Modern Ideas for Business

Most businesses have experimented with AI. Far fewer have figured out how to turn AI into a strategic business asset. In this episode of Modern Ideas for Business , Paul Duren sits down with Eric Goldman , CEO of AI Growth Advisors, to discuss why many organizations struggle to get meaningful results from AI—and what the most successful companies are doing differently. Rather than focusing on prom...

ttention California business owners: Massive compliance changes are officially active. If your employee handbook hasn't been completely updated, your business could be facing significant legal and financial risk. In this monthly interactive session of Modern Ideas for Business, moderator Dave sit downs with labor and employment law attorney Eileen Kennedy (Partner at Buchalter) and veteran HR prof...

Episode Summary: If you have invested money into AI subscriptions, team training, and new tools but still haven’t seen a measurable shift in your bottom line, you are not alone. Many business owners are left asking: If AI is so powerful, why hasn't it changed my business? In Episode 9 of Modern Ideas for Business, host Paul Duren sits down with Eric Goldman, CEO of AI Growth Advisors, to unpack th...

Are you struggling to find and keep top-tier talent in 2026? In this session, Carolyn Sweeney, Managing Director at Century Group, breaks down the "ATM Paradox," the rise of "Quiet Hiring," and the 10 essential strategies for modern recruitment and retention. In this video, you’ll learn: Recruitment Tips: Why culture is your #1 asset and how "short" job postings (under 300 words) boost applicant r...

Why do incredibly smart, talented, and experienced teams still struggle to hit their goals? In this episode of Modern Ideas for Business, executive coach and KLR Consulting CEO Kristy Royce breaks down why most team challenges aren’t intelligence problems—they are behavioral problems. Using Patrick Lencioni’s legendary framework from "The Five Dysfunctions of a Team," Kristy shares firsthand lesso...

"In a crisis, you have 60 seconds to make or break your reputation." — Lt. Chanan Smith. In this session of Modern Ideas for Business, moderator Dave Cowan introduces Lt. Chanan Smith (Ret.), Founder of MAGEN LLC. Chanan is a seasoned security expert who has trained the U.S. Secret Service, NFL security teams, and Olympic gold medalists. Drawing on decades of operational experience—including comma...

Is your idea of networking collecting business cards and stacking up LinkedIn connections? According to Paul Duren, a professional with over 40 years of experience in banking and 25+ years in business development, "That’s not networking." In this video, Paul shares insights drawn from observing the best (and worst) networkers at thousands of events. He breaks down the difference between a transact...

Do you dread networking events? Are you tired of "working the room" only to leave with a pocket full of business cards and zero meaningful connections? In this session, Paul Duren sits down with Leah Yoneda (Growth Strategist & Founder of Golden Ginkgo Group) to debunk the classic, exhausted model of networking. Leah explains why most professionals are taught the wrong way to network and how i...

Are you tired of "throwing stuff" at people and calling it networking? In this interview, Dave Cowan (Founder of Silicon Valley Sales Group) breaks down why traditional "transactional" networking is failing and introduces the Sandler mindset of soft qualification. Learn how to shift from a "pitch" mindset to a "helper" mindset, allowing you to build a high-value network of referral partners and id...

The conversation delves into the mindset and approach to networking, emphasizing the value of adding value and the importance of curiosity. It explores the dread of networking events, the Sandler approach, the significance of follow-up, and the power of soft qualification. The chapters cover various aspects of networking, from identifying worthwhile events to crafting effective introductions and g...