Everyday Business Problems
When it comes to your business, you know everything – except what you don’t. Hosted by David Crysler, each episode we dive into finding and solving everyday business problems. Learn from business leaders and subject matter experts about the challenges they've overcome, and the challenges they still face. Join us for fresh insights, real talk, and inspiration to grow your business!
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Tribal Knowledge Is Costing You More Than You Think
09/09/2025
Tribal Knowledge Is Costing You More Than You Think
In this solo episode of the Everyday Business Problems podcast, Dave Crysler tackles one of the most common and costly issues in business operations, tribal knowledge. Based on insights from a recent LinkedIn poll and decades of real-world experience, Dave breaks down where tribal knowledge causes the most friction and how businesses can start building what he calls a “Company Brain.” He shares personal stories, client examples, and tips for leveraging today’s tools to transform undocumented know-how into accessible, scalable systems. What You’ll Discover: The top 3 ways tribal knowledge hurts your business: when people are out, inconsistent output, and slow training. A real story of how one employee’s performance led to the creation of a documented best practice. Why older SOP binders and static process docs fail, and what to use instead. How to start building your own Company Brain using video, visual references, and searchable systems. What to look for in tools that support knowledge capture and learning retention. Why tribal knowledge impacts both culture and customer experience, and how to close the gap.
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What's the Difference Between Lean and Continuous Improvement
09/02/2025
What's the Difference Between Lean and Continuous Improvement
In this solo episode of the Everyday Business Problems podcast, Dave Crysler breaks down the difference between lean manufacturing and continuous improvement, and why understanding both is critical to long-term success. Drawing from personal experience and real-world client work, Dave shares how focusing only on tools like 5S without building the underlying habit of continuous improvement leads to short-lived results. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to move from check-the-box initiatives to lasting cultural change. What You'll Discover: The key difference between lean (tools and systems) and continuous improvement (habits and mindset). A cooking analogy that simplifies how lean supports continuous improvement. Why starting with lean tools is common, but often misses the bigger picture. A story from Dave’s early days that shows what happens when you skip the “why.” How try-storming and prioritization tools can drive quick wins and build buy-in. The three leadership elements required for sustainable growth: clarity, consistency, and accountability.
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The Myth of Best Practices
08/26/2025
The Myth of Best Practices
In this solo episode of the Everyday Business Problems podcast, Dave Crysler tackles the myth of “best practices” and why blindly copying what works for someone else rarely delivers the same results. Drawing on a story from early in his leadership career, Dave shares how a borrowed quality system fell flat until it was adapted to fit the real-world needs of his team. If you’ve ever felt frustrated that a proven method didn’t work for your business, this episode will show you how to turn best practices into better outcomes through clarity, consistency, and accountability. What You’ll Discover: Why best practices aren’t a silver bullet, and what to do instead. A real-world story about adopting and adapting a quality system from another company. How timing, context, and resources impact the success of any process. A practical way to use best practices as a foundation, not a finished product. The importance of involving your team to uncover the most critical tasks and hurdles.
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3 Conversations Leaders Avoid (But Shouldn't)
08/19/2025
3 Conversations Leaders Avoid (But Shouldn't)
In this episode of the Everyday Business Problems podcast, Dave Crysler digs into three difficult conversations leaders tend to avoid, but shouldn't. Drawing from nearly 30 years of leadership experience and stories from the shop floor to the boardroom, Dave walks through the conversations that can make or break your team’s clarity, alignment, and long-term success. If you've ever hesitated to say what needs to be said, this episode gives you practical tools to lead with empathy, clarity, and confidence. What You’ll Discover: Why “You’re not meeting expectations” needs more than vague feedback. How to handle when a role is no longer a fit, without diminishing the person. Why sharing what’s changing (and why) early matters more than having all the answers. Real-world examples of change gone wrong, and how to prevent it. Communication tips that improve clarity, reduce turnover, and build trust. A mindset shift that separates high-performing leaders from the rest: leaning into the hard conversations.
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How to Build a Process When Everyone Does It Differently
08/05/2025
How to Build a Process When Everyone Does It Differently
In this solo episode of the Everyday Business Problems podcast, Dave Crysler tackles a common operational challenge: how to build a standardized process when everyone does it differently. Dave shares a five-step approach to defining your organization’s best practices while allowing for necessary flexibility. From observation to mapping, gaining consensus, testing, and continuous improvement, you’ll learn how to create repeatable outcomes that improve efficiency, culture, and customer experience. What You’ll Discover: Why observing and asking questions should come before documenting processes. How to map processes effectively using simple, accessible tools. Strategies for gaining team consensus and balancing flexibility with standardization. The importance of testing changes to ensure they deliver the intended results. How to embed continuous improvement loops to keep processes relevant and effective. Why standardized processes improve financial results, culture, and customer experience.
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How to Rehire a Boomerang Employee
07/29/2025
How to Rehire a Boomerang Employee
Boomerang employees, those who leave and later return are on the rise, but should you really rehire them? In this episode of the Everyday Business Problems podcast, Dave talks with Jeannette Seibly, award-winning talent advisor and author of Hire Amazing Employees, about the strategic pros and hidden pitfalls of bringing former team members back on board. They explore how to avoid hiring mistakes, build smarter systems, and treat returning employees with the same rigor as new hires. What You’ll Learn: Why 35% of new hires today are boomerangs Risks of relying on memory instead of process How to use strategic job fit analysis and assessments Red flags to watch for in returning candidates How onboarding can make or break rehires Whether you're considering a return hire or just want to tighten up your hiring system, this episode delivers practical tips to help you make better decisions, reduce turnover, and build a more resilient team.
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Are You Guessing... or Assessing Risk?
07/22/2025
Are You Guessing... or Assessing Risk?
In this solo episode of the Everyday Business Problems podcast, Dave Crysler unpacks the importance of risk assessment exercises, and why they’re often overlooked until it’s too late. From lightning strikes and power outages to theft and server failures, Dave shares real-world stories that highlight just how vulnerable businesses can be without a disaster recovery and continuity plan. You’ll learn a simple, repeatable process for identifying risks, prioritizing responses, and creating systems that help your business bounce back quickly when the unexpected hits. What You'll Discover: Why most businesses underestimate the likelihood and impact of disruptive events. A 3-part framework for conducting risk assessments: identify, assess impact, and evaluate likelihood. Examples of internal and external threats, from employee theft to natural disasters. How to evaluate operational, customer, and data vulnerabilities across your organization. Real-world stories of backup failures and business disruptions caused by missing recovery plans. Why testing and reviewing your disaster plan regularly is just as important as having one.
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Continuous Improvement for Customer Onboarding
07/15/2025
Continuous Improvement for Customer Onboarding
In this solo episode of the Everyday Business Problems podcast, Dave Crysler explores how applying continuous improvement principles to customer onboarding can drive serious value, both internally and for your customers. Dave shares stories from his experience in business transitions and breaks down a simple three-step process to eliminate waste, prioritize changes, and sustain improvements in the front-end of your business. Whether you’re in manufacturing or services, this episode will help you uncover quick wins and build lasting systems. What You'll Discover: Why customer onboarding is often the best starting point for operational improvement. A 3-step framework: process mapping, prioritizing ideas, and implementing/testing improvements. Real-life examples of reducing wait times and eliminating bottlenecks with simple tweaks. How to build a continuous improvement wall and use tri-storming to crowdsource ideas. The hidden risk of “siloed efficiency” and how to prevent front-end improvements from overwhelming your ops. Why sustainable change requires both strategic vision and cross-functional collaboration.
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Why Our Words Matter
07/01/2025
Why Our Words Matter
In this solo episode of the Everyday Business Problems podcast, Dave Crysler breaks down why the words we use matter, especially when working across departments or launching new initiatives. Dave shares real-world examples of how misaligned language leads to confusion, inefficiency, and siloed thinking, even when everyone thinks they’re on the same page. He also offers practical tips to create a shared vocabulary and collective vision that drives clarity, communication, and better results across your organization. What You'll Discover: Why miscommunication often stems from different departments using the same words with different meanings. How to avoid siloed thinking and align your team with a shared definition of success. The power of creating a glossary of terms for cross-functional collaboration. Tips for simplifying language and eliminating unnecessary jargon in your organization. A simple pulse-check question to use in meetings to ensure alignment: “Are we all talking about the same thing?” How to build bridges across teams by focusing on collective effectiveness over siloed efficiency.
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Why You Should Walk the Process
06/24/2025
Why You Should Walk the Process
In this solo episode of the Everyday Business Problems podcast, Dave Crysler explains why walking the process, also known as a Gemba walk, is one of the most overlooked yet powerful habits leaders can adopt. From manufacturing floors to office environments, Dave shares real-world stories and lessons learned from skipping this critical step. He outlines how walking the process reveals hidden inefficiencies, improves decision-making, and builds trust with your team. What You'll Discover: What a Gemba walk really is, and why it's essential in any business environment. Real-life examples of how walking the process uncovered unexpected bottlenecks. Why dashboards and process maps can’t replace firsthand observation. The dangers of making decisions without context and frontline input. A practical prioritization tool and free download to help you turn observations into action. How to avoid the "change whiplash" that kills morale and stalls improvement efforts.
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Improve Less for Better Results with Chad Bareither
06/17/2025
Improve Less for Better Results with Chad Bareither
In this episode of the Everyday Business Problems podcast, Dave Crysler welcomes Chad Bareither, Principal Consultant at The Bareither Group and author of Improve Less. Chad shares his Focus and Align framework, a strategy for narrowing your improvement efforts to achieve sustainable business results. Together, they unpack why most organizations take on too much change at once, and how to shift your approach to focus on the work that truly matters. From daily management to cultural transformation, this episode is full of practical advice for leaders looking to stabilize costs, expand capacity, and grow profitability. What You'll Discover: Why “doing less” can lead to more meaningful and sustainable improvements. How the Focus and Align framework helps leaders prioritize, align, and take action. Real-world examples of reducing project overload and increasing momentum. How to build buy-in by making process changes meaningful to frontline teams. The importance of consistent updates, clear communication, and avoiding initiative fatigue. How small and large businesses can overcome different obstacles to operational excellence. Tips for embedding tools like 5S and problem-solving in a way that actually sticks.
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Using a 6S Lean Tool for a Safer, More Effective Workplace
06/10/2025
Using a 6S Lean Tool for a Safer, More Effective Workplace
In this solo episode of the Everyday Business Problems podcast, Dave Crysler breaks down one of the most popular lean tools in operations, 5S. Dave walks through the 3S, 5S, and 6S versions of this system, explaining what each step means and how to actually make it stick. Through personal stories, client examples, and a trip to Toyota's factory, Dave explores the difference between implementing a tool and embedding it into your culture. If you've ever struggled to sustain workplace organization efforts, this episode will help you rethink your approach and start with the right why. What You'll Discover: The difference between 3S, 5S, and 6S, and why “sustain” and “safety” matter most. Why workplace organization fails without a clear why, what, and how. How tools like 5S support efficiency, quality, and safety when used intentionally. A behind-the-scenes story from Dave’s tour of Toyota’s Kentucky plant. How to avoid the common trap of short-term cleanup efforts that backslide over time. Practical tips to involve your team, build buy-in, and roll out 5S one step at a time. A free 5S audit template to help you get started or sustain your progress.
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Efficiency vs Effectiveness
06/03/2025
Efficiency vs Effectiveness
In this solo episode of the Everyday Business Problems podcast, Dave Crysler makes a clear case for why effectiveness should always come before efficiency. Dave unpacks the differences between the two concepts and shares real-world examples that highlight how focusing too heavily on efficiency can actually create bottlenecks, waste resources, and frustrate customers. From manufacturing floors to tech stacks, Dave explores why speed and automation aren’t always the answers, and how zooming out can help teams solve the right problems the right way. What You'll Discover: The fundamental difference between being efficient and being effective. Why improving the wrong thing, even efficiently, won’t move the needle. Real-world stories from manufacturing and client work that illustrate hidden pitfalls. How over-automation and poor cross-functional communication can derail operations. A rowing team analogy that simplifies this powerful concept. How to slow down, zoom out, and drive long-term, customer-focused improvements.
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What to Think About Before You Build or Buy an ERP with Anders Green
05/27/2025
What to Think About Before You Build or Buy an ERP with Anders Green
In this episode of the Everyday Business Problems podcast, Dave Crysler chats with Anders Green, founder of ALOX4 ERP, about the journey from custom tools to scalable, flexible software solutions. Anders shares how his engineering background, experience in the fastener distribution business, and a side hustle in rally racing helped shape his vision for a modern ERP system. They dive into the importance of designing tools for real-world flexibility, the power of understanding scale in ERP selection, and the risks and rewards of adopting emerging tech. What You'll Discover: Why scale should guide your ERP decisions, and what happens when it doesn’t. The difference between building a solution for one business vs. building a platform others can use. How ERP should evolve from “just transactions” to a true growth enabler. Where AI fits into ERP today (and where it doesn’t), including examples of real value vs. hype. The importance of balancing structure and flexibility when designing tools for operations. How rally racing taught Anders lessons about adaptability and configuration in software. A refreshingly honest take on the risks of working with early-stage platforms, and why it might still be worth it.
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Why Your Team's Tired of Changing (Again)
05/20/2025
Why Your Team's Tired of Changing (Again)
In this solo episode of the Everyday Business Problems podcast, Dave Crysler explores the all-too-common challenge of change fatigue, why teams get burned out by constant shifts and how to avoid it. Dave unpacks the results of recent LinkedIn polls on change management and shares the key drivers behind inconsistent leadership messaging and lack of follow-through. Through real-world examples, he offers practical steps to help leaders slow down, clarify direction, and implement sustainable change strategies that actually stick. What You'll Discover: Why inconsistency from leadership is the #1 cause of failed change initiatives. The critical role of clear communication in avoiding "flavor of the month" whiplash. How to align your team with changes in direction by explaining the “why” behind pivots. Common mistakes in process automation and tech adoption, and how to avoid them. Why slowing down and taking a strategic approach can help your team move faster in the long run. A reminder that effective planning, not just people, process, and technology, is the foundation of sustainable growth.
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Roles and Responsibilities
05/13/2025
Roles and Responsibilities
In this solo episode of the Everyday Business Problems podcast, Dave Crysler revisits the often-overlooked fundamentals of roles, responsibilities, and organizational structure. Drawing from recent client work, Dave explains how clear job descriptions and updated org charts are key to driving clarity, consistency, and accountability—especially during major change initiatives. Whether you're a small business or part of a larger organization, this episode will help you better align your team and simplify your day-to-day operations. What You'll Discover: Why org charts and job descriptions are essential tools—not just paperwork. How clarity in roles supports smoother change management across your organization. A practical breakdown of what makes a job description good vs. great. The three pillars of sustainable growth: clarity, consistency, and accountability. How outdated documentation creates chaos in hiring, onboarding, and leadership expectations. Simple ways to review, update, and manage these documents without adding complexity.
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Our Costs are Increasing Exponentially, Now What?
05/06/2025
Our Costs are Increasing Exponentially, Now What?
In this solo episode of the Everyday Business Problems podcast, Dave Crysler tackles the challenge of exponential cost increases, especially those tied to ongoing tariff conversations. With decades of experience in manufacturing and operations, Dave breaks down the real-world choices businesses face when navigating rising costs: absorb, pass along, or a combination of both. He shares examples from the past and present, including how companies can strategically leverage operational efficiency and supplier relationships to stay competitive and protect margins. What You'll Discover: The three real options businesses have when facing major cost increases. Lessons from past fuel surcharge trends and how they relate to today's tariff impact. Why absorbing cost increases can be a strategic play to capture market share. The importance of understanding your cost structure before making pricing decisions. How supply chain adjustments and vendor consolidation can help offset cost pressures. Why financial and operational visibility are critical to informed decision-making during times of economic volatility.
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The What in Our Why, What, and How Change Management Framework
04/29/2025
The What in Our Why, What, and How Change Management Framework
In this solo episode of the Everyday Business Problems podcast, Dave Crysler takes a deeper dive into the “What” of his Why, What, and How change management framework. Drawing from recent client experiences, Dave explains why addressing "What about me?" is often overlooked during change initiatives, and why it’s critical for both frontline employees and leadership. He shares practical examples of how to navigate fears about job security, role clarity, and cultural shifts to keep teams engaged and aligned during times of transformation. What You'll Discover: Why the “What” in change management is really about answering, “What about me?” Real-world examples of addressing employee and leadership concerns during change. How to communicate future roles and responsibilities clearly to reduce uncertainty. The importance of including all impacted team members in the change conversation. Why this step is vital for building long-term organizational culture and trust.
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Why Video Storytelling Still Wins in a World Full of AI with Dan Bennett
04/22/2025
Why Video Storytelling Still Wins in a World Full of AI with Dan Bennett
In this episode of the Everyday Business Problems podcast, Dave Crysler welcomes back Dan Bennett, founder of Video For Entrepreneurs, for a follow-up conversation on all things video, storytelling, and digital authenticity. Dan shares what’s changed in video content over the past few years, the power of storytelling as a business tool, and why now more than ever, looking and sounding great on camera is a key differentiator. From the rise of AI to crafting intentional content strategies, this episode is packed with practical tips and powerful insights for anyone looking to level up their video presence. What You'll Discover: How the tipping point in video adoption has changed how businesses show up online. Why storytelling is more than a buzzword, and how to apply it with intention and impact. How to stand out in a world flooded with AI-generated content. The biggest challenges creators and entrepreneurs face when it comes to video content. Why strategy, not just gear or scripting, is the key to long-term video success. Essential tools and exercises to improve how you look, sound, and connect on camera. How Dan’s “story bacon” method and solar system content strategy can help you tell more compelling stories.
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Mastering the 5 Whys Framework
04/15/2025
Mastering the 5 Whys Framework
In this solo episode of the Everyday Business Problems podcast, Dave Crysler dives into one of his favorite problem-solving tools, the 5 Whys. While the concept seems simple on the surface, Dave unpacks the nuances of using this root cause analysis technique the right way. Through real-world stories from both manufacturing and service-based businesses, he explains how to dig deeper, test your assumptions, and avoid surface-level fixes that don't truly solve the problem. What You'll Discover: Why simply asking “why” five times isn’t enough without proper testing and validation. A real-world example from Dave’s early career that uncovered a hidden mechanical issue. How to apply the 5 Whys framework outside of manufacturing to improve customer experience. The importance of turning insights into preventative actions and measuring success through KPIs. Common pitfalls in root cause analysis, and how to avoid jumping to the wrong conclusion.
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Scaling Smart: How Aaron Harper Built One of the Fastest-Growing Franchises
04/08/2025
Scaling Smart: How Aaron Harper Built One of the Fastest-Growing Franchises
In this episode of the Everyday Business Problems podcast, Dave Crysler sits down with Aaron Harper, CEO of Rolling Suds, to explore how he took a family-run power washing company and transformed it into one of the fastest-growing franchise systems in the country. Aaron shares his journey from the entertainment industry to franchising, his experience scaling Patch Boys to over 400 territories, and how Rolling Suds hit nearly 250 units in just 18 months. This episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to build a scalable, successful franchise—from operational systems to funding strategy. What You'll Discover: How Aaron transitioned from the world of TV and film to building high-growth franchise brands. The critical differences between a franchisee and franchisor business model. What makes Rolling Suds’ franchise approach unique and how it supports franchisees with systems, tech, and pre-launch momentum. The common misconceptions about franchising—both for potential franchisees and business owners looking to franchise their own operations. How Aaron funded the business, the infrastructure needed to support scale, and why he focused on raising “smart money.” The key traits Aaron looks for in franchise partners—and why franchising is not a passive investment. Aaron’s vision for reaching $1 billion in systemwide sales and building a brand legacy from the ground up.
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Where Did the Day Go?
04/01/2025
Where Did the Day Go?
In this solo episode of the Everyday Business Problems podcast, Dave Crysler explores how time tracking worksheets can help uncover where your day actually goes. He shares personal stories, including his early skepticism about timesheets, and explains how they’ve become one of his most effective tools for improving productivity and identifying opportunities to eliminate, delegate, or automate tasks. Whether you're a business owner or team leader, this episode gives you practical tips on how to take control of your time and boost efficiency. What You'll Discover: Why time tracking isn’t about micromanagement but uncovering hidden inefficiencies. A simple, three-step method to track, analyze, and improve how you spend your time. The difference between tasks you love, time wasters, and things you hate—and how to handle each. Why starting with paper worksheets can lead to more accurate insights than jumping to software tools. How to test whether recurring tasks (like report creation) are even necessary. The right order to approach improvement: eliminate, delegate, then automate—and why starting with automation can backfire.
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What Story Is Your Culture Telling?
03/25/2025
What Story Is Your Culture Telling?
In this solo episode of the Everyday Business Problems podcast, Dave Crysler unpacks what it means to build an intentional culture—and why it’s one of the most challenging and impactful things a leader can do. Drawing from over 25 years of leadership experience, Dave shares personal stories, lessons learned, and practical strategies for transforming toxic or fractured company cultures. Whether you're leading change after a leadership shift or experiencing a change of heart yourself, this episode gives you a real-world framework to start shaping a healthier, more effective workplace culture. What You'll Discover: Why culture isn’t your mission statement—it's how your people feel on Sunday night. Three key pillars for intentional culture: empathy, kind candor, and clarity before action. How to rebuild trust in organizations with siloed departments and poor communication. Tips for leading with empathy and owning mistakes to earn buy-in from your team. How to respond when you’ve been part of the problem and are ready to change. The power of involving your team in shaping a shared vision for culture and performance. Book recommendation: Turn the Ship Around by L. David Marquet for leadership inspiration and practical culture transformation.
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Process Checklists
03/18/2025
Process Checklists
In this solo episode of the Everyday Business Problems podcast, Dave Crysler takes a deep dive into process checklists—why they often fail and how to create ones that actually work. Drawing from personal experiences, including a memorable story about a standout machine operator named Tony, Dave shares a simple, three-part framework for building effective process checklists. Whether you're in manufacturing or managing remote teams, this episode provides practical steps for turning checklists into high-impact tools that drive real results. What You'll Discover: Why most checklists fail to improve performance or reduce errors. A three-part framework (Identify, What Can Go Wrong, Decide & Document) for building better process checklists. How to define “key steps” and avoid bloated, ineffective checklists. Tips for adapting your checklist based on desired outcomes—like reducing errors or improving efficiency. The benefits of involving your team in the checklist creation process to boost buy-in and sustainability. Why starting with manual checklists can build better habits before investing in technology.
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The Goal: A Process of Ongoing Improvement
03/11/2025
The Goal: A Process of Ongoing Improvement
In this solo episode of the Everyday Business Problems podcast, Dave Crysler explores the key lessons from The Goal by Eliyahu M. Goldratt, a foundational book in operational excellence, systems thinking, and continuous improvement. Dave breaks down the core concepts of the Theory of Constraints and how it applies to real-world business challenges. Whether you’re in manufacturing, service-based industries, or professional services, this episode provides actionable insights on how to optimize your operations and increase throughput. What You'll Discover: The core lessons from The Goal and why it's a must-read for business leaders. How the Theory of Constraints helps identify bottlenecks and improve workflow. Why efficiency and effectiveness are not the same—and which one matters more. Real-world applications of Goldratt’s principles in manufacturing and service-based businesses. The importance of subordinating processes to constraints to maximize throughput. Why small changes in workflow management can lead to massive improvements in output. Practical examples of applying The Goal to optimize business operations.
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IDEAL Process Improvement Framework and Case Study
03/04/2025
IDEAL Process Improvement Framework and Case Study
In this solo episode of the Everyday Business Problems podcast, Dave Crysler introduces the IDEAL framework, a structured approach to process improvement that helps businesses optimize workflows, increase efficiency, and drive profitability. Dave walks through each step of the framework—Identify, Determine, Enact, Assess, and Learn—while sharing real-world examples of how businesses have successfully used this method to solve operational challenges. Whether you're looking to improve cash flow, streamline processes, or enhance company culture, this episode provides actionable steps to get started. What You'll Discover: How the IDEAL framework helps businesses systematically improve processes. Why identifying symptoms before jumping to solutions leads to better outcomes. The importance of process mapping and gathering input from cross-functional teams. How to prioritize improvements and implement them effectively. The role of key performance indicators (KPIs) in tracking success. Why a continuous improvement cycle is essential for long-term business growth. A free downloadable guide to help you apply the IDEAL framework to your business. Grab Your Free Copy of the IDEAL framework:
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Mentorship, Relationships, and the Next Generation in Print with Jennifer McConnell
02/25/2025
Mentorship, Relationships, and the Next Generation in Print with Jennifer McConnell
In this episode of the Everyday Business Problems podcast, Dave Crysler welcomes Jennifer McConnell, Director of Operations at Royal Printers in British Columbia, Canada. Jennifer shares her journey in the print industry, from growing up in a family-owned business to becoming an advocate for workplace culture, mentorship, and the next generation of print professionals. She discusses the challenges of attracting young talent, the importance of mentorship, and how leadership plays a key role in shaping the future of the industry. What You'll Discover: How Jennifer’s journey in print led her to leadership and advocacy roles. The importance of mentorship in shaping careers and bridging generational gaps. Strategies for attracting and retaining young talent in the print industry. How the Help Program introduces new professionals to career opportunities in print. The role of company culture in fostering long-term employee engagement. Insights into the future of the print industry and how companies can adapt to evolving technology.
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Change Management Basics
02/18/2025
Change Management Basics
In this solo episode of the Everyday Business Problems podcast, Dave Crysler breaks down the fundamentals of effective change management. He shares lessons learned from years of experience, including why so many change initiatives fail and how leaders can ensure their teams successfully adopt and sustain new processes. Dave introduces his three-part framework: Why, What, and How of Change, along with a practical continuous improvement cycle to help businesses implement change effectively. What You'll Discover: The critical role of explaining the "Why" and "What" before introducing the "How." How to anticipate and address employee concerns about organizational changes. Strategies to gain buy-in from teams and foster a culture of continuous improvement. Why involving cross-functional stakeholders leads to more successful change initiatives. A step-by-step framework for planning, executing, reviewing, and refining change processes. Real-world examples of how businesses have successfully navigated operational change.
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How Financial Strategy Drives Business Growth with Martin Cunningham
02/11/2025
How Financial Strategy Drives Business Growth with Martin Cunningham
In this episode of the Everyday Business Problems podcast, Dave Crysler welcomes Martin Cunningham, a senior financial executive with extensive experience in financial strategy, mergers and acquisitions, and operational optimization. They dive into key financial metrics that drive business growth, the importance of strategic financial planning, and how companies can prepare for acquisitions or exits. Martin also shares insights into the impact of economic trends, supply chain disruptions, and technology on financial decision-making. What You'll Discover: The essential financial metrics that indicate a company’s growth potential. How businesses can determine if they need to adjust their operating model. Key financial considerations when preparing for an acquisition or exit. The importance of leadership assessment in M&A transactions. How businesses can optimize cash flow in uncertain economic conditions. The role of AI and financial technology in improving business intelligence. Why strategic financial planning is critical for long-term success.
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Roles, Responsibilities, and Detailed Job Descriptions
02/04/2025
Roles, Responsibilities, and Detailed Job Descriptions
In this solo episode of the Everyday Business Problems podcast, Dave Crysler takes a deep dive into the importance of clearly defining roles and responsibilities within an organization. He explores why businesses of all sizes and maturity often neglect to review and revise these critical elements, leading to confusion, inefficiencies, and misalignment. Dave also shares practical strategies, including his favorite time-tracking exercise, to help leaders create clarity, consistency, and accountability within their teams. What You'll Discover: Why roles and responsibilities often get overlooked, even in well-established businesses. The key role of organizational charts in maintaining clarity and structure. How to craft job descriptions that define success and set clear expectations. The importance of documenting standard operating procedures (SOPs) for consistency. How time-tracking exercises can reveal hidden inefficiencies and help optimize workload distribution. Practical tips for aligning team responsibilities to drive sustainable business growth.
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