How Business Sails Forward
Three weeks into this new reality and a fundamental truth is being viewed in a new light.
There is zero limit to the power of human ingenuity and imagination.
Deep down, we have always known that we are capable of infinitely more than we believe.
Now we are seeing visible evidence of many stories that reveal exactly how we are much stronger and more resourceful than we know. How we can quickly pivot, adapt and endure much more than we ever thought possible.
Sitting here in London, ON, we are feeling no small measure of enormous respect and admiration for the many small to medium-sized business owners and leaders weighed down by an unpredictable 800-pound gorilla on their shoulders right now. We’re talking about folks who suddenly found themselves carrying an incredible and emotionally exhausting beast of burden; feeling both morally and financially responsible for the well-being of their employees and by extension, their families.
For some business leaders, there will be difficult decisions that no one wants to make in the days and weeks ahead. Decisions about layoffs. Who stays and who goes? If a company or organization is like a ship, how many short straws have to be handed out in order to save that vessel for people to be able to come back to once this situation is behind us?
It's never easy being captain, especially when your ship is staring down an invisible, impervious iceberg.
For other leaders, this uncertain climate also provides an opportunity to bring people even closer and row together as one. To rally those on board and make sure that we’re more connected than ever to the customers and communities we serve.
Since March 18th we have been sharing daily, Monday-to-Friday conversations so we can hear and learn from real-life struggles business leaders are facing and the measures these captains are taking - to help everyone facing new questions none of us had to answer before.
Inspired by a March 12th gathering of unwavering, unflinching business leaders in Charlotte, NC, these ZOOM conversations are being shared to help support Business Leaders as they do their level best to navigate through the uncharted waters of these unpredictable times.
We hope that as a Business Leader, you find new, illuminating answers and inspiration from these conversations for your business and work family. You can watch more of these unscripted, unedited chats in the days ahead on and for as long as this situation lasts on Facebook, YouTube and right here on LinkedIN.
In many respects, these are their stories but they are also becoming ours.
Darrin Mitchell: President, Trout River Industries - PEI
“ARE YOU A WARTIME CEO?” : That’s the question from a business leader situated on the front lines in Canada’s smallest province. Darrin believes the #1 job of any entrepreneur is to be very resourceful. As he puts it, “We’re pivoting and looking at opportunities that would not be available normally to us when times were ‘good. We don’t have the luxury to hide.. People on the front line sure as hell can’t. Some entrepreneurs and CEO’s need to check themselves and ask ‘are they built for war’?… because they’re in one”.
Julia Oulton: TEC Canada Chair, Vancouver, BC
"THREE THINGS LEADERS MUST DO": Julia is coach and mentor for over 20 business owners and leaders who need to be aware of three key aspects of their operation as they take a good hard look at what is certain to be a very different future.
Marc “Mutt” Langlois & Jeff Killin: ICP, Toronto, ON
“ARE YOU READY. WILLING & ABLE?”: That’s the spirit at ICP (International Custom Products) in Toronto, ON. Marc and Jeff reveal how their company has been able to pivot and be fully equipped and prepared to produce much-needed medical gowns and masks.
Scott Ritchey: VP Plumbers Supply Co,. Louisville KY
"TAKING CARE OF PEOPLE": "An optimistic realist, Scott Ritchey's motto is, ‘today we are going to take care of people and today we are going to serve people’. Scott explores the theme of what’s ESSENTIAL for any business leader to focus on in the midst of all this upheaval.
Mayor Fraser Tolmie: Moose Jaw, SK
“RALLY TOGETHER!” : That’s the battle cry from the mayor of "Canada’s Most Notorious City", which in many respects serves as a microcosm for small town Canada. Mayor Fraser Tolmie (a die-hard Boston Bruins fan) is convinced that his city and the entire country is being tested in so many ways that reveal the true character of the Canadian spirit.
Jeff Hoff: Gears Plus Autopro, Prince George, BC
"STICKING TOGETHER": Being a business owner can be a lonely existence at the best of times. And that loneliness becomes compounded at an exceptional level in the course of these exceptional circumstances we're all experiencing right now. Now more than ever, business owners all over North America need to experience a sense of community and know they are not alone. In the face of economic unpredictability and tough decisions that need to be made in these uncertain times, it's essential that small business leaders stick together and learn from each other on this journey that offers no road map.
Craig Harder: CEO Raptor Mining, Edmonton, AB
"MINDSET": Craig Harder is responsible for more 400 employees and their families with operations all over the globe. Craig does a deeper dive on the theme of MINDSET and why mental conditioning is crucial for small business owners to get through these uncertain times. He also happens to be the creator of G.S.D.
Paul Martin: TEC Canada Chair, Regina, SK
"DECISION MAKING IN TRYING TIMES": We enjoyed an insightful conversation with veteran TEC Canada chair and Saskatchewan business leader Paul Martin as we explore the theme of DECISIVENESS. Paul shares his thoughts from Regina, SK where he is responsible for coaching upwards of 50 CEO's and senior execs responsible for thousands of employees.
Tim Beach: CEO Charlesglen Toyota, Calgary AB
"SUPPORTING OUR WORK FAMILIES": The first story we shared came from the guy who leads the crew @ "Alberta's Celebration Destination. Tim shares how he feels about what "work families" need to be doing to stick together and ride this out.
"God grant me the courage not to give up what I think is right even though I think it is hopeless" ADMIRAL CHESTER NIMITZ, U.S. Pacific Fleet
p.s…. If you know someone who might be inspired by these chats, don't hesitate to click the "share" button as well as share your thoughts, ideas and suggestions for other leaders we should be speaking with at this time.
p.p.s. ... At this time, we want to be able to serve small to medium size business owners with an open heart and no strings attached. If you are facing a business or branding challenge that you are not quite sure how to handle, we’re only a click away.
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"Everything you can imagine is real" PABLO PICASSO