Profitability Playbook: The Simple Numbers Podcast

Hosted by Carr, Riggs and Ingram

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104

Latest episode

Oct 2026

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About the show

From CRI Simple Numbers, this is “Profitability Playbook: The Simple Numbers Podcast,” a podcast hosted by Mike Maxson and Brandon Gray for those championing market growth and anchoring the nation’s economy, small businesses, and entrepreneurs. This podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. For more info, visit: https://www.criadv.com/disclaimer/

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November 5, 2026Episode 4230 min

Profitability Playbook S3:E42 - 3 Numbers That Tell You If Your Business Is Actually Healthy

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

October 29, 2026Episode 4132 min

Want to Grow Your Business in 2027? Hope is Not a Growth Strategy.

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

October 26, 2026Episode 4032 min

S3:E40 - How Much of Your Business Still Lives in Your Head? With Author and Founder Adi Klevit

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

October 22, 2026Episode 3935 min

S3:E39 - Are You Marketing or Just Spending Money? Episode with Carl Holden from Zellus Marketing

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

October 15, 2026Episode 3827 min

S3:E38 - Why Good Companies Stall

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

October 8, 2026Episode 3734 min

S3:E37 - The Exit Test Every Business Owner Should Take with Tyler Smith

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

October 1, 2026Episode 3633 min

S3:E36 - How Technology is Shaping Small Business Growth with Heath Carter

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

September 28, 2026Episode 3531 min

S3:E35 - What Rising Interest Rates Mean for Your Business and Leadership Lessons from the Simple Numbers Mastermind

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

September 24, 2026Episode 3431 min

S3:E34 - Can Your Business Survive a Volatile Market?

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

September 10, 2026Episode 3330 min

S3:E33 - Business Lessons from The Vault Conference 2026

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 Numbers Register for the Simple Numbers Summit