AI, Sales, and the Power of Human Connection
Measure Success Podcast
In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J Cox talks with Gabe Lullo, CEO of Alleyoop, about the real role of outbound sales in today’s market. They discuss how AI is changing sales without replacing human connection, why founders should stay close to revenue early, and how content builds trust before the first conversation ever happens. Gabe shares lessons from scaling a remote SDR organization and explains how fractional sales teams help growing companies create momentum without overspending. This conversation is practical, honest, and focused on strategy over tactics. If you...
info_outline
Why AI Is Reshaping Leadership Today
Measure Success Podcast
In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl sits down again with CEO and author Trey Taylor for a candid conversation on AI, culture, and the future of leadership. Trey explains why AI is no longer optional, how leaders can avoid lazy thinking, and what’s driving the rapid rise of Latino-owned businesses in the U.S. He shares insights on balancing culture, people, and numbers—his signature “three things”—while adapting to tools that change faster than organizations can keep up. Trey also gives practical examples of AI improving operations, decision-making, and customer...
info_outline
Where Do Leaders Go For Real Growth?
Measure Success Podcast
In this episode, Carl J. Cox talks with global speaker and executive coach Dona Amelia about why leaders need safe spaces to grow. Dona shares her upbringing in rural Indonesia, her rise as a performer and executive, and how those experiences shaped her belief that leaders can only grow when they have a place to speak honestly, ask real questions, and receive support without judgment. She explains how peer networks, shared experiences, and diverse perspectives help executives make better decisions and avoid isolation at the top. If you’ve ever felt pressure to know everything or carry...
info_outline
Get Found in the New AI Economy
Measure Success Podcast
In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl sits down with digital marketing expert Dave Burnett to unpack the seismic shift happening in search and AI. Dave explains why Google is no longer the only place customers look for answers and how large language models are reshaping discoverability. He shares lessons from his own journey—partnership failures, business resilience, and recovering from a traumatic brain injury—and how those experiences shaped how he leads today. Dave outlines the new rules of digital visibility, why PR is becoming essential, and how companies can position...
info_outline
Double Revenue. Cut Costs. One Strategy.
Measure Success Podcast
On this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J. Cox speaks with Tammy Nam, CEO of The Brief, the AI Agency for marketers. Tammy shares how she doubled revenue at Viki while cutting costs and improving team morale—a rare combination that highlights her strategic clarity and leadership strength. She explains how The Brief helps marketers run smarter campaigns from start to finish using intelligent agents that analyze performance, generate content, launch faster, and learn continuously. Tammy also breaks down how leaders can protect their top performers, remove friction, and communicate...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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.
info_outline
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.
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
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
Measure Success Podcast: For weekly actionable tips and conversations with extraordinary leaders about how they measure both professional and personal success (all in 20-minute episodes), subscribe here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/measure-success-podcast/id1552291579