The start of 2026 has already delivered an influx of news affecting entrepreneurs, from conversations about returning to the office to questions surrounding discounts, tariffs, and shifting market demand. In a recent episode of Profitability Playbook: The Simple Numbers Podcast, Brandon Gray and Mike Maxson break down these emerging headlines and share what they mean for business owners navigating an unpredictable landscape.

As another year wraps up, many business owners reflect on the same pressing questions: how to handle bonuses, whether to make year‑end purchases, and how to plan effectively for the year ahead. In a recent episode of Profitability Playbook: The Simple Numbers Podcast, Brandon Gray and Mike Maxson break down these decisions with practical guidance, from rethinking bonus strategies to avoiding unnecessary spending and building flexible financial plans.

Profitability today isn’t just about growth — it’s about precision. Learn how managing your business salary cap helps you control labor costs, protect margins, and make smarter financial decisions in tighter markets.

Scaling a Business: The Journey to Tripling Your Company Scaling a business is never a straight path. It’s a journey filled with bold decisions, unexpected challenges, and constant adaptation. In the latest episode of Profitability Playbook: The Simple Numbers Podcast , host Brandon Gray sits down with Stephanie Harris, CEO and owner of PartnerCentric, to unpack how she transformed her company and tripled its size since acquiring it in 2017. From Employee to Owner: A Bold Le

For entrepreneurs, tax season often feels like a delicate balancing act between minimizing liabilities and maintaining the business’s health. In a recent episode of Profitability Playbook: The Simple Numbers Podcast , hosts Mike Maxson and Brandon Gray tackled this complex topic head-on, offering practical insights and debunking common myths. Tax Is Not a Strategy — Profit Is One of the most important takeaways from the discussion: tax is not a strategy; it’s a result of pro

Giving back isn’t just goodwill; it’s a growth strategy. Justin Allred shows how investing in your team and community can strengthen culture, build trust, and create lasting impact for your business.

Getting in the door with executive decision-makers is one of the biggest challenges in B2B sales. This episode explains how targeted outreach, personalized messaging, and consistent follow-through help sales teams start meaningful conversations and create stronger opportunities for long-term growth.

Every entrepreneur will eventually exit their business—either by choice or by circumstance. In this Profitability Playbook episode, EOS Coach Tyler Smith explains why exit planning is essential for protecting value, legacy, and your team’s future. With Baby Boomer retirements, AI disruption, and economic uncertainty accelerating transitions, now is the time to prepare. Learn the core principles of becoming exit-ready and building a business that thrives beyond you.

The latest episode of Profitability Playbook: The Simple Numbers Podcast breaks down the economic forces shaping 2026. Host Brandon Gray and guest Micah Ledbetter discuss inflation, labor pressures, consumer spending, and how entrepreneurs can adapt. With inflation expected to stay elevated and demand tightening, business leaders must stay agile, price strategically, and innovate to remain profitable in a “street fight economy.”

If your 2026 plan relies only on a budget, you may already be behind. Learn how pairing budgeting and forecasting helps you adjust faster and make smarter decisions.

Learn how buy-sell agreements protect business partners, clarify valuations, and prevent costly conflicts during ownership changes.

Recent CRI Simple Numbers data reveals key private sector business trends shaping the 2025 economy. Revenue growth has slowed, profits are under pressure, and labor efficiency has declined. Understanding these shifts can help business owners and advisors prepare for what’s next in the entrepreneurial economy.

Understanding the balance between profitability and growth is essential for every business owner. This article examines new data on how company size affects margins, efficiency, and scalability, and provides practical strategies that smaller firms can use to enhance performance and compete more effectively.

Get practical answers to real questions business owners face today, including how to measure labor efficiency, review insurance renewals, hire smart, and invest beyond your business. Learn data-driven and actionable strategies to boost profitability and peace of mind.

n business like football, success requires knowing when to play offense and when to protect your gains. Learn strategies to balance growth, efficiency, and investment for long-term profitability.

During economic uncertainty, businesses must play defense. Learn strategies to analyze revenue, control costs, optimize labor, and protect profitability.

Small businesses are feeling the effects of economic uncertainty, from cautious hiring to flat profitability. Are we in a recession? This article examines how entrepreneurs are protecting cash, managing operations, and identifying opportunities to maintain growth and profitability even in challenging times.

Business success often hinges on how leaders respond to market pressures. While external factors like inflation, labor shortages, and policy changes affect all companies, some businesses emerge stronger while others struggle to maintain their footing.

The restaurant owner struggling with thin margins could learn from the distribution company that doubled its profitability. The home services contractor battling rising marketing costs might find answers in how retail businesses are reshaping their customer base. This isn’t theoretical cross-training. It’s strategic survival.

When many business owners recognize that their direct labor efficiency has dropped, they often look at damage from six weeks ago. Invoices have already been sent out, paychecks have been distributed, and the chance to make corrections has passed.