Work Your Business Plan CEO Retreat

WHAT:  December CEO Retreat

WHEN: December 11, 2014

WHERE: Pacific Northwest Title and Escrow, Silverdale

December is our Members Only ~ Work Your Business Plan CEO Retreat 
It will be a slightly different format and will include lunch plus an afternoon session. Please come prepared with your Power Point presentation, BHAG goals and desires for your Excell Kitsap group norms. Roni Leeds Shapiro, the new SVP of Operations will be in attendance.

We will meet at Pacific Northwest Title: 2021 NW Myhre Rd #300, Silverdale WA 98383

Click HERE for Google Directions

AGENDA FOR DECEMBER

7:45 AM                    Breakfast and Social Time   

8:00AM-12:00PM     Work Your Business Plan

12:00-12:30PM         Lunch hosted by Chris Rieland

12:30-2:00PM           Group mission and norms

Addressing Complexity as You Grow: The Challenge of Communication

WHAT:  November CEO Tools Workshop

WHEN: Thursday November 13, 2014

WHERE:  Scout Cafe,  Bremerton

Join us in November as we continue our October workshop discussion on communication.

Communication is the lifeblood of organizational health, and is challenging even in the smallest organizations. As your business grows, your focus and planning on communication as a critical growth strategy is essential.

In this program we will work on:

• Understanding the critical need for communication
• Understanding the various modes of communication
• Recognizing what shifts or changes in communication as the organization grows.
• Creating a specific set of plans and goals to make communication in your organization better, and to sustain it and enhance it as you try to keep the organization “on the same page.

MEMBERS:

Members arrive at 7:45am for breakfast and Member check-in.

Please RSVP to Michele Bosworth by October 31, 2014 the names and e-mails for employee guests or Member Candidates who will be attending the event. 

MEMBER CANDIDATES:

Member Candidates are invited to attend the event from 7:45am-12pm as their schedule permits. 

• Breakfast at 7:45am
• Check-in at 8:00am
• Workshop from 9:00am- 10:45am 
• Member issues from 11:00am- 12:00pm 

Please RSVP to Michele Bosworth by October 31, 2014, regarding your attendance. Please include what portion of the meeting you will attend so we can make arrangements for breakfast and materials.

EMPLOYEE GUESTS:

Employee Guests are invited to the workshop from 9:00am - 10:45am (please arrive by 8:50am and wait in the lobby to be brought into the room.)

HOST:

Ben Anderson of Art Anderson Associates.

WHERE WE WILL MEET:

Scout Cafe and Honor Bar, 1223 McKenzie Avenue Bremerton, WA 98337.

Click HERE for a map and Google Directions

TITLE OF WORKSHOP:

Addressing Complexity as You Grow:  The Challenge of Communication 

QUESTIONS CEO'S SHOULD BE ASKING:

• What have I tried, so far, to communicate my vision and our plans?
• What communication tools have worked in the past?
• How do I continue to communicate effectively as my organization grows?
• What are the modes and techniques of communication that will serve to keep my organization on the same page?
• Communication is a strategy, just as much as marketing, or technology, or capital planning. It’s just as important as anything else and deserves a focused and alert management approach.

 TAKEAWAYS:

• Understanding communication as a core strategic issue
• Creating a game plan for communication as their organizations grow and expand
• Understanding their personal role in communication strategy
•  Identifying the needs that are currently present in your organization
• Five key best practices for communication

PREPARATION:

For New Participants:

• Your communication plan, if you have one and, if you don’t have one, think about what your goal would be if you had such a plan.  
• An Organization chart 

For those that attended the October Workshop: 

• Come prepared to discuss your insights related to your 30-day commitments.

PRESENTER:  Jim Hessler

Jim Hessler brings over 25 years of business management and executive leadership experience to Path Forward, which he founded in 2001.

Jim has been an award-winning salesman, sales manager, general manager, and executive. He has specialized in turning around underperforming operations, and in the mid 90’s he helped lead a massive national reorganization for a Fortune 150 company.

Jim’s experience in general management has resulted in broad and deep knowledge of nearly all aspects of a well-run business. From building and managing a sales organization, to managing complex inventories and delivery systems, to generating vision and trust in demoralized organizations, to leading complex restructuring efforts, Jim has earned a depth of knowledge and insight that serves his Path Forward clients exceedingly well, regardless of the leadership challenges they face.

Jim lives in Issaquah, Washington, and has been married for 32 years to Paula Weiss, a teacher in the Issaquah School District.

Addressing Complexity as You Grow: The Challenge of Communication

WHAT:  October CEO Tools Workshop

WHEN: Thursday October 9, 2014

WHERE:  Kitsap Bank, Bremerton

*note the location has changed to Kitsap Bank in Bremerton *

Communication is the lifeblood of organizational health, and is challenging even in the smallest organizations. As your business grows, your focus and planning on communication as a critical growth strategy is essential.

In this program we will work on:

• Understanding the critical need for communication
• Understanding the various modes of communication
• Recognizing what shifts or changes in communication as the organization grows.
• Creating a specific set of plans and goals to make communication in your organization better, and to sustain it and enhance it as you try to keep the organization “on the same page.”

MEMBERS:

Members arrive at 7:45am for breakfast and Member check-in.

Please RSVP to Michele Bosworth by September 26, 2014 if you will be bringing employee guests or Member Candidates.

MEMBER CANDIDATES:

Member Candidates are invited to attend the event from 7:45am-12pm as their schedule permits. 

• Breakfast at 7:45am
• Check-in at 8:00am
• Workshop from 9:00am- 10:45am 
• Member issues from 11:00am- 12:00pm 

Please RSVP to Michele Bosworth by September 26, 2014, regarding your attendance. Please include what portion of the meeting you will attend so we can make arrangements for breakfast and materials.

EMPLOYEE GUESTS:

Employee Guests are invited to the workshop from 9:00am - 10:45am (please arrive by 8:50am and wait in the lobby to be brought into the room.)

HOST:

Tony George of Kitsap Bank

WHERE WE WILL MEET:

Kitsap Bank Conference Room; 607 Pacific Avenue, Bremerton, WA 98337

Click HERE for a map and Google Directions

TITLE OF WORKSHOP:

Addressing Complexity as You Grow:  The Challenge of Communication 

QUESTIONS CEO'S SHOULD BE ASKING:

• What have I tried, so far, to communicate my vision and our plans?
• What communication tools have worked in the past?
• How do I continue to communicate effectively as my organization grows?
• What are the modes and techniques of communication that will serve to keep my organization on the same page?
• Communication is a strategy, just as much as marketing, or technology, or capital planning. It’s just as important as anything else and deserves a focused and alert management approach.

 TAKEAWAYS:

• Understanding communication as a core strategic issue
• Creating a game plan for communication as their organizations grow and expand
• Understanding their personal role in communication strategy
•  Identifying the needs that are currently present in your organization
• Five key best practices for communication

PREPARATION:

• Your communication plan, if you have one and, if you don’t have one, think about what your goal would be if you had such a plan.  
• An Organization chart 

PRESENTER:  Jim Hessler

Jim Hessler brings over 25 years of business management and executive leadership experience to Path Forward, which he founded in 2001.

Jim has been an award-winning salesman, sales manager, general manager, and executive. He has specialized in turning around underperforming operations, and in the mid 90’s he helped lead a massive national reorganization for a Fortune 150 company.

Jim’s experience in general management has resulted in broad and deep knowledge of nearly all aspects of a well-run business. From building and managing a sales organization, to managing complex inventories and delivery systems, to generating vision and trust in demoralized organizations, to leading complex restructuring efforts, Jim has earned a depth of knowledge and insight that serves his Path Forward clients exceedingly well, regardless of the leadership challenges they face.

Jim lives in Issaquah, Washington, and has been married for 32 years to Paula Weiss, a teacher in the Issaquah School District.

Strengthening the Team by Planning for Your Absence

WHAT:   August CEO Tools Workshop
WHEN:  Thursday August 14, 2014
WHERE: Suquamish Clearwater Casino  

Leaders can create great value in their companies while reducing risk by making sure the business can operate just fine without active involvement by any one individual over a period of time; even when that person is the CEO! Having key knowledge locked in the mind of any single individual, including the CEO is risky for a company and stressful for many, including the CEO’s spouse or partner. 

Albert Einstein once said that, “everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler.”  This workshop is meant to inspire attendees to develop a plan with steps necessary to ensure business as usual happens when any one person is no longer able to function in their role.  This workshop will focus on the role of the CEO.

MEMBERS:

Members arrive at 7:45am for breakfast and Member check-in.

MEMBER CANDIDATES:

Member Candidates are invited to attend the event from 7:45am-12pm as their schedule permits. 

• Breakfast at 7:45am
• Check-in at 8:00am
• Workshop from 9:00am- 10:45am 
• Member issues from 11:00am- 12:00pm 

Please RSVP to Michele Bosworth by August 1, 2014, regarding your attendance. Please include what portion of the meeting you will attend so we can make arrangements for breakfast and materials.

EMPLOYEE GUESTS: RSVP BY August 1st

Employee Guests are invited to the workshop from 9:00am - 10:45am (please arrive by 8:50am and wait in the lobby to be brought into the room.)

HOST:

Mike Hall of Hall and Company

WHERE WE WILL MEET:
Suquamish Clearwater Casino-15347 Suquamish Way NE, Suquamish, WA 98392

The Workshop will be held in the Hawks Nest Board Room outside the lobby of the Hotel

Click HERE for Google Directions

TITLE OF WORKSHOP:

Strengthening the Team by Planning for Your Absence

AGENDA:

Click HERE for the agenda.

QUESTIONS CEO'S SHOULD BE ASKING

• Where does “risk” reside in the company, where you are the only person who has ownership of or knowledge regarding a key customer or vendor relationship; a specific job task or job functions? Is this risk you are willing to live with? 
•  If so, how are you quantifying risk and why is this level of risk acceptable? 
• If not, what are the challenges that you will need to overcome ensure bad things don’t happen (in your absence?) in these specific areas?
• What will your spouse or partner do if you are suddenly unable to run the company?

TAKEAWAYS

•  Why it is important to identify, quantify and where appropriate, mitigate business risk that resides within your company.
•  How to give your spouse peace of mind about how they can proactively become involved managing events in your absence.

PREPARATION

Bring a bullet point list of critical actions that you need to take that will help to ensure your company will survive and thrive if you were suddenly no longer serving in the CEO capacity. 

 

Information examples include:

1. a list of online access to certain websites; sign-on/passwords.  
2. Contact information for your banker, insurance agent, key customers and vendors.
3. Key contracts, loan agreements and covenants, and insurance policies. 

Process examples include: 

1. Who is in charge if you are no longer around, 
2. Who must be involved for developing and ultimately executing the plan, 
3. Who will communicate it 
4. What they will say?

PRESENTER: EARL BELL

EARL BELL is the author of, Winning in Baseball and Business, Transforming Little League Principles into Major League Profits for Your Company.  Earl is also founder of the Winning in Business Master Academy™.

Earl works with owners, business leaders and their teams, teaching them how to dramatically reduce the time it takes to improve profitability, customer experience, employee engagement and company value.  Earl believes that business is the ultimate game which should be fun; that winning in business is more fun than losing. He also believes that creating hero experiences for customers and clients is how companies can win consistently.

Earl has served in the Chief Financial Officer role for numerous companies throughout North America. His personal passion is youth sports and he has coached 28 teams since 2002.  Earl is a CPA, graduated from SU (Seattle University) with a BA in Accounting and from the MILL (Mercer Island Little League) with a Master’s in Youth Baseball.

How to Use Your Numbers to Make Better Complex Financial Decisions

WHAT:   July CEO Tools Workshop
WHEN:  Thursday July 10, 2014
WHERE: Martha & Mary, Poulsbo

We all want to build a sustainable business that provides a return on our (or our owners’ investment). So, how much profit does it take to produce the real returns that you not only desire, but also require? The first step in the process is to answer the question: what is your breakeven sales annually, monthly and even daily? We will all first go through our Profit and Loss Statements to determine how our expenses “behave.” We will separate out our variable and fixed costs and then calculate the answer to the breakeven question. With this new structure we will be able to have a better understanding of which costs need to be focused on to improve the bottom line.

But nobody wants to just break even! We will also now be in position to project the future and determine useful strategies. 

MEMBERS:

Members arrive at 7:45am for breakfast and Member check-in.

MEMBER CANDIDATES:

Member Candidates are invited to attend the event from 7:45am-12pm as their schedule permits. 

• Breakfast at 7:45am
• Check-in at 8:00am
• Workshop from 9:00am- 10:45am 
• Member issues from 11:00am- 12:00pm 

Please RSVP to Michele Bosworth by June 30, 2014, regarding your attendance. Please include what portion of the meeting you will attend so we can make arrangements for breakfast and materials.

EMPLOYEE GUESTS: RSVP BY JUNE 30TH

Employee Guests are invited to the workshop from 9:00am - 10:45am (please arrive by 8:50am and wait in the lobby to be brought into the room.)

HOST:

Chad Solvie of Martha & Mary

WHERE WE WILL MEET:
Martha & Mary; 19160 Front Street NE, Poulsbo WA 98370

Click HERE for a map and Google Directions

TITLE OF WORKSHOP:

How to Use Your Numbers to Make Better Complex Financial Decisions

AGENDA:

Click here for the agenda.

QUESTIONS CEO'S SHOULD BE ASKING

• How much profit do I need to reinvest in my company?
• How much profit do I need to pay back additional long term debt?
• How much profit do I need form y bonus and/or retirement plans?
• If I hire additional staff what will I need insoles to cover their costs and make more profit?
• If I add on to my building (take on more space or open a new location) what will I need in increased sales to make that a good investment?

TAKEAWAYS

• What does my company's cost structure really look like
• How can I use this knowledge to make better decisions for the future around issues such as: pricing, expense control and investments in projects, equipment and people
• Learn how targeting a specific profit to determine your sales goals.

PREPARATION: DUE JUNE 30TH

There are some key steps to complete beforehand to help you get the most out of this workshop: get familiar with the concept of breakeven, determine which of your expenses are fixed versus variable, and use that info to fill in the Questionnaire part of the worksheet. Your workshop presenter, Steve Abercrombie, will review the rest in class. The end goal: gain a great tool for better decisions using your own numbers!

1.  First, read the handout, Guide to Breakeven Plus. It will give you some background on  breakeven analysis and walk you through some sample case studies.

2.  Second, enter your sales and expense numbers into the 2014 Breakeven Calculator.  Click to open the 2014 Breakeven Calculator and download it by clicking on the download button that appears on your screen.  Fill in the document and click save. 

You will find detailed instructions for how to do so on the first worksheet entitled “Instructions.”  You will enter your own numbers on the Questionnaire worksheet. You will need:

•  Current month–end Profit and Loss Statement 
• Year-to-Date Profit and Loss Statement
• The number of invoices/jobs and/or active customers for those same time periods

3.  You will first need to decide which expenses are fixed and which are variable (that’s where reading the guide first will come in handy). Because this work will take us beyond breakeven and into future “what-if” analysis, you might have to do some consolidation if you have a lot of expense categories. Once you get done entering your numbers, you are welcome, but not required, to practice doing breakeven analysis on the Calculator worksheet.


4.  Once you are finished, please print the Questionnaire and the Calculator pages and bring them with you to class.


5.  Save the worksheet using your company name and email it as an attachment to Michele Bosworth at michelebosworth@excellpugetsound.com by June 30.

We estimate that it will take you about one hour to read the materials and about 1-2 hours to fill out the Questionnaire worksheet. Some of you will want to work with your CPA/bookkeeper/CFO on this project and to invite them (along with your other key team members), to attend the July CEO workshop with you.Please be sure to read the handout guide yourself, though, so you are personally familiar with the concepts.

Steve won’t be sharing anyone’s individual financial data with the other members in the workshop. But, if you are willing to let him use your worksheet and calculator pages in class as a “live” case study, let me know when you return your pre-work and Steve will be in touch with you before the workshop.

Questions? Don’t get stuck! Contact Steve directly at 360.320.8770 or steve.abercrombie@profitsoup.com. He will be happy to help!

PRESENTER: STEVE ABERCROMBIE   

Steve brings passion and personality to company financial strategies. His life experiences as a banker, financial educator and business owner have shown him that having financial knowledge of your business model is in many cases the absolute key to success. His clients all say that Steve excels at taking the mystery out of the numbers with his common-sense approach and always-compassionate personal style.

He has a talent for rallying the troops behind improvement initiatives by organizing, understanding and appropriately communicating the financial story of the business to the management team and key staff. Then he integrates this connection to financial success with ongoing structure and support around company goals and strategic steps. With key players aligned and focused, everybody accomplishes more.

Steve has helped many clients prepare their businesses for the financial scrutiny of lenders and investors when financial restructuring or expansion is imminent. He understands the language of lending from his years in banking, where he has held roles from branch manager and lender to bank President and CEO. As President and principal of a leading financial training company, he mastered business expansion from the other side of the desk – with the perspective of owner and rain maker. He gained notoriety as a sought-after convention speaker for graduate schools of banking, corporations and associations throughout the US, Australia and England.

Steve’s clients include Choice Hotels, ProSource Floor Coverings, Graduate School of Banking of the South and Bright Star Franchising,

“I have had the good fortune to work with Steve Abercrombie at both ProSource and BrightStar. Both times, he provided these companies with top-shelf financial literacy training for our franchisees. I have found Steve to be not only well versed in financial management, but able to easily convey concepts to franchisees. His breadth of knowledge and ability to make financial concepts "real world" for franchisees is one of the things I most appreciate about Steve.”

Bob Lange, Vice President of Field Support, Bright Star Franchising

“Steve is exceptional at taking complex financial information and terms, and making it easy for people understand and use. Steve is one of the best professional speakers I've ever heard. Interesting, captivating and helps the audience truly understand and apply what he is talking about.”

Evan Hackel, President and Engage Consulting 

PROFIT SOUP

WWW.PROFITSOUP.COM

steve.abercrombie@profitsoup.com