THE NINE MOST IMPORTANT ATTRIBUTES
OF THE LHM GROUP
“Th ere are key attributes that make us special as an organization,”
Greg Miller said as he began his presentation, referring to the
time-proven characteristics that make us who and what we are as
a company. Th ese attributes and characteristics foster loyalty from
customers, employees, and strategic partners, and set us apart
from other organizations: 1. Family owned; 2. Our business is a
means to an end; 3. Quality/tenure of our leadership; 4. Humility;
5. Good, timely decisions; 6. Keeping good company; 7. Financial
strength; 8. Continuous improvement; 9. Our reputation.
INSPIRATION AND IDEAS
FROM INSIDE AND
OUTSIDE EXPERTS
Listening to experiences found within the Group as
well as calling on insights from industry experts
are hallmarks of the education that takes place at
Leadership Conference.
HOW CULTURE FEEDS
GROWTH AND INNOVATION
LESSONS LEARNED
AT LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
Amanda Covington, chief communications and
government affairs officer, moderated a panel
discussion that included Steve Miller, Steve
Starks, Kasey Webster (MUR), Chris Barney
(JAZZ), and BJ Vander Linden (MMC). The
group represented leaders from around the
organization, and they discussed how the right
culture and environment can fuel innovation and
personal development.
Tyler Wardle, vice president of membership sales and service for the
Jazz, shared key insights and perspectives through his experience as
a salesperson, general manager, being a member of the Miller family,
and his current role within the Jazz organization. “I learned how
important protecting and promoting our culture is to the company’s
continued growth and success,” Ty shared. “Innovation is woven
into the fabric of the Larry H. Miller Group, and it is that culture
and drive that will lead our company into the future.”
CREATING A CULTURE OF INCLUSION,
GROWTH, AND INNOVATION
CEO Steve Starks began his remarks by refl ecting on some of the
key achievements and eff orts of individuals and entities during
the previous year, with an emphasis on culture, willingness to
change and adapt, and years of hard work and dedication. “As a
new CEO, I have been asked on a few occasions what my vision
for the organization is moving forward,” Steve began. “While I
certainly have a vision for what this organization is and what it
can continue to become, I have the good fortune of transitioning
into this role with the organization being on an incredibly strong
foundation.” He shared leadership moments he learned working
alongside Gail Miller and the Miller family and encouraged the attendees to lead in creating a culture
that is inclusive, a culture of growth, and a culture of innovation.
GUEST SPEAKER: BETH COMSTOCK
Storyteller, marketer, optimist, futurist, and author
of the best-selling book Imagine It Forward, Beth
Comstock shared her insights from three decades
working in media and marketing and most recently
as vice chair of innovation at General Electric. Among
the insights discussed, Beth shared this: “The world
will never be slower than it is now. To thrive in today’s
world, every one of us has to make change and
innovation part of our job.”
A BRIGHT PAST AND INNOVATIVE FUTURE
Gail Miller, owner and chair of the LHM Group, concluded the
conference with a stirring call for those gathered (and employees
across the enterprises) to look for the positive and fi nd ways to lift
up one another. “Our company culture is special and diff erentiates
us from other organizations and from the competition. We must
treasure and protect it. Our culture allows us to move forward in a
values-based way to better care for our customers and employees,
and in so doing, making our communities better.” Gail shared
that we can’t mandate change or how it happens. But we can (and
must) create the right conditions where growth and innovation
are encouraged. “A culture of innovation energizes and inspires;
creates endless opportunities for growth and change.”
GUEST SPEAKER: NICHOLAS WEBB
it
“The best organizations in the world deliver
exceptional experiences to their customers, and
they’re doing this by building organizational cultures
that put the customer first,” was the thought Nicholas
Webb used to kick off his presentation. A world-
renowned strategist, best-selling author, and futurist,
Nicholas discussed how culture and values provide
roadmaps for employees and help our organization
stand out in a competitive landscape and deliver on
what customers crave.
LHMWSM.com
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