I’ve been a Patrick Lencioni fan for years. His last book is The Motive and it was released during COVID. Is it his best book? Why did he write it? Where does it fit with his other great books on organizational health? Brian Jones is a friend of Lencioni and one of the consultants for his professional services firm, The Table Group. Brian provides a great perspective to these questions and more.
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Finley Ball vs Moneyball
This show is being added to the podcast universe during the 2021 World Series between the Atlanta Braves and the Houston Astros. While I fear isolating a financial-based audience, I needed to rationalize my way into doing a baseball-related show. Since nearly every business reader I know has read Moneyball, why not do a show based on a great book written by Nancy Finley entitled Finley Ball? Expect three big business takeaways from this interview.
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The Nuts and Bolts of ESOPs with Jess Helvik
I first learned about ESOPs in the 1990s after reading The Great Game of Business by Jack Stack. Since then, I’ve been fascinated with these unique benefit plans that can lead to tremendous wealth generation for the employee participants of these plans. Yet, some 25 years later, I still find myself continually learning new things about ESOPs. I’m also puzzled by the lack of awareness regarding the ‘what’ and ‘why’ of ESOPs.
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Is Atomic Habits Overrated?
Is Atomic Habits by James Clear overrated and worth reading? Atomic Habits could very well become one of the most popular self-help books of all time as it’s remained on many best-selling lists since it was released a few years ago. I’ve asked my friend and fellow CFO, Bruce Reed of PracticeLink to go all bookclub in this discussion as we break down the big ideas in this book and determine its applicability in the business.
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Beyond the Wall of Resistance with Rick Maurer
Dealing or coping with change is one of the most difficult challenges for any financial leader to manage during times of change – either for themselves or those they lead, mentor, or coach. Rick Maurer is the author of Beyond the Wall of Resistance which includes important constructs like the three levels of resistance and the change cycle. During this conversation, Rick provides advice and guidance on how to address change in the workplace.
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Achieving Great Results Through the 3HAG Way
Every business reader has heard of a BHAG thanks to the writing of Jim Collins. But do you know how to achieve a BHAG? Successful entrepreneur, consultant, author, and speaker, Shannon Susko, has found that answer through her 3HAG framework and supporting execution tools. If you love the writing of Verne Harnish, then you’ll enjoy listening to Shannon whose enthusiasm is infectious.
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Distressed Investing Gone Wrong
If you liked the book, Barbarians at the Gate, then you’ll enjoy The Ceasars Palace Coup. Max Frumes is one of the co-authors of this work of narrative non-fiction. We learn more about what went wrong when the investors levered Harrah’s with nearly $27 billion in debt when they took the gaming business private. Think you have a handle on bankruptcy? You might change your mind after this one as you learn about the winners and losers in the process.
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Dr. Edwin Locke On Goals and Prime Movers
Everything you know or have studied about goals is probably resting on the research conducted by Dr. Edwin Locke and his co-contributor in the late 1960s. Dr. Locke has also written a book similar to Good to Great entitled, The Prime Movers. During this interview, we revisit some of Dr. Locke’s key findings on goal theory, and the characteristics shaping the prime movers in the business environment.
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Ron Baker on the Value of Intellectual Property
One of Mark’s favorite books in 2021 has been Mind Over Matter by Ron Baker, a best-selling author and the co-host of The Soul of Enterprise weekly radio show. In this show, we discuss why studying intellectual capital is important along with its three primary components – human, structural, and social. As Ron says, there’s nothing more pragmatic than a good theory. Accordingly, our chat is far from conceptual or abstract.
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Gary Harpst on Strategy and Execution
Gary Harpst should need no introduction within the accounting and finance world. Gary is one of three co-founders of Solomon Software which was ultimately acquired by Great Plains (and Microsoft later acquired Great Plains). Gary then did a deep dive into the success traits of small businesses. His research turned into a consulting firm and two books centered around Six Disciplines. During this show, we talk about VFOs, strategy, limited resources, and much more.
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