The Secret to Elite Business Performance
Measure Success Podcast
In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J. Cox talks with Michael Erath, founder of Next Level Growth and author of The Five Obsessions of Elite Organizations. Michael shares his powerful story of losing a multimillion-dollar company to fraud and how that crisis transformed his view of leadership. He explains how elite organizations are built around five obsessions—great people, inspiring purpose, optimized playbooks, performance-driven culture, and sustainable profits. Tune in to learn how you can lead with purpose, build stronger teams, and achieve both a return on investment...
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Radical Clarity: How Founders Lead with Purpose
Measure Success Podcast
Many technical founders find themselves running companies almost by accident. They know their craft — but struggle to lead with clarity. In this Measure Success Podcast episode, Carl J. Cox interviews Pete Steege, author of Radical Clarity, to discuss how “accidental CEOs” can grow their businesses by uncovering their true story. Pete explains why clarity — not more effort — drives growth. He shares how to focus on purpose, align your team, and communicate with meaning so your message connects with customers. 🎧 Tune in to learn how to move from complexity to clarity.
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Leadership Without Accountability Fails
Measure Success Podcast
Leadership alone doesn’t drive success—it’s only part of the equation. In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Dr. James Chitwood shares how his TRAC framework—Training, Recognition, Accountability, and Communication—creates lasting organizational transformation. Hear how his military background shaped his leadership philosophy, why capitalism is at risk, and what it takes to build high-performing, people-centered teams. Listen now and learn how to lead through structure, not just inspiration.
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Data Privacy Laws Every CEO Must Know
Measure Success Podcast
In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J. Cox talks with Jenny Sheridan, attorney and founder of JL Sheridan Law, about how changing data privacy laws are shaping the way companies operate. Jenny shares insights on how businesses can stay compliant with the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and similar state laws, the real risks of ignoring them, and how privacy can become a competitive advantage when managed strategically. Listen to learn how to protect your business, reputation, and customers in a data-driven world. 🎧 Stream now at...
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Innovation Starts from the Bottom Up
Measure Success Podcast
In this week’s episode of the Measure Success Podcast, I sit down with Richard Dunbar, CEO of Bottom Up Consulting and author of Bottom Up Breakthrough, to discuss how true innovation often starts from the ground up. Richard shares how empowering employees at every level builds trust, strengthens transparency, and improves retention. He explains why many leaders fear “bottom-up” leadership—and how shifting from a top-down model can uncover hidden ideas that transform organizations. From his experience in the Canadian Armed Forces to founding Bottom Up Consulting, Richard’s work...
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The 4 P’s of Startup Success
Measure Success Podcast
Amanda Patterson, CEO of Rocket Fuel Labs, joins Measure Success Podcast to share how startups and high-growth companies can achieve predictable growth. She explains her Four P’s framework—precision, process, positioning, and performance—and why knowing your LTV to CAC ratio matters. We discuss how AI is reshaping marketing, why human connection is still the key differentiator, and how founders can break through growth plateaus. 🎧 Tune in for strategies to hit your numbers with confidence
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Profit Over Vanity Metrics
Measure Success Podcast
On this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J. Cox talks with Marley Majcher, CEO of The Party Goddess and author of But Are You Making Any Money? Marley shares her journey from early mistakes in the restaurant world to building a thriving events business while helping other entrepreneurs avoid the same pitfalls. You’ll learn: Why profits matter more than press or followers How to price your services with confidence Why time is your most valuable resource Practical steps to build a profitable, sustainable business Listen now and discover how to stop chasing vanity metrics...
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99% of Projects Fail—Here’s Why
Measure Success Podcast
Why do 99% of projects go wrong? Dr. Thomas Zweifel, author of Gorilla in the Cockpit, joins the Measure Success Podcast to explain why the real cause is human—not technical. We explore: The “black box” of hidden conversations that sabotage progress Why mindset and accountability are key to successful projects How leaders can transform breakdowns into breakthroughs If you want to uncover the hidden reasons projects fail and learn how to lead with impact, this episode is for you. Listen now and gain practical insights you can apply today.
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AI, Tariffs & Survival in 2026
Measure Success Podcast
Tariffs, AI, and pricing pressures are reshaping manufacturing and small business. On this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J Cox talks with Paul Menig, CEO of Business Accelerants, about why companies are “tariff-ified” and how leaders can adapt. Key takeaways include: How tariffs impact cost structures and margins Why gross margin dollars matter more than percentages The role of AI in manufacturing and marketing Practical steps to stay competitive in 2026 Listen now and learn strategies to survive and thrive in the face of rapid change.
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AI and Data Strategies for E-Commerce Success
Measure Success Podcast
On this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J. Cox welcomes Matthew Stafford, co-founder of Build Grow Scale. Matt shares how he turned a $1,000 investment in analytics into a billion-dollar path in e-commerce. They dive into the mindset shifts leaders need, how AI transforms data into action, and why profitability matters more than revenue growth. You’ll hear how one client scaled from $10,000 to a $60M run rate in just three years. Tune in for insights you can apply to your business today. 🎧 Listen to the full episode now
info_outlineWanting to scale your business to $40 million (and beyond)... but struggling with the strategy to get there?
If you’re a CEO who…
Is so focused on the day-to-day that you struggle to find time for big-picture strategy
Lacks an objective outside expert to help you see what you don’t see and make the hard decisions you are afraid to make
Isn’t sure how to prioritize your goals
Has a team that isn’t buying into your vision
Want to scale your company faster than you’ve been able to do you on your own
At 40 Strategy, we can give you the strategy, confidence and tools you need to build to accelerate your growth. Our current and past clients have experienced the following results:
Professional service firm, who grew their company’s profits 7 figures
Manufacturing company who doubled sales in less than a year
Food and beverage company who executed $500K EBITDA improvements
Digital marketing firm who upscaled their client offering to 2x their MRR
And many more
For the past 25 years, I’ve been an executive leader and board member with multiple organizations that have grown 3x to 5x, with operations in four continents. So if you have a strategic plan for your company that is NOT working, let’s get you back on track…
I’ll teach you exactly how to:
Develop an actionable, strategic plan to scale your business
Prioritize (and reach) goals that will make the most difference in your organization
Identify and maximize your opportunities for growth
Scenario plan with confidence
Scale your company from $4M to $40M (and beyond)
Build the confidence you need as a leader to execute your strategy, plus inspire your team members to buy in
The truth is, more than 90% of strategic plans fail. More than 20% of small businesses fail within their first year. And it’s often because CEOs either get lost in the day-to-day operations; they haven’t maximized their team, processes, or systems; or they waste money and resources.
But if you’re a CEO, there’s a better way. It’s time to set up your strategic process and systems for growth - not stagnation.
Let’s build your company’s future: https://calendly.com/40strategy/strategy-check-in
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