Talk to Th3 Doc with Steve Meek

Talk to Th3 Doc with Steve Meek

By Steve "The Doctor" MeekBusinessEntrepreneurshipTechnology
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Talk to Th3 Doc with Steve Meek episodes

  • Is Your Business Ready for the Next Economic Shift? | Bill Conerly Ep. 148

    🎙️ Is your business prepared for the next economic shift, or are today's headlines driving tomorrow's decisions?
    In Episode 148 of Talk To Th3 Doc, Steve “The Doctor” Meek talks with Dr. Bill Conerly, President of Conerly Consulting LLC, about how SMB leaders can prepare for economic uncertainty without trying to predict every twist and turn.
    💡 TOP TAKEAWAY:
    “Be ready for that occasional downpour.”
    Bill's message is practical: the economy is usually more stable than the headlines suggest, but smart leaders prepare for the times when conditions change.
    You'll learn how to think about inflation, interest rates, AI productivity, employee retention, capital investment, pricing, cash flow, and both upside and downside contingency planning.
    🩺 IN THIS APPOINTMENT
    00:00 Meet business economist Dr. Bill Conerly
    02:57 Which economic indicators should leaders actually watch?
    07:13 Could 2% economic growth become normal?
    10:14 Where AI may create real productivity
    14:15 Could AI adopters actually create more jobs?
    16:24 AI, technology and customer experience
    21:40 Business metrics SMB leaders should monitor
    22:42 Why every company needs a contingency plan
    26:23 Inflation and locking in vendor pricing
    30:05 Can your business raise prices?
    32:31 Finding productivity beyond AI
    37:01 Employee retention in a tight labor market
    40:10 Are managers focused on the wrong employees?
    42:41 Trends leaders should watch beyond next quarter
    45:21 When to invest versus preserve cash
    46:13 Why rapid growth can create a cash crisis
    49:18 Interest rates and business investment
    51:36 Why housing matters to business leaders
    53:14 Bill's One Big Takeaway
    💊 THE PRESCRIPTION
    Don't build your organization around one economic prediction. Build it to handle multiple futures.
    That means knowing what you'll do if sales slow, but also what happens if demand suddenly takes off. For DFW SMBs, that same thinking should extend to technology: align AI, automation, cybersecurity, productivity, and technology investments with where the organization is going.
    At The Fulcrum Group, that's why our STARpower™ strategic alignment process goes beyond fixing today's IT problems. We help leaders continually connect technology investments with business priorities, risk, innovation, and future growth.
    👨‍⚕️ ABOUT DR. BILL CONERLY
    Dr. Bill Conerly is a business economist and President of Conerly Consulting LLC. A Duke University Ph.D., Bill has worked in economics and corporate planning for Fortune 500 companies and as a bank senior vice president. He has spoken to more than 1,400 business audiences and is the author of The Flexible Stance: Thriving in a Boom/Bust Economy.
    🌐 Conerly Consulting
    📰 Businomics Newsletter
    🔗 Bill Conerly on LinkedIn
    ▶️ Bill Conerly on YouTube
    🎧 TALK TO TH3 DOC
    Enjoyed the appointment? Subscribe, like, comment, and share this episode with another business leader.
    🎧 Listen on Apple, Spotify and other podcast platforms
    📺 Watch Episode 148 on YouTube
    🌐 Explore Talk To Th3 Doc
    🔗 Connect with Steve Meek on LinkedIn
    Need help aligning technology with where your organization is headed? Use the Initial Consultation form on our podcast page to start a conversation with The Fulcrum Group.
    🔎 HASHTAGS
    #TalkToTh3Doc #BillConerly #EconomicOutlook #EconomicUncertainty #BusinessLeadership #BusinessStrategy #BusinessPlanning #SMBStrategy #SmallBusiness #BusinessResilience #ContingencyPlanning #AIProductivity #AIForBusiness #BusinessAutomation #StrategicPlanning #TechnologyStrategy #EmployeeRetention #CashFlow #DFWBusiness #ManagedITServices

    56 min
  • Are Soft Skills the New AI Advantage? With Ana Welsh Ep. 147
    🎙️ Are soft skills the new AI advantage?
    In Episode 147 of Talk To Th3 Doc, Steve “The Doctor” Meek sits down with Ana Welsh, Wharton lecturer, workplace dynamics speaker, and next-gen talent developer, to talk about why human skills still matter in an AI-powered workplace.
    AI can help teams write, summarize, automate, and analyze faster. But leaders still need people who can communicate clearly, build trust, think critically, manage relationships, and make good decisions.
    That is where soft skills become a real business advantage.
    In this episode, Ana and Steve discuss why employee engagement is an outcome, not a strategy; why “bring your whole self to work” may need a little executive supervision; and why the future of work may belong to people who are deeply human with an AI tool belt.
    For SMB owners, city managers, nonprofit leaders, healthcare executives, professional services firms, and DFW business leaders, this conversation is a reminder that technology only works when people, process, leadership, and trust are aligned.
    At The Fulcrum Group, that same belief shapes our approach to SPOT Managed IT Services, SPOT Managed Security Services, and our STARPower Framework. We help DFW organizations connect technology decisions to business goals, reduce risk, improve communication, and build smarter roadmaps for growth.
    In This Episode
    ✅ Why soft skills matter more in the AI workplace
    ✅ How leaders can coach communication and professionalism
    ✅ Why employee engagement starts with trust
    ✅ What Gen Z and multigenerational teams need from leaders
    ✅ How to use AI without losing human judgment
    ✅ Why “Giraffe Vision” helps teams zoom out before reacting
    ✅ How human skills support innovation, AI readiness, and technology alignment
    Top Takeaway
    Technology can accelerate work, but human skills determine whether the work actually gets better.
    If your team cannot communicate, adapt, build trust, and think clearly, AI may just help you create confusion faster.
    Guest
    Ana Welsh
    Wharton Lecturer | Workplace Dynamics Speaker | Next Gen Talent Developer
    Website: https://anawelsh.com
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anawelshspeaks/
    Connect With The Fulcrum Group
    📌 Talk To Th3 Doc Podcast: https://www.fulcrumgroup.net/talk-to-th3-doc-podcast/
    🎧 Listen on your favorite podcast platform: https://pod.link/1807560282
    🌐 The Fulcrum Group: https://www.fulcrumgroup.net/
    📩 Email Steve: [email protected]
    🔗 Connect with Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevemeekcissp/
    📞 Sales: 817-337-0300
    Suggested Chapters
    00:00 Introduction
    00:26 Meet Ana Welsh
    02:45 AI, Gen Z, and the future of work
    04:16 Time, empathy, and patience
    07:11 Communication, critical thinking, and professionalism
    08:08 Better onboarding and one-on-one meetings
    10:50 Signature Self vs. unfiltered self
    15:07 First impressions and nonverbal communication
    21:08 Virtual work and remote presence
    24:18 Is this a Gen Z issue or leadership issue?
    27:04 Coaching without “back in my day” energy
    29:15 Checklists, SOPs, and the power of why
    30:25 AI, jobs, and changing workflows
    35:49 Brain first, AI second, brain last
    36:56 Giraffe Vision and running to daylight
    39:06 The one human skill leaders cannot overlook
    40:18 Practical prescriptions
    41:02 How to reach Ana and closing
    43 min
  • Is AI Marketing Helping or Hurting Growth? With Sheila Rondeau Ep. 146
    Is AI marketing helping your business grow, or just helping you create more noise faster?
    In Episode 146 of Talk To Th3 Doc, Steve “The Doctor” Meek sits down with Sheila Rondeau, CEO / CMO of MOGXP, to talk about AI marketing, business strategy, customer trust, and the real risk of letting tools outrun leadership.
    Sheila’s core message is simple: AI can amplify your message, your mess, or your momentum. The difference is strategy.
    For DFW SMB leaders, nonprofits, healthcare practices, professional services firms, manufacturers, and local organizations, this episode explains why AI marketing should start with goals, customer understanding, brand voice, clean data, and measurable outcomes before adding more tools.
    At The Fulcrum Group, Inc., we see the same pattern in managed IT, cybersecurity, Microsoft 365, compliance, cloud, co-managed IT, and AI readiness. Technology works best when it is aligned to the business, secured properly, and reviewed through a practical roadmap. That is why our SPOT Managed IT Services, SPOT Managed Security Services, STARPower Framework, and “No IT Jerks” philosophy all start with listening, clarity, and smarter execution.
    WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:
    • Why AI marketing still needs human judgment
    • How SMBs can avoid creating generic AI content
    • Why “read it out loud” is a useful brand voice test
    • How AI can speed up either growth or confusion
    • Why marketing strategy and IT governance now overlap
    • How to start small with AI and measure what matters
    FEATURED QUOTE:
    “AI does not have judgment.”
    CHAPTERS:
    00:00 Introduction
    00:40 Sheila Rondeau’s background
    02:48 Why marketing dollars need math
    04:11 AI marketing needs judgment
    05:48 Building authentic brand voice
    07:12 Customer language, SEO, AEO, and GEO
    08:38 Strategy before AI amplification
    10:11 The “read it out loud” test
    17:12 Marketing metrics that matter
    26:40 Automation vs. AI
    42:54 Scorecards and strategy metrics
    51:35 Sheila’s one big takeaway
    52:04 Practical AI prescriptions
    52:41 How to connect with Sheila
    CONNECT WITH SHEILA RONDEAU:
    MOGXP: https://mogxp.com/
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheilarondeau/
    CONNECT WITH THE FULCRUM GROUP:
    Podcast: https://www.fulcrumgroup.net/talk-to-th3-doc-podcast/
    Website: https://www.fulcrumgroup.net/
    Email Steve: [email protected]
    Phone: 817-337-0300
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-fulcrum-group-inc-/
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFulcrumGroup
    ABOUT TALK TO TH3 DOC:
    Talk To Th3 Doc helps SMB owners, executives, and civic leaders think more clearly about leadership, cybersecurity, AI, managed IT services, compliance, and smarter technology decisions.
    Subscribe, like, comment, and share this episode with a business leader who is wondering whether AI marketing is helping or hurting growth.
    #TalkToTh3Doc #AIMarketing #AIStrategy #SMBGrowth #DFWBusiness #ManagedITServices #DFWManagedITServices #TheFulcrumGroup #SPOTManagedITServices #SPOTManagedSecurityServices #STARPowerFramework #NoITJerks #Microsoft365 #Cybersecurity #AIReadiness #MarketingStrategy #BusinessGrowth #GEO #AEO #KellerTX
    51 min
  • Is Your Security Culture Putting Your Business at Risk? | Anthony Davis | Talk To Th3 Doc Ep. 145
    What if your people are not the weakest link in cybersecurity, but your greatest defense?
    In Episode 145 of Talk To Th3 Doc, Steve “The Doctor” Meek sits down with Anthony Davis, Founder of Risky Creative and host of The Awareness Angle, to talk about cybersecurity culture, human risk, security awareness, and why leadership matters more than another tool.
    Anthony brings more than 15 years of cybersecurity experience focused on the human side of security. Together, Steve and Anthony discuss why growing organizations, SMB owners, city managers, nonprofit leaders, and IT decision-makers need to stop treating employees as the problem and start building a culture where people feel safe, informed, and empowered to report risks.
    Top takeaway: “People are the solution, not the problem.”
    In this episode, we cover:
    Why growth can create bigger cybersecurity problems
    Why security awareness often fails
    How leaders can build a positive security culture
    Why compliance is only a baseline
    How Shadow AI creates new business risk
    Why phishing click rates do not tell the whole story
    How executive sponsorship changes security behavior
    Why trust and psychological safety matter
    How SMBs can reduce human cyber risk
    Time-Stamps / Chapters
    00:00 – The myth that growth fixes business problems
    02:30 – The human side of cybersecurity
    04:41 – Why people are not just the weakest link
    06:41 – Making cybersecurity relatable
    10:42 – Hidden risks in systems and patching
    16:37 – Understanding user risk profiles
    20:01 – Building relationships for security awareness
    23:48 – Measuring security engagement
    26:19 – Early warning signs of security issues
    28:44 – Executive sponsorship and security culture
    33:03 – Avoiding fear-based cybersecurity leadership
    38:04 – Building a positive security culture
    45:32 – Measuring security awareness effectiveness
    50:21 – Psychological safety in cybersecurity
    54:12 – People are the solution, not the problem
    Guest
    Anthony Davis
    Founder, Risky Creative
    Host, The Awareness Angle
    Website: https://www.antdavis.com
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@riskycreative
    Instagram: https://instagram.com/riskycreative
    TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@infosecant
    About Talk To Th3 Doc
    Talk To Th3 Doc is hosted by Steve “The Doctor” Meek, CISSP, CEO and Co-Founder of The Fulcrum Group, Inc. in Keller, Texas. Each episode helps SMB owners, executives, local government leaders, and IT decision-makers think more clearly about business growth, cybersecurity, managed IT services, AI readiness, leadership, and technology strategy.
    The Fulcrum Group provides DFW Managed IT Services, SPOT Managed IT Services, SPOT Managed Security Services, cybersecurity leadership, compliance support, and STARPower strategic technology alignment for organizations across North Texas.
    Call To Action
    🎧 Listen on your favorite podcast platform:
    https://pod.link/1807560282
    🌐 Explore more episodes or request a consultation:
    https://www.fulcrumgroup.net/talk-to-th3-doc-podcast/
    📩 Email Steve:
    🔗 Connect with Steve on LinkedIn:
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevemeekcissp/
    📞 Contact The Fulcrum Group:
    817-337-0300
    https://www.fulcrumgroup.net
    Suggested Lead Magnet / CTA
    Want to know whether your organization has a security culture gap? Ask The Fulcrum Group about a cybersecurity and technology alignment conversation through our STARPower Framework.
    YouTube Hashtags
    #TalkToTh3Doc #CybersecurityCulture #HumanRiskManagement #SecurityAwareness #CybersecurityLeadership #ManagedITServices #ManagedSecurity #DFWBusiness #DFWManagedIT #STARPower
    58 min
  • Is Your Back Office Ready for Growth? | Walt Lotspeich | Talk To Th3 Doc Ep. 144
    Are your back-office systems helping your business grow—or quietly holding it back?
    In this episode of Talk To Th3 Doc, Steve "The Doctor" Meek sits down with Walt Lotspeich, President of OG Trust Services, to explore why operational excellence is about much more than software. Together they discuss how clean data, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, vendor management, business processes, and leadership all contribute to building organizations that scale with confidence.
    Although Walt's company specializes in mineral interest management and trust operations, the lessons in this conversation apply to every growing business, nonprofit, municipality, financial institution, and professional services firm.
    💡 In this episode you'll learn:
    ✅ Why bad data leads to bad business decisions
    ✅ How operational excellence creates a competitive advantage
    ✅ Practical ways AI is improving business productivity
    ✅ Why cybersecurity is now a leadership responsibility
    ✅ How vendor management reduces organizational risk
    ✅ Why continuous improvement never ends
    ✅ Leadership lessons from growing a successful business
    If you're an SMB owner, executive, operations leader, nonprofit director, or local government official looking to improve your organization, this episode is packed with practical advice you can apply immediately.
    ⏱️ Chapters
    00:00 – Welcome & Guest Introduction
    05:04 – Cybersecurity and Leadership
    10:10 – Building Specialized Business Software
    14:55 – Why Continuous Improvement Never Ends
    19:49 – Practical AI for Business
    28:00 – Measuring Business Performance
    31:55 – Growth Signals Every Leader Should Watch
    33:58 – Managing Operational Bottlenecks
    36:10 – Industry Trends & Technology
    40:57 – Strategic Partnerships That Scale
    46:58 – Leadership Lessons & Final Prescription
    🎯 Top Takeaway
    "Check your ego at the door."
    Great organizations aren't built by leaders who try to do everything themselves. They're built by leaders who surround themselves with talented people, trust experts, and continually improve the systems that support growth.
    👤 About Our Guest
    Walt Lotspeich is President of OG Trust Services, where he helps financial institutions, trust companies, and family offices manage complex mineral interests through specialized software and operational expertise.
    Learn more:
    🌐 https://ogtrustservices.com/
    🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/waltlotspeich/
    🎧 Listen Everywhere
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    🎧 https://pod.link/1807560282
    🌐 More Talk To Th3 Doc
    Podcast Home
    https://www.fulcrumgroup.net/talk-to-th3-doc-podcast/
    👨‍⚕️ Connect with Steve "The Doctor" Meek
    🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevemeekcissp/
    🏢 Connect with The Fulcrum Group
    🌐 https://www.fulcrumgroup.net/
    📞 817-337-0300
    LinkedIn
    https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-fulcrum-group-inc/
    YouTube
    https://www.youtube.com/@TheFulcrumGroup
    Facebook
    https://www.facebook.com/TheFulcrumGroup
    X
    https://x.com/TheFulcrumGroup
    Instagram
    https://www.instagram.com/TheFulcrumGroupInc
    🔖 Keywords
    back office operations, business growth, operational excellence, leadership, cybersecurity, business systems, managed IT services, data governance, AI for business, Microsoft Copilot, vendor management, technology strategy, business operations, cloud computing, operational efficiency, digital transformation, business leadership, executive leadership, SMB technology, Talk To Th3 Doc
    52 min
  • Are Your Hiring Gaps Hurting Growth? Mark Mitford | Talk To Th3 Doc Ep. 143
    Are hiring gaps quietly slowing your growth?
    In Episode 143 of Talk To Th3 Doc, Steve “The Doctor” Meek talks with Mark Mitford, Founder and Fractional HR Executive at HR Catalyst, about recruiting, onboarding, retention, leadership development, and why people problems are often growth problems in disguise.
    Mark explains why SMB leaders should always be building a talent pipeline, why a job posting is not the same as a job description, and how better onboarding and manager check-ins can help retain good people.
    For business owners, nonprofit leaders, municipal leaders, and DFW executives, this episode connects HR discipline with the same leadership habits that make technology, cybersecurity, and managed IT services work better: clarity, structure, communication, and trust.
    At The Fulcrum Group, Inc., we see the same pattern in IT. Whether through SPOT Managed IT Services, SPOT Managed Security Services, the STARPower Framework, or our No IT Jerks philosophy, healthy systems help good people do better work.
    Top Takeaway
    Equip leaders to lead effectively.
    Hiring gaps, onboarding gaps, and IT maturity gaps all point back to one leadership question: do we have a repeatable system, or are we relying on heroics?
    What We Cover
    • Why leaders should always be recruiting
    • The difference between job postings and job descriptions
    • How poor candidate communication hurts hiring
    • Why outdated job descriptions create bad outcomes
    • How AI and automation can help, but also miss good candidates
    • Why time-to-fill matters as an HR metric
    • How structured onboarding reduces turnover risk
    • Why leaders should re-recruit existing employees
    • Simple recognition habits that improve retention
    • Why promoted managers need leadership training
    • How trust grows through regular check-ins
    Episode Chapters
    00:00 – Introduction to HR insights
    03:06 – Current state of the job market
    06:01 – Recruiting strategies in uncertain times
    08:59 – Always be recruiting
    11:30 – Job posting vs. job description
    12:07 – Candidate communication matters
    14:56 – Structured interviews and scalable hiring
    19:59 – Automation and AI in recruiting
    22:28 – Keep job descriptions current
    24:05 – Time to fill as a key HR metric
    29:03 – Onboarding and productivity metrics
    31:39 – The cost of high turnover
    33:50 – Key elements of effective onboarding
    36:36 – Re-recruiting existing employees
    39:48 – Recognition and reward systems
    43:07 – Leadership development and engagement
    48:27 – Building trust in leadership
    54:05 – Balancing remote work and engagement
    58:32 – Final takeaways and resources
    Guest
    Mark Mitford
    Founder and Fractional HR Executive, HR Catalyst
    Website: https://hrcatalystconsulting.com
    LinkedIn: Search “Mark Mitford”
    Book mentioned: People Are Your Profit
    Resources Mentioned
    • HR Catalyst: https://hrcatalystconsulting.com
    • People Are Your Profit by Mark Mitford
    • Radical Candor by Kim Scott
    • Patrick Lencioni and The Table Group podcasts
    • HR Problem Solver Podcast
    Connect With The Fulcrum Group
    The Fulcrum Group, Inc. is a Keller, TX based provider of DFW Managed IT Services for SMBs, local governments, nonprofits, professional services firms, manufacturers, and growing organizations.
    Explore more episodes or schedule an initial consultation:
    https://www.fulcrumgroup.net/talk-to-th3-doc-podcast/
    Main website: https://www.fulcrumgroup.net/
    Phone: 817-337-0300
    Podcast link: https://pod.link/1807560282
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-fulcrum-group-inc.
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFulcrumGroupInc
    Subscribe, like, comment, and share this episode with another leader who wants stronger people systems, better technology alignment, and less business friction.
    #TalkToTh3Doc #HiringGaps #SMBLeadership #EmployeeRetention #EmployeeOnboarding #RecruitingStrategy #LeadershipDevelopment #HRCatalyst #MarkMitford #SteveMeek #TheFulcrumGroup #DFWBusiness #KellerTX #DFWManagedITServices #ManagedITServices #NoITJerks
    1 hr
  • Are Hidden Cash Flow Problems Holding Back Your Business? With Paul Whitley of C-Suite Support Ep. 141
    What if your business looks profitable on paper… but still struggles with cash flow, operational stress, or scaling challenges?
    In Episode 141 of Talk To Th3 Doc, Steve “The Doctor” Meek sits down with Paul Whitley, CEO and Fractional CFO at C-Suite Support, to unpack one of the biggest hidden threats facing growing organizations today: the gap between revenue and real financial clarity.
    Paul shares practical insight into:
    ✅ Cash flow forecasting
    ✅ Fractional CFO services
    ✅ Operational efficiency
    ✅ AI and automation
    ✅ Business valuation
    ✅ EOS and accountability
    ✅ Pricing and margin pressure
    ✅ Preparing companies for growth or acquisition
    💬 One of the most memorable quotes from the episode:
    “Run that thing like it’s for sale every single day.”
    If you’re an SMB owner, nonprofit leader, municipality, or executive trying to improve profitability, operational maturity, and long-term business value, this conversation delivers executive-level insight without the jargon.
    ________________________________________
    🩺 In This Episode
    ⏱️ Key Topics & Chapters
    00:00 – Welcome to the Doctor’s Office
    03:00 – Why Fractional CFO Services Are Growing
    05:53 – Hidden Cash Flow Problems in SMBs
    09:05 – Pricing, Margins & Financial Visibility
    14:15 – Preparing a Business for Sale
    18:06 – ERP, CRM & Operational Systems
    24:48 – Labor Costs & Workforce Challenges
    34:47 – Company Culture & Accountability
    41:33 – Insurance & Cost Reduction Opportunities
    43:50 – AI, Automation & Business Efficiency
    50:41 – Paul’s One Big Takeaway
    ________________________________________
    💡 Why This Matters
    Many organizations think growth automatically solves problems. In reality, growth often exposes hidden operational and financial weaknesses.
    Paul explains why:
    • profitable companies still run out of cash,
    • operational discipline matters,
    • and leaders need visibility before problems become crises.
    This episode is especially valuable for:
    ✔ SMB owners
    ✔ Executive leadership teams
    ✔ Municipal organizations
    ✔ Nonprofits
    ✔ Professional services firms
    ✔ Growing companies navigating AI and operational change
    ________________________________________
    📞 Connect with Paul Whitley
    🌐 Website:
    C-Suite Support
    📩 Email:
    🔗 LinkedIn:
    Search “Paul Whitley” on LinkedIn
    ________________________________________
    🎧 Listen & Subscribe
    🎧 Listen on your preferred platform:
    👉 https://pod.link/1807560282
    🌐 Explore more episodes:
    Talk To Th3 Doc Podcast
    📺 Watch more episodes:
    👉 https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLi1vcfxOUyUhHmTgOANWb7EUeNNHdlE0l&si=DRLQ9NjoXKdpnzYS
    ________________________________________
    🤝 Connect with The Fulcrum Group
    🌐 Website:
    The Fulcrum Group
    📩 Email:
    📞 Sales: 817-337-0300
    🔗 Steve Meek LinkedIn:
    Steve Meek LinkedIn
    ▶️ YouTube Channel:
    The Fulcrum Group YouTube Channel
    ________________________________________
    🔍 Suggested SEO Hashtags
    #TalkToTh3Doc
    #FractionalCFO
    #CashFlowManagement
    #BusinessGrowth
    #FinancialClarity
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    57 min
  • How to Build an SMB Cybersecurity Program With Peter Gailey Ep. 140
    🎙️ Talk To Th3 Doc – Episode 140
    What if your biggest cybersecurity risk is not a missing tool, but the lack of a real plan?
    In this episode of Talk To Th3 Doc, Steve “The Doctor” Meek sits down with Peter Gailey, CEO of Gailey Solutions LLC, to unpack what SMB leaders, nonprofit executives, municipalities, and growing organizations need to understand about cybersecurity strategy, compliance, business email compromise, cyber risk, and security maturity.
    💡 Top Takeaway:
    “Get a baseline. Just understand what you have.” — Peter Gailey
    If your organization cannot clearly identify its systems, assets, users, and risks, it is very hard to build a strong cybersecurity program. Peter explains why too many organizations are still playing cybersecurity “whack-a-mole” instead of taking a practical, structured, business-minded approach.
    What we cover:
    ✅ Cybersecurity trends affecting SMBs
    ✅ Why cybersecurity should be a CEO-level issue
    ✅ The role of NIST, CIS, ISO, HIPAA, and PCI
    ✅ Why business email compromise still works
    ✅ How policies, procedures, controls, and evidence fit together
    ✅ AI risk, third-party risk, and future governance concerns
    ✅ Why a baseline assessment is the best first move
    Guest Info
    Peter Gailey
    CEO, Gailey Solutions LLC
    🌐 https://www.gaileysolutions.com/
    🔗 http://www.linkedin.com/in/petergailey
    📞 214-336-1286
    Fulcrum Group Links
    🌐 Podcast Hub: https://www.fulcrumgroup.net/talk-to-th3-doc-podcast/
    🌐 Main Website: https://www.fulcrumgroup.net/
    📧 Email Steve: [email protected]
    📧 Sales: [email protected]
    📞 Sales: 817-337-0300
    🔗 Steve on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevemeekcissp/
    🔗 The Fulcrum Group on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-fulcrum-group-inc
    .
    ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFulcrumGroupInc
    🐦 X: https://twitter.com/TheFulcrumGroup
    📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheFulcrumGroup/
    🎧 Listen on your favorite podcast app:
    https://pod.link/1807560282
    Chapters
    00:00 Intro to Peter Gailey and cybersecurity for SMBs
    03:13 Cybersecurity trends and market consolidation
    09:06 Common blind spots for organizations
    11:54 Why baseline assessments matter
    15:09 Compliance frameworks and business risk
    20:09 NIST, ISO, and measuring maturity
    24:01 Ransomware and email compromise
    39:04 Business email compromise explained
    44:52 Controls, policies, procedures, and evidence
    50:59 Why cybersecurity belongs at the leadership level
    59:58 AI risk and third-party risk
    1:04:06 One Big Takeaway: get a baseline
    👍 If this episode helped you, please like, comment, subscribe, and share it with another business leader.
    #TalkToTh3Doc #Cybersecurity #SMBCybersecurity #ManagedIT #DFWBusiness #RiskManagement #BusinessLeadership
    58 min
  • How to Fix Random Acts of Marketing With William Collins | Ep. 139
    🎙️ Talk To Th3 Doc – Episode 139
    In this episode of Talk To Th3 Doc, Steve “The Doctor” Meek sits down with William Collins, Partner and Chief Marketing Officer at Chief Outsiders, to unpack why so many growing organizations stay busy but still struggle to grow.
    If your company keeps saying, “We need more leads,” this episode may help you find the real issue. William explains why stalled growth often comes from missing strategy, weak alignment, poor measurement, or random acts of marketing that never connect to real business results.
    💡 Top Takeaway:
    Do we have the right strategy, the right team, and the willingness to make the investment? That was William’s core challenge to leaders trying to break through stalled growth.
    What we cover
    Why “more leads” is often not the real problem
    What random acts of marketing look like inside real organizations
    Why buyers want to self-educate before talking to sales
    How sales and marketing alignment impacts revenue
    Which business and marketing metrics leaders should actually watch
    How reverse pipeline thinking helps teams work backward from revenue goals
    Why ideal customer profile and customer pain points matter so much
    How leaders should think about strategy, team capability, and investment before expecting growth
    Why this matters
    This conversation is especially useful for SMB owners, nonprofit leaders, city managers, and executive decision-makers who want better growth strategy, better leadership alignment, and more measurable business outcomes. The lessons apply beyond marketing, because strategy, accountability, and clear priorities matter in every part of the business.
    Guest
    William Collins
    Partner and Chief Marketing Officer
    Chief Outsiders
    🔗 https://www.chiefoutsiders.com/profile/william-collins
    🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-collins
    📞 214-542-5166
    Connect with Steve and Fulcrum
    🌐 Podcast page: https://www.fulcrumgroup.net/talk-to-th3-doc-podcast/
    🎧 Listen on your favorite platform: https://pod.link/1807560282
    📩 Email Steve: [email protected]
    🔗 Steve on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevemeekcissp/
    🌐 The Fulcrum Group: https://www.fulcrumgroup.net/
    Subscribe
    If this episode gave you something useful, subscribe, like, comment, and share it with another leader who needs a little less noise and a little more clarity.
    Hashtags
    #TalkToTh3Doc #WilliamCollins #ChiefOutsiders #MarketingStrategy #BusinessGrowth #RevenueGrowth #SalesAndMarketingAlignment #FractionalCMO #DFWBusiness #Leadership #SMBStrategy #ManagedITServicesDFW #KellerTX
    Suggested YouTube Tags
    Talk To Th3 Doc, William Collins, Chief Outsiders, marketing strategy, random acts of marketing, business growth, fractional CMO, sales and marketing alignment, growth strategy, revenue generation, SMB leadership, DFW business podcast, Steve Meek, managed IT services DFW, Keller Texas business
    Suggested pinned comment
    👉 Like this conversation? Watch more episodes here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLi1vcfxOUyUhHmTgOANWb7EUeNNHdlE0l&si=DRLQ9NjoXKdpnzYS
    🎧 Prefer audio? Listen here: https://pod.link/1807560282
    54 min
  • Why Great Leaders Must Sell the Why | Phil McShan | Ep. 138
    What are you really selling to your team every day?
    In Episode 138 of Talk To Th3 Doc, Steve “The Doctor” Meek sits down with Phil McShan, founder of Innsider Innovation, to unpack a leadership truth that hits SMB owners, executives, and managers right between the eyes: if you lead people, you are in sales. Phil’s message is simple, leaders are always selling belief, clarity, consistency, and action.
    This conversation is for leaders who feel like their team has good people, a decent plan, and plenty of effort, but execution still gets wobbly. Phil explains why strategy alone is not enough, why communication has to carry the why, and why coaching is one of the strongest forms of influence a leader has. As Phil put it, “when you’re coaching, you’re closing.”
    What you’ll learn
    Why leadership is really about influence, not just authority
    Why teams need both the belief side and the strategy side
    How better communication improves buy-in and execution
    Why coaching mindset matters as much as coaching behavior
    How leaders can build stronger culture, accountability, and performance
    Chapters
    00:00 Intro
    01:10 Meet Phil McShan
    03:45 Why all leaders are in sales
    08:40 Selling belief and strategy
    13:20 Leadership, influence, and communication
    21:10 Mindset, buy-in, and change
    30:35 Culture, hiring, and coachability
    38:50 Developing top performers
    46:20 “When you’re coaching, you’re closing”
    50:10 Phil’s one big takeaway
    53:00 Additional prescriptions for leaders
    55:30 How to connect with Phil
    Guest CTA
    Phil’s challenge to listeners:
    Take a fresh look at your leadership and ask, “What am I selling to my team right now, and is it working?” He also invites leaders to identify one mindset shift and one behavior shift that would improve how they lead.
    Connect with Phil McShan
    🌐 www.InnsiderInnovation.com
    📞 817-996-8641
    🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philmcshan/
    📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/phil.mcshan
    Connect with Steve and The Fulcrum Group
    🌐 Podcast hub: https://www.fulcrumgroup.net/talk-to-th3-doc-podcast/
    🔗 Steve on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevemeekcissp/
    📞 Sales: 817-337-0300
    🌐 Main Website: https://www.fulcrumgroup.net/
    Listen on
    🎧 Apple Podcasts
    🎧 Spotify
    🎧 iHeartRadio
    🎧 Pocket Casts
    🎧 Amazon Music
    If you enjoy practical leadership, business strategy, and technology conversations built for SMB leaders, subscribe, like, comment, and share this episode.
    51 min

About Talk to Th3 Doc with Steve Meek

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Talk to Th3 Doc with Steve Meek is designed for executives seeking to learn from a balance of business and technology experts, focused on helping SMBs through practical, high-level insights. Hosted by Steve 'The Doctor' Meek, an experienced business owner and technology strategist, episodes break down complex topics in General Business, Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence and Technical Support, into clear, actionable conversations tailored for leadership decision-making. These include topics as varied as HR, the economy, leadership, culture and executive health.