The Ed Eppley Experience: Recent Episodes
Ed Eppley
Ed will be interviewing accomplished business professionals and successful thought leaders who have years of experience to share. His mini-casts are packed with short, practical and straight-to-the-point business advice that you can use today.
Jon Avery is the CFO of Necco Foster Care in Cincinnati. He joins me for this 2nd edition of discussions about how you can design a compensation system that will produce exceptional performance. Jon explains how the thinking of your people about their performance does not always align with how their performance is viewed by their boss or the company. That means that the compensation they receive may not send the intended message. Jon's top tip reminds us to dial in the compensation on what we are trying to make happen at the management level. Easier said than done!!
This is the first of three episodes dedicated to sharing best practices for designing a compensation system that produces the best results for your company. Rich Craig is the Managing Partner for the 415 Group, an accounting firm that does tax, audit and IT for its clients in the Canton, Ohio area. In his role, Rich has seen the compensation strategies of literally hundreds of businesses. He shares his experiences and recommendations to get the best return from the compensation you provide your people. Remember, people pay this gentleman hundreds of dollars an hour for his expertise and you're getting it for free!
Every one of us has someone who is marginally performing in some area of their job. The question is, what are we doing about it? In this minicast, I share key questions we should always consider to determine the root cause of the lack of performance and how the answer(s) should impact what we say and do as "the boss". When there's marginal performance on our team, we should be the most uncomfortable!
No executive with whom I've worked has ever admitted that they were a micro manager. Likewise, when I've told them I had evidence that they were micromamaging, each one doubted the feedback. Simply said, even if we are micro managers, chances are we don't think we are. In this minicast I explore what it looks like, feels like and how we can rationalize why it's in everyone's best interests when we micromanage. Even if you aren't a micromanager, this will be a great minicast to share with your managers!
If you think the last 24 months have been unusual, the next 12-14 months could be even harder to predict. Should you be cutting expenses? Should you be tightening up your supply chain? In this minicast I share what my clients are experiencing and doing to give your some additional perspective. Remember, one good thing about disruption of the status quo is that for many businesses, it creates significant opportunity.
Sound harsh? Then this mini cast is for you. A great leader takes literal responsibility for the performance of their people, especially when it's not what it should be. When we don't like the results a person gives us, do we assume it's their fault, or ours? This is five minutes to challenge how much of the marginal performance in your team is their fault, or yours.
There's no more important thing an executive team does than the meetings they hold. This is the 3rd of three podcasts designed to help your meetings produce even better results. And I can think of no organization other than Necco Foster Care to share their approach. That's because no client with whom I've worked has done more to change or improve their meetings than this executive team. Pam Priddy is their Chief Strategy Officer (and truth teller). You'll enjoy her insights about what they've learned after more than four years of working to perfect their meetings.
In my work I get to see all kinds of talented people, at all levels of an organization. It's given me the opportunity to see the consequence of having too little or too much confidence. In this minilog I discuss the consequnces of both in your own performance as well as the stress it can create. Every manager will face this challenge, with their people as well as their own performance. This minilog will help you have a plan for dealing with it!
Structure is how a business deploys all of its assets. Some of the most valuable assets of any business are the time of its executive team and the collective wisdom and thinking they bring to the business. Meetings are where truly great teams bring out the best in each other's thinking so that the business can advance. Sam and Dan Wiley, both time-proven executives and former guests on this podcast share what they have learned about running truly effective meetings. You'll love their "lessons learned"!
One of the biggest expenses in your business (if not the biggest) is the cost you have for the people you employ. Knowing that, it's amazing how many companies don't have a stratgey for their compensation. In this minilog I share some questions your compensation strategy should answer so your compesation creates the greatest engagement possible.
James Felton is one of The Table Group's top consultants. He's been working with executive teams longer than me. Which means he knows more than even I do about what it takes for teams to conduct great meetings. This is arguably one of my best podcasts because of the amount of practical and relevant information that you can put to work literally in your next meeting.
Part of every manager's job is to "grow their people". That means improving their personal productivity by 3-5% every year. And most of us unintentionally limit the growth of our people by failing to delegate enough, especially to our high potential people. Join me in this minlog as I share what other execs do to reduce the time it takes for their people to grow!
Not surprisingly, every group of people, be it a team, a business, or even a family has some dysfunction. What may surprise you is how dysfunctional a board can be. Especially a board of directors. In this minilog I explain why boards have this dysfunction and how you can help your board members better behave. And as a result, make it possible for them to better help you and your business. Remember, if your board is misbehaving, you owe it to them and yourself to help them be their best selves.
That's the question. The daily huddle is the least understood and as a result, most poorly utilized of all the different meetings you can conduct. In this minilog I describe what a huddle should be, how to conduct it and what the benefits should be for you and your team when you "huddle"! Looking for better results and less confusion in your business? Then listen to this minilog now!
Do you ever get tired of the problems your people bring to you? Wouldn't it be great if instead, they would solve those problems? This minilog shares a time-tested approach you can teach your people. Not only does this process work, most people appreciate the opportunity it gives them to help the business. Best of all, you won't believe how much more time you'll have to do your job. This is five minutes that can dramatically improve your business!
Consistent, exceptional results requires a high performance culture. Scott McComb, CEO of Heartland Bank inherited a culture that allowed mediocre performers to avoid accountability. (Ironically, it was created by his dad.) To change this culture. Scott instituted his Performance Culture model that helped reduce artificial harmony and identify internal terrorists. (They will be helped to find a better place to work!) Scott's practical and entertaining examples are a great reminder of what you can do to make your culture truly high performing!
Structure; it's the unicorn of every business. That's because trying to find the perfect structure for your business is like trying to find a unicorn. In this quick five minutes I share some reminders of some key factors that impact your structure, factors like company size, ownership, and location in the life & death cycle of the business. Remember, 50% or more of the problems in a business come from how it deploys its people, IP, equipment, money and time. Hope you listen!
How do you keep a successful company like Nationwide Insurance healthy and growing? You recruit and hire high potential people who have a great potential and then keep an "unfair share" of them! Mark Howard is the Chief Legal Officer at Nationwide insurance is no stranger to the Ed Eppley Experience. In this episode he shares his approach (and Nationwide's) to the development of their high performing talent. As you'll hear, Mark shares some practical and easily duplicated discplines that you can use to make your business even more "high performing"!
Roger Levenduski is the VP of Finance for Steamboat Ski & Resort Company. He learned many of his managerial skills during his time with the Four Seasons Hotel organizations. It serves him well. Of all the finance execs I've seen he's the most people focused. In this episode he shares key concepts like People First, Then Produce, Then Profit. Great ideas like, if I work for him and I hear something in a performance review that I've never heard before, I need to stop the performance review and tell him. Most importantly, you want the employee to leave the experience more engaged and invested in the business. If you want to develop all your talent, not just your high potentials, this episode is for you!
"Most people want to do well at their job and managers owe it to their employees to detail it for them." That's what David Besse, the managing partner for the 415 Group's IT Division believes. This is the first in a podcast series dedicated to sharing what executives I admire do to provide effective performance discussions with their people. David shares some very practical and easily replicated approaches for those of you looking for ways to improve your performance reviews and help your people develop.
Join me for our first Episode in a series on Developing Your High Potential Talent. Alan Crookes is the former CEO of BMW Financial Services for AisiaPac. No one in my career has successfully developed more high potential talent than Alan. As you'll learn It was no accident. Alan shares the different tools he used that you can adopt if developing and retaining high potential talent is crucial to your business success. This is an episode that every business owner and exec needs to hear!
This Minolog is to remind us that too often we waste time in meetings debating and dialoguing about the wrong things. It's a quick reminder that an important part of your job to make your meetings more effective is to make sure the real issue has been identified before you and your team try to solve it.
Too late in my career, I came to the realization that I spent too much of my time working towards satisfaction instead of working to achieve true transformation. There's never been a time when your high performing people have been more vulnerable to paching by other organziations. If we want them to stay fully engaged, they need to know we are committed to their success. True high performers want to be their best selves. Transformation is the key to keeping them engaged.
If you want highly engaged people on your team, this is the minilog for you!. There is seldom a discussion I have about management or leadership that Abraham Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs doesn't come up. In this time of uncertainty your job is to know at which level of the hierarchy your direct reports operate. In this Minilog I also share the three things that cause your people to disengage.
In all the formal education I've attended, I can't remember any classes that were focused on listening. In this Minilog I remind listeners of why effective listening can be so difficult. More importantly, I share some of the consequences to us as leaders when we don't listen like we should. If you want to be a better leader, become a better listener!
This is epsiode #2 of three about develping the capacity of your organization to set expectations for your people. Rex Brice is the CEO of Rex's Family of Restaurants in Steamboat Springs, CO. He's come on the full journey from not knowing what a performance appriasal was to knowing that they are one of the most powerful levers to keep good people engaged and growing. You'll like Rex's practical approach that he's developed, something that's critical if you expect your managers to do this well. Listen to this podcast and compare what your doing performance management process looks like to someone who does it better than most!
If you believe people deserve to know the expectations for their performance, this is the podcast for you! Beau Necco, CEO of Necco Foster Care and Rob Goodwin, Necco's Chief People Officer join me to in this first of three podcasts on setting expectations with our people and how they use this process to help their managers "grow people". Of all of my clients, Necco has put the most work into making this discipline a true competitive advantage. You'll enjoy learning about the journey they have been on and the things they have learned.
Peter Drucker said companies literally struggle ending the life of formally valuable products or services. Often these products (or services) were crucial to the company's past success. As a result, they hold a special place in the owner's heart. What most of us miss is how selling these products robs the organization of the investment it needs to make in the products that are the future of the company. Listen to this minilog and learn your options to avoid this trap well-hidden!
Every meeting should have a clear objective or outcome. And most don't. In this Minilog I introduce the Meeting Matrix® which is a simple, clear list of the different kinds of meetings you conduct and the outcomes they should produce. Not only does it serve as a great "north star", it also helps you diagnose why your current meetings may be less effective than you want.
In this Minilog I explain the difference between training and education and how most training is not designed to change someone's behavior or skill. Education is certainly important but the key to improving someone's productivity is seldom that they need to be smarter about their job. These five minutes will help you understand your options and what's most important when it comes to developing your people.
This is the third in a series of conversations with successful business execs to hear their input about the importance of getting the right structure in your business. Dave Hunter is the VP of Operations at Steamboat Ski & Resort Company. In this episode he shares key ideas like not confusing the symptoms being created by what in reality is the real structural problem. He explains how Steamboat intentionally reviews their structure annually and why he thinks every business should. And my favorite, you need to spend far more time on Why you are changing your structure than What the change may be. (Ultimately, it's all about the culture!)
Your Structure Needs to be Aligned With Your Strategy - If you've listened to my podcast, you know I believe that more than 50% of the problems in a company are caused by something that's wrong in the company's structure. (How it deploys its resources.) Denny Freudeman has spent his career working in and leading healthcare organizations. Some large and some very large. Denny shares how he learned that people want to be managed, but not micromanaged. He's also learned how important it is to have your structure and culture designed and aligned to support your strategy. This episode is filled with practical advice about what executives need to consider when they are trying to get the ideal structure.
Recently I've been reminded about the importance of friends. In this minlog I share a thoughts a good friend sent to me in an email. If you like short podcasts, this is one my of my shortest! (And already one of my favorites!) See if it impacts you like it did me!!
With more work on your plates than ever, and uncertainty in your supply chain and ability to fully staff your business, the ability of your team to have open and honest dialogue is more critical than ever. Vulnrability-based trust requires the boss to model the honesty and willingess to admist the she or he has doubts, fears or concerns. The team will never be more vulnerable than their boss!
Over time companies find themselves doing work that used to be valuable but is no longer. The manager's job is to identify and eliminate that leass valuable work. In this minilog I share the process of "pushing down" the work to force people at lower levels to create the desired dilemma of having too much to do. Embrace this approach and your people will thank you for making their jobs simpler and more likely to produce the results you both want!
Your job as a manager and leader is to make sure your people are able to focus. If you and your executive team don't get absolute clarity about your priorities, you make it almost impossible for your people to be as effective and productive as you want. In this minlog I review the fundamentals you can use to declare your "most important thing"!
Structure is one of the biggest causes of problems in our businesses. But those problems look like poor performing people, unhappy customers and supply chain issues, not the structural issues that are the root cause. Bill Hutter is the first of our experts on how your structure needs to keep pace with your strategy. He's watched literally hundreds of companies work to change their ineffective structures to match their strategies. You'll enjoy learning from Bill's insight and expertise!
Most executives don't understand the size or kind of "shadow" that they cast on the organization or their team. As a result, they don't always understand the impact of their words and behavior on others. The great news is these "blind spots" can be uncovered. Chris Helsel, the Chief Technology Officer and SVP of Global Ops for Goodyear is this week's guest. He shares how he's learned how to create a feedback loop from the "truth teller" in your organization is indispensable to your ability to know what's really happening. This episode is filled with practical and proven tips that can make you an even better exec!
In this episode of the Ed Eppley Experience we visit with Kirk Cordill, Dealer Principal for BMW and Jaguar/Land Rover and former CEO for BMW Financial Services in China. Kirk shares his international perspective about managing and leading people. You'll enjoy hearing about the differences in doing those things in countries like China and Germany. And what he's learned when his money is on the line. Kirk's tip for running a more sustainable company is also unique... he actually thinks that it should be different depending on the size and scope of the business.
What things do you celebrate in your company? Some companies don't think about the impact of what they celebrate... what they "make a fuss over." As a result, some things we celebrate may unintentionally send the wrong message. In this Minilog I share some things you might want to celebrate with your people. (And some you don't!)
If we are committed to getting better, who is going to help us? Do I need a coach, a mentor or even a counselor? In this Minilog I explain the difference between these valuable resources as well as how you would know which one might be right for you. Getting the right person to help you in your development is crucial. This four minutes can make your decision more simple.
What Have I Done in The Last 90 Days To Be A Significantly Better Manager or Leader?" This is the final of the 3 Critical Questions.... The first two are, "Who Have I Held Accountable Beside or Above Me by Entering Into a Dangerous Conversation?" and "What Disruptive Breakthrough That Would Be Hard for Me or The Organization, Have I Considered?" This one focuses on the tremendous leverage we can produce for the company when we improve as a manager and leader. Managers and executives must remember that our skill is not the number of years of experience we have. If I was going to be arrested for getting better at my job in the last year, would there be enough evidence to convict me?
The best leaders have high levels of self-awareness and the capacity to be courageous. (The ability to act when we're afraid.) Effective leaders have the ability to be courageous in appropriate ways and at appropriate times. Mike Neatherton, former COO of the Betty Ford Clinic shares his perspectives about how many execs are truly self-aware. (Far fewer than you think!) And he discusses how the greatest courage is the execs ability to make themselves truly vulnerable to their teams. (FYI - Lyndsay Knox, our Business Manager at The Eppley Group says this is our best podcast ever!)
Rick Packer from Pat Lencioni's Table Group joins me in this episode of The Ed Eppley Experience to share his thinking and experiences in how leaders can become more self aware. (Hint - It helps to be open to feedback.) In his work with hundreds of execs and CEO's, he's learned that the best execs focus on doing what their role demands rather than what is pleasing. And you'll love Rick's comments about "uncommunicated expectations" and "the messy middle"!
This episode of TEEE, isn't about professional management or leadership. It's about the crazy and ever changing world of business travel. Most people know I travel a great deal. (I'm over a million miles with Delta.) I often get asked for recommendations about travel. No matter what advice I might offer, I always suggest they subscribe to Joe Sent Me. For almost 20 years, Joe Brancatelli has been offering up great business travel advice. No one, and I mean no one knows more about the best way to spend your business travel dollars. Business travel isn't always enjoyable. Sometimes it stinks. Listen to this episode and learn from the best expert. Also, if you decide to subscribe to Joe's monthly service, mention that you heard about this from Ed Eppley and he'll reduce the annual rate from $149 to $99!
I shared in an earlier minilog how 2021 has been the real year of Covid. It's also why now more than ever, leaders need to be be capable of thinking in disruptive ways. With all the uncertainty and difficulty in supply chains and finding people, this might be the time when you need to consider new and different alliances and partnerships. Maybe even different kinds of customers or suppliers. Listen and be prepared to consider options you would have never considered in the past!
Great leaders have courage along with the ability to act despite fear. In this minilog, I explain why managers may find it hard to act when there is danger present, and dive into the consequences that come from not acting. You are sure to like the model I offer that can let you "enter the danger" with greater confidence.
Rob Connelly is the CEO of Henny Penny. They make the equipment that makes the food for companies like McDonald's, Wendy's and yes, Chick-fil-A. Rob shares what it's like to lead a company that promises their customers they will make more money by spending more for Henny Penny's equipment. If you've ever wondered about having an ESOP company, Rob explains how their employees and fellow owners have greater interest in the company's financial results. And you'll enjoy hearing how Henny Penny always takes "the long view" in their decision making.
Kevin Hickey, COO of All 4 Environmental is obsessed with coaching. From youth basketball to Villanova University to his own company, Kevin eats, sleeps and works daily to master this critical aspect of management. He offers a refreshingly optimistic attitude about your talents' ability to get better and move to higher levels of performance. You'll appreciate how much the coaching he's received from others as impacted how he coaches his own people. Plus he offers you the opportunity to get a copy of All 4's Coaching The All 4 Way manual. This is GREAT stuff!
If you have a board, are on a board or are thinking about being on a board you need to listen to this podcast! Jim Brown, from Strive!, is one of the foremost experts on all kinds of boards. In this episode of The Ed Eppley Experience, Jim shares tremendous insights like: Why you want an Advisory Council (Not a Board of Advisors); why you don't want to be on a board of directors; why greeters at Walmart are better prepared for their jobs than most board members; and the number #1 reason why most business owners don't have a board. This is an episode you will want to listen to more than once!
Ever wonder why it's so hard to execute your startegic initiatives? It's because trying to fundametally change the business while keeping it operating is tremendously hard. It's messy and it can be complex. To give yourself a real chance at success, you need to think about how you keep your strategic imperatives in front of you, in the right way, at the right time. If you have trouble getting your strategy executed, don't miss this minilog!!
Bill Hutter has observed literally hundreds of business owners run their companies. Few people have seen the financial results of more entrepreneurs and been able to witness firsthand the impact of their decisions and behavior. In this wonderful episode of The Ed Eppley Experience, Bill shares the three things business owners do that holds them back. He also has some great practical advice about how to make it simpler to scale your business. Like all great ideas, this one is simple and practical. Listen to Bill and learn!
Hindsight always offers a different perspective and it's certainly true when we look back at 2020. Some companies were savaged last year, while a great many actually thrived. And strangely, many of these same businesses find their roles reversed. I offer up some observations of why it still may be too soon to know how much your business will be changed because of the pandemic.
After 40+ years of developing people and executives, I've earned the right to share why most training programs fail. This minilog episode of the Ed Eppley Experience helps you understand the difference between education and training, why the boss telling you to do better in certain areas doesn't always work, and the single biggest factor that people retain from any training program. If you are a manager or an executive, this is five minutes you won't want to miss!
It's so simple! Your job as a manager or executive exists for two reasons and two reasons only. Produce results and grow people. In this Minilog you learn what it really means to "grow" a person. And it probably isn't what you think! When you master this skill as a manager, you have a sustainable, competitive advantage and you'll NEVER be worried about a job!
This is one of several interviews I'm doing with some exceptional executive talent to help you deal with some of the most challenging aspects of leading and managing. Katie Brown, EVP of Sales and Marketing at Steamboat Ski and Resort Company shares her wisdom in this episode. She shares several extremely valuable ideas about knowing when to coach vs. discipline and how being a good parent can be some of the best preparation for these conversations. I also share some insights I've learned in using Situational Leadership®.
In today's world most executives are on more than one team. So the question becomes, "Which team is my 'first" team?" To which team should you have the greatest loyalty, give the highest priority? When you make your department or functional team your highest priority, you're going to make different decisions than if your first team is your team of peers. In this minilog you'll hear how to deal with this dilemma!
Last year's pandemic helped some poor teams become better. That's because something as disruptive as Covid 19 unites dysfuncitonal teams. Remember, some "great" teams are great because they have a common enemy that makes them cohesive, when they otherwise would be in disaray. So why is it harder for great teams no remain great today? Listen to this minilog and learn the lesson!
Recently an executive shared with me that he had 42 meetings on his calendar for the coming week. I wondered how much value he got from being in them. Have you ever done an audit of the quality of your meetings? In this minilog I share the 5 Steps to Effective Meetings. You'll learn the number one reason why meetings fail to be effective. Remember, meetings are indispensable to running a business. So we have a responsibility to make them as effective as possible. In these 5 minutes I'll share how you can quickly audit your meetings.
Someone once said the best leaders are people who don't want the position, the inference being that when that kind of person finds themselves in a leadership role, it's not because of the money or the power. They tend to be more responsible and inclined to do what is best for the business instead of what is best for them. That describes Andy Gruber. You'll learn as he talks about the need for leaders to be courageous, the kind of leader millennials need, and the fact that no business is truly a stable business. You'll enjoy getting to know Andy Gruber and this episode of The Ed Eppley Experience!
Ask any manager or executive what the toughest part of their job is and you are likely to hear having tough conversations with someone who isn't doing what they promised, or what their job requires. In this episode I take you through the Managerial Moment of Truth process for making these conversations much more productive to both parties. I explain a process from Bodiker and Fritz's book of the same name that you can start using today that will help you get to a better result and less stress in your job.
George Andress is a partner in Kleshinski, Morrison and Morris CPA's. He gets to see first hand the mistakes that closely-held family businesses tend to make and how these same businesses have been dealing with the pandemic. This will be a great episode to hear how your business compares to George's clients at this point in the pandemic as well as learn from their mistakes. Listen and learn!!
We've never had such an experienced international executive on the Ed Eppley Experience. Chris Delaney has led teams in the US, Australia, China, Arab Emirates and now Belgium. In this episode Chris shares what he's learned in building teams and producing results for name brands like P & G, Cambell's soup and Goodyear Tire and Rubber. He shares his thoughts about how leaders are created and what bad leadership experiences have taught him. And how the pandemic helped him simplify what he's asked from his team. These are leadership lessons you won't want to miss!
If you've listened to any of my podcasts, you know I frequently mention how a board of advisors can help almost any business. I use this minilog to explain what keeps owners and leaders from putting a board in place. I share the lengthy list of benefits a board can provide to help you understand why no matter what the excuse, having a board is better than not having one. If you don't have a board of advisors, you need to listen to this minilog today!
On this episode of TEEE, my former partner, Lance Tyson digs deep into what makes for powerful and effective performance conversations. Lance shares the importance of the manager controlling her attitude under stress. (Like a pandemic.) He emphasizes that feedback must be constant. He explains why managers need to seek the input of their employees about how they want to be managed and led. You'll enjoy hearing him explain the difference between being equal as compared to being fair. And finally, he shares the hardest thing to impact through coaching. If you want to make your coaching of people more effective, this is the episode for you!
In this minilog I share some data about what "span of control" makes sense for you as a manager and leader. It's not a "one size fits all" number. The type of work your people do makes a big difference, as does how much time you have to spend doing work vs. how much time do you have to spend coaching and developing your people. After doing this minilog, I'm certain I'll do another on this topic!
Like so many entrepreneurs, Brad Martyn turned his passion for helping small businesses understand the power of their financials into a thriving business of providing companies with fractional/part time CFO's. He's helped hundreds of businesses become more successful. In this episode he shares his "most important tip", whether it's harder to make a small company big or keep a big company from failing or selling out, and how he's learned that great CFO's are like the famous Sherpa guides in the Himalayas.
Chris Halapy had been groomed to become the CEO of Shook Construction for 10 years. Together with his predecessor, Bill Whistler they planned a 3-year transition for Chris to become Shook's CEO and Chris did so in the summer of 2019. All was going well and then in March of 2020 Covid hit. No amount of planning can prepare a CEO for dealing with a global pandemic. In this episode Chris shares what he's learned in leading this 90-year company through unprecendented times, the challenge of following a highly charsmatic leader and choosing the right people to be on your team.
I'm excited because Andy Follows is an example of what happens when passion meets preparation and then collides with a clear purpose. The founder of Aquilae (Latin for 100% @ 100%), he spends his days helping executives and managers be the best version of themselves. Having been on a journey to develop his ability to manage and lead, he's identified the 4 Things That Block High Performance and shares them in this fun, moving and entertaining 30 minutes. I'm afraid for you to listen because he's got his own podcast now and you will find him so smart and funny you won't listen to mine! You won't want to miss this episode!
Tom Flesch is this week's guest on the EEE. He's the CEO of the Gordon Flesch Co. If you have a Canon copier in your office, you probably bought or leased it from Gordon Flesch. They are the largest Canon dealer in the entire US. In this episode, you'll hear how the pandemic made them furlough 250 people, how they almost went out of business shortly after Tom moved to Columbus with his young wife and how Tom learned the importance of letting people do their jobs. You'll enjoy learning from this great leader and genuinely good guy!
If you manage people, this could be the most important Minlog for you! Most managers dread doing performance reviews and appraisals. I've found most managers are task driven rather than strategic when they discuss a person's performance. In today's Minilog, I share a strategy for how you can make performance discussions much more powerful and valuable to you and your people. Follow these tips and you and your people will look forward to performance conversations!
It's finally dawned on me that in business, there is more than one kind of trust. In fact, I have ID'd three different kinds. In today's Minilog, I share the three kinds, why they matter and the ones you can improve and the one you can't. Take four minutes and change your thinking about trust!
No business has been impacted more by Covid than the airline industry. Margaret Soda is the VP of HR and Labor Relations for PSA Airlines, based in Dayton, OH. They are a regional carrier flying 150 regional jets for American Airlines in the eastern third of the US. Margaret negotiates labor contracts with pilots, flight attendants and mechanics and loves it! In this episode she shares how PSA's executive team changed their meeting cadence, worked virtually and are recovering from an almost 70% drop in business. This very talented executive will make you think!
This is the second of two Minilogs that can help you create a sustainable competitive advantage. Once you and your executive team have answered the 4 Critical Questions, there's work to embedding that clarity in every aspect of your organization. Your people want you to be a great leader and great leaders aren't afraid to repeat themselves when it comes to over-communicating the pillars of your culture and strategy. Just as important will be when your entire leadership team is saying the same things as you. Imagine the power and confidence that creates!
Joni Fedders admits she wasn't always the best employee. Like a lot of entrepreneurs, she would "buck" the rules. So while she was a successful brand manager at IAMS Pet Food, she was always destined to run her own show. After building and selling her business, her former CEO at IAMS, Clay Mathile asked her to be the CEO at Aileron, his organization and campus to help teach business owners to run their business rather than have the business run them. In this episode of TEEE, Joni shares how she's learned to really communicate and give proper direction to others. You'll enjoy Joni's candor, humility and eagerness to learn.
Want to have a truly sustainable competitive advantage? In today's Minilog, I review why clarity matters, how you create it and the 4 benefits it provides. This is one of two minilogs that provide the framework for creating a culture that drives higher employee engagement, performance and satisfaction.
"It's almost harder not to help than it is to help." So says Kurt Barney, the CEO of Vandalia Rental. This fast growing, highly profitable company owes much of its success to being able to quickly develop talent that is letting the company scale. And according to Kurt, creating a culture that let's people be able to learn as quickly as possible means being willing to let them make the mistakes that teach them the critical lessons that make them truly valuable performers and leaders. You'll be impressed by this young executive's approach to leading and growing people and his top tip for running a more successful organization.
Sam Mason grew up in the steel industry. But it was only when he left for college that he learned how strong was the hold the business and industry had on him. In this episode you will hear how Sam has taken on the President and COO role for Major Metals. Sam shares how he and his dad Jeff, prepared for and executed the move from G2 to G3 and why he likes having a board of advisors he can tap for advice. Sam also describes how he's found being very clear and specific about the end-result he expects has made it simpler for his people to perform at higher levels. You will enjoy learning from this up and coming leader!
It's the beginning of a new year. There is no better time to make changes to your meeting behaviors and format than today. One of the best things you can do is reduce the number of people who are in your ad hoc meetings. In this Minilog I share things you should consider when deciding who to invite and how to handle the pushback you may get. It's never been more important to be able to get more done in less time. Reducing the size of some of your ad hoc meetings is a great way to start!
I was formally taught a wonderful methodology for planning work in a way that made it easy to remember, could easily be shared with others, was tremendously practical and improved my capacity to get things done. Listen to this Minilog and in 5 minutes this process can begin to work for you!
In this minilog I share why you may want the team you lead to develop the capacity to lead itself. The premise can be scary, especially to newer and younger managers. Think of it as similar to when you delegate something you are great at doing to one of your people. Just because there are risks doesn't mean you shouldn't do it. In five minutes you'll better know whether your team, and you are ready for this next step in their/your development.
Great leaders, at appropriate times resist the temptation to correct answers they know to be incorrect from other team members. Instead, they assume the answer they "know" to be correct might actually be wrong and "seek to understand" and learn from their team. In this Minilog I share why you may want to add this skill to your leadership arsenal. (It can help you at home too!)
Have you ever thought about the fact that what keeps you safe when you drive is an area on your tire about the size of the back of your fist. Chris Helsel is the Chief Technology Officer for Goodyear Tire & Rubber. His job is to lead his 2000 people around the world in finding new and better ways to make your driving better and safer. In this episode of the Ed Eppley Experience you'll hear how Chris continuously learns but judiciously chooses to limit how much change he asks of his team. And you are sure to benefit from hearing how Chris makes sure teams and individuals are more likely to be successful when you make things simple and clear. (A man after my own heart!)
That's not what Rob Perlman, President & COO of Steamboat Ski and Resort Co. (SSRC) actually gets paid to do. But being able to ski almost daily while he speaks to employees and guests is part of his job. Under his leadership SSRC has reached record levels of guest satisfaction and financial performance. He's also used the pandemic to give his organization permission to try things they might have never considered and most of them have improved the business. Even if you hate winter, you'll find this episode of the EEE a great lesson in an executive's growth.
Mike Neatherton is the former head of the Betty Ford Clinic. He's an Ohio native and in recovery since 1978. In this podcast Mike shares the story of his personal journey in recovery, the impact it has had on his family and his belief in the power of organizational health. This is a fascinating and powerful conversation that ever leader of a team should hear.
I know... the title may be longer than this minilog. But every manager and leader needs to ask thmeselves this question. Do you talk too much? Too little? Are you able to suspend judegement so you can learn from your people instead of teaching them that when you want their opinion you'll give it to them!? Listen and see how you are doing!
Most teams are tired. Their habits and rituals have been interrupted. Connections built on being in each other's company and critical to team unity are now mostly virtual. In this minlog I share the things you should be watching and things you can do to protect your culture from becoming more frayed and weakend. Don't let this happen to your team and culture!
Eric Kuester is the VP of Sales and Marketing at the iconic Pinehurst Resort, home to the famous #2 Course where Payne Stewart won his US Open title. Eric leads a team of over 50 people who have responsibility for answering the phones and bringing in groups for both business and pleasure. He's developed a reputation for exceeding expectations and he credits the standards he's learned to set as the key. You'll enjoy hearing how he's grown into his role and learning more about this amazing resort.
In this minilog I share my forcast of why the coming year is very likely to be different for your business than it was in 2020. I could be wrong (and frequently am) but this economy is so much different than the one we experienced in 2009 - 2012 during the global financial crisis. The odds that you'll experience "more of the same", in my mind are much lower than you may think.
Focus is always hard for executive teams. This year it's harder than ever for our people to have their "heads in the game". This minilog shares the questions you should be asking yourself so you can be the leader your team needs, so they can be their best.
Brandon Pauley is an attorney who specializes in cyber security. We are more at risk than we realize, personally and professionally. This episode helps you understand the things you can do to minimize your cyber risk and be better prepared on how to respond when it happens. You'll enjoy Brandon's pragmatic approach and real life experience with all kinds of clients.
Joel Kessel was the punter for Ohio State in 1992. While teamates like Joey Galloway, Robert Smith and Dan Wilkinson went on the the NFL, Joel pursued a career in PR & communication. An entreprenuer at heart, Joel operates Kessel Strategies and has become a coach and peer group leader for Vistage. Joel is the master mind behind my social media and podcast efforts. Listen to this episode and learn from one of my most trusted advisors.
In this episode of the EEE Chad Parker introduces us to his Simplicity Scan. It is a free tool that he designed to help teams create dialogue that can save time, improve profitability and focus on what matters most to their customers. In times like these anything that helps your team focus is worth exploring. You'll enjoy Chad's pursuit of "the simple" in everything he does.
Great leaders know their strengths and weaknesses. And they know their biases. Most executives know when they should "beg for forgiveness vs. ask for permission". The people below you, likely not so much. What's your default? Do you model a double standard? In this minilog I share some tips on how you can make clear your expectations and which approach may be best for your business. Either way, don't make your people guess!!
Ever heard of Ski Town USA® or Champagne Powder® ? Then you're talking about Steamboat Springs Ski Resort and Katie is their EVP of Sales and Marketing. In this episode you'll hear about her journey to become one of the masters of developing an iconic brand and what you can do to not be viewed as a commodity. She's an early adopter of Organizational Health and Katie shares how her "first team" at the executive level has grown as well as how she has worked to break through the "ice ceiling" in her industry. Listen and she'll inspire you to become a better leader!
Eveng if you are the boss, if you have a board of advisors or directors, then you have another set of people to manage. And like your employees, if you fail to establish clear mutual expectations and rules for behavior, your likely to waste an inordinate amount of time. In this minilog I share a simpe formula for how you can get in front of your board and stay there.
"Diversity in product offering is the enemy of profitability." That's what my friend Wes Gipe says. And normally I agree with him. That said, sometimes adding a new product line makes sense. In this minilog I share a decision my client has made to "violate" this business rule. Listen and let me know what you think!!
In this episode you'll meet Natalie Furniss, Senior VP at Nationwide Insurance. Like so many successful people in life, Natalie's journey was not easy. You'll appreciate how much she and her family were supported by her community and church and lessons it's taught her. A practicing attorney in one of Ohio's most prestigious firms, she wasn't looking to move into the corporate legal counsel world. But Nationwide called. Three years later she's leading the Property and Casualty legal team of one the nation's largest and best known brands. And if you are interested in creating a more diverse leadership team, she has definite opinions about the "glass ceilings" that still confront people. Listen to this episode and like me, you'll become a Natalie Furniss fan!
If your organization uses a CRM, you need to listen to this episode. You'll meet John Ferrara, Founder and CEO of Nimble, the first truly different CRM. John founded and built Goldmine. He scaled it, sold it and retired. Being a purpose-driven leader, he couldn't stay retired. He looked at the CRM landscape and realized virtually every CRM had become primarily a means of capturing data, not managing and developing relationships. We discuss Jon's journey as an entrepreneur and leader and why salespeople (and I) love Nimble. Listen and learn more about this fascinating leader, entrepreneur and possible tool for your business.
Do you and your leadership team create unwinnable battles for the people below you in your company. And leadership teams unwittingly do this more often than not. In this minilog I share what they are, how they happen and the tremendous damage they create for the organizationa and in particular the the executive team.
I've seen literally hundreds of executive team offsites. I just saw the best one that I've attended. Listen to this quick minilog and learn what a great executive team offsite looks like and what it took for them to make it happen!
Denny Freudeman started as a small college football player, became a CPA, hospital CFO & CEO. Today he helps healthcare systems manage their growth, helps companies as their board member and in his free time plays music. In this podcast Denny shares his insight on where healthcare is headed, Covid 19 and how he developed his leadership abilities along the way.
Most execs say they want a great team. But most haven't identified what it means in concrete terms what an ideal team members looks like. In this minilog I share a model to help you get clarity about why a model for your team matters and what one might be for you and your team.
Almost every executive and manager with whom I work says they don't have enough time. Only a few really effectively manage their most important resource, their time. When we talk about how they can get more done in less time, it always comes down to these 3 things. Here's a quick reminder that can help you personally and professionally.
Almost every manager has had to ask their people to produce the same or better results with less resources. The average person when confronting that reality thinks their boss is setting them up for failure. In this minilog I help you understand how to present this real business need in a way that makes it more likely that you'll get the other person's commitment instead of compliance.
Making any team great takes the right people and the right amount of work. Make that team operate virtually and it will be even harder. In this minilog I share information that shows that companies are identifying the real cost to working virtually.
In this minilog I discuss the harsh truth that most executive teams are too big. They have too many people to ever be a truly great team. That's usually because the CEO or Owner defaults to adding someone when they aren't sure whether the person or role should be on the team. Great teams commit to spending the time required to be great. The more people on your team, the less likely they are to be able to spend the time required.
If you've read my book, Let's Be Clear, then you know about Bill McBrayer, Jr. He's a great example of how mastering the 6 professional management disciplines can improve the performance of his business and the quality of his personal life. In this podcast you'll hear Bill's story about how he changed his behavior in ways that let him take the business from 30 employees to over 100. And how his focus has now become about developing people so the business can continue to scale.
Unusual times like these, while challenging for most companies offer a wonderful opportunity to learn who the real high potential leadership are in your business or team. Get your executive team together and ask people to identify people outside their own departments who have "risen to the challenge". You'll likely discover there are a few exceptional people you've been overlooking.
Marty Grunder has been obsessed in building a landscaping business that didn't need him in order to be sustainable and successful. He did it so well that he now helps literally hundreds of other people in the "Green Industry" do the same. In this episode of the EEE he drops one powerful lesson after another. You'll enjoy Marty's practical ideas and no-nonsense approach to managing and leading.
As leaders and business owners we need to have a strategy about if and how we will use social media. None of my clients has done this better than Chis Broadhurst and R&A Enterprises in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Chris' social media focuses on the critical factor that determines when someone decides to choose a contractor. Listen to this 5 minutes and learn!
Almost a century in business, the Shook Construction Company has successfully transitioned through multiple leaders. Bill Whistler is their current Chairman of the Board. A visionary and an avid triathlete, he used that discipline to create a purpose driven company and to develop talent... not just his successor but throughout the company. If you care about "producing results and growing people", you will want to listen to this podcast!
I've been fortunate to travel a number of time by air and stay in hotels the past six months. In this 4 minutes you'll hear what I've experienced on these trips, the different approaches airlines are taking and why I think you can be more confident now than ever when you leave home.
In this episode of the Ed Eppley Experience (E3'd) you get to meet one of the most enthusiastic and successful leaders in the education of our kids, Dr. Jim Mahoney. If you have a board, you MUST listen to Jim's thoughts on dealing with boards. He's led big and small organizations. He's tested his leadership skills in the military, education and consulting spaces. You'll get energized listening to this exceptional management and leadership pro!
Most business leaders haven't experienced such a turbulent time like the past 6 months. Here's 5 minutes that will help you decide whether you should be using a microscope or a telescope to examine your business. Now more than ever you need to decide whether your business should be "playing to win" vs. "playing not to lose".
I wrote about Colin Crotty in my book, Let's Be Clear. He comes from a family of entrepreneurs, so it's not surprising that he runs one of the most successful branding firms in the US. What's unusual is how he's developed and used his management and leadership skills so successfully in such different businesses. Whether you've read Let's Be Clear or not, you'll appreciate getting to learn more about this special leader.
Some companies are learning that virtual meetings can be as effective as their in-person alternatives. Some are finding that they aren't. Ed explains why he's leaning towards most companies returning to office over time because they'll see a drop in one of the most important competitive advantages you can have, rising productivity.
Dan Wiley is the third generation of his family to run Wiley Ingredients. Based in land-locked Coshocton, Ohio, they process more fish oil for human consumption in the United States than anyone. Listen to Dan explained how a chance meeting at a trade show became a new business. Hear how he has traveled the road to creating a company that continues to become even more Smart and Healthy.
There are few lonelier jobs than the owner or president of a business. Now more than ever execs need a confidant. Someone its safe for the leader to confide in and who can offer up unbiased advice. The two primary options for most executives are mentors and peer groups. Ed explains the difference and makes the case if you don't use one or the other, you and your business could be paying the price!
Political and reputational risk usually don't become a concern until it's too late. Listen to Jeff Berkowitz explain how his company Delve helps companies create a strategy to manage the risk that government and unplanned negative press and social media can cause. If your company doesn't have a strategy, this is a must-listen podcast.
Listen to this 5 minute minilog and learn the number one thing that keeps good executives from becoming great. Ed shares the four things that let someone have the capacity to understand the impact of their behavior on their people, the company and the financial results.
Revenue determines the ability of any sports team's ability to pay their players. Chad Estis is the EVP who works for Legends Sports (formed by the owners of the NY Yankees and Dallas Cowboys) who helps their professional and collegiate clients maximize the profitability of their stadiums. Chad shares how he got into the business side of professional sports, how critical teamwork is to successful sales organizations, how to deal with "destructive heroes", and his "most important thing" to run a more successful and sustainable business.
Who's your toughest competitor? Strange as it seems, seismic changes in a marketplace might create opportunites to collaborate with organizations and individuals you would never otherwise consider. Part of a leader's job is to understand and confront the truth of what confronts you and your team. This quick-hitting four minutes will make you think!
Lance Tyson is Ed's former partner. He teaches sales skills to over half of the professional sports teams in the United States. This is a fun-filled 30 minutes that will give you insight into dealing with millenials, what truly caring about your people looks like and how you can't motivate anyone. You'll even learn how Lance and Ed became partners
Major changes in your market create an opportunity to reset your business. Now might be the best time ever to pivot your strategy, abandon marginal products, services or suppliers. This five minute update may be the most important thing you'll hear this week.
Sue Ludwig saw that the therapists who take care of premature babies and the babies themselves needed something that hospitals weren't providing. She acted and now has a thriving for-profit association that raises the quality of care for over 200,000 babies and the quality of life for the terapists who care for these prescious bundles. From startup to thriving assocation in less than 10 years. You'll enjoy learning from Sue.
If you and your team don't agree in advance on what the "most important thing" is for your company to advance, then people at the lower levels will be left to fight the "unwinable" fights that otherwise occur. Do them and your business sa favor, get your team together today and listen to this quick hitting way to stay aligned!
Adrienne Jane Burke had a successful career going as a business writer for Yahoo. Then she attended a program Ed Eppley was conducting on Professional Management and soon found herself helping Ed write his book, Let's Be Clear. All of this stirred in her an interest in starting her own business. Today she's the proud owner of Greiser's Coffee and Market in Easton, CT. Listen to the fascinating journey, the way she funded her startup and be inspired!
Do some topics in your organization seem to be "off the table" for discussion? Most companies tend to have a few topics that are either not brought up at all, or are frustrating when they are. Learn the importantace of having the right people at the table to make decisions and why it is important to be aware of what the Undiscussable Topics are at your organizaiton.
Sam Wiley is on a quest to help people live healthier lives. His family processes more fish oil than any other company in the US and they are based in Coshocton, OH. Sam Wiley has done what others said wasn't possible, successfully busting into the highly competitive Omega 3 fish oil supplement market. Listen to his story and lessons learned from this young and successful entrepreneur.
The "new reality" has moved the office into our home. This can make managing our day a greater challenge. Working in "sprints" instead of our normal marathons can improve our energy and our focus. Try this and see how it works for you!
Steve Kelly's career has seen him move from the military to CEO of Battelle's Contract Reasearch business and now CEO of the Iniana Innovation Institue. He's led all kinds of people to drive innovation and solve tough, compelling problems. Learn how his approach evolved so he was able to produce better results and more commited people.
Our behavior is a function of our emotions which are caused by our thinking. Now more than ever managing our thinking is crucial to us being the leader our company and team need. Learn how this tool can improve your leadership and even your personal life.
20 years ago Rick Packer started as a client who Ed said should become a consultant. Today he is someone that the CEO of Chick-Fil-A looks to for advice. Learn what this expert in Organizational Health sees as the job of a great leader.
Companies are experiencing first hand the importance of fast, frequent, daily "huddles". Learn how this alignment tool helps executive teams put their finger on the organizational pulse in 5-10 minutes and make it more likely that executive team members will make decisions more often than the leadership team will support.
Rex Brice started out washing dishes in a restaurant at age 14. He's built a portfolio of seven different restaurants, each successful in the resort town of Steamboat Springs. Learn how being able to attract, hire and retain talent and identifying and living your core values creates a competitive advantage that can work for your company.
In 30+ years in the golf business, Kelly Miller, CEO of Ross Resorts in Southern Pines has successfully navigated dramatic changes in demographics, 9/11, and the global financial crisis. He's been a role model at watching the marketplace, recognizing the shifts and changing his business model to not only survive but thrive. If you're passionate about business, you'll learn a ton from Kelly. If you love golf, you'll enjoy it even more.
Ever wonder what it woudl be like to work with well-known author Patrick Lencioni? After 20 years Jeff Gibson, President of Consulting for The Table Group has never been more passionate about driving the organizational health movement. Hear first-hand about how The Table Group produces some of the highest performing executive teams in the world!
Bill Straub and Kevin Hickey grew up as next-door neighbors. They created and scaled a successful Environmental Engineering Consulting practice. Learn how they leveraged their different strengths and weaknesses and how selling controlling interest to PE has been great for the business.
For over 20 years, Scott McGohan has been on a journey to become the best version of himself. Great leaders have high levels of self awareness and empathy. On this podcast you'll learn how Scott managed his development journey and how it prepared him to deal with this latest crisis. You'll enjoy Scott's transparency and suggestions for your growth as a leader.
Bill Black, host of The Exit Coach Podcast, knows as much as anyone about how to maximize the value of your business and minimize the challenges when you are ready to sell. Just as important, he's learned the key to success lies in building a truly sustainable business, one that will be worth as much or even more when the owner is no longer required for the business to operate day-to-day. Normally he's on the other side of the microphone. Today's he's Ed's guest and you'll enjoy his insight and expertise.
Loren Feldman has always been a raving fan of small business. He's gone from the NY Times, to Forbes to finally launching his own digital platform to support small business. Now more than ever he appreciates the difference between taking risks with other peoples' money vs. your own. You'll enjoy Loren's journey from talking and writing about small business to becoming one.
Most 2nd generation business owners struggle to maintain the success of the founder. In this episode Ed speaks with Matt Hullander, CEO of Hullco Home Remodelers. Matt bought the business from his dad in 2007 and has grown and scaled it to become the largest home remodeling company in east Tennessee. Learn how he improved results by narrowing the focus of the business.
Ed speaks with Marques Odgen, former NFL player turned construction entrepreneur. Marquest shares his riches to rags experience with amazing candor and passion. Learn how his inability and unwillingness to listen literally cost him his business. This is an episode that every CEO, president and owner should hear
Ed spends time with Alan Crookes the CEO who taught Ed what it means to invest in people. As the CEO of BMW Financial Services for the Austral-Asia region, Alan oversaw the greatest and fastest growth in revenue, profit and market share for this global auto brand. This would have never been possible without a bench of managerial and leadership talent that he could confidently place. Listen and learn from the best!
Ed speaks with Wes Gipe, a proven and well respected Smart & Healthy consultant. Wes has ridden the entire lifecycle of a business and managed not only to survive, but thrive. You'll be inspired hearing Wes share his lessons learned.
What do I do? How am I supposed to keep things moving? Do I lay people off? What do I immediately? What's the triage enabling me to provide to my balance sheet, my income statement, and my organization?
Dr. Ted Prince introduces you to the world of Behavioral Finance and how it may be your best weapon during this current Covid Crisis. Now more than ever, your behavior will determine how well your company emerges from this crisis. Learn why your instincts may work against your company's success.
Our goal today is to help you leave with a little bit more confidence and clarity, about what you should be doing right now, to manage your business and help your people be able to do their jobs as well as keep your business viable in what can be some really, really tough times.
Listen to the CEO who is setting the example of how to scale a business while making it even more sustainable. You'll get energized to want to improve your business, your meetings and things you don't think possible.