
Hosted by Behind The Numbers · EN

Proudly brought to you by The NEW ROI: Return on Individuals - www.NewROI.com How do you cut through the noise when text is cheap, AI is everywhere, and human attention spans are shorter than ever? In this episode, host Dave Bookbinder sits down with Aurora Winter – former Hollywood TV executive, serial seven-figure entrepreneur, and founder of Same Page Publishing – to crack the code on persuasive communication. Aurora bridges the gap between Hollywood storytelling and Silicon Valley business metrics, breaking down the exact neuroscience required to trigger action, command authority, and scale your business revenue. Whether you are an entrepreneur, executive, or aspiring author, this conversation delivers the exact frameworks you need to turn your expertise into a million-dollar messaging engine. Key Takeaways From This Episode: The 27X Value Effect: How shifting from a product pitch to a strategic narrative can increase your perceived value and revenue by up to 2,700%. The 3-Step Brain Model: How to bypass the protective “reptilian brain,” engage the social midbrain, and logically win over the cerebral cortex. The $3 Million Formula: The story behind the exact seven-word message Aurora used to generate $3M in just one week—and how to audit your own messaging for maximum leverage. The “Hell-to-Heaven” Transformation: How to map your customer’s journey using classic Hollywood story arcs to make your offer irresistible. The Spoken Author™ Method: How busy leaders can leverage pre-launch marketing strategies to create and launch bestselling books without spending years writing them. The Human Moat vs. AI: How to use generative AI to scale your operations without hollowing out your brand. Discover why your unique stories, style, smile, and Socratic questioning are your ultimate competitive advantages. Connect with Aurora: SamePagePublishing.com Get the Book: Grab your copy of Turn Words Into Wealth at TurnWordsIntoWealth.com About Our Guest: Aurora Winter is a media strategist, bestselling author, award-winning screenwriter-producer, and the founder of Same Page Publishing. She is the creator of three proprietary frameworks: the Strategic Showrunner™, the Movie Trailer Mindset™, and the Spoken Author™ method, which help CEOs, founders, and established experts turn their expertise into premium authority and scalable revenue. Her book Turn Words Into Wealth: 7 Ways to Make 7 Figures as a Thought Leader (Same Page Publishing, 2026) lays out a complete system for building a personal brand, launching a book, and generating seven-figure income as a thought leader in the age of AI. A former television executive, Aurora has been featured on ABC-TV, CBS-TV, KTLA-TV, and CBC-TV, and in Success, Elle, and The Huffington Post. She hosts the YouTube channel Strategic Basics and has appeared on hundreds of podcasts as a guest expert on messaging, publishing, and personal branding. Aurora Winter is also the author of the Magic, Mystery, and the Multiverse fantasy series, an enchanting adventure for readers of all ages, already coming to life through the animated Ana Zest Series on YouTube. Connect with Aurora: https://www.aurorawinter.com Get your free copy of Turn Words Into Wealth eBook: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/mq5wmvplbz About the Host: Dave Bookbinder is known as a trusted provider for independent business valuations, corporate asset appraisals, and exit planning advisory and he is the person that business owners and their advisors reach out to when they need to know what their most important assets are worth. Known as a collaborative adviser, Dave has served thousands of client companies of all sizes and industries. Dave is the author of two #1 best-selling books about the impact of human capital (PEOPLE!) on the valuation of a business enterprise called The NEW ROI: Return On Individuals & The NEW ROI: Going Behind The Numbers. He’s on a mission to change the conversation about how the accounting world recognizes the value of people’s contributions to a business enterprise, and to quantify what every CEO on the planet claims: “Our people are this company’s most valuable asset.” Dave’s book, A Valuation Toolbox for Business Owners and Their Advisors: Things Every Business Owner Should Know, was recognized as a top new release in Business and Valuation and is designed to provide practical insights and tools to help understand what really drives business value, how to prepare for an exit, and just make better decisions. He’s also the host of the highly rated Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder business podcast which is enjoyed in more than 100 countries. 🔸 Grab Dave’s Books: The New ROI: Return on Individuals | The NEW ROI: Going Behind The Numbers | A Valuation Toolbox for Business Owners and Their Advisors: Things Every Business Owner Should Know 🔸 Connect with Dave on LinkedIn 🔸 Connect with Dave on FaceBook 🔸 Follow Dave on Twitter 🔸 Check out www.NEWROI.com for more. 💡 Want to share your insights with the business community? Message Dave to learn how you can be a guest on Behind The Numbers. https://linktr.ee/BehindTheNumbers 🔹 Check out more of Behind The Numbers on YouTube BEHIND THE NUMBERS WITH DAVE BOOKBINDER IS AN AWARD-WINNING PODCAST THAT IS ENJOYED IN MORE THAN 100 COUNTRIES. THANK YOU FOR MAKING BEHIND THE NUMBERS AMONG THE MOST POPULAR PROGRAMS GLOBALLY! Subscribe to Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode. If you enjoyed this conversation, please share it with your network and leave a review—it helps more business owners and advisors discover the show! The post How to Turn Words into Wealth: The Neuroscience of 27X Storytelling – Aurora Winter appeared first on The NEW ROI: Return on Individuals.

Proudly brought to you by The NEW ROI: Return on Individuals - www.NewROI.com Cybersecurity is no longer just an IT issue – it’s a leadership issue, a risk management issue, and increasingly, a business value issue. In this episode of Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder, cybersecurity expert, author, and security analyst Robert Siciliano explains why the greatest threat to most organizations isn’t technology -it’s human behavior. Drawing on decades of experience investigating cybercrime and helping organizations protect themselves, Robert shares how criminals exploit what he calls the “human blind spot” through fear, urgency, trust, and manipulation. From the early days of AOL scams to today’s AI-powered voice cloning, deepfakes, and sophisticated phishing attacks, he reveals how cybercriminals continue to evolve their tactics while targeting the same human vulnerabilities. Dave and Robert discuss why cybersecurity awareness training often fails, how organizations can build a Strategic Human Firewall, and why security must become personal before it becomes organizational. They also explore practical strategies business owners and leaders can implement immediately, including stronger authentication practices, better employee education, and creating a culture of situational awareness. Whether you’re a business owner, executive, advisor, or anyone concerned about protecting digital assets and organizational trust, this conversation offers valuable insights into managing risk in an increasingly complex cyber landscape. Key Topics Discussed: Why human behavior remains the biggest cybersecurity vulnerability The psychology behind phishing, scams, and social engineering How AI, deepfakes, and voice cloning are changing cybercrime The Strategic Human Firewall approach to security awareness Building a culture of cybersecurity and situational awareness Practical steps to reduce organizational risk today Why cybersecurity is now a boardroom and leadership responsibility About Our Guest: Recognized as the media’s go-to cybersecurity expert and creator of The Strategic Human Firewall™, Robert Siciliano is a private investigator, Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), and the CEO of Protect Now, LLC. As one of the nation’s most trusted voices on cybercrime and identity theft, he has built an unparalleled media track record, appearing on over 500 television shows, contributing to over 1,000 radio programs, and being featured as an expert source in over 3,000 articles. A fierce advocate for personal and professional security, Robert is the architect of the CSI Protection certification and a bestselling author who strips away technical jargon to deliver “straight talk” solutions. His expertise is regularly sought by every major network—including CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, and The Today Show—where he empowers millions of viewers to protect their data, privacy, and wealth from modern threats. The Strategic Human Firewall™ moves beyond technical cybersecurity training to behavioral governance, acknowledging that software alone cannot stop AI-driven “perfect lies”. It addresses the “Human Blindspot,” a vulnerability where humans are hardwired to trust digital senses (eyes and ears) that AI now easily exploits. Grounded in the reality that “All Security is Personal,” this approach defines security not as abstract compliance, but as fundamental safety—akin to physical security measures designed to prevent violence. Because nothing is more personal than an identity, when individuals learn to defend their personal lives against “Digital Frankensteins” or deepfake family emergencies, engaging in security in a professional environment becomes instinctive rather than forced. By translating these personal instincts into corporate habits, protecting company data is more achievable. Connect with Robert here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertsiciliano/ About the Host: Dave Bookbinder is known as a trusted provider for independent business valuations, corporate asset appraisals, and exit planning advisory and he is the person that business owners and their advisors reach out to when they need to know what their most important assets are worth. Known as a collaborative adviser, Dave has served thousands of client companies of all sizes and industries. Dave is the author of two #1 best-selling books about the impact of human capital (PEOPLE!) on the valuation of a business enterprise called The NEW ROI: Return On Individuals & The NEW ROI: Going Behind The Numbers. He’s on a mission to change the conversation about how the accounting world recognizes the value of people’s contributions to a business enterprise, and to quantify what every CEO on the planet claims: “Our people are this company’s most valuable asset.” Dave’s book, A Valuation Toolbox for Business Owners and Their Advisors: Things Every Business Owner Should Know, was recognized as a top new release in Business and Valuation and is designed to provide practical insights and tools to help understand what really drives business value, how to prepare for an exit, and just make better decisions. He’s also the host of the highly rated Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder business podcast which is enjoyed in more than 100 countries. 🔸 Grab Dave’s Books: The New ROI: Return on Individuals | The NEW ROI: Going Behind The Numbers | A Valuation Toolbox for Business Owners and Their Advisors: Things Every Business Owner Should Know 🔸 Connect with Dave on LinkedIn 🔸 Connect with Dave on FaceBook 🔸 Follow Dave on Twitter 🔸 Check out www.NEWROI.com for more. 💡 Want to share your insights with the business community? Message Dave to learn how you can be a guest on Behind The Numbers. https://linktr.ee/BehindTheNumbers 🔹 Check out more of Behind The Numbers on YouTube BEHIND THE NUMBERS WITH DAVE BOOKBINDER IS AN AWARD-WINNING PODCAST THAT IS ENJOYED IN MORE THAN 100 COUNTRIES. THANK YOU FOR MAKING BEHIND THE NUMBERS AMONG THE MOST POPULAR PROGRAMS GLOBALLY! Subscribe to Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode. If you enjoyed this conversation, please share it with your network and leave a review—it helps more business owners and advisors discover the show! The post Why Cybersecurity Is Really About People – Robert Sicilian appeared first on The NEW ROI: Return on Individuals.

Proudly brought to you by The NEW ROI: Return on Individuals - www.NewROI.com Why do expensive corporate recognition programs, automated anniversary emails, and branded company swag so frequently fail to keep employees from walking out the door? In this episode, host Dave Bookbinder sits down with renowned psychologist, leadership expert, and bestselling author Dr. Paul White. Together, they pull back the curtain on the global phenomenon he co-authored with Dr. Gary Chapman: The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace (over 800,000 copies sold at the time of recording). Dave and Dr. White dive deep into the data-backed science of human motivation, drawing a sharp line between performance-based recognition and person-based appreciation. Whether you are managing a Fortune 500 team, navigating a complex family business, or leading a fully remote workforce, this episode provides the ultimate roadmap to drastically reducing turnover and boosting discretionary effort. 🎧 What We Cover in This Episode: The ROI of Feeling Seen: Why authentic appreciation has three times more influence on employee retention than traditional compensation. The 5 Languages Deep Dive: A breakdown of how Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Acts of Service, Tangible Gifts, and Physical Touch manifest in a professional environment. Why the “Points Catalog” Backfires: The psychological reason automated, transactional reward programs make employees feel less valued. Actionable Advice for Leaders: How to craft hyper-specific praise, offer help without micromanaging, and implement the Motivating By Appreciation (MBA) Inventory across your team. “People don’t just want to be recognized for what they do for the company’s bottom line; they want to be valued for who they are as human beings.” —-more—- About Our Guest: Dr. Paul White is a psychologist, author, and speaker who “makes work relationships work.” He has written articles for and been interviewed by the BBC News, Business Week, the New York Times, Entrepreneur.com, Fast Company, and Forbes. Dr. White is the coauthor of the best-selling book, The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace, which has sold over 800,000 copies (written with Dr. Gary Chapman, author of the #1 NY Times bestseller, The 5 Love Languages) and has been translated into 25 languages. As a speaker and trainer, Dr. White has taught around the world, including North American, Europe, South America, Asia, and the Caribbean. His expertise has been requested by PepsiCo, Microsoft, NASA, L’Oreal, the Mayo Clinics, Princeton University, the Salvation Army, and numerous other multinational organizations. Based on extensive research, Dr. White has developed practical ways for leaders and employees to communicate authentic appreciation that leads to increased employee engagement, lower staff turnover, more positive work environments, and higher productivity. Additionally, Dr. White and Dr. Chapman have created an online assessment (taken by 475,000 individuals and available in nine languages) to identify the specific ways each person prefers to be shown appreciation. You can email him here: paul@drpaulwhite.com About the Host: Dave Bookbinder is known as a trusted provider for independent business valuations, corporate asset appraisals, and exit planning advisory and he is the person that business owners and their advisors reach out to when they need to know what their most important assets are worth. Known as a collaborative adviser, Dave has served thousands of client companies of all sizes and industries. Dave is the author of two #1 best-selling books about the impact of human capital (PEOPLE!) on the valuation of a business enterprise called The NEW ROI: Return On Individuals & The NEW ROI: Going Behind The Numbers. He’s on a mission to change the conversation about how the accounting world recognizes the value of people’s contributions to a business enterprise, and to quantify what every CEO on the planet claims: “Our people are this company’s most valuable asset.” Dave’s book, A Valuation Toolbox for Business Owners and Their Advisors: Things Every Business Owner Should Know, was recognized as a top new release in Business and Valuation and is designed to provide practical insights and tools to help understand what really drives business value, how to prepare for an exit, and just make better decisions. He’s also the host of the highly rated Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder business podcast which is enjoyed in more than 100 countries. 🔸 Grab Dave’s Books: The New ROI: Return on Individuals | The NEW ROI: Going Behind The Numbers | A Valuation Toolbox for Business Owners and Their Advisors: Things Every Business Owner Should Know 🔸 Connect with Dave on LinkedIn 🔸 Connect with Dave on FaceBook 🔸 Follow Dave on Twitter 🔸 Check out www.NEWROI.com for more. 💡 Want to share your insights with the business community? Message Dave to learn how you can be a guest on Behind The Numbers. https://linktr.ee/BehindTheNumbers 🔹 Check out more of Behind The Numbers on YouTube BEHIND THE NUMBERS WITH DAVE BOOKBINDER IS AN AWARD-WINNING PODCAST THAT IS ENJOYED IN MORE THAN 100 COUNTRIES. THANK YOU FOR MAKING BEHIND THE NUMBERS AMONG THE MOST POPULAR PROGRAMS GLOBALLY! —-more—-Subscribe to Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode. If you enjoyed this conversation, please share it with your network and leave a review—it helps more business owners and advisors discover the show! The post Beyond the Paycheck: Why Corporate Recognition Fails and Genuine Appreciation Wins – Dr. Paul White appeared first on The NEW ROI: Return on Individuals.

Proudly brought to you by The NEW ROI: Return on Individuals - www.NewROI.com What separates companies that thrive from those that slowly lose relevance? Often, it comes down to strategy – not just having a plan, but developing the insight and discipline to make better decisions over time. In this episode of Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder, Dave speaks with strategy expert Rich Horwath, founder of the Strategic Thinking Institute, about what it really means to “be strategic” in today’s business environment. Rich explains why strategy is not the same as goals, planning, or tactics, and shares his definition of strategy as “possessing insight that leads to advantage.” The conversation explores the biggest reasons strategy breaks down inside organizations, how leaders get trapped in tactical thinking, and the warning signs that indicate a company may be operating without true strategic direction. Rich also introduces his framework built around acumen, allocation, and action – and explains how leaders can apply it to improve decision-making and long-term performance. Dave and Rich discuss the connection between strategic clarity and enterprise value, the role of tradeoffs in leadership, lessons from companies like Blockbuster, and how AI may accelerate both opportunity and competitive risk. Rich also shares practical habits leaders can implement immediately, including insight journaling, accountability around learning, and creating a shared language of strategy across the organization. To learn more about Rich Horwath, visit Strategy Skills or connect with Rich Horwath on LinkedIn. Subscribe to Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode. If you enjoyed this conversation, please share it with your network and leave a review—it helps more business owners and advisors discover the show! About Our Guest: Rich Horwath is the founder and CEO of the Strategic Thinking Institute where he serves leadership teams as a strategy workshop facilitator, strategic executive coach, and keynote speaker. His mission is to help executive teams think, plan, and act strategically to set direction, create advantage, and achieve their goals. Rich is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal and USA Today national bestselling author of eight books, and his work has been featured in publications including Fast Company, Forbes, and the Harvard Business Review. He has been described by Chief Executive Magazine as “the world’s foremost expert on strategic thinking.” As a former chief strategy officer and professor of strategy at the graduate level, he is able to bring a practical, real-world approach based in strong foundational principles to help executives develop their strategic capabilities. Rich has appeared on ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX TV to share his perspectives on current business strategy issues. In addition to his work facilitating strategy workshops for leadership teams and providing executive coaching services and strategic counsel, he is a highly sought-after keynote speaker for groups ranging from 10 to 10,000. Rich has helped more than a quarter million leaders around the world develop their strategic capabilities in pursuit of his vision to teach the world to be strategic. About the Host: Dave Bookbinder is known as an expert in business valuation and he is the person that business owners and their advisors reach out to when they need to know what their most important assets are worth. Known as a collaborative adviser, Dave has served thousands of client companies of all sizes and industries. Dave is the author of two #1 best-selling books about the impact of human capital (PEOPLE!) on the valuation of a business enterprise called The NEW ROI: Return On Individuals & The NEW ROI: Going Behind The Numbers. He’s on a mission to change the conversation about how the accounting world recognizes the value of people’s contributions to a business enterprise, and to quantify what every CEO on the planet claims: “Our people are this company’s most valuable asset.” Dave’s book, A Valuation Toolbox for Business Owners and Their Advisors: Things Every Business Owner Should Know, was recognized as a top new release in Business and Valuation and is designed to provide practical insights and tools to help understand what really drives business value, how to prepare for an exit, and just make better decisions. He’s also the host of the highly rated Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder business podcast which is enjoyed in more than 100 countries. 🔸 Grab Dave’s Books: The New ROI: Return on Individuals | The NEW ROI: Going Behind The Numbers | A Valuation Toolbox for Business Owners and Their Advisors: Things Every Business Owner Should Know 🔸 Connect with Dave on LinkedIn 🔸 Connect with Dave on FaceBook 🔸 Follow Dave on Twitter 🔸 Check out www.NEWROI.com for more. 💡 Want to share your insights with the business community? Message Dave to learn how you can be a guest on Behind The Numbers. https://linktr.ee/BehindTheNumbers 🔹 Check out more of Behind The Numbers on YouTube BEHIND THE NUMBERS WITH DAVE BOOKBINDER IS AN AWARD-WINNING PODCAST THAT IS ENJOYED IN MORE THAN 100 COUNTRIES. THANK YOU FOR MAKING BEHIND THE NUMBERS AMONG THE MOST POPULAR PROGRAMS GLOBALLY! The post Why Most Companies Aren’t Really Strategic – Rich Horwath appeared first on The NEW ROI: Return on Individuals.

Proudly brought to you by The NEW ROI: Return on Individuals - www.NewROI.com What separates companies that thrive from those that slowly lose relevance? Often, it comes down to strategy – not just having a plan, but developing the insight and discipline to make better decisions over time. In this episode of Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder, Dave speaks with strategy expert Rich Horwath, founder of the Strategic Thinking Institute, about what it really means to “be strategic” in today’s business environment. Rich explains why strategy is not the same as goals, planning, or tactics, and shares his definition of strategy as “possessing insight that leads to advantage.” The conversation explores the biggest reasons strategy breaks down inside organizations, how leaders get trapped in tactical thinking, and the warning signs that indicate a company may be operating without true strategic direction. Rich also introduces his framework built around acumen, allocation, and action – and explains how leaders can apply it to improve decision-making and long-term performance. Dave and Rich discuss the connection between strategic clarity and enterprise value, the role of tradeoffs in leadership, lessons from companies like Blockbuster, and how AI may accelerate both opportunity and competitive risk. Rich also shares practical habits leaders can implement immediately, including insight journaling, accountability around learning, and creating a shared language of strategy across the organization. To learn more about Rich Horwath, visit Strategy Skills or connect with Rich Horwath on LinkedIn. Subscribe to Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode. If you enjoyed this conversation, please share it with your network and leave a review—it helps more business owners and advisors discover the show! About Our Guest: Rich Horwath is the founder and CEO of the Strategic Thinking Institute where he serves leadership teams as a strategy workshop facilitator, strategic executive coach, and keynote speaker. His mission is to help executive teams think, plan, and act strategically to set direction, create advantage, and achieve their goals. Rich is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal and USA Today national bestselling author of eight books, and his work has been featured in publications including Fast Company, Forbes, and the Harvard Business Review. He has been described by Chief Executive Magazine as “the world’s foremost expert on strategic thinking.” As a former chief strategy officer and professor of strategy at the graduate level, he is able to bring a practical, real-world approach based in strong foundational principles to help executives develop their strategic capabilities. Rich has appeared on ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX TV to share his perspectives on current business strategy issues. In addition to his work facilitating strategy workshops for leadership teams and providing executive coaching services and strategic counsel, he is a highly sought-after keynote speaker for groups ranging from 10 to 10,000. Rich has helped more than a quarter million leaders around the world develop their strategic capabilities in pursuit of his vision to teach the world to be strategic. About the Host: Dave Bookbinder is known as an expert in business valuation and he is the person that business owners and their advisors reach out to when they need to know what their most important assets are worth. Known as a collaborative adviser, Dave has served thousands of client companies of all sizes and industries. Dave is the author of two #1 best-selling books about the impact of human capital (PEOPLE!) on the valuation of a business enterprise called The NEW ROI: Return On Individuals & The NEW ROI: Going Behind The Numbers. He’s on a mission to change the conversation about how the accounting world recognizes the value of people’s contributions to a business enterprise, and to quantify what every CEO on the planet claims: “Our people are this company’s most valuable asset.” Dave’s book, A Valuation Toolbox for Business Owners and Their Advisors: Things Every Business Owner Should Know, was recognized as a top new release in Business and Valuation and is designed to provide practical insights and tools to help understand what really drives business value, how to prepare for an exit, and just make better decisions. He’s also the host of the highly rated Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder business podcast which is enjoyed in more than 100 countries. 🔸 Grab Dave’s Books: The New ROI: Return on Individuals | The NEW ROI: Going Behind The Numbers | A Valuation Toolbox for Business Owners and Their Advisors: Things Every Business Owner Should Know 🔸 Connect with Dave on LinkedIn 🔸 Connect with Dave on FaceBook 🔸 Follow Dave on Twitter 🔸 Check out www.NEWROI.com for more. 💡 Want to share your insights with the business community? Message Dave to learn how you can be a guest on Behind The Numbers. https://linktr.ee/BehindTheNumbers 🔹 Check out more of Behind The Numbers on YouTube BEHIND THE NUMBERS WITH DAVE BOOKBINDER IS AN AWARD-WINNING PODCAST THAT IS ENJOYED IN MORE THAN 100 COUNTRIES. THANK YOU FOR MAKING BEHIND THE NUMBERS AMONG THE MOST POPULAR PROGRAMS GLOBALLY! The post Why Most Companies Aren’t Really Strategic – Rich Horwath appeared first on The NEW ROI: Return on Individuals.

Proudly brought to you by The NEW ROI: Return on Individuals - www.NewROI.com Technology problems rarely start with technology. They start with leadership decisions, culture, and treating IT as an afterthought instead of a strategic asset. In this episode of Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder, Dave speaks with Keith Tessler of CMIT Solutions about why smart companies are shifting from reactive IT support to proactive technology management and how those decisions directly impact risk, resilience, scalability, and enterprise value. The conversation explores the biggest cybersecurity threats facing small and mid-sized businesses today, including phishing attacks, business email compromise, and the growing misuse of remote-control software by bad actors. Keith shares practical, low-cost protections every business should implement, including two-factor authentication, password managers, employee awareness training, and stronger internal controls. Dave and Keith also discuss: When companies should move from “break/fix” IT support to a managed services model How IT infrastructure and documentation can affect M&A due diligence and succession planning Why clean, accessible data matters more than most owners realize The role culture and people play in cybersecurity and operational risk Practical applications for AI in business and where the hype exceeds reality A simple IT checklist business owners can use to improve resilience and reduce risk Whether you’re preparing your company for growth, protecting it from disruption, or thinking about a future exit, this episode delivers actionable insights on how technology decisions can strengthen both operational performance and business value. Subscribe to Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode. If you enjoyed this conversation, please share it with your network and leave a review—it helps more business owners and advisors discover the show! About Our Guest: A fourth-generation entrepreneur, Keith says he learned more at the family dinner table than from his MBA courses. So it’s no surprise he dove into the family business with gusto, taking it from a small, regional player to a nationwide company that became the largest firm in that industry. But after 25 years of 100-hour weeks, he sold that business and spent a couple of years coaching CEOs – leaders of companies that ran the gamut from small tech start-ups to $3 billion corporations. While he loved that work, he couldn’t shake the technology itch. So today, Keith has hit his stride as the owner of CMIT Solutions in Philadelphia and Cherry Hill, a business that marries his love of technology with his passion for helping businesses find better paths to successful growth. If you want fresh perspectives on leadership, tech, and business, follow Keith on LinkedIn. And if you want to put tech headaches in the rearview mirror and work with an IT team you can love, reach out to Keith here. He’s always ready to talk tech support, business growth, cybersecurity, regulatory compliance, and much more. About the Host: Dave Bookbinder is known as an expert in business valuation and he is the person that business owners and their advisors reach out to when they need to know what their most important assets are worth. Known as a collaborative adviser, Dave has served thousands of client companies of all sizes and industries. Dave is the author of two #1 best-selling books about the impact of human capital (PEOPLE!) on the valuation of a business enterprise called The NEW ROI: Return On Individuals & The NEW ROI: Going Behind The Numbers. He’s on a mission to change the conversation about how the accounting world recognizes the value of people’s contributions to a business enterprise, and to quantify what every CEO on the planet claims: “Our people are this company’s most valuable asset.” Dave’s book, A Valuation Toolbox for Business Owners and Their Advisors: Things Every Business Owner Should Know, was recognized as a top new release in Business and Valuation and is designed to provide practical insights and tools to help understand what really drives business value, how to prepare for an exit, and just make better decisions. He’s also the host of the highly rated Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder business podcast which is enjoyed in more than 100 countries. 🔸 Grab Dave’s Books: The New ROI: Return on Individuals | The NEW ROI: Going Behind The Numbers | A Valuation Toolbox for Business Owners and Their Advisors: Things Every Business Owner Should Know 🔸 Connect with Dave on LinkedIn 🔸 Connect with Dave on FaceBook 🔸 Follow Dave on Twitter 🔸 Check out www.NEWROI.com for more. 💡 Want to share your insights with the business community? Message Dave to learn how you can be a guest on Behind The Numbers. https://linktr.ee/BehindTheNumbers 🔹 Check out more of Behind The Numbers on YouTube BEHIND THE NUMBERS WITH DAVE BOOKBINDER IS AN AWARD-WINNING PODCAST THAT IS ENJOYED IN MORE THAN 100 COUNTRIES. THANK YOU FOR MAKING BEHIND THE NUMBERS AMONG THE MOST POPULAR PROGRAMS GLOBALLY! The post How IT Strategy Impacts Business Value, Risk, and Exit Readiness – Keith Tessler appeared first on The NEW ROI: Return on Individuals.

Proudly brought to you by The NEW ROI: Return on Individuals - www.NewROI.com Technology problems rarely start with technology. They start with leadership decisions, culture, and treating IT as an afterthought instead of a strategic asset. In this episode of Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder, Dave speaks with Keith Tessler of CMIT Solutions about why smart companies are shifting from reactive IT support to proactive technology management and how those decisions directly impact risk, resilience, scalability, and enterprise value. The conversation explores the biggest cybersecurity threats facing small and mid-sized businesses today, including phishing attacks, business email compromise, and the growing misuse of remote-control software by bad actors. Keith shares practical, low-cost protections every business should implement, including two-factor authentication, password managers, employee awareness training, and stronger internal controls. Dave and Keith also discuss: When companies should move from “break/fix” IT support to a managed services model How IT infrastructure and documentation can affect M&A due diligence and succession planning Why clean, accessible data matters more than most owners realize The role culture and people play in cybersecurity and operational risk Practical applications for AI in business and where the hype exceeds reality A simple IT checklist business owners can use to improve resilience and reduce risk Whether you’re preparing your company for growth, protecting it from disruption, or thinking about a future exit, this episode delivers actionable insights on how technology decisions can strengthen both operational performance and business value. Subscribe to Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode. If you enjoyed this conversation, please share it with your network and leave a review—it helps more business owners and advisors discover the show! About Our Guest: A fourth-generation entrepreneur, Keith says he learned more at the family dinner table than from his MBA courses. So it’s no surprise he dove into the family business with gusto, taking it from a small, regional player to a nationwide company that became the largest firm in that industry. But after 25 years of 100-hour weeks, he sold that business and spent a couple of years coaching CEOs – leaders of companies that ran the gamut from small tech start-ups to $3 billion corporations. While he loved that work, he couldn’t shake the technology itch. So today, Keith has hit his stride as the owner of CMIT Solutions in Philadelphia and Cherry Hill, a business that marries his love of technology with his passion for helping businesses find better paths to successful growth. If you want fresh perspectives on leadership, tech, and business, follow Keith on LinkedIn. And if you want to put tech headaches in the rearview mirror and work with an IT team you can love, reach out to Keith here. He’s always ready to talk tech support, business growth, cybersecurity, regulatory compliance, and much more. About the Host: Dave Bookbinder is known as an expert in business valuation and he is the person that business owners and their advisors reach out to when they need to know what their most important assets are worth. Known as a collaborative adviser, Dave has served thousands of client companies of all sizes and industries. Dave is the author of two #1 best-selling books about the impact of human capital (PEOPLE!) on the valuation of a business enterprise called The NEW ROI: Return On Individuals & The NEW ROI: Going Behind The Numbers. He’s on a mission to change the conversation about how the accounting world recognizes the value of people’s contributions to a business enterprise, and to quantify what every CEO on the planet claims: “Our people are this company’s most valuable asset.” Dave’s book, A Valuation Toolbox for Business Owners and Their Advisors: Things Every Business Owner Should Know, was recognized as a top new release in Business and Valuation and is designed to provide practical insights and tools to help understand what really drives business value, how to prepare for an exit, and just make better decisions. He’s also the host of the highly rated Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder business podcast which is enjoyed in more than 100 countries. 🔸 Grab Dave’s Books: The New ROI: Return on Individuals | The NEW ROI: Going Behind The Numbers | A Valuation Toolbox for Business Owners and Their Advisors: Things Every Business Owner Should Know 🔸 Connect with Dave on LinkedIn 🔸 Connect with Dave on FaceBook 🔸 Follow Dave on Twitter 🔸 Check out www.NEWROI.com for more. 💡 Want to share your insights with the business community? Message Dave to learn how you can be a guest on Behind The Numbers. https://linktr.ee/BehindTheNumbers 🔹 Check out more of Behind The Numbers on YouTube BEHIND THE NUMBERS WITH DAVE BOOKBINDER IS AN AWARD-WINNING PODCAST THAT IS ENJOYED IN MORE THAN 100 COUNTRIES. THANK YOU FOR MAKING BEHIND THE NUMBERS AMONG THE MOST POPULAR PROGRAMS GLOBALLY! The post How IT Strategy Impacts Business Value, Risk, and Exit Readiness – Keith Tessler appeared first on The NEW ROI: Return on Individuals.

Proudly brought to you by The NEW ROI: Return on Individuals - www.NewROI.com Why do businesses stall – even when demand is strong? Often, it comes down to leadership bottlenecks. In this episode of Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder, Dave speaks with executive coach and author Daria Rudnik about what happens when leaders become the constraint on growth—and how to fix it. Daria shares how to recognize an overloaded leader, the impact it has on team performance and business value, and why so many organizations struggle to build truly self-sufficient teams. The conversation breaks down her CLICK framework: Clear Purpose, Linking Connections, Integrated Work, Collaborative Decisions, and Knowledge Sharing; with practical examples from a cybersecurity team and a telecom call center. She also offers a simple question leaders can use immediately to start shifting how their teams operate. Dave and Daria explore how AI is changing team dynamics, decision-making, and communication—and why human judgment and critical thinking are becoming even more valuable. If you’re a business owner, executive, or advisor, you’ll walk away with actionable insights on building stronger teams, developing leaders, and creating a business that can scale beyond you. About Our Guest: Daria Rudnik is a Team Architect and Executive Coach who helps overloaded leaders build high-trust, self-sufficient teams so they get better results with less burnout. She’s the award-winning author of CLICKING and co-author of The AI Revolution, and the creator of Aidra.AI, an AI-powered coach for leaders. A former Chief People Officer and ex-Deloitte pro, Daria brings her many years of global leadership experience to every conversation. Connect with her here: https://dariarudnik.com/ About the Host: Dave Bookbinder is known as an expert in business valuation and he is the person that business owners and their advisors reach out to when they need to know what their most important assets are worth. Known as a collaborative adviser, Dave has served thousands of client companies of all sizes and industries. Dave is the author of two #1 best-selling books about the impact of human capital (PEOPLE!) on the valuation of a business enterprise called The NEW ROI: Return On Individuals & The NEW ROI: Going Behind The Numbers. He’s on a mission to change the conversation about how the accounting world recognizes the value of people’s contributions to a business enterprise, and to quantify what every CEO on the planet claims: “Our people are this company’s most valuable asset.” Dave’s book, A Valuation Toolbox for Business Owners and Their Advisors: Things Every Business Owner Should Know, was recognized as a top new release in Business and Valuation and is designed to provide practical insights and tools to help understand what really drives business value, how to prepare for an exit, and just make better decisions. He’s also the host of the highly rated Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder business podcast which is enjoyed in more than 100 countries. 🔸 Grab Dave’s Books: The New ROI: Return on Individuals | The NEW ROI: Going Behind The Numbers | A Valuation Toolbox for Business Owners and Their Advisors: Things Every Business Owner Should Know 🔸 Connect with Dave on LinkedIn 🔸 Connect with Dave on FaceBook 🔸 Follow Dave on Twitter 🔸 Check out www.NEWROI.com for more. 💡 Want to share your insights with the business community? Message Dave to learn how you can be a guest on Behind The Numbers. https://linktr.ee/BehindTheNumbers 🔹 Check out more of Behind The Numbers on YouTube BEHIND THE NUMBERS WITH DAVE BOOKBINDER IS AN AWARD-WINNING PODCAST THAT IS ENJOYED IN MORE THAN 100 COUNTRIES. THANK YOU FOR MAKING BEHIND THE NUMBERS AMONG THE MOST POPULAR PROGRAMS GLOBALLY! —-more—-Subscribe to Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode. If you enjoyed this conversation, please share it with your network and leave a review—it helps more business owners and advisors discover the show! The post How to Build a Team That Runs Without You – Daria Rudnik appeared first on The NEW ROI: Return on Individuals.

Proudly brought to you by The NEW ROI: Return on Individuals - www.NewROI.com What do championship teams understand about trust, culture, and performance that most businesses miss—and how can leaders apply those lessons to drive real results? Host Dave Bookbinder talks with Emmy Award-winning broadcaster and author Joel Goldberg about what business leaders can learn from nearly 30 years inside Major League Baseball organizations. Drawing from his books Small Ball Big Dreams and Small Ball Big Results, Joel shares behind-the-scenes insights from the Kansas City Royals and St. Louis Cardinals. This conversation explores how trust and culture drive high-performing teams, why listening and vulnerability are leadership advantages -not weaknesses -and how accountability shows up when it matters most. Joel also breaks down his concept of “small ball” – the consistent, repeatable habits that don’t show up in the stats but ultimately determine long-term success in both sports and business. If you’re a business owner, executive, or advisor looking to build a stronger culture, improve leadership effectiveness, and create sustainable performance, this episode delivers practical insights you can apply immediately. Key Topics Covered Business leadership lessons from professional sports How trust drives performance and team success Building and sustaining a strong organizational culture The role of accountability in high-performing teams Leadership communication, listening, and vulnerability “Small ball” habits that lead to long-term business success What business leaders can learn from championship teams Who This Episode Is For Business owners and entrepreneurs Executives and managers focused on team performance Advisors to business owners (attorneys, CPAs, wealth managers) Anyone interested in leadership, culture, and organizational success Why This Matters Championship teams don’t rely on talent alone – they build trust, reinforce culture, and execute consistently. The same principles apply in business, where long-term value is created not just through financial performance, but through the strength of the organization behind it. Listen / Watch Subscribe to Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode. If you enjoyed this conversation, please share it with your network and leave a review—it helps more business owners and advisors discover the show! About Our Guest: Joel Goldberg is a two-time author, Emmy-winning broadcaster, and keynote speaker with 30 years of experience covering amateur and professional sports. As the longtime TV host for the Kansas City Royals, he’s interviewed baseball’s biggest stars and uncovered the leadership, trust, and culture that drive championship teams. Joel has covered four World Series, two Super Bowls, and numerous NHL playoff games, giving him a front-row seat to the mindset and habits of elite performers. But his work goes beyond sports. He translates these insights into powerful lessons on leadership, trust, teamwork, and culture that apply to business and life. His latest book, Small Ball Big Dreams, explores how small, intentional actions lead to big results in both sports and business. He’s the host of the podcast Rounding The Bases. Find Joel’s books and links at joelgoldbergmedia.com. About the Host: Dave Bookbinder is known as an expert in business valuation and he is the person that business owners and their advisors reach out to when they need to know what their most important assets are worth. Known as a collaborative adviser, Dave has served thousands of client companies of all sizes and industries. Dave is the author of two #1 best-selling books about the impact of human capital (PEOPLE!) on the valuation of a business enterprise called The NEW ROI: Return On Individuals & The NEW ROI: Going Behind The Numbers. He’s on a mission to change the conversation about how the accounting world recognizes the value of people’s contributions to a business enterprise, and to quantify what every CEO on the planet claims: “Our people are this company’s most valuable asset.” Dave’s book, A Valuation Toolbox for Business Owners and Their Advisors: Things Every Business Owner Should Know, was recognized as a top new release in Business and Valuation and is designed to provide practical insights and tools to help understand what really drives business value, how to prepare for an exit, and just make better decisions. He’s also the host of the highly rated Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder business podcast which is enjoyed in more than 100 countries. 🔸 Grab Dave’s Books: The New ROI: Return on Individuals | The NEW ROI: Going Behind The Numbers | A Valuation Toolbox for Business Owners and Their Advisors: Things Every Business Owner Should Know 🔸 Connect with Dave on LinkedIn 🔸 Connect with Dave on FaceBook 🔸 Follow Dave on Twitter 🔸 Check out www.NEWROI.com for more. 💡 Want to share your insights with the business community? Message Dave to learn how you can be a guest on Behind The Numbers. https://linktr.ee/BehindTheNumbers 🔹 Check out more of Behind The Numbers on YouTube BEHIND THE NUMBERS WITH DAVE BOOKBINDER IS AN AWARD-WINNING PODCAST THAT IS ENJOYED IN MORE THAN 100 COUNTRIES. THANK YOU FOR MAKING BEHIND THE NUMBERS AMONG THE MOST POPULAR PROGRAMS GLOBALLY! The post Winning Trust: What Championship Teams Teach Business Leaders appeared first on The NEW ROI: Return on Individuals.

Proudly brought to you by The NEW ROI: Return on Individuals - www.NewROI.com What do championship teams understand about trust, culture, and performance that most businesses miss—and how can leaders apply those lessons to drive real results? Host Dave Bookbinder talks with Emmy Award-winning broadcaster and author Joel Goldberg about what business leaders can learn from nearly 30 years inside Major League Baseball organizations. Drawing from his books Small Ball Big Dreams and Small Ball Big Results, Joel shares behind-the-scenes insights from the Kansas City Royals and St. Louis Cardinals. This conversation explores how trust and culture drive high-performing teams, why listening and vulnerability are leadership advantages -not weaknesses -and how accountability shows up when it matters most. Joel also breaks down his concept of “small ball” – the consistent, repeatable habits that don’t show up in the stats but ultimately determine long-term success in both sports and business. If you’re a business owner, executive, or advisor looking to build a stronger culture, improve leadership effectiveness, and create sustainable performance, this episode delivers practical insights you can apply immediately. Key Topics Covered Business leadership lessons from professional sports How trust drives performance and team success Building and sustaining a strong organizational culture The role of accountability in high-performing teams Leadership communication, listening, and vulnerability “Small ball” habits that lead to long-term business success What business leaders can learn from championship teams Who This Episode Is For Business owners and entrepreneurs Executives and managers focused on team performance Advisors to business owners (attorneys, CPAs, wealth managers) Anyone interested in leadership, culture, and organizational success Why This Matters Championship teams don’t rely on talent alone – they build trust, reinforce culture, and execute consistently. The same principles apply in business, where long-term value is created not just through financial performance, but through the strength of the organization behind it. Listen / Watch Subscribe to Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode. If you enjoyed this conversation, please share it with your network and leave a review—it helps more business owners and advisors discover the show! About Our Guest: Joel Goldberg is a two-time author, Emmy-winning broadcaster, and keynote speaker with 30 years of experience covering amateur and professional sports. As the longtime TV host for the Kansas City Royals, he’s interviewed baseball’s biggest stars and uncovered the leadership, trust, and culture that drive championship teams. Joel has covered four World Series, two Super Bowls, and numerous NHL playoff games, giving him a front-row seat to the mindset and habits of elite performers. But his work goes beyond sports. He translates these insights into powerful lessons on leadership, trust, teamwork, and culture that apply to business and life. His latest book, Small Ball Big Dreams, explores how small, intentional actions lead to big results in both sports and business. He’s the host of the podcast Rounding The Bases. Find Joel’s books and links at joelgoldbergmedia.com. About the Host: Dave Bookbinder is known as an expert in business valuation and he is the person that business owners and their advisors reach out to when they need to know what their most important assets are worth. Known as a collaborative adviser, Dave has served thousands of client companies of all sizes and industries. Dave is the author of two #1 best-selling books about the impact of human capital (PEOPLE!) on the valuation of a business enterprise called The NEW ROI: Return On Individuals & The NEW ROI: Going Behind The Numbers. He’s on a mission to change the conversation about how the accounting world recognizes the value of people’s contributions to a business enterprise, and to quantify what every CEO on the planet claims: “Our people are this company’s most valuable asset.” Dave’s book, A Valuation Toolbox for Business Owners and Their Advisors: Things Every Business Owner Should Know, was recognized as a top new release in Business and Valuation and is designed to provide practical insights and tools to help understand what really drives business value, how to prepare for an exit, and just make better decisions. He’s also the host of the highly rated Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder business podcast which is enjoyed in more than 100 countries. 🔸 Grab Dave’s Books: The New ROI: Return on Individuals | The NEW ROI: Going Behind The Numbers | A Valuation Toolbox for Business Owners and Their Advisors: Things Every Business Owner Should Know 🔸 Connect with Dave on LinkedIn 🔸 Connect with Dave on FaceBook 🔸 Follow Dave on Twitter 🔸 Check out www.NEWROI.com for more. 💡 Want to share your insights with the business community? Message Dave to learn how you can be a guest on Behind The Numbers. https://linktr.ee/BehindTheNumbers 🔹 Check out more of Behind The Numbers on YouTube BEHIND THE NUMBERS WITH DAVE BOOKBINDER IS AN AWARD-WINNING PODCAST THAT IS ENJOYED IN MORE THAN 100 COUNTRIES. THANK YOU FOR MAKING BEHIND THE NUMBERS AMONG THE MOST POPULAR PROGRAMS GLOBALLY! The post Winning Trust: What Championship Teams Teach Business Leaders appeared first on The NEW ROI: Return on Individuals.