Connecting People & Change - James Loffler - Shift & Thrive - Episode # 004

Shift & Thrive: CEO Insights on Driving Change

Our special guest this week is James Loffler, the President of Loffler Companies. James is a visionary leader in business technology services and an honored winner of the Power 50 award and a respected member of the Forbes Business Council. He delves into his experience driving major organizational change within his company, emphasizing the importance of communication, involving stakeholders, and continuous feedback. James shares valuable lessons learned from unifying their sales teams, integrating diversified business units, and evolving their company culture. Additionally, he highlights the significance of empowering team members, the role of servant leadership, and the need for balancing day-to-day operations with strategic change. Gain insights into managing complex changes, supporting employee transitions, and fostering a collaborative and innovative company culture.

Takeaways:

• Driving change in an organization requires careful planning and execution. Understand that while the concept may sound simple, the reality of implementing change involves intricate steps and detailed communication.
• Before setting out on a change initiative, sit down with key stakeholders from different parts of the company to gather insights and understand the potential impact and roadblocks.
• Create an environment where team members feel heard. Ensure there are deliberate efforts to make people feel valued and heard. This includes regular updates, one-on-one conversations, and feedback mechanisms to understand and address concerns.
• Continuous communication and feedback are critical. Buy-in from all levels requires ongoing communication and feedback loops. Regularly check in with team members, adjust strategies as needed, and keep everyone informed.
• Balance new strategies with day-to-day tasks. It's essential to keep the core business running smoothly while implementing new strategies. Distraction management and maintaining focus on daily operations are key.
• Approach change as an evolution rather than a revolution. Implement changes gradually to allow adaptation and minimize disruption. This approach helps in managing the transition smoother and sustainable.
• Design for 90% and iterate. Aim to design solutions that meet most of the requirements rather than striving for perfection. Use feedback and iterative processes to fine-tune and improve continuously.

Quote of the Show:

• “Do your very best, get as much as you can, but if you wait for perfection, it'll probably slow you down.” - James Loffler

Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesloffler
• Company website: https://www.loffler.com

Ways to Tune In:

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2D1YbT2QhKxIwbREpU7EMb
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shift-thrive-ceo-insights-on-driving-change/id1740828813
• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/fa60b654-1955-4055-93df-fdd40c2a5c8f/shift-thrive-ceo-insights-on-driving-change
• iHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-shift-thrive-ceo-insights-166792501
• Pandora: https://www.pandora.com/podcast/shift-and-thrive-ceo-insights-on-driving-change/PC:1001086797
• YouTube: https://youtu.be/WKPdtQZQihQ

This show is sponsored by Magnetude Consulting, bringing you the thinking-Power of a Growth Consultancy and the Getting-It-Done Power of a full-service B2B Marketing Agency.

Learn more at: https://www.magnetudeconsulting.com