Podcasts

In this solo episode, Doug Farren from the National Center for the Middle Market takes a forward-looking approach to 2025. He discusses key trends impacting middle market companies, including improving macroeconomic conditions, rising business confidence, advancements in technology like AI, and talent management strategies. Doug also provides insights from NCMM’s latest Middle Market Indicator survey, offering projections for revenue growth, employment expansion, and innovation. Tune in for a comprehensive sneak peek at the challenges and opportunities shaping the middle market’s vital role in the U.S. economy.

In today’s episode, we welcome Sarah Steele, Senior Director at Visa Commercial Solutions, to discuss new research on Canada’s middle market. Sarah shares compelling insights into economic confidence, growth trends, and the distinct challenges Canadian middle market companies face. From adopting digital innovations like AI and automation to leveraging cross-border partnerships with U.S. businesses, she offers practical strategies to overcome hurdles such as limited resources, high costs, and fear of the unknown. Join us as we uncover how these businesses can unlock their full growth potential and thrive in a rapidly evolving economic landscape.

Sarah is an award-winning payments professional, with over 20 years of experience leading product strategy, complex projects, and thought leadership. Her accomplishments and experiences are varied, spanning consumer and B2B clients, front and back office, consulting and product management. Currently, as Senior Director of Small & Middle Market Business Products, Sarah is responsible for go to market strategy and roll-out Visa’s products, platforms, and resources in North America.

VISA Commercial Solutions, a division of VISA, helps connect businesses to a secure, global network of platforms, products, and services—no matter where you are on your business journey.

Download the latest research report at www.middlemarketcenter.org.

In this insightful conversation, Bryan Wheelock and Joe Walsh from Harness IP discuss the untapped potential of intellectual property for middle market companies. Discover how these businesses can uncover and protect valuable IP assets like copyrights, trade secrets, and unique branding elements that may not be immediately apparent. Learn actionable strategies for identifying, documenting, and leveraging these assets to gain a competitive edge, mitigate risks, and enhance business value. Whether you’re facing challenges or seeking growth, this conversation provides practical advice to help you maximize the potential of your intellectual property.

Harness IP is an intellectual property law firm serving clients across the globe. Their attorneys counsel and represent clients across the full range of intellectual property law, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, litigation, IP management, and licensing. Learn more about Harness IP at https://www.harnessip.com/

In this episode, we explore the challenges and opportunities facing middle market companies with Lori Goltermann, CEO of Aon, North America & Enterprise Clients. Delving into the collaborative study between the NCMM and Aon, Driving Growth: The Role of People, Risk and Technology in Middle Market Success, (focused on companies with revenues of $50mm-$1bn), Lori provides an expert perspective on how human capital, risk management, and evolving technology—especially in the realm of cybersecurity—are key to driving sustainable growth. From building resilient teams to leveraging cutting-edge technologies, tune in to hear about actionable insights to help middle market companies thrive in today’s dynamic business landscape.

Lori Goltermann, CEO of Aon North America and Global Regions, has over three decades of experience transforming the insurance and professional services industry. She leads Aon’s Risk Capital and Human Capital strategies, delivering value across global markets while strengthening client relationships through the firm’s Client Leadership model.

In this episode, we’re joined by Lauren Serota, Chief People and Culture Officer at Brand Velocity Group, as she and Doug delve into the evergreen topic of talent and culture.

Lauren shares her unexpected journey into HR and leadership development, providing valuable lessons from her time at Patagonia, where she helped foster a culture that balanced purpose with profit. She and Doug explore key elements of building a world-class company culture, the critical role of leadership, and what companies often get wrong when managing culture. Whether you’re leading a small business or a middle market firm, this episode offers practical insights on shaping a thriving, people-centered workplace. Tune in to discover the strategies behind cultivating lasting talent and culture success.

Lauren Serota is Chief People & Culture officer for Brand Velocity Group. Brand Velocity Group is an innovative investment firm focused on accelerating business well-positioned to benefit from our deep operational expertise, deep in-house marketing resources and thoughtful approach toward enhancing company culture. To learn more about Brand Velocity Group please visit us at  brandvelocitygroup.com or reach out directly at team@brandvelocitygroup.com.

Join us for an insightful conversation with NCMM Managing Director, Doug Farren, as he discusses some of the key insights from the 2024 Mid-Year Middle Market Indicator.

Explore more from the most recent MMI here: https://www.middlemarketcenter.org/performance-data-on-the-middle-market 

Join us for an insightful conversation with Moses Harris, senior vice president and the Black/African American Segment leader for Wells Fargo Commercial Banking, as he delves into the importance of telling the story of black-owned middle market businesses. Learn why it is crucial to tell these stories, the unique advocacy points for these companies, and the historical context that has shaped their current landscape. This episode highlights the importance of bringing minority-owned businesses into the spotlight and offers insights from the recent groundbreaking report by the NCMM and Wells Fargo.

Moses Harris is a senior vice president and the Black/African American Segment leader for Wells Fargo Commercial Banking, where he has worked 14 years. Wells Fargo is a financial services company that offers banking, insurance, investments, mortgages, and consumer and commercial finance. Learn more about Wells Fargo at https://www.wellsfargo.com/ and explore the NCMM and Wells Fargo research report at https://www.middlemarketcenter.org/research-reports/2024-insights-and-perspectives-from-black-leaders-in-the-middle-market

In this episode, we welcome Robert Shenton, Executive Director of the CEO Forum at the Ohio Chamber of Commerce. Robert shares his vision for fostering leadership and growth in Ohio’s middle market. Discover how peer-to-peer networks,  unique insights from the NCMM, and strategic business experiences are fostering growth, innovation, and advocacy within Ohio’s vibrant middle market sector. Learn more about our partnership with the CEO Forum at https://www.middlemarketcenter.org/partnership-with-the-ohio-chamber-of-commerce-ceo-forum.

The CEO Forum provides Ohio business leaders with a network of peers to share and seek advice on challenges they’re facing, while also giving them the tools necessary to scale their businesses. This membership program consists of an engaging asynchronous educational course delivered through The Ohio State University Max M. Fisher College of Business. 

Join us as we dive into the world of fintech solutions and digital payments for middle market companies. In this episode, we sit down with Jay Darnell, Senior Vice President of Fintech Partnerships at Veritex Community Bank, and Leigh Radtke, Vice President of North America Product at Visa Commercial Solutions, to explore the latest trends and innovations in the payment space. Jay and Leigh discuss the importance of digitization and how middle market companies can leverage fintech solutions to streamline processes and enhance efficiency.

VISA Commercial Solutions, a division of VISA, helps connect businesses to a secure, global network of platforms, products, and services—no matter where you are on your business journey.

Veritex Community Bank, founded in 2010 is one of the top 10th largest banks headquartered in Texas. Rooted in truth, transparency and uncompromising integrity, Veritex focuses on a wide variety of commercial and business banking solutions to meet the needs of middle market clients.

Joining us for today’s episode is Mike Knemeyer, a professor at The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business and Academic Director of the Center for International Business Education and Research (CIBER) at Ohio State. We unveil key findings from our latest research report that highlight the financial advantages, challenges, and strategies for navigating the complexities of global markets while showcasing the importance of embracing international opportunities and leveraging available resources to drive growth.

CIBER at The Ohio State University is a national Center of Excellence that seeks to promote international business education and research and enhance U.S. business competitiveness in the global marketplace. The Ohio State CIBER works to expand global trade, resolve supply chain and logistics challenges, and build talent pipelines.