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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.
GREEN RIDE COLORADO is a well-known local award-winning leader in shuttle buses to and from Denver International Airport. For such a commodity service, people are constantly surprised at how they give a special experience of customer service and professionalism.
It all starts with the culture.
I had a chance to speak with Bob Flynn recently, who started Green Ride with Ray Schofield, and is a wonderful friend. He wanted to start this company because he was tired of working for bosses who treated employees like generic machines. 
And he really didn’t like being a manager in that environment.
So Ray and Bob went out and started their own company, to create the kind of employee culture that they would love.
YOU SEE this all the time: A company once respected and admired has become a shell of its former self. Employees wonder why they’re still around, other than to pull down a paycheck. Customers turn cynical because there’s no longer any credibility behind the high-minded words.
You can probably name as many examples as I can. But why would we struggle to name even one company which has gone the other direction?
LAST YEAR I ran across a gentleman who runs the local LearningRx franchise. I’d never heard about them before, but they do some amazing things with helping children learn. And adults too!
This person offered a very generous gift: a free copy of The Purpose Directed Business. This book was written by Dr Ken Gibson, the founder of the company, and really captures the philosophy behind what the company’s about.
In a word: Leadership.
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.
LAST WEEK I gave some perspectives on branding your values-based business. My good buddy Hugh offered up a challenging question that I think is worthy of more exploration.
His question is around the values of your company versus the values employees hold as an individuals.
When you started out as a one-person company, it probably wasn’t too hard. Read the rest of this entry »
HERE’S the honest answer to today’s question: Anywhere and everywhere!
OK, I realize that’s not especially helpful.
With my clients, I tend to distinguish between VALUES and GOALS. Read the rest of this entry »
The Values-Based Business 