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The New Talent Playbook
The New Talent Playbook
Hosted by serial entrepreneur Rob Levin, The New Talent Playbook podcast dives into the strategies that drive business success through the power of exceptional talent. With over 30 years of experience and a reputation as a top speaker on business and entrepreneurship, Rob shares practical, impactful insights alongside industry experts, helping leaders navigate challenges and optimize their talent strategies. Whether you’re a business owner, manager, or talent professional, this show provides actionable advice to build stronger, more resilient businesses.
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Sept. 15, 2026

The Remote Culture Playbook | Don Gregori

The Remote Culture Playbook | Don Gregori
The Remote Culture Playbook | Don Gregori
The New Talent Playbook
The Remote Culture Playbook | Don Gregori
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Season 7

In this episode, Rob Levin sits down with Don Gregori, COO of First Factory, for a conversation about what it really takes to scale a company across locations without losing the culture, clarity, and trust that make it work. They dig into the operational side of growth, why people still drive every outcome, how leaders can build systems that stay sustainable, and what it means to keep adapting in an AI-shaped world.

Key Takeaways

  • Growth does not just add headcount: it changes how leaders need to organize, communicate, and develop people.
  • Culture has to evolve with the company: Don compares it to a Petri dish, when the organization gets bigger, you need new ingredients, stronger processes, and clearer expectations.
  • Leaders should build sustainability into change: First decide how something should work, make it durable, then train someone else to own it.
  • People are still the heartbeat of the company, even as automation and AI increase: The goal is fewer, better-skilled people who can move faster and stay adaptable.

Timestamps

03:29 Companies need to mature with more processes, policies, and clarity as it grows.

06:59 Flexibility is essential because if the company cannot adapt, it is out of business.

12:02 Transparency and trust help teams get through hard seasons together.

14:37 Stress control and the challenge of handling the volume of work created by AI.

21:47 Change is normal, growth happens outside the comfort zone, and the human element will matter even more.

About The Guest

Don Gregori is the Chief Operating Officer of First Factory, a multinational software solutions provider with operations in New York and Costa Rica. He is a certified AI business leader with more than 25 years of experience in product development, digital transformation, and AI adoption. He is also a contributing author to AI Journal and the author of The Emergent Leader.

More About Don Gregori

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