Talent Wins

Kevin Donnelly is the Founder of Freedom Point Advisors, a company that helps business owners gain control over their operations and achieve true entrepreneurial freedom. A seasoned entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience, Kevin has built and sold two highly successful technology services businesses, including Speed Wire, which he scaled to $50 million in revenue and a team of 600 employees. His extensive experience and innovative approach make him a sought-after advisor in the technology and business services industry. In this episode… Transforming a small company into a nationwide powerhouse with multimillion-dollar revenue requires a growth-oriented and entrepreneurial mindset. What are the specific strategies behind such explosive growth? The answer can be found in the compelling journey of a business leader who has excelled at assembling and leading high-performing teams. By focusing on his four-pronged strategy, known as the "Four Freedom Factors," Kevin Donnelly scales his businesses effectively. These factors — talent, operating systems, numbers, and a sellability strategy — became the foundation for his ventures. Kevin emphasizes hiring the right talent as the first and most crucial step, implementing the Topgrading system to ensure he recruits top performers who fit the company culture. This focus on talent is complemented by a robust operating system and financial acumen, allowing Kevin to manage growth effectively and evaluate the business's value beyond profitability.  In this episode of the Talent Wins podcast, Chris Mursau chats with Kevin Donnelly, Founder of Freedom Point Advisors, about building thriving businesses and high-performing teams. Kevin delves into the intricacies of hiring practices and managing teams, the essentials of scaling a brand, and the significance of a strategic framework for business operations. Tune in to learn how to create an environment where employees thrive and the company culture attracts top-tier talent. Resources Mentioned in this episode Chris Mursau on LinkedIn Topgrading on LinkedIn Topgrading Kevin Donnelly: LinkedIn | Website Freedom Point Advisors Entrepreneurs' Organization Mastering the Rockefeller Habits: What You Must Do to Increase the Value of Your Growing Firm by Verne Harnish The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It by Michael E. Gerber Built to Sell: Creating a Business That Can Thrive Without You by John Warrillow Quotable Moments: "People start their companies in search of freedom but often become victims of their own success."  "The critical nature of having accurate monthly financials delivered timely is running the business by the numbers." "The most important thing around culture is building a culture of execution."  "Everybody wants to be on a winning team." "You don't put your toe in the water with Topgrading; you got to dive into the pool." Action Steps:  Develop a solid hiring framework: Implement a structured hiring process, such as the Topgrading method, to ensure you consistently select high-performing individuals who fit your organizational culture. This addresses the challenge of making bad hires by emphasizing thorough interviews and competency assessments, ultimately leading to better team performance and reduced turnover. Focus on building an A-Player culture: Foster an environment where high performance is the norm and non-performing members are swiftly addressed. This not only creates a sense of accountability but also attracts top talent who want to be part of a winning team, enhancing overall productivity and morale. Create a comprehensive onboarding program: Invest in a robust onboarding process that includes both cultural immersion and role-specific training. This helps new employees feel welcomed and prepared, reducing early turnover and setting them up for long-term success. Leverage a robust digital presence: Ensure your company's online presence, particularly the careers page, is inviting and reflects your organizational values. A modern and appealing digital presence can attract high-quality candidates who are a good cultural fit, addressing the challenge of attracting top talent in a competitive market. Evaluate and adapt your operating system: Utilize established frameworks like the Rockefeller Habits or EOS to maintain alignment, accountability, and execution within your organization. This proactive approach helps manage business growth effectively by ensuring that operations are streamlined and scalable.

Julia Ferry is the Director of Talent Acquisition at Helios Service Partners, a industry leader in multisite mechanical services specializing in HVAC-R for top national brands. With over a decade of experience in recruiting, she has played a key role in evolving Helios' hiring processes, successfully managing the hiring of hundreds of technicians across 42 states. Before joining Helios, she led recruitment efforts at companies like Agility Recovery and Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning, as well as at Savannah College of Art and Design. Julia holds an MBA from the University of Phoenix and has earned certifications in nonverbal communication and interviewing techniques. Her background reflects a strategic approach to building talent pipelines and optimizing recruitment processes.  In this episode… When it comes to assembling remarkable teams, does the demand for top talent dictate the pace and rigor of your hiring process? Finding the right balance between speed and intentionality can be the difference between mediocrity and excellence. What if the hiring process could evolve to enable quick hires while identifying exceptional talents destined to drive success? Having achieved an 80% hiring rate in a high-demand trade industry, Julia Ferry dives into Helios Service Partner's intentional approach to recruitment. With 862 roles filled within a year and a high acceptance ratio of 697-to-862, Helios has raised the bar, demanding more from candidates and the recruiters who scout them. Central to this transformation is the drive to hire A-Players—individuals with the right attitude and work ethic. Julia explores the company's "Torque Method," a robust reference-checking process designed to promote candidate honesty. To navigate the challenging yet rewarding world of talent acquisition, Julia recommends agility: be genuine, trust your instincts, and embrace technology to keep pace in the race for talent.  In this episode of Talent Wins, Chris Mursau chats with Julia Ferry, Director of Talent Acquisition at Helios Service Partners, about transforming hiring processes and team building. Julia discusses the evolution of her team's hiring processes, the necessity of rigor and speed in today's hiring landscape, the essential factor of 'street cred' for recruiters, and how to improve attitude and work ethic across the organization. Tune in for the behind-the-scenes of staffing a leading service provider. Resources Mentioned in this episode Chris Mursau on LinkedIn Topgrading on LinkedIn Topgrading Julia Ferry on LinkedIn Helios Service Partners: Website | LinkedIn Quotable Moments: "I trust you. I wouldn't have hired you if I didn't trust you. That's the ticket." "When you hire an A-player, you don't hear 'I can't' or 'I won't'; you hear solutions." "A-players will always find something more to do and give more back to the organization." "Get curious and constantly ask why. If something feels fishy about an answer, find out more." "Use the power of technology and reach people how they need to be reached; know your audience." Action Steps: Establish a two-tiered interview process that assesses candidates for core attributes and delves into technical expertise: This approach efficiently filters candidates who fit the company's culture before investing in detailed technical evaluations. Implement the 'torque technique' to encourage transparency during interviews: The technique serves as a truth motivator, ensuring candidates' honesty and validating their suitability for the role throughout the process. Trust your team's competence and empower them with responsibility: Trusting your hires promotes initiative and accountability, essential traits of A-players. Have recruiters earn 'street cred' with hiring managers by making successful placements quickly: Early successes build credibility for recruiters, facilitating smoother workflow and rapid hiring down the line. Adapt communication strategies to match different candidate demographics: Understanding and leveraging the preferred communication methods of various demographics ensures a wider and more effective candidate reach.

Chris Mursau is the President of Topgrading, a proven system that helps organizations build and maintain high-performing teams through hiring, development, and promotion strategies. Since 2001, Chris has been consulting and teaching organizations and individual managers how to pack their teams with A Players. Chris has conducted over 2,500 in-depth Topgrading assessments for internal and external candidates, helped hundreds of people achieve their A potential, and trained thousands of people in the guaranteed methods for improving their success. His client list is broad and diverse, including Fortune 500 companies, small to medium-sized businesses, and nonprofit organizations. In this episode… In the fiercely competitive business world, having the right people on your team can make or break your company's success. But how do you ensure that you're not just filling roles but attracting and keeping the cream of the crop? In this mashup episode, Chris Mursau reveals strategies for turning potential hires into indispensable members of your corporate family. This episode offers a blend of insights on effective hiring and retention strategies, underscoring the critical need for thoughtful talent acquisition that aligns with a company's future. From proven methods for merger integration success with Dr. Price Pritchett to leveraging the MIND methodology with Lee Benson, Chris delves into the art and science of creating exceptional teams. Topics range from driving growth through a people-centered approach to the secrets of hiring top performers using the Topgrading approach.  In this special compilation episode of the Talent Wins podcast, we revisit key moments and discussions from six insightful episodes with Chris Mursau, providing a blueprint for revolutionary hiring practices and leadership tactics. From understanding the actual cost of a mishire to embracing Topgrading for unbiased candidate evaluation, industry leaders guide us through the strategies that ensure organizations grow and thrive by valuing their human capital. Resources Mentioned in this episode Chris Mursau on LinkedIn Topgrading on LinkedIn Topgrading Scott Clawson on LinkedIn Shamit Khemka on LinkedIn Bruce Cazenave on LinkedIn Lee Benson on LinkedIn Nick Araco on LinkedIn Price Pritchett on LinkedIn "Driving Growth Through a People-Centered Approach With Nick Araco" on Talent Wins Maximizing Merger Integration Success Using Proven Methods of Dr. Price Pritchett on Talent Wins Topgrading: A Proven Method for Hiring High Performers with Scott Clawson on Talent Wins Maximizing Results Using Lee Benson's MIND Methodology on Talent Wins Using Topgrading To Scale Your Business With Shamit Khemka on Talent Wins How To Build Strong Teams That Deliver Great Results in Challenging Situations With Bruce Cazenave on Talent Wins Quotable Moments: "The cost of mishiring is so great... there's nothing more important than getting A Players." "The method of Topgrading worked like a sieve; it removed the grain from the chaff." "It is so important to get A Players into the right culture in these jobs." "The worst thing you could do is to announce to anyone that you're prepared to take action and do nothing." "Re-recruit your top talent...even if these people aren't making noise about leaving." Action Steps: Prioritize candidate interviews: Dedicated time spent with potential hires can save costs and ensure cultural fit. Utilize topgrading methodology: Apply a proven strategy to assess and select the most suitable candidates based on their past performance and potential fit with the company culture. Share the company vision: Engage employees with clear goals and directions to drive motivation and effective scaling. Stay future-focused in talent acquisition: Hire individuals with the skills and potential to advance the company's strategic plans, not just present-day requirements. Maintain an active re-recruitment process: Continuously invest in and appreciate current top performers to prevent turnover and ensure sustained contribution to company success.

Chris Mursau is the President of Topgrading, a proven system that helps organizations build and maintain high-performing teams through hiring, development, and promotion strategies. Since 2001, Chris has been consulting and teaching organizations and individual managers how to pack their teams with A-players.  Chris has conducted over 2,500 in-depth Topgrading assessments for internal and external candidates, helped hundreds of people achieve their A potential, and trained thousands in guaranteed methods for improving their success. His client list is broad and diverse, including Fortune 500 companies, small to medium-sized businesses, and nonprofit organizations. Last year, Chris co-authored his first book, Foolproof Hiring, along with Brad Smart. The book provides an easy-to-follow instruction course in Topgrading, a time-tested hiring methodology for recruiting A-players. In this episode… Are you finding it challenging to assemble a team that drives growth and aligns with your company's cultural values? What if the key lies in mastering a specific hiring strategy and appreciating the significance of every team member, from leadership to the front lines? Could fostering the right talent be the secret to your business' success? Over the past six months, Chris Mursau, a seasoned expert in recruiting, hiring, and retaining top talent through topgrading, has interviewed executives who share insights into unlocking organizational growth. From strategies tailored to small businesses to implementing best practices in hiring and recruiting top performers, Talent Wins offers invaluable advice for organizations of all sizes. In this episode of the Talent Wins podcast, Chad Franzen of Rise25 interviews Chris Mursau about the highlights and key takeaways from the podcasts over the past six months. This insightful recap provides listeners with a distilled version of the most impactful discussions, offering valuable lessons on talent management, team building, talent retention, and recruiting for any organization. Resources Mentioned in this episode Chris Mursau on LinkedIn Topgrading on LinkedIn Topgrading Chad Franzen on LinkedIn Rise25 "Mastering Talent Management and Organizational Growth With Eric Berger" on the Talent Wins podcast "Unveiling Talent's Triumph Strategies for Business Success With Jason Mandel" on the Talent Wins podcast "Navigating Talent Acquisition for Small Businesses With Hannah Smolinski" on the Talent Wins podcast "Recruiting Top Talent in Small Communities With Lee Prosenjak" on the Talent Wins podcast "Integrate Solid Hiring Practices to Acquire Top-Tier Talent With Zach Wilcox" on the Talent Wins podcast Quotable Moments: It's as important to have A-players in those entry-level or frontline positions as it is to have in leadership." "Making good-people decisions is the one remaining source of competitive advantage." "Always be recruiting, whether the unemployment rate is high or low." "Having a documented, written out step-by-step hiring process." "People are important — it doesn't matter how good your equipment is if you don't have the right people." Action Steps: Start from the top when building your team, ensuring your leadership is strong: Strong leadership guides the rest of the team and sets the standard for hiring quality at all levels. Align employee incentives with your organization's goals: This ensures team members are motivated to contribute to shared objectives and business success. Continuously recruit, even if there isn't an immediate job opening: Filling future vacancies becomes a smoother, quicker process by fostering relationships with potential candidates. Document your hiring process and measure hiring outcomes: This will facilitate consistency and improvement in hiring and ensure a higher success rate in acquiring A-players. Emphasize hiring for cultural fit, not just for high performance: A strong team culture leads to better collaborative performance and helps retain top talent for the long term.

Eric Berger is the Owner and General Manager of Choice Electric, a full-service electrical contractor based in Denver with about 40 team members specializing in high-end residential and commercial projects. With over 20 years of experience managing people and projects in the construction industry, Eric brings valuable perspectives on talent acquisition and management. A creative and strategic project management professional, he has overseen over $200 million in design, development, improvement, and investment in real estate. Through strategic leadership and a focus on cultivating talent, Eric actively propels Choice Electric's business growth and ensures the development of a thriving organizational culture. In this episode… As a company expands, so do the intricacies of assembling a team that possesses the necessary skills and aligns seamlessly with the organization's culture and vision. From navigating diverse personalities to fostering collaboration amidst rapid growth, how can leaders master the art of talent management for organizational success? After acquiring Choice Electric, project manager Eric Berger contended with talent gaps and misfires, leading to overworked and overstressed team members. These experiences prompted Eric to adopt the Topgrading hiring methodology and prioritize cultural fit in the recruitment process. He emphasizes the importance of clear communication and a steadfast commitment to cultivating a thriving environment. Additionally, Eric highlights the significance of a strong leadership team and the value of building talent at all levels of the organization. By investing in entry-level employees and offering growth opportunities, Choice Electric fosters a culture of continuous development and excellence. In this episode of Talent Wins, Chris Mursau chats with Eric Berger, the Owner and General Manager of Choice Electric, to discuss the intricacies of hiring and retaining top talent. Eric delves into strengthening company culture and vision through proper hiring processes and the critical role of communication and continuous improvement in organizational success.  Resources Mentioned in this episode Chris Mursau on LinkedIn Topgrading on LinkedIn Topgrading Eric Berger on LinkedIn Choice Electric Who Not How: The Formula to Achieve Bigger Goals Through Accelerating Teamwork by Dan Sullivan and Benjamin Hardy Foolproof Hiring: Powerful, Proven Keys to Hiring HIGH Performers by Brad Smart and Chris Mursau Topgrading, 3rd Edition: The Proven Hiring and Promoting Method That Turbocharges Company Performance by Bradford D. Smart Ph.D. Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the point where they are effective, faster by Brad Giles

Jason Mandel is the Founder and CEO of Mandel Family Office, a firm dedicated to providing comprehensive financial services to high-net-worth individuals and families. He is a Wall Street insider and a private financial adviser and has held senior positions at the LeFrak Organization, D.E. Shaw, and Cantor Fitzgerald. Jason has over 25 years of entrepreneurial experience in financial services and risk management. Additionally, he is the President of Caretrust Financial and the author of DEMAND TRANSPARENCY: Stop Wall Street Greed and Rising Taxes From Destroying Your Wealth. In this episode… Talent is a cornerstone of success in business leadership, entrepreneurship, and advisory roles. How does talent influence the course of various business ventures? From founding and growing enterprises, talent has played a pivotal role in driving Jason Mandel's organizational growth and innovation. Jason empowers his teams to excel and achieve their goals by fostering an environment that encourages continuous learning and development. Additionally, he aligns team members' goals with organizational objectives through effective incentive structures. Through strategic talent acquisition and management, Jason believes businesses can enhance their competitive edge, drive innovation, and foster long-term growth. In the latest episode of the Talent Wins podcast, Chris Mursau hosts Jason Mandel, Founder and CEO of The Mandel Family Office, to highlight the profound influence of talent on business success. Jason emphasizes the importance of nurturing talent, shares insights on aligning employees' goals through incentives, and provides a deep dive into his specialized expertise. Resources Mentioned in this episode Chris Mursau on LinkedIn Topgrading on LinkedIn Topgrading Jason Mandel on LinkedIn Contact Jason Mandel: cell phone 917-603-2365 The Mandel Family Office Caretrust Financial DEMAND TRANSPARENCY: Stop Wall Street Greed and Rising Taxes From Destroying Your Wealth by Jason Mandel

Hannah Smolinski, a Certified Public Accountant, is the Founder and CEO of Clara CFO Group. This agency, operating on a virtual CFO model, is dedicated to offering small businesses financial clarity and strategies for profit maximization. Hannah's experience at one of the world's largest accounting firms led her to create this service. She wanted to make sure small businesses could benefit from top-level financial advice. In addition to running Clara CFO Group, Hannah has a YouTube channel with over 55,000 subscribers. She shares practical finance advice and provides valuable business resources on her channel. Her goal is to help organizations understand their financial situation better and work toward commercial success. In this episode… In the journey of small businesses to build exceptional teams, numerous trials and tribulations emerge, but so do remarkable successes. Despite the successes achieved in hiring and team-building endeavors, what are some prevalent struggles companies may face in talent acquisition? Navigating the talent ecosystem presents businesses with myriad challenges, from fierce competition for top talent to the intricacies of remote hiring. Drawing from experiences, business leader Hannah Smolinski underscores the significance of aligning hiring strategies with company values and culture. Values such as integrity, collaboration, and innovation guide her hiring decisions and team-building efforts. By adopting a strategic approach and remaining steadfast in their commitment to company values, businesses can surmount these obstacles and cultivate teams that propel success and foster growth. In the latest episode of the Talent Wins podcast with Chris Mursau, Hannah Smolinski, Founder and CEO of the Clara CFO Group, shares candid insights into the challenges companies often face when acquiring talent. From financial barriers to the significance of anticipating hiring needs and asking the right interview questions, Hannah provides valuable advice for navigating the hiring landscape. Resources Mentioned in this episode Chris Mursau on LinkedIn  Topgrading on LinkedIn Topgrading Hannah Smolinski: LinkedIn | Email Clara CFO Group: Website | YouTube EOS

Chris Mursau is the President of Topgrading, a proven system that helps organizations build and maintain high-performing teams through hiring, development, and promotion strategies. Since 2001, Chris has been consulting and teaching organizations and individual managers how to pack their teams with A Players. Chris has conducted over 2,500 in-depth Topgrading assessments for internal and external candidates, helped hundreds of people achieve their A potential, and trained thousands in the guaranteed methods for improving their success. His client list is broad and diverse, including Fortune 500 companies, small to medium-sized businesses, and nonprofit organizations. In April, Chris co-authored his first book, Foolproof Hiring, along with Brad Smart. The book reveals an easy-to-follow instruction course in Topgrading, a time-tested hiring methodology for recruiting A Players. In this episode… Topgrading is a well-established technique for recruiting and retaining high-performing teams. However, the three available editions of the book are quite comprehensive, making it challenging to absorb all of the information thoroughly. As a result, hiring teams may wonder how they can effectively use the methodology without fully implementing the system. Over the years, Chris Mursau, a seasoned executive at Topgrading, has conducted several feedback sessions with the system's users. During his evaluations, he determined that many users were not referencing the appropriate components of the process. Moreover, many smaller companies could not onboard needed resources, such as a human resources department or hiring program. To mitigate the improper use of Topgrading procedures, Chris conceived the idea of writing Foolproof Hiring, an abbreviated manual version. Foolproof Hiring guides readers through the process by providing a starting point and assisting them in executing Topgrading best practices. In this episode of the Talent Wins Podcast, Rise25's Chad Franzen once again interviews Chris Mursau to discuss Foolproof Hiring, a book he co-authored with Brad Smart. Chris reveals the inspiration for writing the book, shares five typical hiring challenges, and identifies the hiring habits that acquisition teams should avoid. Resources Mentioned in this episode Chris Mursau on LinkedIn Topgrading on LinkedIn Topgrading Chad Franzen on LinkedIn Rise25 Foolproof Hiring: Powerful, Proven Keys to Hiring High Performers by Brad Smart and Chris Mursau

Lee Prosenjak is the Managing Director at Valentines Resort & Marina, a luxury all-suite hotel on Harbour Island, The Bahamas. He is also a Senior Partner at Hesse Partners, a forum facilitating learning and growth opportunities for executives, corporations, universities, and membership organizations. For over 20 years, Lee operated a dance studio in Denver, Colorado. He is a tenured Entrepreneurs' Organization member and a former Master Forum Trainer. In this episode… Populous cities have an easier time filling positions because there is a larger pool of talent to recruit from. However, hiring managers in smaller communities may need help to attract top talent. What strategies can they implement to spearhead the process? Business leader Lee Prosenjak shares that he continuously networks with clients, customers, and work associates in addition to sourcing talent in neighboring communities. He explains that this helps build a Rolodex of potential hires and allows him to plan out at least six months in advance to ensure all job positions are filled. Although finding talent in smaller communities can be more challenging, Lee thinks that companies should still follow a rigorous hiring process. He recommends hiring managers conduct reference checks, verify past employers, and vet work gaps. Additionally, Lee asserts that companies with reputable brands can entice candidates to apply for employment. In this episode of the Talent Wins Podcast, Chris Mursau welcomes Lee Prosenjak to discuss recruiting top talent in small communities. Lee discusses sourcing talent as the largest employer in a small community, talent acquisition processes, and strategies for building a solid team. Resources Mentioned in this episode Chris Mursau on LinkedIn Topgrading on LinkedIn Topgrading Lee Prosenjak on LinkedIn Valentines Resort & Marina Beastie Boys Book by Michael Diamond and Adam Horovitz Creative Quest by Questlove Questlove Supreme

Zach Wilcox is the Founder and CEO of Fide Freight, a family-owned domestic transportation company specializing in supply chain technology, logistics, and transportation solutions. In Zach's role, he oversees all operations aspects, including sales, people development and training, and marketing. Before founding Fide Freight, Zach held project management, operations, and manufacturing roles across different companies. He has a business degree from Grand Valley State University. In this episode… To attract great talent, a company must have systems to discuss the candidates in-depth.  To streamline the hiring process, Zach Wilcox advocates for implementing processes for documenting the hiring process, tracking applicants, and a system for exchanging data and information. Adopting structured and comprehensive hiring practices allows the acquisitions team to streamline quality candidates. Create interview sheets to document special notes about each candidate's qualifications and resumes, which hiring managers can upload into a tracking system. Zach affirms that Monday.com is reliable software to manage all applicants, giving all interviewers access to all interviews, notes, and scorecards. In this episode of the Talent Wins podcast, Chris Mursau welcomes Zach Wilcox, Founder and CEO of Fide Freight, for an informational conversation about hiring and interviewing processes. Zach discusses Fide Freight, how to amass new customers, leveraging core values to attract job candidates, and hiring strategies for acquiring top talent. Resources Mentioned in this episode Chris Mursau on LinkedIn Topgrading on LinkedIn Topgrading Zach Wilcox on LinkedIn Fide Freight The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It by Michael E. Gerber Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don't by Jim Collins Who by Geoff Smart The Go-Giver: A Little Story About a Powerful Business Idea by Bob Burg and John David Mann Monday

Scott Clawson is the Chairman and CEO of Culligan International, an 80-year-old global brand leader in water services and solutions, serving over 140 million consumers. Under his leadership, he spearheaded the acquisition of Culligan by BDT Capital Partners for $6 billion. Scott began his career at Alcoa, and since then, he's led The GSI Group—a $700+ million global manufacturer—and RYKO Enterprises—the largest North American vehicle wash provider—as President and CEO. Scott also served as President of Danaher, an international science and technology corporation. In this episode… A vacant position has negative consequences for a company, especially if it remains unfilled for an extended period. Perhaps it's one of the reasons why organizations fill jobs hastily. So, how can hiring managers ensure they make the ideal acquisitions? Business leader and veteran CEO Scott Clawson was introduced to the Topgrading methodology several years ago during his first tenure as an executive leader. Since then, he's adopted the hiring process as the gold standard. Scott recommends that hiring teams mandate processes such as assessments, tandem and competency interviews, scorecards, and work history references. These procedures evaluate candidates' abilities, observe body language, verify achievements, and eliminate red flags. Additionally, if candidates advance to the next stage of the hiring process, recruiters should arrange a lunch or dinner interview to gauge an aspirant's cultural compatibility with the company. The topgrading approach aims to be a foolproof interview practice that guarantees attracting, hiring, and retaining top performers. In this episode of the Talent Wins podcast, Chris Mursau chats with Scott Clawson, Chairman and CEO of Culligan International, about the significance of acquiring A-players, common hiring mistakes, and why it's vital for a CEO to have a partnership with the CHRO. Resources Mentioned in this episode Chris Mursau on LinkedIn Topgrading on LinkedIn Topgrading Topgrading (How to Hire, Coach and Keep a Players) by Brad Smart Brad Smart on LinkedIn Scott Clawson on LinkedIn Culligan Water

Lee Benson is the CEO of Execute to Win (ETW), a consulting firm helping organizations improve results through fostering intentional leadership, strategy, execution, and culture. He has over 25 years of experience as a CEO and has founded seven companies with exits ranging from low-figure millions to over nine figures. After selling Able Aerospace Services to Textron Aviation for nine figures, Lee committed to helping leaders maximize their potential. In June 2022, he published his first book, Your Most Important Number: Increase Collaboration, Achieve Your Strategy, and Execute to Win. In this episode… It is unlikely that most employees can recite their company's core values. Even for those who are familiar with the values, they may not fully understand them. So, do company values contribute to an organization's success? A company's mission statement aims to persuade customers to use its products or services and to serve as a reminder to employees. If employees do not add value to an organization, their jobs may be at risk. That's why Lee Benson, a veteran CEO, created the MIND Methodology (Most Important Number and Drivers Methodology), a practice that focuses on behavior over value. This approach encourages employees to complete assigned tasks on time and in sequence. The MIND methodology is effective in increasing employee engagement and productivity. When employees understand and believe in their company's values, they are more likely to be motivated to do their best work. In this episode of the Talent Wins podcast, Chris Mursau sits with Lee Benson, CEO of Execute to Win (ETW), a consulting firm for high-achieving leaders, to discuss how organizations can better run a business using the MIND Methodology. Lee elaborates on the Leadership Audit Checklist, MIND Methodology, and understanding the most important number.  Resources Mentioned in this episode Chris Mursau on LinkedIn Topgrading on LinkedIn Topgrading Lee Benson on LinkedIn Evaluate To Win (ETW) Your Most Important Number: Increase Collaboration, Achieve Your Strategy, and Execute to Win by Lee Benson

Dr. Price Pritchett is the Founder and CEO of Pritchett, LP, a consulting firm with 40-plus years of proven expertise in merger integration, corporate culture, and change management. He's an authoritarian on growth strategies, and his first book, After the Merger: Managing the Shockwaves, is the cardinal book on merger and acquisition integration. Upon its successful reception, Dr. Pritchett went on to pen additional 30-plus books, which have collectively sold over 14 million copies, making him one of the best-selling business authors in the world. Pritchett, LP's client list consists of mainly Fortune 1000 companies, including American Airlines, Honeywell, NASA, Sony, Texas Instruments, and Wells Fargo, to name a few. As a thought leader and keynote speaker, he's addressed executive groups such as the American Medical Association, John Deere, Mattel, and General Motors. In this episode… Statistics reveal that 50-70% of executives fail within the first year and a half of taking on a role. In a merger environment, that percentage increases. Mergers and acquisitions are more than pristine bookkeeping and performing due diligence. It can be a politicized process chock-full of risks, and its success rate depends on leadership competency. Dr. Price Pritchett, author of the best-seller After the Merger: Managing the Shockwaves, warns that executive leaders are at higher risk of termination during a merger. On the contrary, a merger is more likely to fail when premier talent prematurely flees for fear of losing their job. Other factors to consider are company cultures, organizational structure, and operational costs. Though these are key responsibilities placed on department heads, Dr. Pritchett cautions that an aloof CEO reflects the company's leadership. In this episode of the Talent Wins podcast, Chris Mursau sits with Dr. Price Pritchett, Founder and CEO of Pritchett, LP, to discuss strategies for a successful merger. Dr. Pritchett explains how premier talent plays an integral role in the success of merger integrations, why CEOs need to be more involved in the recruiting process, and M&A best practices. Resources Mentioned in this episode Chris Mursau on LinkedIn Topgrading on LinkedIn Topgrading Email Topgrading: info@Topgrading.com Dr. Price Pritchett on LinkedIn Pritchett, LP Merger Integration After the Merger: Managing the Shockwaves by Price Pritchett The Employee Guide to Mergers and Acquisitions by Price Pritchett

Brad Giles is the Founder and Managing Director of Evolution Partners, a top strategic and leadership advisory firm. As a serial entrepreneur, Brad has founded multiple fast-growth companies and supported hundreds more. He is also an author, speaker, and leadership coach with over 20 years of experience. He helps CEOs build, execute, and maintain accountability over their strategic plans. In this episode… Research shows that 84% of companies have an onboarding process of 14 days or less. But this hinders employees' success since performance accelerates after 30 days of onboarding. So how can you empower top talent with the knowledge and opportunities to thrive in their roles? Leadership expert Brad Giles advocates for a 90-day onboarding process divided into three pivotal stages. The first month should include weekly induction meetings communicating position and organizational expectations. The second phase transitions from mentoring to practical skill application to overcome the learning curve. As the new hires progress in their roles, leaders should build and nurture relationships and encourage consistent practice. This strategic system mitigates knowledge gaps and promotes productivity. In this episode of Talent Wins, Brad Giles of Evolution Partners joins the host Chris Mursau to discuss best practices for hiring and onboarding. He explains onboarding debt, hiring strategies and tools, and the difference between onboarding, orientation, and induction.  Resources Mentioned in this episode Chris Mursau on LinkedIn Topgrading on LinkedIn Topgrading Brad Giles on LinkedIn Made to Thrive: The Five Roles to Evolve Beyond Your Leadership Comfort Zone by Brad Giles Evolution Partners The Growth Whisperers podcast

Scott Scully is the Founder and CEO of Abstrakt Marketing Group, a B2B lead generation and business growth agency. Under his leadership, Abstrakt Marketing Group has achieved an impressive annual growth rate of 20% for the past 13 years, resulting in a current team of 550 members and a projected revenue of $78 million for the year. Over the past 30 years, Scott has started, invested in, or played a major role in several companies in the marketing and lead generation space, three of which have exceeded $12 million in annual revenue. He is also the co-host of The Grow Show, a podcast for business leaders and entrepreneurs with a growth-driven mindset. In this episode… Scott Scully of Abstrakt Marketing Group is proud to have a team that differentiates his company from the rest. He's so confident in his people that Abstrakt offers guaranteed results — and clients don't have to pay until these results are achieved. How does he develop a team of A players that take Abstrakt to the next level? The first thing Scott does is define the traits of A players and hire based on these characteristics. Once these A players are on the team, Scott holds weekly meetings and appoints A player scores to ensure employees are on the right track. On the company side, he helps create an innovative culture that fosters employee growth, happiness, and constant development. How else does Scott attract and retain top talent? In this episode of Talent Wins, Chris Mursau chats with Scott Scully, Founder and CEO of Abstrakt Marketing Group, about hiring and retaining a team of A players. Scott digs deep into his MAP meetings, tips for improving culture, and the value of creating opportunities for your people. He also shares advice for growth-minded CEOs who want to scale! Resources Mentioned in this episode Chris Mursau on LinkedIn  Topgrading on LinkedIn Topgrading Scott Scully on LinkedIn  Abstrakt Marketing Group The Grow Show: Business Growth Stories from the Frontlines

Michael Douglas is the Chief People Officer at Curative, where he's responsible for talent acquisition, leadership training, professional development, and employee engagement and retention. Curative is the healthcare staffing arm of Doximity, the largest and fastest-growing professional medical network. Michael, a seasoned healthcare staffing and recruiting professional with over 25 years of experience in the industry, has been with the company for nearly three years, previously holding C-Suite roles at Allied Staffing Network, Medestar, and Fidelis Partners, LLC. In this episode… Talent pools are constantly changing, and so are their expectations for how companies attract, hire, and retain employees. How can you adapt to the changes and ensure you're finding the perfect candidates for your company? The pandemic made talent acquisition challenging, especially for Michael Douglas and his team at Curative. But instead of letting tough times get the best of them, the Curative team pivoted. They revamped their work environment with a new office, implemented the Topgrading system for a consistent hiring process, took to social media to discover new candidates, and improved their culture through DEI initiatives. How did the Curative team do it, and what strategies can you take from their experience?  In this episode of Talent Wins, Chris Mursau is joined by Michael Douglas, Chief People Officer at Curative, to talk about revamping work environments and talent acquisition processes. Michael discusses the shifting landscape of the talent pool, tips to attract and retain A players, and how to strengthen your hiring methods. Stay tuned! Resources Mentioned in this episode Chris Mursau on LinkedIn Topgrading on LinkedIn Topgrading Michael Douglas on LinkedIn Curative Curative on TikTok

Shamit Khemka is the Founder and CEO of SynapseIndia, a software development outsourcing company. SynapseIndia has been in business for over two decades, offering e-commerce solutions, website and mobile app development, CMS solutions, and more. Over the last 23-plus years, the company has delivered over 10,000 projects for clients such as the Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO), Steve Madden, IBM, 3M, and Johnson & Johnson. Additionally, Shamit is a member of YPO and the Entrepreneurs' Organization and is a Partner at FoodCloud. Hailing from a business family, Shamit has always been passionate about launching his own company and building expertise in executive management, business ownership, and project management. In this episode… In today's competitive job market, finding the right employees can be a challenge. But even with a pool of applicants, how do you choose the right candidate? Are you relying on an instinct or gut feeling to hire employees?  Shamit Khemka was in this same position, using his interview questions to try and sift through potential employees. But ever since he discovered the Topgrading system 15 years ago, Shamit and his team can hire better candidates who fit the company culture. Instead of simply hoping to hire an A player, the Topgrading system helps ensure you hire the best of the best. In this episode of Talent Wins, Chris Mursau is joined by Shamit Khemka, Founder and CEO of SynapseIndia, to talk about how the Topgrading methodology helped him scale his company. Shamit discusses the benefits of Topgrading, including transparency, clarity, and feedback, how Topgrading has transformed over time, and his advice for building a company of A players.  Resources Mentioned in this episode Chris Mursau on LinkedIn Topgrading on LinkedIn Topgrading Shamit Khemka on LinkedIn SynapseIndia Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World by Cal Newport

Chris Mursau is the President of Topgrading, a proven system that helps organizations build and maintain high-performing teams through hiring, development, and promotion strategies. Since 2001, Chris has been consulting and teaching organizations and individual managers how to pack their teams with A Players. Chris has conducted over 2,500 in-depth Topgrading assessments for internal and external candidates, helped hundreds of people achieve their A potential, and trained thousands of people in the guaranteed methods for improving their success. His client list is broad and diverse, including Fortune 500 companies, small to medium-sized businesses, and nonprofit organizations. In this episode… As organizations strive to scale and achieve growth, the ability to hire the right talent is of paramount importance. So, how do you hire the right people so that you can scale quickly? What does it take to avoid toxic work environments and attract A players? This past year, Chris Mursau dove deep into the processes and strategies of other exceptional leaders to hear how they're building top teams and fostering a healthy culture. From principals and partners to presidents and founders, Chris highlights their insights on talent, mistakes they've made along the way, and how they grew their team (and company). In this episode of Talent Wins, host Chris Mursau is interviewed by Chad Franzen of Rise25 to reflect on the past year and pull out the most interesting podcast stories. Together, they look back on the best practices for interviewing, hiring, setting team goals, and developing strong company culture. Plus, Chris gives us a glimpse of what's to come in the new year!   Resources Mentioned in this episode Chris Mursau on LinkedIn  Topgrading on LinkedIn Topgrading Chad Franzen on LinkedIn  Rise25   "How To Build Strong Teams That Deliver Great Results in Challenging Situations with Bruce Cazenave" "Why the Interview is Key to Develop an Outstanding Business" with Chuck Cohen  "How To Build A Winning Team with Todd Bradley" "How To Hire Employees That Fit Your Company's Culture with Todd Perlman" "Eliminating Toxic Leadership with David Macknin"

Bruce Cazenave is the Founder and Principal of Inflection Management LLC, a company that specializes in helping businesses survive challenging periods and mentors freshmen CEOs. Before Bruce founded Inflection Management LLC, he held multiple leadership roles at companies including Black and Decker, Timberland, Dorel Juvenile Group, Nautilus, and Bluestem Brands. Bruce takes pride in being a turnaround specialist with a proven track record of uplifting organizations and their leadership. In this episode… Are you a leader of an organization that's facing tough times? Have you been able to identify the problem? As a veteran turnaround specialist, Bruce Cazenave has experienced many crises, from bankruptcy to negative work cultures to high turnover. So, how does senior leadership rise above when it seems there is a point of no return? Bruce explains that it starts with diagnosing the situation.  In this episode of the Talent Wins podcast, host Chris Mursau sits down with Bruce Cazenave, the Founder and Principal of Inflection Management LLC, to talk about building competent teams when organizations face detrimental challenges. Part of rebuilding includes integrating a thriving company culture, a rigorous hiring process, and a CEO and CHRO partnership. Plus, Bruce offers CEOs advice on how to scale a company and more. Let's get started! Resources mentioned in this episode: Chris Mursau on LinkedIn Topgrading on LinkedIn Topgrading Email Topgrading: Info@topgrading.com Talent Wins podcast Bruce Cazenave on LinkedIn Inflection Management Six Sigma Special Mentions Culligan Water Capital One TD Industries Books Mentioned The Outsiders: Eight Unconventional CEOs and Their Radically Rational Blueprint for Success by William N Thorndike That Will Never Work by Marc Randolph Work Stronger: Habits for More Energy, Less Stress, and Higher Performance at Work by Pete Leibman The Story of the Wright Brothers: A Biography Book for New Readers by Annette Whipple Blue Ocean Strategy, Expanded Edition: How to Create Uncontested Market Space and Make the Competition Irrelevant by W Chan Kim The Fred Factor: How Passion in Your Work and Life Can Turn the Ordinary Into the Extraordinary by Mark Sanborn

Chuck Cohen is the Managing Director of Benco Dental, the nation's third-largest dental distributor with customers across the US. Benco was founded in 1930 by Chuck's grandfather and now has 1,500 employees across all 50 states. They were recently recognized by Fortune magazine as one of the "Top 20 Best Places to Work in Healthcare." Chuck is a results-oriented leader who enjoys developing and executing strategies and coaching others to grow. In this episode… Benco Dental is a highly successful company, achieving almost a billion dollars in sales this year and making it on the list of "Top 20 Best Places to Work in Healthcare." How did it reach this level of success, and how can your business do the same? It starts with the interview. Using the Topgrading system, Chuck Cohen was able to level up his interview skills, hire candidates who exceeded expectations, and shape a cohesive and skilled team. Chuck says that Topgrading isn't just for high-level interviews and big companies — it's for every interview at any size company. In this episode of the Talent Wins podcast, Chris Mursau talks with Chuck Cohen, Managing Director of Benco Dental, about his hiring strategies and advice for other business leaders. Chuck shares his experience using the Topgrading system, why you should invest in hiring processes before you have talent issues, and tips for winning as a team. Resources Mentioned in this episode Chris Mursau on LinkedIn Topgrading on LinkedIn Topgrading Chuck Cohen on LinkedIn Benco Dental Topgrading (How To Hire, Coach and Keep A Players) by Brad and Geoff Smart Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don't by Jim Collins Brad Smart on LinkedIn "Ep. 10: Kyle hires a super team" with Brad Smart on This is Small Business George Rable on LinkedIn