In this timely episode of the Shred Coach podcast, I sit down with Fletcher Wimbush, an expert in talent acquisition and frontline hiring. Dive into the mind of a man who, from a young age, has dedicated his life to understanding and perfecting the art of bringing the right people together to form an unstoppable team. From being the captain of his football team at 16 to leading major organizations, Wimbush's journey is filled with insights on how to build greatness through strategic hiring.
Fletcher underscores the significance of having the right individuals on board, emphasizing that the magic truly begins when the perfect synergy of talent aligns. His approach is holistic, considering both the technical skills and cultural fit when selecting candidates. Through the episode, listeners will gain a deeper understanding of the dynamics of talent acquisition, strategies for effective frontline hiring, and the subtle nuances that often make all the difference.
Fletcher and I delve into some of the common pitfalls companies face in the hiring process and discuss transformative solutions to overcome them. We also touch upon the evolving landscape of talent acquisition in the digital age and how organizations can stay ahead of the curve with really practical advice. Don't miss the section on how to do effective and illuminating reference checks. That alone is worth the price of admission.
Here are the exclusive giveaways Fletcher mentioned in the episode!
Learn more about Fletcher’s company and his Discovered Performance Hiring Software.
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Fletcher Wimbush
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fletcher-wimbush/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/WimbushFletcher
Website: DiscoveredATS
On this episode of The Shred Coach podcast, we get to know Gina Lentine, who serves as the Director of Marketing and Events at Legal Shred and MedXwaste franchise,
Gina's career is a tapestry of diverse experiences and challenges. We review Gina's early days in the hospitality sector, working with LXR Luxury Resorts in the Florida Keys. Gina recounts her time with a company offering concierge services tailored for the NASCAR community.
A major highlight of the episode is Gina's recounting of her entrepreneurial journey with "Assure Shred," a shredding business she co-founded with her mother. Gina touches upon the unique challenges they faced in the growth and development of the company. She also shares the importance of being involved in NAID and her leadership now in i-SIGMA as President-Elect.
Throughout the discussion, Gina's passion for delivering top-notch customer service and her commitment to the shredding industry shine through.
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Gina Lentine
Director of Strategic Projects
Legal Shred & MedXwaste
President-Elect
i-SIGMA
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginalentine/
Ever wondered how security intersects with every facet of modern transportation? I'm excited to introduce you to the mastermind steering the ship at Babaco Alarm Systems, Greg Haber.
Babaco is an innovator in the realm of transportation security. Greg delves into the challenges faced across multiple industries, emphasizing the importance of driver-focused solutions and security trends. With Babaco's in-house designs and a notable patent portfolio, they're at the forefront of addressing these challenges head-on.
The conversation steers towards the safeguarding of assets being transported by your business. With a wealth of knowledge at his disposal, Greg unveils the significance of process enablement and system security. He shares his wisdom on the role of a self-locking mechanism, the essentiality of conducting regular spot checks, and the steps to take when the field process deviates from the expected plan.
Ever heard of GPS jammers or AI detecting potential threats on the road? Gear up as we navigate through these innovative topics, going into details about how these cutting-edge technologies are transforming vehicle security. Learn about the 'WAIRE Program" in Southern California and the revolutionary impact this carbon footprint recording initiative could have on the industry. As we wrap up, we discuss the importance of continually developing new strategies to stay at the forefront of this ever-evolving industry. Tune in for a knowledge-packed journey!
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Greg Haber
President
Babaco Alarm Systems Inc
BabacoFulfillment
LinkedIn
Ever wondered what it takes to rise from a front desk role to becoming the VP of an industry-leading organization? Get ready to be inspired by the remarkable journey of Jennie Gift, the newly hired VP of Member Services at i-SIGMA.
Jennie's story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the magic that happens when you seize every opportunity that comes your way. Jennie shares her experiences from her humble beginnings of answering phones at a RIM service provider Paxton Records as a temp worker, learning the ropes including industry software, understanding certification to managing the entire division for Paxton.
More recently she moved to the vendor side and worked with industry heavyweights, Shred Nations/Records Nations as well as CSR Privacy Solutions. She shares some of the insights she learned as she grew to work with many industry companies. Jennie also shares the lessons from both her role as the elected Corporate Partner representative on the new i-SIGMA Board of Directors to the wealth of experience from her involvement and local chapter leadership with ARMA.
Jennie's commitment to fostering a positive culture, building meaningful relationships, and staying receptive to new possibilities is very inspiring. As she embarks on her new role and journey with i-SIGMA, she aims to make a significant contribution to the Association while helping members grow their businesses.
We not only celebrate Jennie's accomplishments but cheer her on in her ambitions to help create a better future for the RIM industry through her new role in it.
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Jennie Gift
Vice President of Member Services
Email: jgift@isigmaonline.org
I-SIGMA : https://isigmaonline.org/
The world of recruiting and hiring entry level labor staff in today's market is extraordinarily challenging for shredding and destruction operators. Tony Ommani, the recruiting manager for a large consortium of companies that hires a lot of entry level labor employees for the consortium companies joins us to share his perspectives and experience.
Listen as Tony shares his wealth of knowledge on the unique dynamics of white-collar and entry-level labor, the impact of the gig economy, and the minimum wage becoming a thing of the past. In our conversation, Tony discusses the nuanced and competitive field of entry-level labor where value propositions have become as significant as paychecks.
In the post-COVID era, retaining employee interest and balancing work-life dynamics have never been more crucial. Tony digs into the grit of these challenges, sharing successful strategies and enlightening us on the necessity of maintaining a continuous recruitment process. We also tackle the debate of traditional versus energized job ads and how to attract the right candidates by sustaining their attention with your mission statement.
Lots of valuable insights from Tony Ommani on the episode today.
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Tony Ommani
Human Resources Executive,
Employment Services Inc. (ESI)
Special thanks to Katie Macintosh from Ameri-Shred for the connection to Tony.
Get ready to explore the fascinating journey of Kristjan Backman, a recycling entrepreneur who started with a bicycle rickshaw business at 17 years old and went on to build Phoenix Recycling in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
In our conversation, we uncover the stages Kristjan took to create a incredibly successful, full-service recycling, shredding and records storage business. We'll discover how Christian differentiated his service with an additional layer of security, smaller particle size, and lower price point, and the impetus behind eventually selling the business.
Kristjan reflects on the lessons learned from the startup phase to the sale of the business, touching on the importance of ignoring negative opinions, being aware of market volatility, and utilizing data to build relationships. We also explore the potential of purchasing and green-fielding a shredding business, the fluctuating multiples within the industry, and the advantages of the Entrepreneurs Organization.
Join us to hear Kristjan's inspiring story and great insights.
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Kristjan Backman
Entrepreneur
Join us for an inspiring conversation with Reesy Neff, CEO and Founder of Omega ECycles, as she shares her journey from a career in banking to running a successful e-cycling business. Listen in as she gives us an inside look into her startup story for end-of-life IT assets and how her small but mighty team is making an impact in the York, PA area.
Reesy discusses the challenges she's faced in transitioning from banking to entrepreneurship and how her financial background has helped her navigate the shifting landscape. Learn about the importance of building strong relationships in the industry, how Reesy's practical approach to connecting with others has shaped her success, and the valuable lessons she's learned along the way. Hear about her personal experiences growing up in poverty and how these experiences have shaped her life and business approach.
Finally, discover the powerful impact of vulnerability and authenticity in business, and how Reesy has learned to embrace her true self in order to create meaningful connections. Reesy also tells us more about her book, Stripping Off The Labels.
This episode is packed with valuable insights and inspiring stories, so don't miss out on the chance to learn from Reesy Neff's incredible journey in the world of records and information management!
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Reesy Neff
Business Owner
Omega ECycles LLC (https://omegaecycles.com/)
Stripping Off The Labels book link
https://amzn.to/3qyikX6
Discover the secrets of successful web marketing in your shredding business with Janelle Gilbert of WebVitality and Daryl Woytowicz of NetGain. Learn why shred-focused digital marketing is crucial for generating leads and growing your business. We cover everything from understanding the buyer's journey to creating a holistic digital marketing strategy, so don't miss out on this enlightening conversation!
We take a deep dive into the importance of the customer experience of your website, the differences in web marketing between shredding services and closely related services like medical waste or ITAD, and the number one mistake made by independent shredding operators. Janelle and Daryl also share their wisdom on the three major search avenues for shredders, the place of social media, the significance of tracking results and ROI, and how to create a website that not only looks great but also generates leads.
With the help of Janelle and Daryl's expert guidance, you'll be armed with the knowledge and tools necessary to excel in web marketing for the shredding industry. Tune in for a fascinating discussion with two of the top web marketing experts in the shredding industry.
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Janelle Gilbert
Client Services Manager
WebVitality (https://webvitality.net/)
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Daryl Woytowicz
Sales Manager
NetGain (https://www.netgainseo.com/)
Discover how UltraShred Technologies began as a brainchild of Margaret Meier's husband, Walt, and grew into a successful mobile on-site shredding business. Margaret shares their journey of starting back in 2000 with just a truck, a call center, and an outside salesperson knocking on doors, and how they've adapted and evolved along with the growing industry.
Creating a thriving business environment is essential for retaining top talent and fostering long-lasting relationships. Margaret opens up about the importance of connecting with like-minded individuals, such as other women-owned shred businesses, and how she and Walt have grown into their respective roles within the company. Listen in as we uncover their secret to employee retention with the story of their long-time truck driver, Jesus, who has been with Ultra Shred Technologies for more than fifteen years.
Finally, Margaret shares her insights on employee management best practices and networking within the industry. We discuss the benefits of getting involved, joining groups like masterminds, and taking the opportunity to learn as much as possible. Margaret's journey and advice provide valuable insights for anyone interested in starting and growing a successful information destruction business. Don't miss this engaging and informative conversation!
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Margaret Meier, CSDS
President & CEO
UltraShred Technologies, Inc.
https://ultrashredtechnologies.com/
In this episode, I have the pleasure of discussing mergers and acquisitions in the shredding and information destruction industry with Vlad Vasak, a partner at K-2 Partners. We explore his journey in the industry, starting with his early days at Brambles in Australia and his move to the US to join Iron Mountain. With his extensive background in the industry, Vlad shares how his unique expertise in operational efficiencies and understanding buyers' needs led him to join K2 Partners, where he continues to provide mergers and acquisitions support to the shredding industry.
We delve into the impact of the past few years, particularly the COVID pandemic, on mergers and acquisitions in the industry. As the shredding industry begins to recover, we examine the lasting impacts of the pandemic, such as the accelerated shift towards a paperless office and the influence of high paper prices on business valuations.
We further examine the influence of higher interest rates and warehouse costs on the valuation of businesses in the industry, as well as the potential for smaller, local independent companies to acquire even smaller operations. Additionally, we discuss the differences between smaller and larger shredding companies in the M&A process, touching on factors like market fit, due diligence, and risk. Finally, we explore the importance of being "sale ready" when considering selling a shredding or information destruction business.
Join us for this exploration of M&A in the shredding and information destruction industry!
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Vlad Vasak
Partner
K-2 Partners, LLC
https://www.k-2partners.com/about/our-team/vladimir-vasak/
In this episode, we delve into the complex world of employee law in shredding companies with attorney James Reid, who shares his expertise on navigating unconscious bias, employee relations, and legal pitfalls he's observed in small businesses.
We discuss the importance of understanding protected classes, documenting performance issues, and having clear and transparent policies in place to minimize liability and maintain a positive work culture. Additionally, we explore the common mistakes related to exempt and non-exempt employees and the legal implications this can have on your business.
We delve into the importance of treating all employees equally and having clear, transparent policies in place to avoid perceptions of favoritism or discrimination. We also discuss the importance of consulting with external advisors when making decisions about employee structure and policies.
Join us as we unpack these challenging issues and provide valuable insights and advice on building a strong legal foundation for your business.
James M. Reid, IV
Partner
HONIGMAN LLP
https://www.honigman.com/professionals-james-m-reid
In this episode, I interview Bob Johnson, the former CEO of NAID and i-SIGMA about his journey in the information destruction industry. As a pioneer in the field and founder of the National Association for Information Destruction (NAID), Bob shares his story which began with his grandfather's insulation business, to working as a security guard and then the founding of Certified Document Destruction in Toledo. Bob talks about why he made the transition from being a shredding operator to founding NAID as an industry association and how it helped professionalize information disposition and certification. He also talks about the reality of consolidation the marketplace and his recent decision to transition from managing i-SIGMA to launching his new consulting firm. Throughout the interview, Bob emphasizes how certification has become increasingly important as it is imposed by large government entities as well as other national and international players becoming certified through this process. You'll hear Bob acknowledge that starting a new consulting practice comes with risks especially since he is close to retirement but he explains that he is in the best shape of his life since his retirement in preparation for launching his new business. Enjoy this interview I have with the shredding industry long-time leader, Bob Johnson.
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Bob Johnson, CSDS
Principal Advocate
Privata Vox, LLC
https://privatavox.com/
In this episode I'm joined by Patrick DeVries, Owner & Founder of DeVries, Inc based in Spokane, Washington. He describes how he started with a records storage service and then grew steadily with the addition of courier and delivery services, then shredding services, and then the warehouse services have grown his business over the years.
Our conversation focuses on the lessons Patrick learned along the way and he touches on topics including pricing, courage, confidence, salespeople, and equipment. Patrick discloses one of the most helpful insights for owners related to selling services and pricing. That alone is worth the listen.Patrick discloses the importance of the deep relationships and connections he's made in the industry through NAID, PRISM and now iSIGMA where he recently served as Board President. He also shares his love for skiing and mountain biking and how it has helped him as a CEO and leader.
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Patrick DeVries
DeVries, Inc
https://www.devriesinc.com/
On this episode Tom chats with Brinn Johnston, the Manager of Client Success and Fulfillment with All Points Shredding & Medical Waste, based in Stuart FL. In this episode, Brinn talks about inside sales for shredding, the different sales tactics for winning more deals, and specific ways she's found to improve the process. We spend some time discussing how sales and operations work together instead of adversarially to create better results. This is a highly practical episode and should be required listening for any shredding operator and their inside sales or customer service teams.
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Brinn Johnston
CEO
Manager of Client Success and Fulfillment
https://allpointsprotects.com/
In this episode of the Shred Coach podcast, veteran shred truck drivers Jesus Rivera of UltraShred Technologies in Jacksonville FL and Pat Lashley of Crown Shredding of Orlando, FL share the secrets to their success. They discuss the challenges of driving shredding trucks, such as navigating tight spaces and dealing with customer requests, as well lessons learned, such as listening to customers, taking extra materials when requested, and driving safely. We focus on the importance of safety checks and security, as well as advice for rookie drivers, including the importance of reading tickets, always saying yes to customers, and following the rules.
We also discuss how owners and managers should treat their drivers in a way that ensures they stay as long as Jesus and Pat. Enjoy this driver conversation mashup.
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Jesus Rivera
UltraShred Technologies
https://ultrashredtechnologies.com/
&
Pat Lashley
Crown Shredding
https://www.crownshredding.com/
Join us as we sit down with Johnie Williams, a seasoned shred truck driver with 17 years of experience at Time Shred in New York City. Johnie's journey began in 2006 when he was asked to drive Time Moving's first shred truck, a challenge as the truck was much larger than the straight trucks he was used to.
In this episode, we delve into the critical aspects of Johnie's job, such as punctuality, dependability, and diligence. Johnie shares his secret to success - having a strong spiritual foundation and a drive to go the extra mile. He also sheds light on the significance of driver training and shares insights on how shredding businesses can motivate their drivers.
So if you're interested in learning from a rockstar shred truck driver, this episode is for you! Tune in to hear Johnie's experiences and advice on the unique and essential role of shred truck drivers.
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Senior Driver
Time Shred
https://www.timeshred.com