The Third Growth Option with Benno Duenkelsbuehler and Guests

Are you looking for a Third Growth Option ℠ ?

Inspired by Cincinnati’s historic Findlay Market, I pulled together three simple but powerful tools that help any leader (not just product managers) contribute to product strategy. These frameworks create a shared language that makes cross-functional collaboration easier across sales, finance, ops, and product.

• Two-by-Two Matrix → Map your assortment across basic vs. seasonal and core ...

Are you looking for a Third Growth Option ℠ ?

Branding isn’t about logos or colors—it’s about making a compelling promise and consistently delivering on it. The simple definition “Compelling Promise Delivered” shifts branding from a surface-level exercise to a true growth driver.

Key takeaways:

• Brand = promise; without clarity, success is impossible
 • Branding has two sides: customer-facing (promise) and operations-facing (del...

Are you looking for a Third Growth Option ℠ ?

Strategic planning works best when you treat it as two jobs: setting the big vision and mapping the step-by-step path to get there. The right framework—whether EOS, OGSP, or the 1-2-3 process—can make the difference between plans that collect dust and plans that actually deliver results.

• Separate “where we’re going” (strategy) from “how we’ll get there” (execution)
 • Bring 5–12 pe...

Are you looking for a Third Growth Option ℠ ?

Brand Mockup/Customer Journey (CMO); P&L Forecast (CFO);  Process Flowchart (COO)

At the heart of successful business expansion are three essential perspectives that we explore in depth. 

1. The customer lens focuses on journey mapping, branding, and user experience—all crucial elements for connecting with new audiences. 
2. The financial lens forces disciplined forecasting of revenues, ...

Are you looking for a Third Growth Option ℠ ?

We all get stuck—it’s part of growth. But getting unstuck doesn’t mean charging ahead blindly. Often, the smartest move is to pause, zoom out, and chart a clearer path forward.

Here’s a quick breakdown of how the 1-2-3 Growth Process helps turn inertia into momentum:

1. 1 week to evaluate your current situation, define the opportunity, and pinpoint what needs to change.
2. 2-3 months to buil...

Are you looking for a Third Growth Option ℠ ?

The growth strategy you’ve trusted for years might be the very thing keeping your business stuck.

Most companies default to a binary choice:

• Organic growth (get better, faster, cheaper with what you’ve got), or
• Acquisition (buy your way to scale, and hope the integration sticks).

But both come with real headaches—breaking down internal silos, aligning teams, post-merger chaos... So...

Are you looking for a Third Growth Option ℠ ?

After 16 years running a growth agency and 160+ podcast episodes, I've encountered countless questions about business growth from where to start to how to break cross-functional gridlock. 

Season 3 is all about answering those questions. 

Drop me a line in the comments section at Benno@reALIGNforResults.com with questions for this season's The Growth Climbers Toolbox. ...

Are you looking for a Third Growth Option ℠ ?

After 16 years running a growth agency and 160+ podcast episodes, I've encountered countless questions about business growth from where to start to how to break cross-functional gridlock. 

Season 3 is all about answering those questions. 

Drop me a line in the comments section at Benno@reALIGNforResults.com with questions for this season's The Growth Climbers Toolbox. ...

Are you looking for a Third Growth Option ℠ ?

After 16 years running a growth agency and 160+ podcast episodes, I've encountered countless questions about business growth from where to start to how to break cross-functional gridlock. 

Season 3 is all about answering those questions. 

Drop me a line in the comments section at Benno@reALIGNforResults.com with questions for this season's The Growth Climbers Toolbox. ...

Are you looking for a Third Growth Option ℠ ?

Dawn Grooters and Benno Duenkelsbuehler explore the challenges and strategies of marketing your own business as two business owners who help companies grow, yet struggle with their own messaging.

• Authenticity in business requires balancing personal vulnerability with professional messaging
• Your message may feel repetitive to you, but most of your audience is hearing it ...

Are you looking for a Third Growth Option ℠ ?

Marty Shapiro, COO of LAFCO New York, explores how luxury fragrance brands can grow their reach while maintaining their special appeal in today's evolving retail landscape. He shares strategies for creating consistent brand experiences across multiple channels while preserving the essence of luxury.

• Consistency across all touchpoints is crucial for maintaining brand iden...

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Growth isn't just about getting bigger—it's about getting better. This episode explores how blending expertise with entrepreneurial energy can lead to more meaningful business outcomes.

We cover:

• Balancing structure with flexibility
• Leveraging VIP clients to strengthen your foundation
• How culture attracts the right clients
• Why bigger isn't always better
• Building trust throu...

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We explore how to approach and engage in uncomfortable conversations that can ultimately lead to valuable insights and business growth. Through thoughtful discussion with Cody Seaber, we highlight the importance of understanding human psychology, building trust, and embracing tension in communication.

• Discussing the impact of discomfort on business conversations 
• Challe...

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This episode explores the journey of George White, a serial entrepreneur who shares insights on the power of storytelling, creativity, and structured processes in driving business growth. Listeners will learn about the importance of customer needs, effective communication, and the cautious use of AI in marketing and manufacturing. 

• The significance of creating connections in ...

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This episode highlights the vital role of branding in attracting and retaining top talent in today's job market. Colleen Pfaller discusses insights from an employee value perception study, emphasizing the importance of authentic employer branding and cultural contribution. 

• Understanding the evolving role of HR in attracting talent 
• Insights from the employee value...

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Understanding the complexities of selling a business can be daunting for entrepreneurs, but this episode dives deep into M&A processes, from initial evaluations to closing the deal. With actionable insights and real-world success stories, this discussion illuminates the journey of preparing your business for sale.

• Importance of understanding motivations behind selling 

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This week's episode emphasizes the critical need for future-focused leadership in evolving business landscapes. Dev Patnaik discusses the pitfalls of present-centric thinking and offers practical strategies for balancing immediate tasks with future opportunities, underscoring that successful leaders look beyond the now to innovate and adapt.

• Importance of future-focused ...

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Explore how AI is reshaping revenue growth strategies in this insightful conversation with Cliff Farrah, Accenture's Chief Strategy Officer for Corporate Strategy and Growth. Here’s what’s in store:

• AI and Human Expertise: Cliff shares his journey from initial skepticism about AI's impact on careers to recognizing its role as a complement to human strategists. Much like doc...

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In this episode, I sit down with design strategist Jonah Burlingame to tackle the art (and challenges) of executing successful strategies in digital product development. Here are the key takeaways:

• Strategy Execution is Tough: With only 56% of corporate strategies being successfully implemented, Jonah shares actionable advice on overcoming common pitfalls that derail big ideas, using...