John Driver, the inspiring CEO of Lynx Technology, serves on both corporate and non-profit boards — including 50/50 Women on Boards — and champions mission-driven corporate service.

In this episode, host Neeta Bidwai & John cover:

• John’s acquisition of Lynx, a leader in smart home technology, from his initial role as COO to his unexpected leap to CEO.
• A detailed breakdown of his acquisition journey including the dynamics of dealing with private equity and strategic buyers, and how he managed to secure the acquisition within a tight two-week deadline.
• Valuable lessons on leadership, resilience, and networking, as well as his journey through the corporate world after Stanford, and his board service.
• The importance of diverse perspectives in corporate settings in driving innovation, better decision-making, revenue, and business outcomes.

John underscores the critical role of corporate culture, mission alignment, and the power of inclusion. Tune in to gain valuable insights into leadership, M&A, and fostering a high-performing organization.

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Where to find John:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/johndriver/ 

Where to find Neeta:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/neetabidwai/

Where to find Good Revenue:

https://goodrevenue.io/goodrevenue

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHrhuWbpYnUwrR75H2Ip4yQ

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Highlights:

00:00 Introduction to John Driver

00:19 John's Origin Story with Lynx

01:37 The Sales Process and Challenges

03:23 Becoming the CEO

05:43 Securing the Acquisition

09:18 Navigating International Complexities

10:52 Turning the Business Around

18:05 Board Service Insights

22:23 The Economic Value of Diverse Perspectives

23:13 Innovation and Creativity Through Diversity

23:42 Better Decision Making with Diverse Boards

24:23 Increased Market Reach and Employee Performance

25:23 Reputation, Risk Management, and Compliance

27:05 A Real-World Example: The McDonald's Happy Meal Problem

29:17 Choosing Mission-Oriented Board Positions

32:41 Mentoring and Promoting Board Diversity

34:55 Personal Stories and the Importance of Inclusion

39:52 Finding Diamonds in the Rough

41:52 The Power of Belief and Culture in Organizations

44:04 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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References:

Lynx: https://lynxtechnology.com/index.html 

Vital Energy: https://vitalenergy.com/

City First: https://www.cityfirstbank.com/ 

Stanford: https://www.stanford.edu/ 

50/50 Women on Boards: https://5050wob.com/ 

Black Corporate Board Readiness Program: https://www.scu.edu/execed/bcbr/ 

National Association of Corporate Directors: https://www.nacdonline.org/

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