About From Data to Direction: Smarter Strategies for Business Leaders
This ongoing audiocast series is designed to deliver practical conversations grounded in small business insights. Built for busy leaders, each episode offers data‑driven guidance you can apply right away, helping you make confident decisions for your organization.
Small business leaders face a difficult balancing act: supporting employees, retaining talent, and investing in growth while managing limited resources.
In this audiocast episode, we'll explore why employee affordability has become one of the biggest workforce concerns today and discuss practical strategies employers can use to help. Drawing on findings from Gallagher's recent poll, we'll examine how benefits, flexibility, and reallocation can all play a role in creating a more affordable employee experience.
Whether you're looking to support your workforce, improve retention, or make better use of your benefits investments, this conversation will offer practical ideas you can apply within the realities of a small business budget.
Our speakers:
Dean Clune, Gallagher Divisional Vice President, Small Business Solutions & Industry Verticals HR & Benefits Division
Kathleen Schulz, Divisional Vice President, Global Innovation Leader, Organizational Wellbeing
3 Aug 2026
From Reactive to Intentional: Rethinking HR as You Grow
As a business grows, the people side of the organization becomes increasingly important. Hiring the right talent, developing managers, preserving culture and planning for the future all play a critical role in long-term success. The challenge is knowing where to focus your time and resources as those demands continue to evolve.
In this episode, we explore what strategic HR looks like in a small business environment and how leaders can move from reactive decision-making to intentional growth planning. From talent acquisition and culture to organizational structure, you'll gain practical insights to help build the team and support systems needed for the next stage of growth.
Our Speakers:
Dean Clune - Divisional Vice President, GBS Small Business, Gallagher
Meghan Hopkins - US Growth Leader, HR and Organizational Effectiveness, Gallagher
3 Aug 2026
HR is Taking over your To-Do List - Now What?
Running a small business can be overwhelming, and HR responsibilities can quickly become one more thing competing for your time and attention. From compliance and payroll to hiring and employee support, many business leaders find themselves managing critical HR tasks alongside everything else it takes to run and grow a business.
In this episode, we to discuss the HR fundamentals every small business needs in place, common challenges leaders face, and practical ways to create a stronger foundation for growth. Learn how the right processes, support and strategy can help reduce administrative burdens and give you more time to focus on what matters most.
Our Speakers:
Dean Clune - Divisional Vice President, GBS Small Business, Gallagher
Meghan Hopkins - US Growth Leader, HR and Organizational Effectiveness, Gallagher
4 May 2026
How Small Business Leaders Shape Employee Wellbeing
National Small Business Month celebrates the courage and creativity it takes to build something from the ground up. But behind every small business is a leader whose emotional presence — their stress, their steadiness, their way of showing up — quietly shapes the wellbeing of the entire team.
In small businesses, people work closely, roles overlap, and leaders set the tone more directly than anywhere else.
In honor of National Small Business Month and Mental Health Awareness Month, this audiocast episode will explore the human side of small‑business leadership: why leadership behaviors carry so much emotional weight, how that weight ripples into employee mental health, and what leaders can realistically do to support the people who keep their business running.
Because small businesses run on people. And people run on connection, stability, and care.
Today's Speakers:
Dean Clune, Divisional Vice President, Small Business Benefits and HR Consulting, Gallagher
Amanda Schuster , Senior Wellbeing Consultant, Gallagher
Questions for our speakers? Don't hesitate to reach out!
Dean_Clune@ajg.com
Amanda_Schuster@ajg.com
16 Mar 2026
The Small Business Leadership Gap: Why It Exists and How to Close It
Small businesses are feeling the strain of a growing leadership gap — and the numbers tell a powerful story. Nearly half of small businesses that took our recent organizational wellbeing poll say they lack effective leaders internally, and almost one in three rate their current leadership effectiveness as only average or poor*.
In this newest audiocast episode, we explore what's driving today's leadership challenges, why so many organizations feel unprepared to fill a critical leadership vacancy, and what small businesses can do to build stronger, more resilient leaders. We'll share practical insights and actionable steps small businesses can take to close the leadership gap and strengthen their talent pipeline.
Today's Speakers:
Dean Clune, Divisional Vice President, Small Business Benefits and HR Consulting, Gallagher
Laura Ford, Senior Principal Consultant, People Development and Insights, Gallagher
Questions for our speakers? Don't hesitate to reach out!
Dean_Clune@ajg.com
Laura_Ford@ajg.com
*Gallagher's 2026 Q1 Organizational Wellbeing Poll
12 Feb 2026
Lead with Insight: The Small Business Data Advantage
Making informed HR and benefits decisions shouldn't feel like guesswork — especially for small businesses. In this 10‑minute audiocast, Gallagher consultants break down how real benchmarking data helps smaller employers stay competitive, attract talent, and understand what employees expect today.
More than 1,000 small businesses contributed to last year's Benefits Strategy & Benchmarking Survey. By participating, you'll get:
A full year of insights and reports
A deeper understanding of benefits, wellbeing, engagement, retirement, and HR tech trends
Eligibility to be recognized as a Small Business Best‑In‑Class employer
Clear, data‑driven guidance to support your people strategy and manage costs confidently
📝 Request your unique survey link:
https://gbsviewpoints.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eheiDbYCFVmVPcG?source=GBS2026USSBNBSAudiocastsLibsyn
Take the next step toward smarter, clearer, more confident decisions for your business.
5 Nov 2025
Keeping Up with Compliance - Peace of Mind in a Changing Landscape
Running a business means wearing a lot of hats - and compliance can easily fall to the bottom of your to-do list.
In this third episode of "From Data to Direction: Smarter Strategies for Business Leaders", we'll break down today's most common compliance regulations for small organizations, the risks of not staying compliant, and practical solutions to give you peace of mind.
Our Speakers:
Dean Clune, Gallagher Divisional Vice President, Small Business Solutions & Industry Verticals HR & Benefits Division
Stephanie Murphy, Gallagher Small Business Market Leader, West Region
Lindsay Peress, Gallagher Vice President, HR Consulting & Advisory
1 Nov 2025
Culture, Stress & the Perks that Stick
Recruiting and retaining employees continues to be a top HR and operational priority for small businesses* – so it's no secret that creating a culture and benefits strategy that feels personal and supportive is top of mind for many teams.
In this second episode of "From Data to Direction: Smarter Strategies for Business Leaders", we'll explore the cost of turnover, how workplace culture affects your team, and strategies to not only reduce employee burnout but drive talent acquisition and loyalty.
*Gallagher's 2025 Benefits Strategy & Benchmarking Survey
Our speakers:
Dean Clune, Gallagher Divisional Vice President, Small Business Solutions & Industry Verticals HR & Benefits Division
Kathleen Schulz, Divisional Vice President, Global Innovation Leader, Organizational Wellbeing
Brian Tolbert, Gallagher Small Business Market Leader, Southeast Region
21 Oct 2025
Finding the Right Benefits Strategy on a Budget
Benefits are no longer "one-size-fits-all" and with only 6% of small businesses having a multi-year benefits strategy*, choosing the right approach is crucial. In this first episode of "From Data to Direction, Smarter Strategies For Business Leaders", we'll explore how businesses can make smarter, more sustainable benefits decisions that support both employees and the bottom line.
*Gallagher's 2025 Benefits Strategy & Benchmarking Survey
Our Speakers
Dean Clune, Gallagher Divisional Vice President, Small Business Solutions & Industry Verticals HR & Benefits Division
Matt Van Dyke, Gallagher Small Business Market Leader, Great Lakes Region
Jacky Nghiem, Gallagher Small Business Market Leader, Central Region
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