Franchise Update Magazine Issue IV, 2015 | Page 12

ceoprofile

to get closer to and be more involved in
certain individual projects.
What does your management team
look like? It is a very diverse team filled
with people who have specific skills that
I don’t. Having a diverse team opens the
door to different opinions and ideas. I
also feel that diversity needs to happen
naturally. You can’t force diversity.
How does your management team
help you lead? They believe in the same
principles that I believe in and play a key
role in carrying out our culture. I have a
great team that I love to support and get
behind. The people on our team are never
afraid to speak up, ask questions, challenge
a thought, or instigate a conversation.
They also work extremely well with our
franchisees and model the kind of behavior
we expect from everyone in our company.
Favorite management gurus: Do you
read management books? I’m not into
following gurus or manifesting their philosophies and approaches in a company. I
believe you have to know what’s best for
your individual company and team. However, I do read case studies based on real
situations and the challenges companies
have faced and how they handled them.
I find that more meaningful and more
beneficial than guru books.
What makes you say, “Yes, now that’s
why I do what I do!”? I love when people
get promoted or earn the ability to get
promoted. I also love seeing franchisees
do great things that in turn allow them
to do great things for their families and
for their staff.

Personal
What time do you like to be at your
desk? I am much more of a night person
so I normally get to my desk at about the
same time as everyone else, around 8 a.m.
But I typically stay later than everyone else.
Exercise in the morning? I’m more of
a night owl, so I exercise at night.
Wine with lunch? The days of “Madmen”

10

“If people are
reaching their goals
and are happy, that
is success to me.
Helping people
realize their dreams
is a tremendous
feeling.”

Favorite company product/service: I
like Southwest and how they love their
customers. They also follow one of my
favorite principles: make it easy to do
business with me. They make it easy (or
at least easier than the other airlines) to do
everything from checking bags to making
changes to flights you’ve already booked
to booking rewards travel. And they bring
their personality and have fun taking care
of their customers.

are gone, so only when I’m on vacation.

Bottom Line

Do you socialize with your team after
work/outside the office? Yes, but I don’t
foster a culture where that is mandatory.
I respect people’s wishes when they want
to spend time with their families. I think
that’s really important. That being said, we
do have fun, team-building social events.
Most recently we enjoyed a baseball game
and made plans to go to an amusement
and water park.
Last two books read: The Big Short and
Flash Boys, both by Michael Lewis.
What technology do you take on the
road? Believe it or not, I still own a
BlackBerry. In fact, I just upgraded to a
new one. I just love the keyboard. I also
bring a laptop.
How do you relax/balance life and
work? I spend a lot of time working
and traveling, so when I do spend time
with the family, I make the most of it by
being 100 percent focused on them. It’s
truly quality time.
Favorite vacation destination: I will
go anywhere that has a beach, any time
of the year.
Favorite occasions to send employees
notes: I really like sharing the news of
people getting promoted, and I like passing along the message that our employees
can leave early before a holiday to spend
a little more time with their families and
friends. I also enjoy sharing any positive
feedback from franchisees about one of
our employees so they can see and feel
how their work is making an impact.

What are your long-term goals for the
company? To continue to help franchisees grow their businesses and expand in
their markets, along with building brand
recognition and value.
How has the economy changed your
goals for your company? The economy
does not change our goals. It may change
our approach and how we get there, but
we are never going to change our goal of
helping franchisees grow and be successful.
Where can capital be found these
days? Capital can be found anywhere if
you have a great business concept with a
great team of people.
How do you measure success? If people
are reaching their goals and are happy,
that is success to me. Helping people realize their dreams is a tremendous feeling.
What has been your greatest success?
It really isn’t about my success, it’s about
the people we help and the people we
work with. If those people are happy and
successful, that is my greatest success.
Any regrets? The only things I regret
are the few times where I didn’t listen to
my instincts. My instincts are pretty good.
What can we expect from your company in the next 12 to 18 months?
Even better support for our franchisees
with the next set of initiatives and tools
that we can give them. We will also be
further solidifying our brands into the
hearts of our customers and creating an
even stronger emotional connection. n

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