Behind The Numbers

Why estate planning and business succession fail most often has nothing to do with legal documents. It comes down to communication, valuation, and timing.

In this episode of Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder, we explore the intersection of estate planning, business succession, and valuation with private client attorney Brian Balduzzi.

Brian explains why estate planning is not just for the ultra-wealthy. Every business owner needs core documents in place to protect their family and business: wills, medical and financial powers of attorney, and a plan for what happens to their company.

We dig into:

How business valuation fits into estate and succession planning

When to assemble the right advisor team and who should be at the table

The dangers of ignoring valuation for illiquid assets

Why failing to communicate plans derails succession efforts

How gifting strategies, charitable giving, and legacy intentions shape outcomes

Brian also touches on the emotional and human aspects of planning: chosen family considerations, stewardship of wealth, and why planning during life often creates better results than leaving everything to be sorted out later.

If you're a business owner, this conversation offers practical steps to start protecting your company and your family today.

#EstatePlanning #ProtectYourAssets #FuturePlanning #TaxStrategy #BusinessValuation #FamilyWealth #LifeGoals #LegacyPlanning

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About Our Guest:

Brian M. Balduzzi, Esq., Tax LL.M., MBA, CFP®, CEPA®, AEP®, IPA (he/him) is an attorney in the Private Client Group at Faegre Drinker in its Philadelphia, Princeton, and New York offices. Brian specializes in sophisticated estate and wealth transfer planning, helping families prepare for transitions, exits and succession. He also advises clients on estate and gift tax exemption strategies, charitable planning, prenuptial planning, estate and trust administration, and fiduciary litigation.

Brian is a tax, business law, estate planning, accounting and finance adjunct professor. His scholarship has been featured in multiple regional and national trusts and estates and legal publications. In 2019, Brian was one of four Trusts and Estates attorneys selected as an ABA Real Property Trusts & Estate (ABA RPTE) Fellow, and, in 2021, as an American College of Trust and Estate Counsel Young Leader Fellow. For the ABA RPTE Section, he serves as the Chair of the IRA Plans & Distributions Committee, Chair of the Financial Planning and Risk Management Committee, Vice Chair of the DEI Committee, Member of the Trust and Estate Books Editorial Board and Council Member.

Brian is also an active member of the Philadelphia Estate Planning Council on multiple committees and speaker as part of their Roundtable program. He has previously been honored as a Pennsylvania City and State Forty Under 40, Al DIA 40 Under Forty, Rainbow Revolutionary Distinguished Alumni, Philadelphia KEEPER, American Bar Association Top Forty Lawyers – On the Rise, and Boston University School of Law Young Alumni Chair Awardee. Brian holds his JD/Tax LL.M. from Boston University School of Law and his MBA with a Minor in Real Estate from Cornell University. He is licensed to practice law in PA, NJ, NY, FL, and MA, and he is in the process of waiving into the South Dakota bar.

 Links:

Brian M. Balduzzi | Professionals | Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP

Estate Planning Lessons From the Oracle of Omaha | Law.com

Planning Suggestions for the Impact of OBBBA on Estate and Tax Planning | Publications | Insights | Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP

Sales of Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS), ‘Stacking’ and Other Structures for Advanced Estate Planning | Publications | Insights | Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP 

 

 

About the Host:

Dave Bookbinder is known as an expert in business valuation and he is the person that business owners and entrepreneurs reach out to when they need to know what their most important ass

In this episode of Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder, Dave is joined by change facilitator and organizational alignment expert Erica Wexler to explore how companies can eliminate unseen barriers that slow performance, reduce trust, and stall transformation.

Erica breaks down why disconnects between leadership and employees often stem from assumptions rather than clarity – and how redefining accountability as measurable action, not a label, transforms outcomes. She introduces her SHIFT framework (Social, Hybrid, Innovative Efficiencies, Feedback & Flexibility, Training & Time) and explains how systems thinking and applied neuroscience can be used to drive sustainable change.

💡 Key Insights:

Why accountability should start with verbs and measurable behaviors, not job titles or blame.

The danger of hidden assumptions between departments – and how to fix communication breakdowns.

How involving employees early improves buy-in and change readiness.

Simple brain-based steps that help individuals and teams rewire habits over time.

How AI, hybrid work, and evolving expectations are reshaping performance cultures.

Building trust by making expectations visible and shared across functions.

Using small, consistent actions to create a culture ready for continuous improvement.

📊 Erica also shares real-world examples and KPIs for accountability, offering leaders, managers, and contributors practical steps they can implement immediately.

Whether you're an executive navigating change, a manager trying to build trust, or a contributor wanting more alignment, this episode delivers actionable strategies to help your organization adapt with clarity, consistency, and purpose.

About Our Guest:

Erica R. Wexler, MSOD is a pragmatically optimistic change facilitator and expert in organizational dynamics. For over 25 years Erica’s mission has been clear: help organizations remove the obstacles blocking productivity, engagement, efficiency, and workplace satisfaction. She holds a Master’s in Organizational Dynamics from the University of Pennsylvania and is credentialed in Advanced Applied Neuroscience, Executive Coaching, Organizational Leadership, Change Management, and Complex Project Management. At the heart of Erica’s work is her unwavering commitment to fostering workspaces where everyone feels valued, connected, and part of a harmonious, diverse, high-performing team.

Intrigued? Let's Talk: https://www.ericawexlertransforms.com/

Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericawexler/

Subscribe to Erica's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Got-SHIfT-To-Say

How Ready Are You?: https://macguyvertech.com/ai-readiness-starts-here/

About the Host:

Dave Bookbinder is known as an expert in business valuation and he is the person that business owners and entrepreneurs reach out to when they need to know what their most important assets are worth. Known as a collaborative adviser, Dave has served thousands of client companies of all sizes and industries. 

Dave is the author of two #1 best-selling books about the impact of human capital (PEOPLE!) on the valuation of a business enterprise called The NEW ROI: Return On Individuals & The NEW ROI: Going Behind The Numbers. 

He’s on a mission to change the conversation about how the accounting world recognizes the value of people’s contributions to a business enterprise, and to quantify what every CEO on the planet claims: “Our people are this company’s most valuable asset.”

Dave’s book, A Valuation Toolbox for Business Owners and Their Advisors: Things Every Business Owner Should Know, was recognized as a top new release in Business and Valuation and is designed to provide practical insights and tools to help understand what really drives business value, how to prepare for an exit, and just make better decisions.

He’s also the host of the highly rated Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder business podcast which is enjoyed in more than 100 countries.

 

🔸 Gra

First impressions happen fast—and they stick. In this episode of Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder, Dave talks with Sylvie DiGiusto, international keynote speaker and author of The Image of Leadership, about how leaders can shape powerful first impressions and build lasting influence.

Sylvie breaks down her A-B-C-D-E framework—Appearance, Behavior, Communication, Digital footprint, and Environment—and explains how each element contributes to your executive presence. She also shares how she’s using 3D immersive holographic technology to deliver presentations that leave a lasting impact.

You’ll hear practical strategies for:

Understanding how unconscious bias affects first impressions

Elevating your executive presence both online and offline

Projecting confidence authentically, even if you’re an introvert

Bouncing back from a poor first impression

Choosing a single “anchor word” that defines your personal brand

Key takeaway: Be intentional about how you show up, prove your authenticity through consistent actions, and leverage what makes you unique.

To see Sylvie’s holographic presentations and learn more about her work, check her out online.

Subscribe to Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode. If you enjoyed this conversation, please share it with your network and leave a review—it helps more business owners and advisors discover the show!

 

About Our Guest:

International keynote speaker Sylvie di Giusto, CSP, brings decades of corporate expertise from Europe to every presentation.As a management consultant for Fortune 100 companies, the former head of a management academy and innovation hub,and Chief of Staff for the Human Resources Officer at Europe’s largest retail and tourism group, Sylvie implemented online and in-person training programs, pioneered cutting-edge leadership development initiatives, and led group-wide human resources strategies. With two decades of working at the crossroads of business operations, strategy, and performance, She is the author of more than a dozen books, including The Image of Leadership and Discover Your Fair Advantage, as well asthe creator of the online learning lab How You Impress.By leveraging her five cornerstones of intentional decision-making—visual, behavioral, verbal, digital, and social intelligence—Sylvie transforms her audiences’ decision-making skills, empowering them to excel as leaders, drive sales success, and enhance their organization’s brand reputation.

Whether through her signature interactive keynotes or her groundbreaking 3D holographic flagship presentations, Sylvie combines research-driven insights, captivating storytelling, and cutting-edge technology to take audiences on a thought-provoking journey through the brain and mind—from the unconscious to theconscious—and ultimately to the heights of personal, professional, and organizational success. Website: www.sylviedigiusto.com

 

About the Host:

Dave Bookbinder is known as an expert in business valuation and he is the person that business owners and entrepreneurs reach out to when they need to know what their most important assets are worth. Known as a collaborative adviser, Dave has served thousands of client companies of all sizes and industries. 

 

Dave is the author of two #1 best-selling books about the impact of human capital (PEOPLE!) on the valuation of a business enterprise called The NEW ROI: Return On Individuals & The NEW ROI: Going Behind The Numbers. 

 

He’s on a mission to change the conversation about how the accounting world recognizes the value of people’s contributions to a business enterprise, and to quantify what every CEO on the planet claims: “Our people are this company’s most valuable asset.”

 

Dave’s book, A Valuation Toolbox for Business Owners and Their Advisors: Things Every Business Owner Should Know, was recognized as a top new release in Business and Valuation and is designed to provide prac

How do you cut through distraction and reclaim your focus in today’s always-on world?

In this episode of Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder, bestselling author and TEDx speaker Greg Bennick shares seven powerful strategies from his new book Reclaim the Moment.

Greg and I explore practical ways to sharpen focus, manage pressure, and create deeper connections—including:

Why “keeping your eyes on the knife” helps you stay aligned with your most critical work

Quick techniques to center yourself before high-stakes moments

Why success can feel scarier than failure—and how to move past it

The role of kindness, laughter, and relationships in building a more meaningful life and career

Greg also shares stories from his early days as a teenage performer and offers actionable advice you can use immediately to boost productivity and fulfillment - both at work and beyond.

Learn more about Greg and his work at gregbennick.com.----more----

About Our Guest:

Greg Bennick knows about focus. Though reading about his life, you wouldn’t know that. He is a best-selling author, a keynote thought leader, a noted rare coin researcher, a TEDx speaker and speaking coach, a humanitarian philanthropist, and an influencer devoted to transforming the world by inspiring personal and social change.

For the last three decades he has traveled the world listening to people and what they most want and need. He's come to realize that people want to matter. They want to feel that they are valued and significant contributors to a meaningful idea or vision. They want to be engaged and to feel inspired. If you can capture that in them, it is like high octane fuel for teamwork.

When Greg traces back his own focus journey, he realizes that one moment, seeing a juggling ball flying aloft at twelve years old, changed everything for him. In the moment, he decided that he wanted to learn to juggle, but while learning to juggle changed his life, it wasn't until much later that he realized that it wasn't the juggling ball that was meaningful nearly as much as it was the FOCUS on the juggling ball that was meaningful. That differentiation transformed his life.

Greg's new book Reclaim the Moment: 7 Strategies to Build a Better Now is an exploration of how to get back on track when we've been thrown off course by the world.

About the Host:

Dave Bookbinder is known as an expert in business valuation and he is the person that business owners and entrepreneurs reach out to when they need to know what their most important assets are worth. Known as a collaborative adviser, Dave has served thousands of client companies of all sizes and industries. 

 

Dave is the author of two #1 best-selling books about the impact of human capital (PEOPLE!) on the valuation of a business enterprise called The NEW ROI: Return On Individuals & The NEW ROI: Going Behind The Numbers. 

He’s on a mission to change the conversation about how the accounting world recognizes the value of people’s contributions to a business enterprise, and to quantify what every CEO on the planet claims: “Our people are this company’s most valuable asset.”

Dave’s book, A Valuation Toolbox for Business Owners and Their Advisors: Things Every Business Owner Should Know, was recognized as a top new release in Business and Valuation and is designed to provide practical insights and tools to help understand what really drives business value, how to prepare for an exit, and just make better decisions.

He’s also the host of the highly rated Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder business podcast which is enjoyed in more than 100 countries.

🔸 Grab Dave’s Books: The New ROI: Return on Individuals  | The NEW ROI: Going Behind The Numbers  |  A Valuation Toolbox for Business Owners and Their Advisors: Things Every Business Owner Should Know

🔸 Connect with Dave on LinkedIn 

🔸 Connect with Dave on FaceBook

🔸 Follow Dave on Twitter

🔸 Check out www.NEWROI.com for more.

💡  Want to share your insights with the bu

How can HR drive profit instead of just managing processes?

In this milestone episode (#300!) of Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder, we explore how HR can become a strategic profit center rather than a cost center.

Guest: Scott Rosen, CEO of the Rosen Group and author of Transforming Your HR Department into a Profit Center

What you’ll learn in this episode:

Why CEOs must lead people and set the tone for culture

Scott’s six-step framework for transforming HR into a profit center

How to approach strategic talent acquisition and employee engagement

Ways to reduce turnover and its hidden costs

The KPIs every organization should use to measure HR’s impact

Actionable next steps you can apply right now:

Conduct an HR audit to uncover gaps and opportunities

Train and reinforce expected behaviors across the organization

Invest in HR capabilities that directly support business outcomes

Scott also shares where you can find his book and resources to begin transforming HR in your organization.

Subscribe to Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode. If you enjoyed this conversation, please share it with your network and leave a review—it helps more business owners and advisors discover the show!

 

About Our Guest:

Scott Rosen is the Founder & President, managing the Rosen Group since 1995. The Rosen Group has grown over the years into a leading staffing firm which specializes in HR. Scott’s responsibilities include management, and oversight of sales, marketing, recruiting, finance and operations. Prior to starting his own company, Scott spent 20 years in corporate America. The first half of that time was in operations management with Prudential and Cigna and the second half of that time was in HR Management as a generalist with Reliance Insurance Company, Travelers Mortgage and GE Capital. Scott earned his Bachelor of Science in Business from Rider University.

 www.rosengroup.com

About the Host:

Dave Bookbinder is known as an expert in business valuation and he is the person that business owners and entrepreneurs reach out to when they need to know what their most important assets are worth. Known as a collaborative adviser, Dave has served thousands of client companies of all sizes and industries. 

 

Dave is the author of two #1 best-selling books about the impact of human capital (PEOPLE!) on the valuation of a business enterprise called The NEW ROI: Return On Individuals & The NEW ROI: Going Behind The Numbers. 

 

He’s on a mission to change the conversation about how the accounting world recognizes the value of people’s contributions to a business enterprise, and to quantify what every CEO on the planet claims: “Our people are this company’s most valuable asset.”

 

Dave’s book, A Valuation Toolbox for Business Owners and Their Advisors: Things Every Business Owner Should Know, was recognized as a top new release in Business and Valuation and is designed to provide practical insights and tools to help understand what really drives business value, how to prepare for an exit, and just make better decisions.

He’s also the host of the highly rated Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder business podcast which is enjoyed in more than 100 countries.

 

🔸 Grab Dave’s Books: The New ROI: Return on Individuals  | The NEW ROI: Going Behind The Numbers  |  A Valuation Toolbox for Business Owners and Their Advisors: Things Every Business Owner Should Know

🔸 Connect with Dave on LinkedIn 

🔸 Connect with Dave on FaceBook

🔸 Follow Dave on Twitter

🔸 Check out www.NEWROI.com for more.

💡  Want to share your insights with the business community? Message Dave to learn how you can be a guest on Behind The Numbers. https://linktr.ee/BehindTheNumbers

🔹 Check out more of Behind The Numbers on YouTube

Subscribe to Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode. If you enjoyed this conversation, please s

In this episode of Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder, Dave interviews Patrick Thean – serial entrepreneur, co-founder of Rhythm Systems, and author of The Journey to CEO Success: Seven Practices for High Growth Leadership.

Patrick shares the seven practices of high-growth leadership:

Curiosity

Leveling up

Early warning systems

Full alignment

Culture as a competitive advantage

Building a people ecosystem

Serving the right core customer

Through real client examples, including insights from Michael Prager, Patrick explains how CEOs can develop the tools to spot problems early, align their teams, and create a culture that drives retention and performance.

You’ll discover practical strategies for:

Shifting from reactive crisis management to consistent execution

Using leading indicators to avoid blind spots

Hiring for culture fit to strengthen your team

Scaling strategy around your core customer

Whether you’re a CEO, entrepreneur, or aspiring leader, this conversation delivers actionable leadership advice and key warning signs to watch for on the path to sustainable growth.

To go deeper, explore Patrick Thean’s book The Journey to CEO Success and his podcast for more tools and insights on becoming a high-growth leader.----more----

About Our Guest:

Patrick Thean is an international speaker, CEO coach and serial entrepreneur whose mission is to help leaders build great companies and achieve their dreams. Patrick’s journey began when he was named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in North Carolina, after growing his first company to #151 on the Inc. 500. Since then, he’s been on a mission to share his wisdom with CEOs worldwide, guiding them through the complexities of leadership and high-growth success. Patrick is the bestselling author of Rhythm: How to Achieve Breakthrough Execution and Accelerate Growth, and now, he’s here to talk about his latest book, The Journey to CEO Success: 7 Practices for High Growth Leadership. This book distills over 20 years of his executive coaching experience, offering battle-tested strategies that helped companies like AvidXchange reach billion-dollar valuations. Patrick’s methods have been integrated into programs at EO/MIT and Cornell University, and his leadership tools have driven extraordinary success for many CEOs.

 

About the Host:

Dave Bookbinder is known as an expert in business valuation and he is the person that business owners and entrepreneurs reach out to when they need to know what their most important assets are worth. Known as a collaborative adviser, Dave has served thousands of client companies of all sizes and industries. 

 

Dave is the author of two #1 best-selling books about the impact of human capital (PEOPLE!) on the valuation of a business enterprise called The NEW ROI: Return On Individuals & The NEW ROI: Going Behind The Numbers. 

 

He’s on a mission to change the conversation about how the accounting world recognizes the value of people’s contributions to a business enterprise, and to quantify what every CEO on the planet claims: “Our people are this company’s most valuable asset.”

 

Dave’s book, A Valuation Toolbox for Business Owners and Their Advisors: Things Every Business Owner Should Know, was recognized as a top new release in Business and Valuation and is designed to provide practical insights and tools to help understand what really drives business value, how to prepare for an exit, and just make better decisions.

He’s also the host of the highly rated Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder business podcast which is enjoyed in more than 100 countries.

 

🔸 Grab Dave’s Books: The New ROI: Return on Individuals  | The NEW ROI: Going Behind The Numbers  |  A Valuation Toolbox for Business Owners and Their Advisors: Things Every Business Owner Should Know

🔸 Connect with Dave on LinkedIn 

🔸 Connect with Dave on FaceBook

🔸 Follow Dave on Twitter

🔸 Check out www.NEWROI.com for more.

💡  Want to share your insights w

In this episode of Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder, Dave is joined by Jim Schleckser—founder and CEO of The CEO Project and author of Great CEOs Are Lazy. Jim shares leadership strategies that help executives cut through busywork and focus on what really drives results.

The conversation explores how to apply the theory of constraints to leadership, why great CEOs zero in on the “kink in the hose,” and practical tools like the “not-do list” and the delegation ladder. Jim explains how leaders can spend 30–40% of their time on their highest-impact activities, delegate more effectively to build organizational muscle, and craft a “mafia offer” that customers can’t refuse.

The discussion also covers succession planning and the unique challenges of family businesses, plus some lighter but highly practical advice on professional entertaining—from a sommelier trick to choosing drinks that align with your brand.

For more of Jim’s insights, check out his books Great CEOs Are Lazy and Professional Drinking, as well as The CEO Project podcast.

About Our Guest:

Jim Schleckser is an accomplished leader, entrepreneur, and CEO coach with extensive experience across diverse industries. He is the Founder & CEO of The CEO Project, a renowned executive coaching company specializing in high-revenue entrepreneurs. Jim offers a  distinctive CEO coaching program that combines peer group discussions with personalized ne-on-one coaching sessions led by former CEOs. He advocates for the concept of the ”Lazy CEO”,  emphasizing efficient delegation and time management as essential traits for successful leadership. Jim employs diagnostic and strategic tools to identify business constraints and provide tailored advice to CEOs and offers a curated advisory board, providing CEOs with unbiased and valuable guidance.

Jim hosts The CEO Project Podcast, a, a successful podcast, focusing on entrepreneurship and CEO leadership, providing valuable insights to a wide audience. He is also the author of two impactful books: Great CEO’s are Lazy and Professional Drinking: A Spirited Guide to Wine, Cocktails and Confident Business Entertaining.

 

About the Host:

Dave Bookbinder is known as an expert in business valuation and he is the person that business owners and entrepreneurs reach out to when they need to know what their most important assets are worth. Known as a collaborative adviser, Dave has served thousands of client companies of all sizes and industries. 

 

Dave is the author of two #1 best-selling books about the impact of human capital (PEOPLE!) on the valuation of a business enterprise called The NEW ROI: Return On Individuals & The NEW ROI: Going Behind The Numbers. 

 

He’s on a mission to change the conversation about how the accounting world recognizes the value of people’s contributions to a business enterprise, and to quantify what every CEO on the planet claims: “Our people are this company’s most valuable asset.”

Dave’s book, A Valuation Toolbox for Business Owners and Their Advisors: Things Every Business Owner Should Know, was recognized as a top new release in Business and Valuation and is designed to provide practical insights and tools to help understand what really drives business value, how to prepare for an exit, and just make better decisions.

He’s also the host of the highly rated Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder business podcast which is enjoyed in more than 100 countries.

 

🔸 Grab Dave’s Books: The New ROI: Return on Individuals  | The NEW ROI: Going Behind The Numbers  |  A Valuation Toolbox for Business Owners and Their Advisors: Things Every Business Owner Should Know

🔸 Connect with Dave on LinkedIn 

🔸 Connect with Dave on FaceBook

🔸 Follow Dave on Twitter

🔸 Check out www.NEWROI.com for more.

💡  Want to share your insights with the business community? Message Dave to learn how you can be a guest on Behind The Numbers. https://linktr.ee/BehindTheNumbers

🔹 Check out more of Behind The Numbers on YouTube

What can business leaders learn from a hospital clown? In this episode of Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder, Dave talks with Eddy Smits — TEDx speaker, coach, author, and former professional hospital clown — about the surprising leadership lessons he discovered while performing for sick and palliative children.

Eddy explains how clowning taught him timeless principles that translate directly into leadership and business success:

Why true leadership is never about you

How radical honesty builds trust with teams and clients

The importance of vulnerability in creating human connection

Breaking through excuses and fear with small, consistent steps

Working around resistance instead of trying to force change

You’ll also hear memorable stories from Eddy's hospital work, his training of professional clowns, and his approach to overcoming common fears — including coulrophobia.

This conversation is packed with practical insights for leaders, managers, and solopreneurs who want to build trust, lead with empathy, and inspire resilience in their organizations.

Subscribe to Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode. If you enjoyed this conversation, please share it with your network and leave a review—it helps more business owners and advisors discover the show!

About Our Guest:

Eddy Smits, a man whose journey from performing as a professional clown for over 10,000 sick and palliative care children to becoming a sought-after speaker, coach, and author has given him an unparalleled understanding of human resilience, leadership, and the pursuit of happiness. With a straight-to-the-point approach and a knack for cutting through the noise, Eddy’s refreshing philosophy of "common sense without the nonsense" resonates deeply with audiences from all walks of life. His unique story and insights—captured in his book Model C—combine humor, heart, and hard-won wisdom to inspire genuine growth and connection.

About the Host:

Dave Bookbinder is known as an expert in business valuation and he is the person that business owners and entrepreneurs reach out to when they need to know what their most important assets are worth. Known as a collaborative adviser, Dave has served thousands of client companies of all sizes and industries. 

 

Dave is the author of two #1 best-selling books about the impact of human capital (PEOPLE!) on the valuation of a business enterprise called The NEW ROI: Return On Individuals & The NEW ROI: Going Behind The Numbers. 

 

He’s on a mission to change the conversation about how the accounting world recognizes the value of people’s contributions to a business enterprise, and to quantify what every CEO on the planet claims: “Our people are this company’s most valuable asset.”

 

Dave’s book, A Valuation Toolbox for Business Owners and Their Advisors: Things Every Business Owner Should Know, was recognized as a top new release in Business and Valuation and is designed to provide practical insights and tools to help understand what really drives business value, how to prepare for an exit, and just make better decisions.

He’s also the host of the highly rated Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder business podcast which is enjoyed in more than 100 countries.

 

🔸 Grab Dave’s Books: The New ROI: Return on Individuals  | The NEW ROI: Going Behind The Numbers  |  A Valuation Toolbox for Business Owners and Their Advisors: Things Every Business Owner Should Know

🔸 Connect with Dave on LinkedIn 

🔸 Connect with Dave on FaceBook

🔸 Follow Dave on Twitter

🔸 Check out www.NEWROI.com for more.

💡  Want to share your insights with the business community? Message Dave to learn how you can be a guest on Behind The Numbers. https://linktr.ee/BehindTheNumbers

🔹 Check out more of Behind The Numbers on YouTube

BEHIND THE NUMBERS WITH DAVE BOOKBINDER IS AN AWARD-WINNING PODCAST THAT IS ENJOYED IN MORE THAN 100 COUNTRIES. THANK YOU FOR MAKING BEHIND THE NUMBERS A

How can leaders create workplaces where people actually want to stay?

In this episode of Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder, I talk with Dr. Alise Cortez—Chief Ignition Officer at Gusto Now, author, and host of the Working on Purpose podcast—about building purpose-driven cultures that attract and retain top talent.

We discuss why leadership feels harder today, the damage caused by outdated practices like presenteeism, and the importance of hybrid and flexible work models. Dr. Cortez also shares actionable strategies for:

Embedding purpose and values into daily work

Leading the “whole person” to boost engagement

Restoring trust and psychological safety

Driving retention through meaningful culture and small manager behaviors

If you’re a business leader, manager, or advisor looking to improve employee engagement and retention, this conversation delivers practical tools you can apply immediately.

 

About Our Guest:

Dr. Alise Cortez is the Chief Ignition Officer at Gusto, Now!, a human and organizational transformation consultancy specializing in unleashing business results by igniting and growing high-performance teams passionate about delivering on the organizational mission. The resulting rewards? Higher engagement, performance, innovation, retention, customer delight, and thus profitability. Dr. Alise is also an organizational psychologist and logotherapist,inspirational speaker, researcher, author, and host of the Working on Purpose podcast, and she is bent on awakening people and organizations to their passion and purpose and inspiring them to make a contribution worthy of their one, precious life. She is the author of:

 Purpose Ignited: How Inspiring Leaders Unleash Passion and Elevate Cause (2020)

 Passionately Striving in “Why”: An Anthology of Women Who Persevere Mightily to Live Their Purpose (2021)

 The Great Revitalization: How Activating Meaning and Purpose Can Radically Enliven Your Business (2023)

 Coloring Life: How Loss Invites Us to Live More Vibrant Lives (2023)

 The Power of Soulful Healing: Turning Wounds into Wisdom (co-author Arthur Ciaramicoli, 2025)

Having developed her expertise within the human capital / organizational excellence industry over the last 25 years, she is focused on “raising the game” of organizations and individuals to live and work with “gusto,” step into their purpose to realize their potential, and make the impact they crave that betters the world.

About the Host:

Dave Bookbinder is known as an expert in business valuation and he is the person that business owners and entrepreneurs reach out to when they need to know what their most important assets are worth. Known as a collaborative adviser, Dave has served thousands of client companies of all sizes and industries. 

Dave is the author of two #1 best-selling books about the impact of human capital (PEOPLE!) on the valuation of a business enterprise called The NEW ROI: Return On Individuals & The NEW ROI: Going Behind The Numbers. 

He’s on a mission to change the conversation about how the accounting world recognizes the value of people’s contributions to a business enterprise, and to quantify what every CEO on the planet claims: “Our people are this company’s most valuable asset.”

Dave’s book, A Valuation Toolbox for Business Owners and Their Advisors: Things Every Business Owner Should Know, was recognized as a top new release in Business and Valuation and is designed to provide practical insights and tools to help understand what really drives business value, how to prepare for an exit, and just make better decisions.

He’s also the host of the highly rated Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder business podcast which is enjoyed in more than 100 countries.

 

🔸 Grab Dave’s Books: The New ROI: Return on Individuals  | The NEW ROI: Going Behind The Numbers  |  A Valuation Toolbox for Business Owners and Their Advisors: Things Every Business Owner Should Know

🔸 Connect with Dave on LinkedIn 

🔸 Connect with

In this episode of Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder, entrepreneur Colin Hirdman (co-founder of Monkey Island Ventures, Rainmaker, and Wrappt) shares practical strategies for using LinkedIn to drive revenue growth.

Colin breaks down his three-level LinkedIn philosophy—be authentic, educate your audience, and understand prospect pain points—and explains how he builds and activates audiences to generate measurable results.

You’ll learn how to:

Target prospects with Sales Navigator

Grow first-degree connections strategically

Decide when to include (or skip) connection messages

Maintain a healthy connection acceptance rate

Colin also unpacks his LinkedIn activation toolkit: multi-touch messaging sequences, targeted polls, and repeatable live streams/events. He explains how to run, promote, and follow up on these campaigns to convert interest into real meetings.

Beyond tactics, Colin discusses:

Ethical automation that mimics human behavior

Why businesses should own their own custom GPTs

How Rainmaker and Wrappt help teams scale outreach while protecting intellectual property

Key entrepreneurial lessons: choosing partners, focusing on profitable markets, learning from failure, and persevering through challenges

Expect actionable takeaways you can apply immediately—whether it’s building a targeted connection list, using a go-giver approach in outreach, running vertical-specific LinkedIn events, or productizing expertise through custom GPTs.

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About Our Guest:

Colin Hirdman started his first company a week after graduating from college, and has been an entrepreneur ever since. He's building businesses through Monkey Island Ventures a company he co-founded with two of his best friends. Monkey Island Ventures is named after a park they played at since they were 5 years old.

Over the years the trio has built over a dozen software and service businesses and want to help create as many successful entrepreneurs as they can by sharing what they know.

Colin is now focused on their newest business, Wrappt. Wrappt allows you to turn your GPTs into custom apps in minutes. No code, no hassle, just launch. Wrappt is like Shopify for GPTs – everything you need to package and launch your GPTs.

About the Host:

Dave Bookbinder is known as an expert in business valuation and he is the person that business owners and entrepreneurs reach out to when they need to know what their most important assets are worth. Known as a collaborative adviser, Dave has served thousands of client companies of all sizes and industries. 

 

Dave is the author of two #1 best-selling books about the impact of human capital (PEOPLE!) on the valuation of a business enterprise called The NEW ROI: Return On Individuals & The NEW ROI: Going Behind The Numbers. 

He’s on a mission to change the conversation about how the accounting world recognizes the value of people’s contributions to a business enterprise, and to quantify what every CEO on the planet claims: “Our people are this company’s most valuable asset.”

Dave’s book, A Valuation Toolbox for Business Owners and Their Advisors: Things Every Business Owner Should Know, was recognized as a top new release in Business and Valuation and is designed to provide practical insights and tools to help understand what really drives business value, how to prepare for an exit, and just make better decisions.

He’s also the host of the highly rated Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder business podcast which is enjoyed in more than 100 countries.

 

🔸 Grab Dave’s Books: The New ROI: Return on Individuals  | The NEW ROI: Going Behind The Numbers  |  A Valuation Toolbox for Business Owners and Their Advisors: Things Every Business Owner Should Know

🔸 Connect with Dave on LinkedIn 

🔸 Connect with Dave on FaceBook

🔸 Follow Dave on Twitter

🔸 Check out www.NEWROI.com for more.

💡  Want to share your insights with the business community? Message Dave to learn how you can be a guest on Behind The