Best Sme Growth Strategies Podcasts (2025)

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AI, Automation, and the Next-Gen Workforce 22:50

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14h ago22:50

22:50

In this episode of Advanced Manufacturing Now, the SME editorial team discusses the December/January double issue of Manufacturing Engineering and Technology, showcasing how today's most innovative manufacturers are merging cutting-edge technology with people-focused progress.

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Ep 400: A Look Back at the Last Decade in GovCon and a Look Ahead 1:15:14

1d ago1:15:14

1:15:14

Over 400 episodes and a decade in, we step back and ask a big question: how has government contracting really changed, and what is coming next? In this special fireside chat, Michael LeJeune, Joshua Frank, Rich Earnest, and Tom Prokop break down the shifts that matter. We talk about rising simplified acquisition and micro-purchase thresholds, the V…

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Before You Get Scammed Into Buying a “Broken Business” 5:19

2d ago5:19

5:19

Send us a text In this episode I show you the exact stress-testing framework professional acquirers use to avoid catastrophic losses when buying a business. Listen to learn the exact 4-part stress test that separates real deals from disasters. Use the same due diligence methods I apply when analysing deals worth millions. Follow me on Instagram: de…

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Inside AMFT's Strategy for Growth 41:07

5d ago41:07

41:07

In this episode of Advanced Manufacturing Now, Editor-in-Chief Steve Plumb sits down with Todd Smith, President and CFO of Associated Metal Forming Technologies (AMFT), a global leader in precision springs, deep-drawn parts, stamping, and metal-forming solutions.

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Why Pest Control Is One of the BEST Businesses to Buy 7:29

5d ago7:29

7:29

Send us a text Thinking about buying a pest control business? You’re looking at one of the most underrated, recession-resistant cashflow machines out there, and in this video I’ll show you exactly why AND how to buy one the smart way. Pest control companies are built on recurring contracts, essential services, and simple, scalable operations. That’…

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Working With Business Brokers 53:24

7d ago53:24

53:24

Send us a text In this episode, I’m joined by business broker Charlie Norton, a guy who’s genuinely redefining what modern brokerage looks like. Charlie’s not just selling businesses, he’s upgrading the whole game with better process, better transparency, and better outcomes for buyers and sellers. He also walks us through his new valuation softwar…

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The Future of Maintenance Tech: AI, Usability & CMMS Best Practices 16:27

8d ago16:27

16:27

In this episode, Associate Editor Cary Gitter sits down with Bryan Christiansen, CEO and founder of Limble CMMS, to explore how usability in maintenance technology directly impacts uptime, technician adoption, and overall manufacturing performance.

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Ep 399: Winter is Coming for Your GovCon Strategy 16:17

9d ago16:17

16:17

Ep 399: Winter is Coming for Your GovCon Strategy by RSM FederalBy RSM Federal

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S02E48 | Joe Piasecki - Surfer, stockman, submariner, social procurement. One man's journey to find his personal legend. 1:03:36

9d ago1:03:36

1:03:36

🎙 New Episode Drop! S02E48 | Joe Piasecki - Surfer, stockman, submariner, social procurement. One man's journey to find his personal legend. In this episode, we sit down with Joe Piasecki, a Royal Australian Navy veteran who has become one of Victoria’s strongest operators in social procurement and community impact. After nearly a decade serving in…

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The Autumn Budget 2025 – What It Really Means for You - Optimum: LIVE Episode 23 59:30

12d ago59:30

59:30

What did the Chancellor’s Autumn Budget 2025 actually deliver, and how will it affect you or your business? In this episode of Optimum: LIVE, recorded the morning after the Budget announcement, host Chris Dawes of Visual PR Productions sits down with Michael Blaken (Accounts Director) and Jon Lacey (Finance Director) from Optimum Professional Servi…

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Road to £1m EBITDA with Mitch Foley 34:58

13d ago34:58

34:58

Send us a text Road to £1M EBITDA, a dealmaker who’s scaling through acquisition the real way: by starting before he felt “ready.” Mitch didn’t come from a traditional M&A background. No long track record, no decades of experience, no secret head start. Just the decision to learn fast, take action, and buy his first business. Since then, he’s compl…

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WEBINAR : Debunking Ceramic Myths and Discovering Productivity 55:41

14d ago55:41

55:41

Ceramic cutting tool technology has advanced substantially over the past few decades to offer significant productivity improvements in a wide range of materials. Unsurprisingly, with that rapid progression, myths have sprung up that may cause manufacturers to be hesitant to give ceramic tooling a try. During this webinar, members from the tech and …

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You cannot TAX your way to GROWTH | The budget, AI & M&A Success 19:57

14d ago19:57

19:57

Send us a text ou can’t TAX your way to GROWTH. In this episode, we break down what the latest budget really means for founders, operators, and dealmakers, and why higher taxes rarely translate into stronger economies or healthier businesses. We get practical about how to win anyway: using AI to drive efficiency, protect margins, and uncover opport…

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Automation Trends: December 2025 Smart Shop Essentials Preview 21:54

15d ago21:54

21:54

Join Editors Steve Plumb, Kip Hanson and Amy Bryson as they explore the December issue of Smart Shop Essentials, focused on automation in manufacturing.

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Ep 398-Target, Tell, Win- A Practical Guide to GovCon Go-to-Market 39:34

16d ago39:34

39:34

In this episode of Game Changers for Government Contractors, Michael LeJeune speaks with Alexa Tsui about the industry shift from traditional business development and capture toward disciplined go-to-market (GTM) strategies. Alexa explains why top tech entrants (Palantir, OpenAI, etc.) hire “go-to-market” leaders, not old-school BD roles, and why G…

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S02E47 | Andrew Warner - Veteran Workforce Solutions - how Andy's 25 year career in the military has led to an amazing business helping corporate Australia hold and grow their veteran workforce. 42:09

16d ago42:09

42:09

🎙 New Episode Drop! S02E47 | Andrew Warner - Veteran Workforce Solutions - how Andy's 25 year career in the military has led to an amazing business helping corporate Australia hold and grow their veteran workforce. In this episode, we sit down with Andrew Warner, founder and CEO of Veteran Workforce Solutions (VWS) — a nationally recognised veteran…

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WEBINAR : Beyond the Labor | Understanding Robot ROI from Products to Profits 44:41

20d ago44:41

44:41

The decision to move from a manual to an automated process has historically been a laborious, lengthy, and capital-intensive endeavor. Calculating the return on investment (ROI) of such a project is critical to the decision-making process. Companies beginning their automation journey tend to look at robots as a 1 to 1 replacement for their workforc…

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S02E46 | Angela Harper - Aviation medic to Press Club journalist to QLD Senate candidate to PR consultant. Everything you need to know about Public Affairs and Government Relations 1:00:52

20d ago1:00:52

1:00:52

🎙 New Episode Drop! S02E46 | Angela Harper - Aviation medic to Press Club journalist to QLD Senate candidate to PR consultant. Everything you need to know about Public Affairs and Government Relations In this episode, we speak with Angela Harper, whose career spans the Army, national media, politics and now public affairs. From aviation medic to Pr…

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Building Tomorrow's Workforce: Inside AWT's Mission to Transform Manufacturing in Northeast Ohio 39:30

20d ago39:30

39:30

In this episode, we talk with Teresa Simons, Executive Director of the Alliance for Working Together (AWT), about how a group of local manufacturers turned a workforce challenge into a regional success story. From the sparks of the student RoboBots competition to the hands-on training at AWT's Transformation Center, Simons shares how AWT is inspiri…

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Tariffs, Labor, AI and the Trends Shaping U.S. Industry with Wipfli 31:35

22d ago31:35

31:35

Wipfli's latest benchmarking insights highlight tariff uncertainty, labor pressures and efficiency gaps as key factors shaping the outlook for U.S. manufacturers in 2026.

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Ep 397: The Current State of AI How It’s About to Reshape Your Entire Workflow 59:49

23d ago59:49

59:49

AI is no longer a buzzword, it is quietly reshaping how companies work, hire, and compete. In this episode, I sit down with AI and automation expert (and repeat founder) Luke Thompson to unpack the real state of AI and what it means for business leaders.We talk about why free AI tools give you a false sense of security, why executives must lean in …

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S02E45 | Rob Hall - how chewing home made jerky out bush turned into the Beef Chief phenomenon with over 70k customers. 1:03:46

23d ago1:03:46

1:03:46

🎙 New Episode Drop! S02E45 | Rob Hall - how chewing home made jerky out bush turned into the Beef Chief phenomenon with over 70k customers. In this episode of the VBC Podcast, we chat with Rob Hall, founder of The Original Beef Chief — one of Australia’s leading premium jerky brands. A former Australian Army soldier with 2RAR, Rob turned his grit, …

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How Data Spaces and Digital Twins Are Transforming Manufacturing Efficiency 22:45

27d ago22:45

22:45

Johannes Fuhrmann of Arvato Systems discusses how data spaces and digital twins boost manufacturing efficiency, data sharing, and Industry 4.0 innovation.

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S02E44 | Morgan Hunter - 34MJ. Creating Biodiesel from fish and chip oil and its contribution to Australia's sovereign capability 41:38

27d ago41:38

41:38

🎙 New Episode Drop! S02E44 | Morgan Hunter - 34MJ. Creating biodiesel from fish and chip oil and it's contribution to Australia's sovereign capability In this episode of the VBC Podcast, we sit down with Morgan Hunter, founder of 34MJ, an engineer, soldier, and innovator who’s spent over 25 years building practical solutions for a cleaner, more sus…

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WEBINAR : Synergizing Safety and Risk - An Integrated Risk Management Success Journey 58:15

28d ago58:15

58:15

Join us for this transformative webinar on the power of integrated risk management (IRM) for safety and risk professionals. We'll discuss how IRM can be achieved via a culture of collaboration between departments and powered by technology. Discover the pivotal role IRM plays in bridging the gap between risk and safety departments, unifying data and…

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Episode 61: Progressing the Floating Offshore Wind Opportunity 38:45

28d ago38:45

38:45

In our 61st episode, we hear about the ongoing development of the world's largest commercial-scale floating offshore wind farm, Green Volt, and discuss the progress and challenges within the floating wind sector.Our hosts, Head of Analysis & Insights, Tom Quinn and A&I Manager, Emily Rees, are joined by our Director of Development & Operations, And…

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Mentoring the Bright Minds of Manufacturing 28:21

29d ago28:21

28:21

Steve Plumb, Editor-in-Chief of SME Media, talks with Sam Schroeder, a mechanical engineering student at Northern Illinois University, and Corey Dahlberg, a mechanical design engineer at Sloan Valve Company and SME Chapter 5 director. Together, they share insights from the SME Bright Minds Student Mentorship Program.…

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EP 396: 2025 GAGE Report: What GovCons Must Know About Growth & Efficiency 24:35

30d ago24:35

24:35

In this episode of Game Changers for Government Contractors, Michael LeJeune is joined by Kim Koster (VP of GovCon Strategy at Unanet) and John Sisson (EVP of CRM at Unanet) to discuss the newly released 2025 GAGE Report. Built from the input of over 1,200 GovCon leaders, the report benchmarks government contracting performance across compliance, a…

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S02E43 | Matt Newlands - Frontline Mental Health - Living on purpose and the crossover between first responders and the military experience 52:50

1M ago52:50

52:50

🎙 New Episode Drop! S02E43 | Matt Newlands - Frontline Mental Health - Living on purpose and the crossover between first responders and the military experience In this episode of the VBC Podcast, we speak with Matt Newlands, Co-Founder of Frontline Mental Health and a passionate advocate for the wellbeing of First Responders, Military, and frontlin…

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S02E42 | Ben and Amy Barber from Beaufort Professionals - Here there and back again - From rural QLD, to a career in the AirForce and back to the land. 1:02:47

1M ago1:02:47

1:02:47

🎙 New Episode Drop! S02E42 | Ben and Amy Barber from Beaufort Professionals - Here there and back again - From rural QLD, to a career in the AirForce and back to the land. In this episode of VBC Podcast, we chat with Ben and Amy Barber, the husband-and-wife team behind Beaufort Professionals, a Queensland-based consulting firm delivering strategic,…

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Medical Device Manufacturing, Photonics Innovation & the Push for Automation 16:29

1M ago16:29

16:29

In this episode of Advanced Manufacturing Now, Steve Plumb, editor-in-chief of SME Media, is joined by Amy Bryson, Cary Gitter, and new team member Rachel Thomas to dive into the highlights of the November issue of Manufacturing Engineering & Technology.

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The Millionaire Mindset Playbook - How To Scale Your Mind For 8 Figure Wealth 38:19

1M ago38:19

38:19

Jackson Millan, The Wealth Mentor, relaunches The Financial Freedom Secrets Show with a new, playbook-driven format. This solo kickoff unpacks Aureus Financial's end-to-end approach for seven-figure service businesses: squeezing more profit, buying back time, and manufacturing freedom by turning business cash flow into personal wealth. Jackson intr…

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Ep 395: OneGov Explained: The Death of the Middleman Strategy 9:43

1M ago9:43

9:43

In this solo episode of Game Changers for Government Contractors, Michael LeJeune breaks down the federal government’s OneGov strategy, a move that centralizes enterprise agreements with giants like Microsoft, Oracle, AWS, and Google. For years, many contractors relied on the “middleman” model, making margins by simply reselling software and hardwa…

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S02E41 | Jason Neumann - Candid Property. The combat cook. A story of supporting the warfighter in heavy combat zones through to establishing a thriving real estate business. After 16 years in the Australian ... 49:51

1M ago49:51

49:51

New Episode Drop! S02E41 | Jason Neumann - Candid Property. The combat cook. A story of supporting the warfighter in heavy combat zones through to establishing a thriving real estate business. After 16 years in the Australian Army and two tours of Afghanistan, Jason Neumann traded the battlefield for the property market — founding Candid Property, …

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S02E40 | Joseph Kovelia - Blacklight security - Growing up in Afghanistan to offensive pen testing in the cyberspace. 49:06

1M ago49:06

49:06

🎙 New Episode Drop! S02E40 | Joseph Kovelia - Blacklight security - Growing up in Afghanistan to offensive pen testing in the cyberspace. From infantry operations to cybersecurity innovation — meet Joseph Kovelia, Founder of Blacklight Security, a Sydney-based offensive cybersecurity firm protecting enterprise and government clients across Australi…

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WEBINAR : Educate to Innovate - Advancing Medical 3D Printing Through Structured Learning 39:37

1M ago39:37

39:37

The rapidly evolving field of medical 3D printing demands a new generation of professionals equipped with the knowledge, skills, and critical thinking to harness its full potential. This 45-minute webinar will explore the pivotal role of structured education in developing a competent and confident workforce ready to innovate in clinical, academic, …

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Celebrating Manufacturing's Next Generation: SME's 2025 "30 Under 30" Honorees 16:38

1M ago16:38

16:38

In this episode of Advanced Manufacturing Now, host Steve Plumb, Editor-in-Chief of SME Media, joins colleagues Amy Bryson, Cary Gitter, and Cameron Kerkau to spotlight the inspiring young innovators shaping the future of manufacturing. From engineers designing 3D printers for military field use to metallurgists reinventing 1950s alloys and researc…

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Ep 394: Hiring Top Tech Talent in GovCon with Ninja Recruiting Strategies 35:10

1M ago35:10

35:10

Struggling to hire elite, often-cleared technical talent in GovCon? In this episode, Jessica Oliver shares practical ways to source beyond the usual platforms and cut through the noise. Learn where top engineers actually hang out online, how to personalize outreach with transparent offers and real-life perks, and how to assess both technical skill …

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S02E39 | Episode 2. Australian vs US veteran enterprise support. How Australia is so far behind the curve when it comes to empower our veterans in business. 46:17

1M ago46:17

46:17

🎙 New Episode Drop! S02E39 | Episode 2. Australian vs US veteran enterprise support. How Australia is so far behind the curve when it comes to empower our veterans in business. Dr. Roy G. Taylor — U.S. Army veteran, Bronze Star with Valor recipient, and founder of Taylor Law Enforcement Consulting — returns for Part 2! In this episode, Roy and the …

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S02E38 | Episode 1 - Dr Roy Taylor - Bronze star with valour - a life of service and entrepreneurship 53:56

2M ago53:56

53:56

🎙 New Episode Drop! S02E38 | Episode 1 - Dr Roy Taylor - Bronze star with valour - a life of service and entrepreneurship. Dr. Roy G. Taylor is a U.S. Army veteran, Bronze Star with Valor recipient, and Chief of Police who has built a life defined by leadership, integrity, and service. With decades of experience across the military and law enforcem…

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MTD for ITSA – What it really means for you - Optimum: LIVE Episode 22 43:13

2M ago43:13

43:13

Optimum: LIVE Episode 22 - MTD for ITSA – What it really means for you Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self-Assessment (MTD for ITSA) is coming, and if you’re self-employed or a landlord, the rules are changing significantly. In this episode of Optimum: LIVE, hosted by Chris Dawes from Visual PR Productions, we are joined by Optimum’s Kaci Luker …

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AI Meets ERP: Smarter Manufacturing with Acumatica and Algorithm Inc. 27:08

2M ago27:08

27:08

In this episode of Advanced Manufacturing Now, host Cary Gitter is joined by Dennis Easter, Senior Solutions Engineer at Algorithm Inc., and Doug Johnson, VP of Solution Architecture at Acumatica, to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming ERP systems in the manufacturing industry.