Skyway Drive Associates LLC

Ever had drama in your work team?  Most leaders today are scared to deal with conflict. #1 Factor that can cause a team or a relationship in a business setting to dissipate is the inability to deal with conflict.  Conflict that is handled well can become a leader's best friend! Find out how through this video by Dr. Fred Johnson, a featured speaker at the Exit Planning Institute Conference in San Antonio this past September. Don attended and worked through additional learning elements based upon this, and he would be happy to discuss implementing this these strategies to a greater deal in your business. SkyWay Drive Associates

Testimonials   Mike Miedema, President of Lakewood Process Machinery April 2015 Our initial intent with Rua Associates was to explore our future succession plans, but we were approached by a competitor expressing interest in our business at the very start of our conversation. Randy Rua and Don van der Zwaag led that process, helping us to explore various options and negotiations. The result was a partial sale – that of our product line and intangible assets- with us keeping the manufacturing part of the business. It was a unique end result that provides a new opportunity for the future of our business. Without Randy’s and Don’s guidance, it seems unlikely we could have arrived at a mutually beneficial outcome for both parties.  Scott Ribbe, President of Geerpres, Inc March 2014 I want to express my appreciation to Don van der Zwaag and the entire team at Rua Associates for helping make this acquisition a reality. Don was able to identify an ideal ...

"By the end of this book, it will be as if he's proofing your emails, auditing your texts, and keeping us all from putting our foot in our mouths a little less than normal." ~Joy Eggerichs "Every day we have the potential of both verbal and written blunders...When we don't stop to think before we speak, we increase the odds that we will misrepresent our best selves, which could result in people misinterpreting us. We leave them wondering if we have goodwill or good sense, or neither. When we speak before we think, we widen the chances the other person(s) will be notably hurt, frustrated, confused, angry, fearful, or offended by something we've communicated." "What exactly should you 'think before you speak'? Here are four questions to ask yourself with everything you communicate: *Is it true? *Is it kind? *Is it necessary? *Is it clear?" ~Dr. Emerson Eggerichs SkyWay Drive Associates is reading this book which is applicable ...

Five Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace by Gary Chapman and Paul White Language Definition How? Methodology Words of Affirmation Uses words to communicate a positive message to another person · Praise for accomplishments · Affirmation of character · Praise for personality · One-on-one · In front of others · Written (email or hand written) · Public Quality Time Giving the person your focused attention. · Quality conversation (eye contact, no distractions, listen to feelings AND thoughts) · Shared experiences · Small group dialogue · Close proximity on a project · Lunch · Stop by office and check in   · Go on walk   · Off-site retreat   · Watch sporting event · Phone call to check-in Acts of Service Service - providing assistance, “What can I do to help?” ...

The topic of challenges related to growth is relevant to companies of all sizes, and this book provides an interesting perspective with which to face those challenges head-on. "It doesn't matter whether the growth you're aiming for is 20 percent or 80 percent. Growth of all kinds presents the unique paired challenges of greater complexity and uncertainty, and keeping teams focused and aligned seems to become increasingly difficult. You need a way to marshal your forces to make your initiatives happen and to build the visibility that will help you know if you're on the right path. You need the execution rhythm, discipline, and perseverance to overcome--or avoid--the common obstacles to growth again and again. Because when you can do that, you'll grow your company faster, your results will be more predictable, and you'll be happier."  pg 14 Whatever your current perspective is in relation to growth, we'd be happy to speak with you about ef...

It was a wonderful Exit Planning Institute Conference in Nashville with new insights on doing business transitions between younger generational categories. A vast majority are between the Boomer Generation and Millenial Generation. The keynote speaker Dan Negroni, author of "Chasing Relevance--6 Steps to understand, engage, and maximize Next Generation leaders in the workplace", spoke about using Merger and Acquisition Tools in order to process transactions and successfully navigate through with respect to the generational differences as well as relating inter-generationally within the workplace on a daily basis. Below are some highlights from this discussion. I'd definitely enjoy sharing more information with you about  this topic in regards to your specific transition.  616-610-9705 don@skywayassociates.com

At Skyway Drive Associates LLC, we specialize in small-mid size business consulting, and this book has some great reminders: "Big does not equal great, and great does not equal big." "The difference between the small giants and everyone else lies in their refusal to let go of the passion and their success in keeping it alive." "You can't measure the value of what a company does by looking at how big it is and how much profit it generates. A company's record of growth and the consistency of its financial returns may tell you something about the skill of its management team, but they say little about whether or not the business is contributing anything great and unique to the world. Instead, the small giants focus on the relationships that the company has with its various constituencies--employees, customers, community, and suppliers,..the relationships are rewarding in and of themselves..their strength reveals the degree to which people are ins...

Today, we're going to explore some of the basic elements of relationships. This conversation can reach into every part of your everyday interactions in business and beyond. Dr. Gary Smalley is a best-selling author and speaker, and has sold more than 14 million books and videos. An area we deal with a lot at SkyWay Drive Associates is emotional conversations, within the process of business transitions there are so many people and factors involved which prompt these types of discussions. Some helpful tips when it comes to this area are listed below: pg 151 Hope these refresh your perspective, and give you a boost in your communications as you start this week! Contact us with your business transitional questions and projects, we'd be happy to help you! SkyWay Drive Associates LLC 616-610-9705 donvz@skywayassociates.com

"Leaders Eat Last" by Simon Sinek is a great read full of thought-provoking insights, here are a few notable quotes: “Stress and anxiety at work have less to do with the work we do and more to do with weak management and leadership.”     “Leadership is about integrity, honesty and accountability. All components of trust.”   “Integrity is when our words and deeds are consistent with our intentions.”   “And when a leader embraces their responsibility to care for people instead of caring for numbers, then people will follow, solve problems and see to it that that leader’s vision comes to life the right way, a stable way and not the expedient way.”   “the true price of leadership is the willingness to place the needs of others above your own. Great leaders truly care about those they are privileged to lead and understand that the true cost of the leadership privilege comes at the expense of self-interest.”   “You can easily judge the character of a man by ho...

“When [what you are deeply passionate about, what you can be best in the world at and what drives your economic engine] come together, not only does your work move toward greatness, but so does your life. For, in the end, it is impossible to have a great life unless it is a meaningful life. And it is very difficult to have a meaningful life without meaningful work. Perhaps, then, you might gain that rare tranquility that comes from knowing that you’ve had a hand in creating something of intrinsic excellence that makes a contribution. Indeed, you might even gain that deepest of all satisfactions: knowing that your short time here on this earth has been well spent, and that it mattered.”  ―  James C. Collins ,  Good to Great This inspirational quote is a great reminder that the meaning behind what one does both personally and within an organization is a major driver of motivation beyond the dollars and cents. Often, what drives organizations to be great is a joint effort...

"In the purpose revolution those willing to boldly take a stand will be rewarded. If your purpose is real, it will resonate." "Best Practices for Initiating the Purpose Advantage: 1. Honestly assess where your company stands regarding purpose and how well it is positioned for the purpose revolution. Can you easily identify your company's purpose and how it is being approached and activated? 2. Consider your business case for purpose. Can you and other leaders clearly articulate your company's purpose and how it makes a difference to your customers and society? 3. Research other companies in your industry to see how they are approaching the purpose revolution. What is the conversation around purpose at conferences, meetings, and industry-related events? 4. Read up on companies driving purpose in other industries as well, especially those that are global in nature. 5, Think about your personal values and how you are personally contributing to purpose in ...

Excerpts from "The Purpose Revolution" by John Izzo Great questions to assess your organization's purpose: "1. Do you know your company's purpose? What is it, and how does it relate to your work every day? 2. How often do you discuss concepts like purpose or values in formal meetings--or even in informal conversations with peers and colleagues?... 3. Do you believe that your company is ahead of the purpose revolution, in line with it, or falling behind it? 4. What issues in your company do you see as roadblocks to driving purpose? 5. Who owns purpose in the company? The CEO? Leaders? All employees? You?" "It's critical to test your purpose initiatives for business impact...such testing is ultimately about building a more authentic relationship with consumers built around your shared values." "For those companies clear about their own purpose, clear about their customer's values, and clear about their commitment to doing the r...

Notable Quotes: "Life takes you on twists and turns, and as much as you plan, you often find the best plan is to just roll with it. Sometimes the path to finding your strongest talents, the best you, and the person you were meant to be looks nothing like your plan, and nothing like society's norm. Learning to be adaptable and to consciously maximize the outcomes of the twists and turns produces a maximized life." "To navigate the peaks and valleys of life with confidence and gusto, you must be in the front car of the roller coaster at all times. There is no joy riding in the back. You are the creator and operator of this ride, so you must prioritize, choose carefully, and live out those priorities that take up valuable time and energy. This is a critical message for every one of us. Our life circumstances differ, but we all face the challenges of establishing and integrating our priorities. You cannot have a twenty-car roller coaster. It cannot take the curve...

The Purpose Revolution by Dr. John Izzo What is purpose? You are a blessing and you have a chance to be a blessing everyday.   View purpose as associated with: 1. Job 2. Career 3. Making a difference—calling, perform better on every metric What is a purpose revolution?  That thing besides money and status Purpose Gap The How: 1. Do we have a purpose? “Claim a purpose that fits” ; make someone’s day, winning at purpose—real, authentic. Drive job purpose, not merely function. 2. Can people see it? Create line of sight to purpose. Create space for purpose. Anybody make a difference in life of customers? Branch meeting beginning of everyday—>Increased productivity and passion. *Clear, authentic, believable* 3. Do people feel a part of it?  4. Can people feel it? We only believe 16% of what company says, 63% of what employees say we believe. Four ways you can drive purpose: 1. Live your own purpose 2. Bring your ...