Phil Fornaro

Episode 187: Scaling Smarter with Data and Strategy with Rich Carroll

Business Growth & Strategy /

Rich Carroll leads the CFO Advisory Practice at Maximus Partners. He brings 10 years of experience as a CFO and 25 years of corporate finance experience. Rich is an accomplished CFO who partners with CEOs and business leaders to accelerate growth and drive transformation. His experience spans private equity-backed, private, and public companies across various […]

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Episode 186: LBM Flash Moments: Turning AI Conversations into Business Impact

Technology, AI & Innovation /

I discuss the rapid advancements in AI, particularly ChatGPT, and its integration into my business processes, specifically for creating pitch decks. I share how AI has evolved to understand my conversational tone and business structure, allowing for more efficient and effective presentations. I also emphasize the importance of setting clear, achievable goals, such as organizing

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Episode 185: From Franchise Risk-Taking to AI-Powered Customer Growth with Daniel O’Donohue

Technology, AI & Innovation /

Daniel O’Donohue is an entrepreneur and technology founder based in Chicago. He is the founder of TaskByte.ai, a platform helping brands build stronger customer relationships through interactive messaging, data-driven insights, and AI-powered engagement. Before launching TaskByte, Daniel spent years building and operating multiple businesses, gaining firsthand experience with the challenges companies face as they try

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Episode 184: LBM Flash Moments: Building Momentum with the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurship & Startups /

I discuss the organic growth of a young person’s event, which brought together local entrepreneurs and professionals. The event, attended by 30 people, featured networking and discussions. I emphasize the importance of young people reaching out and connecting, highlighting the positive feedback and enthusiasm from attendees. Future plans include a May event with panel discussions

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Episode 183: Adapting Constantly and Learning from Every Moment with Jon Tavsanoglu

Careers & Professional Growth /

Can (Jon) Tavsanoglu is the Founder and CIO of Caldera Real Estate Ventures, where he leverages over 15 years of principal-side real estate investment and development experience. He has executed more than $2.5 billion in transactions, developments, and financings, building a reputation for delivering disciplined, data-driven strategies for family offices and alternative investors. Jon holds

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Episode 182: LBM Flash Moments: Balancing AI, Productivity, and Well-Being

Health, Energy & Performance /

I discuss the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on my personal and professional life, highlighting its role in enhancing productivity and providing new insights. I mentioned the “will be” conference, where I was advised to learn something new about AI daily. I introduced the “Sparkline” feature on his website, encouraging community engagement. I share my

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Episode 181: Why People Matter More Than the Deal with Jeff Egan

Relationships & Communication /

Jeffrey Egan is a business leader, strategic advisor, and entrepreneurial executive. Jeff grew up in New York City and started working in capital markets, trading short-term bonds and other credit investments. He did this at Kidder, Peabody, and then Chase Manhattan, navigating through two notable transactions that still live today in what became UBS and

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Episode 180: LBM Flash Moments: Building Value Through Genuine Professional Relationships

Relationships & Communication /

I discuss the importance of having proactive professional relationships, emphasizing that professionals should go beyond their job roles to add value and interact with clients in a non-transactional way. I share a personal anecdote about signing up for a gym’s senior option, highlighting the benefits of aging. I advise clients to demand more from their

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Episode 178: LBM Flash Moments: Balancing Innovation and Reality in Energy

Technology, AI & Innovation /

I discuss the importance of maintaining perspective despite passion, using examples from my personal experiences and the show “Landman.” I highlight the challenges of transitioning from oil to sustainable energy, noting the reliance on oil and gas due to historical choices. I emphasize the need for balanced discussions on energy sources, including the environmental impact

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