People Are the Strategy: Building High-Performing Cultures in the Middle Market

Rethinking Succession in the Middle Market: The ESOP Journey of Drake Cooper

What happens when a company decides its next chapter should belong to its employees? In this episode, Doug Farren sits down with John Drake, president at advertising agency Drake Cooper, to explore the agency’s transition to a 100% employee-owned ESOP. They discuss continuity, talent attraction, employee engagement, and why employee ownership can create stronger alignment between culture, performance, and long-term growth. To learn more about Drake Cooper, visit their website:  https://drakecooper.com To read NCMM's case study on Drake Cooper's ESOP journey, visit:  https://www.middlemarketcenter.org/case-studies/drake-cooper

People Are the Strategy: Building High-Performing Cultures in the Middle Market

In this episode, Doug Farren sits down with Laura Cooke of Positive Foundry to explore why talent management has shifted from an HR function to a core business strategy. They discuss how middle market companies can build high-trust cultures, develop manager effectiveness, and navigate the challenges of a multigenerational workforce. Laura also shares her perspective on AI's role in the workplace and why human connection remains irreplaceable in learning and development. To learn more about Positive Foundry, visit: https://positivefoundry.com/ [https://positivefoundry.com/]

Building Resilience in a World of Constant Risk

What separates companies that weather disruption from those that fall behind? In this episode, Justin Boardman of Chubb joins NCMM’s Doug Farren to explore how resilience is becoming a defining capability for middle market organizations. From the rise of cyber risk as a board-level priority to the growing importance of business continuity planning, the discussion highlights how leaders can prepare for the unexpected. Learn why agility, proactive planning, and integrated risk strategies are critical to staying competitive in today’s environment. To explore Chubb's Middle Market Insights, visit this link [https://www.chubb.com/us/ncmm].

Tradeoffs That Move America

Host Doug Farren of the National Center for the Middle Market sits down with Jerry Grisko, CEO, and Brad Lakhia, CFO of CBIZ, to unpack new research on how middle market leaders make the hard calls that shape performance. Drawing on NCMM's recent survey of 400 middle market businesses, they break down the four decision-making mindsets that emerged from the results and what leaders protect (or sacrifice) when pressure hits. You’ll hear where ROI is showing up (especially in technology), understand why clarity and reliable data drive decision-making, and why “growth matters most” even as profitability often wins when tradeoffs get real. You can read the full report here: Middlemarketcenter.org [https://www.middlemarketcenter.org/middle-market-research-reports-full-research/the-tradeoff-economy]

What's Driving Business Thinking Now? An Economist's Take on Tariffs, Rates, and Labor

Economic headlines can be noisy—but the data tells a clearer story. Join NCMM’s Doug Farren and Wells Fargo economist Jackie Benson as they connect Q4 2025 Middle Market Indicator results with national economic trends. The discussion covers how middle market companies are navigating tariffs and labor force constraints, why growth has remained resilient, and what business leaders should keep an eye on as interest rates and policy dynamics evolve in 2026.