What Counts?

What Counts?

Welcome to What Counts? by TrailBlazer Consulting. The hosts, Maura Dunn and Lee Karas bring over 30 years of experience consulting with public and private organizations across industries including energy, biotech, manufacturing, and technology. We discuss proven solutions developed working with companies to solve their information and data management challenges. The typical What Counts? episode is around 15 minutes long, and each episode focuses on one aspect of information, data, or records management. We provide insight into practical ways to assess, evaluate, recommend, implement, and monitor records and information management programs – and we illustrate our ideas with anecdotes and case studies drawn from our clients. Look us up on the web at www.TrailBlazer.us.com. Or, send us an email at Info@TrailBlazer.us.com.

Episodes

From Spark to Scale: Mastering the IP Lifecycle - E122

December 1, 2025 • 20 mins
Episode 122: IP Lifecycle or Intellectual property isn’t just about filing a trademark or patent—it’s the full journey of your ideas, inventions, and creative assets. At TrailBlazer Consulting, we define the IP lifecycle as a living process: creation, documentation, protection, utilization, monitoring, and disposition. When managed strategically, IP becomes more than a legal checkbox—it ...
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Own What You Know: Turning Expertise Into IP - E121

November 17, 2025 • 13 mins
Episode 121 - Every business starts with a purpose—but sustaining it requires more than passion. It demands clarity. In this episode, we unpack why documenting your know-how isn’t just smart—it’s strategic. Your intellectual capital is the blueprint of your value, the reason clients trust you, and the asset that makes your business scalable, sellable, and defensible. Whether you're a fou...
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Business Records and Contracts: How Documentation Drives Growth, Compliance, and Strategy - E120

November 3, 2025 • 17 mins
Episode 120 - In this episode, we explore how records and contracts aren’t just administrative necessities—they’re strategic assets that shape the trajectory of a business. From articles of incorporation and bylaws to board minutes and inter-entity agreements, these documents form the governance-grade foundation TrailBlazer Consulting champions. They offer more than a compliance snapshot...
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From Press to Pixel: The Evolution of Recorded Communication - E119

October 21, 2025 • 20 mins
Episode 119 - From press to pixel. In this episode, we journey through the transformative history of recorded communication—from press to pixel. The invention of the printing press to the rise of typewriters and the proliferation of copiers. We examine how Gutenberg’s movable type democratized access to written knowledge, how typewriters standardized documentation across government and i...
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From Clay Tablets to Cloud: The Timeless Power of Records - E118

October 6, 2025 • 16 mins
Discover how recordkeeping evolved from clay tablets to cloud-based systems. Lee and Maura explore the timeless principles of governance, transparency, and accountability that shape how we document and manage information today. Episode length: 00:16:33
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Data That Drives You: How Small Businesses Can Protect, Classify, and Retain What Matters - E117

September 22, 2025 • 24 mins
Episode 117 - In this episode, we unpack the hidden backbone of every business: data. From handwritten guest books to sophisticated CRMs, we explore the many forms customer and operational data can take—and why protecting it is non-negotiable. You’ll learn how to classify data by sensitivity, navigate privacy laws, and build retention schedules that meet legal and operational needs. Whet...
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Operational Roots: Building Business Infrastructure That Powers Growth - E116

September 8, 2025 • 10 mins
Episode 116 - In this episode of TrailBlazer, Maura and Lee dive into the essential components of business infrastructure setup—the behind-the-scenes systems that shape how your business communicates, operates, and scales. From branded office supplies that silently reinforce professionalism to hardware and software that streamline operations, every element plays a strategic role. Learn h...
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Understanding Payroll and Hiring Decisions: Strategies for Your Business - E115

August 25, 2025 • 20 mins
Welcome to What Counts, the podcast where we decode the complexities of information governance and spotlight the strategies that drive operational maturity. In this episode, we’re diving into the foundational—but often overlooked—pillars of business success: payroll and human resources. From navigating payroll taxes and compliance to designing benefits that serve both your team and your ...
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Payroll & HR That Scale: Building Backbone Systems for Growth, Compliance, and Culture - E114

August 11, 2025 • 19 mins
Welcome to What Counts, the podcast where information governance meets real-world strategy. In this episode, Lee and Maura unpack the often-overlooked—but absolutely mission-critical—domains of Payroll and Human Resources. From tax compliance and structured reporting to strategic hiring and benefits that actually benefit the business, we explore how these foundational systems can drive r...
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Track to Thrive: How Time and Inventory Management Drive Profitability and Compliance - E113

July 28, 2025 • 18 mins
Episode 113 - In today’s fast-paced business landscape, tracking isn’t just a back-office chore—it’s a strategic advantage. Whether you're managing a lean startup or scaling operations, accurate time and inventory tracking can make or break your bottom line. In this episode of What Counts?, we dive into why tracking matters—from streamlining payroll and boosting productivity to preventin...
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Financial Clarity for Entrepreneurs: Practical Tips - E112

July 14, 2025 • 17 mins
Episode E112 - In this episode of What Counts?, Maura and Lee unpack foundational financial management strategies and practical tips that every entrepreneur should know. From separating business and personal finances to choosing the right accounting software, this conversation is your guide to staying organized, building credibility, and planning for long-term success. Listeners will le...
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Why Every Business Needs a Trusted Lawyer and Accountant from Day One - E111

June 30, 2025 • 15 mins
Why every business needs a trusted lawyer and accountant from days one. Welcome to What Counts, the podcast that explores the power of information governance and the strategies behind smarter business decisions. In this episode, hosts Lee and Maura unpack one of the most critical, yet often overlooked, components of entrepreneurial success: professional support. From choosing the right b...
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Future-Proofing Your Business: How to Plan, Lead, and Build for What's Next - E110

June 16, 2025 • 19 mins
Future-proofing your business in today's fast-paced world is a challenge. Businesses that thrive are those that anticipate change before it happens. In this episode of What Counts, hosts Maura and Lee break down the essential framework for smart planning: seeing opportunities, watching for market signals, and building strategic plans that ensure long-term success. Whether it's adapting t...
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Branding Basics: Logo Design & Name Registration - E109

June 2, 2025 • 13 mins
Episode 109 - Branding basics at What Counts, the podcast dedicated to navigating the world of information governance with expert insights and actionable strategies. In this episode, hosts Maura and Lee explore the fundamentals of branding and marketing, covering two essential steps: creating a compelling logo and registering your business name. Whether you're launching a startup or refi...
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Business Foundation: Essential Legal and Strategic Steps - E108

May 19, 2025 • 16 mins
Building a business foundation requires more than a great idea—it demands proper legal structuring and compliance. In this episode, we explore key foundational steps, including filing Articles of Incorporation to establish your entity, crafting a mission statement to define your business’s purpose, and drafting a General Operating Agreement to clarify roles and responsibilities among sta...
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Choosing the Right Business Structure: Legal Formation - E107

May 5, 2025 • 20 mins
Establishing a business starts with selecting the right legal structure, which impacts taxes, liability, and operational flexibility. Entrepreneurs can choose from Sole Proprietorships for simplicity, Partnerships for shared ownership, LLCs for liability protection, C Corporations for investor appeal despite double taxation, or S Corporations for tax advantages with ownership limitations...
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Resilient by Design: Today's Business Landscape - E106

April 21, 2025 • 19 mins
In today's fast-moving market, adaptability isn't a luxury-it's a necessity. Success belongs to businesses that are resilient by design, stay motivated, and build a foundation strong enough to withstand uncertainty. In this episode, we explore what it takes to remain robust in an ever-evolving economy, from fostering a continuous learning mindset to navigating unexpected challenges. Whet...
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Strategic Growth: Defining and Scaling Your Business While Balancing Talent and Profitability - E105

April 7, 2025 • 14 mins
2025 Episode 105 - Strategic growth: defining, building, and scaling your business while balancing talent and profitability are just a few items you will hear about in our second video episode. Launching and strategically growing a business requires more than just a vision—it demands strategic decision-making at every stage. In this episode, we explore the foundational steps of definin...
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Starting a Business and Information Governance Challenges - E104

March 24, 2025 • 15 mins
2025 Episode 104 – We're thrilled to bring you something brand-new with our first-ever video episode! As we explore this exciting format, we kindly ask for your patience as we work through learning new tricks to deliver the best possible video experience for you. In this inaugural video episode, we’ll dive into the compelling world of starting a business. From the initial spark of an id...
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Infrastructure: Devils in the Details - E103

March 10, 2025 • 10 mins
2025 Episode 103 – The devils in the details when it comes to infrastructure. Following along with the components of TrailBlazer’s Information Design framework, we cover the base component - Infrastructure. Where are the devils in the details when it comes to Infrastructure? Join Information Governance (IG) Consultants, Maura Dunn and Lee Karas, as they explain where devils in the detail...
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