The Small Business Leadership Gap: Why It Exists and How to Close It

How Small Business Leaders Shape Employee Wellbeing

National Small Business Month celebrates the courage and creativity it takes to build something from the ground up. But behind every small business is a leader whose emotional presence — their stress, their steadiness, their way of showing up — quietly shapes the wellbeing of the entire team. In small businesses, people work closely, roles overlap, and leaders set the tone more directly than anywhere else. In honor of National Small Business Month and Mental Health Awareness Month, this audiocast episode will explore the human side of small‑business leadership: why leadership behaviors carry so much emotional weight, how that weight ripples into employee mental health, and what leaders can realistically do to support the people who keep their business running. Because small businesses run on people. And people run on connection, stability, and care. Today's Speakers: Dean Clune, Divisional Vice President, Small Business Benefits and HR Consulting, Gallagher Amanda Schuster , Senior Wellbeing Consultant, Gallagher Questions for our speakers? Don't hesitate to reach out! Dean_Clune@ajg.com [Dean_Clune@ajg.com] Amanda_Schuster@ajg.com [Amanda_Schuster@ajg.com]

The Small Business Leadership Gap: Why It Exists and How to Close It

Small businesses are feeling the strain of a growing leadership gap — and the numbers tell a powerful story. Nearly half of small businesses that took our recent organizational wellbeing poll say they lack effective leaders internally, and almost one in three rate their current leadership effectiveness as only average or poor*. In this newest audiocast episode, we explore what's driving today's leadership challenges, why so many organizations feel unprepared to fill a critical leadership vacancy, and what small businesses can do to build stronger, more resilient leaders. We'll share practical insights and actionable steps small businesses can take to close the leadership gap and strengthen their talent pipeline. Today's Speakers: Dean Clune, Divisional Vice President, Small Business Benefits and HR Consulting, Gallagher Laura Ford, Senior Principal Consultant, People Development and Insights, Gallagher Questions for our speakers? Don't hesitate to reach out! Dean_Clune@ajg.com [Dean_Clune@ajg.com] Laura_Ford@ajg.com [Laura_Ford@ajg.com] *Gallagher's 2026 Q1 Organizational Wellbeing Poll

Lead with Insight: The Small Business Data Advantage

Making informed HR and benefits decisions shouldn't feel like guesswork — especially for small businesses. In this 10‑minute audiocast, Gallagher consultants break down how real benchmarking data helps smaller employers stay competitive, attract talent, and understand what employees expect today. More than 1,000 small businesses contributed to last year's Benefits Strategy & Benchmarking Survey. By participating, you'll get: * A full year of insights and reports * A deeper understanding of benefits, wellbeing, engagement, retirement, and HR tech trends * Eligibility to be recognized as a Small Business Best‑In‑Class employer * Clear, data‑driven guidance to support your people strategy and manage costs confidently 📝 Request your unique survey link: https://gbsviewpoints.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eheiDbYCFVmVPcG?source=GBS2026USSBNBSAudiocastsLibsyn [https://gbsviewpoints.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eheiDbYCFVmVPcG?source=GBS2026USSBNBSAudiocastsLibsyn] Take the next step toward smarter, clearer, more confident decisions for your business.

Keeping Up with Compliance - Peace of Mind in a Changing Landscape

Running a business means wearing a lot of hats - and compliance can easily fall to the bottom of your to-do list. In this third episode of "From Data to Direction: Smarter Strategies for Business Leaders", we'll break down today's most common compliance regulations for small organizations, the risks of not staying compliant, and practical solutions to give you peace of mind. Our Speakers: * Dean Clune, Gallagher Divisional Vice President, Small Business Solutions & Industry Verticals HR & Benefits Division * Stephanie Murphy, Gallagher Small Business Market Leader, West Region * Lindsay Peress, Gallagher Vice President, HR Consulting & Advisory

Culture, Stress & the Perks that Stick

Recruiting and retaining employees continues to be a top HR and operational priority for small businesses* – so it's no secret that creating a culture and benefits strategy that feels personal and supportive is top of mind for many teams. In this second episode of "From Data to Direction: Smarter Strategies for Business Leaders", we'll explore the cost of turnover, how workplace culture affects your team, and strategies to not only reduce employee burnout but drive talent acquisition and loyalty. *Gallagher's 2025 Benefits Strategy & Benchmarking Survey Our speakers: * Dean Clune, Gallagher Divisional Vice President, Small Business Solutions & Industry Verticals HR & Benefits Division * Kathleen Schulz, Divisional Vice President, Global Innovation Leader, Organizational Wellbeing * Brian Tolbert, Gallagher Small Business Market Leader, Southeast Region