Books & The Biz

Hosted by Dan Paulson and Richard Veltre

BusinessInterviews guests

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Episodes

149

Latest episode

Jun 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

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!

May 28, 2026Episode 2029 min

Keep It Practical: Why Businesses Overcomplicate What Should Work

In this episode of Books & The Biz, we break down why simple processes, clear accountability, and practical execution outperform bloated systems and unnecessary complexity every time. From overloaded SOPs to too many meetings and titles with no ownership, we discuss why businesses slow down as they grow — and how to fix it before the owner becomes the bottleneck again. #BusinessLeadership #Operations #ConstructionBusiness #Manufacturing #LeadershipDevelopment #Entrepreneur #SmallBusiness #EscapeTheOwnersTrap

May 14, 2026Episode 1932 min

Broken Process, Broken Numbers

Most businesses do not fail because people are lazy. They fail because process breaks down under pressure. Bookkeeping falls behind. Reports become inconsistent. Teams stop following procedures. Leadership starts making decisions using incomplete or inaccurate information. In this episode of Books & The Biz, Dan Paulson and Rich Veltre break down how weak process quietly damages operations, finance, accountability, and long-term business performance.

May 7, 2026Episode 1832 min

Dead Inventory: The Silent Profit Killer Sitting on Your Shelves

Inventory is supposed to generate cash, not collect dust. In this episode of Books & The Biz, Dan and Rich take a hard look at dead inventory—products, materials, and stock that sit too long, tie up cash, consume space, and quietly erode profitability. Many businesses don’t realize how much money is trapped in slow-moving inventory until margins tighten, cash flow gets squeezed, or warehouse space starts disappearing. What often begins as “just in case” purchasing or inaccurate forecasting can quickly turn into a costly operational problem. If your shelves are full but cash still feels tight, this episode will help you understand where the problem starts—and what to do before it gets worse. Like, share, and subscribe for more conversations on the financial and operational realities of running a business.

April 30, 2026Episode 1730 min

Process Breakdown! When Procedures are Missed.

Most companies think their processes are well documented and followed. But what happens when the systems fail? In this episode, we discuss common mistakes businesses make and their impact on growth and profitability. Also be sure to order your copy of Escape The Owner's Trap now available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GWB33F63?ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_WGZ9JX679D4JJYS80C2J_3&bestFormat=true Be sure to Like, Share, and Subsribe

April 24, 2026Episode 1630 min

Not all HR tasks need to be outsourced. When to hire a consultant.

HR usually gets attention after something breaks—and by then, it’s already costing you time, money, and people. Kelly talks about three simple buckets of HR work: what should stay with you and your managers, what needs more structure, and what’s easier with a second set of eyes. Kelly offers a starting point so you can see what’s fine to keep doing it yourself and where outside help actually takes some of the HR burden off your plate. If your HR feels reactive or disorganized, this conversation will help you get ahead of it—and yes, the HR Snapshot is free. Please Like, Share, and Subscribe!

April 16, 2026Episode 15

Taxes After the Fact: What Now and What’s Next

Taxes are either filed or pushed to extension—but that doesn’t mean you’re done. In this episode, we break down what business owners should still be paying attention to after the deadline has passed, especially if your return isn’t fully finalized yet. There are still decisions, adjustments, and opportunities that can impact what you ultimately pay. We also take a look at how the “Big Beautiful Bill” is affecting businesses right now. What actually changed, what’s getting misunderstood, and where it may create either advantages or unexpected costs depending on how your business is structured. Then we shift forward. What should you be doing today to prepare for 2026 so you’re not reacting again next year? From entity structure considerations to timing of income and expenses, we walk through practical ways to reduce tax burden while aligning with how your business is actually operating. If you’ve ever felt like taxes are something that just happens to you instead of something you can plan for, this episode will help you start thinking differently about how to take control. Be sure to Like, Share, and Subscribe.

April 16, 2026Episode 1522 min

Taxes After the Fact: What Now and What’s Next

April 9, 2026Episode 1432 min

When “Nonprofit” Doesn’t Mean What You Think

Nonprofit doesn’t always mean low pay, low margins, or mission over money. In this episode of Books & The Biz, Dan and Rich break down a headline that’s raising eyebrows—massive executive compensation inside a nonprofit organization—and what it reveals about how businesses are actually structured behind the scenes. This isn’t about one company. It’s about incentives. When reimbursements are cut, processes become automated, and executive pay continues to rise, it raises a bigger question: how do financial decisions, operational systems, and leadership incentives align inside an organization? The conversation explores how “nonprofit” status works, why compensation can look very different than expected, and what business owners should take away when it comes to structure, accountability, and decision-making. If you’ve ever assumed labels like “nonprofit” or “for-profit” tell the whole story, this episode will challenge that thinking. Like, share, and subscribe for more conversations on the financial and operational realities of running a business. View the post here: https://x.com/WallStreetApes/status/2041303597229687241?s=20

April 2, 2026Episode 1329 min

The Hidden Cost of Rising Prices: Why Passing It On Isn’t Working

Prices are going up everywhere. Materials, labor, insurance, and operating costs continue to rise, and many businesses are responding the same way—by raising prices. But here’s the problem. Passing costs on to customers doesn’t always fix the issue. In this episode of <a href="about:blank" target="_blank">Books & The Biz</a>, Dan and Rich break down why higher prices often fail to protect margins and what’s really happening behind the numbers. When demand softens, efficiency drops, or internal costs go unchecked, price increases can create more pressure instead of less. This conversation focuses on where profits actually disappear, why effort is up but results feel flat, and what leaders should be watching to maintain control of their business. If your business feels busier but not more profitable, this episode will hit close to home. Like, share, and subscribe for more conversations on the financial and operational realities of running a business.