Confessions of an Implementer

Hiring for Character and Skills: The Key to Building High-Performance Teams with Rick VanDermyden

Welcome to Confessions of an Implementer, a podcast by Talent Harbor. We share unique stories of EOS implementers and the companies they’ve transformed to give you a rare glimpse into the system's successes and challenges in action. I'm your host, Ryan Hogan. Let’s dive in!Joining Ryan on this episode is Rick VanDermyden, a Certified EOS Implementer. Ryan and Rick dive into the critical importance of hiring the right people and building strong teams. Rick shares his experiences growing up in an entrepreneurial family and highlights the value of identifying and nurturing talent. They discuss the challenges of finding candidates with the right character and the significance of a thorough vetting process. Drawing from Rick’s time at Keller Williams Realty, they emphasize the necessity of cultural fit and the role of accountability in retaining top talent. The conversation also explores leadership principles, including trust, delegation, and fostering a positive work environment."Hiring for character is crucial. Talent can be trained, but poor character can be detrimental to the organization." Rick VanDermydenRick grew up in an entrepreneurial household, which translates into being the cheapest labor available! From spending every school break on a tractor seat to handling sales and marketing for his dad’s development company, he experienced the successes and failures of an entrepreneurial business at an early age.After a stint in corporate America, his passion for determining his own course took him back to his entrepreneurial roots. Leading five companies through the 2006-2009 real estate crash led to one spectacular failure, two that were saved after being on life support, and two that weathered the storm. The lessons learned during that time were both valuable and expensive.Transitioning into an ownership position allowed him to pursue his passion for leadership development. Through leadership consulting, he was introduced to “Traction” by one of his leadership clients. The book provided an operating system to help entrepreneurs ACTUALLY implement the ideas that he had learned over the years.EOS seamlessly combined his passions to not only develop better leaders but also help business leaders get what they want from their businesses—better yet, to help them create the life they’ve always wanted!Episode ResourcesRick VanDermyden on LinkedInRick VanDermyden on the EOS Worldwide WebsiteRick VanDermyden Company WebsiteRyan Hogan on LinkedInTalent Harbor WebsiteThis episode is brought to you by Talent Harbor. Confessions of an Implementer is handcrafted by our friends over at fame.so

Mastering Your Business Exit Strategy: Insights from Patrick Metzger, Certified EOS Implementer

Welcome to Confessions of an Implementer, a podcast by Talent Harbor. We share unique stories of EOS implementers and the companies they’ve transformed to give you a rare glimpse into the system's successes and challenges in action. I'm your host, Ryan Hogan. Let’s dive in!Joining Ryan on this episode is Patrick Metzger, a Certified EOS Implementer. Patrick and Ryan discuss succession planning and setting up a business for a successful exit. They discuss the importance of being intentional and proactive in planning for the future, diversifying key relationships and roles, implementing EOS, and personal planning for business owners after they exit. They also touch on the challenges of not considering an exit strategy. This conversation provides valuable insights for business owners looking to exit their businesses successfully.“When it comes to exiting a business, a lot of business owners aren't thinking about that strategy when they start. It's kind of the last thing on their mind. But it's so important to consider it right from the beginning.” Patrick MetzgerCertified EOS Implementer® and business coach Patrick Metzger has always been a teacher, coach, and facilitator at heart. After discovering EOS through a CEO for whom Patrick was providing high-performance coaching, he fell in love with the system as a complete and comprehensive solution for leaders and organizations to build the business of their dreams.Patrick is passionate about using his coaching and facilitation expertise in growing businesses and people to the next stage as an EOS Implementer and CEO/Founder of The Greenhouse. Also a Certified Value Builder™ Advisor and Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA™), he brings expertise in building business value and planning for the future by taking a holistic view and approach to improving one’s business.Currently, Patrick works with dozens of organizations and leaders across the Midwest across a variety of industries in helping them take themselves and their businesses to the next level. He enjoys guiding everyone from young startups laying the foundational bricks of success to billion-dollar companies in increasing efficiencies and hitting their biggest goals.Episode ResourcesPatrick Metzger on LinkedInPatrick Metzger on the EOS Worldwide WebsitePatrick Metzger Personal WebsiteRyan Hogan on LinkedInTalent Harbor WebsiteThis episode is brought to you by Talent Harbor. Confessions of an Implementer is handcrafted by our friends over at fame.so

Turning Your Passion into Traction with EOS: Insights from Mary Reilly-Magee, Certified EOS Implementer

Welcome to Confessions of an Implementer, a podcast by Talent Harbor. We share unique stories of EOS implementers and the companies they’ve transformed to give you a rare glimpse into the system's successes and challenges in action. I'm your host, Ryan Hogan. Let’s dive in!Join Ryan and Mary in this inspiring episode of Confessions of an EOS Implementer. Mary shares her journey as a business owner, including the challenges she faced and overcame. From starting her own swim school to navigating a tragic incident, Mary's story is filled with valuable insights and lessons learned. Tune in to hear how she rebuilt her business and now helps others thrive as an EOS Implementer.“I have a huge heart for business owners and their leaders. I love possibility, potential, and progress!” - Mary Reilly-MageeAs an entrepreneurial kid, Mary took advantage of a multitude of opportunities to “do business” with people. The funniest one was selling pictures of Charlie’s Angels to the boys in her fourth-grade class. Mary grew up to be a 10th-grade English teacher and high school swimming and water polo coach. But the entrepreneurial bug was still in her, and she found herself building a learn-to-swim business from scratch, growing it to three year-round, indoor, stand-alone locations employing 100 people at its peak. She sold that business in 2018 after 20 years.Running a successful business takes hard, heroic work, and Mary has experienced the typical setbacks for entrepreneurs, including sleeplessness, disappointments, and especially a heartbreaking tragedy that brought her to her knees. Mary has also experienced the recognition, appreciation, and opportunities that make all the sacrifices worth it. Signing up for that rollercoaster takes enormous courage. Today, she wants to help the heroes win.Episode ResourcesMary Reilly-Magee on LinkedInMary Reilly-Magee on the EOS Worldwide WebsiteRyan Hogan on LinkedInTalent Harbor WebsiteThis episode is brought to you by Talent Harbor. Confessions of an Implementer is handcrafted by our friends over at fame.so

Transforming a Family-Owned Business with EOS: Insights from Charlton Keultjes

Welcome to Confessions of an Implementer, a podcast by Talent Harbor. We share unique stories of EOS implementers and the companies they’ve transformed to give you a rare glimpse into the system's successes and challenges in action. I'm your host, Ryan Hogan. Let’s jump in!Today, we’re pleased to welcome Charlton Kueltjes, a Professional EOS Implementer, coach, entrepreneur, and business leader. Join us as we discuss the transformative power of the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) in personal and professional life. Learn about Charlton's journey of implementing EOS in a family-owned business, the importance of authenticity and vulnerability, and the role of an integrator in companies. Discover the benefits of setting clear goals and priorities, and gain insights into finding work you love. Don't miss out on this inspiring conversation!Charlton is a coach, entrepreneur, and business leader. With a lifelong passion for coaching and a knack for unlocking potential, Charlton brings discipline, focus, and learning to all aspects of his life. He has “been there,” working in big corporate and public accounting firms and also at small businesses. He spent nearly a decade running a privately held business, where he implemented the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), propelling the company to rapid growth and culminating in a business sale.He has coached organizations through leadership team development, business transactions, family ownership transfers, leadership team restructures, ownership counsel facilitations, and board creation. Charlton’s clients have already tasted success and intentionally look in the mirror to see their untapped potential to create unbeatable and inspiring organizations.Episode ResourcesCharlton Keultjes on LinkedInCharlton Keultjes on the EOS Worldwide WebsiteRyan Hogan on LinkedInTalent Harbor WebsiteThis episode is brought to you by Talent Harbor. Confessions of an Implementer is handcrafted by our friends over at fame.so

Breaking the Ceiling with EOS Implementation: Insights from Rick Benton

Welcome to Confessions of an Implementer, a podcast by Talent Harbor. We share unique stories of EOS implementers and the companies they’ve transformed to give you a rare glimpse into the system's successes and challenges in action. I'm your host, Ryan Hogan. Let’s jump in!Today, we’re pleased to welcome Rick Benton, a Professional EOS Implementer who brings with him 29 years of experience as a founder who scaled and sold his successful event management and production company. Join us as we discuss the challenges of implementing the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), breaking the growth glass ceiling, and a founder's emotional journey of selling their company. We explore the importance of trusting and delegating tasks to build a strong team, finding the right integrator, and revolutionizing existing systems to break growth limitations. With insights from Rick's personal experiences and expertise as an EOS implementer, this conversation offers valuable guidance and support for business owners looking to take their companies to the next level.Rick’s entrepreneurial journey started in high school when he and a friend started a DJ company. Dedicated to a vision of creating the most exciting and energetic experiences, the business quickly found successes that extended far beyond the local Detroit market. Fast-forward a few decades, and this multi-state, award-winning company provided event planning, entertainment, and AV production services for national corporate, social, and educational clients.After a successful sale and exit of the business in 2018, Rick has been a teacher, a coach, and a business consultant. His energy and passion for learning and growth are his superpower, always challenging the existing status quo to find better solutions. He personally understands and experienced the power of EOS and how it offers freedom for entrepreneurs to break through their ceiling, clarify and achieve their vision, while improving the lives of leadership teams, employees and their families.Rick is excited to share EOS's power with you to achieve your vision, gain engagement, and build a healthy, cohesive, and fun-loving leadership team.This episode is brought to you by Talent Harbor. Confessions of an Implementer is handcrafted by our friends over at fame.so

The Challenges and Rewards of Implementing EOS in the Dental Industry with Carson Clark

Welcome to Confessions of an Implementer, a podcast by Talent Harbor. We share unique stories of EOS implementers and the companies they’ve transformed to give you a rare glimpse into the system's successes and challenges in action. I'm your host, Ryan Hogan. Let’s jump in!Joining us today is Carson Clark, a Dental Expert and Professional EOS Implementer. Join us as Carson shares his professional journey, the challenges and rewards of implementing EOS in the dental industry, and the impact of his son's rare genetic disease on his career decisions. Discover how EOS can improve dental practice operations and culture and the importance of finding the right people and aligning visions. Learn about the role of an EOS implementer and the benefits of hiring an EOS implementer for an outside perspective. Tune in to explore the visionary-integrator relationship and the role of core values in building a successful organization.Don't miss out on this insightful conversation!Carson began his career on the fast track at a company with annual revenue of $20B. He learned from some of the brightest, but after swimming through bureaucracy, he transitioned to a smaller firm and learned that he loved the pace and personal touch of entrepreneurial organizations. Eventually, he was running a 75-person company. Upon joining, he learned that the company’s profits were declining and that it had no consistent processes. But once he brought in an EOS implementer, the company was able to repair relationships, address chronic issues, and increase profit margins by 55%. He later sold the business and ultimately realized he was all in on EOS and wanted to help business owners and leadership teams go on their own rewarding EOS journey. This episode is brought to you by Talent Harbor. Confessions of an Implementer is handcrafted by our friends over at fame.so

Bootstrapping a D2C Company to Multi-Million Dollars: Insights from Dan Zawacki, Certified EOS Implementer

Welcome to Confessions of an Implementer, a podcast by Talent Harbor. We share unique stories of EOS implementers and the companies they’ve transformed to give you a rare glimpse into the system's successes and challenges in action. I'm your host, Ryan Hogan. Let’s jump in!Joining us today is Dan Zawacki, Founder of Lobster Gram and Certified EOS Implementer. Join us as we discuss Dan's journey of starting and growing Lobster Gram into a multimillion-dollar business. Discover the challenges of shipping live lobsters and the importance of direct-to-consumer businesses. Learn about the struggles of hiring the right people and the lessons Dan learned along the way. Explore the significance of structure and processes in overcoming obstacles and hear about Dan's experiences with QVC and other entrepreneurs. Dan is a Certified Traction/EOS Implementer whose passion is teaching and coaching business owners and their leadership teams on how to get the most out of their companies and live a better life. Being in the trenches for over 35 years as an entrepreneur has allowed him to help business owners and their leadership teams get what they want from their businesses.Dan's 30 years of founding and running LobsterGram.com gave him deep insights into the good, bad, and ugly of running and scaling a business. Now, his mission is to be a resource for entrepreneurial companies. Lobster Gram was a D2C business that delivered fresh lobsters to clients. It started in Dan’s 2-car garage on a $1,000 budget, and he bootstrapped it into a $15 million company. It was a remarkable 30-year run that successfully allowed him to implement EOS in all of his clients’ organizations.This episode is brought to you by Talent Harbor. Confessions of an Implementer is handcrafted by our friends over at fame.so

Integrating Strategy into EOS: Insights from Eliot Wajskol, Certified EOS Implementer

Welcome to Confessions of an Implementer, a podcast by Talent Harbor. We share unique stories of EOS implementers and the companies they’ve transformed to give you a rare glimpse into the system's successes and challenges in action. I'm your host, Ryan Hogan. Let’s jump in!Joining us today is Eliot Wajskol, a Certified EOS Implementer at EOS Worldwide. Join us as we discuss the challenges of integrating strategy into EOS and building an integrated framework for entrepreneurs. Elliot shares his experience as an implementer and his passion for creating unique customer experiences. We also delve into the importance of open communication, aligning everyone around a shared vision, and effectively managing issues. Elliot emphasizes the strategic nature of implementing EOS and recommends dedicating goals to answering strategic questions. The ongoing relationship between implementers and organizations using EOS is also discussed.Here is how Eliot describes his work: “I am passionate about helping entrepreneurs and their leadership teams succeed. I’ve been in your seat, having launched, grown, and transformed businesses from startup to $25 million. I helped lead a founder-led change management firm into an internationally recognized business, later acquired by Accenture. I co-led an industry-defining healthcare chain through its startup phase (successfully exited). And I’ve helped visionary executives and their teams at 30+ companies, such as Nike and Daimler Trucks, bring their ideas to reality. I know that running a business can be the most meaningful of efforts and the most difficult.I now focus exclusively on helping business owners and their teams to achieve their visions. I do this by combining my broad business experience and the power of the Entrepreneurial Operating System. My passion is helping leaders to achieve what they once thought was impossible.”This episode is brought to you by Talent Harbor. Confessions of an Implementer is handcrafted by our friends over at fame.so

Baking Growth and Success with EOS Implementation: Insights from Beth Fahey

Welcome to Confessions of an Implementer, a podcast by Talent Harbor. We share unique stories of EOS implementers and the companies they’ve transformed to give you a rare glimpse into the system's successes and challenges in action. I'm your host, Ryan Hogan. Let’s jump in!Our guest today is Beth Fahey, Certified EOS Implementer at EOS Worldwide. Join us as we discuss the transformative power of the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) in Beth's bakery business. From overcoming challenges to implementing effective leadership strategies, we share valuable insights that will inspire and empower entrepreneurs looking to grow and succeed. Don't miss out on this enlightening conversation!Beth's career path has varied, from working in film to owning a bakery and leading a trade association. In 2014, she came across "Traction," a book that profoundly influenced her life. Beth successfully implemented EOS in her bakery and later observed similar struggles in other businesses while serving as president of the Retail Bakers of America. This inspired her to become an EOS Implementer full-time, leveraging her firsthand experience with EOS to assist others.Beth has witnessed the positive impact of teaching EOS across different industries on leadership teams and their employees. Alongside René Boer, she co-created the Great Boss Workshops, where she now leads sessions for bosses in the EOS Community. Beth is dedicated to nurturing environments where exceptional leadership can thrive.This episode is brought to you by Talent Harbor. Confessions of an Implementer is handcrafted by our friends over at fame.so

Aligning the Perfect Aim Concept with EOS Principles: Insights from Rodney Mueller

Welcome to Confessions of an Implementer, a podcast by Talent Harbor. We share unique stories of EOS implementers and the companies they’ve transformed to give you a rare glimpse into the system's successes and challenges in action. I'm your host, Ryan Hogan. Let’s jump in!Our guest today is Rodney Mueller, a Professional EOS Implementer at EOS Worldwide. Join us as we discuss the importance of purpose in both a company and an individual's life. We explore how understanding one's purpose is crucial for achieving goals and how events can trigger a reevaluation of purpose. Rodney shares his Perfect Aim concept in goal setting and explains how it aligns with EOS principles. Rodney argues that goals should not be used as a measure of value or worth but rather as a tool to move towards what we want more effectively.As an executive coach and EOS Implementer, Rodney brings the rigor of Army Boot Camp, the precision of Perfect Aim™, and the power and simplicity of EOS to empower businesses with the tools they need to achieve sustainable growth without sacrificing their soul. Rodney is on a mission to help businesses and the people who run them create breakthrough results and live their purpose while leading happy and healthy lives. From his beginnings as an award-winning Army drill sergeant to becoming an influential business advisor and entrepreneur, his passion is unlocking the extraordinary potential within each person and organization he works with.His guidance has propelled startups to billion-dollar valuations and helped companies grow beyond what they thought possible. These experiences are distilled into his Perfect Aim Method, ™ crafted to elevate growing businesses and their leaders to their fullest potential without losing their soul.This episode is brought to you by Talent Harbor. Confessions of an Implementer is handcrafted by our friends over at fame.so