Build a great company on a powerful foundation!
BLUE FEDERAL CREDIT UNION is a 65 year old newbie.
OK, I’d better explain.
This great company recently re-branded after the merger of Warren Federal Credit Union and Community Financial Credit Union, creating a name which evokes their background in serving military personnel. It also captures their culture of optimistically building toward a future of unlimited possibilities.
It makes for a cool logo, too – bonus!
FORNEY INDUSTRIES is a powerful company in Fort Collins. Never heard of them?
Well, it’s nice to know that the family-owned business was born and raised in Fort Collins.
Forney Industries makes welding and metal-working equipment and parts. It’s a fabulous business, powered from a solid reputation for delivering top value since 1932.
With about 220 employees worldwide, most in Fort Collins, they deliver their products through hardware, farm & ranch, automotive aftermarket, and industrial distribution stores. They sell online, and their sales force also works directly with customers who do welding and metal working as a part of their business.
WE ALL HAVE THIS CHATTER going on in our minds all the time. It’s part of being human.
But not always useful.
The problem is that it’s constantly influencing your attitude and those around you. It can destroy your effectiveness as a leader.
DO YOU WANT PRODUCTIVITY?
Here’s the simple truth of the matter. You can’t beat people into being productive, at least not for long.
People put their passion and energy into what they care about, not what their boss cares about.
Sounds hopeless? Well, there’s a solution.
NELIA HARPER IS A LOCAL ARTIST with some considerable talent. We’ve known each other for several years, so I was interested to explore what’s happening in her journey of discovery and building her new business.
It’s common to think that artists are inherently flaky or ungrounded. But I find this not to be true.
For myself, I think that artistry is just another aspect of a wonderful life. For me, it’s music.
THE CENTER FOR VALUES-DRIVEN LEADERSHIP has just opened up for applications for the next cohort of their PhD/DBA program.
You might remember that I talked about this program earlier this year when I had a chance to meet the leaders. It’s exciting because it’s customized specifically for senior executives who are designing their companies around solid, powerful values.
So check out the executive doctoral program in values-driven leadership and apply by November 1 2016.
WE GENERALLY STINK at making commitments. OK, maybe you’re fantastic, but I know that I stumble with this all the time.
And I’m not talking about flaking out on your New Year’s Resolutions. I’m referring to how we rely on others around us to create a successful business.
I’ve been in a class this week called The Foundations of Generative Leadership. Don’t be thrown off if the phrase sounds a little weird or even New-Agey. This stuff is incredibly practical.
So let me unpack this concept of “commitment” in the business context.
YOUR PURPOSE AND VALUES drive everything you do. Fantastic!
But what drives it over time? What keeps you from getting distracted by the pressures of the day and communication difficulties?
What often happens is that only one person is truly accountable to the vision: The founder. But is that person involved in every decision and discussion? Not if you’ve grown to any size.
BANKING MIGHT NOT BE THE FIRST INDUSTRY you think of improving the world. We’ve become quite jaded with all the banking issues in the last thirty years.
That means there’s room for someone who’s taking a different approach.
New Resource Bank was founded in San Francisco in 2006 with a mission to support businesses and non-profits which improve the world in four key areas:
YOU CAN TRY TO FIND GREAT PEOPLE for your jobs, or you can attract those who will really be energized to work in your business.
I’ve talked about this before.
The problem is that our standard approach to finding employees is to describe the technical skills that are needed, the great benefits package, and … that’s about it. Potential employees really don’t know much about you and how you’re out to change the world.
You need to shift your thinking and change the messaging.
The Values-Based Business 