Last week our country lost a true friend, leader and mentor, Dr. Leon Danco. Considered the nation’s foremost authority on family-owned business and privately-held companies, Dr. Danco was a pioneer in this field. He founded family-business studies and dedicated over 50 years to understanding the unique dynamics, issues and opportunities of family and the family business. He was a speaker, consultant and author of many books on this subject, including Beyond Survival: A guide for the Business Owner and His Family. But, he is most well known for his sage mentorship of families and individuals, instilling in them the importance of a transformative principle: take care of the family business, as well as “the business of the family.” With this counsel, he helped business owners to salvage relationships, create healthy families, and prosperous organizations.
Clay Mathile, former owner of The Iams Company and founder of Aileron, benefitted greatly from Dr. Danco’s wisdom. Clay acknowledges Dr. Danco as one of his most influential mentors, whose expertise and guidance helped Clay navigate his personal journey in the deep and unchartered waters of owning his family business.
(more…)
Joni Fedders is the president of Aileron, overseeing its strategic direction and operational activities.
A great example of how not to treat your customers.
I had a doctor’s appointment a few weeks ago and arrived exactly five minutes early… just like the person on the phone told me to do. I walked up and checked in at the window. I stood there for about a minute while the receptionist (who did not even acknowledge that I was there) finished what she was working on. Finally, she looked up, I gave her my name and she asked me to take a seat.
As I sat there waiting, I kept watch of the others around me – many of whom had been there longer than I had – and no one was going in to see the doctor. After thirty minutes of this I decided that I was done. I went up to the window to tell the receptionist that I was leaving. She was in total shock. She said something about running a little bit behind and that they should be with me shortly.
(more…)
Steve Staub is the president of Staub Manufacturing Solutions, a metal fabrication and manufacturing company based in Dayton, Ohio.
I recently walked into a local cafe/coffee shop to perform my morning ritual of consuming unhealthy amounts of caffeine while creating my action list for the day.
I surveyed the menu board as I approached the counter. Hmmm, no breakfast items. I did spy some bagels in a case off to my right, so I knew I wouldn’t starve to death. But I really wanted more than a bagel and I could have sworn I saw a guy eating a breakfast sandwich at a table near the door. I glanced back to verify, but he was gone. A hunger-induced mirage, no doubt.
The girl behind the counter said nothing. She just sat and watched me desperately look for something I clearly couldn’t find. I finally asked her “Do you have anything for breakfast besides bagels?” She silently reached under the counter and produced a plastic-coated breakfast menu.
Oh, I could go on and on about her lack of communication skills or customer service attitude, but I have a different point to make today.
(more…)
Mark is the creator and chief imagination officer of sparkspace, an inspirational business retreat center in Columbus, OH. Mark is also a keynote speaker, retreat leader, and author of Spark New Thinking.
This 4 minute film highlights Aileron’s commitment to helping private businesses grow.
At Aileron, we believe in free enterprise for the greater good. We believe in you because you choose to risk your personal capital to create jobs and opportunities for others. Your efforts strengthen your company, your employees and your community.
Thank you for the honor to work with you and your business. The experience is truly our privilege, our joy. Wishing you and yours a very prosperous New Year!
- Joni Fedders and the Aileron Team
Joni Fedders is the president of Aileron, overseeing its strategic direction and operational activities.
Middle-market executives are experts at managing their business, but quite often concentrate exclusively on tactical matters and don’t consider strategic opportunities. When you prepare your business for sale, you should examine the operations as if you were a buyer – both strategically and tactically.
One function often overlooked by entrepreneurs – technical experts in their field – is marketing. This does not simply mean selling to customers, but rather thinking about your business strategically.
(more…)
Mike Gendron is a partner with CFO Insight LLC, author and former CFO of both public and private global companies with annual revenues from $40 million to $1+ billion. His experience includes FDA regulated, high-tech electronics, and industrial manufacturing. He has written four books - International Business (1); Mergers & Acquisitions (2 books) and E-Business(1), and frequently presents at seminars around the US and offshore discussing Mergers & Acquisitions, Lean Business, and E-Business.
