Why Burt Steingraeber is the Business Consultant You Need

In a business world that’s constantly evolving, finding the right partner for public relations and business consulting is crucial. Burt Steingraeber is the clear choice for companies in the Midwest and beyond, looking for a reliable, cost-effective partner. With over 24 years of experience in business accounting, branding, and general marketing, Burt offers a unique perspective on achieving success in today’s fast-paced marketplace.

The Burt Steingraeber Difference

Burt’s wealth of experience spans multiple industries, which equips him with a broad skill set that can benefit any business, whether you're focused on financial analysis, brand strategy, or growing your market presence. As a strategic business consultant, Burt leverages his battle-tested knowledge to help his clients achieve their business goals. He is dedicated to offering personalized, actionable strategies that drive results.

How Burt Works

It all starts with a complimentary 30-minute strategy session. This is an opportunity for you to discuss your public relations or business challenges and goals. Burt uses this time to assess what’s affecting your company’s growth, offering a high-level evaluation of your current strategies. From there, Burt will recommend the best next steps to help your business or personal brand reach its full potential. His recommendations are rooted in over two decades of firsthand business experience and strategic insight.

What Makes Burt Steingraeber Stand Out

When you work with Burt, you’re getting more than just advice — you’re receiving one-on-one service directly from him. Unlike larger consulting firms, where your file may be passed along to an associate or third party, Burt ensures you get his personal attention and expertise. With over 21 years of experience as a CFO, Controller, Realtor, and private business owner, Burt has the hands-on knowledge to deliver the results you need.

Ready to Talk?

Whether you're looking to solve specific business challenges or simply need guidance on your next steps, Burt Steingraeber is the consultant who can take your business to the next level. Schedule your complimentary business strategy session today to start turning your challenges into opportunities.

Burt Steingraeber -Global Business Operator

Being the "best-kept secret" in your industry isn't a badge of honor.

It’s a business failure.

I see brilliant entrepreneurs every day who believe their work should speak for itself. It doesn't. In a crowded market, your skill is the baseline, but your visibility is the currency.

Expertise without exposure is just a hobby.

Being the best doesn’t matter if the person who is "good enough" is the one the market actually knows. You don't need to be the loudest person in the room, but you must be the most recognized authority for the right people.

Stop waiting to be discovered. Build the system that makes you impossible to ignore.

Leverage is found where skill meets strategy.

Are you building skill or building visibility?

Burt Steingraeber

You built the expertise. I’ll build the audience. | Making executives impossible to ignore | Owner of @DirectSourceAI | Top 4% on LI

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Unpopular opinion: Most businesses do not need more leads. 

The common belief is that more leads are always better. Volume is the metric everyone chases. But after 30 years in strategic consulting, I’ve seen that high volume is often just a mask for a broken system.

Most businesses don’t need more leads; they need fewer, better leads and a system to close them. 

Here is why:

1. Chasing low-quality leads burns out sales teams. When your best people spend 80% of their time filtering through noise, they lose the edge required to close the signal. Efficiency dies in the inbox.

2. A focus on lead quantity ignores lead quality and fit. If you optimize for the number of hand-raises, you stop optimizing for the right hand-raises. Scaling a mismatch is a fast way to ruin your reputation.

3. A single high-quality client is worth more than 100 unqualified leads. One perfect-fit partner yields higher margins, better referrals, and less operational friction. 

We are too focused on the top of the funnel and not focused enough on the integrity of the pipe.

Do you agree? Are businesses too focused on quantity over quality?

Building systems that attract high-value clients and transform executives into influential thought leaders. Owner of @DirectSourceAI | Top 4% on LI | +1 (414) 635-2154

Scaling isn’t the reward for success. It’s the amplifier of your existing mess.

Most founders treat growth like a finish line. They think more revenue will fix the cracks in their foundation. 

It won’t. 

If your systems are broken at $1M, they’ll shatter at $10M. 
If your culture is toxic with 5 people, it’ll be a crisis with 50. 
If your strategy is "hope," you’re just accelerating toward a wall.

The "Scaling Trap" happens when you increase volume without increasing stability. 

Growth without strategy isn't scaling: it's just getting bigger and more expensive. 
True scaling is about leverage. It’s about building a machine that handles more weight without breaking a sweat.

Fix the foundation before you add the floors.

What’s your take on the scaling paradox?

Sunday reflections: In a world dominated by AI and automation, "Human-to-Human" connection is becoming a premium luxury. 

30 years ago, a handshake meant everything. Today, in our global B2B landscape, a meaningful, high-context introduction means even more. As a connector, I don’t just look at the data; I focus on the ‘why’ behind every potential partnership. 

The best deals of my career didn't start with a cold pitch: they started with the right person saying the right name at the right time. 

Who are you looking to connect with as we head into a new week?

My goal for 2026 is simple: I want to see my network win. 

If you're a business owner struggling with scaling or you’re looking for a specific strategic partner in the Real Estate or PR space, my door is always open. 

I’ve spent three decades building bridges across 50 states and half a dozen countries. Let’s put that network to work for you.

Drop a "Connect" in the comments or shoot me a DM if you're looking for a specific type of partner right now. Let's see who I can introduce you to.

My goal for 2026 is simple: I want to see my network win.

Most people view networking as a chore. I view it as a brand insurance policy.

In 30 years of business strategy and PR, I’ve seen how quickly things can shift. When a crisis hits or you’re trying to scale, you need more than a plan. You need third-party validation.

Having allies in your corner who can vouch for your character and results is the ultimate leverage. In a world that's getting louder by the second, those trusted voices are what cut through the noise. They are your shield when things get rocky and your megaphone when it’s time to grow.

I’ve spent three decades building these bridges across all 50 states and countries like the UK, Canada, and Australia. 

If you’re a business owner struggling to get off the ground or looking to hit that next level of growth, my door is open. I don’t just want to consult; I want to connect you to the right people.

Let’s put this network to work for you.

Drop a "Connect" in the comments or send me a DM if you're looking for a specific type of partner right now. I’d love to make an introduction.

Burt

Most founders are just expensive employees in their own companies.

You’re busy answering emails. You’re tweaking the website for the 10th time. You’re in every Slack channel.

That’s $20/hr work. It feels like progress, but it’s actually the thing killing your growth.

The $10,000/hr task? 

Strategy. High-level PR. Building the system that doesn't need you.

Scaling isn’t about adding more tasks to your plate. It’s about subtraction. It’s about being ruthless with your time so you can focus on the leverage points that actually move the needle.

If you’re doing the work you could pay someone else $20/hr to do, you’re not a founder. You’re a bottleneck.

Are you working on the $10/hr tasks or the $10,000/hr strategy?

Comfort is the silent killer of scale.

If your business feels "safe," you're already stagnating. You aren't managing a company; you're managing a slow decline.

Real growth happens in the friction. It’s in the systems you’re afraid to build because they require you to step out of the day-to-day and confront the complexity of the next level.

Stop playing it safe. 
Stop protecting what you have. 
Start building for the level you haven't reached yet.

If it doesn't feel a little uncomfortable, it isn't leverage. It's just a hobby.

**What is the #1 thing holding back your business right now?**

Most founders are running full tilt but feel like they’re hitting a wall. Usually, it’s one of four things:

1. Lack of clear strategy (Running fast in the wrong direction).
2. Marketing isn’t hitting (The world doesn’t know you’re the best).
3. Team isn’t aligned (Everyone is rowing their own boat).
4. Too much manual work (You’re the bottleneck).

Identifying the friction is the first step to removing it.

Where are you seeing the real bottlenecks today?

Real competitive advantage isn't found in a flashy marketing campaign. It’s found in the quiet efficiency of your operations.

Over 30 years in business consulting has taught me one hard truth: Most businesses aren't failing because of a lack of talent. They're failing because they're leaking resources.

Resource optimization isn’t about cutting corners. It’s about ensuring every asset you have: whether it’s time, capital, or people: is being leveraged to its full potential.

If you aren’t auditing your processes, you’re leaving your growth to chance.

True competitive advantage is built by doing what matters, better, every single day. It’s not flashy, but it’s how you win.

Are you maximizing what you already have, or are you still chasing the next shiny object?

Thoughts?

Burt

My goal for 2026 is simple: I want to see my network win.

In high-stakes business, "who you know" isn't just a cliché. It is the ultimate strategic lever.

Most entrepreneurs try to brute-force their way through the front door. They spend months trying to reach a decision-maker or vetting a vendor. That’s a slow, high-risk way to play.

When you have a high-trust network, you bypass the gates entirely. You don’t ask for permission; you get a warm introduction that puts you at the front of the line. Your speed to market triples.

Building this access isn't an overnight task. I’ve spent 30 years cultivating relationships across all 50 states and globally in the UK, Canada, and Australia. This isn’t just a list of names; it’s a system of vetted expertise and mutual leverage.

If you’re a business owner looking for a strategic partner in Real Estate or PR, my door is open. I’m looking to facilitate a few key introductions this week.

Drop a "Connect" in the comments or shoot me a DM and tell me who you’re looking for.

Let's put 30 years of leverage to work for you.

Burt

Stop hiring “Superheroes.” Build the system.

Most owners don't have a talent problem.
They have a leaky bucket problem.

You hire a "rockstar" to fix the chaos.
The rockstar burns out in 90 days.
Why? Because the system is broken.

If the machine is leaking leads and time...
A superhero is just a person doing everyone's job.

You don't need a hero.
You need an architect.

Build the process:
- Clear handoffs.
- Defined ownership.
- Repeatable workflows.

Plug the leaks first.
Then hire the talent to scale.

Stop playing rescue mission.
Start building the machine.

Data is an input. Wisdom is an engine.

Everyone is rushing to let AI make their decisions. They think speed is a strategy. It isn’t. 

AI is a calculator. It’s great at looking backward at what has already happened. It can crunch a million data points in seconds.

But it can't feel the room. It can't understand nuance. It can't predict the irrationality of a human market. 

Your "gut feeling" isn't magic. It’s your own internal data engine. It’s 30 years of patterns, failures, and wins compressed into an instant reaction.

That’s not intuition. That’s expertise.

Use AI to gather the facts.
Use your wisdom to decide what they mean.

The machine gives you the map. Your gut tells you which way the wind is blowing.

Don't outsource your edge to an algorithm.

Are you leading with data or leading with wisdom?

Scaling isn’t about more hours; it’s about removing clogs.

If you are both the engine and the driver, you have a high-stress job, not a business. 

To move to the next level, identify the bottleneck first.

What’s the biggest bottleneck in your scaling right now?
1. Lack of Systems
2. Wrong Talent
3. No Strategy
4. Too busy 'doing'

Playing it safe is the fastest way to become invisible in 2026.

Most founders think they’re managing risk by staying in the middle of the road.
They use the same corporate jargon.
They post the same "thought leadership" fluff.
They wait for permission to be bold.

The truth? "Safe" is a death sentence for your brand.

When everyone is whispering, the one who speaks clearly: and with conviction: wins the room.
In a world of infinite noise, beige is a choice, not a strategy.
And it’s a choice that’s costing you leverage.

You don’t need more "best practices."
You need a position that makes people stop scrolling.
You need to be the only choice, not the safest choice.

Boldness isn't about being loud.
It's about being unmistakable.

The middle of the road is where the roadkill is.
Step to the edge.

Being average is a death sentence in this market.

The middle ground isn't a safe haven. It’s where brands go to die.

If you aren’t polarizing someone, you aren’t appealing to anyone. You're just... there. Like roadkill.

30 years in this game has taught me one thing: The invisible are the first to be replaced.

Where is your brand actually living right now?

Be honest. The algorithm doesn't care about your feelings, but your P&L definitely does.

1. Playing it safe
2. Taking big risks
3. The middle (Roadkill)
4. I don't know yet

Drop your vote below.

The "Rockstar" hire is a trap.

Talent is unpredictable. It burns out. It leaves. It’s hard to replicate.

A Machine: a well-designed system: is predictable. It scales. It stays.

If your growth depends on finding "the perfect person," your business is fragile. 

If your growth depends on a perfect process that a capable person can run, your business is a powerhouse.

Systems beat talent every time.

Build the machine.

Most founders haven't built a business. They’ve built a high-stress job where they are the only employee who can’t quit.

True scale doesn't come from you doing more. It comes from you being needed less.

If your company grinds to a halt the second you close your laptop, you don't have an asset. You have a bottleneck.

And that bottleneck is you.

If you disappeared for 30 days, would your business:

1. Scale without me
2. Keep running fine
3. Slower but okay
4. Total collapse

I’ve watched “hard workers” lose to “well-positioned” operators for 30+ years.

In PR and in the field, the pattern is the same:
Effort saves you today.
Positioning saves you for the next 5 years.

Hard work is table stakes.
Positioning is leverage.

Here’s the framework I use when a business is grinding but not growing:

1) CLARITY
If you can’t say who you help, what you solve, and why you’re different in one breath, the market can’t remember you.

2) CREDIBILITY
You don’t need more claims.
You need proof: third-party validation, case studies, before/after metrics, and consistent messaging.

3) DISTRIBUTION
Being great in private doesn’t pay.
Your reputation has to travel: media, partnerships, speaking, podcast hits, founder content, referral systems.

Practical next steps (this weekend, not “someday”):
• Write your one-line positioning statement
• Pick 1 proof asset to build (case study or media feature)
• Choose 2 channels to distribute weekly for 90 days

If you want help tightening your positioning and turning it into visibility that compounds, I can walk you through it.

PR isn’t a fight for attention.
It’s a fight for memory.

After 30+ years in this work, here’s what holds up:

1) Be the name that surfaces under pressure.
In a crisis, nobody Googles “best.” They recall who’s been consistent.
Example: a steady quarterly presence beats a one-week PR sprint.

2) Choose one idea you want to own.
If you say 10 things, people remember none.
Example: “fastest response time in our category” or “most transparent pricing.”

3) Earned media is credibility transfer.
Ads can introduce you. Third-party coverage can validate you.
Example: one strong feature you can cite for 12 months > 12 forgettable mentions.

4) Repeat your proof.
Trust is built by repetition, not novelty.
Example: use the same 3 receipts everywhere: results, process, client outcomes.

5) Build the crisis story before the crisis.
If your values aren’t visible now, they won’t be believed later.
Example: publish decision principles and response standards while things are calm.

If you want, I’ll help you pressure-test your “memory strategy” (message, proof, and media plan). What do you want to be remembered for?

Eric Basu

Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Haiku Inc

As the CEO of Haiku Inc, I am passionate about creating innovative and engaging games that teach real-world cybersecurity skills and connect players to career opportunities. With over 20 years of experience as a serial entrepreneur and investor in the cybersecurity and technology sectors, I have founded and led multiple successful startups, such as Sentek Global, a leading provider of government and commercial cybersecurity solutions, and the San Diego Cyber Center of Excellence, a nonprofit organization that fosters the growth and development of the cybersecurity ecosystem in the region.

I leverage my diverse background and expertise in gaming, cybersecurity, business development, public speaking, government contracting, and military special operations to build and scale high-performance teams, create value from ideas, and solve complex problems. As a former SEAL officer in the U.S. Navy, I have a strong sense of mission, leadership, and resilience, and I aim to inspire and empower others to achieve their full potential. I am also an active member of the board of directors and advisor to several organizations that support law enforcement, military veterans, and education, such as the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Foundation, the Veteran Fund, and Saved In America.

Founder and Member Board of Directors

Founder and member of the Board of Directors, responsible for the standup, oversight, and management of the non-profit. The San Diego CCOE is dedicated to making the greater San Diego region into a Cyber Security Center of Excellence, resulting in an increase in jobs, talent, and capital in the cyber security vertical to the region.

I received my early order of GTG energy pouches, a company started by my buddy Joshua Gunderson.  When Josh first described the product to me as a natural substitute for folks who used to use dip (chewing tobacco), I thought that it wasn’t really a product for me since I never dipped (one of the minority in the SEAL Teams who didn’t).  However, with my passion for flying GA planes long distances and the limitations on my bladder, I found these work great for giving me extra energy without requiring more frequent bathroom breaks.  They also aren’t as harsh as coffee on my stomach as I get older.  I’ve been impressed with Josh as I’ve watched his entrepreneurial journey and I’m even more impressed with his product.  

Def worth a try if you need more energy in your day, for work, school or just getting through the day.

https://www.gtg.energy

Homeschooling has increased exponentially since the pandemic as parents look for more personalized ways for their children to learn.  Many parents are using Haiku, Inc ‘s game based platform as a science elective for their homeschoolers, teaching real world hands-on skills while fulfilling required electives.  Game-based learning has been proven to be far more effective for today’s youth than the traditional methods that were all many of us had access to.

Homeschoolers are quietly outperforming traditional curriculum in cyber education, and the reason is structural.

Dr. Russell Alan Barkley, retired neuropsychologist and former president of the American Psychological Association, explains why this matters. Children with ADHD can focus on video games for hours because games provide immediate, continuous feedback and dopamine rewards. Traditional homework, by contrast, offers delayed rewards and unclear payoff. He is clear that this is not laziness. It is a neurogenetic executive failure, where the brain struggles with motivation in low consequence environments.

Dr. Barkley summarizes it plainly. Video games hold attention because every action triggers instant feedback and visible progress. Homework breaks engagement because the rewards are delayed. “The video game provides external continuous consequences… and the homework does nothing.” And perhaps most important, “It’s not about laziness. It’s brain wiring. Support, not shame, is the key.”

Homeschoolers have an advantage because they are not locked into rigid instructional models. They can design learning environments that mirror what works in games. Short feedback loops. Clear milestones. Visible progress. Adaptive pacing. That structure maps directly to how cybersecurity skills are actually built.

Computer Science and Cybersecurity is not memorization. It is pattern recognition, systems thinking, and decision making under pressure. Those are game mechanics.

This model resonates strongly with homeschool communities because it aligns with how motivated learners actually engage.

That same philosophy has guided our partnerships with The Girl Scouts of America and the National Foundation for Autism Research (NFAR).

With the focus being equally intentional. Many neurodivergent learners thrive in structured, feedback rich digital environments. Game based cyber education provides clarity, repeatability, and measurable progress without the social friction that can derail traditional classrooms. When the environment is engineered correctly, performance follows.

Homeschoolers are demonstrating something important. When instructional design aligns with cognitive science, engagement improves. When engagement improves, skill acquisition accelerates.

Cybersecurity education does not need to be passive. It needs to be immersive, structured, and feedback driven.

Eric Basu Vincent Aliquo Joseph Del Cerro

https://lnkd.in/eWbmmryq

Open video: Homeschoolers Are Winning In Cyber Education on youtu.be

Homeschoolers Are Winning In Cyber Education

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The Battle

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Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Burt Steingraeber -Global Business Operator's LinkedIn Performance

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