Trendsetters 2020 | Page 24

Binders can be thick, daunting behemoths usually reserved for your kid’s chemistry class. In this case, they prove to be guiding lights for implementing changes to your business. Each binder is founded in extensive research and outlines a customized business plan for owners to im- plement. Fowler says the worst use of his abilities is meeting with him, receiving the business plan binder and letting it collect dust on a shelf. “If we take the time to get clear off-site, we general- ly run out of time to execute the dadgum thing because life just comes and sucks up every minute,” Fowler said. Everyone is busy. With limited amounts of band- width, you have to maximize your resources to improve your business. Maybe you lack time. Maybe you lack cash. Maybe you lack both. Fowler relates resource delegation to squirrels. No one would accuse a squirrel of being the smartest animal, but they have ample time throughout the day to problem solve how to get food. You do not. You have work, help with payroll, assist in hiring, go to meetings, pick up your kids from school, pick up your kids from soccer practice, go grocery shop- ping, etc. The list goes on forever. Focus and consistency are key. The binder is a cheat code to saving time and money. Companies that want results adhere to the binder’s personalized gospel. 24 Trendsetters | Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce Fowler can help retain that consistency with regular check- ins. “Why does Weight Watchers work?” Fowler asked. “Because you have to check in weekly to see your progress.” He understands that some plans do not always result in success, but he emphasizes the importance of pivoting. If a certain move does not work, he is flexible and self-aware enough to change tactics. One of the main targets of his personalized binders is to help identify and grow leaders in companies. “Every growing company has a drought of leaders,” Fowler said. “Your job as a leader is to build more leaders.” While he loves to work with nonprofits and chari- ties, his focus remains on for-profit companies for one reason: job growth. “I get a huge do-gooder vibe out of helping compa- nies be more profitable because then you can hire more people,” Fowler said. Margins for small businesses can be razor thin, and Fowler understands that some people simply cannot afford to hire a consulting firm such as his. That will not stop him from trying to help. Fowler built a website, www.valuesdrivenresults. com, not only to familiarize potential clients with his services, but provide resources for those who want to grow their business and simply cannot stretch their pennies any further. “How can you do it in a way that makes it cost effective for folks?” Fowler asked. “That’s why I spent a lot of time investing in the website and in my writing.” Fowler writes a weekly column for The Valdosta Daily Times that mixes business advice with life philos- ophy. Providing no-cost resources for business owners acts as an avenue to offer some help free-of-charge and maybe even reach new clients. More than anything, Fowler wants to help Valdosta businesses and learn some things along the way. “When I get to learn with my clients, it’s a lot of fun,” Fowler said.