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Dawn talks with Mike Matalone, founder of the XP3 Talent System and author of “Hire, Train, Retain,” about creating a “people operating system” that improves hiring, onboarding/training, daily management, and retention so other business systems execute effectively. Mike argues many business problems presented as financial, marketing, or operations issues are often people issues in disguise, and success starts with defining roles granularly (clear results, KPIs, and timeframes) rather than vague job descriptions. He emphasizes hiring for culture using mission, vision, and values, testing coachability and fit through open-ended questions and follow-up assignments, and retaining talent by identifying candidate needs, creating clear career paths, and intentionally building workplace relationships. He shares a case study reducing 80% turnover to 23% and scaling profitably after adding leadership and finance infrastructure.

In this episode…

Who is Mike Matone and whom does he serve? (00:48)

Why People Need Systems (01:38)

People Problems Disguised (04:05)

Define Success Clearly (07:04)

Granular Job Requirements (08:22)

Roles Evolve Over Time(10:52)

Success Formula KPIs Timing (11:59)

Workforce Planning Backwards (13:40)

63M QuickBooks Cautionary Tale (15:36)

Owner Expertise Five Pillars (18:02)

Enjoyment Versus Skill Fit (23:04)

Consistency Formula (25:07)

Hiring for Culture (27:12)

Mission Vision Values (27:20)

Two-Way Interviews (29:49)

Values-Based Questions (32:19)

Retention Starts Hiring (34:20)

Career Path Planning (36:50)

Relationships Drive Retention (39:40)

Book and Contact Info (42:52)

Turnaround Success Story (45:09)

Mike Matalone’s Information:

Website: https://www.xp3talent.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-matalone-6029b87/

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Dawn talks with James M. Powell, an expert on the science of intuition, about tapping into our intuition and using it to make better business decisions.

In this episode…

Who is James M. Powell and whom does he serve? (00:57).

In everything we learn about running a business, why don’t we learn about tapping into our intuition in business school? (2:26)

The meaning of “everyone is a spiritual being” (Cliff’s Notes Version). (4:12).

What is intuition, where does it come from, and why do we need to have it? (7:03).

How do we know we are getting into our intuition? (9:08).

Since we have intuition as children, why do we “grow out of” using it as adults to make decisions? (12:10).

To make better decisions, in what ways can we step back into our intuition? (15:23).

How can we differentiate between intellectualizing and being more intuitive? (19:16).

Feel it first, then think about it, then take action. (23:11).

James M. Powell's Information:

James’ Podcast Website- www.thespiritualitypodcast.com

Intuition Hacks- www.thespiritualitycoach.com

Facebook: https://facebook.com.james.m.powell

Entre Money Coach Website: https://entremoneycoach.com/

Links and Freebies- https://entremoneycoach.com/linktree/

What Clients Say About Working with Dawn- https://entremoneycoach.com/about-dawn/

In-Depth Information, Tips, and Strategies- https://entremoneycoach.com/blog/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/entremoneycoach

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/entremoneycoach

Entre Pay Day Newsletter: Entre Pay Day | Entre Money Coach

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Dawn Kennedy talks with George Bakalov, a cybersecurity professional and virtual CISO, and founder of Executive Solutions USA. They talk about small business “information security,” emphasizing that risk extends beyond phishing to protecting all business assets, reputation, and expanding attack surfaces across devices, cloud, and email. George explains common scenarios such as criminals hijacking domains or infrastructure to run malicious campaigns, identity-based attacks that compromise user accounts to access third-party systems, and the high recurrence rate of breaches. He recommends requesting vendor security certifications, using company-wide password managers, enabling multi-factor authentication, and running measurable employee awareness training since most attacks use email. He stresses starting with a security assessment, asset inventory, and prioritized risk-reduction plan, noting cyber insurance is increasingly standard and AI is already enabling more sophisticated attacks.

In this episode….

Who is George Bakalov, and whom does he serve? (00:57)

What InfoSec Covers (02:11)

Universal Business Risk (04:13)

Real Breach Stories (07:24)

Third Parties and Identity (11:03)

Password Manager Basics (14:07)

MFA and Training (17:59)

Too Many Security Tools (21:42)

Incident Response Planning (25:03)

AI and Future Threats (29:35)

Where to Find George (32:52)

Final Takeaways (34:66)

George Bakalov's Information:

Website: https://executivesolutions.us/

10% off for initial security assessment with coupon: DAWN10

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgebakalov/

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Dawn’s Website: https://dawnkkennedy.com/

Links and Freebies: https://dawnkkennedy.com/resources

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Dawn Kennedy talks with Francie Jain, founder of Terawatt, a platform that connects employers with coaches for group coaching and training, to discuss psychological safety and its ROI through reduced turnover. Francie defines psychological safety using Dr. Amy Edmondson’s work as a group-level climate where people can speak up without fear of repercussions, enabling error reporting and process improvement; reported errors may initially rise before declining as processes improve. They discuss how rigid hierarchy and leaders needing to be “right” undermine safety, generational shifts that make employer-provided development expected, and how psychological safety improves team performance, innovation, and customer outcomes.

In this Episode...

Who is Francie Jain, and whom does she serve? (00:45)

ROI of Psychological Safety (01:20)

What Psychological Safety Means (02:27)

Leadership and Generational Shifts (04:34)

Hiring and Culture Signals (07:26)

Google Study and Groupthink (09:16)

Hierarchy and Team Differences (14:09)

How to Implement Training (18:13)

DIY Tools and Measuring Impact (26:09)

Self Check Questions (31:58)

Resources and Where to Find Fran (33:11)

Military Case Study (35:08)

Final Takeaways and Goodbye (37:30)

Francie Jain's Information:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/franciejain/

Website: http://terawatt.co/

Book: Turn the Ship Around (U.S. Military)

Google's Project Aristotle (U.S. Technology Company)

Dr. Amy Edmondson's "Psychological Safety and Learning Behavior in Work Teams" (Academic Research on Hospital Team Behavior)

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Links and Freebies: https://dawnkkennedy.com/resources

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Dawn Kennedy talks with Jake Isham,a filmmaker-turned-brand strategist and creative director who helps founders and entrepreneurs turn their expertise into authority through powerful storytelling. They delve into the significance of personal branding, especially in today's low-trust environment. The discussion highlights the impact of social media posts on perceptions, the importance of consistency, and the idea that 'who you are is what you post.' Jake stresses the value of authenticity and the need to tackle the challenge of building a personal brand, even if it means starting small and unpolished. The episode concludes with practical advice on creating and distributing content across platforms, aiming for a consistent presence rather than immediate perfection.

In this episode....

Who is Jake Isham, and whom does he serve? (01:07)

The Importance of Social Media Presence (01:15)

Personal Branding: Lessons from Experience (03:49)

The Role of Personal Brand in Business Success (07:01)

Evolving Your Personal Brand (10:54)

Building a Personal Brand: Practical Tips (15:09)

Navigating Social Media Platforms (20:43)

Finding Your Preferred Content Creation Platform (22:50)

The Importance of Consistency in Social Media (25:35)

Leveraging Multiple Platforms for Maximum Reach (27:45)

Building a Personal Brand in the Age of AI (30:56)

The Value of a Loyal Audience (36:03)

Final Thoughts and Where to Find More Information (40:45)

Jake Isham’s Information:

Website: http://www.jakeisham.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakeisham/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jakeAisham

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For weekly in-depth articles, tips, and strategies: https://getinweredoingbusiness.substack.com

Dawn’s Website: https://dawnkkennedy.com/

Links and Freebies: https://dawnkkennedy.com/resources

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Dawn Kennedy talks with Cat Holt, Founder, CEO & Pres @ Coologee, Inc. They delve into the essential strategies for building a durable, sustainable brand. Cat Holt, shares her extensive experience in marketing, consulting, and branding, along with insights from her work with Progressive Insurance. They discuss the evolution of branding, the importance of customer retention, and the transition from awareness to trust in branding. They also explore the role of in-person engagement, digital trust issues, and the significance of maintaining a welcoming and consistent onboarding experience, even as brands grow and evolve. The discussion provides valuable perspectives for business owners looking to adapt and thrive in a changing marketplace.

In this episode....

Who is Cat Holt, and whom does she serve? (01:02)

The Evolution of Progressive Insurance (01:54)

The Importance of Customer Retention (06:56)

Onboarding and Customer Experience (09:43)

Creating a Sense of Community (18:14)

Navigating Real Estate Transactions (23:56)

The Power of Niche Communities Online (24:26)

Evolving Trust in Digital Spaces (25:26)

Rediscovering Human Connections (26:18)

Generational Shifts in Business (31:33)

Cracker Barrel's Rebranding Journey (32:34)

Lessons from Restaurant Industry (36:21)

The Importance of Connection in Business (41:58)

Where to Find More Insights (42:34)

Cat Holt's Information:

Website: http://coologee.com/

SUBSTACK: https://catholtcoologee.substack.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catkolodij/

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Links and Freebies: https://dawnkkennedy.com/resources

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Dawn Kennedy talks with Adrienne Wilkerson, Co-Founder and CEO of Beacon Media + Marketing, to discuss the transition from being a business founder to taking on the CEO role. The conversation touches on the challenges of moving from a practitioner to a leader, the importance of delegation, the evolution of company culture, and the necessity of trust and communication in building a sustainable business. The episode emphasizes the ongoing evolution of leadership mindsets and the balance between control and freedom in effective business management.

In This Episode....

Who is Adrienne Wilkerson, and whom does she serve? (00:57)

Starting a Business in Anchorage: The Early Years (01:34)

Merging Businesses and the Birth of Beacon Media and Marketing (01:56)

Navigating the Wild West of Digital Marketing (02:44)

From Founder to CEO: The Identity Shift (03:39)

Delegating Tasks and Overcoming Control Issues (06:50)

Strategic Coach and the Four Quadrants Tool (10:00)

Hiring the Right People and Maintaining Company Values (17:21)

The Transition to Ownership (20:23)

Lessons from High School Leadership (21:51)

Delegation and Team Support (23:11)

Evolving Company Dynamics (25:15)

Building Middle Tier Leadership (27:22)

Navigating Employee Turnover (30:45)

Trusting Your Team (35:58)

Adrienne Wilkerson's Information:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beaconmm/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriennewilkerson/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeaconWayPodcast

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beaconmm

X: https://x.com/beaconmm

Podcast: https://www.beaconmm.com/the-beacon-way/

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For weekly in-depth articles, tips, and strategies: https://getinweredoingbusiness.substack.com

Dawn’s Website: https://dawnkkennedy.com/

Links and Freebies: https://dawnkkennedy.com/resources

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Dawn Kennedy talks with Kevon Saber, a partner and transition architect at Legacy Outcomes, to discuss the intricacies of selling a business. They delve into the importance of succession planning, the differences between mergers, acquisitions, and outright sales, and the critical red flags to watch for. Kevon shares his experience selling two mobile software companies and the lessons learned from those sales. The conversation covers the emotional aspects of selling a business, how to prepare a business for sale, and the importance of a proper valuation. They also discuss seller-side financing, the role of SBA loans, and the significance of confidentiality during the sale process. Kevon emphasizes the need for a solid preparation phase, including clarifying goals, forensic analysis, and getting the right people on the team to ensure a successful and regret-free sale of the business.

In this episode….

Who is Kevon Saber, and whom does he serve? (00:48)

Understanding Mergers, Acquisitions, and Sales (02:43)

The Scary Statistics of Business Sales (04:07)

Preparing Your Business for Sale (06:06)

The Emotional Side of Selling a Business (16:30)

Navigating Financing and Red Flags (21:06)

Understanding the Risks of Time in Business (26:42)

SBA Policies and Seller Financing (27:07)

Valuation and Seller's Path to Regrets (31:25)

Steps to Prepare for Selling a Business (33:41)

Clarifying Goals and Building the Right Team (35:23)

Confidentiality and Screening Buyers (44:57)

Final Thoughts and Resources (46:53)

Kevon Saber’s Information:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevonsaber/

Website: https://legacyoutcomes.com/

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Links and Freebies: https://dawnkkennedy.com/resources

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