Today’s episode features Sydney Bates, a Project Manager here at NCG for an introduction to a NEW Tool that has captured our attention and is applicable to the perspective and framework work we do everyday - Working Genius! 

Working Genius, a model developed by Patrick Lencioni of the Table Group, is a tool used to help individuals and teams identify in what aspects of the work lifecycle they find joy and fulfillment, and in what others they find frustration.

There are 6 Types of Genius - 

Wonder - Invention - Discernment - Galvanizing - Enablement - Tenacity 

Our conversation gives us an introductory look at the model, reviewing what each of these  geniuses mean, and how they fit into categories of working geniuses, working competences and working frustrations. By empowering individuals to recognize their personal genius characteristics, the positive impact of awareness on the greater team falls right in line.

To learn more about Working Genius and Assessment Opportunities, click here. 

This week, we are joined by Meg Cook, Chairman of the Board & President of Painters USA

for an important and eye opening conversation on the topic of mental health and well-being awareness in the workplace, specifically across the construction and trades industry. 

At the start of our conversation, Meg shared a shocking statistic: “1 in 5 Americans suffer from some sort of mental health condition at any given time, but more than half do not receive treatment or know how to access help.” When you break down these statistics by industry type, the outcome among the construction industry is staggering.  

Meg is looking to break this pattern and help end the stigma around mental health by putting energy towards education and connection of resources, incorporating them into the Painters USA Safety program and sharing this topic with third party organizations that are in need of this guidance. 

For Meg, this is about normalizing the mental health conversation, providing access and direction to resources and recognizing it’s essential to create a culture of caring across your organization. Fortunately, she is not alone in this fight… and you can join her in this mission. 

Every year, during September — National Suicide Prevention Month — the construction industry will dedicate a week to raising awareness about the unique challenges workers face in construction that lead to suicide and what we can do to prevent it. This year, Construction Suicide Prevention Week will take place September 4-8, 2023.  

To learn more, access resources and “tool box talks”, and register your company for participation in this awareness week, visit https://constructionsuicideprevention.com/ 

It’s time to STAND UP and Make a Difference. 

This week on the podcast, we are back in the studio with Colin Nolan, a Senior Business Coach at NCG to discuss Prospecting and Business Development. In this ever-changing landscape, the journey is both challenging and rewarding, requiring adaptability, creativity, and unwavering determination. 

Prospecting and Business Development involve a dynamic blend of strategic planning, effective communication, and a keen understanding of market trends. Whether it's cultivating new leads through digital outreach or networking face-to-face, mastering the art of prospecting empowers businesses to establish a strong and reputable presence in their industries. 

So where to begin? Colin breaks down the behavioral needs, makes recommendations on getting a plan in place and reminds us that we need to reframe what success looks like. It’s time to incentive behaviors and make these conversations routine part of your weekly sales meetings. 

We are returning with another chapter sneak peek of Kevin Nolan’s soon to be released book, Organizational Muscle, a personal account of the business he has built since 1979, detailing the lessons learned, strategies made and insights for building and growing a strong business that endures.  

Kevin’s been joining us on the podcast sharing sneak peeks of some of those chapters within the book, and today, we are talking Compensation.  We cover the gamut on this topic, from his approach to the Compensation Model and how it’s evolved over the years, Nolan Painting’s take on Overtime, Pay for Performance,Top performers, and deferred  compensation, as well as the impact and power of transparency across the payroll ladder.  

Kevin’s Book, Organizational muscle will be released early Fall of 2023, check out his website https://organizationalmuscle.com/  and following Org Muscle on Instagram and Facebook for updates, book content and tips! 

If you’ve had the opportunity to listen to our prior two episodes on the Succession Planning Process, which we highly encourage you, we would argue it’s safe to assume that we are all on the same page - putting thoughtful time and planning into an organization’s succession plan is essential. 

Our Succession Process is a 3 Stage, 9 Step Program that was intentionally designed to help create a methodical plan for business owners who might be looking to transition their role in the business over the next 5-7 years. In the prior episodes, we gave a process overview and focus on  Stage 1: Exploration and Foundation and  Stage 2: The Next Chapter and Transition.

Today we wrap with a framework overview of Stage 3: The Development and Communication leg of the process. This is facilitating the transfer of skills, best practices and as well as governance planning and communication timelines. We are aiming for an effective flow of information at targeted times to keep the organization, and its stakeholders, aligned with the progressive steps of the SPP.

As always, If you would like to learn more about our Succession Planning Process and the program specifics, you can visit our website or contact me directly via email, [email protected]

Most people would agree that the process of becoming a fantastic salesperson is a journey. There are the fundamentals of learning the sales process, one that guides how you take a customer through the buyer’s journey, and then there is the understanding of the instincts, behaviors, and attitudes, and the methodology  that draws the line to execute the process with mastery. 

An understanding of the process Process – without Methodology = Inferior results

An awareness of Methodology – without Process = Inconsistent results

When you are able to combine a full understanding of process with the excellence of the methodology, that defines success. But how can you teach this methodology, or mindset?

Today, Andrew Amrhein and Mike Shannon join us to tell us that yes, while it can be taught, it does require an intricate understanding of one’s own weaknesses and strengths and finding the correct training to conquer the head trash, Developing "Closer Instincts",  and practicing the true the Behaviors that lead to Mastery of the mindset is critical. 

“Preventable injuries, commonly known as “accidents,” are the fourth leading cause of U.S. deaths. The cost of unintentional injuries to Americans and their employers exceeds $730 billion nationally, or $6,200 per household, and causes great suffering for individuals and their families”

Safety matters every day of the year, but during June it gets the extra attention it deserves, June is National Safety Month and we are here to support!

At Nolan Consulting Group, we believe  Safety needs continual attention in your organization, throughout all departments and have continued to focus and build upon a certification program to ensure the organizations we work with hold safety practices with high regard. A few weeks ago, Kahtyn and two of our team mates joined some folks from the team at nolan painting at their 2023 Safteve captive event to learn and network with industry leaders.

On today.s episode, Kathryns shares her core takeaways  from that event , from compliance and After Action Reviews, with a wrap up on the status and strategic planning for NCG's safety focus. 

Think about this - 

• Wouldn’t it be nice to know specifically where a Rep needs help?
• Or specifically why they are not a fit for your organization?
• Or that what you’re assessing your team against  fits the same process you are trying to coach?

We are excited to share that NCG is now certified to offer Sales Insights Assessments and Evaluations through the company Objective Management Group, a pioneer and industry leader in sales team evaluations and sales candidate screening.  This tool focuses on  providing insights and maximizing sales performance in companies of all sizes and from all industries. 

On today’s episode, Andrew walks us through the impact this tool can have on your hiring and team development process, how it’s helped our team to teach better, more focused sales content, and the opportunity to really peel back the unique attributes that make a sales person from good to exceptional. 

Interested in learning more? Take a listen to the podcast and talk to your coach for next steps! 

The Succession Planning Process a topic that our team has become quite passionate about over the last couple years through the recognition that your organization deserves a thoughtfully curated and carefully executed exit plan, when that time is to come. 

Our Succession Process is a 3 Stage, 9 Step Program that was intentionally designed to help create a methodical plan for business owners who might be looking to transition their role in the business over the next 5-7 years. In our first episode, we gave a process overview and focus on  Stage 1: Exploration and Foundations - a time of discovery and getting out og the hallways. 

Today, Managing partner brian Nolan and NCG Business Coach, Jim Bradly, join me to focus on the framework of Stage 2: The Next Chapter and Transition - what some may call the heart of the process and the roadmap to the future. 

As always, If you would like to learn more about our Succession Planning Process and the program specifics, you can visit our website or contact me directly via email, [email protected]

It’s been two months since we last connected with Brian Nolan and Kevin Nolan for our Business is Messy conversation - and it was due time to bring them back.  When we last connected with these two, it was Mid March and were just one week out from our Grand Summit Conference in San Diego

Now - here we are at the end of May and it’s been an eventful time of highs and lows - fitting for the start to a busy spring season and well, just life itself. 

This time we hear about messes happening in both Brian’s and Kevin's worlds, their approaches to the challenges and a general consensus of leaning into perspective. When something happens, we can’t always be the judge of it being good or bad right away, we need to fully understand the situation and it’s impact.

One thing is for sure, when it comes to the mess of business (and life), the need for mental and emotional strength is a key part of finding a successful; resolution, or, just getting safely to the other side. Problems don’t get easier in life, as kara Lawason, head coach of the Duke Blue Devils Women’s Basketball Team once shared, “What happens is you handle hard better."