Times are tough right now, aren’t they? This coronavirus situation has given me a chance to reflect on many aspects of my life and reevaluate my priorities. How many of you are doing the same? One of the things I’m thinking about these days as stores, restaurants, and office buildings open back up for business is the way that many businesses are run. I’m talking,…
I was in a meeting the other day and was suddenly struck by a thought: Just because a person is at the top of an organization, that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re a good leader. There are lots of people at the top who aren’t. This notion made me pause, and then I thought, “I wonder how I’m doing?” There are all kinds of leaders and…
Anyone who knows me knows I’m a high-energy, fun-loving guy. I’m always on the go, making sales, supervising roofing installations, or giving away another roof to a deserving veteran. I love spending time with family and friends, too. I believe that when you have fun, your whole life is better. Many people are just like me. They love to have fun. But that doesn’t translate…
Who is that Man in the Mirror? Let’s talk about honesty and integrity. These are two words that people often associate with successful leaders. And they’re two words that are nearly always tied together when talking about leadership traits. Why is that? Perhaps it’s because it’s hard to be honest in all your dealings without treating people fairly and with integrity in the process….
Make 2019 a Risk-Filled Year! I know this blog title is a little unconventional. Most people are warned not to take risks instead of being encouraged to take them. But sometimes the biggest payoffs are in the biggest risks. Without having the courage to take the risk, you miss out on something big. Sometimes really big. Take Alex Honnold, for example. Alex Honnold,…
What is your WHY? Many business schools teach that in order to be successful in the marketplace – any marketplace – you have to have a unique selling proposition or USP. It’s what sets you apart from the competition, something that makes the product or service you offer stick in consumers’ minds. Seth Godin called this a Purple Cow in his book by the same…
Leadership style and philosophy help drive successful organizations. It occurred to me the other day that I’m in the very fortunate position of having had the opportunity to create and run my own businesses. I’ve done it not just once, but several times over the course of my career thus far. I’ve built a mortgage bank from the ground up, starting as a financial advisor,…
Rebuilding after Crisis There’s nothing more devastating than putting your life into an entrepreneurial endeavor only to have it go belly up. All those hours – sometimes years – of blood, sweat, tears, sleepless nights, money issues, and personal sacrifice suffered through only to discover that upon birth, your brainchild is stillborn. Or more heart-wrenching…it shows promise in the early years, only to slowly wither…
Garen Armstrong – Venture 1 – Labor Day Labor Day Lessons In this country in the 19th century, trade unionists proposed a holiday to celebrate the impact that workers across the country had on “the strength, prosperity, laws, and well-being of the country.”1 The day become known as Labor Day, celebrated the first Monday in September. For most people, Labor Day is just another three-day…
In this country in the 19th century, trade unionists proposed a holiday to celebrate the impact that workers across the country had on “the strength, prosperity, laws, and well-being of the country.”1 The day become known as Labor Day, celebrated the first Monday in September. For most people, Labor Day is just another three-day weekend, a weekend to make one last trip to the lake…