Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1518149
Business Leader of the Year (Large business) Kevin Holmes President & CEO, Advantage Truck Group 1. No one is more important than every employee. The dedication and contributions of our team members is everything to our business. As a leader, it's important to create an environment that fosters their success and to let them know that they have our support. At ATG, that means investing in a dedicated training center, creating mentoring programs and providing opportunities for growth within our network. It means appreciating and recognizing the important work our team members do every day for our customers. 2. There are no spare customers. This quote by CEO Tilman Fertitta is a motto I live by every day. We are an extension of our customers and their business, and no detail is too small when it comes to the service we provide. It's all about keeping a continued focus on what matters most to them, building strong relationships, and taking extra steps to solve a problem or overcome an obstacle. No matter how large or successful our business becomes, there are no spare customers. 3. Focus on community by giving back. It's our responsibility to make a positive impact in the communities where we operate. It's also important for us to ask not only what can we do to help, but also how can we make a greater impact. At ATG, our focus is fighting hunger and food insecurity, an issue that affects every community. Together with the commitment and support of our employees, customers and business partners, what started with a small donation of turkeys during the holidays over a decade ago has today reached over 34,000 meals donated and become a year-round effort to help make a difference to those facing hunger in our communities. 4. Be present and active in your business. It's important to take the time to really get to know your employees and your customers, and to care about what matters and is important to them. At ATG, staying involved in the day-to-day operations means being available to talk with customers, having an open door policy for every team member and making time to walk the shop floors to listen to their perspectives. We care deeply about our employees and our customers. After nearly 40 years in business, we have never had a layoff and many of our earliest customers still rely on us today. 5. Never compromise your reputation. We all face hard times and difficult situations, but our reputation is far more important than any short-term gain. Following through on our commitments, and treating employees and customers with respect and fairness, is what builds trust and loyalty. Our reputation and integrity is the foundation of our business and is something we stand by at all costs. 6. Prepare and persevere in the face of challenges. Transportation is a life sustaining industry and our customers rely on us to keep their trucks moving. This makes it not only essential for us to plan and prepare, but also to be able to adapt to unforeseen challenges. There are three attributes that cannot be taught but that make a difference in your business success: passion, determination and work ethic. These are the qualities that will give you the confidence to continually improve your skills and knowledge, make you better prepared to take advantage of opportunities and face challenges that come your way. 7. Success comes from risk. At the age of 22, I invested my savings from working after school to open a small service station that had gone out of business. While the chances for success may have seemed low, I took a risk on myself and worked hard. It meant dealing with uncertain situations, making decisions under pressure and finding ways to stretch my resources. The journey wasn't easy, but it provided valuable experiences and important life lessons that led to our success today. 8. Create opportunity. Our business wouldn't be what it is today without others who gave us opportunities to prove ourselves. We create opportunities for career growth and development across our dealer network and actively promote from within. By providing opportunities for our team members to develop their skills and trusting in their abilities, we empower their success and the success of our organization. 9. Show your appreciation. No business achieves success alone, it is only possible with the dedication and support of others – our team members, our customers, our business partners and our families. It's important to take the time to thank them for all that they do and to show our appreciation and gratitude. The actions they take and the care and commitment they show every day is what makes a difference. 10. Prioritize your employees, customers and community. At the heart of everything we do is a commitment to our employees, our customers and our communities. This dedication and focus is our most important mission and is essential to the success of every business. Key Philosophies of the 2024 Business Leaders of the Year