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Dr. Bill
Hi there, welcome to the biz communication show. I’m your host, Bill Lampton the biz communication guy, bringing you communication tips and strategies that will boost your business. Because my distinguished guest will share winning words and weighs with us. Join me today as we welcome coming to us from the Tampa Florida area. Greg Cummings, Greg started learning about leadership and communication and teamwork as a scholarship, college basketball player, after college, he joined enterprise rent a car in the greater Boston area, where his hard work, dedication and eagerness to learn propelled him up the ranks. Hey, that’s a pretty good combination. Greg then gained valuable experience in the finance world before transitioning to the global branding and marketing industry. His entrepreneurial spirit eventually led him to partner in a window and door company where he achieved tremendous success. And this industry in this leadership role, Greg and vision forming power 100, a platform designed to spotlight leaders and the window and door industry who go above and beyond to provide exceptional service and care for their clients. We’re fortunate to have Greg with us to talk about how exceptional leaders communicate their way to the top. So join me, please, and welcoming Greg Cummings. Hello, Greg.
Greg Cummings
How you doing? Bill? Thanks so much for having me. I appreciate the intro.
Dr. Bill
Yes, well, have you. You had much more background that we’ll talk about during our conversation here. I want to start with your early introduction to being a member of a team and learning about leadership and communication. You were a scholarship basketball player at St. Anselm College and New Hampshire. I never played a team sport I I was on my college golf team. And that’s strictly on individual sports. So I didn’t get the benefits that you got with a real interactive with a group team sport. What lessons and communication? Did you learn as a college basketball player that you early on to distill are valuable to you?
Greg Cummings
Yeah, that’s a that’s a good question. And I kind of learned it’s a two fold answer for me. So there’s what I learned in the moment was hard work and follow the lead. But then, you know, once you kind of get past being able to work hard, and make, you know, the team better, the big thing that I learned years down the road, was that I think maybe you had an advantage where you played an individual sport where it was about you. Because you’re taught at a very, very, very young age and team sports, that it’s not about you, it’s about the team, whatever’s best for the team, whatever is best for the team. But especially as I you know, as I matured and come through life and had I’ve had kids of my own, you start to realize as a leader and as a parent, that if you don’t take care of not necessarily yourself at the top. But if you don’t provide the right foundations for you to be successful, then everybody else won’t be successful. The only way my kids are going to have a good foundation, my employees, my clients are gonna have a good foundation as if I have created an outstanding foundation for myself. So I think that the most important thing in sports, especially as an adolescent or in college, is those that the commitment to sports into the team and to your friends and, and your school and how you handle yourself. It channels you and forces you to make better decisions, I believe. But it also doesn’t teach you that once you’re outside of those walls, you really need to be selfish with your learning in order to give to everybody else.
Dr. Bill
I like that And in fact, you remind me of something that has come more to the forefront in recent months, maybe in the past two to three years. And that is that before a leader can take care of everybody else, the leader has to take care of himself or herself. I think, for example of Ariana Huffington well known internationally, the founder of The Huffington Post. And one thing Ariana Huffington has been saying in recent years is, too many people who want to become outstanding leaders burn themselves out, because they go with that old theory, which is, keep your nose to the grindstone, burn the midnight oil, work harder and longer than anybody else. And Ariana Huffington said, as productive as she is, she discovered several years ago, the the best way to be at your maximum is to take efficiency and productivity is to take care of yourself. And so she advocates eight to eight and a half hours sleep a night. And as when you get this you have more balanced emotions, you have more energy, you have more stamina, have you had any experiences along those lines of maybe starting out having to do the 24 hour seven stuff and then finding out that didn’t work?
Greg Cummings
Yeah, for sure. 100% That is that is very real. And so especially at power 100, where one of our key factors is innovation. A leader cannot innovate, if their noses down, and they’re working, like you said, 24/7, or even if they’re just working 10 hours a day, it doesn’t leave time to truly innovate the process. And I have lived by a philosophy and I’ve taught and all my employees and, and people I’ve mentored along the way is if you’re not moving forward, you’re going backwards, because life is on a treadmill. And if you’re not running faster than that treadmill, you’re never ever going against the you’re never going to gain any anywhere. And in fact, this moment you rest you’re on your head. So a great leader has to make the time to get the sleep to get the nutrition, to exercise to have a clear head to network with other people to observe what is on the horizon from an industrial, you know, from an industry perspective, as well as from an economic perspective. You know, do you roll something out and put a big dollar, you know, big put a big dollar amount out, you know, at the beginning of an election year might not be the best. But if you think this is the now and then and you’re desperate, you might you might fall in your own sword, as they say, right. So a great leader always has controlled where their footing is, and their eyes are always looking downfield. But yet they also know everything that’s going on in their business, whether it’s them personally, or they have a team reporting to them. And that’s how that’s how the leaders have to operate. And when I look at the 1000s of leaders that that we manage in our database, every single one of them in the in the top 100 Have those core values of innovation, and their eyes are downfield. Now they’re working their butts off, don’t get me wrong, but they have to innovate.
Dr. Bill
Speaking of innovation, tell us about how you got honored by Forbes magazine as an innovator?
Greg Cummings
Well, it was it got brought up because I don’t want to say that we’re disrupting the industry. But we are, we are taking the pay to play model completely out. This is power 100 is not a pay to play, we have created a win 100% non bias five layer proprietary ranking system through algorithms and AI. And what that does is we put out this list every single year, and it comes out in July. And so when we kind of break that mold of there’s a lot of people that probably aren’t happy where they’re saying, Okay, we want the pay to play rankings or the pay to play ads or the recommendations or the you know, ratings, whatever it is. I don’t care about all that. The only thing that I care about is providing a service that I wanted when I was in the day to day window indoors. And what that was is I wanted to get into a knock down drag out fight with my competition, who I wanted to compete against, right. I wanted to compete against other people that we’re going to put in the right product that we’re going to not skip an install the right way that we’re going to have a lifetime warranty. All of these things that are important that provide a lot of value to the client. I went I was okay to compete with them, I was not okay competing with people, you know, a guy in a truck or somebody that put an inferior product that told the customer it was a great product, you know, or whatever. There’s 100 different scenarios, right. And I think the construction industry as a whole has gotten a bad rap, because of the 80% of the people that are, that are taking advantage of the the latter of what I was just talking about. But the reality is when you operate, and when you when you host the top 20%, the top 10, the top 5%, the top 1% of this, especially within the window, indoor space, you’re getting the best customer service, and the best warranty out of anything that you could possibly buyer, or
Dr. Bill
one of the things that, that I’ve determined over 20 years and management myself and then the next 20 as a management and and sea level is executive consultant is that providing value, as you just mentioned, if providing more value is your main driving force, then you deserve to be in that top 100. Our top 10 are whatever. And one of the things about the industry that we’re talking about the window and door industry, the average consumer, like me, really knows nothing about the product. I can say that I think on equivocal me, I don’t know for sure, maybe
Greg Cummings
let’s face it, you you replace your windows once, maybe twice in your lifetime. Yes, if you have multiple homes, so that there’s no experienced buyer out there.
Dr. Bill
And so how do we know what’s good product? How do we know what’s good service if we only do that every 20 or 25 years, that’s why someone who’s unethical are only profit driven in the industry can get by but they’re they’re not they’ll never be in power. 100 Greg, I need to share with you getting back to college athletics and what we learned from that as a lifetime experience. I would imagine you’re familiar as our viewers and listeners are with Fran Tarkenton friend talkington was an outstanding quarterback at University of Georgia. I live in Georgia. So I know the the Georgia story quite well. He played 18 seasons of professional football. Then over the last 30 or 40 years, he’s also been a highly successful business guy. He’s on LinkedIn where you and I got to know each other. On LinkedIn recently, he posted a short video, which talked about his freshman year at University of Georgia. He said in this little video which I encourage everybody to go watch. In this short video, he said when I went to Georgia, I was I didn’t go there to sit on the bench. I went there to play and I didn’t want to wait. So midway through his freshman year, and the coach had told him you’re redshirted, and that was that was the category where he couldn’t play. It winds up that they want they’re going to Austin Texas to play University of Texas. The game is dragging on Georgia is getting nowhere. Fran is sitting on the bench as usual. And then Texas ponson, Georgia gets the ball on the five yard line, their own five yard line, and Fran Tarkenton without looking at the coach. Instead of the quarterback, regular quarterback, Charlie Britt going in, Fran Tarkenton runs in and when it gets to the huddle the guys look at him and say, you can’t be here you’re redshirted, and he said Not anymore. And the lesson from that Fran Tarkenton pointed out is don’t let anybody else tell you what your limitations are, are don’t let anybody else what you have what you can or cannot do. And you and I both, having been either participants are longtime fans of college athletics have come across many stories that are applicable to business. We will be back in just a few seconds. I want to talk with you more about the power 100
Speaker 3
Do you wish you felt confident about giving speeches? Do you want to deal with difficult people constructive When? And what about becoming more persuasive, and sales, then keep listening now to Dr. Bill Lampton, he spent 20 years in management, so he knows the communication skills you need for success. I urge you to call the business communication guide today for a no cost, but very valuable 30 minute discussion about your communication challenges. Call now. 678-316-4300. Again, that’s 678-316-4300.
Dr. Bill
I commend you, Greg, for creating something that recognizes excellence, you know, ever since we were kids, we we wanted and we cherished and we still keep awards I’ve got, I’ve got a plaque that I was given as probably a 12 year old at a summer camp. Out recognition encourages us recognition and spurs us on. So let’s talk some more about the power 100. You mentioned a a five layer ranking system, is that something you can put in plain English for us to understand?
Greg Cummings
I don’t know about plain English, but I can try. So the five layer proprietary ranking system has five layers, how about that? The first three layers are essentially public information, combined with an internal algorithm that is designed to start everybody off with a level playing field and then filter down to the results that you see. And then the bottom two layers have to do with verification of those findings. So it’s very, very important to not only have the algorithm so what it does is it combines both that AI algorithm as well as that human touch interaction, to where we’re able to verify, you know, and if you’re looking at it from a consumers standpoint, they have said something a company has said that they’re good, they have experience, they have clients that say that they’re good reviews that support it Better Business Bureau complaints, they’ve handled issues. But then we have actually put our power 100 eyes on it, and hands on it, to verify that everything that we’ve seen is correct, and is legit. It’s a it’s an element that is missing from every single ranking system that’s out there on the internet.
Dr. Bill
So the do leaders apply for this are no, no, they don’t you identify them,
Greg Cummings
they have no idea that they’re on the list. That’s what makes it a true unbiased platform, they, we have our list, that is we have 7600 with other CEOs in our database. And that’s of all shapes and sizes. And then pretty much our algorithm basically cuts that down to a third very, very quickly, before we’re able to then filter through the top. But at the end of the day, the CEOs and the companies have no say where they are on it whatsoever. That is what makes it genuine. So it’s pretty powerful.
Dr. Bill
I noticed the recognition that you give the power of 100 on the website, which you can mention at the end of our conversation. I’m wondering, do you ever have any gathering of these people? Do you bring them together anywhere?
Greg Cummings
It’s a great question. So we just formed our first power group, the power groups are going to be with like minded individuals, that is a combination of experience, and I guess youth and so then people are going to be able to share what works, what doesn’t work, and they’re going to be able to operate that under a nondisclosure. And also, like I said, non competing markets. So there’s going to be some tremendous value to the network once they’re on an in the top 100 list that they’re going to be able to use. And the whole premise is to give the good guys the tools and the platform to get better every single day. That’s what’s most important. So yes, power groups is coming. We’re also filming power podcast right now that called Power chats. Power chats are going to roll out in the summer. And it’s going to be a way that the communities can actually see and meet the CEO and the leader of these companies, which I believe is the most important thing if a CEO is willing to stand up, raise their hand, say this is my company, I stand behind it, then they’re willing to do that for their clients every single time right? If a CEO just sits in his desk and back office and you never see him, that’s not necessarily the innovative leader that you want in the window indoor space. Now they can’t get to everybody. Right? So that’s what I’m here for is to give them that stage to where they can get to everybody.
Dr. Bill
You In the CEO sitting in the back office, I spent 20 years in management and I saw some of the best practices. But I also saw some of the worst. And one of them I remember was a CEO, and the organization I worked for, who had a, it was almost a secret entrance to the building.
Greg Cummings
Yeah, I’ve seen that. I’ve seen that multiple times. Yes, yes. Where
Dr. Bill
they, they, you know, they want to go to that, that C suite and be invisible. And another part of that, and I know you’ve seen this as well, is where the CEO and we used to call them the suits, but nobody wears suits anymore, right. But the top leaders will go to the company cafeteria for lunch, and, and they all sit together there. They’re isolated.
Greg Cummings
Yeah.
Dr. Bill
I spent some time professionally and philanthropy. I noticed that the charitable involvement of CEOs is one of the criteria that you use and deciding who’s going to be in the power 100. How was that you came to that decision? Greg, what, what makes it so important in evaluating leadership,
Greg Cummings
it’s pretty simple. It’s not what anybody thinks. And it’s not what anybody wants to hear. Now, it’s, there’s two fold charity is phenomenal, and it does great things. And giving back is one of the most important things to me and my family. However, the reason it’s such a influential piece on the top 100, is because if a company has time and financial resources to go out and do these things, then that means they’re well managed. It’s a checks and balances system. So little wink, check, it’s, it’s a cheat, right? Like, if a company is doing a bunch of their but have a film crew go out and they’re able to build a house or put windows in or, or have their employees work a food drive on a Saturday, that tells me that the employees are bought in the culture is strong, it tells me that they have the financial resources, which means their business is strong. And it tells me that they have a good heart, because they’re spending their time wisely. And those are the three Those are three main main points in a in a fantastic leader. Now, if that leader is actually at that food, pantry, or if they’re actually on site with a hammer and nail or whatever the case may be, then that even exemplifies it even more. But a lot of times, these companies are big, they have multiple locations, they’re regionally strong, they’re not always going to be there. And so they’re able to facilitate that that is just truly impactful. And it’s one of the main it’s one of the larger points of emphasis on power 100, thank you for bringing that up.
Dr. Bill
It certainly makes an impact when a company is not just for profit alone, but they become involved in the community. Many of the leaders that I’ve had the opportunity to either work for are then later work with as a consultant. Many of them have a calendar that’s, that’s pretty well filled with participation, and nonprofit organizations and not only participation, but generosity as well. And that’s that, of course, I go back to a name that many people might not know. But they’ve seen that name on libraries and institutions across the United States and even the world. And that’s Andrew Carnegie. Andrew Carnegie came to this country from Scotland. And he, he is I remember, I’ve read his autobiography. And as I remember, he retired at age 35, after being a true Megastar in the development of the steel industry. And he retired at 35. So that he could, he could devote his time to philanthropy and his name is on so many organizations as a result.
Greg Cummings
Yeah. Isn’t that powerful?
Dr. Bill
Powerful? That’s that’s a great legacy, isn’t it? It is. Greg, it’s been fascinating to host you. And I want to ask you, would there be any two things First of all, and a closing comments on your part that sort of pull this all together about the power 100 And you’re shining a light on the people who are doing things right, any closing comment and also your contact information?
Greg Cummings
Yeah, absolutely. Well, first of all, thank you very much for having me. I would be remiss if I didn’t thank every one of my CEOs that are on the list that are doing the right thing every single day by their clients and putting this industry, shining star on it, if you will. And as far as the top five, for this last year’s list, it’s James Freeman, number one, fantastic leader, followed by Adam blank. And then Brian Brooks, John de Pola junior, senior and junior, and just that house. So that kind of rounds out the top five, our premise is to give these, these great leaders a true platform to be seen and heard on. So I want to follow through and mention them by name, this way they’re able to, they’re able to get a little something out of everything that we do. But everyone else has done an amazing job as well. And really look forward to next year’s list, its comes out our list comes out every July. So we’re getting ready to launch a new list. And it’s very important that, you know, we film as many podcasts as we can as we roll out this new year’s campaign. And we’re able to really show everybody and introduce all these CEOs to their audience, and eliminate the middleman. So the message is able to come straight from the leader, straight to the consumer. And that’s a very powerful thing to do. And that’s what we’re at. We’re very, very much looking forward to it. Anybody can check out our Power Rankings honorable mention and awards, and recognition and charitable works on we’re on LinkedIn is a very powerful updated platform, as well as our website is power one hundred.io That’s power one hundred.io. So and then you could always reach out to us, you can fill out a form online and reach out to us on our website, we’ll be happy to have a conversation. And if you want to be a guest on our podcast, please do that as well or just reach out to me directly on LinkedIn.
Dr. Bill
Greg who have demonstrated the communication skills that I teach executives hoping that they will get them
Greg Cummings
well I didn’t even know I was doing it. So I appreciate it.
Dr. Bill
And now that you’ve given your contact information, I’m happy to give mine my YouTube channel I invite you to go to my YouTube channel and and the search area type in my YouTube moniker which is Bill Lampton Ph. D. And while you’re there, be sure to hit the subscribe button I checked the other day. I have 440 communication instruction videos there. And over the last few years, many of them are comprised of the biz communication show, where I’ve had the privilege of hosting leaders like Greg Cummings, and then certainly go to my website since I’m the biz communication guy. And logically, the website is biz bi Z biz communication guy.com Certainly, I invite you to give me a phone call, no obligation for an initial discussion about your communication challenges and problems and how I can assist you with them. That number is 678-316-4300. I want to thank Greg Cummings again for being with us today. Thank you for those of you who joined us, and we invite you to be with us again find the next edition of the biz communication show. When again, we will bring tips and strategies that boost your business and you will have winning words and ways
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
