Is "value creation" just another empty buzzword in your business? Serial entrepreneur Lee Benson joins Harmonious at Lunch to explain how focusing on a more complete definition of value allowed him to sell his aerospace company for a staggering 21.6x multiple. He breaks down the common trap of focusing only on material value (like EBITDA) and presents his framework for holistic growth.

Discover Lee's three pillars of value creation: Material, Emotional, and Spiritual (Connectedness). He explains how fostering positive emotional energy and strengthening team relationships directly fuels productive engagement and profitability. Learn how to operationalize these concepts, turning vague cultural ideas into measurable behaviors that empower every team member to act like the CEO of their own role and build a business that thrives long after a founder's exit.

In This Episode:

[00:00] - Is "Value Creation" an Overused Buzzword?

[01:15] - The CEO's Real Job: Increasing Business Value

[03:00] - How a Holistic Approach Led to a 21.6x Multiple

[04:10] - The 3 Pillars of Value: Material, Emotional, & Spiritual

[06:45] - Creating Emotional Value: The Leader's "X Factor"

[08:30] - Why "Employee Engagement" Fails (And What to Focus on Instead)

[10:45] - How to Connect Company Culture Directly to Value Creation

[13:10] - A Proven Method for Defining Winning Team Behaviors

[16:15] - What Happens to Culture After a 9-Figure Acquisition?

[20:00] - The Business System Endorsed by Legendary CEO Jack Welch

Like this video, Comment with your thoughts, and Subscribe to Harmonious at Lunch!

Download the full podcast here: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/harmonious-at-lunch/id1722490295 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2CIVZu21nyAbhHuO0nskRq?si=3d1f729fa9a743bd iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-harmonious-at-lunch-163898157/ Pandora: https://pandora.app.link/uo2Aj4gmSTb

Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/cb240cab-0e14-4923-8c75-03fe1b21e3ef/harmonious-at-lunch

For strategies to achieve greater clarity in yourself and your employees, visit the HumanOp Website: https://humanop.com/

Learn from Lee Benson: Learn the business system that legendary GE CEO Jack Welch called "the best business management system I've ever seen." Visit Lee Benson's company, Execute to Win (ETW): https://www.etw.com/

Connect with Lee Benson & ETW: LinkedIn (Personal): https://www.linkedin.com/in/lee-j-benson/ LinkedIn (Company): https://www.linkedin.com/company/execute-to-win/posts/?feedView=all Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ETW.executetowin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/executetowin/

Follow Harmonious at Lunch: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humanoptechnologies/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HumanOpTech LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/humanop-technologies-inc/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@humanoptech

#CEO #ValueCreation #CompanyCulture #Leadership #BusinessGrowth

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/harmonious-at-lunch/exclusive-content

Are you looking for a competitive edge in talent retention that doesn't involve unpredictable pay raises? What if you could offer a high-value benefit that directly boosts your team's focus and productivity by reducing their number one stressor: money?

Joel Miller, founder of Flames Financial Planning, joins Harmonious at Lunch to detail his disruptive flat-fee financial planning model, designed specifically as a B2B employee benefit. He explains why traditional percentage-based advisors overlook the 'mass affluent'—the very people who make up your workforce—and how providing them with comprehensive financial guidance (including tax prep and estate planning) yields a massive return for your business. Discover a new model for employee benefits that strengthens loyalty, reduces financial anxiety, and drives real performance improvements.

In This Episode:

[00:00] - Intro: Why Traditional Financial Planning Fails Most Employees

[01:18] - Joel Miller on His Mission to Serve the 'Mass Affluent'

[03:45] - The Direct ROI of Improving Your Team's Financial Literacy

[05:20] - Mythbusting: Will Financially Savvy Employees Demand Higher Pay?

[08:10] - The Business Model: How to Scale with a Flat-Fee Service

[10:14] - What's Included in the All-in-One Financial Wellness Package

[11:58] - The Simple, Low-Effort Rollout Process for Employers

[14:48] - The Cost Breakdown: Is This Benefit Affordable for Your Business?

[16:40] - The Human Impact: How Financial Clarity Boosts Employee Performance

[18:22] - How to Connect with Joel and Upgrade Your Benefits Package

ike this video, Comment with your thoughts, and Subscribe to Harmonious at Lunch!

Download the full podcast here: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/harmonious-at-lunch/id1722490295 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2CIVZu21nyAbhHuO0nskRq?si=3d1f729fa9a743bd

iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-harmonious-at-lunch-163898157/ Pandora: https://pandora.app.link/uo2Aj4gmSTb Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/cb240cab-0e14-4923-8c75-03fe1b21e3ef/harmonious-at-lunch

For strategies to achieve greater clarity in yourself and your employees, visit the HumanOp Website: https://humanop.com/

Learn more from Joel Miller & Flames Financial Planning:

Ready to offer a benefit that truly makes a difference? Book a call with Joel to discuss how flat-fee financial planning can fit your business and your team. Visit his website: https://flamesfp.com/

Connect with Joel Miller: Text Joel: 952-300-9632 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JoelMillerfinance Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joel.miller.finance

Follow Harmonious at Lunch: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humanoptechnologies/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HumanOpTech LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/humanop-technologies-inc/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@humanoptech

#EmployeeBenefits #FinancialWellness #TalentRetention #BusinessOwner #CompanyCulture

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/harmonious-at-lunch/exclusive-content

Discover how this technology allows you to simply prompt an AI to handle tedious tasks like updating Salesforce records or sending invoices, freeing you and your team from the manual data entry that kills productivity. Matthew explains how to reframe AI as a personal assistant for every employee, how to roll it out in a growing company, and the operational checks needed to ensure your new AI team members work together effectively without duplicating efforts.

In This Episode:

[00:00] - Introduction: Moving beyond generative AI

[01:15] - What is Assistive AI and How Does it Simplify Your Work?

[04:40] - The Story Behind the Name "PlatypusAI"

[06:15] - Assistive AI vs. OpenAI's Operator for Business Applications

[08:50] - The Mindset Shift: Viewing AI as a Team Member, Not a Tool

[10:30] - Using AI for Research vs. Executing Actionable Tasks

[13:40] - A Rollout Plan: Implementing AI Assistants in a Company

[17:10] - Team Coordination: How to Prevent AI From Duplicating Work

[20:15] - Practical Example: Automating a Real Estate Agent's Daily Workflow

[21:45] - How to Get Started with PlatypusAI

Like this video, Comment with your thoughts, and Subscribe to Harmonious at Lunch!

Download the full podcast here: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/harmonious-at-lunch/id1722490295 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2CIVZu21nyAbhHuO0nskRq?si=3d1f729fa9a743bd iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-harmonious-at-lunch-163898157/ Pandora: https://pandora.app.link/uo2Aj4gmSTb

Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/cb240cab-0e14-4923-8c75-03fe1b21e3ef/harmonious-at-lunch

For strategies to achieve greater clarity in yourself and your employees, visit the HumanOp Website: https://humanop.com/

Get Started with PlatypusAI: Sign up for early access to PlatypusAI and start automating the tedious parts of your business: https://platypusos.com

Connect with Matthew White: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-white-4b4bb527 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattewhitey Twitter/X: https://x.com/MWayneWhite

Follow Harmonious at Lunch: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humanoptechnologies/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HumanOpTech LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/humanop-technologies-inc/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@humanoptech

#BusinessAutomation #AIAssistant #FutureOfWork #Productivity #Entrepreneurship

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/harmonious-at-lunch/exclusive-content

Is your company culture an accident or an asset? If you're struggling with employee retention and performance, the problem isn't a lack of ping-pong tables; it's a lack of intentional design. M&A executive and strategy expert Matthew Person joins Harmonious at Lunch to challenge the idea that culture is a “squishy” concept.

Matthew argues that copying the perks of “best places to work” is a flawed strategy leading to a 50% turnover rate for new hires in the first 18 months. He introduces his proprietary Square Management System, a concrete framework for building a high-performance organization. Learn how the “4 I’s” (Identity, Instruction, Intercommunication, and Information Feedback) create a culture of alignment, and discover how the principle of “Constrained Independence” can provide the clarity your team needs to thrive.

Chapters:

[00:00] - Is Your Company Culture Too "Squishy" to Scale?

[01:10] - Why Copying "Best Places to Work" Is a Failing Strategy

[03:45] - The Goal of Culture: Achieving "Constrained Independence"

[07:15] - The 4 I's Framework: The First I - Identity

[09:10] - The Second I - Instruction

[10:15] - The Third I - Intercommunication (How the Bait-and-Switch Happens)

[12:30] - The Fourth I - Information Feedback

[14:40] - How to Diagnose Your Culture: A Process for Existing Teams

[17:00] - Using the Framework as a Blueprint for Startups

[18:40] - Find Out Your Own Culture Style with a Free Assessment

Like this video, Comment with your thoughts, and Subscribe to Harmonious at Lunch!

Download the full podcast here: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/harmonious-at-lunch/id1722490295 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2CIVZu21nyAbhHuO0nskRq?si=3d1f729fa9a743bd iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-harmonious-at-lunch-163898157/ Pandora: https://pandora.app.link/uo2Aj4gmSTb

Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/cb240cab-0e14-4923-8c75-03fe1b21e3ef/harmonious-at-lunch

For strategies to achieve greater clarity in yourself and your employees, visit the HumanOp Website: https://humanop.com/

Learn more from Matthew Person & TownSquare Advisors:

Take the free quiz to diagnose your company's culture or discover your own preferred work style: https://www.townsquare-advisors.com

Connect with Matthew Person: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewdperson/

Follow Harmonious at Lunch: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humanoptechnologies/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HumanOpTech LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/humanop-technologies-inc/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@humanoptech

#CompanyCulture #Leadership #BusinessStrategy #EmployeeRetention #ScalingBusiness

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/harmonious-at-lunch/exclusive-content

What if your biggest business failure at 22 became the foundation for a successful career on Wall Street? Scott Greenfield, a leader in the financial industry, joins Harmonious at Lunch to share his unconventional journey from owning a bar in New York City to becoming a top executive and mentor.

Scott argues that the most critical business lessons—managing capitalization, building powerful relationships, and learning from failure—aren't taught in a classroom but are forged in the trenches. He breaks down how an undercapitalized bar venture taught him more than any formal education and how a single relationship built there launched his entire financial career. Discover his leadership philosophy of "staying in the middle of the highway" and how his personal journey as a father to a son with autism has profoundly shaped his approach to mentoring with adaptability and empathy.

In This Episode:

[00:00] - Intro: How Can Owning a Bar Make You a Better CEO?

[01:13] - From Fraternity Brother to NYC Bar Owner at 22

[03:00] - The Crash Course in Business Failure: Capitalization & Breaking the Rules

[06:21] - The Power of Relationships: How a Bar Regular Launched a Wall Street Career

[10:35] - Getting Out of Your Comfort Zone to Gain a Worldly Perspective

[13:15] - The Final Lesson: How to Seize Opportunity and Never Waste It Again

[15:10] - Leadership Beyond Business: The Passion Driving Autism Advocacy

[17:01] - Connect with Scott Greenfield

Like this video, Comment with your thoughts, and Subscribe to Harmonious at Lunch!

Download the full podcast here: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/harmonious-at-lunch/id1722490295 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2CIVZu21nyAbhHuO0nskRq?si=3d1f729fa9a743bd iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-harmonious-at-lunch-163898157/ Pandora: https://pandora.app.link/uo2Aj4gmSTb Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/cb240cab-0e14-4923-8c75-03fe1b21e3ef/harmonious-at-lunch

For strategies to achieve greater clarity in yourself and your employees, visit the HumanOp Website: https://humanop.com/

Learn more from Scott Greenfield: Visit Fifth Avenue Financial to learn more about Scott's work in the financial industry: https://fifthavenuefinancial.com/ Support Scott's passion project, Go Long for Luke, a nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness and funding for autism programs: https://golongforluke.org

Connect with Scott Greenfield: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottgreenfield/

Follow Harmonious at Lunch: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humanoptechnologies/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HumanOpTech LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/humanop-technologies-inc/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@humanoptech

#LeadershipDevelopment #Entrepreneurship #BusinessLessons #Resilience #FinancialServices

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/harmonious-at-lunch/exclusive-content

Most owners wait too long to think about an exit—don’t be one of them. Private equity operator Louis Kim joins us to break down how to design an exit-ready business by leading with values, clarity, and a customer-first culture. Topic: aligned leadership for succession planning, selling your business, and creating value that doesn’t depend on you.

Louis shares why 70–75% of owners have no exit or succession plan, what “values-based operations” actually look like in small business acquisitions, and how a simple framework (autonomy, flat orgs, and experience-driven SOPs) boosts enterprise value. If you want a company that runs without you—and can sell for more—this conversation is your reality check.

Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome & why most owners have no exit plan

[02:05] - What aligned leadership means for growth and exit

[04:10] - From burnout to clarity: building for fulfillment, not just significance

[07:00] - Social noise vs. knowing yourself as a leader

[09:20] - Heart-centered capitalism and improving the human experience

[11:15] - Value-based operations in acquisitions: where we start

[13:25] - Turning values into SOPs customers feel

[15:20] - Autonomy, flat orgs, and frontline feedback loops

[17:15] - Customer experience as the North Star (and a smarter SOP checkbox)

[19:10] - From commodity to premium: why feeling beats price

[20:25] - How to connect and next steps

Like this video, Comment with your thoughts, and Subscribe to Harmonious at Lunch!

Download the full podcast here: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/harmonious-at-lunch/id1722490295 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2CIVZu21nyAbhHuO0nskRq?si=3d1f729fa9a743bd iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-harmonious-at-lunch-163898157/ Pandora: https://pandora.app.link/uo2Aj4gmSTb

For strategies to achieve greater clarity in yourself and your employees, visit the HumanOp Website: https://humanop.com/

Learn more from Louis Kim: Primary site (contact + blog): https://LouKim.com Yusan Capital (buying/building small businesses): https://www.yusancapital.com PodMatch Profile: https://www.podmatch.com/guestdetailpreview/partsoflou Parts of Lou: https://www.parstoflou.com

Follow Harmonious at Lunch: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humanoptechnologies/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HumanOpTech LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/humanop-technologies-inc/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@humanoptech

#ExitPlanning #SuccessionPlanning #Leadership #CompanyCulture #PrivateEquity

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/harmonious-at-lunch/exclusive-content

Is your webcam and poor lighting sabotaging your credibility on sales calls? In the age of video-first communication, your virtual presence can make or break a deal before you even state your value proposition. In a raw and candid episode, studio expert Junaid Ahmed joins Harmonious at Lunch to conduct a live teardown of our host's own setup, revealing the common mistakes that diminish authority and trust.

This is not your typical interview. Junaid provides a masterclass on the critical elements of a professional video presence, demonstrating how small adjustments to framing, lighting, and audio create a massive impact on perception. Discover the exact priority order for upgrading your gear (it's not what you think), how to eliminate distracting screen glare from your glasses, and the budget-friendly first steps to command respect in any virtual meeting. This is a must-watch for any business owner, sales professional, or executive conducting business online.

In This Episode:

[00:00] - Is Your Setup More Important Than Your Message?

[02:18] - Why High-Quality Video is Non-Negotiable in Business Today

[05:20] - LIVE TEARDOWN: Junaid Critiques the Host's Studio Setup

[06:05] - #1 Priority: Fixing Your Camera Framing for Better Engagement

[06:55] - How to Eliminate Screen Glare From Your Glasses (A Simple Mac Trick)

[08:24] - Why Your Audio is the Most Critical Part of Your Setup

[10:18] - The 3-Point Lighting System Explained (Key, Fill & Hair Light Demo)

[12:20] - The Upgrade Priority List: Where to Spend Your Money First

[12:40] - What to Look for in a Microphone & Headset ($50 to $500)

[13:30] - Lighting Setups: From $150 Kits to Professional Panels

[14:45] - Camera Options: From High-End Webcams to DSLRs

[16:45] - The Bottom Line: How Your Setup Directly Affects Sales & Partnerships

[18:25] - Junaid's 5-Day Challenge to Build Your Professional Studio

Like this video, Comment with your thoughts, and Subscribe to Harmonious at Lunch! Download the full podcast here: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/harmonious-at-lunch/id1722490295 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2CIVZu21nyAbhHuO0nskRq?si=3d1f729fa9a743bd iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-harmonious-at-lunch-163898157/ Pandora: https://pandora.app.link/uo2Aj4gmSTb Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/cb240cab-0e14-4923-8c75-03fe1b21e3ef/harmonious-at-lunch

For strategies to achieve greater clarity in yourself and your employees, visit the HumanOp Website: https://humanop.com/

Learn from Junaid Ahmed: Ready to transform your virtual presence? Junaid Ahmed walks you through it step-by-step in his FREE 5-Day Home Studio Challenge: https://www.homestudiomastery.com/fiveday

Connect with Junaid: Website: https://hacksandhobbies.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/superjunaid

Follow Harmonious at Lunch: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humanoptechnologies/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HumanOpTech LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/humanop-technologies-inc/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@humanoptech

#HomeStudio #VirtualSelling #VideoMarketing #PodcastSetup #BusinessCommunication

Download the full podcast here: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/harmonious-at-lunch/id1722490295 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2CIVZu21nyAbhHuO0nskRq?si=3d1f729fa9a743bd iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-harmonious-at-lunch-163898157/ Pandora: https://pandora.app.link/uo2Aj4gmSTb Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/cb240cab-0e14-4923-8c75-03fe1b21e3ef/harmonious-at-lunch

For strategies to achieve greater clarity in yourself and your employees, visit the HumanOp Website: https://humanop.com/

Learn from Junaid Ahmed: Ready to transform your virtual presence? Junaid Ahmed walks you through it step-by-step in his FREE 5-Day Home Studio Challenge: https://www.homestudiomastery.com/fiveday

Connect with Junaid: Website: https://hacksandhobbies.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/superjunaid

Follow Harmonious at Lunch: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humanoptechnologies/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HumanOpTech LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/humanop-technologies-inc/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@humanoptech

#HomeStudio #VirtualSelling #VideoMarketing #PodcastSetup #BusinessCommunication

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/harmonious-at-lunch/exclusive-content

What if your biggest business failure at 22 became the foundation for a successful career on Wall Street? Scott Greenfield, a leader in the financial industry, joins Harmonious at Lunch to share his unconventional journey from owning a bar in New York City to becoming a top executive and mentor.

Scott argues that the most critical business lessons—managing capitalization, building powerful relationships, and learning from failure—aren't taught in a classroom but are forged in the trenches. He breaks down how an undercapitalized bar venture taught him more than any formal education and how a single relationship built there launched his entire financial career. Discover his leadership philosophy of "staying in the middle of the highway" and how his personal journey as a father to a son with autism has profoundly shaped his approach to mentoring with adaptability and empathy.

In This Episode:

[00:00] - Intro: How Can Owning a Bar Make You a Better CEO?

[01:13] - From Fraternity Brother to NYC Bar Owner at 22

[03:00] - The Crash Course in Business Failure: Capitalization & Breaking the Rules

[06:21] - The Power of Relationships: How a Bar Regular Launched a Wall Street Career

[10:35] - Getting Out of Your Comfort Zone to Gain a Worldly Perspective

[13:15] - The Final Lesson: How to Seize Opportunity and Never Waste It Again

[15:10] - Leadership Beyond Business: The Passion Driving Autism Advocacy

[17:01] - Connect with Scott Greenfield

Like this video, Comment with your thoughts, and Subscribe to Harmonious at Lunch!

Download the full podcast here: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/harmonious-at-lunch/id1722490295 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2CIVZu21nyAbhHuO0nskRq?si=3d1f729fa9a743bd iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-harmonious-at-lunch-163898157/ Pandora: https://pandora.app.link/uo2Aj4gmSTb Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/cb240cab-0e14-4923-8c75-03fe1b21e3ef/harmonious-at-lunch

For strategies to achieve greater clarity in yourself and your employees, visit the HumanOp Website: https://humanop.com/

Learn more from Scott Greenfield: Visit Fifth Avenue Financial to learn more about Scott's work in the financial industry: https://fifthavenuefinancial.com/ Support Scott's passion project, Go Long for Luke, a nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness and funding for autism programs: https://golongforluke.org

Connect with Scott Greenfield: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottgreenfield/

Follow Harmonious at Lunch: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humanoptechnologies/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HumanOpTech LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/humanop-technologies-inc/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@humanoptech

#LeadershipDevelopment #Entrepreneurship #BusinessLessons #Resilience #FinancialServices

For strategies to achieve greater clarity in yourself and your employees, visit the HumanOp Website: https://humanop.com/

Learn more from Scott Greenfield: Visit Fifth Avenue Financial to learn more about Scott's work in the financial industry: https://fifthavenuefinancial.com/ Support Scott's passion project, Go Long for Luke, a nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness and funding for autism programs: https://golongforluke.org

Connect with Scott Greenfield: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottgreenfield/

Follow Harmonious at Lunch: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humanoptechnologies/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HumanOpTech LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/humanop-technologies-inc/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@humanoptech

#LeadershipDevelopment #Entrepreneurship #BusinessLessons #Resilience #FinancialServices

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/harmonious-at-lunch/exclusive-content

Every entrepreneur dreams of a profitable exit, but are your operating costs silently eroding your company's value? Michael Haskell, a seasoned investor who has taken companies public, joins Harmonious at Lunch to reveal a potent strategy for maximizing your business valuation. He explains how he slashed a finance department's budget by two-thirds—from $300k to under $100k—without sacrificing quality.

The secret isn't hiring entry-level VAs. This discussion focuses on building a robust, remote team of senior-level CPAs, accountants, and even fractional CFOs from a global talent pool in Southeast Asia. Learn how this approach not only drastically cuts costs but also creates a stable, scalable operation that is highly attractive to potential buyers. We also tackle the critical questions around managing cultural differences and ensuring your remote team integrates seamlessly with your US-based company.

In This Episode:

[00:00] - The Golden Question: How to Maximize Business Value for Your Exit

[01:05] - Michael Haskell on Building a Business with the End in Mind

[03:10] - Case Study: Taking a Medical Company Public with Smart Outsourcing

[05:25] - The Cost-Cutting Pivot: Moving Finance Roles from High-Cost to Low-Cost Countries

[07:18] - The Math: Slashing a $300k Finance Budget by Two-Thirds

[09:15] - Beyond VAs: Why You Should Hire SENIOR Remote Talent (CPAs, CFOs)

[11:00] - How to Manage Hiring, Risk, and Day-to-Day Operations with an Overseas Team

[13:10] - Addressing Cultural Hurdles: The "Yes Mentality" & How to Mitigate It

[15:20] - The Post-Pandemic Opportunity: Tapping into Top-Tier Remote Talent Pools

[16:45] - Is This For You? The Ideal Company Size ($2M-$15M) for This Strategy

[18:48] - How to Connect with Michael & Explore Remote Finance Talent

Like this video, Comment with your thoughts, and Subscribe to Harmonious at Lunch!

Download the full podcast here: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/harmonious-at-lunch/id1722490295

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2CIVZu21nyAbhHuO0nskRq?si=3d1f729fa9a743bd iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-harmonious-at-lunch-163898157/ Pandora: https://pandora.app.link/uo2Aj4gmSTb Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/cb240cab-0e14-4923-8c75-03fe1b21e3ef/harmonious-at-lunch

For strategies to achieve greater clarity in yourself and your employees, visit the HumanOp Website: https://humanop.com/

Learn more from Michael Haskell & Navitas Consulting: Ready to explore how a remote finance team can boost your profitability and exit value? Connect with Michael Haskell and his team at Navitas Consulting for a no-obligation consultation: https://navitasgroup.ph/

Connect with Michael Haskell on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelhaskell/

Follow Harmonious at Lunch: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humanoptechnologies/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HumanOpTech LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/humanop-technologies-inc/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@humanoptech

#ExitStrategy #BusinessValuation #Outsourcing #RemoteTeam #FractionalCFO

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/harmonious-at-lunch/exclusive-content

Tired of pouring money into ads with unpredictable returns? Email and SMS marketing might be the most underutilized asset in your business. Nikita Vakhrushev, founder of Aspekt Agency and a specialist who has scaled over 100+ DTC brands, joins Harmonious at Lunch to lay out a clear framework for customer retention and growth.

Discover the three core email automations every business must have (Welcome, Abandoned Cart, and Post-Purchase) and how to structure them effectively. Nikita explains his 80/20 rule for creating valuable content that builds trust before you sell, and shares the single biggest mistake he sees companies make with their email layout—a simple fix that could immediately boost your campaign performance.

Chapters:

[00:00] - Intro: Growing Your Business Without Huge Ad Spend

[01:03] - Why Email & SMS Are Your Most Underutilized Channels

[03:15] - The First Step: How to Capture Leads Without Annoying Visitors

[05:40] - Automations vs. Campaigns: What's the Difference?

[06:30] - The 3 Core Automations Every Business Needs (Welcome, Abandoned Cart, Post-Purchase)

[08:48] - How Often Should You Email? Nurture Cadence for E-comm vs. B2B

[11:05] - The 80/20 Rule: Balancing Value Content with Sales Emails

[13:45] - The #1 Mistake: Are You Hiding Your Call to Action?

[16:00] - Nikita's Free Email Marketing Audit Offer

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For strategies to achieve greater clarity in yourself and your employees, visit the HumanOp Website: https://humanop.com/

Get Your FREE Email Marketing Audit from Nikita Vakhrushev: Find out where money is being left on the table in your business with a comprehensive email marketing audit from Nikita's team at Aspekt Agency: https://aspektagency.com/

Connect with Nikita Vakhrushev: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nikitavakhrushv LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikita-v Twitter: https://twitter.com/nikitavakhrushv YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nikitavakhrushevtv

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#EmailMarketing #SMSMarketing #DTCgrowth #EcommerceTips #CustomerRetention

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/harmonious-at-lunch/exclusive-content