Books & The Biz

Hosted by Dan Paulson and Richard Veltre

BusinessInterviews guests

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Episodes

158

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Finance and Operations need to work together. Often they don’t. Join Richard Veltre and myself for discussions about business (the BIZ) and finance (the BOOKS). About Rich: He has served in executive leadership positions at finance consulting firms focusing on the development, implementation, and management of the full spectrum of financial systems. Rich started his career at Price Waterhouse and now acts at a fractional CFO for companies in healthcare, finance, logistics, and construction. About Dan: He built his career working key leadership positions for several large corporations such as Menards and Lands’ End. In 2005, Dan decided he no longer wanted to continue on the corporate executive path and launched InVision. He now helps owners and executives improve operational performance and workplace culture in the areas of manufacturing, construction, healthcare, and finance. Books & The Biz is a podcast where we talk about our experiences, what’s happening in the world today, and how it impacts companies.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

August 21, 2026Episode 3127 min

The Experience Gap: When Saving Money Costs You More

Saving money is important—but hiring the wrong expertise can become one of the most expensive decisions a business makes. In this episode of **Books & The Biz**, Dan and Rich discuss real-world examples of how inexperience in accounting, payroll, bookkeeping, and financial leadership can create costly mistakes that go unnoticed for months. They also explore the risks of outsourcing, relying too heavily on AI, and why business owners need to ask better questions before trusting someone with critical functions. Experience doesn't guarantee success—but a lack of it can be very expensive.

August 16, 2026Episode 3034 min

The Race to the Bottom: Why Competing on Price Never Ends Well

Competing on price might win you a job today, but it can cost you your business tomorrow. In this episode of **Books & The Biz**, Dan and Rich discuss the race to the bottom after seeing competitors slash prices to win work. They explore why discounting is rarely a long-term strategy, the hidden costs of competing on price, and how businesses can stand out by delivering value instead of becoming just another commodity. If your only competitive advantage is being the cheapest, this conversation is one you won't want to miss.

August 6, 2026Episode 2935 min

The Fractional Boom: Who's Qualified and Who's Pretending?

The fractional executive market is growing fast—but so is the number of people claiming expertise they haven't earned. In this episode of **Books & The Biz**, Dan and Rich discuss what separates a true fractional executive from someone with a new title. They cover the experience, leadership, and real-world results business owners should look for, along with the questions to ask before trusting someone to help lead your company. If you're considering hiring a fractional executive, this conversation could save you time, money, and costly mistakes.

July 30, 2026Episode 2832 min

When Costs Keep Rising: Raise Prices or Fix the Business?

Costs are rising, margins are getting tighter, and business owners are being forced to make decisions without a clear playbook. In this episode of Books & The Biz, Dan and Rich talk through pricing, cash flow, tariffs, healthcare costs, and the operational waste that often gets ignored when expenses climb. Raising prices may be part of the answer, but better financial visibility, stronger processes, and more efficient operations matter just as much. If everything is costing more, the real question is what you can control before the pressure starts showing up in your margins.

July 24, 2026Episode 2743 min

AI Knows a Lot. Experience Knows What's Right.

AI can generate answers in seconds—but that doesn't mean those answers are correct. In this episode of **Books & The Biz**, Dan, Rich, and Kelly Murphy discuss where AI adds real value and where experience still matters most. They explore why asking better questions leads to better results, how industry knowledge helps you recognize bad answers, and why human judgment is still essential when making business decisions. If you're relying on AI to help run your business, this conversation will show you how to get better results without replacing the expertise that matters most.

July 17, 202632 min

Growing Your Business Shouldn't Create More People Problems

Why growth often creates chaos. In this episode of Books & The Biz, Dan and Rich welcome HR expert Kelly Murphy to discuss why adding more employees doesn’t automatically make a company stronger. As businesses grow, communication breaks down, expectations become unclear, and informal processes that worked with five employees begin to fail with twenty-five. If your business is growing—or you’re planning for it—this episode will help you build a stronger foundation before growth starts working against you.

July 3, 2026Episode 2542 min

Want More Freedom? Start With These 10 Changes

This Independence Day, we’re talking about a different kind of freedom—the freedom to step away from your business without everything falling apart. In this episode of Books & The Biz, Dan and Rich share 10 practical ways business owners can gain more freedom, from outsourcing bookkeeping and building a trusted inner circle to setting boundaries with clients, protecting personal time, charging for the value you deliver, and creating systems that reduce owner dependency. If your business can’t run without you, this episode will help you start changing that.

July 2, 2026Episode 2429 min

The High Cost of Unrealistic Expectations

Business owners often want better forecasts, stronger profits, and a clear growth strategy. The problem? Those goals depend on having accurate information to begin with. In this episode of Books & The Biz, Dan and Rich discuss what happens when years of neglected accounting, incomplete records, or operational issues collide with unrealistic expectations for immediate results. They explore why professionals often have to rebuild the foundation before they can provide meaningful advice—and why trying to rush that process usually costs more in the long run. If you’ve ever wondered why “simple fixes” sometimes take weeks instead of days, this conversation explains what really happens behind the scenes. Please Like, Share, and Subscribe.

June 18, 2026Episode 2337 min

The Great Ownership Transfer: Why So Many Businesses Won’t Survive the Next 10 Years

This is becoming one of the biggest business stories that almost nobody is talking about. Millions of business owners are approaching retirement, but many have no succession plan and no realistic buyer lined up. Studies suggest millions of businesses could change hands over the next decade, while a large percentage of owners still aren’t prepared for transition. What we will discuss:Why revenue is not the same as business valueWhy many businesses are “owner-dependent”The difference between a job and a sellable companyInternal succession vs outside buyersWhat owners should be doing 5-10 years before exit

June 12, 2026Episode 2225 min

75% of Businesses Overpay! What Your Worker's Comp Could Cost You

Workers' Compensation is often viewed as just another cost of doing business. But what if you're paying more than you should? In this episode of Books & The Biz, Dan and Rich sit down with Bobby Giurintano of Premium Recovery Experts to discuss a problem many business owners don't realize exists: workers' compensation audit errors. Bobby shares why these mistakes occur, where overpayments are commonly found, and how businesses can identify opportunities to recover money that may have been lost for years. If you're looking for practical ways to reduce costs, improve cash flow, and make sure you're not leaving money on the table, this is a conversation worth hearing. Please like, share, and subscribe!