CONVERSATIONS WITH EXECUTIVES

In this episode, Matt Kucharski, President of Padilla, shares some deep insights from Padilla’s recently completed annual survey, Mindset of the C-Suite. In just a year’s time, the major theme has shifted from ‘conflicted’ to ‘fatigued.’

Matt and Scott go deeper on the significant factors driving this shift and why CEO’s are now thinking about stepping back and stepping away. Matt also begins to unravel the challenges companies are having in finding the next group of key leaders. This episode is going to have you thinking beyond the difficulties you may have today to what’s needed to set your company up for success into the future.

Time, money, growth, and culture are on the line when hiring for an executive position so finding the right person is crucial. In this episode of CEO2CEO we talk with Steve Yakesh, President of Direct Hire and Executive Search for Versique.

Steve leads one of the top recruiting firms in the Midwest and he, along with his team, helps companies find exceptional talent to fill critical executive roles. He provides some great perspectives on the current market for talent, as well as when and how to begin thinking about that next transformational hire you will make. For many companies, the need to reach outside the organization for that next hire has significant upside, as well as risk, and Steve shares his experience in guiding owners through that process.

This iconic Minnesota-based brand has built a growing national footprint while staying true to the Warner family roots – and values – planted in 1971. In this episode, Bob Warner, CEO of Warners’ Stellian Appliance Company, gives us insight into:

* Finding the right role for everyone in the family
* Creating strong governance in a family business
* G3- How Warners’ Stellian is thinking about family succession

Bob provides some great perspectives plus shares stories of his own as well as the Warner family journey.  Every family business will find this valuable.

The fight for talent in small and medium-sized companies is ever present with nearly 10M job openings.  How do you attract and retain the talent you need?   Glenn Starfield, owner of two Express Employment franchises in Minnesota, shares how to find people faster and make better hires.  It will not be a surprise that it comes down to culture.

Are you thinking about selling your business to private equity? Renee Ernste, CEO of Orange Tree Employment Screening and John Dyke, Executive Chairman of All States Ag Parts, both sold their businesses to Private Equity firms as platforms and also acquired other companies, integrating them into their platforms. They give great perspectives on how to begin building your playbook.

In this special episode, we turn the spotlight on our very own podcast host and long-time curator of wisdom, Scott Sustacek. In this introspective conversation with Lisa Orts, executive leader of The CEO Roundtable, Scott shares insights he’s garnered through peer-to-peer experience sharing and the transformational moments – business and personal- sitting in the CEO chair.