Launching into the Future: Middle Market Trends for 2025 with Doug Farren
It’s been four years since we started In Good Companies and, as we look ahead, we feel that our vision for this show is complete. Together we navigated the forces shaping your business over the past six seasons, bringing in experts on culture, M&A, corporate security and so much more. We conclude this series with a special final episode. We’re keeping our promises and launching you into 2025 with a conversation you don’t want to miss.
Our final guest, Doug Farren, is a pioneer in business research and the co-founder of the National Center for the Middle Market at Ohio State University. A thought leader, researcher and educator, Doug joins us to share his insights into one of the most overlooked segments of the economy: mid-size businesses — a "forgotten third" that drives a significant portion of private sector growth.
In this episode, Doug sheds light on the challenges and opportunities facing middle-market companies in 2025. From technology adoption to talent retention, risk management and succession planning, we discuss how to help mid-sized businesses navigate the road ahead. We also break down the findings of the Middle Market Indicator – a cutting-edge study that Doug runs bi-annually, to outline the needs of mid-size businesses and connect leaders in the field. Together, we share important business stories, as we love them on this podcast.
If you’re a business owner, entrepreneur or visionary who wants to know what is shaping 2025, this episode is for you. Here’s to embracing the future – and being with us – one last time, on In Good Companies.
Highlights:
- Introducing Doug Farren (01:59)
- What is the Middle Market? (03:02)
- Scaling up: Needs, Challenges and Opportunities for Midsize Companies (06:59)
- Building a Network, with the Middle Market Indicator (10:46)
- Understanding the Macro-Economic Environment in 2025 (14:38)
- Technology and Innovation in the Middle Market (16:57)
- The Issue with Middle Market Brand Visibility & Talent Retention (19:42)
- Thinking Ahead: Governance, and Succession Planning (22:28)
- The Climate Question: Assessing Risks for Business Growth (25:12)
- Where to Find Resources for Middle Market Leaders (30:14)
- Telling Business Stories, Making New Connections (32:44)
- A Final World from In Good Companies (35:07)
Links:
- Cadence Bank Website
- Cadence Bank X (Twitter)
- Cadence Bank LinkedIn
- Cadence Bank YouTube
- Doug Farren LinkedIn
- Doug Farren - NCMM Website
- Doug Farren - Fisher College of Business
- National Center for the Middle Market Website
- “The Market that Moves America” - NCMM Podcast
- Middle Market Indicator - Year End 2024
Feedback:
If you have questions about the show or topics you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producers, [email protected] or [email protected].
Read the full show transcript.
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Meet the Host
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Ari Marin, SVP, Family Enterprise Advisor, Cadence Asset Management & Trust and the new host of Cadence Bank’s In Good Companies (IGC) podcast, says his idea of “good company” is being around creative, insightful people who enjoy sharing personal stories about the things that helped make them successful.
From 9 to 5, Marin is a Cadence Bank senior vice president and family wealth strategist, whose specialty is consulting with family-owned and small businesses. Now, he’s squeezing in IGC hosting duties, bringing in a new voice and fresh perspectives.
As a lawyer with a master’s in taxation from Villanova, Marin holds his own in the business world. But hosting IGC gives him a new way of engaging with entrepreneurs and experts to learn smart ideas and new ways of doing things.
Outside the office, Marin is a history fan and podcast aficionado who loves reading and exercising with his two dogs: Friday–aka “the angel”--and Mahla, the stubborn Shih Tzu with selective hearing.
Meet the Speaker
Doug Farren is the Managing Director of the National Center for the Middle Market at The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business. He leads the day-to-day operations of the Center, which include research, corporate outreach, and student activities in addition to long-range strategic planning and sponsor stewardship. Prior to launching the NCMM in 2011, he spent 10 years with LBrands, where he worked in various roles including Supply Chain Planning, Distribution Center Operations, and Financial Planning and Analysis supporting Victoria’s Secret and Bath and Body Works . Farren holds a BS from Penn State University and an MBA from The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business.
This podcast is provided as a free service to you and is for general informational purposes only. Cadence Bank and its affiliates make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the content in the podcast. The podcast is not intended to provide legal, accounting or tax advice and should not be relied upon for such purposes.
To the extent that this podcast includes predictions about the economy, these predictions are subject to a number of variables and you should confer with your legal, accounting and tax advisors for their input regarding the possible outcomes of any economic subject matter discussed herein. Predictions are forward-looking statements that reflect current views with respect to, among other things, future events. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts, and are based on current expectations, estimates and projections, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and beyond the control of any person or entity. Accordingly, please be aware that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees and are subject to risks, assumptions and uncertainties that are difficult to predict.
The views and opinions expressed by the host and guests in this podcast are solely their own current opinions regarding the subject matter discussed in the podcast and are based on their own perspectives. Such views, perspectives and opinions do not reflect those of Cadence Bank or any of its affiliates, or the companies with which any guest is, or may be, affiliated. The production and presentation of this podcast by Cadence Bank does not imply the expression of any opinion on the part of Cadence Bank or any of its affiliates.
By: Cadence Bank on Feb 10, 2025
Content type:
PodcastExplore the forces shaping business today.
