Systems Simplified

In This Episode Persuasion doesn't start with techniques—it starts with care that can be felt, not just intended. In this episode, Adi Klevit sits down with Danny Bobrow to explore why so many businesses lose opportunities even after attracting interest. Danny explains that while marketing can make the phone ring, success is determined by what happens next. He introduces the idea of the "care gap," the space between a professional's good intentions and how those intentions are perceived by the person on the other end of the conversation. Adi and Danny dive into the Art of First Impressions, including Danny's structured approach to phone conversations that respectfully establishes trust, control, and reassurance within seconds. Through specific examples, Danny shows how asking the right questions, using names intentionally, and setting a supportive tone can transform routine interactions into meaningful connections. The conversation expands beyond dentistry to communication in any industry or relationship. Danny outlines his Persuasion Blueprint, emphasizing that true persuasion is ethical, collaborative, and rooted in helping people make decisions in their own best interest. Together, Adi and Danny reinforce that communication is not a personality trait—it's a system that can be learned, practiced, and refined.

In This Episode HR problems rarely show up all at once—they build quietly until they become expensive distractions. In this episode, Adi Klevit sits down with Karla Faundez to discuss how HR systems play a critical role in protecting and scaling a business. Karla explains why many small and mid-sized companies operate with HR tasks scattered across people and departments, creating risk, confusion, and misalignment as the business grows. Adi and Karla dive into the importance of starting with clarity: understanding what roles are needed, what success looks like in each seat, and how hiring should support the company's long-term goals. Karla outlines her approach to building simple, practical HR systems that ensure compliance while also aligning people with culture, values, and performance expectations. The conversation also highlights common mistakes business owners make, particularly around communication and documentation. Karla emphasizes that HR issues often remain invisible until they escalate, and that proactive systems—clear policies, documented processes, and consistent communication—allow owners to focus on growth instead of constantly putting out people-related fires.

In This Episode Influence isn't about charisma or control—it's about consistently creating alignment. In this episode, Adi Klevit welcomes back recurring guest Bob Burg to explore what it truly means to be an influencer in business and life. Bob reframes influence as the ability to move people to action through attraction rather than force, emphasizing that genuine influence always begins with focusing on others before advancing ideas. Adi and Bob dive into the distinction between persuasion and manipulation, highlighting why influence must be grounded in intent and authenticity. Bob explains that true persuasion enhances the position of everyone involved, creating win-win outcomes instead of compliance or resistance. The conversation reinforces that influence is not a personality trait, but a skill that can be learned and practiced. The discussion then turns practical, as Bob outlines several of the principles from The Go-Giver Influencer. From mastering emotions to stepping into another person's belief system and setting productive frames, Bob shows how influence can be systematized into repeatable behaviors. Together, Adi and Bob highlight why people skills—supported by structure and awareness—remain irreplaceable, even in an increasingly automated world.

In This Episode A business doesn't become sellable at the moment you decide to exit—it becomes sellable years before that through intentional preparation. In this episode, Adi Klevit interviews Channing Hamlet about what truly determines whether a business can be sold at a premium. Channing outlines four critical areas owners must address early: personal clarity on exit goals, tax planning, personal financial planning, and business readiness. He emphasizes that exit preparation is not a last-minute decision, but a long-term strategy. Adi and Channing dive deeply into business readiness, focusing on transferability—the ability for a business to operate without undue risk once the owner exits. Channing explains how concentration risk, undocumented processes, and founder dependency all reduce buyer confidence and often force deal structures that delay or reduce payout. The conversation brings everything back to systems. Channing shares real-world examples of businesses that failed to sell because knowledge lived in one person's head, as well as companies that achieved premium outcomes by documenting processes, building teams, and engineering risk out of the business. The episode reinforces a key systems principle: the easier it is to transfer how the business runs, the more valuable it becomes.

In This Episode Personal branding doesn't scale on creativity alone—it scales when creativity is supported by systems. In this episode, Adi Klevit sits down with returning guest Marina Byezhanova to explore how Brand of a Leader has evolved in response to massive shifts in AI, content creation, and visibility. Marina shares why process orientation has always been central to her business and how that structure became critical when the industry was disrupted almost overnight. Adi and Marina dive into how AI reshaped client expectations around content creation and why Brand of a Leader chose to embrace AI as a tool rather than compete against it. Marina explains the difficult but strategic decision to restructure her team, overinvest in high-quality editors, and refocus the company on human voice, nuance, and thought leadership that machines cannot replicate. The conversation also zooms out to growth and scalability. Marina reflects on how documented processes created stability during slower periods and revealed gaps during rapid growth. Together, Adi and Marina reinforce a key systems lesson: when processes break, it's often a signal to refine and evolve them—not abandon them.

In This Episode Growth doesn't fail because leaders lack ambition—it fails when growth isn't systematized. In this episode, Adi Klevit sits down with George Sandman to unpack what it really takes to build a business that delivers predictable results. George introduces the concept of strategic capacity, explaining how businesses must be designed to consistently generate cash flow, grow sustainably, and create value that is not dependent on the owner. Adi and George explore the three dimensions of business growth: predictable profits and cash flow, predictable sustainable growth, and predictable transferable value. George explains why many businesses grow faster than their systems or cash flow can support, and how intentional design, scorecards, and process-driven execution remove guesswork from success. The conversation reinforces that systems are not about rigidity. Instead, George uses powerful analogies—from Formula One engines to sailing in open water—to show how structure creates discipline, discipline creates freedom, and freedom allows leaders to adapt to changing markets without chaos. Together, Adi and George highlight that businesses with strong systems are easier to run, more resilient, and better positioned to deliver both financial results and owner freedom.

Introduction of the Guest Kalen Marie Cotto is a fractional Chief Marketing Officer, author, and the founder of KMC Digital. With more than 20 years of experience in marketing, journalism, and public affairs—including coordinating media in high-pressure environments—Kalen brings a disciplined, no-fluff approach to revenue growth. She is the author of The Revenue Runway, where she helps business owners simplify sales, marketing, and messaging into systems that actually work.

In This Episode Growth doesn't stall because of a lack of effort—it stalls when systems don't support opportunity. In this episode, Adi Klevit interviews Jennifer Glass about the most common ways businesses leave money on the table. Jennifer explains how many companies rely too heavily on automation, mistaking activity for connection, and why true growth requires intentional follow-up, real conversations, and relationship-driven systems. Adi and Jennifer explore how joint ventures and strategic partnerships can dramatically increase revenue without increasing marketing spend. Jennifer shares practical examples of how businesses can expand their offerings through collaboration instead of building everything in-house, as well as why asking clients the right questions often reveals immediate growth opportunities. The conversation wraps with Jennifer's "business growth architect" mindset—building a business the way you'd build a house. From laying a strong foundation to reinforcing each functional area, she emphasizes that sustainable growth only happens when marketing, operations, sales, and financial systems are intentionally designed to work together.

In This Episode What happens when entrepreneurial wisdom isn't documented, preserved, or shared consistently? According to Kyle Mealy, it gets lost—and future entrepreneurs are forced to reinvent the wheel. In this episode, Adi Klevit interviews Kyle Mealy about the systems behind building scalable entrepreneurial ecosystems. Kyle explains how Entrepreneurial Media Company was created to preserve proven entrepreneurial frameworks in one place, ensuring that critical knowledge remains accessible instead of scattered across books, podcasts, and fading platforms. Adi and Kyle then dive into ENERGY, a fast-growing, help-first entrepreneurial community. Kyle shares lessons learned from earlier attempts that lacked structure and how creating a clear, repeatable operating model—complete with defined roles for visionaries, integrators, and implementers—allowed ENERGY to scale rapidly while staying consistent. The conversation reinforces a core theme: without systems, even the best ideas struggle to grow; with systems, communities and knowledge can scale for generations.

In This Episode Passion alone doesn't build a business—systems turn purpose into something sustainable. In this episode, Adi Klevit sits down with Patty Aubery to explore how one idea evolved into one of the most recognizable personal development brands in the world. Patty shares the early behind-the-scenes reality of Chicken Soup for the Soul, including years of rejection, relentless promotion, and the systems that eventually made massive scale possible. Adi and Patty discuss the difference between passion as a hobby and passion as a business. Patty reflects on the defining personal moment that pushed her to step out from behind the scenes and become visible, and how that shift now informs the work she does with entrepreneurs who are settling, hiding, or staying stuck. The conversation comes full circle to systems and processes. Patty explains why structure does not limit creativity—it enables it. From publishing hundreds of titles to coaching business owners today, she emphasizes that without systems, you have a job; with systems, you have a company.

In This Episode Culture doesn't improve by accident—it improves when leaders design it intentionally. In this episode, Adi Klevit interviews Chris Dyer about how company culture becomes a system when leaders shift from control to empowerment. Chris shares how, early in his career, all decisions flowed through him, unintentionally stalling innovation and growth. That realization pushed him to rethink leadership and build an environment where employees were trusted to think, decide, and act. Adi and Chris discuss the practical changes required to create an ownership-driven culture, including encouraging experimentation, allowing room for mistakes, and changing how leaders respond to ideas. Chris explains why stepping back from decision-making helped his teams develop stronger judgment and confidence, leading to faster growth and better outcomes. The conversation also explores how culture can be systematized, even in remote environments. Chris introduces his Seven Pillars of Amazing Culture and explains why transparency, recognition, measurement, and intentional communication are essential for scaling culture without relying on a single leader.

In This Episode Great marketing alone can't sustain growth if operations aren't prepared to support it. In this episode, Adi Klevit sits down with Kasandra Murray to explore the critical connection between marketing and operations. Kasandra explains how marketing may bring leads through the door, but it's operational systems—training, documentation, and follow-through—that determine whether those leads turn into satisfied customers and long-term growth. Adi and Kasandra discuss common gaps they see across industries, particularly the tendency for businesses to overspend on marketing while underinvesting in internal training and process improvement. Kasandra shares practical examples of how strengthening operations can dramatically improve marketing performance, including a case where fixing call handling doubled a company's revenue without increasing ad spend. The conversation also dives into change management, documenting processes, and making systems easy to follow. Kasandra emphasizes that processes should be living documents and that real progress happens when teams understand the "why" behind the system—not just the steps.

In This Episode A website should support your business—not slow it down. In this episode, Adi Klevit sits down with Chris LaFay to discuss why most business websites fail to scale alongside the company. Chris explains how poorly structured websites often turn into bottlenecks, forcing founders and teams to rely on developers for even the smallest updates. Adi and Chris explore how a website can be intentionally designed as a sales and trust-building system. Chris shares his philosophy of building websites that function like living proposals—answering questions, showcasing proof, and guiding prospects through decision-making without requiring endless emails or custom decks. The conversation also dives into the importance of processes, even in creative businesses. Chris explains how simple, repeatable systems—especially around relationship management and follow-ups—create consistency, trust, and long-term growth.

In This Episode Adi Klevit sits down with Lindsay Nahmiache for a powerful conversation about growth, discomfort, and the systems that allow founders to evolve beyond daily operations. Lindsay shares how unexpected moments—like being stranded in Nepal without a passport—became pivotal experiences that shaped her ability to think clearly, creatively, and strategically. Adi highlights how these personal experiences directly influence leadership style and long-term business success. They also explore the early days of Lindsay's marketing agency, including how saying "yes" before having all the answers led to landing major clients like Virgin Radio. Adi emphasizes that this wasn't luck, but a mindset backed by execution, structure, and a willingness to figure things out. The conversation reinforces how confidence paired with systems creates opportunity. As the episode unfolds, Adi and Lindsay dive into what it truly takes to scale. Lindsay explains why founders must eventually remove themselves from operations—even when it feels uncomfortable—and how strong systems step in to support the business at the next level. Adi reinforces that this transition is essential for founders who want freedom, clarity, and sustainable growth without becoming the bottleneck.

In This Episode Freedom doesn't happen by accident—it's built through systems. In this episode, Adi Klevit sits down with John Gwaltney to unpack how intentional systemization allowed him to step out of daily operations while continuing to scale multiple businesses. John shares the evolution of Outback Deck, from knocking on doors and handing out flyers to building a $14–15 million operation that runs without constant owner involvement. John explains how hiring improved once his team invested in documented processes and repeatable hiring systems. He also walks through how operational clarity led to innovation, including the creation of Deck Metrics, Contractor Classroom, and Deck View—tools designed to help contractors price faster, sell more confidently, and deliver consistent results. Throughout the conversation, Adi and John tie everything back to documentation, accountability, and having a single source of truth. John emphasizes that systems are not about control—they are about trust, consistency, and giving leaders the confidence to step away without things falling apart.

In This Episode: Just because AI can do something doesn't mean it should. In this episode, Adi Klevit sits down with Wendy Lieber to unpack one of the most misunderstood topics in business today: AI and marketing. Wendy shares what she's seen firsthand as agencies and entrepreneurs rush to automate everything—and why that approach often backfires. Adi and Wendy explore where AI genuinely adds value, such as research, organization, and efficiency, and where it creates risk by removing the human element. They discuss why sales, storytelling, and relationship-building still require people—not machines—and how businesses can build systems that support humans rather than replace them. The conversation also covers leadership responsibility in the age of AI, including Wendy's recommendation to create a clear internal stance or "AI charter." The episode brings everything back to systems: clarity, intention, ethics, and using tools in service of long-term value rather than short-term shortcuts.

In This Episode Leadership isn't sustainable without intention, structure, and reflection. In this episode, Adi Klevit sits down with Tony Thelen to explore the often-overlooked concept of systematizing leadership. Drawing on decades of executive experience at John Deere, Tony explains why repeatable success depends on systems—not just in operations, but in how leaders manage themselves, their decisions, and their priorities. The conversation also explores Tony's book, Things We Desire, inspired by the 1927 poem Desiderata. Tony and Adi discuss how enduring values such as peace, purpose, and self-awareness can be translated into practical leadership systems. Tony introduces his four-quadrant framework, offering leaders a structured way to manage professional life, personal relationships, community involvement, and self-care with intention.

Introduction of the Guest Jamey Schrier is the founder of Practice Freedom and the creator of the Practice Freedom Method. A former physical therapist who built and sold a multi-million-dollar practice, Jamey now coaches business owners who feel stuck in day-to-day operations. Known for his direct, contrarian approach, he helps entrepreneurs shift from being operators in their business to architects of businesses that deliver both profitability and personal freedom.

Introduction of the Guest Christina Lenkowski is a forward-thinking podcast publicist and educator who helps business owners, speakers, and authors expand their visibility by becoming featured guests on top-rated shows. After more than a decade in public relations, Christina discovered firsthand how guesting on podcasts could transform a business's credibility and reach. Since founding her agency in 2019, she and her team have helped clients get booked on more than 1,000 podcasts — turning conversations into measurable business growth.

Introduction of the Guest Knight Campbell is the Founder and Managing Partner of Cairn Leadership Strategies, a company that uses outdoor adventure as a catalyst for leadership development. A former Naval Academy instructor and helicopter pilot, Knight combines his passion for experiential learning with evidence-based leadership principles. He also teaches leadership and strategy at the University of San Diego's business school and is currently pursuing a PhD in leadership studies.