Advertise on podcast: Profitability Playbook: The Simple Numbers Podcast

Revenue growth doesn’t always mean a healthier business. Mike and Brandon break down three essential metrics that help business owners measure profitability and make better decisions: gross margin, rolling 12-month performance, and Labor Efficiency Ratio (LER). They also tackle labor creep, why hiring without a clear plan can become a profit thief, and how your numbers can tell you when it’s actually time to grow the team.Learn more and register for the 7 for '27 Webinar at: ⁠www.simplenumberscri.com

Is your annual plan built on real numbers, or just an ambitious goal? In this episode, Aaron Keith, founder of Buildify Systems, returns to the Profitability Playbook to break down a smarter approach to annual planning and building predictive systems for your business. From realistic sales goals and capacity planning to marketing, labor efficiency, cash needs, and budgeting, Aaron shares how each piece of the business should work together to create an achievable plan for growth. Tune in to learn how to replace “hopium” with a plan grounded in the numbers and start 2027 ready to execute. Learn more: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.simplenumberscri.com ⁠⁠⁠https://www.buildifysystems.com/ Register for the Simple Numbers Summit: ⁠⁠https://www.simplenumberssummit.com Sign up for the 7 for '27 Webinar: https://www.simplenumberscri.com/contact

In this episode, Adi Klevit, founder of Business Success Consulting Group and author of Stop Carrying Your Business in Your Head, joins the Profitability Playbook to discuss why documented processes are essential for scaling a business. From employee onboarding and operational consistency to labor efficiency and growth, Adi shares how businesses can turn internal knowledge into repeatable systems that save time, improve execution, and help teams perform at their best. Tune in to learn why documentation alone isn’t enough and how the right processes can help you build a business that runs more consistently. Learn more: ⁠ ⁠https://www.simplenumberscri.com⁠ https://bizsuccesscg.com/ Register today! ⁠ https://www.simplenumberssummit.com

Is your marketing strategy keeping up with the changing landscape, or are you spending more without seeing the return? In this episode, Carl Holden of Zellus Marketing joins the Profitability Playbook to discuss what’s working in marketing today and how AI is changing the way businesses get found.From SEO and rising ad costs to AI and multi-channel marketing, Carl shares how businesses can better measure results, improve efficiency, and build a smarter marketing strategy for 2027 and beyond. Learn more: https://www.zellusmarketing.com Learn more about Simple Numbers: ⁠https://www.simplenumberscri.com ⁠ Register today! ⁠https://www.simplenumberssummit.com

Why do good companies stall while others continue to grow? In this episode of the Profitability Playbook, we explore four common growth killers: complacency, creep, distraction, and marketplace change. Learn how businesses lose momentum and discover practical strategies for maintaining discipline, protecting profitability, and building a company that thrives through every stage of growth. Learn more at https://www.simplenumberscri.com Register at https://www.simplenumberssummit.com

This week, Mike Maxson sits down with Tyler Smith from Step by Step Exit to unpack the essential exit test every business owner should take. Together, they explore practical strategies for overcoming the founder bottleneck, building leadership depth, and fostering a company culture that drives long-term success. Discover how identifying critical value gaps and focusing on exit readiness can significantly increase your company's market valuation and operational strength, even if you are not currently planning to sell. Learn more: https://www.simplenumberscri.com https://stepbystepexit.com

Is your business taking full advantage of modern technology, or are common tech mistakes slowing your expansion? In this episode we welcome Heath Carter, founder of TekConcierge, to discuss the intersection of technology, AI, and small business growth. From founding story lessons to real-world advice on scaling a company, Heath breaks down how TekConcierge supports growing businesses and evaluates the true benefits and drawbacks of incorporating AI into your operations. Learn more: CRI Simple Numbers TekConcierge Register today! Simple Numbers Summit

Rising interest rates from the Federal Reserve continue to influence cash flow, capital access, and long-term planning for growing businesses. In this episode, we unpack how changing interest rates impact your financial strategy and share critical leadership takeaways straight from the Simple Numbers Mastermind. We explore practical ways to protect your margins, evaluate cost of capital, and apply key insights from top financial leaders to keep your business resilient. Whether you are adjusting your financial forecast or refining your operational strategy, tune in for actionable advice to help your business navigate today's economic environment! Learn more: SimpleNumbersCRI.com Register today! SimpleNumbersSummit.com

Market swings, economic uncertainty, and shifting industry landscapes can put even the most established companies to the test. In this episode, we dive into what it takes to keep your business resilient when market pressure mounts. We unpack the critical roles that return on capital and return on investment play during uncertain times, offer strategies for evaluating capital allocation, and explore how to protect your margins under stress. Whether you are adjusting your current growth strategy or building a long term defense plan, tune in to learn how to help your business survive and thrive in a volatile market! Learn more about CRI Simple Numbers Register for the Simple Numbers Summit

With over 12,000 founders gathering in Las Vegas for The Vault Conference 2026, the energy and insights on business growth were unmatched. In this episode, ⁠Mike Maxson ⁠and ⁠Brandon Gray⁠ break down their firsthand experience from the event. They share their top takeaways, key trends shaping scale ups, and actionable strategies you can apply directly to your own growth playbookTune in to discover what it takes to build and scale a resilient business in today's market!Learn more about CRI Simple NumbersRegister for the Simple Numbers Summit

Market pressure and sudden economic shifts test every company, but resilient businesses are built to bounce back. In this episode, we explore what it takes to protect your long term value and build true operational readiness. We walk through the five core indicators that reveal whether your business is genuinely healthy or vulnerable to market disruption. You will learn how to spot hidden weaknesses in your operations, evaluate risk, and make stronger strategic decisions that safeguard your growth. Tune in to discover how to future proof your business and build resilience for the long haul! Learn more at simplenumberscri.com Register at simplenumberssummit.com

In this episode, we unpack Trade Capital: the key metric that shows exactly what happens to your cash as your business grows. Learn how to calculate Trade Capital and discover practical moves to improve it starting today. Hit play now to elevate your financial strategy! For more visit: https://www.simplenumberscri.com Use code SOCIAL26 for the Simple Numbers Summit! https://www.simplenumberssummit.com

What do the latest market signals really mean for your bottom line? We are breaking down the biggest forces driving the economy right now, giving you a clear picture of what is happening behind the headlines. Tune in as we analyze consumer spending, inflation pressure, the latest jobs report, and the growing economic impact of artificial intelligence. Stream the episode now for practical takeaways to guide your financial strategy! To learn more: https://www.simplenumberscri.com https://www.simplenumberssummit.com

What does a CEO really need to focus on to manage scaling business growth? Aaron Keith from Buildify Systems joins us to share his practical system for architecting a scalable company. We walk through his framework covering the seven primary business departments, from finance and marketing to operations, production, and quality assurance. Stream the episode now to learn how to build a business that scales smoothly! For more and to register for The Simple Numbers Summit: https://www.simplenumberscri.com https://www.thesimplenumberssummit.com

What does it take to turn a web design agency into an industry-leading coaching empire? This week, IMPACT Founder and CEO Bob Ruffolo joins us to share the story behind scaling his business and adapting to massive industry shifts. We dive into the game-changing market trends redefining modern business, how client behavior is shifting, and what your company must do right now to keep your sales and marketing strategies ahead of the curve. Hit play to get practical, high-impact strategies to navigate market friction and accelerate your growth! Learn more: https://www.simplenumberscri.com https://www.simplenumberssummit.com https://www.impactplus.com/