One of the most commented-on topics in the media today is the question of how to work with Millennials. In this podcast, we speak with someone who almost exclusively works with the even younger Generation Z entrepreneurs - Matt Smilor, Director of the Values and Ventures Business Plan Competition at TCU. 

Most of our topics on this podcast have been focused on established industries and businesses we've all heard of before.  But there's a lot going on right now with small business and entrepreneurship.  We're seeing more investment from PE firms and family offices in start-up ventures especially in the medical field.  So we thought we'd reach out to an expert in this area.  Greg Saltsman talks with Cameron Cushman, Director of Innovation Ecosystems at the University of North Texas Health Science Center. 

We've talked a lot on this podcast about the state of turnarounds in the U.S. right now with our coverage of the Turnaround Management Association and their conferences.  We've said it before - an economic downturn is expected in the next 18-24 months.  In this episode of Directionally Correct, we get perspective from someone in the turnaround business.  Greg Saltsman talks with Josh Eppich, partner at the law firm of Bonds Ellis in Fort Worth, Texas. 

Turnover sucks.  It's hard on your staff, your customers and your brand.  But do you know what the actual dollar cost of a lost employee is?  We look at research from the Drucker Institute and talk about our own experience, offering insights on things you can do to lower the high cost of employee turnover in your business.

Should you align your entire organization to one performance metric?  A well known VC firm says "yes".  We respectfully disagree.  This week on Directionally Correct we discuss the One Metric Dilemma, and how to choose the right metric (or metrics) for your organization. 

We revisit the story of CSX Railroad with an update on the company's strategy and how it appears to be going. 

If you've listened to this podcast before you know we touch on a lot of subjects that affect business performance.  If you've ever wondered why that is, today we reference a study from the Drucker Institute about the benefits of consistently delivering high performance over a range of business areas in order to achieve higher financial performance. 

Previously we talked about value added partnerships and the perils of making them work, specifically as it related to the curious arrangement between Best Buy and Amazon.  Last week Best Buy announced sales were up 7% in the previous quarter yet the stock price went down, a possible signal that investors aren't on board with the long term benefits of the new relationship with Amazon.  Best Buy is just one example as we look at other retailers in the news making questionable moves. 

Big data and big analytics are having a big impact on our businesses and daily lives.  Today we talk to a non-profit consultant who is having remarkable success getting organizations to completely change how they operate by using data and metrics that show a better way.  Greg Saltsman talks to Cathy Sheffield of ThinkGiving. 

It's becoming more common for businesses to form strategic partnerships with suppliers, retailers, distribution companies and even customers in order to further their own goals.  But what's the best way to structure these arrangements and do they really add value most of the time?  In this episode, we look at a few partnerships in the news - both successful and unsuccessful - and discuss the factors that are critical for success.