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Business Continuity Planning: 7 Tips for a Smooth Transition

Business Continuity Planning: 7 Tips for a Smooth Transition

After 17 years in the pilot’s seat, the CEO of Southwest Airlines is stepping down to make way for his successor. What struck me most about this news was the fact that Gary Kelly’s succession plan includes his staying on as executive chairman—which means he’ll be on hand to ensure a smooth transition. Kelly’s mentorship will be priceless for his successor, Bob Jordan, once he’s free to move about his new role. Here are a few lessons I’ve learned from my own transition experiences.

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Succession Planning in the Generational Shift

Succession Planning in the Generational Shift

In my travels on the succession planning keynote speaker circuit, I’ve begun to field questions about developing the next generation of leaders during this incredibly pivotal time as baby boomers exit the workforce in droves. It seems like just yesterday we were talking about Millennials entering the workforce, doesn’t it? Today, with the oldest in this massive and complex demographic turning 40, they’re on the verge of overtaking X-ers as the dominant generation. They’re established employees, managers and even company leaders. So it’s time to start thinking about how they see the world—and how these different views might impact your company’s culture.

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10 Tips for Surviving in a Business Turnaround

10 Tips for Surviving in a Business Turnaround

Although it certainly didn’t feel like it at the time, I was incredibly lucky to take the reins of the family business at the tender age of 28, which enabled me to realize very quickly that I needed guidance from experienced outside sources. Because of that guidance, I was able to not only witness how to execute a successful business turnaround…but learn valuable lessons at every turn.

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7 Signs You’re a Bad Boss

7 Signs You’re a Bad Boss

Nobody likes to think of themselves as a bad boss, but in my travels through the leadership keynote speaker world, I’ve met many current and aspiring leaders. And, whether they’re newly minted managers or seasoned C-suite types, it’s quite common for people to have a few blind spots around their own leadership styles. Here are some tips to help get you back on track.

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Train vs. Hire: How to Find the Best Business Talent

Train vs. Hire: How to Find the Best Business Talent

The question of hiring best practices naturally comes up as I navigate the leadership keynote speaker circuit, and the age-old debate of “train vs. hire” is often at the heart of the discussion. Of course, there are pros and cons to either side, and here’s what worked—and what didn’t—for my business. I hope it helps you get your growing team on track!

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Business Continuity Planning vs. Disaster Recovery Planning

Business Continuity Planning vs. Disaster Recovery Planning

The past 18 months have given us countless insights into the broad category of “unforeseen circumstances.” With this in mind, I wanted to cover the basics of two different but equally important plans—succession planning, creating a long-term strategy for leadership changes—along with having a strategy for disaster recovery planning.

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Virtual Boss: 5 Tips for Effective Remote Leadership

Virtual Boss: 5 Tips for Effective Remote Leadership

During the past year, we have had to become comfortable working from home—while also trying to balance family life, care-taking, etc. While the recent pandemic has forced the issue for many, I have actually been working remotely with my team in the UK since 2010, when my family moved to Colorado. During that time, I’ve found that a hybrid model—partly in the office, party at home—truly does deliver the best of both worlds!

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The Family CEO: Aging Leaders Who Can’t Stop Leading

The Family CEO: Aging Leaders Who Can’t Stop Leading

The Personal Side of Business Succession Planning It’s one of the most common pain points for my clients on the succession planning keynote speaker circuit: the leader who can’t stop leading. In a standard corporate transition, business is business. In the best of...

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Knowledge Transfer Basics: 5 Tips to Avoid the Brain Drain

Knowledge Transfer Basics: 5 Tips to Avoid the Brain Drain

It’s a great time to be a succession planning keynote speaker—the working world has never needed our guidance more than it does now! But with more than 80 million baby boomers planning to retire before 2030, we’re about to face what might be the biggest knowledge gap in history.

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10 Essential Lessons Learned at a Succession Planning Retreat

10 Essential Lessons Learned at a Succession Planning Retreat

When diving into the fundamentals of succession planning with prospective clients I meet on the succession planning keynote speaker circuit, I often compare the process to creating a last will and testament. After all, that’s essentially what it is: basic estate planning for one’s business.

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The 1 Simple Thing Successful Business Leaders Have In Common

The 1 Simple Thing Successful Business Leaders Have In Common

Many of the people I meet on my  succession planning retreats share a common complaint: strategy takes work! It can be incredibly difficult to tear oneself away from the day-to-day management of the business to focus time and resources on what feels like a theoretical future.

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What is Succession Planning—and Why Does it Matter?

What is Succession Planning—and Why Does it Matter?

As a consultant and succession planning keynote speaker, I often take it for granted that business owners know what it is, and why it is important. However, several recent virtual conversations with groups of business owners made me realize that this is not the case—so I thought this might be a good time to revisit some succession planning fundamentals. 

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