E4: The Q4 Phenomenon: Why Waiting to Take Action Hurts Your Business
Release Date: 10/27/2025
Ninestone: Stacked to Scale
In this insightful podcast episode of , hosts Alex Polamero, Chief Growth Officer at Ninestone Partners, and Dr. Tom Tonkin, CEO of Ninestone Partners, engage with guests Brandon Moon and Rafael Pinho from to explore the complexities of exit planning and business transferability. The conversation examines how businesses can prepare for transitions such as sales, succession, or management buyouts, and why proactive planning is essential long before an exit is on the table. The discussion highlights several critical challenges that can significantly impact business value, including owner...
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In this episode of , Alex Polamero (Chief Growth Officer, Ninestone Partners) and Dr. Tom Tonkin (CEO, Ninestone Partners) sat down with , the founder of Wallace Business Consulting, to uncover what it really takes to build a scalable sales team. Steve starts with a key insight: don’t hire a sales rep until you’ve nailed your own sales process. Too many business owners expect new hires to create systems that don’t exist, and Steve explains why that approach sets teams up for failure. Drawing on his experience in insurance and sales leadership, Steve shares how studying what didn’t...
info_outlineNinestone: Stacked to Scale
In this episode of , Alex Polamero (Chief Growth Officer, Ninestone Partners) and Dr. Tom Tonkin (CEO, Ninestone Partners) dive into the puzzling Q4 phenomenon where businesses delay actions and initiatives until the start of the new year. They explore the negative impacts of waiting, such as decision fatigue and artificial delays, and show how these practices lead to competitors gaining a significant head start. Using real-world examples, including gym membership trends and delayed sales initiatives, Alex and Tom illustrate how postponement can stifle business growth. They...
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In this episode of , Alex Polamero sits down with , Strategic Consultant, Creative Leader, and Growth Architect at Ninestone Partners, for a deep dive into what it truly takes to scale an organization without losing its soul. Brad shares his journey of building a business that not only drives profit but also creates meaningful impact—empowering leaders to align their mission with sustainable growth. Together, Alex and Brad uncover the hidden roadblocks that keep leaders stuck in tactical work, highlight the importance of building strong processes, and explore the power of strategically...
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In this episode of , Alex Polamero and Dr. Tom Tonkin welcomed , founder and CEO of . Together, they dive into how hybrid work models—combining onshore and offshore teams—can fuel growth, efficiency, and scalability in financial services. Mark shares his journey from military service and ministry to leading a global accounting firm. He explains how hiring challenges in the U.S. led him to build successful offshore teams in the Philippines, Pakistan, and India, and why strong systems, clear processes, and the right tech stack are vital for success. The conversation covers practical...
info_outlineNinestone: Stacked to Scale
Lights, camera, scale! In this inaugural first episode, hosts Alex Polamero (Chief Growth Officer, Ninestone Partners) and Dr. Tom Tonkin (CEO, Ninestone Partners) roll out the red carpet for , an award-winning storyteller, filmmaker, marketer, and CMO of Sherer & Sherer. Together, they smash the myth that scaling a business means “cloning yourself”. Instead, Jay unveils a toolkit of more innovative strategies: ➡️ Customer Validation: Knowing your audience better than they know themselves. ➡️ Systems & Processes: Building the backstage crew that keeps the spotlight...
info_outlineNinestone: Stacked to Scale
Welcome to Ninestone: Stacked to Scale — the podcast for business builders who think smarter, move faster, and scale with intention. If you're a founder, marketer, or operator focused on real growth—not just hype—you’re in the right place. Each week, hosts Alex Polamero and Dr. Tom Tonkin break down the strategies behind sustainable scale: from marketing that connects, to sales journeys that convert, to systems that run without chaos behind the scenes. You’ll hear candid conversations with modern builders—entrepreneurs, go-to-market leaders, and systems thinkers—who are stacking...
info_outlineIn this episode of Ninestone: Stacked to Scale, Alex Polamero (Chief Growth Officer, Ninestone Partners) and Dr. Tom Tonkin (CEO, Ninestone Partners) dive into the puzzling Q4 phenomenon where businesses delay actions and initiatives until the start of the new year. They explore the negative impacts of waiting, such as decision fatigue and artificial delays, and show how these practices lead to competitors gaining a significant head start.
Using real-world examples, including gym membership trends and delayed sales initiatives, Alex and Tom illustrate how postponement can stifle business growth. They emphasize the importance of limiting choices to make timely decisions, handling common objections efficiently, and taking immediate action.
By sharing insights and strategies, Alex and Tom aim to help businesses overcome the common tendency to wait, thus scaling smarter and faster. They also highlight how Ninestone Partners supports businesses in navigating these challenges.
Topics Include:
- The Seasonality of Sales Decisions
- Exploring Decision Fatigue and Its Impact
- Unpacking the Psychology of Waiting
- Limiting Choices for Better Decisions
- The Importance of Taking Action Now
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Produced By: Social Chameleon