logo
episode-header-image
Nov 11
25m 8s

Stop Trying to Grow Your Way Out of a Ba...

SME Strategy Consulting INC
About this episode

Growth is exciting until it starts costing you more than it is making you. In this episode of the Strategy and Leadership Podcast, Anthony Taylor speaks with Ben Hansen, five time Inc. 5000 entrepreneur and founder of Profit Doctor, about why scaling too fast without fixing your profit problems is a recipe for burnout.

After building an eight figure company with more than 100 employees, Ben learned firsthand that more revenue does not always mean more success. Through his Profit Doctor programs, he now helps CEOs and business owners cure what he calls “Profititis,” when your top line keeps growing but your bottom line stays flat.

In this conversation, Ben shares practical ways to increase margins, cash, and distributions in just 90 days, often without adding more workload or pressure. He also explains why most companies are following the wrong playbook, chasing growth like tech startups instead of optimizing for profitability like sustainable businesses.

► Work with us to facilitate your strategic plan: https://www.smestrategy.net/strategic-planning-facilitator


► Learn more about our training program for managers: ⁠ https://courses.smestrategy.net/courses/Leading-Strategy-Execution⁠

In this episode, you will learn:

☑️ Why growing faster is not always growing smarter

☑️ How to diagnose and fix Profititis before it burns you out

☑️ The 50 20 Rule, a simple shortcut to higher profits

☑️ Why cutting the worst 20 percent of your work can unlock growth

☑️ How to think like private equity and make more by doing less

This episode is for:

▶️ Business owners scaling between 2 million and 50 million in revenue

▶️ Leaders who feel stuck despite record sales

▶️ Founders chasing growth but losing energy or focus

▶️ Anyone ready to run a healthier and more profitable business

About the Guest

Ben Hansen is a five time Inc. 5000 entrepreneur and the founder of Profit Doctor, where he helps companies boost profitability without working harder. A former CEO of a fast growing marketing analytics firm, Ben now coaches leaders across North America to fix hidden leaks in their business models and achieve measurable profit gains within 12 weeks.

Learn more: profitdoctor.com

Connect with Ben on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/benhansen

About the Host

Anthony Taylor is the CEO, Founder, and Senior Facilitator at SME Strategy. With over 14 years of experience, he helps leadership teams create alignment, implement strategy, and achieve results worldwide.

Connect with Anthony: linkedin.com/in/anthonyctaylor604

About SME Strategy

SME Strategy is a management consulting firm specializing in strategic planning and implementation. We help organizations align their teams around a shared vision so they can focus on what truly drives results.

Learn more: smestrategy.net

Podcast produced by: Rednyne Productions


Up next
Nov 18
The Last 8 Percent: How Leaders Step Into the Toughest Moments with Dr. JP Pawliw-Fry
<p>Most leaders can handle the easy 92 percent of their day. It is the remaining 8 percent that defines them. In this episode of the Strategy and Leadership Podcast, Anthony Taylor speaks with Dr. JP Pawliw-Fry, one of the world’s leading authorities on pressure, performance, and ... Show More
18m 40s
Nov 4
How AI Is Rewriting the Marketing Playbook with CMO Matt Seitz
How can organizations embrace AI to transform marketing without losing the human connection that drives trust and brand loyalty? In this episode of the Strategy and Leadership Podcast, Anthony Taylor speaks with Matt Seitz, Chief Marketing Officer and Partner at Prosperity Capita ... Show More
22m 49s
Oct 28
Inside Fortune 50 Leadership: Curiosity Lessons from Coca-Cola, Frito-Lay & Humana with Dr. Debra Clary
How can leaders inspire innovation, engagement, and performance without relying on having all the answers? In this episode of the Strategy and Leadership Podcast, Anthony Taylor speaks with Dr. Debra Clary, author of The Curiosity Curve: A Leader’s Guide to Growth and Transformat ... Show More
18m 51s
Recommended Episodes
Sep 8
748: What Really Matters for Team Success, with Colin Fisher
Colin Fisher: The Collective Edge Since his days as a professional jazz trumpet player, Colin Fisher has been fascinated by group dynamics. Today, he is an Associate Professor of Organizations and Innovation at University College London's School of Management, researching the hi ... Show More
38m 23s
Dec 2024
Proven Strategies for Building an Audiology Team That Excels in Patient Care | Liz Wiseman
Leaders, including those in audiology, often overburden or underutilize their teams. This can lead to burnout, poor performance, and stagnation. Liz Wiseman, who became a leader at just 24 in a rapidly growing company, faced leadership challenges early in her career. Through obse ... Show More
42m 13s
Apr 2025
HR Works Podcast: Unleashing Innovation with Creativity, Strategy, and Leadership (Part 1)
In today's fast-paced business world, traditional leadership models often fall short. Tune in as we dive into the groundbreaking concepts of "Layered Leadership" with Lawrence Armstrong, Chairman of Ware Malcomb and author of the new book of the same name. In this episode of HR W ... Show More
11m 3s
Mar 2025
348: Master Collaboration and Leadership Using Improv Techniques with Joel Zeff
Most workplaces focus too much on structure and not enough on fun. But what if the secret to a thriving team was something unexpected—like improv? Fortunately, today’s guest is here to break down everything you need to know about improv and how it can benefit you and your team.Me ... Show More
34m 49s
Oct 3
Executive Influence: How to Get to ‘Yes’
In this episode of People + Strategy, hear Brad Winn’s hard-won lessons on executive influence and the messy realities of organizational politics. Winn is a professor of leadership and strategy in the Huntsman School of Business, executive MBA director at Utah State University, a ... Show More
29m 57s
Oct 2024
Effective Leadership and Conflict Management
Welcome to another enlightening episode of Accelerate Your Business Growth! Today, Diane Helbig is joined by Julie Holunga, a leadership advisor dedicated to amplifying influence and impact within professional teams. Julie's expertise spans the law, accounting, and investment sec ... Show More
27m 39s
Jul 2024
How We Consistently Shatter Sales Target With A Lean Team | Anthony Nava - 1815
In the sales world, the mantra "do more with less" often feels more like a challenge than a guiding principle. In this episode, I chat with Anthony Nava, Senior SDR Manager at Crunchbase. With years of dedicated service and experience, Anthony reveals the innovative strategies th ... Show More
22m 14s
Dec 2024
166-The Leadership Crisis CEOs Don’t See Coming with Dave Ulrich
<p>Grab your FREE copy of “10 Foolproof Ways New CEOs Establish Authority From Day One” and start leading with confidence today!</p> <p>👉 Download Now - <a href='https://bit.ly/10-fullproof-ceo-strategies'>https://bit.ly/10-fullproof-ceo-strategies</a></p> <p>------------------- ... Show More
45m 17s
Nov 2024
Building High-Performing Teams and Inclusive HR Communities with Erich Kurschat
<p>The guest this time is Erich Kurschat, the owner of Harmony Insights LLC, a company that helps companies and consultants build high-performing teams and revenue streams around the Everything DiSC® and The Five Behaviors® assessments. <br/><br/>He is also the founder of <a href ... Show More
15m 54s
Sep 3
583: The Four Pillars of Elite Teams (with Colin M. Fisher)
<p dir="ltr">In this rigorous and insight-rich episode, Dr. Colin Fisher, author of The Collective Edge, deconstructs high-performing teams using decades of organizational research and field-tested frameworks. If you lead, manage, or influence teams, the insights here can recalib ... Show More
57m 31s