In this episode, we dive into the growing urgency of climate risk and resilience with Amelie Fava-Verde, Chubb Resilience Services leader. As natural disasters, from wildfires to floods and hurricanes, become more frequent and severe, the stakes are rising for middle market companies. Amelie unpacks why proactive risk management is no longer optional, sharing real-world examples and expert insights on how businesses can reduce financial and operational disruption, overcome internal hurdles and t...
Jun 16, 2025•29 min
In this episode, we dive into the evolving world of talent strategy in middle market companies with Laura Davidson, Head of People at Homage, a Columbus-based retailer known for its nostalgic apparel and vibrant culture. Drawing from her 15 years of HR experience across startups and Fortune 500s, Laura shares how Homage is scaling its people practices while staying true to its roots. From hiring with purpose and embedding development into daily work, to preserving culture and collecting meaningf...
May 19, 2025•21 min
In this episode, Doug Farren sits down with John Manning, Executive Vice President and Head of Commercial Banking Market Coverage at Wells Fargo. With over three decades of experience in commercial banking, John offers deep insights into the shifting macroeconomic landscape and what it means for middle market businesses. Together, they discuss the critical role of strong banking partnerships, strategies for managing market volatility and evolving trade policies, and the importance of a patient, ...
Apr 21, 2025•28 min
The lower middle market makes up 80% of the total middle market, representing approximately 160,000 businesses in the U.S. In this episode, we dive into how digital payment innovations are fueling growth in this critical segment with two industry experts: Edward Galvin (Visa) and Andrew Jamison (Extend). Our discussion explores key findings from NCMM research, highlighting the evolving needs of middle market businesses and how financial tools can drive efficiency and expansion. Tune in to hear e...
Mar 24, 2025•28 min
Join us to hear from NCMM Managing Director, Doug Farren, as he discusses key insights from the 2024 End-Year Middle Market Indicator. Listen to the full webinar presentation, see the slideshow, and explore more from the most recent MMI here: https://www.middlemarketcenter.org/performance-data-on-the-middle-market.
Feb 10, 2025•17 min
In this solo episode, Doug Farren from the National Center for the Middle Market takes a forward-looking approach to 2025. He discusses key trends impacting middle market companies, including improving macroeconomic conditions, rising business confidence, advancements in technology like AI, and talent management strategies. Doug also provides insights from NCMM's latest Middle Market Indicator survey, offering projections for revenue growth, employment expansion, and innovation. Tune in for a co...
Jan 13, 2025•21 min
In today’s episode, we welcome Sarah Steele, Senior Director at Visa Commercial Solutions, to discuss new research on Canada’s middle market. Sarah shares compelling insights into economic confidence, growth trends, and the distinct challenges Canadian middle market companies face. From adopting digital innovations like AI and automation to leveraging cross-border partnerships with U.S. businesses, she offers practical strategies to overcome hurdles such as limited resources, high costs, and fea...
Dec 16, 2024•25 min
In this insightful conversation, Bryan Wheelock and Joe Walsh from Harness IP discuss the untapped potential of intellectual property for middle market companies. Discover how these businesses can uncover and protect valuable IP assets like copyrights, trade secrets, and unique branding elements that may not be immediately apparent. Learn actionable strategies for identifying, documenting, and leveraging these assets to gain a competitive edge, mitigate risks, and enhance business value. Whether...
Nov 18, 2024•28 min
In this episode, we explore the challenges and opportunities facing middle market companies with Lori Goltermann, CEO of Aon, North America & Enterprise Clients. Delving into the collaborative study between the NCMM and Aon, Driving Growth: The Role of People, Risk and Technology in Middle Market Success , ( focused on companies with revenues of $50mm-$1bn), Lori provides an expert perspective on how human capital, risk management, and evolving technology—especially in the realm of cybersecu...
Oct 21, 2024•28 min
In this episode, we're joined by Lauren Serota, Chief People and Culture Officer at Brand Velocity Group, as she and Doug delve into the evergreen topic of talent and culture. Lauren shares her unexpected journey into HR and leadership development, providing valuable lessons from her time at Patagonia, where she helped foster a culture that balanced purpose with profit. She and Doug explore key elements of building a world-class company culture, the critical role of leadership, and what companie...
Sep 23, 2024•28 min
Join us for an insightful conversation with NCMM Managing Director, Doug Farren, as he discusses some of the key insights from the 2024 Mid-Year Middle Market Indicator. Explore more from the most recent MMI here: https://www.middlemarketcenter.org/performance-data-on-the-middle-market
Aug 26, 2024•41 min
Join us for an insightful conversation with Moses Harris, senior vice president and the Black/African American Segment leader for Wells Fargo Commercial Banking, as he delves into the importance of telling the story of black-owned middle market businesses. Learn why it is crucial to tell these stories, the unique advocacy points for these companies, and the historical context that has shaped their current landscape. This episode highlights the importance of bringing minority-owned businesses int...
Aug 13, 2024•32 min
In this episode, we welcome Robert Shenton, Executive Director of the CEO Forum at the Ohio Chamber of Commerce. Robert shares his vision for fostering leadership and growth in Ohio's middle market. Discover how peer-to-peer networks, unique insights from the NCMM, and strategic business experiences are fostering growth, innovation, and advocacy within Ohio's vibrant middle market sector. Learn more about our partnership with the CEO Forum at https://www.middlemarketcenter.org/partnership-with-t...
Jul 15, 2024•19 min
Join us as we dive into the world of fintech solutions and digital payments for middle market companies. In this episode, we sit down with Jay Darnell, Senior Vice President of Fintech Partnerships at Veritex Community Bank, and Leigh Radtke, Vice President of North America Product at Visa Commercial Solutions, to explore the latest trends and innovations in the payment space. Jay and Leigh discuss the importance of digitization and how middle market companies can leverage fintech solutions to s...
Jun 17, 2024•36 min
Joining us for today’s episode is Mike Knemeyer, a professor at The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business and Academic Director of the Center for International Business Education and Research (CIBER) at Ohio State. We unveil key findings from our latest research report that highlight the financial advantages, challenges, and strategies for navigating the complexities of global markets while showcasing the importance of embracing international opportunities and leveraging available res...
May 07, 2024•28 min
Join us for this special episode with Anil K. Makhija, the dean and John W. Berry, Sr. Chair in Business at The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business and the first academic director in the National Center for the Middle Market's history. Anil, who will return to Fisher’s faculty in June after a decade as dean, shares his unique insights into the genesis, growth and triumphs of the NCMM, the profound impact the NCMM has had at Fisher and Ohio State, and the incredible value that strate...
Apr 23, 2024•23 min
In this episode, we sit down with Sharon Heaton, the founder and CEO of sbLiftOff, a national M&A advisory firm located in Northern Virginia. Sharon shares her journey from seasoned attorney to founder of her own advisory firm specializing in the middle market. Tune in to gain valuable insights into the world of M&A and learn how empathy can be a game-changer in negotiations, ensuring successful outcomes for both buyers and sellers alike. sbLiftOff is a trusted advisor to founder-led bus...
Apr 09, 2024•24 min
Listen in as Terry Hill, Co-Head of Emerging Middle Market for JPMorgan Chase Commercial Banking, and Charisse Conanan Johnson, Co-CEO of Next Street, dive into the unique challenges and opportunities within diverse-owned middle market businesses. Our guests share their expertise and experiences to help uncover the nuances of this vital sector with a discussion about the knowledge gap, capital challenges, and the crucial role of mentorship and networking. Discover the data-driven approach that u...
Mar 26, 2024•33 min
Welcome to our special Year-End Middle Market Indicator episode, where we dive deep into the end-of-year 2023 insights of the U.S. middle market, brought to you by NCMM Managing Director, Doug Farren. Throughout 2023, U.S. middle market companies shattered records, boasting double-digit year-over-year growth in both revenues and employment. The year concluded with unprecedented achievements, including an all-time-high rate of year-over-year revenue growth at 12.4. To watch the full MMI webinar o...
Feb 27, 2024•20 min
Join us for an engaging conversation with Steve Weber, founder of PaperTrl, a groundbreaking AP automation product. Explore the imperative for automation in addressing key benefits to help mid-size companies from labor shortages and efficiencies to fraud and phishing attacks, and the securing of digital payment methods. At the intersection of technology and finance, this episode offers a comprehensive exploration of the challenges and opportunities in the accounts payable automation space. Paper...
Jan 16, 2024•22 min
In part 2 of our insightful discussion, we continue our conversation on intellectual property with Bryan Wheelock and Joe Walsh from Harness IP. Join us as we explore fascinating case studies, learning from both the successes and challenges faced by businesses in safeguarding their identities. From the nuances of trademark usage to the pitfalls of overlooking comprehensive searches, we uncover the strategies that can make or break your intellectual property journey. If you're a midsize company n...
Dec 05, 2023•32 min
Did you know you can't trademark your copyright, but you can protect your brands and innovations with intellectual property rights? Join us as we chat with two experts from Harness IP. Bryan Wheelock and Joe Walsh, representatives from the renowned intellectual property firm, share insights into patents, trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets. They discuss the importance of protecting unique creations, from inventions to marketing materials, in the competitive middle market landscape. Learn mo...
Nov 21, 2023•30 min
Today, we're delving into one of the most crucial sectors of the middle market—manufacturing. Our guest, Mike Williams, Industry Practice Leader for Manufacturing at Chubb, offers valuable insights into the latest industry trends. Prepare for a dynamic conversation that unpacks the opportunities, challenges, and risks confronting businesses in this ever-evolving industry. Chubb is the world’s largest publicly traded P&C insurance company and the leading commercial lines insurer in the U.S. W...
Oct 10, 2023•26 min
Join us as we learn from a middle-market business owner and hear the story of building a mid-size organization from his basement in 1991 to today as the largest supplier of outsourced claims. CIS Group is a proud member of NCMM. Michael Stanley, the founder of CIS Group, talks with Doug Farren on his perspective of owning a mid-size company on this episode of The Market That Moves America. CIS Group empowers insurance carriers and finance companies with superior field operations and data collect...
Sep 26, 2023•30 min
Doug Farren, Managing Director of the National Center for the Middle Market provides an in-depth analysis of our most recent research findings on the US Middle Market. Revenue, employment, economic confidence, expansion, capital investment, Gen AI use, and more are all discussed in this episode of The Market That Moves America. The Middle Market Indicator surveys 1,000 CEOs, CFOs, and other C-suite executives of America’s middle market companies on key indicators of past and future performance i...
Aug 29, 2023•42 min
In this episode, we sit down with John Drake, President of Drake Cooper and discuss advertising and brand recognition for middle market companies. Drake shares his insight on how to make your brand memorable, how marketing can improve your ROI, the natural advertising advantage mid-size companies have, and how to utilize it. Drake Cooper, founded in 1978 is an employee-owned advertising agency. They work with clients from around the country and specialize in working with mid-size brands by tailo...
Jul 18, 2023•27 min
On this episode of The Market That Moves America, Doug Farren talks with Darren Mowry and Laney Marx of Google Cloud about how middle market businesses can leverage cloud usage to drive growth. Darren and Laney share their expertise on ways that middle market businesses can be strategic as they look to integrate. Google Cloud accelerates every organization's ability to digitally transform its business. Google Cloud delivers enterprise-grade solutions that leverage Google's cutting-edge technolog...
Jun 20, 2023•33 min
As one of the world’s largest financial services companies, VISA helps middle market companies manage their own digital transformation in the payments space through collaborations with partners in fintech. Leigh Radtke, Vice President of North America Product at Visa Business Solutions, discusses ways middle market businesses can capitalize on digital solutions to maximize their business performance. VISA Business Solutions, a division of VISA, helps connect businesses to a secure, global networ...
May 23, 2023•30 min
As the world becomes increasingly digitized, businesses are looking for ways to streamline their operations and improve customer experience. In this episode, we sit down with Max Eliscu, Founder of Viewpost, and discuss the benefits of moving away from physical checks to adopting electronic payment methods. Max shares his insights on the future of commercial payments and how middle market businesses can stay ahead of the curve. Viewpost streamlines payments for companies and provides a free onli...
Apr 25, 2023•29 min
Middle market companies continue to express concern about customer engagement and relationships as well as their own talent management capabilities and culture. What should middle market leaders be doing to adjust these issues and how has technology and digitizing the customer-employee experience enhanced the success of a real estate company located in the outer banks? Listen as NCMM's managing director Doug Farren talks with Clark Twiddy of Twiddy & Company Vacation Rentals and Real Estate ...
Aug 20, 2021•29 min
