LLE is a philosophy that I live by.
I had the opportunity to hear a panel yesterday at the Tampa Bay Business Owners meeting.
Thank you to Chris, Katie, and Rhonda for making it all happen!
If you are reading this and have not experienced and event you need to check it out. http://tampabaybusinessowners.org/
It was comprised up of 3 successful Business leaders in the community. And here is what we can learn from each of them
1. Ron Laker – CEO of Next Century Studios and former CEO of TMR.
- Develop a personal mission statement that is becomes so embedded in your DNA, that you have it committed to memory and live it daily.
- Be Consistent – Talented individuals will adapt their style around yours. Know Thyself
- Buying a business can be easy; creating a cultural can be hard. The top leaders need to go out listen and make every employee feel understood.
(All for One and One For All) (Employee engagement from 47% to 97%)
- 4 page newsletter w/ People’s names in it (3x yr)
- Show your employees how you make money
- $20 incentive for meeting safety goal. Different day then pay day
- Ask for help and find ways to make money. “I don’t have a clue what I’m doing. What would you do if you owned this property?” R. Laker. 1 month later $1.8 million in profit
- “We don’t want to miss an opportunity of a good recession.” R. Laker ( bought up several businesses)
- “We will come out stronger, then we went it.”
- “Go to your bench” R. Laker The right person for the job is not always you. In a operation of 1 or 2. Knowing what to outsource is critical to effectiveness.
- “Never be impressed by what people have, be impressed by what they did to get what they have.” Doyle Fellows
- “Smarts and Drive are great, but without Integrity the first two will kill you.”
- Get a mentor early. Don’t think you can go it alone
2. Jamie Harden – CEO of Creative Sign Designs
- Surround yourself with people better then you in areas you are weak. Understand your weaknesses. (example – Managing Salespeople)
- “Lead w/ Core Values” J. Harden 1. Teamwork 2. Sense of Urgency 3. Do the right thing every time
4. Commitment to Excellence 5. Innovation 6. Positive Outlook
- Measure Core Values by establishing behaviors and holding people accountable for those behaviors (performance reviews)
- Change directions ( 2006 – 253 mailboxes to 215y. switched to signs)
- “Keep focused on your sales and let everyone in the company know where you stand daily.” J. Harden (daily sales goal 30k)
- Market using different approaches (trade shows, LinkedIn, etc)
- Don’t get prideful ask for help. “Ask for help, not because your weak but because you want to remain strong.” Les Brown
- “Cut your losses early and run a business.” J.Harden
(held onto several folks they should have let go a year earlier)
- Be decisive
- Seek Inspiration from family (Grandfather – taught Mutual fund in 5th grade)
3. Jane Toombs – Director of CEO Council of Tampa Bay
- Quiet Strength. You don’t have to be out front, to be an effective leader.
- “You can be behind the scenes and make it happen.” J. Toombs
- Ask questions. When asked a question, ask there reason for wanting to know. Help them drill down deeper.
- Grow it slow, last longer. Build it fast it can go away fast.
“When you grow slow, you maintain who you are. I like who we are.” J. Toombs
- Know the growth rate you want (10-12%)
- Values “Be a better CEO” J. Toombs
- Listen First then speak
- “Don’t answer the question before it is asked.” J. Toombs
- Have someone push you. (Guy King)
Sign up today for the next meeting and experience this live! – http://tampabaybusinessowners.org/ or call 813-489-5585
By Eric Papp – “Serving others through my gifts of listening/speaking” Author “Leadership by Choice” (June 2012 John Wiley and Sons)
“If you can only buy one leadership book that will make a difference in your life –This is the one.”
Rocky Bleier
Vietnam Veteran
4x Superbowl Champion w/ Pittsburg Steelers
