguard.com/AUDIO• Quince. Get free shipping and 365-day returns on your order with Quince.com/Awesome• Cashflow Podcasting. Explore launching (or outsourcing) your podcast with a free 10-minute call with Pete.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.