Culture by Design
When Jay Wilkinson opted to attend a four-day leadership training course to earn credits he needed as a high school student, he had no idea it would transform his life. The CEO of Firespring says the experience was pivotal in his journey as an entrepreneur and in the award-winning culture he has built at his global integrated marketing, printing, and software company.
In this presentation from Tugboat Institute Summit 2018, Jay shares the story of his personal development, early business challenges, and the essential role that the Evergreen principle of People First plays in the success of Firespring.
What Do You Look for in an Evergreen Employee?
When Evergreen leaders seek employees for their Private, Purpose-driven companies, they are looking for team members who embody theEvergreen 7Ps. At Tugboat Institute Summit 2017 in Sun Valley, Idaho, our members described the traits they value most in their employees.
Featuring: Bryan Papé, Ross Evans, Jim Creel, Chip Dickinson, and Rick Sutton.
The Enduring Advantage of Strategic Ownership
In this panel discussion, presented at the Fourth Annual Olin Family Business Symposium at Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis in October 2018, Tugboat Institute members Alaina Macia and Penny Pennington offer insight into their companies’ approaches to ownership and leadership through the Evergreen lens. Alaina offers the perspective of assuming leadership in and growing her family business, MTM Inc., while Penny, Managing Partner of Edward Jones Financial, shares insights around leading a nearly-100-year-old firm. These inspiring Evergreen leaders speak to what it takes to steward strategic ownership and thrive in the long term.
The Indelible Advantage of IN-N-OUT Burger
The story of In-N-Out Burger is, like many Evergreen businesses, a love story. Esther and Harry Snyder were deeply committed to each other and to their shared Purpose of building In-N-Out Burger. Their journey and the legacy of their shared dream reflects the foundation they built of People First principles and the continual Pragmatic Innovation and Paced Growth that has led to the iconic restaurant’s lasting success.
As part of his Tugboat Institute Summit 2018 welcome address, Dave Whorton, CEO of The Tugboat Group, shares the In-N-Out Burger story as an example of a business that exemplifies Evergreen principles.
Earliest Lesson in Perseverance
Evergreen leaders share a commitment to the long view as they build and scale their businesses. For many, lessons in perseverance and grit learned early in their lives have been formative in their approach to business. At Tugboat Institute Summit 2018, members told stories of their earliest experiences working through challenge to accomplish goals and find success.
Long Term Thinking in a Short Term World
We all have our own cognitive maps, unique to us and determined by our individual experiences and history. Sometimes, these maps can be limiting—in business and in life. While challenging, having the courage and Perseverance to see beyond the borders of your own cognitive map—and those of others—can lead to transformative expansion, innovation, and success for Evergreen businesses.
In his presentation from Tugboat Institute Summit 2018, Arpad Molnar, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Obsidian Wine Co., shares his experience building a business that has continually disrupted the cognitive map within his industry and has maintained a steadfast focus on the long term, rather than on short-term gains.
Finding the Joy in Unpacking
In business and in life, many of us fill our packs with emotional, physical, and professional weight that can impact our ability to move efficiently and in good health. Intentionally unpacking obligations, habits, and control that don’t serve us can create opportunity for transformative growth—in self and in Evergreen business.
In his presentation from the Tugboat Institute Summit 2018, Joe Motz, President and CEO of The Motz Corporation, describes the pivotal, personal experience that set him on a journey of intentional unpacking and the joyful changes that process has brought to his business and his physical and emotional wellbeing.
Growth through Acquisitions—A Learning Journey
Paced Growth is an essential principle of successful Evergreen businesses. While growth can be organic or accomplished through new ventures, some Evergreen companies will choose to grow through acquisition.
Tom Rosztoczy, CEO of Stotz Equipment, has guided his Evergreen company to grow from three John Deere dealerships in Arizona to 25 stores in eight Western states over the past 20 years. In his presentation from the Tugboat Institute Summit 2018, Tom shares the key factors of that successful acquisition journey and the core values that are integrated into each new acquisition to continue to propel his Evergreen business forward.
It's a Family Tradition
Bobby Jenkins grew up working in the pest control business his father built in San Antonio, Texas, which has since grown to become ABC Home & Commercial, a company with multiple locations throughout Texas, which Bobby and his two brothers own.
In this presentation at Tugboat Institute Summit 2018, Bobby shares the story of how the Jenkins family has navigated succession and multi-generational ownership to this point, describing the key factors in their success and his hopes for the future of the business.
Introduction to Evergreen Principles
In this keynote presentation from the Fourth Annual Olin Family Business Symposium at Washington University in St. Louis on October 12, 2018, Dave Whorton shares the journey of discovery that led to his founding of Tugboat Institute and the Evergreen Movement.
Throughout his talk, he debunks common myths about business and contrasts them with the competitive advantage of Evergreens, and describes how Tugboat Institute is supporting Evergreen leaders and businesses today.
