Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1262525
Business Leader of the Year (Innovative) Paul Sellew, CEO, Little Leaf Farms Business Leader of the Year (Small business) Brandale D. Randolph, Founder & CEO, The 1854 Cycling Co. Rather than bound myself with statements, I use certain questions to help guide my decision-making process. 1. "Am I making this world a better place for the children?" In business I have found that there is always a choice between what is most economically feasible and what leaves the world a better place for the children. For me, what fosters a better world for all our children outweighs the bottom line each time. 2. "Will this matter three months from now?" During the moment, all of the 'fires' that arise seem like bon fires. Having the experience of being in business for a period of time, gives me the opportunity to reflect and remember that some of the things that we once stressed about, had little or no effect on our business and did not even matter three months later. 3. "Who and what requires my undivided attention right now?" In order to maintain our health and sanity, we must make ourselves available to give each day, the priority and attention that it deserves. In life, days will require us to prioritize our work. Then there will be days that require us to prioritize our own selves and our immediate families. To be at peace as we work requires us to assure that our families can trust that when those moments arise in which we are required to prioritize them, we will do so. 4. "Am I working hard and working smart?" For a small company such as mine, nothing is more detrimental than wasted time and resources. The best way to prevent such is research, planning, and conversation. I have found that the time that we spend discovering the best ways to execute saves valuable time and resources. 5. "Am I being visible, or I am being a spectacle?" Gaining wealth, fame, and prestige is not worth the loss of self-respect, peace, and most important love from our family and friends 6. "Am I approachable?" People don't work for companies. They work with companies. This important distinction provides me with a perspective that allows me to accept and appreciate the contribution of each colleague. 7. "Am I accessible?" One of the tragedies of business life is missing out on parts of it because we are too busy for our family and friends. While many of us will be fortunate enough to have long lasting careers, the days of our lives spent with them are temporary. Being present and accessible is key to having a good life after the work is done. 8. "Am I being understood?" Communication requires and understanding that what is being communicated is less important than our goal of how we want our messages to be received. The words, gestures, and images that we use can have the best intentions but if they do not leave the receiver with a clear understanding of how we want them to be received, it is failed communication. 9. "Will the people who follow me be met with the same obstacles?" I stand on the shoulders of giants. Hopefully, one day, someone will stand on mine. 10. "Will you be okay without it?" Money is either bread or seed. Either we are to use it to sustain ourselves or use to ensure the future economic sustainability for those we love. There are many smart people in our country and the world we live in. Innovation requires multiple factors to succeed in our highly competitive fee market system. The important things are as follows: 1. Being open minded and curious – The world is a big and interesting place and paying attention and observing is a requirement 2. A good idea – It all starts from there. The idea needs to address a need and improve over the status quo; better product, service, business model or technology. 3. Courage of your conviction – There are a lot of ideas out there but what separates the good ideas from the rest is often an individual that acts on it and turns it into something tangible and real 4. Leadership – In order for an idea to be turned into something tangible it always requires a team of people to work together towards a common purpose. This can be the most challenging but ultimately the most important part of the innovation process.