AI is everywhere, but most businesses are using it the wrong way.

In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J. Cox sits down with Eli Portnoy, co-founder and CEO of BackEngine.ai, to talk about the real gap between AI hype and real-world results. Eli explains why generic AI outputs fail, why context matters more than tools, and how sales and go-to-market strategies must evolve in a crowded, low-trust environment.

They also discuss how outbound sales has changed, why easy channels stop working, and what leaders can do today to build relevance, trust, and long-term growth.

If you want a clear, practical conversation about AI, strategy, and modern business execution, this episode delivers.

Listen now and learn how to apply AI with intention.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/eliportnoy/

https://www.backengine.com/

This episode is sponsored by Altezza Solutions, liberating entrepreneurs through fractional sales execution. Today, Steve helps growth-stage companies break through revenue barriers while giving founders the freedom to focus on building extraordinary businesses.

Founder-led businesses often grow fast, then stall.

In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl Cox sits down with Steve Caton, Founder and CEO of Altezza Solutions, to discuss why sales becomes the biggest bottleneck for growing companies.

Steve shares why hiring salespeople often fails, how founders unintentionally trap themselves in the sales role, and what it takes to build repeatable, predictable sales systems.

You'll learn:

• Why sales talent alone does not solve growth

• How systems and process drive consistency

• When fractional sales makes sense

• How founders can step out of the sales seat

If sales depends on you, growth will too.

Listen now and measure what success really looks like.

Selling to private equity is not the end of the journey. It is the beginning of a new phase of growth.

In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J. Cox, CEO of 40 Strategy and 40 Accounting sits down with Neel Bhargava, founding partner at NB Group, to unpack how private equity partnerships really work for founder- and family-owned businesses.

Neel shares how his firm approaches growth-focused investing, why rolling equity is critical, and how conservative use of debt protects long-term value. The conversation also explores what typically changes in the first 18 months after an investment, including finance, leadership structure, and strategic planning.

This episode offers clear insight for founders thinking about private equity and operators preparing for their next stage of scale.

Listen now and learn how to build a business that is ready for growth, partnership, and long-term success.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/neelbhargava/

www.nbgroup.us

In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J Cox sits down with real estate investor and educator Jay Conner to break down private money and why it has been the foundation of his business since 2009.

Jay explains how private money works, who private lenders really are, and why having capital ready changes everything about deal execution. He shares a real world case study where preparation and access to funding made a fast, profitable exit possible when traditional financing would have failed.

Listeners will learn why mindset matters as much as mechanics, how conservative strategy protects both sides, and why serious operators stop chasing money and start attracting it.

If you want more control, less friction, and a cleaner path to growth, this episode delivers a practical framework worth studying.

Listen now and learn how strategy shapes results.

In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J. Cox sits down with John Whitt, founder of Business Whitt and author of Checkmate, to explore how strategic thinking, leadership, and generosity intersect.

John explains how lessons from competitive chess apply directly to business. Small advantages, disciplined execution, and resource placement matter more than chasing quick wins. The conversation covers clarity in goal setting, identifying constraints, testing ideas before scaling, and leading with generosity as a competitive edge.

Listeners will gain practical insight into building strategy that holds up under pressure and leadership habits that create lasting results.

Listen now and learn how to think ahead, execute with intention, and lead in a way that drives sustainable success.

AI is changing how companies grow, how leaders lead, and how strategy gets executed.

In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J Cox sits down with Klee Kleber, co-founder and partner at Build Group, to discuss what leaders need to understand right now. Klee shares why expertise is becoming a commodity, why implementation is still the biggest challenge, and how operator-led strategy creates real value.

They cover how AI is reshaping product development, go-to-market strategy, and leadership, along with why human judgment, trust, and execution still matter. This episode is a clear look at what is changing and what is not.

Listen in, then take action. Strategy only works when it gets implemented.

In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J Cox talks with Gabe Lullo, CEO of Alleyoop, about the real role of outbound sales in today's market.

They discuss how AI is changing sales without replacing human connection, why founders should stay close to revenue early, and how content builds trust before the first conversation ever happens. Gabe shares lessons from scaling a remote SDR organization and explains how fractional sales teams help growing companies create momentum without overspending.

This conversation is practical, honest, and focused on strategy over tactics.

If you want to grow without burning your market or relying on automation alone, this episode will give you a clearer path forward.

Subscribe, listen, and apply what matters.

In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl sits down again with CEO and author Trey Taylor for a candid conversation on AI, culture, and the future of leadership. Trey explains why AI is no longer optional, how leaders can avoid lazy thinking, and what's driving the rapid rise of Latino-owned businesses in the U.S.

He shares insights on balancing culture, people, and numbers—his signature "three things"—while adapting to tools that change faster than organizations can keep up. Trey also gives practical examples of AI improving operations, decision-making, and customer impact.

Listen and learn how to lead with clarity in a changing world.

🎧 Tune in now