In this episode of The DATA SECRETS Podcast, I talk with Michael Franklin, Founder and Managing Partner at Cold Iron Capital and a multi-exit Private Equity CIO, about how data and technology can transform even the most traditional manufacturing businesses.

Michael shares his journey from tech leader to business operator, detailing how he helped grow cabinet manufacturer ACPI from a struggling $120M company to a $1.8B powerhouse with a staggering 28x return for its PE backer. We dig into the critical role of operational data, the challenges of merging legacy systems during rapid M&A, and how Michael’s “customer-first, data-backed” approach surfaced hidden margin leaks and fueled exponential growth.

We discuss:
• Why blending deep IT and business management experience is a game-changer for aspiring CIOs
• How to use “on-time complete” as a north star metric for operational excellence and customer satisfaction
• Building practical, shop-floor-ready dashboards from legacy ERP (AS400) data…no fancy tech required!
• Tackling the chaos of multi-ERP sprawl during acquisitions, and the real-world playbook for BI consolidation
• The critical moment data revealed that “biggest” wasn’t “best” in customer profitability, and how that changed strategy
• Avoiding expensive data horror stories by investing in process, clarity, and business alignment (not just tech)

Michael also unpacks the evolving opportunity at the intersection of manufacturing, private equity, AI, and cybersecurity, and why now is the perfect time for smaller, data-savvy firms to leapfrog their competition.

If you’re a CIO-in-waiting, PE-backed operator, or just want to hear how relentless focus on data and process can drive world-class outcomes, you won’t want to miss this episode.

Connect with Michael: 
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelfranklin/ 
📧 Email: [email protected]

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In this episode of The DATA SECRETS Podcast, I talk with Nat Estes, Managing Director at FrameShift Consulting, about the critical (and often underestimated) role of workforce data in industrial location strategy and site selection.

Nat walks us through how labor market intelligence can make or break a location decision, especially in today’s tight labor market. We discuss:

• Why labor availability is the deciding factor in most industrial site decisions
• How to assess workforce supply beyond just “number of people” metrics
• The importance of turnover, competition, and wage pressure in long-term planning
• How FrameShift models future labor market conditions for its clients
• The ripple effects of labor shortages on productivity and operational cost
• Common pitfalls companies fall into when choosing a location without deep data analysis

From advanced manufacturing to logistics, Nat’s insights reveal how companies can avoid costly mistakes and ensure their next facility is set up for sustainable success. If you’ve ever wondered how labor economists blend hard data with local realities, this conversation is packed with answers.

Connect with Nat
🔗 LinkedIn
🌐 FrameShift Consulting

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In this episode of The DATA SECRETS Podcast, I sit down with Luke Komiskey, founder and CEO of DataDrive, a managed analytics consulting company that helps organizations turn data chaos into business clarity.

Luke shares how his journey from corporate analytics leader to entrepreneur revealed a massive gap in how most businesses think about (and act on) their data. We dig into:

• Why most “data strategies” fail to produce meaningful impact
• How managed analytics bridges the gap for organizations that can’t justify a full in-house data team
• The hidden costs of under-utilized BI platforms like Power BI and Tableau
• Practical ways to measure the actual ROI of analytics initiatives
• Why starting with the business problem (not the data) changes everything
• Lessons learned from scaling DataDrive’s team and client base across industries

From uncovering small changes that lead to big wins, to building a repeatable process for data maturity, Luke brings an operator’s and founder’s lens to what it really takes to make analytics drive revenue, efficiency, and innovation.

Connect with Luke
🔗 LinkedIn
🌐 DataDrive

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On this first episode of The DATA SECRETS Podcast, we sit down with Chris LaFay, founder of Classic City Consulting, to uncover how he grew his web development agency from scrappy freelancer beginnings to a million-dollar business AND the data insights that saved him from running into an iceberg. 

Chris shares:

• Why building a foundation to last 5–10 years is more valuable than chasing trends
• The two North Star metrics that keep his agency healthy: effective hourly rate and days to zero dollars
• How “friendly” scope creep was killing profitability AND the project management changes that fixed it
• A surprising operational shift that turned around client happiness and margins
• Why even the smallest email list is an untapped goldmine for agency growth

We also get into the nitty-gritty of agency pricing models, managing contractors vs. full-time staff, and how Chris’ fractional CFO (shoutout to Tony!) helped him see the hidden problems in his financials.

If you run a creative or service-based business, this conversation will help you think differently about your numbers... and maybe even sleep better at night.

Connect with Chris
🔗 LinkedIn
🌐 Classic City Consulting

Connect with Tony Wilson (tell him we sent you!)
📊 ACCQUIP: https://www.accquip.com/

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🎙 Welcome to the DATA SECRETS podcast, where we treat business data like a crime scene.

I'm Nathan Settembrini, your host and the co-founder of Allegro Analytics. In this pilot episode, I’m introducing what this show is all about: cracking the case on messy metrics, uncovering what really drives business performance, and learning from leaders who turn insight into action.

Think of it like a true crime podcast, but for business intelligence and data analytics.

🔍 In future episodes, you’ll hear from executives, entrepreneurs, practitioners, and data detectives who’ve uncovered million-dollar insights hiding in plain sight.

If you work with data, lead a team, or want to think more critically about what your numbers are really telling you, this show is for you.

Subscribe and stick around. The truth is in the data, if you know how to find it.

Follow the DATA SECRETS Podcast

📬 Get episode recaps & bonus insights at allegroanalytics.com/podcast
🕺🏻 Connect with Nathan on LinkedIn
📺 Watch every episode on our YouTube Channel