Touchstone Talks

Deborah Agrafojo

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Investing

Business advisory podcast that discusses the latest trends and projectors with leading influencers in that space.

5d ago

EP 28: Leveraging AI the Right Way - A Fractional CMO on Governance

Stephen Cassell, Chief Marketing & Growth Officer Chief Outsiders LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenacassell/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_co... Website: https://www.chiefoutsiders.com/ Leveraging AI the Right Way: A Fractional CMO on Governance Most business owners are already using AI somewhere in their company. The question is whether anyone is steering it. In this episode of Touchstone Talks, Stephen Cassell, Chief Marketing & Growth Officer with Chief Outsiders, explains why AI without governance can cost you time today and value tomorrow. After years of work with large corporations, Stephen now works with lower middle market and middle market companies finding growth opportunities or fixing whats standing in the way of growth. He shares how AI is speeding up market research, lead generation and go-to-market planning, and why speed without human oversight is not always better. When employees each use their own tools with no shared guidelines, the result is wasted effort, inconsistent branding and risk that could surface later. The conversation also turns to what this means for owners thinking about a sale, as how a company uses AI is becoming part of due diligence. A clear, repeatable approach can become a durable asset that adds value over time. Now is the time to decide what role AI should play in your business. touchstoneadvisors.com linkedin.com/company/touchstone-advisors-m-a directlinemediaproductions.com/professional-podcast-production
Sep 10

Ep 27: Signals Before the Storm - Spotting Trouble Early

Most business problems don't start as crises. They start small and quiet, until an owner is spending nearly all of their time putting out fires instead of running the company. In this episode, Bert Weil, an interim CEO, CRO, and CFO who has spent more than 35 years guiding companies through difficult transitions, joins Touchstone Talks to talk about staying ahead of that curve. Drawing on decades of experience stepping into businesses at their most vulnerable moments, Bert shares what separates the owners who catch trouble early from those who don't, and why the answer often has less to do with the numbers than with the habits and people around them. It's a conversation about protecting what you've built, before you ever need someone like him. https://www.linkedin.com/in/bert-weil-28baa52/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3BYcME%2BnedRKK9u60q%2FVx1fQ%3D%3D https://kcpadvisory.com/bert-weil/ touchstoneadvisors.com linkedin.com/company/touchstone-advisors-m-a directlinemediaproductions.com/professional-podcast-production
Aug 13

Ep 26: Financially Prepared, Financially Protected - Exit Planning Done Right

Touchstone Talks Episode 26 features Dave Altman, Principal and Wealth Advisor at Bernstein Private Wealth Management, on the mission behind his work with business owners. Dave went through his own transaction with poor guidance from his advisors. He came out owing money rather than having the resources he expected. That experience became the foundation for his career. He educates entrepreneurs so they can go into a transaction empowered and come out of it with choices, not obligations. He is direct about what that means in practice. He tells clients upfront when he may not be the right person for their situation, something he wishes someone had told him. He guides business owners to be financially prepared and protected well before, during and after their transaction, so they avoid the mistakes he made and walk away with real options for what comes next. touchstoneadvisors.com linkedin.com/company/touchstone-advisors-m-a directlinemediaproductions.com/professional-podcast-production
Jul 16

EP 25: Dick Albu - From Vision to Action: Mastering Strategy Management

Most business owners have a strategy. Almost none of them execute it, and that gap is why 80% of companies never realize the plans they set out to achieve. In this episode, Dick Albu, founder of Albu Consulting and author of Mastering Strategy Management, draws on more than fifty years of corporate and consulting experience to unpack why strategy has to be forward-looking, continuous, and collaborative rather than a once-a-year exercise in reviewing the past. Dick shares his four-step framework for turning vision into results (discovery, planning, translating into action, and measuring progress), a candid look at how change really plays out inside a company (expect a third of your people to support it, a third to resist it, and a third to wait and see), and his take on where AI fits into modern strategy work. It's a practical wake-up call for any owner who has built a plan and watched it gather dust. Book link www.tinyurl.com/masteringstrategymanagement Website www.albuconsulting.com LinkedIn www.LinkedIn.com/in/DickAlbu touchstoneadvisors.com linkedin.com/company/touchstone-advisors-m-a directlinemediaproductions.com/professional-podcast-production
Jul 2

Ep 24: How to Grow a Company Without Sacrificing Yourself in the Process

Running a business is demanding enough, and the pressure can feel unsustainable when you are working constantly but not getting ahead. In Episode 24 of Touchstone Talks, productivity coach and industrial-organizational psychologist Juli Shulem offers a practical reset for business owners who find themselves in that position. The problem, she explains, often isn't effort. It's focus. Busy leaders chase activity; productive leaders prioritize outcomes. The path forward starts with stepping back, auditing where time is actually going, and making intentional choices about what deserves leadership attention versus what belongs on someone else's plate. Juli also addresses a point worth noting for any business owner: stress isn't just a personal burden. It travels, and it affects the whole organization. For owners navigating a sale or ownership transition, where demands compound quickly, that dynamic becomes especially consequential. This episode offers straightforward, actionable guidance on delegation, time blocking, and breaking the multitasking habit, making it a useful listen for owners at any stage. The Efficiency Advantage podcast https://theefficiencyadvantage.com Website: https://coachjuli.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachjulishulem-productivityexpert/ touchstoneadvisors.com linkedin.com/company/touchstone-advisors-m-a directlinemediaproductions.com/professional-podcast-production
Jun 18

Ep 23: David Place - Make Your Financial Statements Work for You

Most business owners are too busy running their company to pay close attention to their financials — until something goes wrong. In this episode, Deborah sits down with David Place, Area President and Fractional CFO at FocusCFO. David explains how to use your financial statements as an early warning system and a strategic management tool, not just a tax-season obligation. He covers the three core statements, what to look for, and how to spot margin erosion and hidden costs before they become real problems. The payoff is simple: the sooner you see a problem, the easier it is to fix. David also walks through how to build a practical financial forecast, even if you've never done one, so you can stop reacting and start running your business with a plan. touchstoneadvisors.com linkedin.com/company/touchstone-advisors-m-a directlinemediaproductions.com/professional-podcast-production
Jun 4

Ep 22: Lamar Stanley - A Different Perspective on Private Equity

A Different Perspective on Private Equity Private equity is often misunderstood. Many business owners view private equity through the lens of headlines and misconceptions. In this episode, Lamar Stanley, Managing Director at Highland Rim Capital, discusses how private equity can be a tool for business succession, leadership continuity, and growth, helping owners transition out of their companies while preserving the legacy they've built. The conversation highlights an approach focused on supporting the management team already in place, giving them the resources and strategic guidance to build upon the owner's success and lead the business into its next chapter. Whether you're planning for retirement, considering a future ownership transition, or simply thinking about what's next for your business, this episode offers a valuable perspective on the role private equity can play. touchstoneadvisors.com linkedin.com/company/touchstone-advisors-m-a directlinemediaproductions.com/professional-podcast-production
May 26

Ep 21: From Local to Global - How Businesses Break Into International Markets

In this episode, Jenny Lezon Norris, Market Growth Director, North America of Navigator Global breaks down what it really looks like for companies to take their products beyond the U.S. and tap into international markets. The conversation highlights how global growth often starts smaller than many business owners realize, often sparked by a single inquiry. Jenny shares practical advice on navigating regulations, choosing the right market strategy, spotting red flags, and building trusted relationships abroad, while also explaining why face-to-face connections still matter in international business. The episode offers a look at the opportunities available to companies that may never have considered exporting before and the resources that can help make it possible. touchstoneadvisors.com linkedin.com/company/touchstone-advisors-m-a directlinemediaproductions.com/professional-podcast-production

Trailer

Touchstone Talks: Bringing Business Owners Real Life Advice

Touchstone Talks delivers real-world insights from trusted advisors and professionals to help business owners prepare for the future. Each conversation is designed to guide owners through the key components of a successful exit strategy—always with the goal of maximizing the value of their life’s work. By educating and empowering business owners, we create the foundation for successful transitions and lasting impact. touchstoneadvisors.comdirectlinemediaproductions.com/professional-podcast-production

Business advisory podcast that discusses the latest trends and projectors with leading influencers in that space.

Creator

Deborah Agrafojo
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

29
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© 2025
Show Website

Touchstone Talks