What Counts?

Why You Need Information Governance Policies Why do you need information governance policies? In this lightning round of What Counts, Lee Karas and Maura Dunn explain how policy turns records into dependable evidence. First, Maura shows how a written policy sets expectations for your team and for everyone who relies on you. Next, they tackle a hard question: is a policy you ignore worse than no policy at all? In court, it can lead to an adverse inference. Outside court, food recalls and a bank incentive scandal show the same gap between policy and practice. Then Maura ranks the three...

Most people hear "information governance risk" and think immediately of a data breach. In this lightning round, Lee Karas and Maura Dunn argue that the breach is only one risk on the list, and often not the one that costs you most. They work through the risk of not being able to reach your own information, using the New England PBS stations whose seventy years of program archives went dark when their cloud provider failed; the risk of ransomware, where nobody wants your data and simply locking you out of it is enough to stop the business; and the risk...

Records vs Non-Records: What Counts as Evidence Records vs non-records is the first distinction any information governance program has to get right, and most organizations never make it explicitly. In the opening episode of our lightning round series, Lee Karas and Maura Dunn answer both halves of the question: what is a record, and what is not. A record is any data, in any format, that is recorded or capable of being recorded and that provides evidence of a transaction, a decision, a policy, a process, an obligation, a contract, an agreement, a legal right, or an ownership interest. Format...

Records findability starts at the point of creation Trustworthy information has four attributes. It must be accurate, reliable, timely, and findable. Last episode covered the first two. This week, Lee Karas and Maura Dunn take on the other two. The rule does not change. Capture the record where the work happens. Capture it when it happens. Capture it from the people doing the work. As a result, timeliness and findability follow along. Why your file dates cannot be trusted Open a shared drive and sort by date. The dates look authoritative. However, they are not. Sometimes opening a document changes...

Provenance decides whether your data is AI-ready Everyone wants to point AI at their content repositories. Maura Dunn's position in Episode 139 is simpler than that. A model can only be as trustworthy as the data feeding it. Provenance settles that question long before anyone builds a pipeline. Records capture points settle provenance. These are the moments in a business process where an input becomes a record. Seventeen (17) steps later, the process has changed that input into something new. That is another capture point. Every copy, every hand-off, every transformation makes chain of custody harder to establish. Content versus context Our...

Universal search was designed to bring you the universe. So is your AI assistant. Lee and Maura take on the two questions they left hanging last episode: how do you know which version is the last one, and how do you know your data is reliable? AI-ready data turns out to be the same problem, it is not solved by searching harder, and in 2026 it carries a regulatory clock.

Corporate data capture risk is a critical vulnerability that can completely disrupt an enterprise during sudden regulatory compliance audits or high-stakes litigation holds. Welcome back to What Counts, the podcast that digs into the messy information governance problems organizations inherit, ignore, and discover too late. In this episode, hosts Lee Karas and Maura Dunn move past theoretical concepts to break down exactly how unstructured file systems multiply your operational liabilities. Manual filing structures inevitably fail under heavy daily workloads, placing the burden entirely on your technology infrastructure to secure critical corporate history.

Clean dashboards and reliable data don't happen by accident. In this episode of What Counts, Lee Karas and Maura Dunn pick up from the shift from records management to information governance and move into the three action principles that actually get you there: stop making copies, focus on data creation points, and touch once, use many times. They trace how society lost its mindfulness about creating data from Sumerian clay tablets to the printing press to the Federal Records Act and walk through a painfully familiar example of how a single shared link quietly multiplies into four copies. Along the...

What's the difference between records management and information governance — and why should anyone running a business care? In this episode of What Counts, Lee Karas and Maura Dunn step back from the weeds of counterparty data to answer a deceptively simple question: what is information governance, and why is it the natural next step? Maura traces the journey from a world where creating a record was hard and expensive — clay tablets, hand-copied scrolls, the Federal Records Act — to today, where producing information takes ten seconds and most of it is noise. Along the way they untangle the vocabulary (governance is strategy an...

Welcome back to "What Count," the podcast where information governance meets contract lifecycle management. In this episode, Lee and Maura explore the critical next step after solving your counterparty data chaos: maintaining control of vendor information across multiple systems and teams. Discover how to build a centralized counterparty database that enables operations teams, procurement, and legal to work in parallel—and why enforcing a unique persistent ID is the million-dollar strategy that keeps everything aligned, even before contracts are executed. Building on our previous discussion of counterparty data complications and contract management challenges, this episode reveals the operational playbook for ma...

Most counterparty data reconciliation projects fail at the same assumption: that one identifier — usually a tax ID — can resolve who you're actually doing business with. In Episode 133 of What Counts, Maura Dunn walks through a real two-year project to reconcile 350,000 counterparty records across eight systems at a company built through acquisition: four contract management platforms, one ERP carrying both customer and supplier masters, and three trading systems, each with its own naming conventions, character limits, and overflow fields. She unpacks the 18 months of unproductive matching that came first, the rule-precedence approach that finally worked once Snowflake and Elasticsearch replaced the spre...

Episode 132 - Most organizations are being pushed to adopt AI-powered workflows before their data is anywhere close to ready. In this episode of What Counts, Maura and Lee pick up where they left off — diving deep into the concept of data reconciliation and why it must happen before AI ever touches your records. Using a real-world example built across multiple systems — a customer database, a work order system, and a contract management platform — they break down what it means to have duplicate, overlapping, and contradictory counterparty data, and why humans, not algorithms, are the ones who can resolve it. Maura introd...

Episode 131 - Data governance and AI readiness go hand in hand — and most organizations aren't as ready as they think. In this episode, Maura and Lee take a hard look at what an AI-powered customer support escalation workflow actually requires to function. Spoiler: it's not just a smart model. It's clean, connected, versioned data — customer records, contract terms, and executed agreement instances all properly linked. Using a real-world cable company scenario, they unpack how disconnected systems, outdated identifiers, and missing metadata cause AI to hallucinate answers instead of finding them. The episode closes with an introduction to data objects and meta...

Episode 130 - When a company acquires another business, it inherits a tangled web of contracts — each with its own payment terms, clauses, and conditions. Contract one says 30 days, contract two says 45, and contract three says you never have to pay. So what happens when you point AI at this mess? In this episode of What Counts, we explore why contract data governance must come before AI deployment. AI is a powerful governance accelerator, but only when organizations harmonize their terms, configure their systems, and maintain human oversight every step of the way. Episode length: 00:17:12 Learn more by visiting our website, or...

In this episode of What Counts, Lee and Maura move beyond diagnosing the tension between growth and governance and dive into what real solutions look like. From the “records police” stereotype to the engineering metaphor of an ungoverned engine ready to blow, they unpack why organizations struggle to balance speed with safety—and how cross‑functional coalitions can change everything. Through stories about generators, pencils, rogue sales promises, and the realities of legal, IT, compliance, and business teams working in silos, they reveal how governance becomes a true accelerator when everyone solves the problem together instead of alone. Episode length: 00:13:12 To find...

Episode 128 - In this episode of What Counts, Lee and Maura dive into one of the most universal challenges leaders face: balancing the urgency of growth with the discipline of governance. From chasing new markets to managing real‑world information chaos—yes, even inside an information governance firm—they unpack why governance always feels like something you’ll “get to later,” and why “later” is exactly when the problems show up. Through candid stories and practical examples, they reveal how founders, operators, and executives can build sustainable growth without sacrificing control. Episode length: 00:14:26 Learn more by visiting our website, or by sending Trail...

Episode 127 - This episode of What Counts unpacks a problem every organization faces but few diagnose correctly: workflows fail when they don’t reflect the reality of how work actually gets done. Through real‑world examples—from delegated invoice approvals to storage and construction contracts—we explore how policy changes, unclear roles, and poorly analyzed workflows create bottlenecks, late payments, workarounds, and operational risk. The conversation highlights why modern workflow design must be grounded in process analysis, role clarity, and meaningful controls that support—not obstruct—the accomplishment of work. Episode length: 00:18:39 Learn more by visiting our website, or by sending Trai...

Episode 126 – Many organizations confidently claim they operate in a mature, well‑managed environment—until someone starts examining how work actually...

Episode 125 - Contract Lifecycle Management touches every corner of an organization—finance, legal, procurement, operations, compliance, and the business itself. But despite the promise of modern CLM platforms, most implementations fail for one simple reason: the organization wasn’t ready for the software. In this episode of What Counts, Lee and Maura revisit a conversation recorded in early 2024, long before TrailBlazer Learning Academy and its governance accelerator templates were publicly available. With the Academy now live and widely adopted, the discussion is more relevant than ever. They explore why readiness, alignment, and governance‑ready templates are the true drivers of CLM su...

Episode 124 - Fact or Fiction. Governance gets a bad rap—too rigid, too bureaucratic, too “records police.” But in reality, good Information Governance is one of the most powerful accelerators a business can have. In this episode, we bust the most persistent myths holding teams back, from the idea that governance stifles innovation to the belief that it’s only for heavily regulated industries. You’ll hear how one startup used IG to fast‑track SOC 2 compliance and close enterprise deals, why every business with customers or content needs governance, and how healthy skepticism—not fear—keeps IG and AI working together...

Episode 123 - Fact or Fiction. Welcome to What Counts by TrailBlazer Consulting, the podcast where we cut through the noise and uncover what truly matters in information governance. In Episode 123, Lee and Maura tackle the most common myths using a “Fact or Fiction” format—debunking misconceptions like “IG is just records management” or “Governance is IT’s job.” From startups to enterprises, you’ll learn why governance isn’t a dusty binder but a growth enabler, a compliance accelerator, and a trust builder. If you’ve ever wondered what IG really is, this episode sets the record straight. Episode Length: 00:18:39 Learn more by visiting...

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 transforms into a scalable asset that drives revenue, strengthens negotiations, and safeguards legacy. In this episode of What Counts, we break down why most companies get IP wrong, how to build governance-ready systems, and how to treat IP like equity—because it is. Episode Le...

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 founder, consultant, or executive, it’s time to capture what you do—and own it. Episode Length: 00:13:02

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—they reveal operational intent, strategic alignment, and the maturity of decision-making. While accounting records track financial flow, contracts often introduce performance thresholds, fee structures, and service expectations that can be leveraged to maximize value. A well-structured agreement doesn’t just define scope—it activates outcomes. And with the...

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 industry, and how copiers ushered in the age of mass duplication and desktop publishing. These innovations didn’t just change how records were created—they reshaped governance, education, and the very architecture of information. Whether you're a compliance professional, historian, or tech enthusiast, this epi...

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

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. Whether you're managing supplier contracts, employee records, or financial documents, this 10-minute primer will help you understand what to keep, how long to keep it, and where to start. Plus, we share a free resource from TrailBlazer Learning Academy to help...

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 how to embed value positioning into your templates, choose tech that supports compliance and mobility, and create a digital presence that converts. Whether you're launching or leveling up, this episode reveals how infrastructure becomes the root system of sustainable growth. Episode Length: 00:10:58 Learn more by visiting our we...

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 bottom line, we’ll explore how intentional HR planning can protect your business, fuel growth, and create a resilient workplace culture. Whether you're scaling a startup or refining enterprise operations, this episode offers actionable insights to help you hire smarter, report cleaner, and buil...

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 resilience, reduce risk, and support scalable growth. Whether you're a founder navigating first hires or a compliance lead refining your employee life cycle, this episode delivers actionable insights to help you build HR and payroll processes that are audit-ready, culture-conscious, and built to last. Episode length: 00:19;51

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 preventing inventory loss and improving cash flow. You’ll learn how modern tools like digital timesheets, automated payroll systems, and real-time inventory software can transform your operations. Tune in to discover actionable strategies that help you stay compliant, efficient, and profitable. ...

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 learn: -Why keeping business finances separate matters: Better organization, smoother tax reporting, and enhanced professional credibility. -How to open a business account: Choosing the right bank, preparing your documents, and selecting account features like checks and debit/credit cards for financial flexibility. -Selecting accounting software: QuickBooks...

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 business structure to mastering tax strategy and protecting your intellectual property, the right lawyer and accountant can be the difference between smooth scaling and costly setbacks. Tune in as we share real-world insights and practical guidance on how to build your business...

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 to industry trends, improving information governance, or strengthening business resilience, this discussion highlights proven methods to lead, work, and build toward a future that works for you. Tune in to learn how top innovators spot opportunities, decode market shifts, and create a strategic blueprint...

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 refining an established brand, understanding these key branding elements is crucial to standing out in a competitive market. Learn how strong branding enhances credibility, attracts customers, and sets the foundation for a successful business. Discover expert tips on choosing the right business name, ensuring...

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 stakeholders. Additionally, we break down the essential process of filing with the IRS, securing an Employer Identification Number (EIN), and setting up your corporate details to ensure tax compliance. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or refining your existing business framework, this episode offers actionable insi...

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. Careful evaluation of these options ensures alignment with long-term business goals and financial considerations. Once the legal structure is determined, the next crucial step is filing the Articles of Incorporation, which formalizes the business entity. This documentation includes essential details such as the business name, purpose, registered agent, and incorporators...

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. Whether you're a startup or an established enterprise, the key to long-term growth lies in agility, innovation, and the courage to keep moving forward. Join us as we break down the strategies that turn obstacles into opportunities and setbacks into stepping stones. Episode length 00:19:05.

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 defining your business purpose, crafting an operational strategy, and setting a path for sustainable growth. We tackle the balancing act between hiring the right team, investing in training, and maintaining profitability while continuously evaluating performance to drive success. Whether you're a startup founder or...

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 idea to tackling the tough realities of implementation, we’ll examine the challenges—and specifically, the information governance challenges—that entrepreneurs often face on their journey. To enrich the conversation, we’ll not only introduce essential business concepts but...