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  • Your Team Isn't the Problem — The System Is | Thanos Diacakis

    Your Team Isn't the Problem — The System Is | Thanos Diacakis
    2026/05/01
    Your team isn't the problem. The system around them is — and most business owners never see it until it's already costing them clients, cash, and good people.

    Thanos Diacakis has spent 25 years inside software teams at companies like Uber, scaling from zero to 2M+ monthly trips. What he found everywhere, from scrappy startups to global organizations, is the same pattern repeating: smart teams trapped in broken systems, doing half of what they should, just not the same half. He now coaches business owners and their teams to ship faster, reduce burnout, and build the kind of operational clarity that turns a stressed team into a competitive advantage.

    In this episode, David Carr and Thanos break down why the business-to-engineering interface is where most delivery problems actually start and what leaders can do about it this week. In this episode:
    • Why the breakdown between business and engineering is the root of most delivery problems, not the people
    • How starting too many things at once kills momentum, and what to do instead
    • The flow framework: balancing features, defects, investments, and technical risk
    • Why cross-functional teams eliminate the handoff bottlenecks slowing your delivery
    • The counter-intuitive truth about planning: execute first, earn the right to plan later
    • Two things any leader can do this week to start moving the needle
    About Thanos Diacakis: Thanos is a Software Engineering Effectiveness Coach and founder of Cosmic Teacups, Inc. With 25+ years of scaling engineering teams, including as Technical Lead for Bikes & Scooters at Uber, he now helps business owners fix the systems that keep good teams stuck. Organizational health isn't just a people problem; it's a systems problem. That's the work we do at Steward Your Business. If this episode hit close to home, share it with the one person on your team you've been meaning to have a hard conversation with.
    Links mentioned in this episode:
    • Thanos Diacakis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thanosdiakos
    • Cosmic Teacups: https://www.cosmicteacups.com
    • Book mentioned: Team Topologies by Matthew Skelton and Manuel Pais


    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/business-roundtable--6049255/support.

    Connect with Steward Your Business:

    • Book a Leadership Clarity Call: https://calendar.stewardyourbusiness.com/cc
    • Call: +1 909.404.9865
    • Website: https://stewardyourbusiness.com
    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidwcarr
    Watch more episodes and subscribe on YouTube:
    https://www.youtube.com/@steward_your_business
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    39 分
  • Why Most Marketing Fails and How Performance Marketing Actually Drives Revenue | Stephanie Curtis

    Why Most Marketing Fails and How Performance Marketing Actually Drives Revenue | Stephanie Curtis
    2026/04/30
    Why does so much marketing activity fail to generate real revenue? In this episode of the Business Roundtable Podcast, host David Carr sits down with Stephanie Curtis, founder of Pace Creative and an experienced fractional Chief Marketing Officer, to unpack why many businesses struggle to see ROI from marketing — and how performance-driven strategy changes everything.

    Stephanie brings nearly two decades of experience working with highly technical, regulated, and complex B2B organizations, including Fortune 500 companies and seven- and eight-figure manufacturing, engineering, and industrial firms. She explains the critical differences between creative marketing, corporate marketing, product marketing, and performance marketing — and why confusing these roles leads to wasted spend and missed growth opportunities.

    This conversation explores how leaders can move beyond vanity metrics and shiny objects by aligning marketing directly with business goals, sales cycles, and measurable outcomes.

    Stephanie shares how she approaches her role as a fractional CMO, why strategy must come before execution, and how focused channel selection, consistent messaging, and data-driven decision-making create sustainable revenue engines. If you’re a CEO, founder, or executive leading a B2B organization and frustrated by marketing that “looks good” but doesn’t perform, this episode provides clarity, structure, and a smarter way forward. In this episode:
    • Why most marketing efforts fail to deliver ROI
    • The difference between creative, corporate, product, and performance marketing
    • How to align marketing strategy with business and sales goals
    • Why fewer channels — executed well — outperform scattered tactics
    • What executives should expect from a fractional CMO
    • How data, metrics, and consistency drive long-term growth


    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/business-roundtable--6049255/support.

    Connect with Steward Your Business:

    • Book a Leadership Clarity Call: https://calendar.stewardyourbusiness.com/cc
    • Call: +1 909.404.9865
    • Website: https://stewardyourbusiness.com
    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidwcarr
    Watch more episodes and subscribe on YouTube:
    https://www.youtube.com/@steward_your_business
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    37 分
  • Fear Isn’t the Problem—It’s the Signal | Jacqueline Wales on Fear Intelligence & Leadership

    Fear Isn’t the Problem—It’s the Signal | Jacqueline Wales on Fear Intelligence & Leadership
    2026/04/16
    What if fear isn’t holding you back—but quietly shaping every decision you make as a leader?

    In this episode of the Business Roundtable Podcast, David Carr sits down with Jacqueline Wales, creator of the Fear Intelligence™ framework, to explore how fear operates beneath the surface of leadership, communication, and business growth.

    Most leaders assume their challenges are rooted in strategy, execution, or people. But as Jacqueline explains, those are often symptoms of something deeper. Fear—unexamined and unspoken—can drive hesitation, control, misalignment, and breakdowns in trust across organizations.

    Drawing from decades of experience coaching executives and working with leadership teams around the world, Jacqueline introduces a different way to understand fear—not as something to eliminate, but as a signal to interpret.

    At the center of this conversation is her F.E.A.R. framework: Face, Explore, Act, Rise. A practical model that helps leaders move from reaction to intention, from avoidance to clarity, and from control to trust. This episode is not about removing fear.

    It’s about learning how to lead with it. If you are a business owner, executive, or leader navigating growth, uncertainty, or pressure, this conversation will challenge how you think about leadership—and what may actually be driving your decisions. In this episode, we explore:
    • Why fear is often misdiagnosed in leadership
    • How self-identity influences decision-making and performance
    • The connection between fear, control, and trust in teams
    • Why many leaders avoid the deeper question of “Who am I?”
    • How to shift from reactive leadership to intentional leadership
    • Practical ways to begin recognizing fear patterns in yourself and others
    About Jacqueline Wales: Jacqueline Wales is a TEDx speaker, author, and founder of Fear Intelligence™, a framework designed to help leaders turn fear into clarity, trust, and decisive action. Her work focuses on helping executives build psychological safety, improve communication, and create high-performing cultures grounded in trust and self-awareness.

    Learn more: https://fearintelligence.co
    Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacquelinewales
    Watch her TEDx Talk: https://youtu.be/_1LfhkKEY4k?si=z2v-bcuNMZuJjcC_
    Fear Intelligence Book: https://a.co/d/0gTFJg89

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/business-roundtable--6049255/support.

    Connect with Steward Your Business:

    • Book a Leadership Clarity Call: https://calendar.stewardyourbusiness.com/cc
    • Call: +1 909.404.9865
    • Website: https://stewardyourbusiness.com
    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidwcarr
    Watch more episodes and subscribe on YouTube:
    https://www.youtube.com/@steward_your_business
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    38 分
  • ERP Systems Done Right: How to Avoid Costly Mistakes and Protect Your Business

    ERP Systems Done Right: How to Avoid Costly Mistakes and Protect Your Business
    2026/03/31
    Choosing the wrong ERP system can cost your business millions.

    In this episode of the Business Roundtable Podcast, David Carr sits down with Danny Kaplan, founder of SMC Data Systems, to unpack what most companies get wrong when selecting enterprise resource planning software — and how to avoid expensive implementation failures. Danny founded SMC Data Systems in 1980 and has helped thousands of mid-market manufacturers and distributors optimize operations, strengthen inventory control, and scale through mergers and acquisitions.

    With more than four decades of experience, he brings practical wisdom, relationship-driven leadership, and real-world case studies to the conversation. This discussion goes far beyond software features.

    Danny explains why ERP selection should begin with a detailed business requirements “shopping list,” not a polished sales demo. He outlines the dangers of siloed systems, poor vendor support, overseas help desks, rushed implementation timelines, and software that forces companies to change their processes to fit the tool.

    The conversation also addresses today’s economic realities — supply chain disruptions, tariffs, freight volatility, inventory shortages, and cash flow pressure — and why real-time analytics and accurate net inventory visibility are essential for survival. Danny shares practical guidance on:
    • Why real-time inventory accuracy protects against production disruption
    • How outdated ERP systems create hidden financial risk
    • The importance of vendor delivery performance over lowest cost
    • How to evaluate ERP vendors properly before signing a contract
    • Why training must be done on-site, not just over Zoom
    • The critical role of ongoing support and U.S.-based service teams
    • How to use analytics to monitor vendors, customers, receivables, and product performance
    • Why relationships matter more than software features
    If you are a manufacturer, distributor, CFO, or business owner evaluating ERP systems — or struggling with legacy software — this episode provides a practical roadmap to making a smarter decision.

    Because software should serve your business — not disrupt it. Learn more at:
    SMC Data Systems – https://smcdata.com Connect with Danny Kaplan on LinkedIn.

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/business-roundtable--6049255/support.

    Connect with Steward Your Business:

    • Book a Leadership Clarity Call: https://calendar.stewardyourbusiness.com/cc
    • Call: +1 909.404.9865
    • Website: https://stewardyourbusiness.com
    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidwcarr
    Watch more episodes and subscribe on YouTube:
    https://www.youtube.com/@steward_your_business
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    32 分
  • Why Your Marketing Messaging Is Failing and How to Fix It

    Why Your Marketing Messaging Is Failing and How to Fix It
    2026/03/26
    Why do so many companies invest in marketing tools and still get ignored?

    In this episode of the Business Roundtable Podcast, host David Carr, founder of Steward Your Business, sits down with Ben Baker, strategic communications expert and founder of Your Brand Marketing, to unpack why most outreach fails today — and it is rarely about the tools being used. It is about the alignment, or lack of it, behind the message.

    Ben brings over twenty-five years of experience helping mid to large size organizations fix broken communication ecosystems, align stakeholders, and build brands that earn long-term trust. Drawing from work across healthcare, manufacturing, B2B, government, and consumer brands, Ben explains why short-term thinking destroys customer relationships and how companies can shift toward messaging that actually builds loyalty and lifetime value.

    David and Ben also dig into the difference between brand building and marketing, why most organizations cannot clearly articulate what they do or who they serve, and how to use customer feedback as a genuine growth tool rather than a quarterly checkbox.

    If you are a business owner, executive, or leader who wants to stop wasting budget on outreach that goes nowhere and start building messaging that people actually respond to, this conversation delivers practical, no-fluff strategy you can apply immediately. In this episode:
    • Why spray-and-pray outreach on LinkedIn and email destroys trust before it starts
    • The difference between brand building and marketing and why you need both
    • How to define who you are, who you serve, and why they should care
    • Why short-term thinking raises customer acquisition costs and kills growth
    • How to use A-B testing without blowing your budget
    • The right way to collect honest feedback from customers and employees
    Links mentioned in this episode:
    • Ben Baker website and free e-books: https://www.iambenbaker.com
    • Ben Baker on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminbaker


    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/business-roundtable--6049255/support.

    Connect with Steward Your Business:

    • Book a Leadership Clarity Call: https://calendar.stewardyourbusiness.com/cc
    • Call: +1 909.404.9865
    • Website: https://stewardyourbusiness.com
    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidwcarr
    Watch more episodes and subscribe on YouTube:
    https://www.youtube.com/@steward_your_business
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    49 分
  • How to Get Seen, Heard, and Remembered: Storytelling, Connection, and Video That Works

    How to Get Seen, Heard, and Remembered: Storytelling, Connection, and Video That Works
    2026/03/19
    In a world full of noise, how do you actually stand out?

    In this episode of the Business Roundtable Podcast, host David Carr, founder of Steward Your Business, sits down with JoJo LaRicci, video strategist, super connector, and media veteran with over six decades of experience, to explore what it really takes to get seen, heard, and remembered in business and in life.

    JoJo shares her remarkable journey from learning photography at MIT at age eleven, to building recording studios, appearing on MTV, and reinventing herself during COVID to master video marketing and social media distribution. Her story is not just about media — it is about the principle of adding value at every turn and how that single habit changes everything. This conversation goes deeper than marketing tactics.

    David and JoJo unpack why transactional relationships repel opportunity, why most people are invisible online despite doing good work, and how servant leadership and intentional connection create the kind of influence that compounds over decades.

    JoJo also shares the personal daily practices that have kept her vibrant, focused, and generous at seventy-one. If you are a business owner, leader, or professional who wants to show up more powerfully, build real relationships, and create content that actually reaches people, this episode will challenge and inspire you. In this episode:
    • Why adding value is the foundation of standing out in any industry
    • How to approach video, distribution, and online visibility the right way
    • Why transactional networking kills relationships before they start
    • The power of building connections intentionally over decades
    • How inner alignment drives outward influence and business results
    • What JoJo does daily to stay energized, focused, and giving
    Links mentioned in this episode:
    • JoJo LaRicci on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jojolaricci


    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/business-roundtable--6049255/support.

    Connect with Steward Your Business:

    • Book a Leadership Clarity Call: https://calendar.stewardyourbusiness.com/cc
    • Call: +1 909.404.9865
    • Website: https://stewardyourbusiness.com
    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidwcarr
    Watch more episodes and subscribe on YouTube:
    https://www.youtube.com/@steward_your_business
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    46 分
  • You Don’t Have a People Problem — You Have a System Problem | Joel Schwan

    You Don’t Have a People Problem — You Have a System Problem | Joel Schwan
    2026/03/05
    You don’t have a people problem — you have a system problem that’s showing up as a people problem.

    In this episode of the Business Roundtable Podcast, host David Carr, founder of Steward Your Business, sits down with Joel Schwan, founder of Schwan Stratify, to unpack why hiring struggles, burnout, turnover, and workforce chaos are rarely about “bad employees” and almost always about broken or missing systems.

    With more than 20 years of experience in workforce strategy, HR, and operations, Joel has worked with organizations including Microsoft, Google, Uber, and growing small-to-mid-sized businesses. Together, David and Joel explore how leaders can move from reactive hiring and survival mode into intentional, scalable workforce strategy.

    This conversation dives into why hiring more people often makes problems worse, how unclear roles and poor onboarding quietly drain profit, and why workforce planning must be treated as an ecosystem — not a pipeline. Joel also explains when businesses should use contractors versus full-time employees, how capacity planning prevents burnout, and why succession planning and cross-functional skills protect companies from disruption.

    If you’re a business owner, executive, or team leader stuck in constant hiring cycles or overwhelmed by managing people, this episode provides clarity, practical frameworks, and a healthier way forward. In this episode:
    • Why most “people problems” are actually system failures
    • How broken onboarding and role clarity create turnover
    • The five areas every business should audit in their workforce
    • When to hire full-time employees vs. contractors
    • How capacity planning and succession protect growth
    • Why leadership health and psychological safety matter


    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/business-roundtable--6049255/support.

    Connect with Steward Your Business:

    • Book a Leadership Clarity Call: https://calendar.stewardyourbusiness.com/cc
    • Call: +1 909.404.9865
    • Website: https://stewardyourbusiness.com
    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidwcarr
    Watch more episodes and subscribe on YouTube:
    https://www.youtube.com/@steward_your_business
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    43 分
  • HR as a Growth Engine: How Talent Strategy Drives Profit and Scale

    HR as a Growth Engine: How Talent Strategy Drives Profit and Scale
    2026/03/03
    Why do so many business owners see HR as an administrative cost instead of a growth engine?

    In this episode of the Business Roundtable Podcast, David Carr is joined by Bruce Nichols, a global HR executive and people-first strategist, to challenge the traditional view of human resources and reframe HR as a profit multiplier and strategic advantage.

    Drawing from decades of experience across private equity, Fortune 100 companies, startups, and high-growth organizations, Bruce explains why most businesses stall not because of sales or market demand, but because the right people are not in the right seats at the right time.

    This conversation explores how talent strategy, culture, and workforce planning directly impact profitability, scalability, and leadership effectiveness.

    David and Bruce discuss why many founders struggle to shift from doing the work to leading the business, and how intentional HR strategy helps leaders move from firefighting to sustainable growth.

    They also examine the role of AI in HR and why technology alone cannot fix broken processes. Bruce shares why people-first leadership, clear structure, and proactive planning are essential before layering in automation or artificial intelligence. Grounded in real client examples and leadership experience, this episode offers practical insight for business owners, executives, and professional service firms looking to grow without burning out or bleeding profit. In this episode:
    • Why HR should be viewed as a growth engine, not a cost center
    • How misaligned roles quietly drain profit and momentum
    • What it takes to scale teams intentionally and sustainably
    • Why hiring growth requires backward planning, not urgency
    • How AI fits into HR strategy without replacing human judgment
    Links mentioned in this episode:
    • Bruce Nichols on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brucernichols
    • The Human Resource Consortium: https://hrtalentsolution.com


    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/business-roundtable--6049255/support.

    Connect with Steward Your Business:

    • Book a Leadership Clarity Call: https://calendar.stewardyourbusiness.com/cc
    • Call: +1 909.404.9865
    • Website: https://stewardyourbusiness.com
    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidwcarr
    Watch more episodes and subscribe on YouTube:
    https://www.youtube.com/@steward_your_business
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    34 分