accountable

Throne the Customer!

A couple of weeks ago while getting a tour of Zappos (the online shoe and clothing company), Danica and I were placed on a throne in full glory! Oh, don’t worry. It’s nothing we did; they just treat everyone that way! Imagine if your company did that? I know I imagine what it would be like if my company did the same. Why does it seem so impossible? Why are companies like Zappos so rare?

 What if I told you it wasn’t that hard? What if I told you it consisted of a few key elements that any company could implement? Would you? The concepts are really simple. I’m working at getting better myself! Here they are… Servant Leadership companies are 30% more profitable than their competitors. Here is the vision for getting started with this at your company.

 1)      Owners have Core Values that are tested against daily behavior.

2)      Owners have created a clear and concise Vision that can be measured.

3)      Employees are treated as owners who are trusted and held accountable to the vision and values of the company.

4)      Owners inspect what they expect by testing employees’ daily behavior to the values of the company and create supporting systems of checks and balances.

5)      Owners reward behavior that promotes Core Values and they celebrate victories along the way.

There you go! I’m perfecting the magic we have going on at Prophit. To create anything of meaning there must be a purpose and a vision. Start by creating an actionable vision statement. The important thing is to get started!

 Joe Kiedinger

 ACTION PLAN: Create your long-term vision and purpose. Why are you here?

Do you remember your first job?

My son, Alex, just landed his first real job! He is working at Festival Foods, a grocery store here in our hometown. Alex ran downstairs when he got the call for the interview. Afterward when I asked him how it went, he said, “I nailed it!” Seeing his pride and confidence was intoxicating for me.

I know that I can’t raise this kid alone. I need real leaders stepping up to help shape the values we’ve instilled in this young man. Yesterday, my sister and my wife, Danica, and I were reminiscing about our first jobs and what we learned.

I was lucky and had great leaders as bosses when I worked for the city of De Pere. Both John Zegers and Jerry Perkofski taught me to be excellent or go home. Whether you’re cleaning a city park restroom or cutting grass on a boulevard, be excellent or go home. I took these early lessons in the form of discipline and compassion and carry them with me every day.

I’m excited for Alex. I’m hopeful that he has leaders who care enough to hold him accountable and teach him what it means to be excellent!

Joe Kiedinger

Action plan: Be excellent every day by helping people realize their potential!