Fast Break

Emerging Ecosystems: Crafting Tomorrow's Superstar Cities

In 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!

Philanthropy in Action: Small Business, Big Impact

In 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 integrating philanthropy into their core values, businesses can make a meaningful difference. It's not just about giving—it's about building a stronger, healthier, and more connected community for everyone.

ICHRAs: Facts, Myths, and Making the Right Choice

Join 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 for your unique needs, this episode is packed with valuable insights and practical advice.

IT Solutions for Small Business Success

In 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 how, with the right Managed Service Provider, your business can transform into a powerhouse of productivity, setting new benchmarks in your industry.

FastBreak: The Power of Data

In 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 for growth. Tune in as they reveal the power of data in shaping the future of business success. 

S3-Ep 5: Why Belonging is Important in Business

In 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  

S3-Ep 4: Building a Powerful Brand on a Budget

A 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 craft a powerful brand identity, even on a shoestring budget. Tune for practical ways to make your brand stand out from the crowd without breaking the bank.
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“Brand is what anybody thinks of [you], it's not just a name and a logo… Here's who we are. Here's why we're valuable. Here's what we can do for you. Here's why you want to remember us and work with us.”  – Julie Redders, Vice President of Marketing at M3
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“A brand is the ultimate defense because while products can change rapidly, technology can change rapidly - what doesn't change rapidly is what people have in their brains, in their minds.”– Matt Sabljak, President, Partner at SRH
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Hosted by Matt Cranney, Executive Vice President of M3 Elevate.

S3-Ep 2: Get the Right Coaches in Your Corner as You Grow Your Business

As 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 growing your business. 
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“Seeing the whole picture is difficult. You're in the trenches. You're doing the thing. You're working hard...  we can see the whole field a little bit better for [you]. And… highlight aspects that maybe [you've} downplayed…  We are not just teaching the how to's and the tactical pieces, we are helping to deconstruct some things that are going on in the head that are wrong… So then [you] can see clearly and really understand [your] worth and value.”  –  Brent Halfwassen, Owner of Halfwassen & Associates, LLC
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Hosted by Matt Cranney, Executive Vice President of M3 Elevate.

S3-Ep 1: Locals Investing in Locals – Finding Genius in Your Own Community

It’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 investment approaches for new and growing businesses to ensure future growth.  
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“We have this belief that opportunity is everywhere. It's born proportionately equally in every community and yet the opportunity to connect with capital with investment, with customers, isn't distributed everywhere. So how can we use our platform to bridge that gap? Across race, place and gender, we've tried to be as diverse as the communities we serve.”  
–   –  Joe Kirgues, Co-Founder & Managing Director of gener8tor 
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Hosted by Matt Cranney, Executive Vice President of M3 Elevate.

S2-Ep 11: How a Strategy of Giving Back Fuels Your Business Growth

Working 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.  
 
"When people have the experience, and exposure, and leadership courage to help partner and lead change, I think that is a way that we can help empower small and growing businesses to not only become stronger leaders in their own businesses, but become stronger leaders in our communities.”   
–  Renee Moe, CEO of United Way of Dane County 
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Hosted by Matt Cranney, Executive Vice President of M3 Elevate.