Stronger by Design

Competition is a magnetic force that pulls me in. I love sports, college football (#goblue), board games with my kids and even game shows. Growing up, one of my favorite game shows was Let’s Make a Deal. I can still see the costumes – the doctor, the clown and the cowboy all trying to get that bigger, better deal or take a chance on door number three. I wanted to play, too! Then there were Little League games, high school sports, Spartan Races, and the dream of finally getting picked for the Big Brother house. I can’t say that much has changed for me – I love to compete.

"I love the challenge of identifying a customer problem...taking risks on new products to solve future problems."

The excitement of competition is why I love what I do. It’s the unique smell of the airport as I travel to meet with customers or speak at events, despite the 5:00am flights and 3:00am returns home. I love the challenge of identifying a customer problem, solving it through our products, and taking risks on new products to solve future problems. This combination and complexity bears its own brand of stress, but pushes me to perform and achieve one of my personal goals – to win the maximum for our customers every day.

At the end of each episode of Let’s Make a Deal, host Monty Hall would start calling out random items – a toothbrush, a bobby pin or a half dollar. If you had one of these, you’d win cold, hard cash. I see a parallel with our customers. Their problems are initially unknown to me, but when they’re called out, I do my best to develop the products that address their need.

"This is the focus that I’m bringing to my biggest challenge of all – moving Follett, a library company, into the classroom in a very significant way."

It’s this challenge that not only drives me to come to work, but keeps me “in it to win it” at all hours of the day. Do I make mistakes? Absolutely! But learning from those mistakes and focusing on customer need drives my motivation and personal satisfaction. This is the focus that I’m bringing to my biggest challenge of all – moving Follett, a library company, into the classroom in a very significant way.

As I approach nine years with the Follett family, I can’t begin to describe the blessings bestowed upon me – this same risk taker who decided he wanted to be a teacher, started two schools and left it all to join Follett. I met my wife, Caroline, at Follett. Uniquely, both my immediate family and work family are intertwined so much that Caroline and I have to book appointments on our calendars to have a midday conversation or to know when to finally clock out for the day. There are days of exhaustion, frustration, honesty, humility and laughter. There are times that rest only comes when that last email is written, that last customer is assisted, and that last product idea is sketched on paper. It’s not for the faint of heart, but I honestly wouldn’t have it any other way.

"For me, I’m going for door number one every time."

I can hear Monty Hall’s simple challenge to take the $100 in my hand, or risk it all for what’s behind door number one. For me, I’m going for door number one every time. High risk, high reward – that’s what keeps my motor oiled, fueled and running, and proud to be part of this fantastic Follett family.