Thought Leaders Illustrating The Power of Strategic Conversations!
Each of us should work toward the goal of Putting Strategic Conversations Into Practice. In order to expand your awareness of how others are doing so - we present the examples below.
They represent interviews with business owners across North America and are published by www.iBizResources.com on its web site or by www.FamilyBusinessStrategies.com on its web site.
A Leadership Model for the Times
In the 21st Century, more and more organizational leaders have come to understand that happy, respected employees, empowered by their managers to meet and exceed customer expectations, provide the best service and feel more personally fulfilled by their work
How To Save Time, Money, and Frustration While Solving Problems and Developing Skills With Your Peers
Tony Hutti brings over 35 years of leadership and management experience to business owners working to help each other "Execute their Vision." You will be able to see the value of face to face Strategic Conversation groups as well as those held via conference call across the miles.
A Synergy of Business Strengths
Steve Antisdel of North Main Ventures and Eric Deniger of www.WorkingPerson.com illustrate how important communication is, particularly in cultivating a successful organizational synergy such as the one they have developed. They have brought their individual strengths to the table to become a much stronger collective venture that satisfies customer needs on both a local and national level.
"We Canīt Talk Here . . ."
This is a perfect example of two and probably more key principles of Strategic Conversations - Setting the Context and Initiating the Dialogue. This person should carefully select the proper time and setting for a conversation with the two principals of the business where he is employed. The conversation may dramatically impact the future direction and success of the company and for the person initiating it. And did we tell you that the person initiating the conversation is the son of one owner and the nephew of the other? Take a look.
"Donīt Look Toward The House."
Lack of communication can often create major problems where few if any problems would exist otherwise! The lessons learned here are many, but they start with making assumptions (not communicating or listening) and not asking for feedback from individuals involved in both a business and family relationship. Many problems can be cleared up with open, honest discussion. Read about it.
Profile: John Jowers, www.Antiqueappliances.com
Filing a need or want by listening carefully to your customers is a lesson that John Jowers learned when he noticed how many people were attracted by the brightly painted, refurbished refrigerator in his father's appliance store window. This observation - and Jowers' incorporation of customer feedback led to a sideline business on the Web.
Profile: Neal Magaziner & Hughes Enterprises
For many years, Hughes Enterprises has been a leader in the packaging industry. According to Neal Magaziner, president, the company forms collaborative relationships with its clients that rely on carefully planned discussions, listening to feedback and acting on it. And did we mention that this is also a family business that has functioned successfully for more than 50 years?
Developing Effectiveness in Business
Remember in school when you worked on projects in teams or groups? You often learned more than when you listened to an instructor droning on about a particular subject. Learning from talking with and listening to your peers in the same or other related industries often provides amazing insights. Build your business strengths by conducting ongoing conversations with your peers. This really works.
Profile: Alexander & Hornung
How can a specialty meat processing company that still makes sausage by hand survive in the 21st Century? Easily, when the company incorporates the best of the old ways with new technology and company diversification. It takes some careful planning and thoughtful discussion to get older family members to incorporate new ideas and directions while still maintaining the quality products and services that have survived for generations. You guessed it - strategic conversations.
Profile: Carol Kimmel Schary and NathanKimmel.com
The third generation has joined this family-run, surplus selling business that started in a garage about 50 years ago. Observation of her father's excellent sales skills, helping out during school breaks and finally, moving into the business on a full-time basis brought Carol Kimmel to the point where she was ready to buy other family members out of the business when her father died. She and her son have brought the company to the next level, incorporating Internet technology and building strong business relationships by listening to their customers and then providing products that meet their customers' needs.
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