Fast Break

Creating a Strategy that Sticks

Are 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 lead with purpose and accountability. Don’t miss it!

Fast Break Takeover: The Art of Growing a Small Business

Fast Break Takeover is a special student-produced episode of M3 Insurance’spodcast, Fast Break. Hosted by Dax Anderson, Greta Euclide, and Orlando Pino, studentsfrom Sun Prairie’s Business Leadership Academy, this episode dives into the world ofsmall business success through an interview with Brian Euclide, President of TEC MailingSolutions.
Brian shares his journey of building a successful software company in Madison,Wisconsin, offering insights into entrepreneurship, overcoming setbacks, and theimportance of workplace culture. The students ask thought-provoking questions aboutthe challenges of starting a business, managing risks, and defining success, while alsoexploring the role of M3 Insurance in fostering innovation and safety.
The episode wraps up with reflections from the students on the valuable lessons theygained from this hands-on project, emphasizing adaptability, leadership, and the power ofreal-world experiences. Through their engaging conversation with Brian, the studentshighlight the importance of perseverance, passion, and taking strategic risks in the pursuitof entrepreneurial success.

The Future of Work

Since 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 they work. New tech tools can streamline everyday tasks, giving employees more time for creative and impactful work. Whether you’re just starting to implement hybrid solutions or looking to optimize, this episode has insights for businesses of all sizes to enhance team and client connections.

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.

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. 

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  

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.
 ________________________
“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
      ________________________      
“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
 ________________________
Hosted by Matt Cranney, Executive Vice President of M3 Elevate.