Episodes

  • Why Leaders Make Bad Decisions (and How Better Judgment Drives Business Value) - John Little

    Why Leaders Make Bad Decisions (and How Better Judgment Drives Business Value) - John Little
    Apr 14 2026
    Why do leaders make poor decisions - even with more data, better tools, and AI? In this episode of Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder, host Dave Bookbinder speaks with leadership advisor and performance architect John Little about why judgment - not just data, tools, or experience - is the true differentiator in leadership, decision-making, and organizational performance. The conversation explores how leaders can operate effectively in real time, avoid common decision-making blind spots like projecting their own thinking onto others, and better identify and leverage the unique strengths within their teams to improve performance. They also examine generational dynamics, employee engagement, and leadership strategy in the age of AI. Rather than reacting with fear or taking a hands-off approach, John explains how leaders can adopt AI with intention - using clear strategy, guardrails, and human judgment to drive better outcomes. John shares practical frameworks for building confidence, including “name it, tame it, reframe it,” and reinforces a critical leadership principle: trust is the foundation of performance, retention, and long-term value creation. The episode closes with a clear takeaway - leaders who actively build and restore trust will make better decisions, strengthen their teams, and create more resilient, higher-performing organizations. Who this episode is for Business owners and entrepreneurs navigating growth and changeAdvisors, consultants, and executives focused on leadership and performanceAnyone interested in improving decision-making, team effectiveness, and business outcomes About Our Guest: Big John Little has built a career as an Executive Leadership Performance Coach around 3 key outcomes: Overcoming the limiting beliefs that create bottlenecks in your career growth and promotion potentialDeveloping a personal leadership brand that elevates your visibility within your organization and industryProviding models and frameworks to become confident, authentic leaders in your life and career John has been a leader of people and business for more than 25 years across multiple industries. 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! 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!
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    36 mins
  • The Power of Human Connection in a Digital World - Nick Adkins

    The Power of Human Connection in a Digital World - Nick Adkins
    Apr 7 2026
    In a world dominated by digital communication, many leaders and organizations are struggling with a fundamental challenge - how to build genuine human connection. In this episode of Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder, I speak with Nick Adkins, founder of the global PinkSocks Life movement, about how a simple act - gifting a pair of pink socks - sparked a worldwide movement centered on empathy, kindness, and meaningful connection. We explore what it truly means to “see” another person, why that idea resonates so deeply, and how leaders can foster stronger relationships in both business and life. Nick shares the origin story of PinkSocks, the philosophy behind the movement, and practical ways anyone can begin building deeper, more authentic connections starting today. What You’ll Learn How a simple gesture became the global PinkSocks Life movementThe meaning behind the powerful phrase “I see you”Why human connection is more important than ever in a digital worldPractical ways to build meaningful relationships in everyday lifeWhat leaders often misunderstand about kindness and human interaction Key Takeaways Connection isn’t about technology - it’s about intentionSmall acts of kindness can have a disproportionate impactPeople want to feel acknowledged, valued, and seenLeadership starts with empathy, not authority About Our Guest: Nick Adkins is the Founder of Pinksocks Life, a global movement focused on spreading love & kindness.and author of PINKSOCKS: How a Pair of Socks Became a Symbol of Love and Connection. He wrote the book because the world needs more reminders of our shared humanity…..more connection, kindness, and love. In a time when things can feel divided and overwhelming, this book is about coming back to what truly matters: seeing one another, hearing one another’s heart speak, and choosing kindness in every now. Pinksocks is global community of over 300,000 happy smiley people who are united in changing the world from the ground up, with heart speak, hugs, and gifting. All proceeds from the book go to Pinksocks Life, Inc., which is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, to support its mission of spreading connection, kindness, and love around the world…..the good things that make life beautiful. #pinksocks 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!
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    33 mins
  • How Performance-Based Pay Can Transform Productivity and Workplace Culture - Michael Fortinberry

    How Performance-Based Pay Can Transform Productivity and Workplace Culture - Michael Fortinberry
    Mar 24 2026
    Can performance-based pay outperform the traditional hourly wage model? And what does that mean for productivity, culture, and ultimately, business value? On this episode of Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder, Michael Fortenberry, co-founder of Protiv, explains how shifting from time-based pay to performance-based compensation is changing the game—particularly for contractors and hourly workforces. Michael shares how Protiv’s model brings transparency to labor budgets by putting real numbers in front of field teams—and then rewarding them for beating those targets. The result is a measurable shift in behavior: stronger communication, increased accountability, and a culture where workers think and act more like owners. This conversation goes beyond compensation mechanics to explore the connection between incentives, leadership, and enterprise value. You’ll also hear practical insights on the metrics that matter most—like gross profit, revenue per labor hour, and rework—and the unintended consequences leaders need to manage, including the risk of unhealthy competition. Looking ahead, Michael discusses how technology, including AI-driven labor forecasting, is poised to further reshape the trades—and why that creates both urgency and opportunity for business owners. Who this episode is for: Business owners, contractors, and advisors who want to improve profitability, align incentives, and build a more accountable, high-performing workforce. About Our Guest: Michael Fortinberry is a seasoned entrepreneur and executive with over 25 years of experience transforming the construction, real estate, and technology sectors. Having founded nine companies, he has consistently leveraged cutting-edge technology to modernize traditional industries, earning a reputation as a forward-thinking leader. From his early days growing up on the family farm, to a decade of service in the U.S. Army, he then earned a BS in Chemistry from Florida State University, Mr. Fortinberry’s journey reflects discipline and adaptability. As President of RealPage, the nation’s leading real estate technology platform, he scaled innovative solutions that redefined industry standards. Later, as an executive at Fortune 500 company PPG, he spearheaded the growth of technology-driven service platforms. In recent years, he founded two technology-focused construction firms in New York City, employing hundreds and introducing advanced systems to streamline operations and enhance productivity. His latest venture, Protiv, is a groundbreaking platform that optimizes production-based incentives for hourly workers in landscaping and construction, driving efficiency and workforce engagement. Mr. Fortinberry’s expertise in applying technology to blue-collar industries offers actionable insights for businesses navigating digital transformation. About the Host: Dave Bookbinder is known as an expert in business valuation and he is the person that business owners and entrepreneurs 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!
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    32 mins
  • How Leadership Principles Help Startup Founders Build Successful Companies - Angelo Valletta

    How Leadership Principles Help Startup Founders Build Successful Companies - Angelo Valletta
    Mar 17 2026
    Leadership and innovation are closely tied - especially when building companies that create jobs, scale new ideas, and strengthen local economies. In this episode of Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder, Dave speaks with Angelo Valletta, President and CEO of Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania and author of The Seven R’s of Leadership and Life. Angelo shares lessons from decades of leadership in technology, finance, and economic development, and explains how those experiences shaped the leadership framework in his book. Angelo also explains how Ben Franklin Technology Partners supports entrepreneurs and early-stage companies through investment, mentorship, and a broad network of experts. The organization has helped launch and grow hundreds of companies across the region by combining capital with practical guidance for founders navigating growth, hiring, and strategy. The conversation explores the importance of coachability, hiring the right people for the right roles, and maintaining strong culture while scaling innovation. Angelo also discusses the organization’s mentoring approach, including its 10-week mentorship programs and candid “tiger sessions” designed to challenge founders and strengthen their leadership. Dave and Angelo then turn to the leadership philosophy behind Angelo’s book, The Seven R’s of Leadership and Life. Inspired by lessons from his family and career, Angelo explains the principles that guide his leadership approach - including respect, resolve, responsibility, readiness, relationships, recreation, and doing the right thing. He shares why resolve is often the most difficult principle for leaders to maintain and how these values translate into real-world leadership decisions. Who This Episode Is For Entrepreneurs and startup founders Business owners and executives Leaders building teams and company culture Advisors working with growth companies About our Guest Angelo J. Valletta has close to forty years of progressively responsible managerial experience in diverse industries with companies ranging in size from small consultants to multi-national firms. He has a proven track record of developing and building effective internal and outsourced distributed teams and is a turn-around specialist in operations and customer service. He has held multiple board-level leadership roles and had his book “7 Rs of Leadership and Life” recently published by Newman Springs https://www.newmansprings.com/release/?book=7rs-of-leadership-and-life Angelo currently serves as President and CEO for the Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania. Angelo earned his undergraduate degree in Computer Science from Temple University and his MBA from Philadelphia University. He serves on the following non-profit boards: PA Governor Economic Development Transition Committee, Red Cross Rivers Chapter Board Chairman; Temple University; FOX Alumni Association (Emeritus); Alvernia University O’Pake Innovation Board and serves as Executive in Residence for the School of Business; Chairman of the Louis A. Valletta Endowment, and Vice-Chair for the Lehigh Valley Ethics Board. He mentors students at Columbia, Philadelphia, and Temple universities. He is a former elected official, having represented his district in Gloucester County, NJ, and has chaired several companies’ United Way campaigns. About the Host: Dave Bookbinder is known as an expert in business valuation and he is the person that business owners and entrepreneurs 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 ...
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    38 mins
  • Leadership as the Missing Link in Long-Term Value Creation - Kris Kluver

    Leadership as the Missing Link in Long-Term Value Creation - Kris Kluver
    Mar 3 2026
    In this episode of Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder, Dave is joined by advisor and author Kris Kluver for a conversation on why leadership - not structures, not strategies, not spreadsheets - is the real driver of long-term value creation and generational wealth preservation. They dig into the coming great wealth transfer and the uncomfortable reality that roughly 70% of family fortunes fail to survive the second generation. Kris explains how breakdowns in communication, culture, and leadership - not financial planning - are usually to blame. Dave and Kris explore how families and organizations can prepare next-generation leaders, set audacious goals (BHAGs and 100x thinking), and build accountability systems that actually work. The discussion also touches on disruptive leadership, EOS-style scorecards, and why protecting and developing human capital is even more critical in an AI-driven world. Key takeaways include the importance of clear narratives of success, simplified metrics that drive accountability, intentional leadership development, and the willingness to embrace discomfort in pursuit of meaningful growth. The message is clear: leadership is not a soft skill - it’s the most valuable asset an organization has. About Our Guest: Kris Kluver is a highly experienced operator, investor, and advisor who has worked with over 100 CEOs and helped organizations achieve billions in valuation. He has over three decades of experience across diverse industries, from publicly traded companies to high growth startups. Kluver has studied entrepreneurial strategy at Harvard Business School, is a certified exit advisor, a fellow at York University in the UK, and author of two bestselling books. About the Host: Dave Bookbinder is known as an expert in business valuation and he is the person that business owners and entrepreneurs 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!
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    29 mins
  • What’s Really Holding Your Business Back? Breaking Leadership “Boxes” - Betsy Pepine

    What’s Really Holding Your Business Back? Breaking Leadership “Boxes” - Betsy Pepine
    Feb 24 2026
    On this episode of Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder, Dave speaks with entrepreneur and author Betsy Pepine about her book Breaking Boxes: Dismantling the Metaphorical Boxes That Bind Us — and what those “boxes” really mean for business owners. They move beyond the metaphor and into the boardroom. Dave and Betsy examine how invisible constraints — family expectations, industry norms, identity labels, fear of judgment — quietly shape leadership decisions, company culture, and growth trajectories. More importantly, they explore what it takes to recognize and dismantle those constraints before they limit enterprise value. Betsy shares candid stories from building and scaling her real estate businesses, including a pivotal employee departure that forced a hard look at culture and alignment, and her unconventional decision to create salaried agent roles in an industry built on commission. The conversation tackles how fear masquerades as strategy, how misalignment shows up physically and relationally for leaders, and how outdated assumptions can cap performance long before the numbers reflect it. You’ll hear practical insights for business owners and advisors alike: How to identify the “boxes” shaping your decisions Why growth often stalls at identity, not capability The role of outside counsel, peer groups, and masterminds in exposing blind spots How authentic alignment strengthens culture - and ultimately business results If you’re a business owner, executive, or advisor who senses that something is holding your organization back but can’t quite name it, this conversation will help you connect the dots between mindset, leadership behavior, and measurable outcomes. About Our Guest: Betsy Pepine is a best-selling author, speaker and serial entrepreneur in real estate. Her brokerage, Pepine Realty, has been named as an Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Private Company in the USA multiple times and has earned spots on the Top 50 Florida Companies to Watch and Florida Trend Best Companies to Work For lists. Additionally, the Wall Street Journal has consistently recognized Betsy’s real estate team as one of the top-producing real estate companies in the United States. Betsy also owns a title company, real estate school and property management brokerage. Betsy is endorsed by her mentor, real estate mogul, and Shark Tank shark Barbara Corcoran, as well as leading media personality, Dave Ramsey. Passionate about helping at-risk families with children, Betsy founded Pepine Gives, a 501(c)3 non-profit foundation that helps families facing housing insecurity. Betsy earned an economics degree from Duke University and an MBA from The Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. About the Host: Dave Bookbinder is known as an expert in business valuation and he is the person that business owners and entrepreneurs 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!
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    Not Yet Known
  • Can a Mission-Driven Brand Survive Beyond Its Founder? Leadership, Risk, and Enterprise Value - Bob Bush, CEO of Mutombo Coffee

    Can a Mission-Driven Brand Survive Beyond Its Founder? Leadership, Risk, and Enterprise Value - Bob Bush, CEO of Mutombo Coffee
    Feb 17 2026
    How do you build a mission-driven brand that survives beyond a single personality - and still create real enterprise value? On this episode of Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder, I speak with Bob Bush, founder and CEO of Mutombo Coffee, about building a purpose-driven specialty coffee company rooted in relationships, disciplined execution, and long-term thinking. Bob traces the origin of Mutombo Coffee from his friendship with NBA legend Dikembe Mutombo to the development of a “commerce over charity” model designed to create sustainable economic opportunity - particularly for women coffee farmers. Drawing on his background in finance and supply chain management, Bob explains how operational discipline and mission alignment must coexist if a social enterprise is going to scale. We discuss: Launching a consumer brand during COVID and the realities of supply chain disruption Managing key-person risk following Dikembe Mutombo’s passing The operational complexity of international sourcing and distribution Leadership lessons for founders building mission-centered businesses Aligning profit with purpose without compromising either Bob also shares the evolution of the product strategy - from single-serve sachets and K-Cups to stroopwafels and espresso martini offerings - along with partnerships that have supported growth, including the Houston Rockets and Temple University. This conversation offers practical insight for business owners and management teams navigating growth, brand identity, and enterprise resilience. It’s a case study in building sustainable systems, listening to customers, and proving that purpose and profitability are not mutually exclusive - but must be intentionally engineered. If you’re interested in entrepreneurship, management, impact investing, or the mechanics behind scaling a mission-driven brand, this episode delivers both strategic perspective and operational lessons. ** Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder listeners can get 20% off of their order by using the discount code BTN20 here: insert web address https://www.mutombocoffee.com/collections/all About Our Guest Bob Bush is a senior investment executive with experience across industries, geographies (USA, Europe, China, Middle East, and Africa), as well as asset classes (venture capital, private equity, Islamic Finance). He has engaged in various financial and operating special projects for sovereign-related entities, family businesses, family offices, investment companies, corporations, and startups. Bob provides live television commentary and keynotes at global conferences on innovation, social impact, sustainability, global investing, and international trade. His unique experiences, love for learning and teaching, as well as an established network of relationships, fuel his interests in innovative business models, public-private partnerships, and entrepreneurship. Bob’s international experiences with multinational corporations and government advisory as well as his love for learning and teaching have given him a unique perspective on solving global challenges. About the Host: Dave Bookbinder is known as an expert in business valuation and he is the person that business owners and entrepreneurs 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 ...
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    34 mins
  • How Storytelling Builds Authority - and What Leaders Get Wrong About Authenticity - Autumn Karen

    How Storytelling Builds Authority - and What Leaders Get Wrong About Authenticity - Autumn Karen
    Feb 3 2026
    How does storytelling build authority - and where’s the line between authenticity and vulnerability? On this episode of Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder, Dave Bookbinder is joined by Autumn Karen - filmmaker, journalist, ghostwriter, educator, and author of The Surrogate Author - for a deep dive into the power of narrative and the responsibility that comes with it. Autumn explains why “words are power,” how storytelling shapes credibility, and why leaders often misunderstand what it really means to be authentic. The conversation explores how personal and professional narratives are constructed, curated, and sometimes compromised in the pursuit of visibility and influence. Dave and Autumn unpack the craft and ethics of ghostwriting, including empathy-driven collaboration, capturing a client’s voice through a method-acting approach, editorial decision-making, contracts, and what business owners should know before hiring a ghostwriter or committing to a book project. They also discuss the current and future role of AI in writing and creative work, mentorship and teaching lessons from the classroom, and why writing a book can bring clarity, confidence, and authority to leaders - when done the right way. Autumn shares insights from her deeply personal animated short Infinity Care, offering a candid look at balancing creative ambition with emotional labor, and explains what readers can expect from The Surrogate Author - a practical, textbook-style guide covering craft, business practices, and ethics for ghostwriters in the age of AI. Learn more about Autumn at autumnkaren.com, and connect with her on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok (@autumnkaren). 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: Autumn Karen is a filmmaker, journalist, ghostwriter, and educator who uses writing to elevate traditionally unheard stories. She's English faculty and QEP Co-Director at High Point University and founder of Woven Lines Publishing and Medusa’s Gaze Films. Her comprehensive guide to ghostwriting, The Surrogate Author: The Craft, Business, and Ethics of Ghostwriting in the Age of AI, was published by Kendall Hunt in 2025. Autumn's award winning work as a journalist, author, and screenwriter centers on themes such as systematic oppression, grief, and complex societal relationships. About the Host: Dave Bookbinder is known as an expert in business valuation and he is the person that business owners and entrepreneurs 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!
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    27 mins