In this episode, Rob sits down with Eddie Solomon, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Net at Work, a leading technology advisor to SMBs. Eddie shares the lessons he’s learned from leading over 40 acquisitions, building a 450-person remote workforce, and fostering a strong company culture over nearly three decades. They dive into the strategic importance of talent in acquisitions, the balance between intrapreneurship and structure, and the deliberate efforts required to keep remote teams engaged and growing. Whether you're scaling your company or navigating post-acquisition integration, this conversation is packed with actionable insights.

A successful business isn’t just built on clients—it’s built on people. Companies that prioritize talent integration during acquisitions, invest in leadership development, and take a deliberate approach to culture in remote environments will be best positioned for long-term growth.

[03:21] How do you assess talent during the acquisition process?

[7:32] How important is cultural alignment in a deal?

[10:28] How has your company culture evolved over 30 years?

[12:32] What are the biggest trade-offs that come with scaling a business and going remote?

[17:13] What do you do to keep remote teams aligned and engaged?

[18:37] How do you train leaders to manage effectively in a remote-first company?

[20:28] What does career development and internal mobility look like at Net at Work?

More About Eddie Solomon:

Check out Net at Work

Connect with Eddie on LinkedIn

More About Rob Levin & WorkBetterNow:

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Follow Rob Levin on Linkedin.

Follow WorkBetterNow on LinkedIn.

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In this episode, Rob Levin talks with Nick Herinckx, Co-CEO of Oxygen and seasoned executive coach, to explore how a founder’s role evolves as a business scales. Drawing from experience coaching over 100 CEOs and leading multiple companies himself, Nick breaks down what leaders often get wrong. From understanding the difference between managers and leaders to knowing when to step in (and out) of “Founder Mode,” this episode is packed with practical advice for business owners navigating growth.

Key takeaway

Founders and CEOs must adapt at every stage of growth, and that includes building leaders who push you, not the other way around. Creating a scalable business means investing in your managers, clarifying your own role, and making intentional decisions based on what kind of company you truly want to build (or sell).

Questions I Ask Nick

02:11 What's the role of the business owner/CEO?

03:44 What are some of the challenges CEO's usually face?

07:03 How can you tell if your leadership team is pushing you, or if you’re still dragging them?

09:05 What is "Founder Mode" and when should a CEO step into it?

13:45 Why is promoting high-performers into management without training such a big risk?

17:46 When a great manager is promoted into a leadership role, should business owners invest in outside training for them, or is it better for the owner to coach them directly?

19:07 How can CEOs develop leadership in a remote or hybrid environment?

23:06 What should business owners consider when preparing for a sale or exit?

More About Nick Herinckx:

• Check out Oxygen.

• Connect with Nick on LinkedIn.

More About Rob Levin & WorkBetterNow:

Like this show? Click on over and subscribe to our channel!

Follow Rob Levin on Linkedin.

Follow WorkBetterNow on LinkedIn.

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In this episode, Rob chats with Peter Morandi, CEO of Eastman Cooke, a company renowned for building award-winning construction projects through innovation and leadership. Peter shares how he’s transformed the traditionally manual construction industry by integrating remote professionals into nearly every department, from estimating to project management. He dives into the systems, culture, and mindset that allowed Eastman Cooke to double its annual estimates, improve client satisfaction, and reduce costly errors.

Remote professionals aren't just support—they’re strategic assets. With the right tools, systems, and mindset, even traditionally "boots-on-the-ground" industries like construction can benefit from offshore talent and dramatically improve efficiency, accuracy, and client relationships.

2:15   How do you get your team to buy into new systems, automation, and more productive ways of working?

3:37 How did you build buy-in for your ECA Work Smart system across the company?

6:26 What impact has having an assistant made on your personal productivity and leadership?

8:26 How do remote professionals support critical functions like estimating and project management?

11:49 What measurable results have you seen from adding remote assistants across departments?

19:06 How did your team adapt to working with offshore professionals?

More About Peter Morandi:

• Check out Eastman Cooke.

• Connect with Peter on LinkedIn.

More About Rob Levin & WorkBetterNow:

Like this show? Click over and subscribe to our channel!

Follow Rob Levin on Linkedin.

Follow WorkBetterNow on LinkedIn.

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In this special episode, host Rob Levin looks back on Season 1 of the Great Talent, Great Business Podcast. He shares the most powerful takeaways from conversations with nine incredible guests. From generational differences in the workplace to building intentional company culture, Rob highlights the insights that left a mark—and how he’s applying them in real time at Work Better Now. This episode is the perfect way to catch up on the season’s best ideas and get inspired for what’s next.

Key Takeaway:
Great leadership starts with clarity. Whether you're hiring, managing, or building culture, intentional communication and aligned expectations are the foundation of a high-performing team.

More About Rob Levin & WorkBetterNow:

Watch all video episodes in this Youtube Playlist.

Follow Rob Levin on LinkedIn.

Visit WorkBetterNow.com

In this episode, Rob chats with Jack Daly, legendary sales trainer, entrepreneur, author, and endurance athlete. They dive into how business owners can build a culture by design, not by default, no matter if their teams are in-office or remote. Jack shares proven strategies for creating an environment where people want to work, why playbooks are critical across the organization (not just in sales), and the three high-impact changes that help businesses scale effectively. Packed with real-world stories and Jack’s signature energy, this is a must-listen for any business owner serious about growth, alignment, and culture.

Key Takeaway:

A thriving company culture doesn’t happen by accident. Business owners must proactively design their culture, invest in clear communication, and build systems that scale—like playbooks, recognition programs, and robust financial plans. Whether you’re just starting or running a company for 15 years, it’s never too late to realign your business for greater impact.

Questions I ask Jack Daly:

03:15  What should leaders focus on to make Culture by Design intentional rather than just letting it happen?

06:32  Where do you start to start to turn around that culture and make it more intentional?

10:11    What are some considerations that you should make to accommodate and to engage your people who are not in the office?

15:48  Company playbooks are very effective. How should business owners be thinking about playbooks throughout their organizations?

18:22  What are your thoughts about having playbooks in other parts of the organization?

22:14 What are the top three things your coaching clients do that make the biggest impact?

26:37 When we talk about a financial plan, are this KPIs, a full budget, or both revenue and expense projections?

27:00   When it comes to the products, is it just revenue that you're looking at or are there some other things to look at from time to time?

More About Jack:

Check out Jack Daly Sales

Looking for a good read? Explore Jack’s books here

Connect with Jack on LinkedIn.

More About Rob Levin & WorkBetterNow:

Like this show? Click on over and subscribe to our YouTube channel!

Follow Rob Levin on LinkedIn.

Visit WorkBetterNow.com

📥 Download the free worksheet for this episode HERE and subscribe so you never miss an episode!

In this episode, Rob sits down with Michael Deutsch, Managing Partner of The Deutsch Group and owner of Sapphire Talent. They explore the often-overlooked art (and science) of hiring. Michael shares his insights on why most small and mid-sized businesses struggle with hiring, what needs to change, and how organizations can design better hiring processes—especially in remote and hybrid environments. They also dive into broader business challenges like getting stuck despite having the “right people” and how to break through those barriers.

Key Takeaway:

Hiring is more than just filling a seat—it’s about building intentional processes to find and empower the right people. Companies that invest time in preparing structured, curiosity-driven interviews and create culture by design, especially in remote settings, are more likely to scale effectively and sustainably.

Questions I ask Michael Deutsch:

01:46 What are most companies missing out with respect to hiring?

02:48 Where should companies start in terms of improving their hiring process?

03:35 Is it about hiring a good person or hiring the right person for a specific role?

04:38 How do you evaluate whether someone is right for the job during interviews?

 06:51 What should the person hiring look for in an answer to a follow up question during an interview?

10:13 How do you assess if someone will thrive in a remote or hybrid environment?

15:47 Other than hiring, what’s the biggest challenge business owners face in getting the most out of their teams?

17:45 When a company already has the right people, where do they still get stuck?

More About Michael:

Check out Michael on EOS

Connect with Michael on LinkedIn.

More About Rob Levin & WorkBetterNow:

Like this show? Click on over and subscribe to our YouTube channel!

Follow Rob Levin on LinkedIn.

Visit WorkBetterNow.com

📥 Download the free worksheet for this episode HERE and subscribe so you never miss an episode!

In this episode, Rob Levin is joined by Chason Hecht, CEO and founder of Retensa, a global leader in employee retention strategies. With decades of data and experience behind him, Chason dives into what really drives retention—and spoiler alert—it starts way before someone quits.

From knowing why people join and stay, to the rising impact of remote work, and how culture, hiring, and feedback all play a role, this episode is packed with insights (and a few laughs) that every small and mid-sized business owner needs to hear.

Key Takeaway:

Retention isn’t just about keeping people—it’s about keeping the right people for your company’s culture and stage of growth. As Chason Hecht explains, most small and midsized businesses don’t have a retention problem—they have a hiring problem. When you align your hiring process with your company values, understand why employees join, stay, or leave, and create ongoing feedback loops, you build a foundation for long-term success. Especially in remote or hybrid environments, flexibility, recognition, and clear communication can be powerful (and often low-cost) retention tools that help high performers thrive and stay engaged.

Questions I ask Chason Hecht:

01:41 What is the significance and importance of retention in small and mid-sized business?

06:20   What's different on the retention side, and the importance of retention in that business?

08:20 Is all retention good, or is there some retention that's not so good?

10:43   What are some of the more common challenges in small and midsized businesses when it comes to retention?

 13:55 How can companies mitigate challenges like hiring mistakes or trying to "act big" before they’re ready?

14:24 Retensa is known for taking a data-driven approach to predicting and preventing turnover. What does that look like?

15:37 Give us a couple of examples of the kinds of questions you ask employees to gather meaningful feedback.

16:59 After asking those questions, are you looking at aggregate results or individual responses?

19:16   How does remote work affect retention, and what do businesses need to keep in mind?

20:55 Some companies are going back to five days a week in-office. What are the risks, and what is “coffee badging”?

23:02 What’s your message to employers—especially those with remote or hybrid teams—about these shifts in work culture?

27:10 Any final suggestions for retaining top talent?

More About Chason:

Check out Retensa

Connect with Chason on LinkedIn.

More About Rob Levin & WorkBetterNow:

Like this show? Click on over and subscribe to our YouTube channel!

Follow Rob Levin on LinkedIn.

Visit WorkBetterNow.com

📥 Download the free worksheet for this episode HERE and subscribe so you never miss an episode!

In this episode of Great Talent Great Business, Rob Levin chats with Mark Taylor—CEO coach, entrepreneur, and leadership expert—on what truly separates great leaders from the rest. They dive into why leadership development is often overlooked, the power of CEO peer groups, and how Positive Intelligence helps leaders manage stress, build resilience, and stop self-sabotage.

Key Takeaway:

Great leadership isn’t just about strategy—it’s about mindset, and that has a critical effect on the success of small and mid-sized businesses. Through CEO peer groups, leaders can gain valuable insights and uncover blind spots that hinder progress.

Positive Intelligence is a powerful tool for managing stress, building resilience, and shifting from self-sabotage to success. By identifying personal saboteurs (like the hyper-achiever mindset) and strengthening mental fitness, leaders can create a more engaged, high-performing team while improving their own decision-making and well-being.

Questions I ask Mark:

[2:04] What’s the best advice you can give small and mid-size business owners to spot and grow strong leaders?

[3:26] What traits have you seen work really well when it comes to spotting potential leaders?

[4:08] Why should a business owner consider joining a CEO peer group?

[5:46] Can you tell us more about Positive Intelligence and why it’s important for business owners?

[7:45] How does Positive Intelligence help business owners shift their mindset and build more resilience?

 [12:58] What percentage of your Positive Intelligence clients that go through the program, roll this out to some of the members of their team?

[15:11] What are the strongest leadership characteristics you’ve seen in the most successful businesses?

More About Mark Taylor:

Check out Mark Taylor

Connect with Mark on LinkedIn.

More About Rob Levin & WorkBetterNow:

Like this show? Click on over and subscribe to our channel!

Follow Rob Levin on LinkedIn.

Visit WorkBetterNow.com

📥 Download the free worksheet for this episode HERE and subscribe so you never miss an episode!