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Systems Build Businesses
Peter Fink started Certified Transmission 30 years ago in Omaha, NE. He has steadily built the company from one repair business to 15 retails stores, two manufacturing plants, and 15 distributors. Peter quickly learned that standardization was key to duplicating his business, from cross-training employees to consistent suppliers and uniform procedures. In a good system, employees must be able to routinely repeat the process. Although systems are costly, it does allow the company to offer higher quality products and reach efficiencies. Peter believes in sharing business information and performance results with employees for accountability and buy-in. (http://www.certifiedtransmission.com). View Video
Share Your Vision with Employees
Janet Walker, President and CEO, J. Walker Associates, Inc. (Omaha, NE) discusses with Lynn Hinderaker questions surrounding company culture, leadership, management styles and the hiring of employees that fit with the company. Janet suggests you help employees buy in to the vision by providing an emotional connection – be willing to express your vision or the dream that drives you to succeed. As a business leader, you need to tell your story, don’t assume the employees embrace the vision. The management style and cultural values of the organization also needs to be translated into “this is how we do things.” When interviewing potential employees, detail your values and management style to the candidate so that they too can decide whether they fit with your company. View Video
Tips for Hiring that First Employee
Janet Walker, President and CEO, J. Walker Associates, Inc. (Omaha, NE) highlights key steps a business owner should take when hiring the first employee. 1) Define what success looks like for that position. Keep in mind that you are not hiring co-workers, but employees that need defined roles. 2) Articulate the details and identify what you want to them to do and how they are to do it. 3) See yourself as a leader/manager of the organization. 4) Don’t get caught up in first impressions, watch and listen to what the candidate says. 5) Past performance can predict future performance, pay attention to job skills. 6) Let the candidate ask questions. 7) Don’t make any promise until after all are interviewed. View Video
The Emotional Side of Business Leadership
Jim Meier, President of Training and Consulting Connection (Omaha, NE) highlights three factors for success: believe in yourself; really, really want it; and do the work, both physically and mentally. Self-knowledge is an important factor as is leadership. You can be the visionary leader, the networking, collaborative leader, or the operational leader. Most people don’t possess all three leadership skills so you need to find others who help fill the void. Find someone you trust for advice and in turn, be coachable. Find people who can help you clarify your ideas, challenge or confront your concepts and nurture your soul. (www.tccomaha.com) View Video
Motivating Your Sales Force
Keeping a global sales force motivated can be difficult. Gene Beckman, President of Management Communication Services, Inc. talks about their strategies for assisting a global sales force. MCS, Inc. uses a business model that provides for employee autonomy coupled with assistance to help the employees succeed in meeting individual and corporate goals. Keys for motivation are enabling your employees, having the employees buy into the goals, and showing them how they are integral to the process. People need to understand where they have been successful and what value they have and are capable of providing to the customer. (www.mcsit.com) View Video
Becoming a Global Entrepreneur
Gene Beckman, President of Management Communication Services, Inc. shares his story on how he started the business, and why? Gene and his team have grown the firm to $20 million in sales, with half of the revenue generated internationally. A key management decision was obtaining exclusivity from the vendors to provide services. Beckman found that the business model worked in the US and decided to venture into ten other countries. Another key was finding the correct representatives and maintaining high communications. (http://www.mcsit.com) View Video
Bringing In Staff To Help
Michael Berry, President and owner of Boulevard Gardens (Omaha, NE) discusses steps he took to determine when and if he should hire employees, how he increased income to cover the employee costs, and what skill sets he looked for to enhance his business operations. One issue of consideration was how the new employees fit with the company culture. Michael also discusses how he developed partnerships with other contractors to increase services. (http://boulevardgardens.com) View Video
