During a recent CEO Peer Group meeting, one of my CEOs asked if I knew anyone who could help with some specialty financing and leasing programs. I mentioned that I did and would make an introduction. Another member who happens to be a Paul too said, “We now refer to you as the Yoda of business networking and contacts.” I’ve been called lots of things during my career but this has to be one of my all-time favorites. While I have no plans to carry a light saber or wear a robe during the day, I … [Read more...] about Be the Yoda of Networking
Ask the CEO
“Ask the CEO” Should the Founders be Fired?
The majority of my CEO positions involved being brought on board to help the founders once they had accepted venture capital funding. It was commonly referred to as Adult Supervision. Once, while being interviewed by a founder for the CEO role, I was asked, “Do you not like founders?” He asked that question because he had done some research and discovered that in the majority of cases, when I took over as CEO, the founders either resigned or were terminated. My best friend happens to be … [Read more...] about “Ask the CEO” Should the Founders be Fired?
What to Consider When Buying a Business with Partners
Over the years, former mentors and business associates send me great stories that I use during my lectures at Northern Arizona University. Marsha Morgan was my very first manager out of college and to this day we are great friends (which is a column for the future about the importance of maintaining relationships, staying in contact and networking in business). Marsha emailed me several great short business stories and this one is my favorite: It is early on a weekday morning and … [Read more...] about What to Consider When Buying a Business with Partners
‘I Quit Because My Scissors Are Broken’
Over the last few months, I have received wonderful comments and feedback on my columns that have dealt with taking care of employees and doing things like writing notes, holding one-on-ones, and doing a better job of communicating. That being said, I still haven’t convinced everyone yet. In the last 30 days, I actually had a CEO say to me, “I’m worried to have one-on-ones with my employees because I am afraid of what I might hear.” That isn’t a good approach. Let me tell you about an … [Read more...] about ‘I Quit Because My Scissors Are Broken’
Don’t You Know Who I Am?
Because we are starting a new year, the idea of New Year’s resolutions comes to mind. Just this week, someone sent me an email and asked if businesses should have New Year’s resolutions just like individuals do. While I have never done this for my companies (with the exception of a financial plan or budget), there are two things that come to mind. If every business and organization were to adopt these Business Resolutions for 2016, it would be a wonderful year. My suggestion resolutions … [Read more...] about Don’t You Know Who I Am?
Speak the Language: Remember, It Is the Little Things
For my column this month, I have decided to write about two things that I experienced in the last 30 days. Both have real world lessons for anyone running a company or managing a business or employees. Speak the Language My youngest son, Ross, will be graduating from Northern Arizona University in December and we have wanted to do a trip to Europe together. He is a history guy and has wanted to travel to London and Normandy to see firsthand sites from WWII. So, we went to London and Paris … [Read more...] about Speak the Language: Remember, It Is the Little Things