Leap to Scale

In this episode of Leap to Scale, Justin Davis and Greg Ross-Munro sit down with Aaron White, CEO and co-founder of Outbound.com, to discuss the unconventional path he took from running an agency to building an AI-powered advertising platform. Aaron shares why he acquired a professional services agency before building the software, how his team identified the highest-value automation opportunities...

In this episode of Leap to Scale, Justin Davis and Greg Ross-Munro sit down with Doug Smith, Director of AI Operations at Element 451, to explore how AI is transforming the way service businesses operate, automate, and scale. The conversation covers everything from hidden operational data and AI-driven workflows to rapid prototyping with tools like OpenClaw and AI agents. Doug shares practical adv...

In this episode of Leap to Scale , Justin Davis and Greg Ross-Munro sit down with Dr. John Licato, CEO of SquarePak and Associate Professor at the University of South Florida, to explore one of AI’s biggest unsolved challenges: trust. They discuss why hallucination-resistant AI matters in high-stakes environments like contracts and legal reasoning, how adversarial systems can improve AI decision-m...

In part two of this prototyping series, Justin Davis and Greg Ross-Munro focus on what happens after you build the prototype: getting meaningful feedback, iterating with intention, and knowing when something is ready to move toward production. They explain how to run effective feedback sessions without getting distracted by surface-level opinions, why mental models matter more than button placemen...

In this episode, Justin Davis and Greg Ross-Munro break down why prototyping is one of the most important steps in building software-driven products or improving service business operations. They explain how prototypes help test whether an idea actually solves a problem before investing serious time and money into building it. The discussion covers practical ways to prototype quickly using spreads...

Choosing a tech stack can feel like walking into a storm of buzzwords: languages, frameworks, and “best practices” that change every year. Justin and Greg break down a practical way for service-business leaders to choose technologies without getting paralyzed. They explain what a “tech stack” actually is, why performance usually isn’t the deciding factor, and what matters more: hiring market, comm...

Greg and Justin dive into why speed, not size, determines success in service industries. From automating field operations and digitizing workflows to cutting billing cycles and error rates, they show how even small tech upgrades can drive major efficiency gains. Real-world examples prove that smarter processes boost margins and competitive edge.

Professional services firms are trapped in the hours-for-dollars model, but they do not have to be. In this episode, Greg and Justin break down how to increase margins by productizing the work you already do, using process, automation, and AI. They explain why service businesses struggle to scale, how to identify bottlenecks, and where technology can unlock recurring revenue without replacing your...

In this episode of Leap to Scale , Justin Davis and Greg Ross-Munro tackle one of the biggest blockers to AI adoption: fear around safety and data security. They break down what’s actually risky, what’s mostly overblown, and how paid AI tools differ from free tiers when it comes to privacy and legal protection. The conversation covers real-world trade-offs, from anonymizing sensitive data to runni...

Greg and Justin break down the handful of metrics that really move a service business: proposal-to-close time, win rate, conversion from site visit to “get a quote,” jobs-per-day, and collections cycle. They show how software (not spreadsheets) unlocks extras like proposal views and automated nudges—and why tracking over time reveals where to push next.

Greg and Justin cut through the buzz around AI to talk about what it really means for service-based companies. They explore why adoption has been slow, where businesses can find low-risk, high-value applications, and how to start experimenting safely. The conversation is packed with real examples, from automating invoices to improving meeting notes, and ends with a call to action: start small, sta...

In this episode of Leap to Scale, Justin Davis and Greg Ross-Munro break down Model Context Protocol (MCP) and explain why it is such a powerful shift in how AI interacts with real business systems. Starting with a simple explanation of APIs, they explore how MCP allows AI to securely connect to tools like CRMs, time tracking, and project management software so teams can ask questions, automate wo...

Big news! Decoder is becoming Leap to Scale . In this brief announcement, we talk about why the shift matters, what prompted the name change, and how our content is getting even more focused on helping service-firm operators grow sustainably. No fluff, just actionable steps to scale smarter.

Service companies are facing their biggest transformation since the internet boom. Greg and Justin talk about the cultural and technological shifts driving it, from AI tools and automation to changing customer comfort with digital experiences. The takeaway: every business leader should be exploring how to use technology to boost margins, delight customers, and stay ahead of disruption.

How do you critique product design when you’re not a designer? In this episode of Decoder , we’re breaking down the art of design communication to help non-designers collaborate effectively with design teams. Sara Altenhoff sits down with Sourcetoad’s CEO Greg Ross-Munro and VP of UX Justin Davis to explore how to navigate design conversations and avoid the dreaded “it just doesn’t feel right” fee...

In this episode, Sara Altenhoff is joined by Greg Ross-Munro and Nick DeMelas. The three discuss the most important things to consider when building software for education.  Key Points Discussed: Interface Design: What special considerations should you make when designing software for learners of all ages?  Integrations in Educational Software: From LMS to rostering tools, integrations are a must...

In this episode, Sara Altenhoff is joined by Justin Davis and Greg Ross-Munro. The three discuss the various approaches to building software, and the important considerations in choosing the right foundation for your application. Key Points Discussed: Frameworks: Exploring the flexibility and control offered by frameworks, along with their customization and performance benefits. Content Management...

In this episode, Sara Altenhoff is joined by Gregg Hilferding and Justin Davis. The three dive into how AI and human-centered design are transforming the financial services industry. Key Points Discussed: Understanding Terms: Defining AI and human-centered design. AI in Financial Services: Advances in AI for personalized services, fraud detection, and user needs prediction. Human-Centered Design:...

In this episode, Sara Altenhoff is joined by Justin Davis, VP of UX at Sourcetoad, and Greg Ross-Munro, CEO of Sourcetoad. The three discuss the huge potential for technology to shape and transform the strategies of PE firms.  Key Takeaways :  Understanding PE Firms : Explanation of the goals of PE firms and the complexities of managing holding companies.  Value Growth through Operational Improvem...

In this episode, host Sara Altenhoff is joined by Greg Ross-Munro, CEO of Sourcetoad, and Gregg "3G" Hilferding, VP of Delivery at Sourcetoad. They unpack how technology not only solves traditional challenges in franchising, but also sets the stage for unprecedented growth and consistency across various industries. Key Takeaways: Understanding Franchises: Exploring the "hub and spok...

Click here to watch the video version of this episode on YouTube !  In this episode, host Sara Altenhoff is joined by Greg Ross-Munro, CEO of Sourcetoad, and Justin Davis, VP of UX at Sourcetoad.  They discuss a very important role in the world of digital product development: Product Management!  Tune in to learn all about the basics of Product Management, including:  How Product Management differ...

Thinking about building an internal software development team for your software or app idea? There is so much to consider!  In this episode, Sara Altenhoff is joined by Greg Ross-Munro and Gregg "3G" Hilferding to discuss the process of building an internal development team from scratch. Tune in to hear some real-world insight on who you should hire first, how to sustainably grow your te...

The search for the right software development agency for your project can be daunting, especially if this is your first time having custom software built! In this episode, Sara Altenhoff is joined by Greg Ross-Munro and Gregg "3G" Hilferding to discuss some important things to consider as you vet development agencies. Tune in to learn which questions you should ask about the agency'...

Welcome to Decoder podcast, where we step inside the world of a software development agency and learn how bits and bytes become useful technology. Each episode features conversations with software creators and users about the process, challenges, and fun of building software. Intended for a non-technical audience, this podcast will help you understand how software is built so you can more effectiv...

Welcome to Decoder podcast, where we step inside the world of a software development agency and learn how bits and bytes become useful technology. Each episode features conversations with software creators and users about the process, challenges, and fun of building software. Intended for a non-technical audience, this podcast will help you understand how software is built so you can more effectiv...