November 12, 2026
at Noon CT

November 12, 2026

What’s Next for the Middle Market

What’s Next for the Middle Market: The 2027 Executive Outlook

As middle-market leaders prepare for 2027, they’re navigating a complex mix of growth opportunities, rising costs, workforce challenges, and accelerating AI adoption. With so many competing priorities, where should companies focus their investments to build sustainable growth?

The latest Middle Market Indicator report from the National Center for the Middle Market offers valuable perspective on how businesses are performing, where they’re investing, and what they expect in the year ahead. Combined with 15 years of research, the findings reveal important patterns in how high-growth companies approach strategic decisions.

In this Business as “Un”usual session, Red Caffeine CEO Kathy Steele welcomes back Doug Farren, Executive Director of the National Center for the Middle Market at The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business, to explore the data and discuss what it means for business leaders planning for 2027.

BAU - Daug Farren - November 12, 2026

What to Expect:

This conversation will examine the current state of the U.S. 
middle market, including revenue growth, hiring trends, business confidence, and the challenges shaping expectations for 2027. Kathy and Doug will also explore findings from the Center’s 
15-year research into what separates high-growth companies 
from their peers.

They’ll discuss how successful companies make investment decisions, why investing ahead of revenue can create a competitive advantage, and what early AI results reveal about turning technology investments into measurable business value. 
The conversation will also address workforce readiness 
and the importance of preparing for leadership transitions.

Whether you’re setting priorities for 2027, evaluating new investments, or navigating organizational change, this session 
will provide research-backed insights and practical considerations 
to help inform your growth strategy.

Session Highlights:

  • Explore the latest middle-market performance data 
and what it signals for growth in 2027
  • Discover what 15 years of research reveals about the investment strategies of high-growth companies
  • Understand where businesses are seeing returns from 
AI and how to prioritize future investments
  • Learn how leaders can prepare their organizations 
for workforce changes and leadership transitions
  • Gain practical insights from middle-market case studies 
to inform your 2027 strategic planning

Register now to learn what the data reveals about the future 
of the middle market and how to position your business for 
growth in 2027.

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Meet the Guest Speakers & Host

Guest

Daug Farren
Executive Director
National Center for the Middle Market
The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business

Doug Farren serves as Executive Director of the National Center for the Middle Market at The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business. The Center…

Doug Farren serves as Executive Director of the National Center for the Middle Market at The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business. The Center researches the performance, challenges, and opportunities of U.S. middle-market companies, helping business leaders better understand this critical segment of the economy. Through research initiatives including the Middle Market Indicator and the Center's long-term analysis of high-growth companies, Doug brings a data-informed perspective to the trends shaping middle-market business performance and the strategic decisions leaders face.
Read Doug's Bio

Host

Kathy Steele
Chief Executive Officer
Red Caffeine

Kathy Steele is a visionary leader and entrepreneur with over thirty years of corporate strategy, branding, marketing, and technology expertise. As an operating executive, consultant,…

Kathy Steele is a visionary leader and entrepreneur with over thirty years of corporate strategy, branding, marketing, and technology expertise. As an operating executive, consultant, founder, and board member, she advises executives on innovative growth, brand, and talent management strategies that drive shareholder value while protecting reputational risk and improving customer and employee engagement. Currently, Kathy is the CEO of Red Caffeine, a growth consultancy that builds Grow-to-Market™ strategies for mid-market companies in the manufacturing, technology, professional services, and education sectors with combined revenues exceeding 4 billion. She has advised executives on developing and promoting first-mover technologies, positioning and launching new products and services, changing brand perception to aid business turnaround, and helping organizations with their human capital strategies. Kathy has successfully guided the management of a crafting product from idea to acquisition by the largest strategic player in the space, a technology product launch campaign that led to 80% revenue growth, more than doubling their business, and an award-winning repositioning strategy that reached a global audience, changed negative market perception, and drove new customer acquisition.
Read Kathy's Bio

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Lessons in Badassery: Creative Recruitment and Retention

Business as “Un”usual • September 2023

Kathy Steele, Mary Lynn Fayoumi

In case you missed it, we covered a lot of ground on the shifting trends in recruitment and retention with Mary Lynn Fayoumi, President and CEO of HR Source.
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Supply Chain, Labor Market, Inflation.
Oh My!

Business as “Un”usual • September 2023

Kathy Steele, Claire Ellerhost, Michael Rarey, Terry Bressler

In case you missed it, we covered a lot of ground on the impact 2022 market predictions can have on your business and private investment growth strategies
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Customer Advocacy: Your Most Powerful Sales Pitch

Business as “Un”usual • September 2023

Kathy Steele, Patrick Rooney

In case you missed it, we heard from Patrick Rooney, CEO of Seventh Echo.
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eCommerce in Manufacturing – The Keys to Success

Business as “Un”usual • September 2023

Kathy Steele, Nicole Westenberger

Nicole discussed how ecommerce can accelerate growth in manufacturing sales when you bring customer insights from your sales team along the way.
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What Machine Learning Can Teach Your Business.

Business as “Un”usual • September 2023

Kathy Steele, Niko Pipaloff

In case you missed it, we covered a lot of ground on growing your business through machine learning and artificial intelligence with Niko Pipaloff, CEO and Founder of Hybrid Intelligence.
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Growth Lanes: Focus on Human Capital

Business as “Un”usual • September 2023

Kathy Steele, Sean Helsel, Rae Ali

In case you missed it, we covered a lot of ground on the variety of unique hiring and retention challenges business leaders face..
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Strategic Partnerships That Work

Business as “Un”usual • September 2023

Kathy Steele, Jonathan Schroeder

In case you missed it, we heard from Jonathan Schroeder, President of 3D Platform.
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Quantify Client Value With Customer Value Management (CVM)

Business as “Un”usual • September 2023

Kathy Steele, Eric Berggren

Deliver More Value (and Satisfaction) to Your Customers While Maximizing Your Profit
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Building a Sustainable Enterprise-Wide Moment-by-Moment, Person-by-Person Customer Engagement Strategy

Business as “Un”usual • September 2023

Kathy Steele, Diane S. Hopkins

Fostering an Instinct Culture to Provide Exceptional Experiences Most of the Time
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The Future of Sales

Business as “Un”usual • September 2023

Kathy Steele, Tiffani Bova

The Landscape Of Selling Has Changed. Your Selling Strategy Needs To Keep Up.
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The Role of Data Analytics in Growth Planning

Business as “Un”usual • September 2023

Kathy Steele, Chitra Iyer

In case you missed it, we heard from Chitra Iyer, Principal Consultant & Co-Founder of Kairoz Partners.
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Will the Mid-Market Lead Our Nation’s Recovery?

Business as “Un”usual • September 2023

Kathy Steele, Doug Farran

In case you missed it, we heard from Doug Farren, Managing Director of the National Center for the Middle Market.
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Empowering Women With a Growth Mindset

Business as “Un”usual • September 2023

Kathy Steele, Loretta Boutot, Latoya Conners Gray, Mary Ellen Grom

There are Nine Growth Lanes an organization can take to scale.
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You’re Going to Love Working With Us, and Here’s Why: Building an Exceptional Client Experience

Business as “Un”usual • September 2023

Kathy Steele, Chris McKee, Deanna Walker, Amy Anderson

You’re going to love working with us, and here’s why: Building an Exceptional Client Experience
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Women in Manufacturing 4.0: The Next Frontier

Business as “Un”usual • September 2023

Kathy Steele, Allison Grealis

As a smart career move, utilizing organizations in your chosen field allows you to develop your skills, make connections, and build your self confidence.
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Where Are Markets Headed in 2021

Business as “Un”usual • September 2023

Kathy Steele, Steven Ryan, Michael Rarey, Jeff Korzenik

Learn how the future of 2021 might impact your business and get insights on what you can do to better prepare for a year of success.
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From Sales Know-How to Marketing Wow!

Business as “Un”usual • September 2023

Kathy Steele, Tom Lefaivre

Real-life stories about Anchor Harvey’s successes and lessons learned over the last 18 months.
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Reimagine Your Workplace: Be Ready for 2021

Business as “Un”usual • September 2023

Kathy Steele, Mary Lynn Fayoumi

Adapting and responding swiftly, but soundly is critical. And this webinar has you covered!
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Innovation: Going Beyond the Buzzword

Business as “Un”usual • September 2023

Kathy Steele, Moisés Noreña

Ideal for leaders and employees looking ready to go beyond innovation as a buzzword and truly make a change in their organization.
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Flex or Fade: Why Agility is More Important Than Ever

Business as “Un”usual • September 2023

Kathy Steele, Marti Konstant

We’re in a career and workplace revolution, where businesses need to quickly find ways to adapt or they will disappear. So what do all thriving companies have in common? In one word - agility.
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Think Like FedEx Express® – Agility, Efficiency, Modernization, and Hiring

Business as “Un”usual • September 2023

Kathy Steele, Emily Brown

The FedEx Express® brand is synonymous with urgent deliveries but, over the past six months, even this 36 billion dollar company wasn’t immune from the pandemic’s business challenges.
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Revitalize Your Recruiting: Hiring Best Practices for Today’s Workforce

Business as “Un”usual • September 2023

Kathy Steele, Rick Curry

Addressing Diversity: Hiring for and maintaining diverse and inclusive work environments
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Building an Ownership Culture – GGOB, EOS, and ESOP

Business as “Un”usual • September 2023

Kathy Steele, Kevin Mauger

Learn how each methodology has improved and strengthened Kevin's team and his company.
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Why the US’s Largest Industrial Park is Obsessed With Helping Businesses Thrive

Business as “Un”usual • September 2023

Kathy Steele, Josh Grodzin

Top business advice is not easy to come by, but finding the go-to people during a crisis can be critical to success.
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The Time is Now to Reset Your Strategic Plan for Growth, Innovation, Technology, and Culture!

Business as “Un”usual • September 2023

Kathy Steele, Janet Viane, Dean Debaise

The time is NOW to reset your strategic plan for growth, innovation, technology, and culture.
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Learn How You Can Build Trust With Potential Customers, Increase Your Conversion Rate and Build SEO Value for Your Website – All by Using Reviews!

Business as “Un”usual • September 2023

Kathy Steele, Chris Campbell

Chris shows us how you can build trust with potential customers, increase your conversion rate AND build SEO value for your website - all by using reviews!
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Learn Why Carr Machine & Tool is Preparing for the Reshoring Revolution With the 3 C’s of Business: Culture, Capacity, and Capabilities

Business as “Un”usual • September 2023

Kathy Steele, Jim Carr

Jim speaks to why CARR Machine & Tool is preparing for the reshoring revolution with the 3 C's of business: Culture, Capacity, and Capabilities
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Learn How Crafts Technology is Surviving Murphy’s Law… And a Pandemic.

Business as “Un”usual • September 2023

Kathy Steele, Jeff Taylor

Crafts joins COVID-19 outbreak fight by rapid-production of the tooling needed to accelerate test kit production
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Learn How Get Maine Lobster Has Successfully Navigated the Highs and Lows of 10X More Orders

Business as “Un”usual • September 2023

Kathy Steele, Mark Murrell

Mark talks about how Get Maine Lobster has successfully navigated the highs and lows of 10x more orders
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Looking for More M&A Insights?

Explore our full M&A resource hub with videos, downloads, and expert perspectives on how to maximize enterprise value before, during, and after a deal. See how Red Caffeine supports mid-market companies considering M&A as a growth path or exit strategy, and connect with a Growth Advisor to start the conversation.