The CEO Project Podcast

Jim Schleckser
  • 4.5 (13)
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Want to build a great business? The CEO Project Podcast and host Jim Schleckser brings proven tools and techniques to scale your business. Each episode dives deep into a critical business topic for CEOs of mid to large-sized firms.

  1. Winning the Deal: Mastering Negotiation Styles to Grow Your Advantage

    1D AGO

    Winning the Deal: Mastering Negotiation Styles to Grow Your Advantage

    If mastering negotiation could instantly increase your business worth, how differently would you handle your next deal? You negotiate every day—whether you call it that or not. From acquisition offers and partnership terms to real estate, compensation, and vendor contracts, you're constantly shaping outcomes that affect your company's growth and long-term business worth. The problem? Most leaders treat negotiation like a tug-of-war over price. In this episode, you'll learn why mastering negotiation is really about leverage, psychology, timing, and knowing when to walk away. By listening, you'll gain: A smarter framework for mastering negotiation that goes beyond price and focuses on leverage, certainty, and deal structure Proven tactics like "never go first," strategic silence, and the flinch to strengthen your position without creating conflict A clearer understanding of motivation and timing so you can spot desperation, avoid overpaying, and protect your business worth Press play now to sharpen your negotiation edge—and make your next deal one that compounds your business worth instead of quietly eroding it. Check out: 07:45 – Leverage Changes Everything A practical breakdown of how leverage actually works in real deals—foreclosures, timing pressure, experience, and certainty of close—and why price is rarely the most important factor. 18:30 – The Power of Walking Away A sharp discussion on why the best negotiators are willing to walk, how desperation shifts leverage, and why "who comes back first" often determines who really has the power. 29:10 – The Flinch, Silence & Controlling the Pen Tactical gold: how to use silence to make the other party negotiate against themselves—and why drafting the agreement gives you structural control over the deal. About Onyi Odunukwe Onyi Odunukwe is CEO of Glo Tanning Centers, Inc. His specialties are: Marshaling limited resources to the most productive uses with the aim of creating maximum value for the company's stakeholders. Developing and cascading the organization's strategy/mission statement to the lower-ranking staff, and implementing appropriate rewards/recognition and coaching/corrective practices to align personnel with company goals. Planning by prioritizing customer, employee, and organizational requirements. Maintaining and monitoring staffing, levels, Knowledge-Skills-Attributes (KSA), expectations and motivation to fulfill organizational requirements. Driving performance measures for the operation (including a consideration of efficiency versus effectiveness), often in the form of dashboards convenient for review of high level key indicators

    30 min
  2. Proven Steps That Will Improve Your Front Line Performance

    FEB 9

    Proven Steps That Will Improve Your Front Line Performance

    What if improving front line performance—not more marketing or new leads—was the fastest way to grow your business worth? If you're feeling pressure to grow revenue while controlling costs, this episode speaks straight to that tension. You'll hear how leaders in hospitality use front line performance, personalization, and smart systems to capture revenue that's already there—while creating better customer experiences and stronger loyalty. The same thinking applies to any business with customer-facing teams and real growth goals. What you'll gain from listening: How front line performance directly impacts revenue and loyalty, without turning your team into pushy salespeople What it really takes to evolve from a services model to SaaS, while keeping your culture and your people intact Where AI disruption actually adds value today, helping managers coach better and make faster, data-driven decisions Play the episode to spot practical front line performance ideas you can use right now to increase revenue and strengthen your business worth. Check out: ~10:30 – Unlocking revenue through front line performance Where the conversation digs into how connecting frontline teams to real guest needs drives incremental revenue without hurting the experience—and why this applies far beyond hospitality. ~28:00 – AI disruption that actually works at the front line A practical discussion on how AI is being used to analyze performance data, deliver coaching insights, and improve results—without replacing people or overcomplicating the system. ~44:00 – The real challenge of moving from services to SaaS A candid breakdown of the cultural and identity shifts required to transition from a services model to SaaS, including what leaders often underestimate and how to bring the team along. About Geoffrey Toffetti Geoffrey Toffetti is the CEO of Frontline Performance Group (FPG), based in Florida. The firm partners with over 2,500 hotels across 120+ countries, helping them drive millions in incremental revenue. His personal journey in hospitality started humbly, as a car valet at a Florida hotel. Today, Geoffrey leads FPG, where they work with top brands like Hilton, Marriott, and Hyatt, among others. He has guided the company through strategic growth, including the acquisitions of the company's primary competitors—Drake Beil in the U.S. and TSA Solutions in Asia, the latter during the height of the COVID-19 crisis.  Geoffrey can share insights on conversion from a services business to SaaS, global expansion, leading a remote workforce, how leaders can build resilience by making bold yet calculated decisions, staying agile in unpredictable markets, and building a corporate tribe rather than a team. FPG is always pushing forward and he excited to say their next bold move is just around the corner.

    34 min
  3. Your Digital Assets and How to Protect Them

    FEB 2

    Your Digital Assets and How to Protect Them

    Is your business worth more than your physical inventory… because of the digital assets you don't even realize you own? If you're like most CEOs, you've delegated websites, domains, ad accounts, logins, and even AI tools to other people—and assumed everything was automatically "yours." But this episode is a wake-up call: your digital assets are some of the most valuable (and vulnerable) parts of your business, and losing control of them can create chaos during growth, vendor changes, or a future sale. Paige Wiese breaks down how to protect what you've built before it becomes a costly blind spot. By listening, you'll walk away with: A clearer understanding of what counts as critical digital assets—from domains and hosting to analytics, SaaS tools, and intellectual property Practical questions to ask vendors and agencies so you don't get locked out of accounts you paid for A smarter way to prepare your company for scaling, exiting, or AI disruption by organizing and safeguarding your digital footprint Hit play now to learn how protecting your digital assets today can increase your business worth tomorrow—and save you from painful surprises later. Check out: 5:40 – The most important questions to ask before hiring an agency Paige explains how CEOs can avoid losing ownership of domains, ad accounts, and logins right from the start. 12:15 – The hidden danger of email and asset transfer during an exit or sale A practical discussion on why business emails, history, and contacts become a major issue when transitioning ownership. 21:30 – How AI tools are becoming the newest digital asset risk Paige shares why companies need policies around AI accounts now—before employees unknowingly train tools on proprietary data. About Paige Wiese Paige Wiese (W-ee-s) is the founder and CEO of Tree Ring Digital, a top-ranked Denver-based marketing agency that develops high performance websites and digital marketing strategies for businesses nationwide. Under her leadership, Tree Ring Digital has helped thousands of businesses across industries streamline their online presence, protect their digital assets, and achieve healthy growth through data-driven marketing strategies. During her sixteen years in the industry, Paige realized that digital asset management often exists in a knowledge silo, leaving companies unprepared for growth or transition. This led her to develop a proprietary digital asset management service that tracks and protects a company's crucial data points, protecting brands and maintaining legacies.

    30 min
  4. What Growth Strategies Can Actually Increase Your Company's Real Value?

    JAN 26

    What Growth Strategies Can Actually Increase Your Company's Real Value?

    Are your current growth strategies actually increasing your business worth—or are hidden constraints quietly keeping you stuck as your company scales? If you're feeling stretched thin, hitting growth ceilings, or wondering why scaling feels harder than it should—this episode is for you. Carl Gould breaks down the real stages of business growth and the predictable pinch points that trip up founders, especially as AI disruption accelerates change and raises the bar for how companies scale, systemize, and create long-term value. By listening, you'll walk away with: A clear framework for identifying exactly where your business is stuck—and what that says about your next growth move Practical insight into how to shift from founder-driven hustle to scalable systems without killing momentum A sharper understanding of how to build a company that's not just growing, but increasing in enterprise value and exit readiness Hit play now and steal proven growth strategies that help you scale smarter, protect your time, and build a business that's actually worth more at every stage. Check out: [~12:30] – Carl explains why most founders get stuck in Stage 3 and how ego and control quietly cap business growth [~28:45] – A clear breakdown of systems vs. flexibility—and why consistency (not creativity) is what actually scales companies [~47:10] – The moment your business becomes a true asset, including the leadership shifts that dramatically increase business worth About Carl Gould Carl Gould is a globally recognized authority on business growth and entrepreneurship who built three multi-million-dollar companies by age 40. He is the Chief Growth Advisor at 7 Stage Advisors and has mentored the launch and scaling of over 5,000 businesses, with his methodologies now used in 35 countries and by more than 7,000 certified coaches worldwide. A multi-award-winning author and speaker, Carl co-authored Blueprint for Success with Stephen R. Covey and Ken Blanchard and wrote the bestselling The 7 Stages of Small Business Success. Known for his high-energy, real-world approach, he has delivered over 1,200 keynote speeches and lectures at institutions including MIT and Rutgers.

    29 min
  5. AI Can Make You a More Authentic Leader Your Team Will Love

    JAN 20

    AI Can Make You a More Authentic Leader Your Team Will Love

    Is your business worth more when AI writes faster—or when you show up as an authentic leader your team actually trusts? You're under constant pressure to communicate clearly, move quickly, and keep up with AI without losing your voice in the process. In this episode, Jim Schleckser talks with Allison Shapira about the real tension leaders face today: using AI to gain efficiency while still sounding human, credible, and genuinely connected to the people who matter most. By listening, you'll gain: Clear guidance on how to use AI to strengthen your voice instead of diluting it as an authentic leader Insight into why AI-generated communication can quietly erode trust—and how to prevent it Practical ideas for balancing speed, clarity, and culture in leadership communication Hit play to discover how leading with authenticity—while using AI wisely—can increase trust, impact, and the long-term value of your business. Check out: 08:45 – Allison explains why AI-written emails can quietly destroy trust—and how leaders can spot when efficiency starts replacing authenticity. 22:10 – A practical breakdown of how to "train" AI to reflect your voice, values, and lived experience as an authentic leader. 41:30 – A cautionary story about leaders trusting AI over their team—and what it signals about culture, credibility, and leadership judgment. About Allison Shapira Allison Shapira is an executive advisor, Harvard lecturer, keynote speaker, bestselling author, and trained opera singer who helps senior leaders speak with confidence, clarity, and authenticity—especially in high-stakes, high-visibility moments. Since 2003, she has advised leaders from prime ministers to Fortune 50 executives and has designed leadership communication programs that drive trust, alignment, and measurable results. An entrepreneur and global expert in leadership and communication, Allison brings over two decades of experience to every engagement. Her practical frameworks integrate cutting-edge AI tools to help executives sharpen their message, amplify their voice, and Speak With Impact℠. An adjunct lecturer at the Harvard Kennedy School since 2015, her work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, The New York Times, and Harvard Business Review. She is the author of three books: the Washington Post best-seller Speak with Impact: How to Command the Room and Influence Others (HarperCollins Leadership), the companion e-guide Speak with Impact VIRTUALLY, and her newest book, AI for the Authentic Leader: How to Communicate More Effectively Without Losing Your Humanity (Spa Creek Press).

    33 min
  6. Founder Futures: Wills, Wealth and the Entrepreneurs VC Funding

    JAN 12

    Founder Futures: Wills, Wealth and the Entrepreneurs VC Funding

    Have you thought about what your founder futures look like if you're suddenly not here—and whether your business worth is actually protected? You spend your time thinking about growth, valuation, exits, and risk—but many founders avoid the uncomfortable questions about legacy, control, and continuity. This episode connects estate planning to founder futures, showing how personal preparedness, governance decisions, and AI disruption all shape what really happens to the value you've built when circumstances change. By listening, you'll gain: A practical framework for protecting your founder futures by understanding how estate plans, healthcare directives, and digital assets prevent chaos for your family and your company. Clear insight into scaling a venture-backed platform the right way, including term sheets, preference stacks, board control, and why "IPO-ready" thinking matters more than chasing an IPO. A CEO's perspective on AI disruption and defensibility, including how category leaders must rebuild for an AI-native future before competitors force the change. Press play and learn how to safeguard your founder futures while building a company—and a legacy—that holds up under real-world pressure. Check out: ~06:30–09:30 Why estate planning matters even if you "don't have much" Cody explains why wills, healthcare directives, and digital assets matter regardless of net worth—and why certainty beats assumptions for families and founders. ~32:00–38:00 Venture capital reality: term sheets, preferences, and board control A candid CEO-to-CEO discussion on VC tradeoffs, preference stacks, governance, and why founders must be willing to walk away from bad terms. ~1:07:00–1:14:00 AI disruption and rebuilding to protect the business Cody outlines why AI is both the biggest threat and opportunity, and how Trust & Will is thinking about becoming AI-native before a challenger forces the change. About Code Barbo Cody Barbo is the Co-Founder & CEO of Trust & Will, the leading digital estate planning platform in the U.S., trusted by over one million families. Since launching in 2017, Trust & Will has modernized legacy planning with simple, secure, and attorney-approved online solutions tailored to state-specific laws. Under Cody's leadership, the company has raised over $75 million in funding, and its customers report more than $100 billion in estate assets on the platform. Trust & Will supports 20,000+ financial advisors and 200+ banks and enterprise partners, including AARP, Fifth Third Bank, UBS, and USAA. Recently, the company introduced EstateOS, the first intelligent estate planning platform designed to revolutionize legacy planning through embedded AI guidance, streamlined workflows, and enhanced collaboration between families and financial professionals. Trust & Will was recognized on the Inc. 5000 list for the second consecutive year in 2024. Cody was named an EY Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2023 Pacific Southwest Award Winner and regularly contributes to Forbes, Fast Company, and Inc. He is passionate about leveraging technology to transform estate planning from a transactional task into a deeply meaningful and personal experience.

    36 min
  7. Why Are Successful Enterprises Embracing AI Disruption

    JAN 5

    Why Are Successful Enterprises Embracing AI Disruption

    Is your company's "AI disruption" happening with you—or quietly without you… and putting your business worth at risk? If you're leading a mid-to-large company right now, you're probably feeling two pressures at the same time: move faster with AI and don't blow up the business while you do it. Because AI isn't a future trend anymore—it's already being built, tested, and used across departments, geographies, and teams (often without a single unified view). And that creates a real leadership headache: how do you scale AI for competitive advantage while still keeping guardrails in place? In this episode, Jim Schleckser talks with Pete Foley (CEO of ModelOp) about what happens when AI spreads "like wildfire" inside an organization—and how to regain control without killing momentum. You'll walk away with: A practical way to get visibility into AI across your organization so you know what models exist, what they're doing, and where the biggest risks are hiding. A framework for putting governance and guardrails in place without slowing innovation—so you can move faster than competitors and sleep at night. A clearer path to scaling AI investments into real business outcomes (revenue, cost reduction, risk control) instead of letting models sit stuck in limbo for 9–12 months. Hit play now to learn how to build AI guardrails that protect your brand and accelerate results—so you can boost business worth before the market decides who survives the disruption. Check out: [02:10] "In five years, there'll be two kinds of companies…" — Jim frames the stakes of AI disruption and why ignoring it threatens long-term survival and business worth. [10:45] The real AI bottleneck: why models take 9–12 months to reach production — Pete explains what's slowing companies down and why that pace won't survive the next wave. [23:30] The "air traffic controller" approach to AI governance — visibility, risk assignment, guardrails, and real-time monitoring so AI can scale without chaos. About Pete Foley With more than 25 years of executive and entrepreneurial experience in enterprise software and a track record of successful business exits, Pete Foley's leadership gives ModelOp customers, partners and employees a high level of trust and confidence in the company and its future. Prior to co-founding ModelOp, Pete held several chief executive roles, including CEO of RingCube Technologies, a desktop virtualization software solution provider acquired by Citrix in 2011; CEO of PortAuthority Technologies, a provider of data leak protection systems, from 2005 through its acquisition by Websense in 2007; and CEO of Infoblox (BLOX) from 2002 through 2005. In addition, Pete was the Executive Chairman of Graphite Systems, a low latency, flash-based big data appliance that was acquired by EMC, from 2012 to 2015.

    33 min
  8. How Much is Your Business Worth? Digging into Valuation.

    12/29/2025

    How Much is Your Business Worth? Digging into Valuation.

    Ever catch yourself wondering, "What is my business worth—like, the real number, not the cocktail-party guess?" If your business represents the majority of your net worth (and for most CEOs, it does), not knowing your true valuation is risky. You could be planning an exit, thinking about succession, considering a partnership change, or even just trying to make smarter growth decisions—but without a real valuation framework, you're basically relying on back-of-the-napkin math. In this episode, you'll get a clear, CEO-friendly breakdown of how valuations actually work and what drives value up (or quietly drags it down). You'll walk away with: A practical understanding of the real valuation methods (market comps, public peer multiples, discounted cash flow, and when asset-based valuation applies) so you can stop guessing and start thinking like an investor. A sharper perspective on what increases or decreases your company's value—especially risk factors like customer concentration, shaky financials, key-person dependency, and unreliable forecasts. A clearer playbook for "valuation readiness" so you can improve value before a buyer, a partner, or the IRS forces the question. Press play now and steal the same valuation lens buyers use—so you can protect your wealth, reduce risk, and increase what your business is worth before the next big decision hits. Check out: 0:03:10 — The 3 main ways your business is valued (market comps, public peer multiples, and discounted cash flow—plus why valuation is forward-looking). 00:10:55 — How to value intangible assets like patents and trademarks (including the "relief from royalty" method that's surprisingly practical). 00:22:40 — The biggest value drivers you can actually control (clean financials, forecasting confidence, reducing key-person risk, and de-risking the business for buyers). About Dave Bookbinder Dave Bookbinder is a corporate finance executive with a focus on business and intangible asset valuation. Known as a collaborative consultant, Dave has served thousands of client companies of all sizes and industries. Dave has conducted valuations of the securities and intangible assets of public and private companies for various purposes including acquisition, divestiture, financial reporting, stock-based compensation, fairness and solvency opinions, reorganizations, recapitalizations, estate planning, S-Corp. conversion, exit strategy, and succession planning.

    32 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.5
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

Want to build a great business? The CEO Project Podcast and host Jim Schleckser brings proven tools and techniques to scale your business. Each episode dives deep into a critical business topic for CEOs of mid to large-sized firms.

Information

  • Creator
    Jim Schleckser
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    165
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Lazy CEO Podcast (c) 2022
  • Show Website
    The CEO Project Podcast

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