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STEFANIE AND PATRICK O’NEILL own a third generation family business called 
Vern’s Toffee House. It was started by Stefanie’s grandfather, Vern Hackbarth, in 1976, as his second “retirement project” at the age of 60. I met her father last year, as the company was in the process of transitioning to Patrick and Stefanie.
It’s a fascinating little business. They had survived quite nicely for 36 years with just family and some seasonal part-time employees, and just last year took on someone year-round.
How does this survive? Quite simply: An amazingly wonderful product, a simple business model, and flawless quality.
THIS WEEK I had a chance to participate in the CMAA Sacred Music Colloquium. That may not seem relevant to a business-related blog, but it actually is.
I do this because I’m passionate about the subject, but also because it re-centers me back on to some of the core values in my life. In this case, it’s spiritual, but I do other things to keep other values focused in my life.
When you’re trying to direct a values-based business, this is quite necessary. Read the rest of this entry »
THOSE OF YOU here in Fort Collins know how crazy it would be to leave OtterBox and their amazing employee culture.
Kristin Golliher did exactly that, back in February last year. To start a new business called WildRock Public Relations & Marketing. She has great passion for what she does: providing professional services to companies large and small across the nation.
But she has an even deeper passion for the kind of company she’s trying to create.
THE OTHER DAY I happened across this article which describes a company culture that few would dare emulate.
It’s quite startling.
Their idea is to have a company where roles are incredibly fluid, where almost everything is transparent, and value is created through unrestrained creativity and teamwork.
Pure chaos, you’re thinking!
PEOPLE have asked me to explain more about this concept of “deep values” – and in particular, to give examples.
Today let’s explore New Belgium Brewing, which is based here in Fort Collins. On the surface, they’re a fast-growing craft brewer, best known for their Fat Tire Amber Ale. But they have other great beers too, and set the standard for craft brewers in this region.
New Belgium is expanding rapidly across the US, currently in 28 states.
Last year, the company announced that it would start expansion to the east coast, and after significant investigation, settled on Asheville, North Carolina. Why is this relevant?
INHISNAMEHR.COM had a great article today, titled Most Employees Are Not Lazy, Just Not Led. It’s a great read, and captures a thought that I’ve had kicking around for some time.
Managers can make lots of judgments about employees: they’re stupid, they’re lazy, they’re just not worth it.
But if you’re building a business that needs people, you have to get beyond this way of thinking. Because if this is the lens you’re using, then NOBODY is ever going to live up to your expectations. Your life will be miserable, and your business will fail.
THERE was a wonderful discussion this week when I put an announcement of this blog in one of the Facebook groups. I have to say that I’m very pleased with the support I’ve been receiving.
Someone made a great point about how they’ve strongly branded their coaching business with a Christian theme, and how well that’s worked. For myself, I’ve chosen to emphasize two points:
- My personal faith journey as a basis for how I approach my coaching and business
- An additional dimension of discussion that I might use with my clients if they get value from it
GALLUP Business Journal recently published an article entitled Making Hope a Business Strategy. I have to confess that I was a little disappointed, though, because the bottom line seemed mostly, “if you support your people, they’ll have hope in a better future and they’ll be 14% more productive.”
Sure, but that’s only scratching the surface.
IAM a member of a local group called Bridge Networking. I enjoy this as an asset for growing my business, but more important, doing good in the community.
It’s a values-based organization, which is a primary reason why I stay engaged and contribute.
It was a lot of fun to have a great discussion with the group this morning around what values really look like. Here’s the structure I introduced:
A DEAR friend died on Friday. He was a great, generous, caring man, and he improved many lives.
This got me thinking about the role that funeral leave plays in the business world. Yes, I know that’s a leap, but stay with me here.
The Values-Based Business 