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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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Nov. 10, 2026

Your Company Needs You to Do This.

Your Company Needs You to Do This.
The New Talent Playbook
Your Company Needs You to Do This.
Apple Podcasts Spotify Overcast Amazon Music iHeartRadio YouTube
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Season 8

Rob Levin argues that business owners must treat strategy as a non-negotiable part of the job, not an afterthought. He explains that strategy, team, and culture are the CEO's core responsibilities, then makes the case for regular, focused time to think through customer changes, pricing, service levels, operations, and AI.

Key Takeaways

  • Strategy should be revisited at least yearly, and often every six months or quarter because the pace of change is so fast.
  • The right strategy depends on the business: customer behavior, service levels, operations, and staffing all shift differently by industry.
  • Rob's example of Work Better Now shows how strategy can sharpen ICP, vertical focus, and pricing position.
  • CEOs need to do more than talk about AI; they need to build with it to understand where it creates leverage.
  • Block out protected time before year-end to think without distractions about how your business must adapt.

Timestamps

(01:10) The owner is part of the talent at the company and carries responsibilities others do not.

(01:59) Strategy should be a major priority at least annually, and often more often.

(03:15) Strategy must account for customer changes, pricing, service levels, and who you serve.

(03:58) Frances Frei's idea: choose what you are bad at so you can be great at what customers care about.

(06:22) The business serves companies that want great talent, not just the lowest price.

(07:03) Ask whether your ideal customer profile has changed and how AI is impacting the business.

Other Resources

Turn today's conversation into a better team-shaping strategy:

Schedule uninterrupted strategy time before the end of the year. Review your ICP, customer behavior, operations, and AI opportunities, then decide what must change in the next quarter.

Download the action kit.

More About Rob Levin & WorkBetterNow

  • Like this show? Subscribe to our YouTube channel!
  • Follow Rob Levin on Substack.
  • Out now! The New Talent Playbook: The Ultimate Guide to Building Your Dream Team📕Available on Amazon.
  • Struggling to find the right talent for an open position? Talk to a consultant at WorkBetterNow.com - No cost to interview