For several weeks now, I’ve been talking about how entrepreneurs need to get off to a STRONG start in 2021. They’re laying the foundation – not just for this year, but for the next five years. As I’ve written before, the secret to “next level” growth isn’t really a secret at all: you’ve got to attract and retain next-level talent!
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“When you lead with your purpose grounded in the future, you inspire those around you to innovate and meet the challenges head-on.” – Transcend
2020 was a tough year that challenged business leaders in unprecedented ways. But I’m done talking about how the pandemic changed our goals and plans. Sure, we need to learn valuable lessons from our 2020 experience, and we certainly have – but we have to focus on the present with an eye toward the future. We can’t change what did (or didn’t) happen last year, but we can get a strong start to 2021!
When it comes to planning for the future, it’s important to have a plan in place. And, as the leader of your company, you need to have the right mindset with your eyes on the horizon. You create the vision for your team. And when it comes to planning for the future, you can’t afford to be nearsighted. My good friends at Transcend Executive Group agree: “By staying focused on the future, executives stay grounded in their role as visionary leaders who rally others to achieve organizational goals.”
Forward-thinking leaders are constantly pushing their organizations to innovate, leading them through the peaks and valleys, and forging a path for the future. As the leader, you set the tone. Don’t let your organization get stuck in the 2020 frame of mind. Get this year started by thinking about 2024 and beyond. Start thinking about the incremental steps you need to take to be where you want to be in three, five, and even ten years!
Once you develop your vision and strategic plan, the next logical step is to create a Strategic Talent Plan™, including the development of a long-term talent roadmap. Because you need to build the team capable of executing your vision, or that’s all it will ever be! Here are a couple of relevant articles that might pique your interest on this subject:
Enjoy, and please don’t hesitate to reach out for advice or if you have any questions – I’ll be happy to help!
Today is December 14th and the holidays are officially upon us. I am a Christian, so I will be celebrating Christmas and all that holiday means to me and my family and millions of Christians across the world. And in the spirit of being curious and exhibiting a learning mindset, I decided to learn more about other celebrations that occur this time of year. Here’s what I found out Hanukkah and Kwanzaa.
Read More2020 sure has been a crazy year. And many of us are ready for it to be over! A few weeks ago I wrote that it’s time to put 2020 in the rear-view mirror and hit the gas. While we can’t change what happened in 2020, what we can do is use the lessons we’ve learned in planning for 2021. To paraphrase an old football coach of mine, “we can’t let 2020 beat us twice!”
Read MoreThere’s SO MUCH that can and will go wrong when founding, building, and scaling a company. I’m a firm believer that we learn more from failure than success… So why don’t we hear the “shit show” stories more often? I’ve put together a new e-Book, Leveraging Talent to Grow & Scale Your Business to try to shed some light on the real-world issues.
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Last month, I moderated a panel of ROCK STAR investors for a discussion about how the private equity landscape has shifted in 2020, and what they expect to see in 2021 and beyond! I was joined by Michelle A. Lewis of The CapStreet Group, Pat Matthews of Active Capital, and Steven Dresner of Dresner Partners! Check out the video over on my Videos page.
Let’s put the uncertainty and chaos of 2020 behind us as we plan for the future. Let’s Go!
Read MoreI’m proud and humbled that the Austin Business Journal named HireBetter the #1 Retained Executive Search Firm AGAIN, and that they recognized me as an Inspiring Leader.
Read MoreThis month, I decided to switch things up. I’ve been running the Survival & Thrival: LinkedIn Live series for several months now, and lately the topics have all been about leaving the pandemic behind, getting on offense, and focusing on the future. So instead of sticking with the “Survival” themes, we’re focusing on ways that entrepreneurs and business leaders can THRIVE into the future.
Don’t worry, I’m still hosting weekly conversations with industry leaders to bring you stories, “F-Ups,” and insights into the business world. The new series is called “Let’s Go!” and I kicked it off with two great conversations with my friends Clint Greenleaf of Content Capital and Clay Grubb of Grubb Properties. Check those out over on the new Let’s Go! Video Series page.
If you missed any of the Survival & Thrival Series, you can check them out here.
I spoke to five business experts to get their perspectives on how the COVID-19 Pandemic is affecting everything from nonprofits, the real estate industry, middle market companies, and communication in the workplace.
Read MoreBack in April, Kurt was featured in an Austin Business Journal article, giving advice to business leaders on how to SURVIVE and THRIVE in the pandemic landscape. What’s changed since then? What’s stayed the same?
Read MoreIn June, I moderated two panels filled with CPG rockstars. We talked about the changing landscape and how leaders are dealing with the pandemic, and about the future of CPG Investing. Check them out over on my new Videos page!
Read MoreWith no end to the pandemic in sight, I spoke to five experts in different areas of the business world to get their perspectives on everything from stress relief to onboarding to increasing diversity in the workplace.
Read MoreIf you’ve watched my writing, you know I’ve taken COVID-19 seriously from day one… But amid all the conversations and brainstorms and lean-on-me moments, there’s one scenario I hadn’t given much thought to: Getting COVID-19 myself.
Read MoreHireBetter co-founder Kurt Wilkin was recently interviewed by The Ronin Society about how to plan for your next key hire, even during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read MoreLast week, i went on CEO Coaching International’s Podcast to talk about recruiting C-Suite executives during the pandemic. There’s a talent transfer going on right now - you don’t want to miss out!
Read MoreUncertainty swirls around us. We’re all looking for answers – political, economic, health – that we aren’t going to get any time soon. 2020 has been complete chaos, but we have to do the best we can to survive and thrive in it.
Our lives go on… and “real life” doesn’t care that we’re in a pandemic. We’ve still got our normal work to do, hurricanes are forming out in the Gulf, and our families still need attention. Life goes on, masks and all. Last week, I was reminded of this fact when I had to make the ultimate decision about my faithful friend of 12 years – Dixie, my 12-year-old Chesapeake Retriever. I’m dedicating this week to remembering that in all of our push to Survive and Thrive in this pandemic, sometimes things happen in our lives that we need to make time for. I’m dedicating this week to Dixie.
Read MoreYesterday, I spoke to Chris Watters, founder and CEO of the phenomenal Watters International Realty. We talked about how the real estate industry has faced challenges throughout the pandemic, how renters and homeowners can seek relief, and how Chris has pivoted his business during these intensely uncertain times. We also talk about his awesome saltwater fishtank… You don’t want to miss this!
Read MoreLast week, I spoke to Alicyn Yarbrough, the newly minted CEO of A Glimmer of Hope, an Austin-based nonprofit that seeks to build a better life for people in Ethiopia. We talked about how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected nonprofits, and how Alicyn taking over as CEO nine months ago has gone so far!
Read MoreThanks to COVID-19, we’re all living our own versions of the Stockdale Paradox. I’ve said it before and I’m sure I’ll say it again: These are hard times. The pandemic is causing unprecedented upheaval in our personal lives and our businesses. After going through the dotcom bust, 9/11, and the Great Recession, I can confidently say that this time feels different.
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