Business Lunch

In This Episode of Business Lunch: Roland Frasier and Richard Lindner reflect on the challenges and triumphs of 2025, discussing the importance of making tough decisions, the role of AI in business strategy, and the lessons learned for the upcoming year. They emphasize the need for operational excellence, strategic thinking, and the importance of aligning business practices with customer needs.Chapters:00:00 New Beginnings: Reflections on 202502:58 Navigating Challenges: The Path to Q4 Success05:54 AI in Business: Strategic Partnerships and Innovations08:53 Building AI Agents: Transforming Business Operations12:02 Lessons Learned: Adjustments and Realignments for 202614:52 Looking Ahead: Optimism and Opportunities for the New YearConnect with me on social:TikTok: Check out my TikTok HereInstagram: Check out my Instagram HereFacebook: Check out my Facebook HereLinkedIn: Check out my LinkedIn HereSubscribe to my YouTube 👉 HereResources:• 7 Steps to Scalable workbook• Get my book, Zero Down, FREEMentioned in this episode:Build Your CEO DashboardGet one report every week of the key metrics you need to know with the CEO Dashboard!CEO Dashboard

In This Episode of Business Lunch, Roland Frasier and Ryan Deiss reflect on the challenges and lessons learned from 2025, emphasizing the disappearance of confidence in business, the importance of profit over margin, and the transformative role of AI. They discuss the need for simplified processes, the significance of content as an asset, and the importance of building systems for predictability as they look ahead to 2026.Chapters00:00 Year in Review: Reflecting on 202502:58 The Disappearance of Confidence05:53 Economic Indicators and Market Behavior08:56 The Shift from Trust to Proof12:03 Profitability Over Margin Percentage14:53 AI as a Team Member: A Paradigm Shift18:07 Transformative AI Applications in Business23:52 Leveraging AI Protocols for Efficiency30:10 Implementing Systems for Business Success35:03 From Momentum to Inevitability38:44 Rethinking Business Events and Resources42:21 Simplifying Processes for Better PerformanceConnect with me on social:TikTok: Check out my TikTok HereInstagram: Check out my Instagram HereFacebook: Check out my Facebook HereLinkedIn: Check out my LinkedIn HereSubscribe to my YouTube 👉 HereResources:• 7 Steps to Scalable workbook• Get my book, Zero Down, FREEMentioned in this episode:Build Your CEO DashboardGet one report every week of the key metrics you need to know with the CEO Dashboard!CEO Dashboard

In This Episode of Business Lunch, Roland and Sarah dig into why most business failures aren't actually motivation problems—they're friction problems. They explore how accidental complexity in your systems quietly kills performance, why transparency in pricing beats "customized solutions," and how mapping out every step of a process reveals the hidden friction that's sabotaging adoption. Sarah pushes back on whether removing friction just accommodates laziness, leading to a nuanced discussion about intentional versus accidental friction. They cover real examples from CRM adoption to project management tools to sales processes, and debate when systems should adapt to people versus when people should adapt to systems. The core insight: if your strategy requires people to "try harder," your system is poorly designed. Includes practical advice on friction audits and why starting small beats trying to redesign everything at once.Connect with me on social:TikTok: Check out my TikTok HereInstagram: Check out my Instagram HereFacebook: Check out my Facebook HereLinkedIn: Check out my LinkedIn HereSubscribe to my YouTube 👉 HereResources:• 7 Steps to Scalable workbook• Get my book, Zero Down, FREE

In This Episode of Business Lunch, we unpack why the real power in AI isn’t the model itself—but the protocols wrapped around it. Even advanced AI systems still get things wrong 15–20% of the time, which makes unchecked automation a serious business risk. The winners aren’t chasing smarter models; they’re building structured decision systems that catch errors, manage leverage, and define when humans step in.We explore how companies use tools like RAG and multi-layer “triple-check” frameworks to dramatically reduce AI error rates, why stabilizing decision-making must come before accelerating it, and how operating leverage—done right—can either amplify profits or protect downside. The big takeaway: well-designed AI protocols are becoming a new form of intellectual property, increasing predictability, transferability, and valuation by creating true founder-independent businesses.In short, the future advantage isn’t faster AI—it’s better thinking systems.Connect with me on social:TikTok: Check out my TikTok HereInstagram: Check out my Instagram HereFacebook: Check out my Facebook HereLinkedIn: Check out my LinkedIn HereSubscribe to my YouTube 👉 HereResources:• 7 Steps to Scalable workbook• Get my book, Zero Down, FREE

In This Episode of Business Lunch, join Ryan Deiss and I in this enlightening episode of Business Lunch, where they delve into the often overlooked yet crucial topic of accounting and finance. We discuss how entrepreneurial optimism can clash with the harsh realities of financial reporting. Learn how to navigate these challenges and foster a productive relationship with your CFO to ensure your company's financial health.Timestamps:00:00 – Entrepreneurial Optimism vs. Financial Realism01:36 – Why Accounting Reporting Shapes Company Culture02:37 – Switching from Cash to Accrual Accounting03:17 – When Financial Reports Become Depressing05:41 – Fixing the Reporting Process08:29 – Avoiding Obstacles: A Common Entrepreneurial Pitfall09:54 – Support Your Team… or Change It12:19 – Leadership’s Role in Financial Clarity17:34 – Preparing for Exit & Upgrading the Finance Team20:17 – Why Accounting Method Changes Can Distort Profit27:03 – Restructuring Contracts to Fix Revenue Recognition31:54 – Challenging Accounting Assumptions37:15 – The Importance of Cash Flow Over Profit40:54 – Don’t Let Accounting Wag the Dog43:10 – Final Thoughts & OutroConnect with me on social:TikTok: Check out my TikTok HereInstagram: Check out my Instagram HereFacebook: Check out my Facebook HereLinkedIn: Check out my LinkedIn HereSubscribe to my YouTube 👉 HereResources:• 7 Steps to Scalable workbook• Get my book, Zero Down, FREEMentioned in this episode:Build Your CEO DashboardGet one report every week of the key metrics you need to know with the CEO Dashboard!CEO Dashboard