About this episode
Send us a text What if the technology that's supposed to save your small business is actually killing it? In this eye-opening episode of The Dream Dividend, Kevin Patrick reveals why 60% of small businesses fail within three years of implementing a major system – and it's not because the technology is bad. Through compelling real-world stories, including a family distribution business that lost its soul after an ERP implementation and a landscape company that achieved 35% revenue growth by taking a radically different approach, you'll discover why traditional system implementations are particularly devastating for SMBs. Kevin explores the three fatal mistakes small businesses make when implementing new systems: trying to act like big companies, ignoring their employees' invaluable knowledge, and underestimating the true human cost of change. But this isn't just a cautionary tale – it's a blueprint for transformation. Learn how one business owner turned potential disaster into triumph by discovering his crew leader wanted to start his own landscaping business and then designing the system implementation to teach him how. Discover why an accounting firm that helped its receptionist pursue her CPA while implementing new software saw their revenue triple. Understand the neuroscience behind why connecting systems to personal dreams creates 40% better task performance. This episode is essential listening for any SMB owner, manager, or employee who has lived through a painful system implementation or is about to embark on one. Kevin shares practical strategies specifically designed for small businesses. You'll also hear the surprising story of what happened when a business owner told his best employee, "I want you to start your own company someday, but I want you to learn everything here first." Whether you're considering new software, struggling with adoption of existing systems, or watching your culture erode under the weight of "enterprise-level capabilities," this episode provides a roadmap for using technology to amplify what makes small businesses special rather than destroying it. The difference between survival and success isn't in the system you choose – it's in how you implement it. And for small businesses, the Dream Manager approach isn't just beneficial; it's essential for survival. Kevin closes with a powerful reminder: "Your small business has something large enterprises will never have – the ability to truly know your people, the flexibility to adapt to their dreams, and the agility to implement change that matters. Don't waste these advantages trying to be a mini-corporation." Join us for this transformative episode that will fundamentally change how you think about technology, people, and the future of your business. Key Topics Covered: Why SMB system implementations fail at alarming rates The true cost of ignoring employee dreams and knowledge Real stories of transformation through the Dream Manager approach Practical implementation strategies for resource-constrained small businesses The neuroscience of engagement and system adoption How to create competitive advantage through human-centered technology implementation Who Should Listen: Small business owners facing technology decisions SMB managers dealing with change resistance Employees frustrated with systems that don't work for them Consultants serving the SMB market Anyone interested in the intersection of technology and human potential Remember: In small business, every person matters, every dream matters, and when you align systems with dreams, extraordinary things happen. Not sometimes. Not usually. Always.