Midwest Direct’s Post

Many years ago, early into my career at my former company, we took a trip to a home improvement company that supposedly had "it all figured out". My boss, the sales manager, and I flew to Connecticut to learn from the big boys. When I arrived, it was not what I expected, but I truly did learn one of the greatest leadership lessons of my entire career. This company in fact DID NOT have it all figured out, but there was one bright spot, and that was the Canvass Manager I was there to shadow. It was extremely clear after just a couple of hours, was this company was surviving almost completely on this 40-person canvassing department. The leader was a former Marine Sergeant, and he was kind enough to share his process with me of how he coached, held people accountable and held positive and negative counsel with all his employees. He had a process of pat, pat, kick. This was all new to me, but I observed and made many mental notes. When it was time to go out in the field, it was pouring down rain. I said to the Canvass Leader, "Are we going out in field with the team, since it's raining?" He looked at me like I had 2 heads, and said "WELL OF COURSE WE ARE! THERE IS NO MORE IMPORTANT OF A DAY TO BE OUT THERE SHOULDER TO SHOULDER WITH MY GUYS, THEN WHEN THE CONDITONS ARE LIKE THIS!! WHAT KIND OF LEADER WOULD I BE IF I ASKED THEM TO TRUDGE THROUGH THE RAIN AND MUD BUT I'M SITTING IN THE WARM COMFY VEHICLE??" At that moment, I understood 100% to how he built a 40 person canvassing department. I understood 100% why they were smashing numbers, and I understood why the canvass department was carrying the company. He was the only leader there who demonstrated this type of servant leadership. I left with a whole new perspective. This was over 10 years ago, and it impacted me so greatly, I still remember it like it was yesterday. I am sure he has no idea the impact this visit had, but I am truly grateful for the lessons he taught me in this area. I owe much of my success in my career to learning to lead like Todd. #leadership #leadershiplessons #sales #marketing #doortodoor #d2d #knockingdoors #sales #marketing #tonyhotytrainingandconsulting

When I first stepped into sales leadership, I remember feeling a bit lost: -When is the right time to hire a sales manager? -Should they also be responsible for selling, or focus solely on managing the team? -What happens after I bring them on board? There isn’t one right answer, but as your company grows and hits different revenue milestones, understanding what this transition can look like is crucial. In this short clip, Rocky LaGrone, who helped scale thousands of companies, explains what growing from $1M to $80M in revenue could look like from a sales leadership perspective. What has your experience been like? When building your sales team, what strategies worked for you, and what do you wish you'd done differently?

Starting out with AO as Business Development Manager, Rick is currently our Vice President, heading up all our Sales, Marketing and Customer Service teams. Under Rick’s leadership, everyone channels their knowledge and talent on the single goal of making work vehicles work better. Rick says: “The most important and enjoyable part of my job is having the conversations that help our customers. The most rewarding upfits are those where we solve difficult problems – and we never shy away from a challenge. Whether it’s helping someone to launch a completely new business idea out of a van, or figuring out how to help a municipal fleet achieve their EV goals. “It’s great to hear what our customers say too. They talk about our great team members, our amazing service, and our fast, quality installations. It’s all summed up in my favorite quote: “Nobody cares how much you know until they know how much you care.”” #meettheteam #vanupfitter #advantageoutfitters #vanspace #workplace

🔥 Day 27 at Associated Packaging, Inc. ❄️🔥… I am listening to “Can’t Hurt Me” by David Goggins. You may also know that I lead a free outdoor men’s boot camp twice a week in Southlake, TX at 5:30AM. 💪 “A true leader stays exhausted, abhores arrogance, and never looks down on the weakest link. He fights for his men and leads by example. That’s what it means to be uncommon among uncommon.” - David Goggins Setting the example, I committed to being there this morning knowing the weather forecast. The 3 men who showed up to be with me pushed their limits and found that they are stronger and more resilient than they thought they were. ⚔️ But, what did I do Friday? 😜 - Took a call on a customer parking lot - Measuring & pics at customer warehouse for renovation project (yep, we do that!) - Supplier lunch w/ a great partner 🥗 - Close out and week ahead planning One of the best things about sharing my 100 days journey and my goals 👉 Instant, real accountability. And because I do what I say I’m gonna do, here I am and here I will be. #LetsGo #ThePackagingPeople ————————————————————— P.S. Hit 🔔 and follow my first 100 days 👈 Follow me Chris Hardwick 📦 🧠 for more on #growthmindset, #sales, #leadership, #packaging, and #fatherhood.

Conversation with EVP of Sales of a $600M remanufacturing company. Over 150 outside sales reps. "As sale leaders, we are taught to look for folks that played sports growing up. They had goals, they worked hard to succeed. When they failed, they got feedback from coaches to help make them better. Better yet, let's get graduates that played sports at the college level. Afterall, they balanced academics and sports and a social agenda. They were held accountable to performing at a high level in the classroom and on the field / court. Sadly, the prevailing leadership models in most outside sales driven orgs these days - remove the competition. We remove the expectation of excellence for fear of being seen as big brother. When they remove accountability, they lower the bar of excellence and they settle for mediocrity. You get what you settle for. And then they wonder why their team doesn't take pride in their work." The best leaders, get the right folks on their team. Set the right expectations by measuring what matters. Holds the team accountable to what matters. You do that - and your team will storm the hill with you. #outsidesales #fieldsales

We Are Leadership! When I left the retail sales world of manufactured homes last year, a lot of it had to do with the leadership culture. It left a lot to be desired. Because of that, I want to bring a higher standard of leadership to everyone that I, and my team, come in contact with. At Manufactured Home Sales Mastery, one of our core values is, "We Are Leadership." This isn't just a catchphrase; it's a guiding principle that shapes our culture and actions every day. 🔥 Culture of Excellence: We strive for the highest standards in everything we do. By setting the bar high, we inspire our team and clients to reach their fullest potential. Excellence isn't a destination; it's a continuous journey that drives us to improve daily. 🔥 Innovation: In an industry that is evolving, staying ahead requires constant innovation. We encourage creative thinking and embrace new ideas to provide cutting-edge solutions for our clients. Innovation keeps us agile and ready to adapt to changing market demands. 🔥 Continuous Improvement: Growth is at the heart of our leadership philosophy. We are committed to ongoing learning and development, both personally and professionally. By fostering a mindset of continuous improvement, we ensure that our team remains at the forefront of the industry. 🔥 Leading by Example: True leadership is about inspiring and guiding others toward a shared vision. We lead by example, demonstrating the values and behaviors we want to see in our team and clients. Our actions speak louder than words, and we aim to be role models in everything we do. By embodying these principles, we create a positive and motivating environment for your teams, and ours, which empowers them to achieve their goals. We are here to serve you and your teams with the leadership that makes everyone operate at an ELITE level. Doug Tollin, MBA Manufactured Housing Institute Pennsylvania Manufactured Housing Association Rocky Mountain Home Association Adam N. Ryan V. Hill Legacy Communities, LLC Comfort Communities Flagship Communities REIT #purposedriven #resultsoriented #leadership #excellence #leadbyexample #manufacturedhomesalesmastery

Cesar is “Spot On”! Leadership is a fundamental aspect of human interaction that transcends social hierarchies or individual accomplishments in the work field. True Leaders are able to show respect, regardless of their background or position. A True Leader always reflects a deep sense of empathy, compassion, and decency. It contributes positively to the overall atmosphere of respect and goodwill, fostering healthier relationships and a more harmonious working environment. This in itself creates an unstoppable Team. The type of Team with a True Leader believes in integrating motivation, drive and conviction. All can only contribute to success in a positive direction. The Moral Compass of a True Leader should always point due North. #castleparkinvestments #mobilehomesales #clearviewcommunities #manufacturedhomesalesmastery #leadership #beadecenthumanbeing

"Leadership is leading by example. My inspiration comes from watching my mother and grandmother work tirelessly for our family. From starting as a part-time associate in retail to advancing into corporate B2B sales, my career journey reflects the values of hard work and dedication. Everyone Needs A Video Avichayil Yachnes Thank you for this amazing video. #Leadership #Inspiration #CareerJourney #HardWork #Dedication #WomenInBusiness #B2BSales #ProfessionalGrowth"

Exciting Leadership Opportunity at NorthStar Memorial Group! I'm usually not one to spotlight job listings in my role as a trainer & consultant in the cemetery sales industry, but NorthStar Memorial Group's Vice President of Sales position in the Red River region is an exception that deserves attention. It's a rare find to see a company like NorthStar Memorial Group that truly understands the essence of empowering leaders. Their focus on fostering an entrepreneurial spirit and cutting through bureaucracy in this role is commendable, especially in an industry where not all companies manage with such progressive ideals. The list of organizations that genuinely put these principles into practice is indeed short. NorthStar's commitment to growth goes beyond mere numbers. They prioritize customer satisfaction and a deep understanding of market needs, which is paramount for setting high standards in our industry. Requiring extensive experience in funeral and cemetery sales, this role is a testament to NorthStar's dedication to finding a leader adept in professional selling strategies and team motivation – skills that are crucial for success in this field. While I'm not in the market for a new position, I felt compelled to share this unique opportunity. It's a standout example of how a company can effectively combine innovative leadership with strategic growth, raising the bar in the funeral and cemetery sales industry. #LeadershipEmpowerment #EntrepreneurialSpirit #InnovativeManagement #ProgressiveLeadership #GrowthMindset #TeamManagement #FuneralAndCemeterySales #SalesLeadership #CareerOpportunities

Sales Vice Presidents, Sales Executives, Sales Directors: Have you taken vacation time this summer? If so, what did you do with your time? Did you travel, or take some time at home? How are you re-energizing yourself for the busy “return to the office” coming soon? #leadership #sales #vacation