Strategy Shift Podcast: AI & Automation: The Future of IT with Matt Ruck
Release Date: 03/27/2025
Strategy Shift Podcast: Top 5 Guest Takeaways from Season 1 That Every Business Owner Needs in 2026
Strategy Shift
To kick off Season 2 of Strategy Shift Podcast, Adam Levin and Tom Freedman revisit the top five guest takeaways from Season 1 (2025) and break down the lessons that mattered most. From communication strategy and technology decisions to sales clarity, AI adoption, and hiring, each takeaway reinforces a simple but critical idea: clarity must come before execution. This episode synthesizes the strongest insights from Season 1 into practical guidance business owners can apply immediately as they head into the year ahead.
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Strategy Shift Podcast: Elite Performance Without the Unicorns: Building High-Performing Sales Teams with Brett Knopf
Strategy Shift
In this episode of The Strategy Shift Podcast, Adam and Tom sit down with Brett Knopf, co-founder and CEO of Elite Performance Partners and founder of Knopf No Solutions. Brett’s career blends leadership coaching, elite performance training, and a strong foundation in fitness and discipline. Brett pulls back the curtain on what really drives high-performing teams: Personal development as the engine behind elite performance Why culture can’t be fixed with ping-pong tables How clarity, documentation, and defined expectations reduce friction Why chasing “unicorn salespeople” is a trap...
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Strategy Shift Podcast: From Bookkeeping to Business Growth: Financial Clarity with Calvin Wilder
Strategy Shift
In this episode of The Strategy Shift Podcast, we sit down with Calvin Wilder — entrepreneur, author of The Financial Operating System, and founder & CEO of SmartBooks. Calvin shares why bookkeeping alone isn’t enough for small business owners who want to grow and build long-term value. We explore how to: Understand the difference between bookkeepers, controllers, and CFOs Move beyond compliance to strategic financial management Use KPIs and trends to actually guide decision-making Balance the rise of AI with the human judgment businesses still need Whether you’re a...
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Strategy Shift Podcast: AI, Strategy, and Small Business: A Practical Guide with Michael Tanenhaus
Strategy Shift
In this episode of The Strategy Shift Podcast, we sit down with Michael Tanenhaus — President, CEO, and “Head Maven” at MavenSpire. Michael shares his journey from building computers at age 13 to leading organizations through the fast-changing world of technology and AI. Together, we unpack how small businesses can approach artificial intelligence with clarity, asking the right questions, and focusing on what actually drives results. From cutting wasted effort to preparing for the coming wave of AI-enabled tools, this episode is a must-listen for any business leader wondering how to...
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Strategy Shift Podcast: Maximizing Profit and Cutting Waste with LaMichelle Hecht: From razor-thin returns to a thriving model — how knowing your numbers fuels sustainable growth
Strategy Shift
In this episode of The Strategy Shift Podcast, we sit down with LaMichelle Hecht, CPA, Founder & CEO of Overhead Solutions Group, to talk about the difference between driving revenue and actually making money. LaMichelle shares her journey from taking any client who would pay to redesigning her entire business model, rebuilding her team, and boosting margins from a painful 1–5% to 39–50%. She explains why revenue is vanity, net income is sanity, and how she helps clients uncover hidden losses, cut underperforming services, and double down on what works. From analyzing transportation...
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Strategy Shift Podcast: If You Fail to Communicate, You Fail: Strategic Messaging and Market Influence with Steven Vito
Strategy Shift
On this episode of The Strategy Shift, veteran media strategist and federal market expert Steven Vito joins us to unpack the five most common (and costly) communication omissions he sees in businesses of all sizes. From the myth that “we don’t need marketing” to the massive potential of overlooked audiences, Steven explains why failing to communicate is failing—period. Drawing from 30 years of experience—across VA leadership, Government Executive Media Group, and as the co-creator of Government Matters—Steven shares insights on the power of thought leadership, stakeholder...
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Strategy Shift Podcast: Vision First: Building Smarter Tech Strategies with Christina Holt
Strategy Shift
In this episode of the Shift Happens podcast, we sit down with Christina Holt—seasoned digital strategist and executive growth advisor—to unpack what it really takes for small business owners and SaaS founders to make smart, sustainable tech investments. From defining a clear future state to overcoming industry resistance, Christina shares decades of insights to help leaders avoid costly tech missteps and scale with confidence. If you're overwhelmed by tools or unsure where to start, this conversation offers a practical, visionary roadmap to drive real outcomes.
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Strategy Shift Podcast: Beyond Cold Emails: Scaling B2B Services with the PBD Growth Machine
Strategy Shift
In this episode, we sit down with Forrest Dombrow, founder of Profitable by Design and the architect behind the PBD Growth Machine. With over 20 years of experience, Forrest has helped hundreds of businesses—from scrappy startups to giants like Amazon and Google—scale through smarter, not louder, marketing. We dig into why outdated tactics like spray-and-pray cold emails are tanking your credibility, what’s changed with platforms like Google Ads and LinkedIn, and how to build a real growth engine that resonates with your actual audience.
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Strategy Shift Podcast: Insurance Mistakes That Could Sink Your Business with Butch Kriger
Strategy Shift
In this episode, we sit down with seasoned insurance pro Butch Kriger to uncover the real risks small business owners face when it comes to insurance—and why most don’t realize they’re exposed until it’s too late. From a contractor who lost $260K due to check fraud, to the rising threat of cyber and social engineering scams, Butch breaks down the high-stakes mistakes companies make and how to proactively avoid them. We dive into the importance of property coverage reviews, how positive pay could have saved a business, and why your broker could make or break your financial continuity....
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Strategy Shift Podcast: Custom Code & Castles: Lance Keene on Building Businesses and Stone Dreams
Strategy Shift
In this episode of Strategy Shift, hosts Adam Levin and Tom Freedman sit down with Lance Keene — founder of Keene Systems and a master of custom software development — to talk about the tech challenges facing small businesses and how tailored web applications can streamline operations and unlock growth. From humble spreadsheet beginnings to $200 million transformations, Lance shares stories from the field and breaks down why customization matters. Plus, we take a detour to the mountains of New Hampshire to hear about Lance’s off-grid, 25-year quest to build his dream medieval castle by...
info_outlineIn Episode 3 of the Strategy Shift Podcast, Adam Levin and Tom Freedman talk with Matt Ruck, Founder & CEO of xop.ai, an automation and AI consultancy transforming IT services. Matt, formerly the CEO of designDATA, shares his expertise in building secure IT infrastructures and developing AI-powered solutions like self-help IT and HR chatbots that empower end-users to resolve issues independently. He discusses how AI and automation are reshaping IT services, enhancing knowledge management, and boosting business efficiency, while emphasizing the importance of implementing safe and trustworthy AI solutions.