Is Your Back Office Ready for Growth? | Walt Lotspeich | Talk To Th3 Doc Ep. 144

Is Your Back Office Ready for Growth? | Walt Lotspeich | Talk To Th3 Doc Ep. 144

Are your back-office systems helping your business grow—or quietly holding it back? In this episode of Talk To Th3 Doc, Steve "The Doctor" Meek sits down with Walt Lotspeich, President of OG Trust Services, to explore why operational excellence is about much more than software. Together they discuss how clean data, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, vendor management, business processes, and leadership all contribute to building organizations that scale with confidence. Although Walt's company specializes in mineral interest management and trust operations, the lessons in this conversation apply to every growing business, nonprofit, municipality, financial institution, and professional services firm. 💡 In this episode you'll learn: ✅ Why bad data leads to bad business decisions ✅ How operational excellence creates a competitive advantage ✅ Practical ways AI is improving business productivity ✅ Why cybersecurity is now a leadership responsibility ✅ How vendor management reduces organizational risk ✅ Why continuous improvement never ends ✅ Leadership lessons from growing a successful business If you're an SMB owner, executive, operations leader, nonprofit director, or local government official looking to improve your organization, this episode is packed with practical advice you can apply immediately. ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 – Welcome & Guest Introduction 05:04 – Cybersecurity and Leadership 10:10 – Building Specialized Business Software 14:55 – Why Continuous Improvement Never Ends 19:49 – Practical AI for Business 28:00 – Measuring Business Performance 31:55 – Growth Signals Every Leader Should Watch 33:58 – Managing Operational Bottlenecks 36:10 – Industry Trends & Technology 40:57 – Strategic Partnerships That Scale 46:58 – Leadership Lessons & Final Prescription 🎯 Top Takeaway "Check your ego at the door." Great organizations aren't built by leaders who try to do everything themselves. They're built by leaders who surround themselves with talented people, trust experts, and continually improve the systems that support growth. 👤 About Our Guest Walt Lotspeich is President of OG Trust Services, where he helps financial institutions, trust companies, and family offices manage complex mineral interests through specialized software and operational expertise. Learn more: 🌐 https://ogtrustservices.com/ 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/waltlotspeich/ 🎧 Listen Everywhere Apple Podcasts Spotify Amazon Music iHeartRadio Pocket Casts 🎧 https://pod.link/1807560282 🌐 More Talk To Th3 Doc Podcast Home https://www.fulcrumgroup.net/talk-to-th3-doc-podcast/ 👨‍⚕️ Connect with Steve "The Doctor" Meek 📧 thedoctor@fulcrumgroup.net 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevemeekcissp/ 🏢 Connect with The Fulcrum Group 🌐 https://www.fulcrumgroup.net/ 📞 817-337-0300 📧 sales@fulcrumgroup.net LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-fulcrum-group-inc/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@TheFulcrumGroup Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TheFulcrumGroup X https://x.com/TheFulcrumGroup Instagram https://www.instagram.com/TheFulcrumGroupInc 🔖 Keywords back office operations, business growth, operational excellence, leadership, cybersecurity, business systems, managed IT services, data governance, AI for business, Microsoft Copilot, vendor management, technology strategy, business operations, cloud computing, operational efficiency, digital transformation, business leadership, executive leadership, SMB technology, Talk To Th3 Doc

Are Your Hiring Gaps Hurting Growth? Mark Mitford | Talk To Th3 Doc Ep. 143

Are hiring gaps quietly slowing your growth? In Episode 143 of Talk To Th3 Doc, Steve “The Doctor” Meek talks with Mark Mitford, Founder and Fractional HR Executive at HR Catalyst, about recruiting, onboarding, retention, leadership development, and why people problems are often growth problems in disguise. Mark explains why SMB leaders should always be building a talent pipeline, why a job posting is not the same as a job description, and how better onboarding and manager check-ins can help retain good people. For business owners, nonprofit leaders, municipal leaders, and DFW executives, this episode connects HR discipline with the same leadership habits that make technology, cybersecurity, and managed IT services work better: clarity, structure, communication, and trust. At The Fulcrum Group, Inc., we see the same pattern in IT. Whether through SPOT Managed IT Services, SPOT Managed Security Services, the STARPower Framework, or our No IT Jerks philosophy, healthy systems help good people do better work. Top Takeaway Equip leaders to lead effectively. Hiring gaps, onboarding gaps, and IT maturity gaps all point back to one leadership question: do we have a repeatable system, or are we relying on heroics? What We Cover • Why leaders should always be recruiting • The difference between job postings and job descriptions • How poor candidate communication hurts hiring • Why outdated job descriptions create bad outcomes • How AI and automation can help, but also miss good candidates • Why time-to-fill matters as an HR metric • How structured onboarding reduces turnover risk • Why leaders should re-recruit existing employees • Simple recognition habits that improve retention • Why promoted managers need leadership training • How trust grows through regular check-ins Episode Chapters 00:00 – Introduction to HR insights 03:06 – Current state of the job market 06:01 – Recruiting strategies in uncertain times 08:59 – Always be recruiting 11:30 – Job posting vs. job description 12:07 – Candidate communication matters 14:56 – Structured interviews and scalable hiring 19:59 – Automation and AI in recruiting 22:28 – Keep job descriptions current 24:05 – Time to fill as a key HR metric 29:03 – Onboarding and productivity metrics 31:39 – The cost of high turnover 33:50 – Key elements of effective onboarding 36:36 – Re-recruiting existing employees 39:48 – Recognition and reward systems 43:07 – Leadership development and engagement 48:27 – Building trust in leadership 54:05 – Balancing remote work and engagement 58:32 – Final takeaways and resources Guest Mark Mitford Founder and Fractional HR Executive, HR Catalyst Website: https://hrcatalystconsulting.com LinkedIn: Search “Mark Mitford” Book mentioned: People Are Your Profit Resources Mentioned • HR Catalyst: https://hrcatalystconsulting.com • People Are Your Profit by Mark Mitford • Radical Candor by Kim Scott • Patrick Lencioni and The Table Group podcasts • HR Problem Solver Podcast Connect With The Fulcrum Group The Fulcrum Group, Inc. is a Keller, TX based provider of DFW Managed IT Services for SMBs, local governments, nonprofits, professional services firms, manufacturers, and growing organizations. Explore more episodes or schedule an initial consultation: https://www.fulcrumgroup.net/talk-to-th3-doc-podcast/ Main website: https://www.fulcrumgroup.net/ Phone: 817-337-0300 Email: sales@fulcrumgroup.net Podcast link: https://pod.link/1807560282 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-fulcrum-group-inc. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFulcrumGroupInc Subscribe, like, comment, and share this episode with another leader who wants stronger people systems, better technology alignment, and less business friction. #TalkToTh3Doc #HiringGaps #SMBLeadership #EmployeeRetention #EmployeeOnboarding #RecruitingStrategy #LeadershipDevelopment #HRCatalyst #MarkMitford #SteveMeek #TheFulcrumGroup #DFWBusiness #KellerTX #DFWManagedITServices #ManagedITServices #NoITJerks

Are Hidden Cash Flow Problems Holding Back Your Business? With Paul Whitley of C-Suite Support Ep. 141

What if your business looks profitable on paper… but still struggles with cash flow, operational stress, or scaling challenges? In Episode 141 of Talk To Th3 Doc, Steve “The Doctor” Meek sits down with Paul Whitley, CEO and Fractional CFO at C-Suite Support, to unpack one of the biggest hidden threats facing growing organizations today: the gap between revenue and real financial clarity. Paul shares practical insight into: ✅ Cash flow forecasting ✅ Fractional CFO services ✅ Operational efficiency ✅ AI and automation ✅ Business valuation ✅ EOS and accountability ✅ Pricing and margin pressure ✅ Preparing companies for growth or acquisition 💬 One of the most memorable quotes from the episode: “Run that thing like it’s for sale every single day.” If you’re an SMB owner, nonprofit leader, municipality, or executive trying to improve profitability, operational maturity, and long-term business value, this conversation delivers executive-level insight without the jargon. ________________________________________ 🩺 In This Episode ⏱️ Key Topics & Chapters 00:00 – Welcome to the Doctor’s Office 03:00 – Why Fractional CFO Services Are Growing 05:53 – Hidden Cash Flow Problems in SMBs 09:05 – Pricing, Margins & Financial Visibility 14:15 – Preparing a Business for Sale 18:06 – ERP, CRM & Operational Systems 24:48 – Labor Costs & Workforce Challenges 34:47 – Company Culture & Accountability 41:33 – Insurance & Cost Reduction Opportunities 43:50 – AI, Automation & Business Efficiency 50:41 – Paul’s One Big Takeaway ________________________________________ 💡 Why This Matters Many organizations think growth automatically solves problems. In reality, growth often exposes hidden operational and financial weaknesses. Paul explains why: • profitable companies still run out of cash, • operational discipline matters, • and leaders need visibility before problems become crises. This episode is especially valuable for: ✔ SMB owners ✔ Executive leadership teams ✔ Municipal organizations ✔ Nonprofits ✔ Professional services firms ✔ Growing companies navigating AI and operational change ________________________________________ 📞 Connect with Paul Whitley 🌐 Website: C-Suite Support 📩 Email: pwhitley@csuitesupport.com 🔗 LinkedIn: Search “Paul Whitley” on LinkedIn ________________________________________ 🎧 Listen & Subscribe 🎧 Listen on your preferred platform: 👉 https://pod.link/1807560282 🌐 Explore more episodes: Talk To Th3 Doc Podcast 📺 Watch more episodes: 👉 https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLi1vcfxOUyUhHmTgOANWb7EUeNNHdlE0l&si=DRLQ9NjoXKdpnzYS ________________________________________ 🤝 Connect with The Fulcrum Group 🌐 Website: The Fulcrum Group 📩 Email: 📞 Sales: 817-337-0300 🔗 Steve Meek LinkedIn: Steve Meek LinkedIn ▶️ YouTube Channel: The Fulcrum Group YouTube Channel ________________________________________ 🔍 Suggested SEO Hashtags #TalkToTh3Doc #FractionalCFO #CashFlowManagement #BusinessGrowth #FinancialClarity #SMBLeadership #OperationalEfficiency #BusinessStrategy #BusinessValuation #EOS #AIForBusiness #DFWBusiness #LeadershipPodcast #BusinessOperations #ManagedServices #OperationalClarity #DigitalTransformation #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusinessGrowth #TheFulcrumGroup

How to Build an SMB Cybersecurity Program With Peter Gailey Ep. 140

🎙️ Talk To Th3 Doc – Episode 140 What if your biggest cybersecurity risk is not a missing tool, but the lack of a real plan? In this episode of Talk To Th3 Doc, Steve “The Doctor” Meek sits down with Peter Gailey, CEO of Gailey Solutions LLC, to unpack what SMB leaders, nonprofit executives, municipalities, and growing organizations need to understand about cybersecurity strategy, compliance, business email compromise, cyber risk, and security maturity. 💡 Top Takeaway: “Get a baseline. Just understand what you have.” — Peter Gailey If your organization cannot clearly identify its systems, assets, users, and risks, it is very hard to build a strong cybersecurity program. Peter explains why too many organizations are still playing cybersecurity “whack-a-mole” instead of taking a practical, structured, business-minded approach. What we cover: ✅ Cybersecurity trends affecting SMBs ✅ Why cybersecurity should be a CEO-level issue ✅ The role of NIST, CIS, ISO, HIPAA, and PCI ✅ Why business email compromise still works ✅ How policies, procedures, controls, and evidence fit together ✅ AI risk, third-party risk, and future governance concerns ✅ Why a baseline assessment is the best first move Guest Info Peter Gailey CEO, Gailey Solutions LLC 🌐 https://www.gaileysolutions.com/ 🔗 http://www.linkedin.com/in/petergailey 📞 214-336-1286 📧 Peter@GaileySolutions.com Fulcrum Group Links 🌐 Podcast Hub: https://www.fulcrumgroup.net/talk-to-th3-doc-podcast/ 🌐 Main Website: https://www.fulcrumgroup.net/ 📧 Email Steve: thedoctor@fulcrumgroup.net 📧 Sales: sales@fulcrumgroup.net 📞 Sales: 817-337-0300 🔗 Steve on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevemeekcissp/ 🔗 The Fulcrum Group on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-fulcrum-group-inc . ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFulcrumGroupInc 🐦 X: https://twitter.com/TheFulcrumGroup 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheFulcrumGroup/ 🎧 Listen on your favorite podcast app: https://pod.link/1807560282 Chapters 00:00 Intro to Peter Gailey and cybersecurity for SMBs 03:13 Cybersecurity trends and market consolidation 09:06 Common blind spots for organizations 11:54 Why baseline assessments matter 15:09 Compliance frameworks and business risk 20:09 NIST, ISO, and measuring maturity 24:01 Ransomware and email compromise 39:04 Business email compromise explained 44:52 Controls, policies, procedures, and evidence 50:59 Why cybersecurity belongs at the leadership level 59:58 AI risk and third-party risk 1:04:06 One Big Takeaway: get a baseline 👍 If this episode helped you, please like, comment, subscribe, and share it with another business leader. #TalkToTh3Doc #Cybersecurity #SMBCybersecurity #ManagedIT #DFWBusiness #RiskManagement #BusinessLeadership

How to Fix Random Acts of Marketing With William Collins | Ep. 139

🎙️ Talk To Th3 Doc – Episode 139 In this episode of Talk To Th3 Doc, Steve “The Doctor” Meek sits down with William Collins, Partner and Chief Marketing Officer at Chief Outsiders, to unpack why so many growing organizations stay busy but still struggle to grow. If your company keeps saying, “We need more leads,” this episode may help you find the real issue. William explains why stalled growth often comes from missing strategy, weak alignment, poor measurement, or random acts of marketing that never connect to real business results. 💡 Top Takeaway: Do we have the right strategy, the right team, and the willingness to make the investment? That was William’s core challenge to leaders trying to break through stalled growth. What we cover Why “more leads” is often not the real problem What random acts of marketing look like inside real organizations Why buyers want to self-educate before talking to sales How sales and marketing alignment impacts revenue Which business and marketing metrics leaders should actually watch How reverse pipeline thinking helps teams work backward from revenue goals Why ideal customer profile and customer pain points matter so much How leaders should think about strategy, team capability, and investment before expecting growth Why this matters This conversation is especially useful for SMB owners, nonprofit leaders, city managers, and executive decision-makers who want better growth strategy, better leadership alignment, and more measurable business outcomes. The lessons apply beyond marketing, because strategy, accountability, and clear priorities matter in every part of the business. Guest William Collins Partner and Chief Marketing Officer Chief Outsiders 🔗 https://www.chiefoutsiders.com/profile/william-collins 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-collins 📧 WCollins@chiefoutsiders.com 📞 214-542-5166 Connect with Steve and Fulcrum 🌐 Podcast page: https://www.fulcrumgroup.net/talk-to-th3-doc-podcast/ 🎧 Listen on your favorite platform: https://pod.link/1807560282 📩 Email Steve: thedoctor@fulcrumgroup.net 🔗 Steve on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevemeekcissp/ 🌐 The Fulcrum Group: https://www.fulcrumgroup.net/ Subscribe If this episode gave you something useful, subscribe, like, comment, and share it with another leader who needs a little less noise and a little more clarity. Hashtags #TalkToTh3Doc #WilliamCollins #ChiefOutsiders #MarketingStrategy #BusinessGrowth #RevenueGrowth #SalesAndMarketingAlignment #FractionalCMO #DFWBusiness #Leadership #SMBStrategy #ManagedITServicesDFW #KellerTX Suggested YouTube Tags Talk To Th3 Doc, William Collins, Chief Outsiders, marketing strategy, random acts of marketing, business growth, fractional CMO, sales and marketing alignment, growth strategy, revenue generation, SMB leadership, DFW business podcast, Steve Meek, managed IT services DFW, Keller Texas business Suggested pinned comment 👉 Like this conversation? Watch more episodes here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLi1vcfxOUyUhHmTgOANWb7EUeNNHdlE0l&si=DRLQ9NjoXKdpnzYS 🎧 Prefer audio? Listen here: https://pod.link/1807560282