What business owners should do in a recession, with Forbes Contributor and Economist Dr. Bill Conerly
Release Date: 08/22/2022
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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
info_outline“Recession” is one of the hottest words in economics right now—and it (rightfully) has many small business owners worried. But the good news is there are steps you can take to prepare for whatever is coming. They just might not be what you would expect.
This week’s conversation is with Bill Conerly, a second-time guest on the Measure Success Podcast. He’s a senior contributor at Forbes, and a consultant who connects the dots between the economy and business decisions. He has the unique combination of a Ph.D. in economics from Duke University and over 30 years’ experience helping companies adapt to changing economic conditions.
Tune into the full episode for more on how to prepare for a potential recession, some of Bill’s forecasts for what’s coming next, when and why small businesses should raise prices, and more.
Here’s a Glimpse of What You’ll Learn:
- What’s surprised Bill the most about the economy from Q4 of 2021 to now, plus what he thinks about the Federal Reserve
- Where Bill thinks short-term interest rates are headed, and what he believes about a potential recession
- How it’s determined whether or not the country is in a “recession” — and why that decision isn’t actually as helpful as people might think it is
- What Bill has encouraged businesses to do when it comes to determining their “creditworthiness” (even if they’re not currently taking out loans from a bank)
- The advice Bill would give businesses who are just treading water right now, amid higher labor costs, inflation, interest rate fluctuations, and more
- Why it can be helpful to be a little pessimistic when it comes to planning against potential recession
- Whether small businesses should be raising their prices right now, and why
- What Bill thinks is coming for home and rent prices, plus what he thinks is the “fundamental rule” for buying a house
- Where Bill believes gas prices are headed, plus the lesson we can learn from fuel price fluctuations that can apply to any “capital-intensive” business
- Bill’s most important lesson about the economy for small business owners
Resources Mentioned in This Episode: