In this special 40th Anniversary episode of the Service Evolution podcast, Jim Robinson takes listeners on a heartfelt journey through his entrepreneurial story and the founding of CGP. Starting from humble beginnings, Jim recounts how as a child, necessity drove him to learn hands-on repair skills that ultimately shaped his destiny. By the age of twelve, he had the vision to lead a company, long before fully understanding what that meant. Over the years, Jim’s relentless belief in serving others and fixing anything laid the groundwork for CGP’s unique approach and lasting impact in the facilities services industry.
Jim discusses the evolution of the business, from early days without any competition, through significant growth, and ultimately to building long-term relationships with major clients. He shares the importance of carefully choosing which clients to work with, prioritizing core values like respect, service, and mentoring both employees and customers. CGP’s culture revolves around serving others as you would your great-grandmother, embracing mistakes as learning opportunities, and nurturing leadership from within the organization.
Reflecting on four decades of leadership, Jim emphasizes the importance of building a diverse team that learns and grows together. He explains his vision of legacy, developing future leaders who will eventually take the reins. Jim also offers candid advice about the myth of work-life balance, acknowledging the sacrifices involved and encouraging intentional presence with both family and career. This episode is a rich, inspiring testament to building a values-driven business with generational impact!
Show Notes
(00:00) Introduction
(04:52) Strategic Growth Through Market Change
(08:22) CGP’s Core Philosophy: Serve with Respect
(12:22) Building a Legacy of Leaders
(14:57) Balancing Family and Career Sacrifices
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