Explore every episode of the podcast CEO Growth Talks

In this episode of CEO Growth Talks, Pete Hayes speaks with Professor Leigh McAlister about the "Growth Gears" framework from their collaborative research. Professor Leigh reveals how marketing proficiency is integral to company growth, offering insights on strategy, customer understanding, and the role of marketing authority in driving success.

Key Takeaways:

• The insights from Growth Gears offers a pivotal model encompassing insight, strategy, and execution, crucial for driving business growth.
• Different organizational structures grant varying levels of authority to marketing, impacting a company’s strategic potential.
• Using the Growth Gears as a textbook aids in imparting complex marketing concepts effectively to non-marketing students.
• Building insight and aligning it with corporate strategy can mitigate the blind spots in operationally-focused firms, enabling more competitive growth.
• Companies with a marketing-driven focus at the management level tend to grow faster, highlighting the importance of marketing’s influence.

In this episode of CEO Growth Talks, host Pete Hayes interviews Nate Agentis, CEO of Agentis Plumbing and founder of Plumbing CEO. Nate shares his journey of scaling a family business founded by his grandfather, highlighting strategic growth through technology, data, and AI. He also discusses his coaching platform aimed at empowering service plumbers and offers insights on resilient leadership during personal challenges.

“I've learned the importance of thinking ahead, making sure you have the right peers, surrounding yourself with the right people, and having a strategic plan because you’re just not sure when change or crisis will come.” - Nate Agentis

Nate Agentis highlights leadership driven by purpose and passion, urging CEOs to reconnect with their “why” and align professional goals with personal values. He fosters a participatory culture, making employees feel valued, fueling innovation, and driving growth at Agentis Plumbing. Nate’s company journey, supported by initiatives like Plumbing CEO, shows the power of blending tradition with forward-thinking, human-centered leadership.

In this episode of CEO Growth Talks, host Pete Hayes interviews Tom Cassara, CEO of Agilis. Tom discusses Agilis' rise in financial consulting, focusing on risk management and client-centric solutions for organizations managing over $10M in assets. He highlights the firm's evolution through a buyout, fostering team creativity and collaboration to drive growth, and his leadership approach prioritizing adaptability, client trust, and decision-making speed.

In this episode of CEO Growth Talks, Pete Hayes interviews Michael Waxman-Lenz, CEO of the American Technion Society, who reflects on his shift from corporate to nonprofit leadership. He stresses the need to modernize philanthropic approaches and shares valuable insights on managing crises, adapting to generational shifts, and integrating corporate metrics with mission-focused, trust-building practices. He also underscores the significance of mission-driven initiatives, effective management, and fostering open communication as vital for success across various sectors in today's changing landscape.

In the latest episode of CEO Growth Talks, Pete Hayes interviews Kyle Buckett, CSDO and Co-Founder of Stealth Energy Startup, Co-Founder of Culture Force, and author of the book “Leadership is Overrated.” Kyle challenges traditional leadership norms, emphasizing the value of self-led teams over individual leadership. Drawing from his Navy SEAL and business experience, he advocates for team empowerment and a culture of collaboration to enhance business performance.

“Creating a self-led team begins with changing from inside out and ensuring that, as a leader, you are not creating an environment where you are relied on for every single decision.” - Kyle Buckett

Kyle Buckett’s insights emphasize that shifting to self-led teams, focusing on culture improvement, and fostering magnet cultures are key to long-term business success and employee satisfaction. By embracing these principles, organizations can effectively navigate challenges, empower their teams, and thrive in a competitive marketplace.

Follow Kyle Buckett on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylebuckett

Follow Pete Hayes on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/petehayescmo/

In the latest CEO Growth Talks episode, Pete Hayes interviews Cameron Brown, Co-Owner of Einstein Moving Company. Cameron talks about their journey in scaling Einstein Moving Co., highlighting key lessons learned along the way. He discusses starting in different industries and overcoming growth challenges and stresses the importance of clear communication, financial savvy, and constant innovation for maintaining success during fast business growth.

"We saw the opportunity to bring some technology and fresh perspective to the moving industry. We saw a gap, and we figured we could go after it." - Cameron Brown

Cameron Brown's insights underscore the keys to business success: strategic vision, financial acumen, and effective leadership are crucial. He highlights the importance of clear communication, fiscal responsibility, and cultivating a solid company culture. These factors foster growth and enhance resilience in today's ever-changing markets.

Follow Cameron Brown on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameron-brown-171a821b/

Follow Pete Hayes on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/petehayescmo/

In the latest episode of CEO Growth Talks, host Pete Hayes is joined by Ellen Wood, the CEO, founder, and president of VCFO, who shares insights into her journey and the evolution of her company. Ellen, who pioneered the concept of virtual CFOs nearly 28 years ago, reflects on how VCFO has grown and adapted over the years - from the initial skepticism she faced with the fractional model and how her vision eventually became a widely accepted industry practice.

"More executives see opportunities to take their expertise into a fractional role, and they’re more comfortable doing that because of the technology support that they have and the adoption of fractional as an acceptable alternative to an in-house executive role." - Ellen Wood

Ellen’s leadership style emphasizes collaboration, empowerment, and community involvement and has been integral to the company’s success. Find out the practices and tools she’s found helpful along the path to scaling her business, particularly through challenging times like the pandemic, and how she fosters a company culture that prioritizes client success and employee engagement.

Follow Ellen Wood on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellenewood/

Follow Pete Hayes on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/petehayescmo/