Every company is leaking profit somewhere — and most founders have no idea where. In this episode of the ExitEngine Podcast, hosts Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe sit down with Dianne Campbell, Founder of Your Productivity Pros, to uncover how operational inefficiencies quietly erode profit, scalability, and business value — and how documenting and optimizing your processes can transform your company’s performance. Drawing on her experience with Fortune 50 companies and growing small businesses, Dianne reveals how disorganization, lack of delegation, and undocumented workflows destroy margins and valuation potential. She shares real-world case studies — including one where a contractor increased profit margins by 12% in just six weeks — and walks through practical steps to start capturing hidden value right now. In this episode, you’ll learn: • Why “growth” without process creates invisible profit leaks • How to uncover inefficiencies that don’t show up on your P&L • Simple ways to document and optimize workflows across your team • How SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) add 1–2x to your valuation multiple • Why delegation, documentation, and discipline drive scalability and exit readiness If you’re a founder or business owner who feels stuck in the grind — constantly fixing problems instead of scaling your business — this conversation will show you how to replace chaos with clarity and start building a company that runs (and sells) without you. 👉 Like and Subscribe for more founder-focused insights on exit readiness, business value growth, and leadership. 👉 Get you and your company exit-ready and grow your burins with intent, even if you don’t want to sell today. Start at www.myexitengine.com.

Most founders think exit value is all about numbers — revenue, profit, multiples. But the real differentiator between an average exit and an extraordinary one is self-awareness. In this episode of the ExitEngine Podcast, hosts Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe sit down with Les Csorba, Partner at Heidrick & Struggles and author of “Aware: The Power of Seeing Yourself Clearly”. With decades of experience advising Fortune 500 CEOs, entrepreneurs, and even U.S. presidents, Les shares how self-awareness, humility, and courage shape the kind of leadership that builds trust, attracts investors, and maximizes enterprise value. In this episode, you’ll learn: • Why only 10–15% of leaders are truly self-aware — and how to join that elite group • How a lack of self-awareness can silently destroy company culture and deal confidence • The link between emotional intelligence and higher business valuation • How leaders can use feedback, humility, and courage to transform both their company and themselves • Why private equity buyers value emotionally intelligent, coachable CEOs more than any other trait Les also shares stories from the White House, Wall Street, and the boardroom — revealing how leadership under pressure, curiosity, and character define success in every arena. Whether you’re leading a team or preparing your company for sale, this episode will challenge you to look inward — because what you’re aware of, you control. What you’re unaware of controls you. 👉 Subscribe now for more founder-focused insights on exit readiness and business value growth. 👉 Join the world’s first Exit Planning Ecosystem at http://www.myexitengine.com. It’s everything and everyone you’ll need to plan and a execute a successful exit on your own terms and timeline. ExitEngine™ helps founders grow smarter and exit stronger by providing diagnostics, roadmaps, coaching, community, and advisory support that reduce risk, increase value, and make their businesses buyer-ready.

Your technology stack is either quietly compounding the value of your business — or quietly killing it. In this episode of the ExitEngine Podcast, hosts Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe sit down with Joe Infante, Managing Partner at Compass Left, to unpack the hidden role IT plays in determining your company’s true value, saleability, and post-merger success. From ERP chaos and broken integrations to founder-dependent systems and misaligned tech teams, Joe explains why most founders have no idea how exposed they really are — and what they can do right now to turn their technology into a value-creation engine. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why buyers dig deep into your tech stack during due diligence — and what red flags they spot instantly How “over-tech” and “under-tech” problems both destroy enterprise value Why clarity, process mapping, and documentation are critical before you ever sign an LOI How to identify failure points in your systems, processes, and people before a buyer does Why culture and communication are just as important as code when integrating after a sale Joe also shares real-world stories of M&A integrations gone wrong — and the simple planning, documentation, and leadership steps that could have prevented seven-figure losses. If you’re a founder preparing for growth, investment, or exit, this episode will completely reframe how you think about your technology — and its impact on your valuation. 👉 Subscribe now for more founder-focused insights on exit readiness and business value growth. 👉 Join the ExitEngine Exit Planning Ecosystem. Visit http://www.myexitengine.com for more. #exitplanning, #MAintegration, #businessvaluation, #ITduediligence, #ERPsystems, #techstackoptimization, #founderreadiness, #businessprocessimprovement

Ep 61 | How HR is Killing Your Overall Business Value (And How to Fix It) with Brian Vogel Think HR is just about hiring and compliance? Think again. In this episode of the ExitEngine Podcast, hosts Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe sit down with Brian Vogel, Founder of Sundog Coaching and Sensible HR, to reveal how overlooked HR issues silently destroy company value — and what you can do right now to turn your people strategy into your biggest competitive advantage. Brian shares what buyers really look for during due diligence: team structure, compliance readiness, leadership strength, and employee retention. He explains why founders who treat HR as a cost center lose millions in valuation — and how those who invest in their people, culture, and compliance see 10X returns when it’s time to sell. You’ll learn: - The top HR red flags that derail deals and lower valuations - Why buyers care more about your people than your products - How to build a “people strategy” that increases transferability and enterprise value - The simple retention and leadership practices that keep key employees through an exit - Why your employees aren’t a cost — they’re your most valuable asset If you’re serious about scaling, selling, or protecting the value of your business, this episode will change how you think about HR forever. 👉 Subscribe for more founder-focused insights on exit readiness, business value growth, and leadership at myexitengine.com.

Family Business Chaos: Turning Dysfunction Into a Sellable Company Family businesses are the backbone of the economy—but when it comes to growth, succession, and exit planning, they face unique challenges that can make or break their legacy. In this episode of the ExitEngine Podcast, hosts Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe sit down with Scott Gingold, Principal of Gingold Advisors, a seasoned business troubleshooter and growth strategist who has spent decades guiding family-run and closely held companies through some of their toughest transitions. Scott pulls back the curtain on the dynamics that define family businesses—from unspoken conflicts and generational clashes to succession pitfalls and the emotional ties that complicate exit decisions. He explains why revenue issues are rarely just sales problems, how to uncover the real obstacles holding companies back, and why ignoring uncomfortable truths can derail both growth and exit outcomes. Key insights from this episode include: The hidden challenges unique to family-run companies—and why they differ from traditional businesses How generational shifts, innovation resistance, and old family wounds surface in leadership and strategy Why succession planning often fails—and what it really takes to prepare the next generation (or decide to sell) How dysfunction inside the family erodes company culture, valuation, and buyer confidence Practical steps to realign goals, improve communication, and make a family business truly “sale-ready” Scott also shares candid stories of client interventions—from employees trapped between warring family members to exit processes derailed by ego, fear, and hidden financial realities. Whether you’re building, leading, or preparing to exit a family-owned company, this episode delivers actionable wisdom on protecting enterprise value while preserving family relationships. 👉 Subscribe to the ExitEngine Podcast for more founder stories, exit planning strategies, and practical tools to build a business that works for you—and one day, without you. 👉 Start your exit journey at www.myexitengine.com

Jo and John introduce Doug Pudney, an executive and business coach, to discuss his "value side" approach, which focuses on helping businesses get their values right and creating a roadmap for growth and potential exit by optimizing operations and systems. Doug explains that his method centers on strategy, clarity, conviction, and codification, aiming to build "strategy anchors" and "strategic drivers" to enhance business value and provide owners with optionality. The discussion also covers common business issues like owner dependency and weak systems, the importance of a CEO's role in communication, and the value of automated growth and preparing businesses for a successful exit by providing certainty for buyers. A super-positive look into the best possible outcome!

Jo, John, and Maurice Jenkens from "The Intuitive Leader"discuss how intuitive leadership and an exit mindset can benefit founders. Maurice explains intuition as an "inner knowing" that can guide leaders, contrasting it with fear and burnout. They also explore how societal pressures and data overload affect intuitive decision-making, emphasizing that intuition complements data. We conclude by recognizing the importance of early exit planning and continued collaboration. A deep episode!

Jo and John discuss the importance of exit planning, explaining that it involves a mindset shift for business owners to view their company as an asset for sale, which can significantly increase its value and salability. They emphasize setting clear exit goals, assessing current business value, improving salability by reducing founder dependency, and implementing financial cleanliness and diversification of revenue streams. The guys also re-introduce the Exit Engine ecosystem, offering tools like the "total exit value "TEV" acceleration calculator," access to advisory partners, and a supportive community, with a guarantee for members to increase their business's value and salability by 30 points within six months. Get started today!!

We talk with Chelsey Moter, a growth strategist and founder of BLKBOOK, a platform designed to accelerate growth through strategic networking, while also discussing the upcoming launch of the Exit Engine community. Chelsey Moter shares various strategies for effective networking, including leveraging LinkedIn for outreach, practicing reciprocity, and overcoming hesitations to engage one's network, while emphasizing the importance of getting past self-consciousness and viewing feedback as a gift. The discussion highlights the evolution of networking tools, the value of authentic self-promotion, and the strategic approach to building trust and reputation for professional growth and conversions. Improve your networking game NOW!

Investor, Interim CEO, Acquision Thought Leader Antoni Kaniowski , Jo and John discuss how "cold feet" and a lack of exit planning often hinder business sales, emphasizing the need for owners to prepare their businesses from a buyer's perspective and handle post-acquisition changes transparently. Antoni outlines a 30-60-90-day value creation plan for acquisitions, focusing on team stability, cost optimization, and product/service optimization, with Jo adding that owners should share unimplemented plans as "low-hanging fruit." The discussion also covers the challenges for original founders in post-acquisition operations, the "Entrepreneur in Residence" role, and the shifting expectations in capital markets towards valuing social capital and audience building, as highlighted by Antoni and Jo. The team also explores the challenges for founders transitioning to a chairman role, the importance of aligning founder and CEO goals with compensation, and the need for founders to select CEOs whose personalities align with the company's objectives. Jo concludes by advising business owners to assess their capabilities and goals to navigate their exit, utilizing advisors, hired CEOs, or internal succession. An amazing episode indeed!

Jason Eisman, Jo, and John discuss how strategic investments, including various types of insurance, can significantly enhance a business's value and derisk its operations. We cover the importance of cyber, D&O, EPL, hired and non-owned auto, and reps and warranties insurance, emphasizing that these policies protect against unpredictable events and are often required by investors during due diligence. We conclude that a proactive and continuous review of insurance programs, guided by a knowledgeable broker like Jason, is essential for mitigating risks, increasing business predictability, and ultimately improving sellability, as highlighted by our strong recommendation for an insurance audit. Truly the stuff you never think about, but must!

Mishkin Cyr shares his "dignity approach" to high-stakes conversations, emphasizing listening, understanding underlying motives, and building trust through integrity. Jo and John discuss the importance of common ground, managing buyer rigidity, and clarifying "risk" in negotiations. Key strategies for successful negotiations include setting boundaries, strategic scheduling, and leveraging strong communication skills. The Exit Engine community, led by John Canniffe and Jo Stapleton, was announced to support entrepreneurs in making their companies more salable. Negotiating will never be the same!

Jo, John, and Svenja Floberg Thiel discuss the emotional challenges of business exit, emphasizing that a "dark night of the soul" often triggers a re-evaluation of identity and purpose, requiring individuals to align their internal values with their business and personal lives. Svenja Floberg Thiel outlines a three-stage process for navigating this transformation: awakening, purging, and expansion, stressing the importance of understanding and communicating one's true needs. John and Jo, co-hosts of the "Exit Engine" podcast, re-introduce their platform as a resource for founders to explore these topics, encouraging self-discovery and purposeful exit planning. This is a strong one: Beware of all the Feels!

Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe discuss the stressful and complex nature of M&A negotiations, illustrated through the story of a seller named Laura and a buyer named Dave, highlighting the unusual dynamics and missteps in their interaction. Despite Dave's low initial offer and unconventional tactics, Laura, with guidance, navigated the process by understanding her bottom line and being willing to walk away, ultimately aiming for a mutually beneficial outcome. The importance of advisor involvement, clear communication, and understanding both financial and non-financial aspects of a deal were emphasized for sellers. The total inside story, and more importantly, the lessons learned. Don't miss this one!

Welcome to Episode 50! The podcast nearis 60,000 monthly downloads, we continue to discuss the importance of early exit planning as a lens for all business activity, connecting founders and advisors to improve business value and saleability. Judy Schramm, CEO of Pro Resource, highlights the strategic use of LinkedIn for thought leadership and building a personal brand, emphasizing its role beyond job searching in attracting talent and buyers, as well as its unique capabilities for content strategy, global reach, and lead generation. We conclude by emphasizing that a founder's personal brand significantly impacts company valuation, particularly when preparing for exit, as the CEO should step back to allow other leaders to emerge, making the business more attractive to acquirers. Truly an exceptional conversation!

Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe discuss Wrexham AFC's unprecedented promotion due to smart hiring and strategic growth, comparing it to the "Moneyball" approach in business and sports. They emphasize the "people, process, and product" framework as essential for business success, highlighting that Exit Engine applies these principles to help entrepreneurs understand business growth and exit planning. The speakers explained that exit planning is crucial for all businesses as an insurance policy and a form of good business planning, which creates options and encourages owners to work "on" their business rather than "in" it. Excellent real perspectives on what it takes to prepare for and execute a business sale.

Reed Hansen acquired Market Surge, a digital marketing agency, from Jared, the previous owner, after discovering risks during legal due diligence, which led to a reduction in the acquisition price. Post-acquisition, Reed transitioned the business by addressing technical issues and transforming the sales approach from volume-based to a founder-led growth model emphasizing thought leadership and authenticity, which Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe note, in this conversation, is crucial for building trust. Reed plans to expand services and industries, empowering new hires to handle client relationships to mitigate the challenge of being the central figure for scalability and future exit, which Jo and John highlighted as a critical consideration for founders. Wonderful insights into loving what you do and taking risks for all of the right reasons!

Jo Stapleton and John Canniffe talk with Jenny Marofsky about her business Agency Jen's name origin and focus on empathetic and strategic marketing for purpose-driven businesses, including navigating challenges in the nonprofit sector and the balance between strategic and tactical marketing. Jenny emphasizes the importance of strategic marketing using the aquarium analogy, defining "marketing with meaning," and aligning branding with business goals for a holistic brand experience, while also detailing her "Generate" marketing toolkit for measuring ROI and the necessity of balancing brand awareness with growth-focused tactics. Jo, John, and Jenny highlight the value of intentional marketing, measuring results, and the expertise of fractional CMOs in building sustainable and valuable businesses for potential exit.

Jo introduces Steve Curran of Khaki Consulting, who talks about the influence of military experience on leadership, the differences between entrepreneurial and organizational leadership, and their mission to multiply leadership through self-awareness and team development. Steve emphasizes the shift from individual performer to leader, the inverse relationship of control and ownership, and the importance of trust and feedback. John, Jo, and Steve also explore utilizing visual tools for self-awareness, the continuous nature of leadership challenges, the value of human connection in remote work, and how strong leadership impacts business value and exit planning. An amazing conversation!

Jo and John of Exit Engine host Jennifer Cresswell to discuss her expertise in preparing small businesses for exit, focusing on the foundational pillars of structure, people, process, and culture, and the importance of communication. Jennifer emphasizes the typical three-year timeline for a successful exit, the value of fractional executives, and the necessity of well-defined processes and a strong team. Jo, John, and Jennifer, explore topics like aligning business operations with value, the emotional aspects of selling a business, and the significance of understanding company culture in the context of growth and acquisition. One of the best ever!!