Episode 110 features Gary Cokins, an expert in enterprise and corporate performance management.  Gary emphasizes the importance of embracing accounting and finance practices that move beyond traditional methods to focus on financial transparency, risk management, and the strategic implementation of activity-based costing. 

The conversation explores misconceptions in accounting methods, differentiating tax accounting, external financial reporting, and internal management accounting.  Gary advocates using the latter with emphasis on logical cause-and-effect relationships.  The key method discussed is activity-based costing, breaking down overhead into cost pools with cause-and-effect relationships, illustrated through examples like a restaurant bill-splitting analogy.

Real-life examples showcase the strategic and operational benefits of progressive accounting methods. The discussion also highlights the importance of measuring customer profitability, challenging the belief that the largest customer in sales is the most profitable.  Overall, the episode emphasizes the value of activity-based costing in achieving accurate and insightful financial information for better decision-making.

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This podcast is about you and your education about risk management.

When everyone's eyes are focused on the next sale, high-impact, low-visibility risks often get overlooked …we call these Blind Spots. These blind spots cause 'WHAT THE R*SK!' moments.

So, join us on this journey, as we learn to ask the right questions, expose potential pitfalls, and turn those 'WHAT THE R*SK!' moments into 'I've got this!' victories."

Become a Blind Spot Insider for exclusive access to upcoming episodes and the opportunity to submit questions and suggestions.

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LinkedIn

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Listen now to Episode 109 – Freelance Management– Jodi McPherson founder of Work Simplr shares experiences as a seasoned professional in talent management and Edtech.

This episode explores freelance management's intricacies, emphasizing clarity, task-oriented approaches, and aligning talent with project needs.  Jodi's insights offer actionable advice for businesses navigating the evolving landscape of freelancers and interns efficiently.

With a commitment to paying it forward, Jodi guides individuals, especially college students, through career challenges.

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What the R*SK! is an interview-based podcast series hosted by Larry Gordon, CAMS that provides an opportunity to increase your risk awareness and be able to think more holistically about business risks.

Become a Blind Spot Insider for exclusive access to upcoming episodes and the opportunity to submit questions and suggestions.

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LinkedIn

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During this episode, advertising and marketing expert Scott Harkey of The Harkey Group shares experiences as a leader of consumer-centric agencies determined to improve a brand's customer experience.

Scott engages in a thought-provoking discussion on various marketing and advertising topics. The key takeaways include the importance of building strong, long-term client-agency relationships, focusing on experiential marketing for customer retention, and being mindful of allocating resources to retain valuable customers. To explore these ideas in depth and get a better understanding of the nuanced marketing strategies, it is highly recommended to listen to the full podcast.  

This episode is a valuable resource for anyone interested in marketing and business growth. Don't miss out on the valuable insights shared in this conversation - tune in to the podcast for the full scoop!

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This podcast is about you and your education about risk management.

When everyone's eyes are focused on the next sale, the high-impact, low-visibility risks often get overlooked …we call these Blind Spots. These blind spots cause 'WHAT THE R*SK!' moments.

So, join us on this journey, as we learn to ask the right questions, expose potential pitfalls, and turn those 'WHAT THE R*SK!' moments into 'I've got this!' victories."

Become a Blind Spot Insider for exclusive access to upcoming episodes and the opportunity to submit questions and suggestions.

Website

LinkedIn

YouTube

During this episode, legal experts Rachael L. Rodman and Matthew J. Schonauer of the Ulmer & Berne law firm delve into the world of intellectual property (IP) law and discover how businesses can protect their valuable assets.

Rachael and Matthew share their expertise on various aspects of IP law in a relatable and accessible manner.  They explore the intricacies of trademarks, patents, trade secrets, and more.  You'll gain a deeper understanding of the fundamental principles that underpin IP protection, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in safeguarding their creative and innovative endeavors.

They emphasize the importance of proactive measures to safeguard your intellectual property, all while sharing intriguing real-world anecdotes and cautionary tales.  Additionally, they discuss a recent Supreme Court case that altered long-standing IP precedent, offering critical lessons on international IP protection and risk mitigation.

Don't miss the chance to gain valuable insights and stay ahead in the realm of intellectual property.

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When everyone's eyes are focused on the next sale, the high-impact, low-visibility risks often get overlooked …we call these Blind Spots. These blind spots cause 'WHAT THE R*SK!' moments.

So, join us on this journey, as we learn to ask the right questions, expose potential pitfalls, and turn those 'WHAT THE R*SK!' moments into 'I've got this!' victories."

Become a Blind Spot Insider for exclusive access to upcoming episodes and the opportunity to submit questions and suggestions.

Website

LinkedIn

YouTube

Episode 106 with Dawn Cunningham, Chief Insights Officer & Customer Experience subject matter expert, delves into the significance of consumer insights as a powerful tool for understanding customer behavior and driving business success.  Dawn explains how consumer insights go far beyond marketing, extending into product development, innovation, and risk management.  She emphasizes the need to identify and address potential risk blind spots in business strategies.  Dawn sheds light on the dynamic nature of consumer preferences, stressing the importance of staying attuned to evolving trends, which can ultimately shape the destiny of businesses.

Additionally, Dawn provides valuable insights into the integration of technology, data analytics, and artificial intelligence in the realm of consumer insights, highlighting their role in extracting actionable intelligence from vast amounts of data.  She encourages businesses to embrace change and adapt to the ever-shifting landscape of consumer behavior, fostering resilience and success in a competitive marketplace.  

This insightful conversation offers a roadmap for businesses to navigate the complexities of consumer insights and leverage them as a strategic advantage for growth and risk mitigation.

Dawn works with and can be reached through SIVO Insights. (www.sivoinsights.com)

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This podcast is about you and your education about risk management.

When everyone's eyes are focused on the next sale, high-impact, low-visibility risks often get overlooked …we call these Blind Spots. These blind spots cause 'WHAT THE R*SK!' moments.

So, join us on this journey, as we learn to ask the right questions, expose potential pitfalls, and turn those 'WHAT THE R*SK!' moments into 'I've got this!' victories."

Become a Blind Spot Insider for exclusive access to upcoming episodes and the opportunity to submit questions and suggestions.

Website

LinkedIn

YouTube

During Episode 105 – Information Security we visit with James Azar, a CISO & CTO, Cyber 2021 40 under 40, and CyberHub podcast host. 

James is an Entrepreneurial CISO with 20 years of diverse background both startups and larger enterprises, leading information security and engineering teams.

During this episode we discuss the role of cybersecurity in organizations, building a strong culture for cybersecurity, and expose a few myths.  We also talk about resiliency and having a customer communication plan in case of an adverse event.

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This podcast is about you and your education about risk management.

When everyone's eyes are focused on the next sale, high-impact, low-visibility risks often get overlooked …we call these Blind Spots. These blind spots cause 'WHAT THE R*SK!' moments.

So, join us on this journey, as we learn to ask the right questions, expose potential pitfalls, and turn those 'WHAT THE R*SK!' moments into 'I've got this!' victories."

Become a Blind Spot Insider for exclusive access to upcoming episodes and the opportunity to submit questions and suggestions.

Website

LinkedIn

YouTube

During Episode 104 – Investment Evaluation we visit with Mark November, an impact investor that has been operating and investing in businesses for over 50 years.  He is a Board Member, Founder, Accelerator, Mentor, runs his Family Office, and is a moonshot investor.

Mark is currently the Founder of Venture Starters, the largest community of startup founders, investors, and people who want to join startup teams.

During this information-rich episode we discuss various types of risks that become obstacles for start-ups and growth companies from an investor’s point of view. 

The conversation was extensive and the insights abundant, so we minimized editing and decided to split it into two podcast episodes while leaving the YouTube version in its original length.

Key takeaways include:

·       Develop the right tools and resources for success that enable your business to move beyond the “being stuck” points in the growth cycle.

·       Identifying the red flags that may give investors concern.

·       Venture Starters a forum for founders, investors, and supporters to come together.

While this episode has a focus on business leaders and investors, bankers and lenders will gain insights that may assist them navigating through this period of higher interest rates and better understanding how to identify successful borrowers.

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This podcast is about you and your education about risk management.

When everyone's eyes are focused on the next sale, the high-impact, low-visibility risks often get overlooked…we call these Blind Spots. These blind spots cause 'WHAT THE R*SK!' moments.

So, join us on this journey, as we learn to ask the right questions, expose potential pitfalls, and turn those 'WHAT THE R*SK!' moments into 'I've got this!' victories."

Become a Blind Spot Insider for exclusive access to upcoming episodes and the opportunity to submit questions and suggestions.

Website

LinkedIn

YouTube

During Episode 103 – Financial Institutions in the Current Environment we visit with Bill Isaac who has had an unparalleled career serving as Chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) during the banking crises of the 1980s as well as Chairman of Fifth Third Bancorp during the Great Recession.

During this extended episode we will discuss the current banking environment, gain insights about how to manage risks for banks and some insights for operating businesses.

Key takeaways include:

• Understanding recent bank failures in the context of the bank failures of the 1980s and the Great Recession.
• Lessons learned from Bill’s time at the FDIC and applicability to today’s regulatory environment
• Top risks and insights for banks

While this episode has a focus on banking, business leaders and investors will gain insights that may assist them navigating through this period of higher interest rates and better understanding how to work with their bankers. 

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This podcast is about you and your education about risk management.

When everyone's eyes are focused on the next sale, the high-impact, low-visibility risks often get overlooked …we call these Blind Spots. These blind spots cause 'WHAT THE R*SK!' moments.

So, join us on this journey, as we learn to ask the right questions, expose potential pitfalls, and turn those 'WHAT THE R*SK!' moments into 'I've got this!' victories."

Become a Blind Spot Insider for exclusive access to upcoming episodes and the opportunity to submit questions and suggestions.

Website

LinkedIn

YouTube

Episode 102 is a Bonus episode that covers the foundational aspects of risk management. This will be useful during future episodes of WHAT THE R*SK!

We cover:

• What risk IS and what risk IS NOT. As well as clarifying common misconceptions of risk.
• Nine characteristics of a strong risk culture, along with red flags to watch out for.
• How to measure risk and the application of risk measurement.

This Episode 102 is a supplement to the podcast series and is intended to help build your understanding of the risk framework.

Some of our listeners may already have that knowledge, but others may not.

Episode 102 is very heavy on information nuggets and should be used as an ongoing reference. 

As a further supplement to this Bonus episode, we created an e-book to go along with this episode for Blind Spot Insiders. It has additional detail, graphics, and worksheets for you to use in identification of risk.  

Go to www.riskblindspots.com to become a Blind Spot Insider and download the e-book Foundations of Risk Management.

This podcast is about you and your education about risk management.

With nearly 30 years working within the financial services industry at organizations ranging from large banks to FinTech start-ups, I have had the opportunity to hold executive leadership roles across the three lines of risk defense:

• Customer-facing business line management
• Corporate Compliance and Risk
• Independent Review

These experiences as a senior risk and compliance professional have enabled me to apply both breadth and depth of expertise to foster a holistic approach to enterprise risk management that I am looking to share with you.

Website

LinkedIn

YouTube

With nearly 30 years working within the financial services industry at organizations ranging from large banks to FinTech start-ups, I have had the opportunity to hold executive leadership roles across the three lines of risk defense.

These experiences as a senior risk and compliance professional have enabled me to apply both breadth and depth of expertise to foster a holistic approach to enterprise risk management that I am looking to share with you.

This podcast is about you and your education about risk management.

When everyone's eyes are focused on the next sale, the high-impact, low-visibility risks often get overlooked…we call these Blind Spots. These blind spots cause 'WHAT THE R*SK!' moments.

So, join us on this journey, as we learn to ask the right questions, expose potential pitfalls, and turn those 'WHAT THE R*SK!' moments into 'I've got this!' victories." 

Become a Blind Spot Insider for exclusive access to upcoming episodes and the opportunity to submit questions and suggestions.

Website

LinkedIn

YouTube

Copyright 2025 Larry Gordon, CAMS