One Step Better Podcast

She's an entrepreneur, business strategist, author, podcaster, CEO, wife, mother, and thought leader. On this week's episode, Mary Grothe shares her journey to create a business with the purpose of building unshakeable revenue foundations set for scale. Hear her story of challenging the status quo, bringing integrity and grit to the job every day, and following her heart to bring her entrepreneuri...

Get to know your hosts Matthew Patrick and Mike Shaeffer with fun Q&A questions! Have more questions or business topics you’d like to hear about? Leave us a comment or send us a message on Facebook , YouTube or LinkedIn!

On this week's Startup Story, learn Cary Rotter's journey to start Comfort Keepers, leading provider of trusted in-home senior care and companion care in Memphis, TN. Hear the highs and lows of entrepreneurship and the complexities of working with your spouse. Visit their website here: https://www.comfortkeepers.com/

Get to know Mike Shaeffer, Patrick Accounting and Whirks' chief operating officer and podcast "host with the most!" Hear his journey from accounting to youth ministry and back to accounting, plus his favorite (and least favorite) parts of working with us over the past six years. He epitomizes our core value of Team First and Challenge It, and we're excited for more adventures (and more podcasts) t...

Get to know our Sales and Marketing Team Leader, Shelby Betts!

A smooth handoff between sales and operations is critical to the first impression your company makes. In this episode, you'll learn: Three things you have to get right between your sales and operations team to better service your clients. How to build rapport to strengthen the working relationships between both departments. Tips for building empathy on both sides.

How should the uncertainty of 2020 affect new year planning? What metrics do you need to focus on? How do you adapt a profit first mindset to ensure profitability? This episode gives you best practices to position your business for success in 2021. In our Business Owner's Guide to 2021 Planning webinar, we'll get more in-depth on budgeting strategies ( register here .) Need help creating your 2021...

Conflict is inevitable, and so is addressing it. In this episode, special guest Greg Henderson, HRO Manager at Whirks, joins Mike Shaeffer to discuss the common ways they see conflict handled incorrectly. You'll gain tips for effectively handling conflict to build a stronger and healthier work dynamic. Plus, learn the first thing you should ask yourself when conflict comes up and when it's okay fo...

Customer feedback can't just sit in an email. You've gathered lots of info, so now what? Last week, we talked about how to use employee feedback to add value.  In this episode, you'll learn how to validate feedback, gather perspective, and prioritize an action list for putting that feedback to use. Plus, you'll learn the exercise you should be doing once a year to add more business.

Far too often, if we haven't heard a complaint from our customers, we think they're okay. However, you're missing critical insight that can help you improve, and in some cases, help you ramp up the things you're doing well. In this episode, you'll learn the 3 questions you need to ask your customers to close the feedback loop. Plus, hear tips to uncover new revenue.

It can be challenging to find the balance between getting work done and giving your employees the time and budget to learn and expand their skillset. Nonetheless, employee development is extremely important for any business. In this episode, Matt and Mike discuss what small businesses can do to provide opportunities for development and what we've learned over the years.

Employees are our most important asset. In this episode, Matt & Mike discuss different ways and things they do to keep employees engaged, motivated and front of mind. Making employees feel valued has proven to have an impact on retention, attracting wonderful applicants and getting the right people in the door.

Get to know our longest tenured employee, Rick Bowers. When planning to retire after an exciting career with some of the country's top brands, he became part of the Patrick Accounting family and has been a dynamic part of growing the firm over the last 12 years. Hear his journey with Matt and Mike throughout the years and his favorite (and least favorite) parts of the job.

Even with the best balance between work and life, burnout can happen to anyone - especially small business owners. That's why we're having conversations with our team and our clients on the ways burnout affects everyone differently and how to overcome it. In this episode, Matt & Mike talk about burnout from the perspectives of business owners, key leaders, and employees. Plus, hear their tips...

Decreasing employee turnover and increasing employee satisfaction all starts in the hiring process. When you’re a small business, every hire affects your company culture. In this episode, Matt and Mike share wins and mistakes from over the years to give insight to other business owners experiencing the same thing.

One-on-ones have been part of our normal meeting rhythm for years. Hear Matt & Mike's tactical tips on how to maximize your communication in one-on-ones so everyone on your team is headed in the same direction. Do you have regular one-on-ones with your managers and employees? Let us know what has been helpful for you!

Get to know Greg Henderson, HRO Manager at Whirks! He is "bringing the human back to HR" and alleviating compliance worries for our clients during difficult situations. All businesses need handbooks, labor law posters and someone to manage them. If your small business needs help with these things, we'll be happy to help!  Click here to schedule a 15-minute call with Greg .

In this episode, we're talking all about restaurants. Steven Downer, Manager of Strategic Partnerships and restaurant industry guru, talks about the two numbers you absolutely have to know to stay on top of the costs you can control. Plus, you'll learn some tangible ways to stay in control of your finances and why you need good quality partners that are going to fill in any gaps and support your s...

Shiny Object Syndrome can affect any business owner. No one wants to miss out, and the fear of "I-don't-know-what-I-don't-know" can create some anxiety. In this episode, Matt & Mike talk about how to use the fear of missing out as a good thing when it comes to compliance, taxes, new technology, and more.

The golden idea of work/life balance. Is it possible? Is it attainable? Can it ever happen? Matt Patrick and Mike Shaeffer share different perspectives from their contrasting work styles. Many small business owners struggle with work/life balance because their heart and soul is in the business. In this episode, you'll hear some methods to help you find your synergy and give yourself freedom.

Whoever said communication is 50/50 was missing something. Communication is the lifeblood of small businesses and relationships in general. In this episode, you'll gain three practical takeaways that you can take back to your organization to improve the effectiveness of your communication. Plus, you'll find out why we say, "To be unclear is to be unkind," and how to remedy it.

The status quo is never acceptable. One of the hallmarks of small business success is their ability to be agile and move quickly. You can't do that if you're stuck in the weeds of never wanting to challenge what's going on. Challenge It doesn't mean unhappiness. We're talking about the WAY you do things. You're always pressing ahead to get better and better. In this episode, we show you how to use...

Why is it important for small businesses to have a solid, reviewed, actually-looked-at handbook? Handbooks are a great starting place for any employer. It's a necessary evil for some. It's a guiding light for others. In this episode, we cover the top three things you need to have in your handbook, how often to review it, and how it can increase team alignment. Need to update your handbook or write...

Tune in to hear the conversations we’re having on a daily basis on all things business growth . Over the years, we’ve seen countless types of small businesses expand into new locations, offer new services and add to their teams. On this episode, Matt & Mike discuss the biggest pitfalls we've seen and the lessons we've learned from our growing our business over the years.

It’s easy to feel like you’re on an island as a business owner. But, having a lack of community can be dangerous for small business leaders. In this episode, Matt & Mike share how they found their community and why bigger picture, higher impact decisions should typically be made with the support of people that are going to have the freedom to say what's good, what's bad, and what you might be...