On Not Being an Idiot, Snickers, and Rock Boat

A Brief Note from Me (Jeremiah!)

Welcome! It’s Vol. 11 of this endeavor, and I’m back to bring a few minutes of value to your day.

“I will never work for you!”

That’s what someone emphatically told me years ago.

“Well,” I retorted, “I need you to, because I need someone I trust who can walk into my office and tell me ‘No,’ tell me I’m wrong, and tell me I’m being an idiot.”

She still stands by her comment, and I still stand by mine.

Spoiler alert: she’s now one of my closest friends in the world.

So, what’s the point? Why does this matter?

Every leader needs someone who can hold up a mirror, someone who can challenge their assumptions and keep them from falling into the trap of what’s easy or comfortable.

If you don’t have that person (or people) within your organization, find them outside of it. Whether it’s a friend, a partner, or an UnConsultant (wink, wink), find someone who will hold you accountable and push you toward constant growth.

Let’s Figure It Out together,

Js

Something I've Written

Last year I shared my thoughts on what trends would lead the operations management industry and which ones would fall behind. This year, I’ve been thinking about how those predictions might hold up in 2025. What do you think? Check out my blog post, What’s In and Out for Operations Management in 2024, and let me know your thoughts.

Also, if you’re not already following me on LinkedIn, consider this your invitation to connect with me on my personal LinkedIn profile (Jeremiah Shirk). You never know what thoughts and behind-the-scenes content I might share there.

Someone Who's Figured It Out

Mars, Inc. Why do I admire them? Sure, I love M&Ms (who doesn’t?), but that’s not the real reason. Did you know only $18 billion of their $51 billion in annual revenue comes from candy? Mind-blowing, right?

Mars has figured out how to diversify far beyond chocolate, building a business model that’s as impressive as it is sustainable. From pet care to food products, they’ve established themselves as a powerhouse by creating value in multiple industries. But what really stands out is their commitment to their people.?

Every employee shares in the company’s success, with incentives that encourage not just hitting goals, but growing both personally and professionally. It’s a model that turns employees into stakeholders, ensuring individual success aligns with the broader vision of the company.

If you’re up for a deeper dive, I highly recommend the episode “Mars Inc. (The Chocolate Story)” from the podcast Acquired. It’s packed with interesting morsels about how a private, family-owned company became a global leader by prioritizing innovation, resilience, and long-term thinking.

Grab a Snickers (because yes, it’s a long one) and give it a listen. It just might give you the right food for thought about what it truly means to build a business and a culture that lasts.?

Have you listened to the podcast? Any thoughts? I’m all ears (and can grab another Snickers if needed).

Five Favorites

Welcome to my Five Favorites - a place for me to share a few things I’ve been enjoying lately.?Maybe you have some favorites, too?

1. The Rock Boat - Having just returned from my favorite five days of the year, this, of course, has to be #1 on the list, once again. It’s a mental reset with great music & 2,500 of my closest friends.

2.? E-Sign Document Technology - It feels great to have version control and security all while reducing the emails in my inbox. Boom!

3. Returning Clients - Am I Right? It’s the easiest and best business development tool there is!

4. New Connections - It really is just fun being out there meeting new people who are doing incredible things. Anyone in your circles you think I should be connected to? Send me a DM!

5. The Professionals We All Need - I’m looking at you, attorneys & tax professionals. Buckle up, because the season is upon us.

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