Andrew (Andy) Goldberg is an experienced attorney and voracious consumer of books and podcasts. Only fitting he joins this podcast to take us through the highlights of his first book, The Big Deal: A Practical Guide to Selling Your Business with Confidence and Clarity. Andy is focused on bringing a well-informed and approachable perspective to this important subject for business owners. One that is especially relevant to leaders of generational businesses. It’s no big deal to listen to episode 55 of GENeration EXcellence. Just push play and enjoy!

Emily Korotkin can trace back five generations to founding roots of her family’s insurance agency operation. We met at the Korotkin Insurance Group (KIG) offices where the main boardroom has portraits back to 1913. I hope listeners appreciate how Emily gained experience in every aspect of the insurance operation and can bring that first-hand perspective to helping KIG evolve into the ever-changing future. Emily shares timeless and timely thoughts in this our 54th episode of GENeration EXcellence.

CBJ Indivisible by Jamie Michelson

Tricia Ruby is president and CEO of Ruby + Associates a renowned steel construction and engineering firm based in the Detroit area. Ruby + Associates is staffed with engineers, designers, and planners who are instrumental in the building of some of the most complex steel structures in North America. Ruby + Associates was founded by Tricia’s father and over 40 years grew as a family enterprise based on the classic components of hard work, hustle, experience, and excellence. In our wide-ranging conversation Tricia talks about the Ruby + Associates roots, her unique path into the business, and the moves they’ve made to set the business up for a long road ahead. Please enjoy our 53rd episode of GENeration EXcellence with Tricia Ruby.

Laurie Mikes (pronounced mike-us) is the Chief Operating Officer of Second Wind, a unique Wyomissing, PA headquartered consultancy serving the marketing communications industry. Second Wind is a distinguished second-generation, family-led organization and SMZ is proud to be associated as a Second Wind member. In this longer-form conversation format, Laurie talks about how Second Wind brings a high-touch attitude to an ever more high-tech world. For 35 years, Second Wind has helped business leaders tap into the power of shared thinking and information. That "collective" power is available here for GENeration EXcellence listeners in this 52nd episode with Laurie Mikes.

Stanley Chen is the CEO of Telamon Corporation in Carmel, Indiana in suburban Indianapolis. Stan (as he prefers to be called) is a leader, a thinker, a father, and a teacher. On this 51st episode of GENeration EXcellence Stan talks about how his father and his mother built what is now one of the largest privately-held businesses in Indiana. As the business has transitioned into the second generation, Stan along with his sister, Stephanie are serving wireless providers, data centers and original equipment manufacturers of the technology that keeps us all connected and “enables life.” I appreciated using technology to connect with Stan and to learn how Telamon embodies a generational family business that can do good by doing well. Thank you for plugging into this episode of GENeration EXcellence.

Edmond Hagopian and I sat down in his company’s award-winning Novi, MI showroom and operations center to talk about the founding of Hagopian rug and carpet cleaning services in Detroit. Edmond takes us on a magic carpet ride across the organization’s 84 years from its roots in chemistry to post-WW II expansion in retail to multiple growth periods to family fractures all while landing gracefully with innovation that promises a bright future. Listeners will both learn and be entertained by how Edmond weaves (had to do it) his personal history and the business history. Please enjoy this 50th episode of GENeration EXcellence.

Scott Snider is president of the Cleveland based Exit Planning Institute (EPI). EPI regularly counsels generational businesses and in fact they are one as well. Scott works closely with his father as the second generation leader of the Institute’s business operations. I was introduced to the Exit Planning Institute via a webinar they conducted to educate family businesses on employee ownership plans. Since then I have been on their email list and radar. In a good way. In our conversation Scott lays out an intriguing concept called the family business blueprint and much more that should prove relevant to listeners of GENeration EXcellence. Enjoy our 49th episode with Scott Snider.

Doug Gray has spent 25 years helping family businesses go and grow as a consultant, most recently for The Family Business Consulting Group. No surprise issues around communication, competition, conflict, chance and 75 other C-words or so can invade the C-suite of family business leaders. Family businesses across industries and around the world turn to Doug for guidance in leadership development, succession planning, and strengthening family unity. If you are in any way connected to a family enterprise, Doug will make you think of things from a fresh perspective. Please enjoy episode #48 of GENeration EXcellence with Doug Gray.

Bio: https://www.thefbcg.com/consultants/doug-gray-ph-d/

Dean Friedman whose family was in the steel business became attracted to the advertising world (it is magnetic) at age 14 and never looked back. In fact, in his storied career he regularly looked forward. Dean had an innate understanding of the value of consumer research. From that research he gleaned true insights that inspired many iconic brand campaigns. Dean’s first two decades in the business were at W.B. Doner (now Doner and Partners) spanning Detroit to London and a few million miles of travel serving clients. As Doner transitioned into its next generation of leadership, Dean struck out on his own joining Robert Solomon in an agency that was quickly called Solomon, Friedman & Associates (SFA) later rebranding as Real Integrated in the early days of the Internet.

Dean talks about pushing and cajoling clients to do bold work that he calls ambitious ideas. I was struck by how Dean’s career journey harnessed his own personal ambitions and how he has passed that drive on to his sons and to his successors at the agency. And it all started in the mailroom.

Please take a listen to Dean Friedman, a tenacious competitor in all his pursuits on this 47th episode of GENeration EXcellence.