Business Roundtable

David W. Carr
  • 5.0 (4)
  • MANAGEMENT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to the Business Roundtable Podcast, hosted by David Carr of Steward Your Business. This engaging and informative podcast series is dedicated to helping business owners, and entrepreneurs navigate the complexities of running a successful enterprise. Each episode features David Carr and a roster of industry experts, including regular contributors like Curtis Cochran, who bring their wealth of experience in mergers and acquisitions, organizational health, and team building. Dive into discussions that cover a broad range of topics essential to business growth and sustainability. From strategic planning and preparation to understanding the cycles of business ownership, the podcast provides invaluable insights into evaluating, enhancing, and exiting business ownership. Listeners can expect practical advice on scaling businesses, managing finances, and creating a culture that aligns with company goals. What sets this podcast apart is its focus on actionable strategies combined with real-world experiences. The conversations often delve into the importance of providing more value than the dollars earned and the necessity of adaptability in a rapidly changing business landscape. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or a seasoned business owner, the Business Roundtable Podcast is vital for staying ahead in today's competitive market. Join David Carr and his guests as they explore the art of making a business profitable but also enjoyable and sustainable. Tune in for your dose of inspiration, guidance, and tools to make 2024 and beyond a resounding success for your business ventures. Become a podcast supporter at just $2 a month at https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/business-roundtable--6049255/support.

  1. 21H AGO

    No Plan Is a Plan to Fail | Marc Daniels on Strategy That Actually Gets Executed

    Most business owners have goals. Very few have a plan. And according to Marc Daniels, that difference is costing them everything. Marc L. Daniels has spent over 45 years building, turning around, and scaling companies across 16 countries. He helped grow Diligent from a two-customer startup to a $941 million acquisition. He turned a bankrupt company into $80 million in revenue. He has seen every version of a business that runs on ambition alone and no strategic foundation. What he finds every single time is the same problem: smart, talented people running companies without a real plan. In this episode, David Carr and Marc break down why most business plans fail before they start, what the nine components of a real strategic plan actually look like, and how to build a weekly execution rhythm that keeps your strategy alive all year long rather than collecting dust after January. In this episode: Why a spreadsheet forecast is not a strategy and what the difference actually costs youThe four core components every strategic plan must have to survive contact with realityHow to identify and ride emerging market trends before your competitors see them comingWhy your plan needs to be rebuilt every quarter in today's business environmentHow to run a weekly execution meeting that drives accountability without destroying moraleThe one thing you can do today to stop drifting and start building a business with directionAbout Marc L. Daniels: Marc is a globally recognized business strategist, executive coach, and the founder of MarcLDaniels.com. Known as the Billion Dollar Coach, Marc has guided hundreds of companies through strategic planning and hands-on execution across more than 16 countries. He is the co-founder of Diligent, which sold for $941 million, and has served as COO, CMO, and CEO across more than a dozen companies since launching his first business at age 19. Most leaders know what they want their business to become. The hard part is building the system that actually gets you there. That is the work we do at Steward Your Business. If this episode hit close to home, share it with the leader on your team who keeps saying they will get to the plan next quarter.  Links mentioned in this episode: Marc L. Daniels on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-ldaniels-231456a3Website and Entrepreneurial Readiness Assessment: https://www.marcldaniels.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/ccCall: +1 909.404.9865Website: https://stewardyourbusiness.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidwcarrWatch more episodes  and subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@steward_your_business

    48 min

  2. 1D AGO

    Is Your Business Working for You — Or Are You Working for It? | Alan Franks

    Is your business working for you, or have you become its most underpaid employee? Alan Franks has spent 15 years working with business owners who are successful by every external measure and quietly trapped. Trapped by time, by decisions only they can make, by a financial life that's been entirely reinvested back into the machine they built. As a Certified Financial Planner and founder of the Business Planning Institute, Alan helps business owners reverse-engineer a plan that puts their life back at the center before they're forced to. In this episode, David Carr and Alan break down the Freedom Framework: a practical system for moving from entrepreneur as prisoner to entrepreneur as owner, and why the most important financial decisions most business owners keep postponing are the exact ones that determine whether their business ever actually sets them free. In this episode: Why successful business owners are often broke in ways that don't show up on a balance sheetThe E.X.I.T. framework: how to build a business that's ready to sell before you think you need toWhy your professional team of advisor, attorney, and accountant may be working in silos and costing you more than you knowThe one number every business owner needs to know: what your business is worth, what it could be worth, and what it needs to be worth for you to be freeThree things you can do this week to stop surviving your business and start designing your exitAbout Alan Franks: Alan Franks is a Certified Financial Planner, author of Empowered Money, and founder of the Business Planning Institute. Based in Atlanta and working with clients nationwide, Alan specializes in helping business owners build enterprise value, protect what they've built, and create a financial life that outlasts the business itself. Building a great company is only half the work. The other half is making sure it actually pays you back. That's the conversation we have at Steward Your Business. If this episode described your situation, share it with the person who needs to hear it most: your business partner, your spouse, or the version of yourself that keeps putting this off. Links mentioned in this episode: Alan Franks on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanfranksThe Mill Financial Partners: https://www.themillfp.comBook: Empowered Money by Alan FranksBusiness Planning Institute: https://www.businessplanninginstitute.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/ccCall: +1 909.404.9865Website: https://stewardyourbusiness.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidwcarrWatch more episodes  and subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@steward_your_business

    41 min

  3. 5D AGO

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

    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 peopleHow starting too many things at once kills momentum, and what to do insteadThe flow framework: balancing features, defects, investments, and technical riskWhy cross-functional teams eliminate the handoff bottlenecks slowing your deliveryThe counter-intuitive truth about planning: execute first, earn the right to plan laterTwo things any leader can do this week to start moving the needleAbout 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/thanosdiakosCosmic Teacups: https://www.cosmicteacups.comBook 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/ccCall: +1 909.404.9865Website: https://stewardyourbusiness.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidwcarrWatch more episodes  and subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@steward_your_business

    39 min

  4. 6D AGO

    Why Most Marketing Fails and How Performance Marketing Actually Drives Revenue | Stephanie Curtis

    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 ROIThe difference between creative, corporate, product, and performance marketingHow to align marketing strategy with business and sales goalsWhy fewer channels — executed well — outperform scattered tacticsWhat executives should expect from a fractional CMOHow 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/ccCall: +1 909.404.9865Website: https://stewardyourbusiness.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidwcarrWatch more episodes  and subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@steward_your_business

    37 min

  5. APR 16

    Fear Isn’t the Problem—It’s the Signal | Jacqueline Wales on Fear Intelligence & Leadership

    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 leadershipHow self-identity influences decision-making and performanceThe connection between fear, control, and trust in teamsWhy many leaders avoid the deeper question of “Who am I?”How to shift from reactive leadership to intentional leadershipPractical ways to begin recognizing fear patterns in yourself and othersAbout 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/ccCall: +1 909.404.9865Website: https://stewardyourbusiness.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidwcarrWatch more episodes  and subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@steward_your_business

    38 min

  6. MAR 31

    ERP Systems Done Right: How to Avoid Costly Mistakes and Protect Your Business

    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 disruptionHow outdated ERP systems create hidden financial riskThe importance of vendor delivery performance over lowest costHow to evaluate ERP vendors properly before signing a contractWhy training must be done on-site, not just over ZoomThe critical role of ongoing support and U.S.-based service teamsHow to use analytics to monitor vendors, customers, receivables, and product performanceWhy relationships matter more than software featuresIf 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/ccCall: +1 909.404.9865Website: https://stewardyourbusiness.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidwcarrWatch more episodes  and subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@steward_your_business

    32 min

  7. MAR 26

    Why Your Marketing Messaging Is Failing and How to Fix It

    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 startsThe difference between brand building and marketing and why you need bothHow to define who you are, who you serve, and why they should careWhy short-term thinking raises customer acquisition costs and kills growthHow to use A-B testing without blowing your budgetThe right way to collect honest feedback from customers and employeesLinks mentioned in this episode: Ben Baker website and free e-books: https://www.iambenbaker.comBen 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/ccCall: +1 909.404.9865Website: https://stewardyourbusiness.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidwcarrWatch more episodes  and subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@steward_your_business

    49 min

  8. MAR 19

    How to Get Seen, Heard, and Remembered: Storytelling, Connection, and Video That Works

    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 industryHow to approach video, distribution, and online visibility the right wayWhy transactional networking kills relationships before they startThe power of building connections intentionally over decadesHow inner alignment drives outward influence and business resultsWhat JoJo does daily to stay energized, focused, and givingLinks 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/ccCall: +1 909.404.9865Website: https://stewardyourbusiness.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidwcarrWatch more episodes  and subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@steward_your_business

    46 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Welcome to the Business Roundtable Podcast, hosted by David Carr of Steward Your Business. This engaging and informative podcast series is dedicated to helping business owners, and entrepreneurs navigate the complexities of running a successful enterprise. Each episode features David Carr and a roster of industry experts, including regular contributors like Curtis Cochran, who bring their wealth of experience in mergers and acquisitions, organizational health, and team building. Dive into discussions that cover a broad range of topics essential to business growth and sustainability. From strategic planning and preparation to understanding the cycles of business ownership, the podcast provides invaluable insights into evaluating, enhancing, and exiting business ownership. Listeners can expect practical advice on scaling businesses, managing finances, and creating a culture that aligns with company goals. What sets this podcast apart is its focus on actionable strategies combined with real-world experiences. The conversations often delve into the importance of providing more value than the dollars earned and the necessity of adaptability in a rapidly changing business landscape. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or a seasoned business owner, the Business Roundtable Podcast is vital for staying ahead in today's competitive market. Join David Carr and his guests as they explore the art of making a business profitable but also enjoyable and sustainable. Tune in for your dose of inspiration, guidance, and tools to make 2024 and beyond a resounding success for your business ventures. Become a podcast supporter at just $2 a month at https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/business-roundtable--6049255/support.

Information

  • Creator
    David W. Carr
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    137
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Steward Your Business
  • Show Website
    Business Roundtable