How to Quickly Solve Problems
Asking a series of the right questions to the right people is the quickest way I know of to uncover hidden problems that prevent companies from realizing their potential; and just as quickly moving any business in a more positive direction! Many of you know that my business mission is to help owners build legacy…
Strengthening Commerce Through Community
Amazing things happen when a small group of like-minded people invest their time and energy with passion, determination and effort. This year, the Board of Directors of the SnoValley Chamber of Commerce and our Executive Director are focused on the 2019-2020 Chamber theme of Strengthening Commerce Through Community. Each of us contributes in a unique…
Three Little League Principles That Apply to Effective Leadership
Last Saturday, the Winston-Salem Dash baseball team won their Silver Bracket Championship game. This group of 8- and 9-year-old boys have the makings of being champions, both on and off the field. Below are three leadership principles that team coaches applied during the entire season which business leaders can bring to their company and build…
Increasing the Culture of Accountability
It is near impossible to bring a culture of accountability into your company if employees are unwilling to be accountable to themselves. If you are investing too much of your time listening to excuses for past failures, then try shifting the focus instead on the next time and see if a future focused mindset doesn’t…
Freedom is Not Free
“As America celebrates Memorial Day, we pay tribute to those who have given their lives in our nation’s wars.” John M. McHugh On Memorial Day, we are given an opportunity to take a break from celebrating a long weekend to remember our heroes; soldiers who have given the ultimate sacrifice so that we do not…
Who is Your Competition
After a seven-year hiatus, I am back coaching a Little League team. It’s a ton of fun spending time on the baseball diamond with my neighbor Bram, who recruited me to assist coaching his son Beckett’s team of 8 and 9-year-old boys. His s/o and my friend Jessica (pictured) shows up to watch the team…
A Mother’s Day Reflection – 3 College Graduates in 8 Days
On a fall September evening over 22 years ago, our sons Alex and Carl were born; followed two years later by their sister Cara. Fast forward to yesterday and our first born (Alex by 3 minutes) was the last to graduate with a college degree (#GoZags!); 8 days after his brother and sister received their…
Reflections from a Dad of 2 (Soon to be 3) College Graduates – Chapter 2
In early 2013, our son Carl was 16 years old and wanted to get a car; not just any auto but specifically a BMW 3 series coupe. Because teaching work ethic and reaping rewards from hard work was important to our parenting style, we offered to provide the vehicle for Carl but insisted that he…
Reflections from a Dad of 3 Soon to be College Graduates – Chapter 1
Ten years ago in 2009, our then 10-year-old daughter had a vision to one day enroll in the Running Start (accelerated post-secondary education) program while still in high school, spend a year studying abroad and graduate early so that she can enter the “Real World” two years ahead of her peers. In 2017, Cara graduated…
Why Effective Listening Leads to Effective Team Building
Taking an analogous page from Episode 86 of Seinfeld called, The Opposite, “If all talk and no action is bad for business, then doing the opposite by effectively listening and deliberately acting is good for business!” To transform this idea into action, begin by listening your employees, identifying how they feel about the company and…