E19: As Chief Executive Officer of Flat World Global Solutions, Brian Wenck, has led the organization’s rapid growth from $12M to $100M in revenue. 

Flat World streamlines supply chains across the globe using technology and excellence to integrate and organize shipping logistics, saving time, energy and money. They provide Domestic and International Shipping, Customs Brokerage, Warehousing, Distribution, Crating, Packaging, and Project Management. 

As a 30+ year veteran of the logistics industry, Brian had a long tenure at YRC (formerly Yellow Freight), where he worked his way up from midnight shift as a dock supervisor to a senior leader role.

He is a graduate of Iowa State University. 

Brian’s LinkedIn Profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-wenck-9aa7725/

WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE

• What growing up as an “expat” in Singapore taught him about leadership.
• Why traveling behind the “Iron Curtain” during the Cold War in the 1980’s… transformed his perspective on the world.
• What to do if you get fired, and who you can turn to for support.
• Why getting laid off was the best thing that happened to his career…although he didn’t realize it at the time.
• The 3-part balance that sustains him as a leader.
• How to take a calculated risk.
• The surprising story of how he first met the CEO when he was a brand new sales person.
• How Brian’s “long-winded” emails keep his company connected.
• The best way to know if you’re hiring an employee who cares.
• Why it doesn’t have to be lonely at the top.
• The toughest part of being CEO that Brian never delegates.

Brian’s advice for his younger self:

• Don’t wait, just do it.
• Take the risk.
• Have faith in your gut and your logic.

QUOTES:

"Any employee turnover is a ROI miss."

"You must be intentional about retaining your employees."

"You invest in your leadership team, and they in turn invest in their teams." 

"We invest in employees to produce the ROI we want to get 3 to 5 years out."

RESOURCES:

Wall Street Journal www.wsj.com

TED Talks https://www.ted.com/talks

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