The Power Of Changing How We Think
When Tom Rosztoczy’s father, Ferenc, arrived in the US from Hungary in 1957 with a degree in chemistry and applied for a job as a chemist, he learned that without a degree from a US university, he would be paid less than the standard salary for the role. Presented with such a clear message about the value of a US education, Ferenc went on to earn a PhD from University of California before taking on the role of President at his father-in-law’s company, Stotz Equipment.
Today, Tom leads that same company, which includes Stotz Equipment, a John Deere dealership with 25 stores in eight western states, Stotz Dairy, and Stotz Farms. When Tom and his wife, Jill, considered how they could partner in a philanthropic effort to benefit their community, the value of a college degree—so central to the family’s story—shaped their mission.
Together, Tom and Jill founded The College Promise program, a partnership with local public schools, which has transformed the lives of students and families. In this talk from Tugboat Institute® Summit 2021, Tom shares the story of his and Jill’s effort and the life-changing results.
Foreign Market Entry To Power Sustained Growth
Before he earned a PhD and began pursuing research in the field of sustained growth, Dr. Gary Kunkle worked in 38 different countries as the founder and CEO of an international trade and investment agency and as a senior manager of international trade and investment for KPMG.
Dr. Kunkle’s professional experience and his academic research have provided him unique insight into factors that lead to successful geographic expansion—one of six key variables necessary for sustained business growth. In this talk from Tugboat Institute® Summit 2021, Dr. Kunkle offers key tactics for Evergreen® leaders considering expansion into new markets and provides advice on common pitfalls they may face.
Securing Your Legacy: Paths From Founder To Evergreen
Family ownership of a business is complex, and, in many cases, questions around succession and leadership transition can present founders and next-generation leaders with significant challenges.
Jennifer Pendergast, Executive Director of the John L. Ward Center for Family Enterprises at Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, has deep knowledge of the dynamics facing multi-generational family businesses. In this talk from Tugboat Institute Summit 2021, Jennifer shares insight into how families committed to an Evergreen® horizon can successfully navigate leadership transitions to ensure long-term success for their company.
The Moment Of Divergence
When Tugboat Institute® CEO Dave Whorton began his career at Kleiner Perkins, he was presented a “playbook”—a guide that defined early venture capital (VC) investment as a strategy focused on profitability and sustained growth. In 1995, with the historic public offering of Netscape, that playbook was thrown out and VC entered a new era. Get big fast.
In this talk from Tugboat Institute Summit 2021, Dave shares his personal experience of witnessing that “moment of divergence” and how that seismic shift in VC investment shaped the way companies are built, scaled, financed and exited along with how that deviation impacted CEOs, employees, customers, suppliers and communities. Dave also describes how private Evergreen® companies offer leaders, teams, and society an alternative model of doing business—one that recognizes the role of business as a force for good.
The Future Of Work And Workplace
How and where we work has changed in the wake of the pandemic, and questions related to the future of workspace continue to rise to the surface. How will leaders and companies adapt and evolve to meet employees changing needs and expectations? What are the key steps in a “return-to-work” strategy? How will shifting and expanding roles impact the workplace? What are the key components of effective workspace design that nurture collaboration and creativity?
Lisa Picard, President and CEO at EQ Office, a commercial real estate company that designs spaces to maximize human potential, has a unique perspective into these questions. In this talk from Tugboat Institute Summit 2021, Lisa shares her experience with this dynamic topic that continues to create challenges and opportunities for employers and employees.
Driving A Culture Of Innovation
In this talk from Tugboat Institute Gathering of Teams 2021, Bart Ricketts, CEO of Lease Crutcher Lewis, a Pacific Northwest construction company, shares three organizational initiatives that drive innovation and create an environment in which employees feel supported, respected and heard. Learn how this 135-year-old company Evergreen® company is building towards its next 100 years in business.
Storytelling & Excellence
As a film producer and President of Flashlight Films, Allyn Stewart, has mastered the process of developing compelling stories and translating them into captivating films. In this talk from Tugboat Institute Gathering of Teams 2021, Allyn shares her journey through Hollywood and her philosophy that true excellence in storytelling comes from the creator’s unwavering commitment and unshakable belief in the story they want to tell. According to Allyn, story is EVERYTHING–whether it’s a movie, a product or a service.
Dear White Friend: What Can We Do Together About Race?
Mel Gravely, CEO of TriVersity Construction, built a successful Evergreen® business with the stated purpose of proving that his diverse and inclusive company can compete with the best in the industry. Mel let the work do the talking and admits to publicly sidestepping the topic of race— especially with his white friends and colleagues.
However, in the wake of the civil unrest and waves of protests that erupted in 2020, Mel could no longer stand quiet. According to Mel, "People seem more interested in lobbing labels than talking, hearing, and working together to solve challenges."
The desire to open the lines of communication was the inspiration for this Tugboat Institute® talk. With heart and humor, Mel lays out a thought-provoking and judgment-free case on why every business leader should care about racial justice in their companies and their communities. Mel also goes beyond the boundaries of business to challenge all viewers to consider different perspectives on the rights gap experienced by blacks—with the goal of effecting meaningful change through healthy conversations.
Customer Service Excellence
Brad Cleveland has spent 30 years as a consultant in customer service, providing him unique perspective and expertise to offer insight into the issues facing Evergreen® leaders in this area today. In this talk from Tugboat Institute Gathering of Teams 2021, Brad describes both common missed opportunities and steps that leaders and teams can take to make a difference for their customers.
Empowering My Team through Challenging Times
Lester Thornhill, CEO of Life’s Abundance, approached the challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic with a commitment to continuous improvement. In this talk from Tugboat Institute Gathering of Teams 2021, Lester shares his story of opportunistic innovation through the pandemic, offering a compelling case for seizing upon moments of challenge to strengthen the team and the company for the long term.
