Podcast Summary: To The Point - Home Services Podcast Episode: How to Spot Future Billion-Dollar Talent with Ken Goodrich | Landon Brewer | Chad Peterman
Release Date: November 12, 2024
Host/Author: RYNO Strategic Solutions

Introduction

In this engaging episode of To The Point - Home Services Podcast, hosted by RYNO Strategic Solutions, industry experts Ken Goodrich, Landon Brewer, and Chad Peterman delve into the intricate process of identifying and nurturing billion-dollar talent within home service companies. The conversation seamlessly weaves through personal anecdotes, strategic insights, and the pivotal role of company culture in scaling businesses within sectors like HVAC, Plumbing, Electrical, and Roofing.

1. Building a Winning Company Culture

Ken Goodrich opens the discussion by challenging the conventional belief that a metrics-driven, system-based culture is inherently stale and dehumanizing. He emphasizes the necessity of blending solid business operations with a people-centric approach to foster an environment where employees are motivated not just by numbers but by the company’s vision and achievements.

Ken Goodrich [00:00]:
"Neither one of them is a winning formula. The winning formula is a combination of it. Our business, as very structured as it was, people wanted to come work for our business… because we win, we enjoy what we do and we have fun and that spreads."

Landon Brewer echoes this sentiment, highlighting the importance of creating a culture that celebrates wins and fosters a sense of belonging among team members.

Chad Peterman complements the discussion with personal anecdotes about maintaining a dynamic and driven culture, underscoring that fun and camaraderie are integral to team cohesion and success.

2. Identifying and Hiring Talent

A significant portion of the episode revolves around the strategic identification and recruitment of top-tier talent. Chad Peterman recounts an April Fool’s joke designed to test and engage a promising individual named Jimmy, illustrating the blend of humor and strategic thinking required in talent spotting.

Chad Peterman [03:46]:
"We had a culture that was so strong at that time with that venture that we pulled that April Fool's joke on him and he laughed and he thought that was the greatest joke. No one will ever top that April Fool's joke."

Additionally, Landon Brewer shares a transformative story about hiring a Harvard MBA from Otis Elevator, demonstrating the value of bringing in diverse talents who can elevate the business to new heights.

Landon Brewer [17:21]:
"You got to be willing to hire someone with that kind of pedigree… and being able to make the hard decision of cutting them and seeing the tears as they walk out the door and being able to replace them."

3. Maintaining a Growth-Oriented Team

As businesses scale, the composition of the team must evolve. Ken Goodrich discusses the importance of continuously seeking individuals who are not only skilled but can also drive the company to its next phase of growth.

Ken Goodrich [26:53]:
"You have to constantly be looking for that. From day one, it's not like, okay, they didn't work. Now it's time to go be in search of who's going to take us to the next level."

Landon Brewer adds that confidence in hiring smarter and more capable individuals is crucial, emphasizing the role of the leader as a visionary who can integrate top talent without losing control over the company’s direction.

4. Recognizing and Rewarding Employees

A cornerstone of the discussed culture is the consistent recognition and reward of employee achievements. Landon Brewer narrates the tradition of celebrating milestones with the team, which not only boosts morale but also reinforces the company’s values and commitment to excellence.

Landon Brewer [63:00]:
"I took every watch and I said something about every person and gave them the watch, shook their hand, and they got in line. The jeweler was there to size the watch, give them their warranty… make them feel part of this team."

This practice of acknowledging individual contributions fosters loyalty and motivates employees to strive for higher performance, ultimately driving the company’s success.

5. Importance of Culture vs. Systems

While systems and metrics are essential for business operations, the trio stresses that culture plays an equally, if not more, significant role in sustaining long-term growth. Ken Goodrich reiterates that the synergy between structured operations and a vibrant, engaging culture is the true driver of a successful organization.

Ken Goodrich [59:35]:
"You don't have to have, you know, you don't have to be a stale, large scale organization that's only numbers based."

Chad Peterman emphasizes that culture differentiates companies in the competitive home services landscape, acting as a magnet for top talent and a catalyst for continuous improvement.

6. Concluding Insights

The episode concludes with a reaffirmation of the pivotal role culture and strategic talent acquisition play in building billion-dollar companies. Landon Brewer and Ken Goodrich share their experiences to illustrate that fostering a winning culture, coupled with astute hiring practices, creates an environment where both individuals and the company thrive.

Landon Brewer [69:28]:
"It doesn't have to be all hearts and flower culture… it can be like we're the champions culture and we're going to be accountable to each other."

Chad Peterman wraps up by highlighting that consistent cultural practices and employee recognition are not just beneficial but essential for sustained success.

Chad Peterman [70:39]:
"You have complete and total control over your culture and how you go, how you go to market and use that leverage to go and win the day."

Key Takeaways

• Balanced Approach: Combining solid business operations with a people-centric culture is vital for sustainable growth.

• Strategic Hiring: Identifying and nurturing top talent, even through unconventional methods, can propel a company to new heights.

• Cultural Consistency: Regular recognition and celebration of employee achievements reinforce a positive and driven work environment.

• Adaptability: As businesses grow, continuously seeking and integrating capable individuals ensures ongoing success.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Ken Goodrich [00:00]:
  "Neither one of them is a winning formula. The winning formula is a combination of it."

• Chad Peterman [03:46]:
  "We pulled that April Fool's joke on him and he laughed and he thought that was the greatest joke."

• Landon Brewer [17:21]:
  "You got to be willing to hire someone with that kind of pedigree… and being able to make the hard decision of cutting them and seeing the tears as they walk out the door and being able to replace them."

• Ken Goodrich [26:53]:
  "You have to constantly be looking for that. From day one, it's not like, okay, they didn't work."

• Landon Brewer [63:00]:
  "I took every watch and I said something about every person and gave them the watch... make them feel part of this team."

• Landon Brewer [69:28]:
  "It doesn't have to be all hearts and flower culture… it can be like we're the champions culture and we're going to be accountable to each other."

• Chad Peterman [70:39]:
  "You have complete and total control over your culture and how you go, how you go to market and use that leverage to go and win the day."

Conclusion

This episode of To The Point - Home Services Podcast offers invaluable insights into the symbiotic relationship between company culture and strategic talent acquisition. Through compelling narratives and expert opinions, Ken Goodrich, Landon Brewer, and Chad Peterman provide a blueprint for home service companies aiming to scale effectively by fostering a culture of winning and continuous growth.

For those looking to propel their service companies to the next level, this episode serves as a rich reservoir of strategies and real-world examples illustrating how the right people, combined with the right culture, can transform businesses into industry leaders.