In this episode, Don Harkey, CEO and Founder of People Centric Consulting Group, joins Rob to explore how systems—not slogans—create strong cultures. They talk about what it means to balance empowerment with alignment, the hidden cost of poor onboarding, how to adapt during rapid change, and why remote work shouldn’t derail culture if you’re deliberate about how you lead.

Key Takeaway:

Culture isn’t about perks—it’s about systems. If you want better engagement and performance, build habits and structures that empower people while keeping everyone aligned.

Questions I ask Don:

01:33 What does “culture-centric leadership” mean?

03:51 Where do most companies go wrong when trying to improve culture?

05:36 How do systems and processes play a role in shaping workplace culture?

09:25 How does rapid business change impact the way leaders should think about a people-centric culture?

12:32 How can leaders effectively communicate the need for change so their teams truly understand it and take proactive action?

18:48 What should fast-growing small and mid-sized businesses keep in mind to maintain a people-centric culture as they scale?

20:32 What should be done differently in a remote or hybrid model to maintain a people-centric culture?

More About Don Harkey:

• Check out People Centric Consulting Group

• Connect with Don on LinkedIn.

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In this episode, Rob sits down with Jennifer Berkowitz, founder of R&J Advisory Group and Freedom Goal Group, and a seasoned coach to mid-market CEOs and leadership teams. Jennifer shares what it really takes to scale a company—without becoming the bottleneck or burning out. From building alignment across teams to leading remote employees with intention, she offers practical strategies for creating clarity, reducing stress, and empowering teams to drive growth. If you're a business owner stuck in the weeds or unsure how to get your team rowing in the same direction, this conversation is for you.

Scaling successfully isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing less yourself. CEOs must stop trying to be the hero and start building teams that are clear, empowered, and aligned. With the right tools, systems, and rhythms in place, business owners can reduce stress, unlock profit, and grow sustainably—even with remote or hybrid teams

What are the most common growing pains you see in mid-market companies?

How can business leaders make sure their teams are aligned with company goals?

What mindset shift do CEOs need to make to grow more effectively?

How can a better dashboard reduce stress and increase clarity?

What are the biggest challenges of managing remote and hybrid teams—and how can leaders overcome them?

How do you know when someone isn’t the right fit for your organization?

Why do business owners sometimes need to “slow down to speed up”?

Where can people learn more about your work and upcoming trainings?

More About Jennifer Berkowitz:

• Check out R&J Advisory Group and Freedom Goal Group.

• Connect with Jennifer on LinkedIn.

More About Rob Levin & WorkBetterNow:

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Follow Rob Levin on Linkedin.

Follow WorkBetterNow on LinkedIn.

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In this episode, Rob sits down with Eddie Solomon, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Net at Work, a leading technology advisor to SMBs. Eddie shares the lessons he’s learned from leading over 40 acquisitions, building a 450-person remote workforce, and fostering a strong company culture over nearly three decades. They dive into the strategic importance of talent in acquisitions, the balance between intrapreneurship and structure, and the deliberate efforts required to keep remote teams engaged and growing. Whether you're scaling your company or navigating post-acquisition integration, this conversation is packed with actionable insights.

A successful business isn’t just built on clients—it’s built on people. Companies that prioritize talent integration during acquisitions, invest in leadership development, and take a deliberate approach to culture in remote environments will be best positioned for long-term growth.

[03:21] How do you assess talent during the acquisition process?

[7:32] How important is cultural alignment in a deal?

[10:28] How has your company culture evolved over 30 years?

[12:32] What are the biggest trade-offs that come with scaling a business and going remote?

[17:13] What do you do to keep remote teams aligned and engaged?

[18:37] How do you train leaders to manage effectively in a remote-first company?

[20:28] What does career development and internal mobility look like at Net at Work?

More About Eddie Solomon:

Check out Net at Work

Connect with Eddie on LinkedIn

More About Rob Levin & WorkBetterNow:

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Follow Rob Levin on Linkedin.

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In this episode, Rob Levin talks with Nick Herinckx, Co-CEO of Oxygen and seasoned executive coach, to explore how a founder’s role evolves as a business scales. Drawing from experience coaching over 100 CEOs and leading multiple companies himself, Nick breaks down what leaders often get wrong. From understanding the difference between managers and leaders to knowing when to step in (and out) of “Founder Mode,” this episode is packed with practical advice for business owners navigating growth.

Key takeaway

Founders and CEOs must adapt at every stage of growth, and that includes building leaders who push you, not the other way around. Creating a scalable business means investing in your managers, clarifying your own role, and making intentional decisions based on what kind of company you truly want to build (or sell).

Questions I Ask Nick

02:11 What's the role of the business owner/CEO?

03:44 What are some of the challenges CEO's usually face?

07:03 How can you tell if your leadership team is pushing you, or if you’re still dragging them?

09:05 What is "Founder Mode" and when should a CEO step into it?

13:45 Why is promoting high-performers into management without training such a big risk?

17:46 When a great manager is promoted into a leadership role, should business owners invest in outside training for them, or is it better for the owner to coach them directly?

19:07 How can CEOs develop leadership in a remote or hybrid environment?

23:06 What should business owners consider when preparing for a sale or exit?

More About Nick Herinckx:

• Check out Oxygen.

• Connect with Nick on LinkedIn.

More About Rob Levin & WorkBetterNow:

Like this show? Click on over and subscribe to our channel!

Follow Rob Levin on Linkedin.

Follow WorkBetterNow on LinkedIn.

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In this episode, Rob chats with Peter Morandi, CEO of Eastman Cooke, a company renowned for building award-winning construction projects through innovation and leadership. Peter shares how he’s transformed the traditionally manual construction industry by integrating remote professionals into nearly every department, from estimating to project management. He dives into the systems, culture, and mindset that allowed Eastman Cooke to double its annual estimates, improve client satisfaction, and reduce costly errors.

Remote professionals aren't just support—they’re strategic assets. With the right tools, systems, and mindset, even traditionally "boots-on-the-ground" industries like construction can benefit from offshore talent and dramatically improve efficiency, accuracy, and client relationships.

2:15   How do you get your team to buy into new systems, automation, and more productive ways of working?

3:37 How did you build buy-in for your ECA Work Smart system across the company?

6:26 What impact has having an assistant made on your personal productivity and leadership?

8:26 How do remote professionals support critical functions like estimating and project management?

11:49 What measurable results have you seen from adding remote assistants across departments?

19:06 How did your team adapt to working with offshore professionals?

More About Peter Morandi:

• Check out Eastman Cooke.

• Connect with Peter on LinkedIn.

More About Rob Levin & WorkBetterNow:

Like this show? Click over and subscribe to our channel!

Follow Rob Levin on Linkedin.

Follow WorkBetterNow on LinkedIn.

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In this special episode, host Rob Levin looks back on Season 1 of the Great Talent, Great Business Podcast. He shares the most powerful takeaways from conversations with nine incredible guests. From generational differences in the workplace to building intentional company culture, Rob highlights the insights that left a mark—and how he’s applying them in real time at Work Better Now. This episode is the perfect way to catch up on the season’s best ideas and get inspired for what’s next.

Key Takeaway:
Great leadership starts with clarity. Whether you're hiring, managing, or building culture, intentional communication and aligned expectations are the foundation of a high-performing team.

More About Rob Levin & WorkBetterNow:

Watch all video episodes in this Youtube Playlist.

Follow Rob Levin on LinkedIn.

Visit WorkBetterNow.com

In this episode, Rob chats with Jack Daly, legendary sales trainer, entrepreneur, author, and endurance athlete. They dive into how business owners can build a culture by design, not by default, no matter if their teams are in-office or remote. Jack shares proven strategies for creating an environment where people want to work, why playbooks are critical across the organization (not just in sales), and the three high-impact changes that help businesses scale effectively. Packed with real-world stories and Jack’s signature energy, this is a must-listen for any business owner serious about growth, alignment, and culture.

Key Takeaway:

A thriving company culture doesn’t happen by accident. Business owners must proactively design their culture, invest in clear communication, and build systems that scale—like playbooks, recognition programs, and robust financial plans. Whether you’re just starting or running a company for 15 years, it’s never too late to realign your business for greater impact.

Questions I ask Jack Daly:

03:15  What should leaders focus on to make Culture by Design intentional rather than just letting it happen?

06:32  Where do you start to start to turn around that culture and make it more intentional?

10:11    What are some considerations that you should make to accommodate and to engage your people who are not in the office?

15:48  Company playbooks are very effective. How should business owners be thinking about playbooks throughout their organizations?

18:22  What are your thoughts about having playbooks in other parts of the organization?

22:14 What are the top three things your coaching clients do that make the biggest impact?

26:37 When we talk about a financial plan, are this KPIs, a full budget, or both revenue and expense projections?

27:00   When it comes to the products, is it just revenue that you're looking at or are there some other things to look at from time to time?

More About Jack:

Check out Jack Daly Sales

Looking for a good read? Explore Jack’s books here

Connect with Jack on LinkedIn.

More About Rob Levin & WorkBetterNow:

Like this show? Click on over and subscribe to our YouTube channel!

Follow Rob Levin on LinkedIn.

Visit WorkBetterNow.com

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In this episode, Rob sits down with Michael Deutsch, Managing Partner of The Deutsch Group and owner of Sapphire Talent. They explore the often-overlooked art (and science) of hiring. Michael shares his insights on why most small and mid-sized businesses struggle with hiring, what needs to change, and how organizations can design better hiring processes—especially in remote and hybrid environments. They also dive into broader business challenges like getting stuck despite having the “right people” and how to break through those barriers.

Key Takeaway:

Hiring is more than just filling a seat—it’s about building intentional processes to find and empower the right people. Companies that invest time in preparing structured, curiosity-driven interviews and create culture by design, especially in remote settings, are more likely to scale effectively and sustainably.

Questions I ask Michael Deutsch:

01:46 What are most companies missing out with respect to hiring?

02:48 Where should companies start in terms of improving their hiring process?

03:35 Is it about hiring a good person or hiring the right person for a specific role?

04:38 How do you evaluate whether someone is right for the job during interviews?

 06:51 What should the person hiring look for in an answer to a follow up question during an interview?

10:13 How do you assess if someone will thrive in a remote or hybrid environment?

15:47 Other than hiring, what’s the biggest challenge business owners face in getting the most out of their teams?

17:45 When a company already has the right people, where do they still get stuck?

More About Michael:

Check out Michael on EOS

Connect with Michael on LinkedIn.

More About Rob Levin & WorkBetterNow:

Like this show? Click on over and subscribe to our YouTube channel!

Follow Rob Levin on LinkedIn.

Visit WorkBetterNow.com

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