In this episode of Growth by Design, presented by RX2 Solutions, hosts Rob Graham and Ross Rosner explore what it really takes to build strong leadership inside small and mid-size organizations.

They break down four essential phases of leadership: self-leadership, team leadership, organizational leadership, and strategic leadership, and share how business leaders can strengthen each without large budgets or formal programs.

Through real-world examples and actionable insight, Rob and Ross explain how leadership can be developed from the ground up, from entry-level contributors to executive decision-makers. They also discuss how to balance growth with culture, ensuring that leadership development supports both people and performance.

If you’re focused on creating a company that thrives through its people, this episode offers a practical roadmap for developing leadership at every level.

Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction to Growth by Design

00:11 – The Necessity of Leadership in Small Businesses

00:54 – Phases of Leadership Development

03:44 – Identifying and Cultivating Leaders

05:30 – Practical Steps for Leadership Development

11:00 – Case Studies: Successful Leadership Programs

14:30 – Challenges and Solutions in Leadership Training

23:56 – Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Maximizing Growth: Leveraging Vendor Partnerships for Small Business Success

In this episode of Growth by Design, brought to you by RX2 Solutions, hosts Rob Graham and Ross Rosner dive into how small businesses can use vendor partnerships as a true growth accelerator. They explore why outsourcing key functions can free up time, streamline operations, and allow leaders to focus on what they do best.

Rob and Ross break down how to identify the right partners who align with your company’s goals, culture, and quality standards. Through practical examples, including insights from their own experiences and lessons from major organizations like GE and Amazon, they highlight the difference between transactional outsourcing and strategic partnerships that genuinely add value.

They also share clear strategies on how to manage these relationships, set measurable expectations, and evaluate success over time. From establishing trust to maintaining accountability, the conversation focuses on building partnerships that fuel performance, efficiency, and long-term scalability.

If you are a small or mid-sized business owner looking to maximize efficiency, strengthen your operations, and scale responsibly, this episode offers actionable ideas you can put to work immediately.

Do not forget to like, comment, and subscribe to stay up to date with every episode of Growth by Design. Growth does not happen by accident. It happens by design.

Timestamps
00:00 Introduction to Growth by Design
00:29 Why Outsource?
01:25 The Importance of Core Competencies
05:04 Real-World Examples of Outsourcing
06:40 The Value of External Expertise
08:06 Managing Vendor Relationships
12:55 Best Practices for Small Businesses
23:16 Conclusion and Key Takeaways

In this episode of Growth by Design, hosts Rob Graham and Ross Rosner take a closer look at how small businesses can better align their financial and HR strategies to drive real, sustainable growth. They break down the true costs of hiring and turnover, the impact of poor forecasting, and the importance of connecting people strategy to financial planning.

Drawing on real-world examples, including Netflix’s unique approach to retention, Rob and Ross discuss how empowering division leaders with budget authority can strengthen engagement and accountability across an organization. They share insights on how to incorporate HR costs into your broader business plans, measure the full impact of turnover, and build smarter retention strategies that go beyond compensation.

Listeners will learn how to shift from reactive hiring to proactive workforce planning, use HR data as a forecasting tool, and recognize the financial ripple effects of every hiring decision.

Tune in for clear, actionable guidance on how to treat your people strategy as an investment, not an expense. Growth doesn’t happen by accident. It happens by design.

Timestamps
00:00 Introduction to Growth by Design
00:11 Aligning HR and Financial Strategies
01:26 The Cost of Employee Turnover
03:17 Case Study: Netflix’s Retention Strategy
05:19 Challenges in Hiring and Recruitment
08:17 Proactive vs. Reactive Hiring
08:58 Strategic Workforce Planning
10:49 Incorporating HR Costs into Business Planning
17:29 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Please don't forget to Like, Comment, and Subscribe.