40 Strategy Blog

In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J Cox welcomes back Adi Klevit from Business Success Consulting Group. They discuss how strong systems, clear processes, and smart use of AI help businesses grow faster and operate better.  Adi explains why documented procedures matter, how leaders can improve hiring and workflows, and why AI still needs human oversight. She also shares trends she sees in the market and how business owners can stay efficient without adding chaos.  If you want stronger operations and better results, this episode is packed with practical advice. Listen now. Connect with Adi:  Website:  https://www.bizsuccesscg.com/   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adiklevit/   Check out this episode!

In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J Cox talks with Alex Smith, founder of Basic Arts and author of No Bullsht Strategy*. They discuss why many companies chase being better when they should focus on being different.  Alex explains how businesses can cut through noise, build clear positioning, and create real competitive advantage. He also shares why simple strategy often works better than overcomplicated plans.  If you lead a business, manage a team, or want smarter growth decisions, this episode is for you. Listen now and rethink how your company stands out. Connect with Alex:  LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-m-h-smith/   Twitter https://x.com/smithesq   Book No Bullsh*t Strategy Book Link https://basicarts.org/book/   Website https://basicarts.org/   Check out this episode!

In this episode, Carl sits down with George Sandmann of Growth Drive to discuss how business owners can increase the value of their company by building strategic capacity. They explore the gap between what owners think their business is worth and what it could be worth. The conversation highlights how improving leadership, systems, and execution can increase valuation multiples and create predictable growth. Key takeaways: Strategic capacity drives higher business value Revenue alone does not determine worth Most businesses are too dependent on the owner Private equity rewards structure and discipline Exit outcomes depend on preparation, not timing If you want to build a business that creates long-term wealth and runs without you, this episode gives you a clear path. Listen now and apply one idea this week. Connect with George:  Guest Assets:   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-sandmann/  Book:  The Growth-Driving Advisor: Proven S...

In this episode, Carl speaks with Will Spengler about what it takes to build success that lasts. They discuss the role of discipline, clarity, and execution in business and leadership. Many people focus on ideas, but this conversation highlights the importance of systems and consistent action. Key takeaways include: • Why clarity drives better decisions • The role of discipline in long-term success • How systems improve performance • What separates high performers from others This episode offers a practical look at how to think, act, and lead with purpose. Listen now and apply these ideas to your own work. Connect with Will:  LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-spengler-2193433a/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FrederickFoxGroup/   Website https://frederickfox.com/   Check out this episode!

In this episode, Carl speaks with Mike Garrison about referral-based sales and how service businesses grow. Mike shares why most sales approaches fail and how business owners must shift their thinking from price to lifetime value. He explains how referrals should be treated as a system, not a hope. Key takeaways include: • Why predictable referrals matter • How buyers think about long-term value • The role of trust in high-value sales • Why sales is the core of every business This episode gives a clear and direct look at how to improve your sales process. Listen now and rethink how you grow your business. Connect with Mike:  LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikegarrisoncaniborrowyourcar/   Facebook https://www.facebook.com/mike.garrison.73   Book Can I Borrow Your Car:  How Financial Advisors Can Grow Their Business And Love Their Life Book Link https://www.amazon.com/Can-Borrow-Your-Car-Successful/dp/B0BKSCTHL7/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8...

In this episode, Carl speaks with Jon Ostenson about franchising, business ownership, and the shift happening in today’s workforce. As AI reshapes jobs, many professionals are exploring ways to build their own income streams. Jon shares what he sees across the market and what separates successful business owners from those who struggle. Key takeaways include: • Why following a proven system matters • The role of mindset in business success • How “non-sexy” businesses can drive strong returns • What to expect when transitioning from employee to owner This episode gives a clear look at risk, opportunity, and long-term income strategy. Listen now and start thinking about your next move. Connect with Jon:  LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonostenson/   Facebook https://www.facebook.com/JonOstenson1   Book Non-Food Franchising: https://www.amazon.com/Non-Food-Franchising-Better-Business-Ownership/dp/B0BJNDCGN4 Website https://franbridgeconsulting.com/ ...

In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J. Cox speaks with Dr. Tracy Gapin, founder of the Gapin Institute and a leading expert in executive health and performance. After years of success in traditional medicine, Dr. Gapin realized that many high-performing professionals were neglecting their own health while pursuing business success.  The conversation explores how stress, poor sleep, hormones, and lifestyle habits affect leadership performance and long-term health. Key takeaways include: • Why many entrepreneurs wait until health problems appear • How small daily habits can improve energy and focus • The role of sleep, hormones, and stress in performance • Why leaders must align their health with their purpose If you lead a business, team, or organization, this episode will challenge you to rethink how you measure success. Listen now and start building a strategy for both business and health. Connect with Tracy:  LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/t...

In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J. Cox sits down with business strategist and performance coach Ashley Shaw. Ashley shares how she transitioned from the fitness industry into entrepreneurship and built a thriving business focused on helping entrepreneurs scale smarter through systems, recurring revenue, and AI-driven processes.  Key insights from this episode include: • Why entrepreneurs must deeply understand their ideal customer • How recurring revenue creates financial freedom • The role mindset plays in scaling a business • How Ashley reduced marketing costs by $384,000 using AI Ashley also shares lessons from her entrepreneurial journey, including moving to Vietnam to start an online business and building a seven-figure company. Listen to the full episode to learn how strategy, systems, and AI can transform the way you run your business. Connect with Ashley:  LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/theashleyshaw/ Facebook https://www.facebook....

Economic headlines move fast. Strategy requires context. In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J. Cox speaks with economist Dr. Bill Connerly about the trends shaping business decisions today. The conversation covers tariffs, supply chain strategy, artificial intelligence, workforce shifts, and energy markets. Dr. Connerly explains why tariffs rarely trigger immediate recession but can reshape sourcing decisions across industries. Companies are shifting toward supply chain reliability after years of disruption. The episode also explores the real impact of AI in business. The greatest productivity gains will come from specialized tools built for specific problems, not just general AI chat systems. Carl and Bill also discuss energy disruption, global uncertainty, and what business leaders should watch as they plan for the next decade. Listen to the episode and consider how economic signals shape your strategy. Author of the book: The Flexible Stance: Thriving in a B...

In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J. Cox speaks with Steve Griggs, founder of Steve Griggs Design, one of New York City’s premier luxury landscape design-build firms.  steve-carl (1) Steve shares how he built a successful company after starting in the lawn care business at age 16. With more than 30 years of experience, he explains what it takes to manage high expectations, lead construction teams, and deliver exceptional results. Key takeaways include: • Why successful clients value honesty and execution • How focusing on one project at a time improves outcomes • The importance of respect and leadership on job sites • Why entrepreneurs must embrace visibility and personal branding Steve also shares lessons about hiring, leadership, and the importance of being present for family. Listen to the episode to learn how strong leadership and consistent execution build lasting success. Guest Assets:   LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevegriggsd...

AI is accelerating innovation—but it is not a substitute for strategy. In this episode, Carl J. Cox speaks with Josh Carter, co-founder of Upstart Collective, about what founders must understand to build sustainable companies. Josh shares insights from working with early-stage startups, including why chasing trends weakens businesses and how defensible value is created. The conversation covers AI misuse, founder blind spots, customer discovery, fundraising realities, and why execution still separates winners from noise. This episode is a must-listen for founders, operators, and leaders navigating innovation pressure. Listen now and rethink how you build for long-term value. Josh's LinkedIn  https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuajcarter/   Josh's Website  http://upstartcollective.org     Check out this episode!

Selling a business is not a simple transaction. It is a strategic event that often defines an owner’s financial future. In this episode, Carl J. Cox speaks with Gregory Kovsky, President and CEO of International Business Associates, about what it really takes to sell a privately held business. Gregory shares insights from more than three decades of deal experience, including why only a fraction of businesses ever sell and what separates those that do. The discussion covers buyer demand, valuation mistakes, financing hurdles, and the risks behind earn-outs and retained equity. This episode is essential listening for owners who want to understand their options before going to market. Listen now and start planning your exit with clarity. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregory-kovsky-460aab7/   Website https://ibainc.com/ Check out this episode!

In this episode, Carl sits down with Ashish Gupta, founder of ScaleUp Exec, to discuss business turnarounds, leadership decisions, and culture resets. Ashish shares how he acquired a struggling company, realized innovation had stopped, and eventually rebuilt the team to change the company’s trajectory. Key takeaways: Why the business must come first How to identify thinking leaders during interviews The role of systems before people and process When AI tools help — and when they fail How founders define success differently This episode offers practical insights for entrepreneurs and operators who want alignment between strategy and execution. Listen now and start measuring your success. Guest Assets:   LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashish-gup/   Website https://scaleupexec.com/     Check out this episode!

High-stakes initiatives fail more than 80% of the time, yet leaders still have to pursue them to grow. In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J. Cox talks with John Rossman, former Amazon executive and author of Big Bet Leadership, about how leaders should approach bold, risky transformation efforts in the age of AI. John shares why leaders must stop chasing predictability, treat strategy as a set of hypotheses, and focus on one critical bet at a time. The discussion covers AI strategy, experimentation, leadership discipline, and how organizations avoid dilution of focus. This episode is for executives, operators, and entrepreneurs responsible for leading real change. 🎧 Listen now and measure success differently. John Rossman Links:  LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-rossman/   Facebook https://www.facebook.com/rossmanpartners Website http://rossmanpartners.com/ Check out this episode!

AI is everywhere, but most businesses are using it the wrong way. In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J. Cox sits down with Eli Portnoy, co-founder and CEO of BackEngine.ai, to talk about the real gap between AI hype and real-world results. Eli explains why generic AI outputs fail, why context matters more than tools, and how sales and go-to-market strategies must evolve in a crowded, low-trust environment. They also discuss how outbound sales has changed, why easy channels stop working, and what leaders can do today to build relevance, trust, and long-term growth. If you want a clear, practical conversation about AI, strategy, and modern business execution, this episode delivers. Listen now and learn how to apply AI with intention. https://www.linkedin.com/in/eliportnoy/ https://www.backengine.com/ Check out this episode!

This episode is sponsored by Altezza Solutions , liberating entrepreneurs through fractional sales execution. Today, Steve helps growth-stage companies break through revenue barriers while giving founders the freedom to focus on building extraordinary businesses.   Founder-led businesses often grow fast, then stall. In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl Cox sits down with Steve Caton, Founder and CEO of Altezza Solutions, to discuss why sales becomes the biggest bottleneck for growing companies. Steve shares why hiring salespeople often fails, how founders unintentionally trap themselves in the sales role, and what it takes to build repeatable, predictable sales systems. You’ll learn: Why sales talent alone does not solve growth How systems and process drive consistency When fractional sales makes sense How founders can step out of the sales seat If sales depends on you, growth will too. Listen now and measure what success really looks like....

Selling to private equity is not the end of the journey. It is the beginning of a new phase of growth. In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J. Cox, CEO of 40 Strategy and 40 Accounting sits down with Neel Bhargave, founding partner at NB Group, to unpack how private equity partnerships really work for founder- and family-owned businesses. Neel shares how his firm approaches growth-focused investing, why rolling equity is critical, and how conservative use of debt protects long-term value. The conversation also explores what typically changes in the first 18 months after an investment, including finance, leadership structure, and strategic planning. This episode offers clear insight for founders thinking about private equity and operators preparing for their next stage of scale. Listen now and learn how to build a business that is ready for growth, partnership, and long-term success.   Check out this episode!

In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J Cox sits down with real estate investor and educator Jay Conner to break down private money and why it has been the foundation of his business since 2009. Jay explains how private money works, who private lenders really are, and why having capital ready changes everything about deal execution. He shares a real world case study where preparation and access to funding made a fast, profitable exit possible when traditional financing would have failed. Listeners will learn why mindset matters as much as mechanics, how conservative strategy protects both sides, and why serious operators stop chasing money and start attracting it. If you want more control, less friction, and a cleaner path to growth, this episode delivers a practical framework worth studying. Listen now and learn how strategy shapes results.   Check out this episode!

In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J. Cox sits down with John Whitt, founder of Business Whitt and author of Checkmate, to explore how strategic thinking, leadership, and generosity intersect. John explains how lessons from competitive chess apply directly to business. Small advantages, disciplined execution, and resource placement matter more than chasing quick wins. The conversation covers clarity in goal setting, identifying constraints, testing ideas before scaling, and leading with generosity as a competitive edge. Listeners will gain practical insight into building strategy that holds up under pressure and leadership habits that create lasting results. Listen now and learn how to think ahead, execute with intention, and lead in a way that drives sustainable success.   Check out this episode!

AI is changing how companies grow, how leaders lead, and how strategy gets executed. In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J Cox sits down with Klee Kleber, co-founder and partner at Build Group, to discuss what leaders need to understand right now. Klee shares why expertise is becoming a commodity, why implementation is still the biggest challenge, and how operator-led strategy creates real value. They cover how AI is reshaping product development, go-to-market strategy, and leadership, along with why human judgment, trust, and execution still matter. This episode is a clear look at what is changing and what is not. Listen in, then take action. Strategy only works when it gets implemented.   Check out this episode!