Shows
Fast BreakCulture of Commitment: The Building Blocks of Workplace SafetySafety isn’t just a compliance issue; it’s a strategic business decision. In this episode of Fast Break, host Matt Cranney is joined by Chris Halverson of M3 Insurance and Kyle Ricely of The Employer Group to explore the critical role of risk management and safety for small and growing businesses.
Workplace safety isn’t just about preventing accidents—it’s about protecting employees, reducing insurance costs, and driving long-term business sustainability. Chris and Kyle share real-world stories and practical strategies from their deep experience in the field, offering guidance on building proactive safety cultures, understanding key metric...2025-07-1026 minFast BreakInvesting in Impact: How Businesses Can Support NonprofitsNonprofits are essential to our communities, yet they face increasing challenges from funding cuts to shifting engagement trends. In this episode of Fast Break, host Matt Cranney welcomes Jeff Burkhart, a nonprofit leader and founder of Mission Forward, to explore the state of the sector and how businesses can step up to drive lasting impact.
With insights on collaboration, leadership, and community engagement, this conversation is a must-listen for business owners, leaders, and professionals looking to make a meaningful impact.
2025-06-0524 minFast BreakEconomic Engines: Celebrating Small BusinessesIn this episode of Fast Break, we are celebrating Small Business Week by recognizing the critical role small businesses play in our economy. Host Matt Cranney sits down with Sadie Howell, CEO of Envision Greater Fond du Lac, to discuss why small businesses are more important than ever in today’s rapidly evolving landscape. Explore the power of word-of-mouth marketing, the agility of small businesses in adapting to change, and the importance of defining a clear "why" to drive long-term success.
Whether you're an entrepreneur, a small business leader, or simply someone who values local businesses, this co...2025-05-0824 minFast BreakMental Health: What Employers Can Do That Actually HelpsNearly one in five workers are leaving jobs due to mental health concerns, and this latest Fast Break episode is more relevant than ever. Matt Cranney is joined by Celie Valentin, Director of the Employee Assistance Program at Family Service Madison, and M3’s Jodi Riley, Senior Director of HR, to break down the impact of mental health on today’s workforce.
Mental well-being isn’t just about offering a day off and hoping for the best, it’s about creating psychological safety in the workplace. Dive into what mental well-being truly means, going beyond the buzzwords to tackl...2025-04-1026 minFast BreakExpanding the Circle: Creating Space for Women in BusinessIn honor of Women’s History Month, Becky Menefee, VP of M3 Elevate, takes over the mic to celebrate the achievements and impact of women in leadership. Joined by two powerhouse guests—Coreen Dicus-Johnson, President and CEO of Network Health, and Heather Dunn, Senior VP and CFO of West Bend Insurance Company—this Fast Break episode dives into their career journeys, the challenges they've faced in male-dominated industries, and the ways they’re paving the way for future generations.
From mentorship and mission-driven leadership to navigating work-life integration, Coreen and Heather share insights on breaking barriers, creating space at...2025-03-1327 minFast BreakFrom Reactive to Ready: Tax Planning That WorksTax planning isn’t just about numbers—it’s about strategy and trust. In this episode of Fast Break, host Matt Cranney sits down with Brooke Weitzer, partner at Baker Tilly, to tackle the biggest tax challenges small business owners face. Hear how proactive planning, strong advisor relationships, and continuous collaboration can help you make informed decisions, minimize risks, and maximize savings.
Just like any great partnership, trust with your tax advisor is built over time. Tune in for insights on laying a solid foundation and why working together year-round leads to long-term success.
2025-02-1928 minFast BreakCreating a Strategy that SticksAre you leading your business with a short-term mindset or crafting a vision that lasts? In this episode of Fast Break, Matt sits down with Matt Pletzer to tackle the art of goal setting and strategic planning for small business owners.
Learn why thinking beyond the next 12 months can transform your organization, how to include your team in a way that truly inspires collaboration, and how to avoid common planning pitfalls. Whether you’re building your first-ever plan or revamping your approach for the new year, this episode delivers a simple yet powerful framework to help you le...2025-02-0629 minFast BreakFast Break Takeover: The Art of Growing a Small BusinessFast Break Takeover is a special student-produced episode of M3 Insurance’s
podcast, Fast Break. Hosted by Dax Anderson, Greta Euclide, and Orlando Pino, students
from Sun Prairie’s Business Leadership Academy, this episode dives into the world of
small business success through an interview with Brian Euclide, President of TEC Mailing
Solutions.
Brian shares his journey of building a successful software company in Madison,
Wisconsin, offering insights into entrepreneurship, overcoming setbacks, and the
importance of workplace culture. The students ask thought-provoking questions about
the challenges of starting a busi...2025-01-2419 minFast BreakThe Future of WorkSince the pandemic, hybrid work has become the norm, making it crucial for businesses to keep employees and clients connected and productive. In this episode of Fast Break, host Matt Cranney talks with Shaun Trudell, President of Automation Arts, about how thoughtful tech design can elevate remote and in-office experiences. Effective AV setups now play an essential role in making virtual collaboration feel seamless. Even small investments in AV tech can drive real ROI through better space use, employee engagement, and client satisfaction.
We also explore how businesses are shifting focus from where people work to how...2024-11-2127 minFast BreakEmerging Ecosystems: Crafting Tomorrow's Superstar CitiesIn this episode of Fast Break, host Matt Cranney as he explores the transformative power of start-ups and their monumental impact on industries across the globe. Matt sits down with Kevin Little from the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce, and Travis Hedge, co-founder of Vouch Insurance, to uncover how their organizations are fostering innovation and collaboration within the tech ecosystem.
Tune in to understand how trust, technology, and community wealth are intertwined in today’s rapidly evolving landscape!
2024-10-1729 minFast BreakPhilanthropy in Action: Small Business, Big ImpactIn this episode of Fast Break, Second Harvest CEO Michelle Orge and M3's Beth Dettman discuss how businesses of any size can drive real change through philanthropy. It’s not just about financial donations—it's about offering time, skills, and creativity to make a lasting impact.
They introduce the "Learn, Give, Do" approach for businesses looking to partner with nonprofits. First, learn about the organization's mission and needs. Then, give recurring donations, even if they’re small, as consistency is key. Finally, get involved by hosting food or fund drives to actively support the cause.
By i...2024-09-1925 minFast BreakICHRAs: Facts, Myths, and Making the Right ChoiceJoin host Matt Cranney as he welcomes returning guests Becky Menefee and Natalie Damro from M3 Elevate to explore the rapidly emerging topic of Individual Coverage HRAs (ICHRAs). Small business owners often find themselves juggling numerous responsibilities, and offering health insurance can feel like an added burden. Today’s discussion dives into whether ICHRAs could be the superhero solution for your healthcare challenges or just another administrative hurdle.
Becky and Natalie break down the essentials of ICHRAs, uncovering their benefits and identifying misconceptions. Whether you’re looking to attract and retain talent or simply seeking a better fit...2024-08-0824 minFast BreakIT Solutions for Small Business SuccessIn the fast-paced world of small businesses, staying ahead of the competition means mastering efficiency and productivity. Leveraging cutting-edge IT services is no longer a luxury but a necessity for businesses aiming to streamline operations, enhance collaboration, and drive growth.
Imagine a seamless digital infrastructure where every task, from mundane to mission-critical, is optimized and automated, freeing up your team to focus on innovation and customer satisfaction.
In this episode of FastBreak, Matt sits down with Patrick Hanifin, a Sales Manager at Elevity, a managed IT services firm based in Madison, Wisconsin. They’ll discuss ho...2024-07-1831 minFast BreakFastBreak: The Power of DataIn a single minute, more than 230 million emails are sent around the world. For businesses, this massive volume of information highlights how important it is to manage data appropriately. Handling data efficiently helps keep things running smoothly, protects sensitive information, and allows for better decision-making. Good data management boosts productivity, ensures data security, and helps businesses stay competitive.
In this episode of Fast Break, Matt and his guests, Erik Vandermause (Vice President of Applied Intelligence), and Paul Krause (Data and Analytics Manger) explore how data-driven insights can drive strategic choices, enhance operational efficiency, and uncover new opportunities f...2024-06-1331 minFast BreakS3-Ep 5: Why Belonging is Important in BusinessIn this episode of Fast Break, Matt and his guests, Beth Ridley (Founder & CEO of Ridley Consulting Group) and Alicia Kiser (Vice President of Human Resources at M3), discuss supporting employee authenticity and well-being, and building a work environment that values diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Tune to learn how to access language and resources you can use to help your work force feel accepted and appreciated.
Link to resources mentioned by Beth in this episode: ridleyconsultants.com/resources
2024-05-2337 minFast BreakS3-Ep 4: Building a Powerful Brand on a BudgetA strong brand can evoke emotion, and build trust, familiarity, and loyalty. But as a growing business with finite resources, figuring out how to create a recognizable name for your business on a tight budget is enough to keep you up at night. You need the confidence to build and articulate your brand, and to show up in a distinctly differentiated way in the market.
In this episode of Fast Break, Matt connects with Matt Sabljak (President, Partner at SRH) and Julie Redders (Vice President of Marketing at M3) as they share their secrets on how to...2024-05-0132 minFast BreakS3-Ep 3: Unlocking HR Solutions - Insights, Strategies, and Practical TipsIn building a successful business, it's essential to create sustainable HR processes that comply with regulations and best practices. But this can be overwhelming, and staying current is challenging. You don't have to do it alone, though. By getting the right people and partners on board for HR tasks, you can get back to focusing on growing your business.
In this episode of Fast Break, Matt is joined by Jessica Subach (Client Solutions Manager) and Mike Beringer (HR Manager) from The Employer Group to discuss proactive strategies and practical tips for navigating the ever-changing HR landscape and...2024-04-1134 minFast BreakS3-Ep 2: Get the Right Coaches in Your Corner as You Grow Your BusinessAs you navigate the ups and downs of running a small business, hitting those moments where things seem to stand still is totally normal. That's where having the right coaches becomes a game-changer for your success. These coaches can give you fresh perspectives, help you dodge common pitfalls, and make the journey to business growth a whole lot smoother.
On this episode of Fast Break, Matt is joined by Brent & Kate Halfwassen, owners of Halfwassen & Associates, LLC and MKEbusinesscoach.com to discuss the importance of having coaches in your corner to help you navigate the path of g...2024-02-2230 minFast BreakS3-Ep 1: Locals Investing in Locals – Finding Genius in Your Own CommunityIt’s clear gener8tor – a nationally ranked venture capital firm and accelerator that brings together startup founders, investors, corporations, job seekers, universities, musicians, and artists – is on the move and deeply connected to the world of small and growing businesses. They envision communities achieving measurable and transformational growth through programming that enables equitable access and opportunity.
On this episode of Fast Break, Matt is joined by Joe Kirgues, co-founder and managing director of gener8tor. They discuss ways the community can catalyze investments in local talent, the importance of mutual support among business owners, and strategic investm...2024-01-1828 minFast BreakS2-Ep 11: How a Strategy of Giving Back Fuels Your Business GrowthWorking collaboratively with local non-profits, businesses, community leaders, donors, and volunteers can solve big picture issues that no one person or organization can address alone.
On this episode of Fast Break, Matt is joined by Renee Moe, CEO of United Way of Dane County to talk about why, as a small and growing business owner, you should be thoughtful about your philanthropic strategy and the impact that your organization's giving can have on the community. Your involvement in building a stronger, healthier, and more connected community creates an environment where your business can thrive.
"...2023-12-1928 minFast BreakS2-Ep 10: Navigate the Personal Lines Storm - Strategies to Tackle Soaring Rates in a Hard MarketAs rising claim costs result in increasing volatility throughout the market, personal insurance lines such as home, auto, and umbrella coverage are impacted as well.
On this episode of Fast Break, Matt is joined by Jennifer Vanderlip, Amy Schroeder, and Kim Nichols from the M3 Elevate team for a personal insurance conversation. They discuss factors impacting the market today, including severe weather events, increasing car repair costs, and the rising cost of medical care. Tune in to learn what all this means for the future of the personal insurance market.
"Insurers will likely start adding mi...2023-11-3023 minFast BreakS2-Ep 9: Helping Your Employees Navigate the Individual Health Marketplace During Open EnrollmentIt’s open enrollment time for Individual Health plans. As a small business owner, you may have employees who need to shop the marketplace for a variety of reasons. However, the Individual Health Marketplace can be confusing to navigate. With all the different plan options out there, how can your employees know that they are choosing the best plan to fit their needs?
On this episode of Fast Break, Matt is joined by Natalie Damro, an account executive on the M3 Elevate team who specializes in individual health. Matt and Natalie cover guidance for individuals across the empl...2023-10-2619 minFast BreakS2-Ep 8: Act Now, Relax Later - Help Your Team Get Ahead of Medicare Open EnrollmentThe Medicare space can often be confusing or overwhelming to people. In this episode of Fast Break, Matt has invited four members of the M3 Elevate Medicare team – Virginia Van Haren, Jason Haglund, Rachel Hug, and David Schuebel – whose every day focus is helping businesses and individuals navigate the complex world of Medicare.
In this conversation with Matt, these four Medicare professionals share their insights and wisdom on the best ways to grow and protect your business by having good insights about and a practical strategy for the Medicare program. As an employer, you will come away with...2023-10-0523 minFast BreakS2-Ep 7: Employee Health and Wellness: Nice or Necessary? - with Euan Findlater + Tyler StuntebeckWhen employees are healthy, they're more productive, more engaged, and less likely to miss work. On this Fast Break, Matt welcomes Tyler Stuntebeck, M3's population health and wellbeing manager and Euan Findlater, general manager and personal trainer at CrossFit Mojo - two experts who are dedicated to employee health and its impact in creating a thriving workplace.
Tyler, Euan, and Matt delve into how investing in and supporting your employees in attaining their basic wellness needs can lead not only to a reduction in chronic disease among your employee population, but an increase employee productivity, satisfaction, an...2023-09-2125 minFast BreakS2-Ep 6: Where You Work is as Important as How You Work with Tim ClearyOur working environments have undeniably shifted over the past decade. In an increasingly hybrid working model, does your business space matter? We’ve invited Tim Cleary, Executive Vice President at Ideal Builders to Fast Break for a conversation on how your physical space can impact the overall success of your business.
Tim and Matt discuss how the lines between business, home, and recreational spaces have blurred in our post-COVID world, if we were on this trajectory pre-pandemic, and what it all really means for you and your business as you look to attract and retain top talent.
2023-09-0727 minFast BreakS2-Ep 5: Your Old IT Equipment - A Hidden Security Threat with Neil Peters-MichaudThis episode of Fastbreak features Neil Peters-Michaud, Founder and CEO of Cascade Asset Management, discussing an aspect of business that has been far too long neglected: the retirement of old IT equipment. Neil explains the importance of properly retiring your old equipment to ensure your business is remaining secure and sustainable.
Not only will you gain practical knowledge on retiring old IT equipment to ensure your business is safe from a data breach, but you will also learn why you should reevaluate your values regularly, the importance of continuous education, and why outsourcing is sometimes necessary.
2023-05-0317 minFast BreakS2-Ep 4: Banking Crisis & Recession - Protecting Your Business in an Uncertain Economy with Corey ChambasWe’re living in uncertain economic times, but where are we headed, and how can small businesses protect themselves? The media doesn't always provide accurate information or sound counsel. That’s why we’ve invited Corey Chambas, President & CEO at First Business Financial Services, Inc., to give us the facts.
Corey breaks down everything from what’s happening with the banking crisis, why it’s happened, if we should be worried about our own banks, and what to do moving forward to ensure we’re safe and secure. Corey provides practical advice on how to be consistent, calm, and re...2023-04-1318 minFast BreakS2-Ep 3: The Biggest Mistake Small Businesses Make During Tax Season with Chase IndaAs a small business owner, tax season can be daunting; but it doesn’t have to be! In this episode of The Fast Break, we break down what can sometimes seem like an overwhelming topic into actionable steps toward a more profitable tax season this year and for years to come.
Chase Inda, Tax Partner at Baker Tilly, has worked at Baker Tilly since 2006 and while you may have never heard the words “passion” and “taxes” strung together in a sentence before, it surely reigns true with Chase. His passion is clear as he shares the wisdom he’s learn...2023-03-0925 minFast BreakS2-Ep 2: Real Growth and Protection Stories About Businesses We’ve Worked With - Featuring the M3 Elevate TeamIn today’s episode, we’re joined by M3 Elevate team members James VanBuskirk, Starie Thompson, Jennifer Vanderlip, and Virginia Van Haren. The team shares their insights and experiences on a variety of topics from business insurance, employee benefits, personal lines, and Medicare.
The team provides real stories from real businesses employing effective offensive and defensive tactics, and discuss the strategies your business should implement in 2023 to optimize growth and protection.
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Timestamps:
Setting up the defense you actually need–not what you thought you needed
00:00 A special giveaway
01:52 M3 Elevate Team introductions
03:20 Busine...2023-02-0225 minFast BreakS2-Ep 1: Why You Need to Give Back as a Business with Matt NeumannToday’s episode is a special one. Not only are we featuring a giveaway, but get some great advice about being a responsible business leader from Matt Neumann, Chief Executive Officer at Neumann Companies, Inc. If you’re a business owner or manager looking to make an impact, this episode is for you.
As a second-generation family business owner, Matt is committed and recognizes the long-term approach to business growth and investment. Matt was awarded 40 under 40 by the Business Journal, Professional Builder, and Midwest Renewable Energy News, and was recently awarded the Wisconsin Way Future Leader of the...2023-01-2626 minFast BreakS1-Ep 11: The Four Pillars of a Successful Downtown – And How You Can Apply Them to Grow Your Business with Jason IlstrupJason Ilstrup, President at Downtown Madison Inc., joins us to share the benefits of a thriving downtown–both for businesses and individuals alike.
Members of a downtown community (whether as a business or as an individual) can stand to gain a lot from this episode. Jason shares two real-life examples of businesses that effectively use his two favorite offensive strategies: creating a unique experience and using omnichannel techniques. And he discusses powerful questions business owners need to ask themselves as they prepare their defensive strategy such as, “How do we survive now to thrive in the future?”
...2022-12-0821 minFast BreakS1-Ep 10: How to Market your Business Heading into 2023 with Laura GallagherLaura Gallagher, Founder and President of The Creative Company and the author of #180in120 - How to Recharge Your Business in 120 Days, leads one of Madison's most respected PR and digital agencies. Having launched the Creative Company in 1989, Laura has a ton of experience marketing for businesses and was recently awarded IB Madison's Dane County Small Business of the Year in 2022.
In this episode, Laura shares her wisdom by telling us the offensive and defensive strategies her business uses to stay relevant. She'll teach you how to deliver a compelling story to your audience, how marketing has...2022-11-1021 minFast BreakS1-Ep 9: Why Consistency Beats Intensity with Keegan MeuerKeegan Meuer, owner and manager of the iconic State Street Brats in Madison, joins us to discuss the rollercoaster that is owning a business. Though difficult and frustrating at times, ultimately, it can be extremely rewarding.
Throughout Fast Break, we’ve heard some really great insights into the offensive and defensive strategies of owning a business, but we have to say that Keegan shares some of our favorite defensive tactics. Managing a restaurant comes with unique twists and turns on its own, but adding a pandemic to the mix certainly can throw a wrench into things if yo...2022-10-0612 minFast BreakS1-Ep 8: Changing Your Growth Mindset with Zach BrandonZach Brandon, President of the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce, and Matt Cranney, sit down to discuss the importance of supporting small and growing businesses. The Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce aims to help companies to play both offense and defense by providing the resources they wouldn't otherwise have.
Throughout the episode, Zach provides real-life examples of businesses that have played offense and defense effectively; and how others can too. One of these critical insights is at the core of the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce: BEAM (brand, economy, advocacy, and members), an acronym Zach explains in...2022-09-0833 minFast BreakS1-Ep 7: Developing and Retaining Quality Talent with Julie UniteNow more than ever, it's critical to find and retain quality talent. But it's more than that; you must also sustain demands, be efficient, engage, and meet goals. But as many of us know, this is easier said than done. That's why we've invited Business Psychologist and Co-founder of Ascend Talent Strategies, Julie Unite, to discuss finding and retaining talent.
Ascend Talent Strategies is an organization that helps businesses "harness the power of people," And in this episode, Julie shares just how to do that. Julie and Matt dive into what it means to find quality talent...2022-08-1127 min
Milwaukee Uncut2022 Marketing Tactics to Stand Out: Crossover with M3 Elevate’s Fast BreakWelcome to a special crossover episode with Fast Break presented by M3 Elevate. Fast Break is a podcast hosted by Matt Cranney, Partner and Executive Vice President of M3 Elevate, that discusses strategies you can use to grow and protect your business. Matt invited me to be a guest on Fast Break to share marketing tactics and some background on how I started The GoGedders and GGMM (our agency that specializes in podcasting).Fast Break: https://fastbreakm3elevate.podbean.com GGMM: https://ggmm.io2022-07-2820 minFast BreakS1-Ep 6: People, Products, and Promises with Joe HamiltonJoe Hamilton, Chief Executive Officer at Vortex Optics, joins us for part two of our conversation with him. In this episode, Joe covers the importance of the core values behind Vortex Optics, and how customer satisfaction is everything when it comes to managing a successful business. So tune in to learn how to make your customer the hero.
Vortex Optics is a family-owned and operated business determined to change the status quo by putting customers at the center of everything they do. If you haven’t heard part one, check it out to learn about th...2022-07-2821 minFast BreakS1-Ep 5: Navigating Family Dynamics and Calibrating Risk with Joe HamiltonJoe Hamilton is the Chief Executive Officer at Vortex Optics, a manufacturer of optical equipment for hunting, wildlife watching, outdoor recreation, shooting sports, and law enforcement. Vortex® is a family-owned and operated business that is determined to change how business is done by putting customers at the center of everything they do.
In this episode, part one of two, Joe covers the origin story of Vortex®, advice for those who work for a family business, and the calculated risks a business should take to stay relevant.
Joe provided so much powerful insight about building a suc...2022-07-1430 minFast BreakS1-Ep 4: Market Your Business to Stand Out in a World Where Many Stand ByRichie Burke, Founder and CEO of GoGeddit Marketing and Media (GGMM), joins us to discuss marketing strategies that will help set your business apart from the competition. Throughout the episode, Richie shares valuable insight on standing out in "this seas of sameness" and his number one offensive and defensive recommendations.
When it comes to offensive marketing, it's vital companies find ways to differentiate themselves, learn and stay on top of things, and don't be afraid to try new things and fail because when you fail, you learn.
And when it comes to defensive strategies, Richie...2022-06-0928 minFast BreakS1-Ep 3: Transform Your Mindset & Your Business with Chad McGeheeIf you're interested in becoming the best version of yourself, this episode is for you.
In this episode, we're joined by Chad McGhee, Director of Meditation Training at UW Athletics and Co-founder of Inner Edge Meditation, to discuss mindfulness's impact on performance.
You can't always control your environment, but you can prepare for whatever may be thrown your way by practicing mindfulness. Chad shares insight into how the skills of greater focus and connecting more skillfully with oneself and others are fundamental to success and how you can apply them to your everyday life. Whether y...2022-05-0530 minFast BreakS1-Ep 2: The Cost of Losing A Client with Matthew PletzerMatt Pletzer is the owner of Lift Consulting, a boutique consulting firm in Madison that helps businesses solve complex challenges and thrive by developing and motivating their people. One of Matt’s strategies on offense is to ask tough questions and do the work that needs doing. On defense, Matt says it’s important to be agile, think a little differently, and pay attention.
“One of the best defensive strategies is to make sure you’re paying attention to the people who helped you build what you have.” – Matt Pletzer
Hosted by Matt Cranney, Execu...2021-10-2909 minFast BreakS1-Ep 1: Look to Each Other with Matt SabljakMatt Sabljak, the “S” in SRH Marketing, is the President and Partner of a growing, full-service agency headquartered in Milwaukee. In this episode, Matt talks about the work he and his team put in even before the pandemic that allowed SRH Marketing to grow during these unprecedented times.
“When it comes to accountability, it’s a horizontal, every-direction web. It’s not looking up to leaders, it’s looking to each other. That’s who you show up to work for.” - Matt Sabljak
Hosted by Matt Cranney, Executive Vice President of M3 Elevate.
2021-10-2109 min