Jon Last’s Post

Truly one-of-a-kind service from a one-of-a-kind person.

In my previous post, I asked you to take some time to celebrate yourself and your accomplishments over the past year. So often, we spend the holidays celebrating our colleagues and team members that we forget to do the same for ourselves. In that post, you had a few journal prompts to help you reflect & celebrate the past year of your life as CEO. Internal validation is crucial as a leader, as we don’t always receive validation from those around us. After all, when you’re a CEO there aren’t as many true peers compared to other employees. And quite frankly, not having that validation, not having people who support and celebrate you, can be difficult. It’s lonely at the top. In fact, this is why I became a Vistage Chair and formed Nashville Execs. During my 20 years of working in the corporate world, I consistently saw c-suite executives who lacked support. Our Vistage groups bridge that gap. We meet one day each month to talk all things life and business. No, we don’t just do water cooler talk. We dive in deep to the obstacles you’re encountering as a leader and within your business. It’s your opportunity to get both the collaboration and challenge you need to take yourself and your company to the next level. Interested in learning more? Send me a message and let’s talk!

Grateful for this nonstop, rewarding, incredible journey with my Francesca's team—it's more than just colleagues or a team; we it's family. Crafting a positive work environment has been a source of pride, fostering a second HOME where every team member feels SAFE, HEARD, RESPECTED, and PRAISED. Our collective dedication has created a dynamic team whose energy resonates throughout our boutique. Our guests' kind words echo their positive experiences, reinforcing our commitment. Amidst heartfelt moments this week, team members shared newfound career aspirations in retail, a testament to the unique space we've cultivated. Their desire to GROW with me and our beloved company after working here for nearly a decade is so fulfilling. I love that they love what they do, just like me. Whether it’s creating an outfit on a mannequin, or an incredible experience with our guest - I make sure my team gets positive and constructive feedback to ensure they know that they are valued and that if anything does need some work, we will work through that together to be THAT much stronger in their role and duty on the sales floor. When a 16-year-old employee has you saved as "Allison best boss ever," it's a testament to the culture we've built. Succession is no longer a concept; it's a shared goal. The supportive environment breeds empowerment—I regularly express pride, a sentiment some haven't heard from past leaders. This isn't about boasting; it's a reminder that team retention lies in creating a space where they want to stay. While we may not offer the highest pay or the most hours compared to every business they could seek, we have heart, passion, and a genuine love for what we do. Our team members aren't just numbers; they're evolving leaders within our company. To leaders out there, make your team feel valued. Reflect on what you wished for in their roles and ensure they know their worth. My mantra: "I AM PROUD OF YOU." Celebrate the daily victories, for this little but MIGHTY team of mine continues to exceed expectations. Excited for the bright future of the Daytona Beach francescas team! 🌟 #TeamPride #FrancescasFamily #LeadershipJourney

HAPPY 3rd ANNIVERSARY TERLIAN CONSULTS To many more years of employing your expertise in Human Resources and Corporate Governance to bring tailor-made solutions to Businesses and Organization and hence bring their purpose to life

As we continue to celebrate our 25th Anniversary and the milestones we have achieved, our focus naturally turns to the future. We are filled with excitement as we consider the strengths and opportunities that lie ahead of our staff. Our greatest assets are our employees - a group of talented individuals who have contributed to our success and will continue to play a crucial role in shaping our future. ⁠We connected with Keegan Bunt about how he feels about the future of the firm.  ⁠*What do you see in the future for your professional growth here? ⁠"Endless knowledge. With how the firm is structured I can work on a new type of project almost daily, with that I am constantly learning new things."⁠  *What has been the most valuable lesson you have learned so far? "⁠Work doesn’t have to be something you endure or dread. With the right environment and people it can be the highlight of your day."

Cheers to ONE Environmental Managing Principal J. Rusty Field PE who is celebrating his 15-year work anniversary! Back in 2009, Rusty envisioned a customer-centered company that prioritizes lasting, meaningful relationships over the bottom line when he and his partners founded ONE. And the rest is history, as they say. Learn more about Rusty on our blog! https://bit.ly/3yJdDxF

🌟 Celebrating Wins Together: The Heartbeat of Our Success 🌟 In the fast-paced world we navigate, taking a moment to pause and celebrate our wins—big or small—within our teams is not just a moment of joy, but a crucial pillar that supports our collective success. It's these moments of recognition and celebration that build the foundation for strong, enduring relationships within our team. 🎉 Why is celebrating so important, you ask? Because it fosters a sense of belonging and appreciation, it reinforces our purpose and drives, and most importantly, it nurtures a culture where each team member feels valued and understood. Building relationships within the workplace is more than just networking; it's about creating a family that supports each other through highs and lows. It's about understanding and appreciating the diverse talents and perspectives that each member brings to the table. These relationships are the scaffolding on which we can lean when challenges arise and the network we celebrate with when milestones are achieved. But beyond the celebrations and relationships, at the core of our endeavors, must be a love for what we do. It’s this passion that ignites innovation, fuels perseverance, and inspires excellence. Loving what you do transforms work from obligation to excitement, turning everyday tasks into opportunities for growth and achievement. And what does this love allow us to celebrate? Not just the success of our projects, but the journey we embark on together. The late nights, the brainstorming sessions, the unwavering dedication—it’s all part of a narrative that culminates in moments worth celebrating. So, let’s make a promise to not only chase success but to savor it together. Let's commit to building relationships that transcend the professional and delve into the personal, fostering an environment where love for our work and for each other is the norm, not the exception. Because at the end of the day, it’s these moments of joy, this sense of community, and the love for what we do that truly define our success. Here's to celebrating every win, nurturing every relationship, and loving every moment of our journey together. 🥂🚀📈 #Teamwork #Celebration #WorkplaceCulture #PassionForWork #ProfessionalGrowth #SuccessTogether

As we near our 10th Anniversary celebrations at CM Advocates LLP, these are some of the most important lessons that I have come to embrace: 1. Don't try to be better; be different. In other words; always think differently; and often inverse. 2. You should be ruthless when it come to execution. Concerning this point, I wish to borrow these two quotes: (a) “Ideas are easy. Execution is everything.” – John Doerr (b) “Strategy without execution is hallucination.” – Thomas Edison 3. Always be bold and courageous. Never give room to fear or self doubt. In the words of Peter Drucker, “The best way to predict the future is to create it." 4. Resilience and agility are critical and indispensable skills or attributes in life and in business; therefore, cultivate them. By these I mean that we should always be ready to respond quickly to any disruptions or change. On this point, here is my favourite quote from the father of the rainbow nation, Nelson Mandela: "Do not judge me by my success, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again." And this too: "When you have exhausted all possibilities, remember this: you haven't."~ Thomas A. Edison

This photo doesn’t do the last few days justice. Conferences(Assemble Holidays would be a more appropriate name) often seem to come at a time when you don’t want to be away from your desk etc. BUT wowee was it great to let the hair down over the last few days, get to know people from our sister businesses better and to get the “good oil” from some of the best in the business about what’s helped them be successful in business and to build successful businesses. The common denominators were the importance of hiring good people, with shared values, who will add to an already great culture, be kind and to provide opportunity. Look forward to the next one.

Happy #AldermoreDay to Aldermore Bank! We can't wait to see everything that you guys get up to. Sharing live footage of the preparations and event of this scale is a great way to engage with your audience. People love seeing a what goes on behind the scenes. We're so pleased to be helping Aldermore achieve this while celebrating their 15th anniversary. #WeAreAbstract #DigitalMarketing #BrandStorytelling #SocialStrategy