Ep 285 Right People, Right Seats: The Hidden Profit Killer in Your Business with Pam Meissner

Right People, Right Seats: The Hidden Profit Killer in Your Business with Pam Meissner

 

When profit is slipping, most businsess owners look to cut costs or push sales harder. But what if your biggest drain isn’t on the P&L at all—it’s in your people?

 

In this episode of Profit Answer Man, Pam Meissner—COO and CFO at CathCap—pulls back the curtain on why “right people, right seats” isn’t just an HR slogan. It’s one of the most powerful levers for profit growth that most companies ignore until it’s too late.

 

The Gap: Why Profit Leaks Hide in Your People:

You can have a stellar product, growing sales, and tight cost controls—and still lose money. The reason? People issues that don’t show up as a neat line item on your P&L.

Pam sees it all the time: companies hanging on to team members who no longer fit, tolerating culture-killers because they perform well in one area, or promoting loyal employees into roles they can’t succeed in.

 

The Four Quadrants Every Leader Needs to Know:

Pam breaks down the four categories of employees, based on competency and alignment with core values:

• Stars – High performers who live your values.
• Puppies – Aligned with values but lack skill; worth investing in if trainable.
• Rats – Low competency, no values alignment; they have to go—fast.
• Gremlins – Highly competent but toxic to your culture; they hold you hostage and quietly drain profit.

Ignoring the “rats” and “gremlins” doesn’t just hurt morale—it actively drives away your stars.

 

Why Core Values Aren’t Just a Poster on the Wall:

Most companies have core values, but few hire, fire, and promote based on them.

Pam’s advice:

• Define your values clearly.
• Interview with them in mind (AI tools like ChatGPT can help craft questions).
• Involve peers in hiring to assess fit.
• Hold quarterly conversations so performance and alignment are never a surprise.

 

The Real Cost of a Bad Hire:

Replacing someone can cost multiple times their salary—especially if you use recruiters. But the hidden costs of keeping the wrong person are even higher:

• Lost productivity
• Star employee turnover
• Extra resources to “work around” problem employees

Pam stresses: The cheapest solution is to hire right the first time—and act quickly when you don’t.

 

The Profit Plan: Align People, Process, and Purpose:

• To plug these hidden leaks:
• Audit your team using the four quadrants.
• Invest in “puppies” with clear timelines and training plans.
• Remove “rats” immediately and plan a strategic exit for “gremlins.”
• Keep your stars engaged and appreciated.

 

💡Bonus Listening: For a real-world example of how to build and keep an all-star team, check out Episode 141 with Emily Cole, co-founder of the Savannah Bananas. Her approach to hiring for culture fit will inspire you to rethink how you find your next great hire.

 

Key Takeaway:

Profit isn’t just about cutting costs or selling more—it’s about aligning the right people in the right seats. When you protect your culture and your core values, profit follows.

 

Ready to uncover your hidden profit leaks? Let’s talk. Book a time at ProfitComesFirst.com

 and start building a team that fuels—not drains—your bottom line.

 

About Pam Meissner:

Pam Meissner is a powerhouse in the world of finance and leadership, with a career that spans CFO, COO, and CEO roles across industries. Known for her ability to drive busines