10:05Read a P&L in ten minutes
The four lines that tell you most of the story, and the questions to ask your finance lead about each of them.
The Briefing Room: Video and Podcast from Maia Lafortezza
Ten-minute video briefings for busy operators, and long-form conversations with founders, CFOs and COOs on the Holding Ground podcast.
The Ten-Minute Boardroom, season 2
12:40Pricing without panic
How to raise prices with a clear rationale, protect your best customers and brief the sales team before the first conversation.
What the series covers
Each episode takes one decision that growing companies get wrong, explains it in ten minutes and ends with something you can use in your next leadership meeting. New episodes every other Tuesday.
More videos
10:05
9:18Decision rights, drawn on a whiteboard
A simple grid that ends the “who signs this off?” debate, sketched live with a real leadership team example.
11:52AI pilots that survive the budget review
Three tests every AI pilot should pass before it gets funding, and the one metric that predicts whether it will scale.
8:30The Monday five: an owner’s dashboard
The five numbers our partners ask every client to review on Monday morning, and how to get them without new software.
13:05Hiring your first COO
When a founder needs a COO, what the role should own on day one, and how to avoid hiring a very expensive assistant.
Holding Ground podcast
Every other Thursday, Maia Lafortezza sits down with the people who build and run durable companies: founders who stayed independent, operators who rebuilt broken systems, and investors who know what holds up under diligence.
Latest episodes
Episode 48, Oct 29, 2026, 42 min
Building moats in unfashionable industries
with Rebecca Moss, CEO of Northvale Logistics
ListenEpisode 47, Oct 15, 2026, 38 min
What lenders look for now
with Claire Beaumont, partner, finance and capital
ListenEpisode 46, Oct 1, 2026, 45 min
The operator’s guide to AI
with Owen Hartley, partner, operations and technology
ListenEpisode 45, Sep 17, 2026, 51 min
Succession without drama
with Gregory Lane, COO of Calder Manufacturing
Listen