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The Business Behind Your Business is the go-to podcast for entrepreneurs, small business owners, and anyone looking for practical business ideas and strategies. Hosted by Paul Sweeney, each 15–30 minute episode dives behind the scenes of real businesses to uncover the challenges, solutions, and strategies that drive success.

Whether you’re exploring how to make money, launch a new venture, or scale your existing business, our expert guests share actionable insights on entrepreneurship, marketing strategies for small business, financial planning, leadership, and more.

From start-up tips to advanced business strategy, we bring you the tools and advice you need to build a thriving business — one smart decision at a time.

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latest podcast

The Hidden Cost of People Problems

August 31, 2026

Most business owners know their people matter, but sales, customers, delivery and cash flow often take priority. The problem is that unresolved people issues rarely stay contained. They can lead to poor performance, staff turnover, lost knowledge and owners spending too much time putting out fires.

In this episode of The Business Behind Your Business, Paul Sweeney speaks with Dee Benno about treating people management as a core business discipline rather than a soft skill. They explore how small businesses can create greater clarity, accountability and trust without needing a large HR department.

What you’ll learn:

How people problems create hidden financial and operational costs
Why promoting your best performer may not create your best manager
The warning signs that your informal people systems are no longer working
Why clear roles and accountability are essential for business growth
Three questions every employee should be able to answer
How to reduce the risk of losing knowledge when a key employee leaves
Why effective HR advice must account for how the business actually operates

The people side of your business does not need to become a complicated project. It does, however, need structure and attention. This episode provides practical starting points for building a stronger team, reducing owner dependency and protecting the business you have worked so hard to create.

Dee Benno works with small businesses, associations, and HR teams of one by going beyond surface-level problems to create stable, repeatable HR strategies that make organizations better. With a focus on finding the real source of disconnection and creating intentional HR systems that are based on integrity, reliability, and follow-through, Dee cuts through the chaos to strengthen what's working and redesign what isn't to harmonize existing operational systems with people operations and organizational leadership.

Dee acts as an advisor, leader, and consultant, helping directors, leaders, and business owners navigate HR challenges to make sound strategic decisions that support their people and the organization they work for. With project-based support, grounded guidance, and attention to compliance, Dee helps organizations map a way forward that aligns with their mission.

LinkedIn

dee@bettermakerhr.com

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