Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder cover art

Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder

Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder

Written by: Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder
Listen for free

About this listen

Go Behind the Numbers With Dave Bookbinder to Discover What Drives Business Success

You’ve heard the saying: ”You can’t manage what you can’t measure.” But the real stories of business success happen behind the numbers.

Join business valuation expert and best-selling author, Dave Bookbinder, as he goes beyond the spreadsheets to explore what truly drives success.

With insights from top executives, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of leadership, finance, entrepreneurship, marketing, technology, and workplace culture.

Listen in and uncover the real factors behind business success!

Listened to in more than 100 countries | Recognized as one of the the top podcasts globally | Recognized with two awards for best in-category podcast.

Numbers tell a story but people bring it to life. ~ Dave Bookbinder

Copyright 2025. All rights reserved. Economics Leadership Management Management & Leadership Personal Finance
Episodes
  • Equity Crowdfunding, Angel Investing, and Valuation Mistakes Founders Make - Karen Rands

    Equity Crowdfunding, Angel Investing, and Valuation Mistakes Founders Make - Karen Rands
    Dec 23 2025
    Equity crowdfunding and angel investing have changed how capital is raised - but many founders and investors still misunderstand valuation, risk, and what it really takes to build long-term wealth. In this episode of Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder, Dave Bookbinder is joined by Karen Rands, President of Cougar Capital Holdings, host of The Compassionate Capitalist Show, and author of two books on angel and crowdfunding investing. Karen shares her journey from corporate leadership at IBM to building and leading a nationally recognized angel investor group, and why she’s dedicated her career to democratizing access to private investing. She explains how the JOBS Act opened the door to equity crowdfunding and why that shift matters for entrepreneurs, investors, and wealth creation beyond public markets. Dave and Karen unpack the differences between traditional venture capital and what Karen calls “compassionate capitalism,” along with the valuation mistakes founders commonly make when raising capital. They explore underutilized valuation metrics, realistic financial planning, and how misaligned expectations can derail otherwise promising capital raises. The conversation also breaks down the four primary types of equity crowdfunding - Reg CF, Reg D, Reg A+, and state exemptions - with practical guidance for both founders seeking capital and everyday investors looking to build diversified private-investment portfolios. Karen shares disciplined portfolio-building strategies and actionable first steps for newcomers interested in angel or crowdfund investing. This episode is a must-listen for business owners, founders, managers, and advisors who want a clearer understanding of valuation, capital formation, and smarter ways to participate in private markets. About Our Guest: Karen Rands is a leading voice in democratization of capital from private investors funding innovation and small business expansion — empowering individuals to create wealth by investing in entrepreneurs who are changing the world. She is leading the way with The Compassionate Capitalist Movement. Karen is the author of the best-seller Inside Secrets to Angel Investing: Step-by-Step Strategies to Leverage Private Equity Investment for Passive Wealth Creation. Her latest release, 2nd in the series, debuted as a Top Release on Amazon: Inside Secrets to Crowdfund Investing. Follow Jane’s Journey: See How a New Generation Builds Wealth with Purpose, Passion and Profit. She hosts a top 100 Business Podcast on Apple, The Compassionate Capitalist™ Show, where she interviews founders, investors, and thought leaders on best practices for wealth creation as a successful entrepreneur or investor in successful small businesses. Karen has spent over two decades bridging the gap between investors and innovators from her corporate days at IBM to her time spent managing a top ranked angel investor group, and now as a speaker, strategist, and educator. Click to go to Karen's LinkTree - http://bit.ly/linkCCS for links to social, free gifts, books, course, podcast, socials and to schedule a chat directly About the Host: Dave Bookbinder is known as an expert in business valuation and he is the person that business owners and entrepreneurs reach out to when they need to know what their most important assets are worth. Known as a collaborative adviser, Dave has served thousands of client companies of all sizes and industries. Dave is the author of two #1 best-selling books about the impact of human capital (PEOPLE!) on the valuation of a business enterprise called The NEW ROI: Return On Individuals & The NEW ROI: Going Behind The Numbers. He’s on a mission to change the conversation about how the accounting world recognizes the value of people’s contributions to a business enterprise, and to quantify what every CEO on the planet claims: “Our people are this company’s most valuable asset.” Dave’s book, A Valuation Toolbox for Business Owners and Their Advisors: Things Every Business Owner Should Know, was recognized as a top new release in Business and Valuation and is designed to provide practical insights and tools to help understand what really drives business value, how to prepare for an exit, and just make better decisions. He’s also the host of the highly rated Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder business podcast which is enjoyed in more than 100 countries. 🔸 Grab Dave’s Books: The New ROI: Return on Individuals | The NEW ROI: Going Behind The Numbers | A Valuation Toolbox for Business Owners and Their Advisors: Things Every Business Owner Should Know 🔸 Connect with Dave on LinkedIn 🔸 Connect with Dave on FaceBook 🔸 Follow Dave on Twitter 🔸 Check out www.NEWROI.com for more. 💡 Want to share your insights with the business community? Message Dave to learn how you can be a guest on Behind The Numbers. https://linktr.ee/BehindTheNumbers 🔹 Check out more of Behind The Numbers on...
    Show More Show Less
    37 mins
  • How Human Capital Metrics Shape Portfolios and Valuations – Kristof Gleich

    How Human Capital Metrics Shape Portfolios and Valuations – Kristof Gleich
    Dec 16 2025
    In this episode of Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder, I’m joined by Kristof Gleich, President and Chief Investment Officer at Harbor Capital Advisors, for a deep dive into the human capital factor and its impact on business value and investment performance. Kristof explains how Harbor’s partnership with Irrational Capital led to the development of the HAPI ETFs and walks through the seven subfactors that make up the human capital score: organizational effectiveness, innovation, direct management, alignment, engagement, emotional connection, and extrinsic rewards. We get into the data behind the factor, including the use of large-scale employee sentiment surveys and proprietary analytics, the index construction process that identifies the top 150 companies, and the annual reconstitution methodology. Kristof also shares performance insights – from Morningstar recognition to how HAPI has compared with the S&P 500. We also talk about why this factor has the potential to generate real alpha and how investors, private equity firms, and valuation professionals are beginning to incorporate human capital metrics into underwriting and deal analysis. If you’re interested in how people truly drive enterprise value, how human capital data can shape portfolios, and what this means for investors, advisors, and dealmakers, this episode offers practical, data-driven insights you can use. About Our Guest: Kristof Gleich is the president and CIO of Harbor Capital Advisors, Inc. Kristof oversees all Investment, Distribution & Marketing and Executive Office functions at Harbor. He provides insight while helping lead Harbor’s strategic growth plan. Prior to joining Harbor, Kristof was a managing director and global head of manager selection at JP Morgan Chase & Co. He received a B.S. in Physics from University of Bristol. Kristof is a CFA® charterholder and is FINRA Series 7 and 63 licensed. About the Host: Dave Bookbinder is known as an expert in business valuation and he is the person that business owners and entrepreneurs reach out to when they need to know what their most important assets are worth. Known as a collaborative adviser, Dave has served thousands of client companies of all sizes and industries. Dave is the author of two #1 best-selling books about the impact of human capital (PEOPLE!) on the valuation of a business enterprise called The NEW ROI: Return On Individuals & The NEW ROI: Going Behind The Numbers. He’s on a mission to change the conversation about how the accounting world recognizes the value of people’s contributions to a business enterprise, and to quantify what every CEO on the planet claims: “Our people are this company’s most valuable asset.” Dave’s book, A Valuation Toolbox for Business Owners and Their Advisors: Things Every Business Owner Should Know, was recognized as a top new release in Business and Valuation and is designed to provide practical insights and tools to help understand what really drives business value, how to prepare for an exit, and just make better decisions. He’s also the host of the highly rated Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder business podcast which is enjoyed in more than 100 countries. 🔸 Grab Dave’s Books: The New ROI: Return on Individuals | The NEW ROI: Going Behind The Numbers | A Valuation Toolbox for Business Owners and Their Advisors: Things Every Business Owner Should Know 🔸 Connect with Dave on LinkedIn 🔸 Connect with Dave on FaceBook 🔸 Follow Dave on Twitter 🔸 Check out www.NEWROI.com for more. 💡 Want to share your insights with the business community? Message Dave to learn how you can be a guest on Behind The Numbers. https://linktr.ee/BehindTheNumbers 🔹 Check out more of Behind The Numbers on YouTube BEHIND THE NUMBERS WITH DAVE BOOKBINDER IS AN AWARD-WINNING PODCAST THAT IS ENJOYED IN MORE THAN 100 COUNTRIES. THANK YOU FOR MAKING BEHIND THE NUMBERS AMONG THE MOST POPULAR PROGRAMS GLOBALLY!
    Show More Show Less
    30 mins
  • What Really Drives Enterprise Value (and What Destroys It) – Anthony Franco

    What Really Drives Enterprise Value (and What Destroys It) – Anthony Franco
    Dec 9 2025
    What truly drives enterprise value - and what quietly destroys it? In this episode of Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder, Dave speaks with Anthony Franco, managing partner at First Strategy, serial entrepreneur, AI strategist, and co-author of AI First Principles and the WISER Method. Anthony breaks down the core factors that influence valuation long before an owner thinks about selling. They discuss the impact of profitable revenue, clean financials, customer concentration, operational discipline, and how reducing reliance on the founder increases both value and buyer confidence. Anthony also explains why toxic employees, the “genius jackass,” and organizational apathy can erode enterprise value in ways owners often overlook. The conversation moves into practical AI adoption for mid-market companies. Anthony outlines the AI First Principles framework and the WISER Method, including specific tools and realistic first steps leaders can take to improve productivity, decision-making, and operational speed without overwhelming their teams. His guidance is grounded: AI is a force multiplier, not a job killer. They wrap with insights from Anthony’s Shark Tank experience, his How To Founder podcast, and the steps every business owner can take now to protect, strengthen, and increase enterprise value. Subscribe to Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode. If you enjoyed this conversation, please share it with your network and leave a review—it helps more business owners and advisors discover the show! About Our Guest: Anthony Franco—serial entrepreneur, AI strategist, and the co-author of AI First Principles and the WISER Method. Anthony successfully exited six of his own businesses, and spent over two decades guiding business leaders on how to grow smarter, automate strategically, and prepare for valuable exits. As the host of his own podcast, How to Founder, Anthony is passionate about sharing practical, no-nonsense strategies that entrepreneurs and business owners can immediately put into action. About the Host: Dave Bookbinder is known as an expert in business valuation and he is the person that business owners and entrepreneurs reach out to when they need to know what their most important assets are worth. Known as a collaborative adviser, Dave has served thousands of client companies of all sizes and industries. Dave is the author of two #1 best-selling books about the impact of human capital (PEOPLE!) on the valuation of a business enterprise called The NEW ROI: Return On Individuals & The NEW ROI: Going Behind The Numbers. He’s on a mission to change the conversation about how the accounting world recognizes the value of people’s contributions to a business enterprise, and to quantify what every CEO on the planet claims: “Our people are this company’s most valuable asset.” Dave’s book, A Valuation Toolbox for Business Owners and Their Advisors: Things Every Business Owner Should Know, was recognized as a top new release in Business and Valuation and is designed to provide practical insights and tools to help understand what really drives business value, how to prepare for an exit, and just make better decisions. He’s also the host of the highly rated Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder business podcast which is enjoyed in more than 100 countries. 🔸 Grab Dave’s Books: The New ROI: Return on Individuals | The NEW ROI: Going Behind The Numbers | A Valuation Toolbox for Business Owners and Their Advisors: Things Every Business Owner Should Know 🔸 Connect with Dave on LinkedIn 🔸 Connect with Dave on FaceBook 🔸 Follow Dave on Twitter 🔸 Check out www.NEWROI.com for more. 💡 Want to share your insights with the business community? Message Dave to learn how you can be a guest on Behind The Numbers. https://linktr.ee/BehindTheNumbers 🔹 Check out more of Behind The Numbers on YouTube BEHIND THE NUMBERS WITH DAVE BOOKBINDER IS AN AWARD-WINNING PODCAST THAT IS ENJOYED IN MORE THAN 100 COUNTRIES. THANK YOU FOR MAKING BEHIND THE NUMBERS AMONG THE MOST POPULAR PROGRAMS GLOBALLY!
    Show More Show Less
    35 mins
No reviews yet