Fm Evolution

SummaryIn this episode of Service Evolution, host Jim Robinson dives deep into the transformative power of human resources with none other than the three-time MVP award-winning HR powerhouse, Maria Johnson. With her remarkable approach to hiring and fostering a culture rooted in compassion and values, Maria is changing the game in the corporate world.From the outset, Jim sets the tone by highlighting Maria's exceptional ability to integrate gut instinct with professional insight in hiring practices. Maria's journey into her current role began with meticulous research and an initial interview with the company's CFO, where she felt an immediate connection that resonated with her personal and professional values. This pivotal moment solidified her resolve to join a company that truly values HR as a service-oriented department.A central theme of the episode is the concept of "second chance hiring"—a practice that Maria champions passionately. Her approach is predicated on the belief that everyone, regardless of t

SummaryIn this episode of Service Evolution, host Jim Robinson is joined by Lori Prust, owner and coach at SOAR Clarity, a company on a mission to help women recognize their worth, live in their strengths, and recognize their blind spots, leading to more joyful and focused lives. SOAR’s vision is to foster a new trend of unconventional women, helping them cultivate self-awareness while empowering them to uplift and support others in their community.Lori shares her personal story of feeling out of alignment in her corporate job, and credits Jim as one of the catalysts who encouraged her to explore her passion further. With his mentorship and her own introspection, Lori became a life coach certified and eventually left her secure but unsatisfying corporate career. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing and nurturing one's unique strengths and talents.Furthermore, a unique aspect of Lori’s journey is her collaboration with her daughter, Anna, in building SOAR. This mother-daughter duo combines their streng

SummaryIn this episode of Service Evolution, host Jim Robinson discusses the importance of building strong vendor relationships and how to maximize these partnerships for better service and pricing. He emphasizes the need for clarity in communication when selecting facility service providers. By being crystal clear about your needs and expectations upfront, you can better assess whether a vendor can meet your demands and create a strong alignment. Jim provides examples from his own experiences, highlighting the critical role of communication and reliability in maintaining successful vendor relationships.Jim also touches on negotiation strategies for facility managers, explaining that understanding the true value of the service being provided is crucial. He encourages setting clear expectations and understanding market demands to ensure fair pricing without compromising service quality. Additionally, Jim discusses identifying red flags that suggest a vendor may not be the right fit, such as poor communication

SummaryIn the latest episode of Service Evolution, host Jim Robinson sits down with Kyle Maynard, a world-class athlete, entrepreneur, motivational leader, and author. Born a quad amputee, Kyle’s arms end at the elbows and his legs at the knees, but his limitless determination has propelled him to incredible heights, like becoming a top high school wrestler and MMA fighter, to climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and Aconcagua.Kyle shares how the decisions made by his parents early on shaped his perspective on adversity. Rather than focusing on his disability, they fostered a sense of normalcy and encouraged him to pursue his goals without excuses. Kyle credits this approach for his mindset of resilience and innovation, explaining that “energy goes where the attention flows.”Throughout the episode, Kyle and Jim discuss the importance of rethinking limits, whether in mountain climbing or business leadership. Kyle’s climbs are vivid metaphors for tackling life's challenges step by step. He recounts bear-crawling up thirt

SummaryIn this part two episode of Service Evolution, Jim Robinson welcomes back Aaron Walker for a deeper dive into leadership that transcends profit, provoking thought around what it truly means to lead a life anchored in values.Aaron shares his journey to discovering the five pillars: personal, professional, relational, spiritual, and financial. He candidly recalls how early focus on financial success led to personal sacrifice, highlighting the significance of holistic growth. For Aaron, leadership is not just about business wins; it’s about focusing on the things that matter and maintaining balance and authenticity across life’s essential areas.Listeners are prompted to take practical, small steps by defining aspirational goals in each pillar, whether it be mastering a hobby, nurturing deep friendships, or cultivating spiritual habits. Aaron’s framework encourages envisioning future accomplishments, then reverse-engineering a strategy to reach them. Both he and Jim stress the power of consistency and auth

SummaryIn the latest episode of Service Evolution, host Jim Robinson welcomes Aaron Walker for a deep dive into the intersection of business, family, faith, and personal growth. With forty-seven years of entrepreneurial experience and as the founder of Iron Sharpens Iron Brotherhood (ISI), Aaron shares his remarkable journey from financial success to finding true significance.Aaron recounts a pivotal moment in his life: an accident that forced him to question the legacy he’d leave behind. He realized that wealth alone was an empty pursuit without meaningful relationships and positive impact. This led him to focus on helping others be successful and significant, channeling his energy into mastermind groups, coaching, and personal development journeys.He details the importance of accountability, community, and core values, insisting that isolation is the enemy of excellence. He encourages all business leaders, especially small business owners, to pause and write out their true core values, ensuring alignment wi

SummaryIn the latest episode of Service Evolution, host Jim Robinson and his guests, Neil McQuiston and Skyler Coffey, unpack what’s changing and what’s working in the world of sales for the trades industry. One of the biggest takeaways from their conversation is that embracing new technology isn’t just a trend, it’s a necessity. Jim emphasizes how leveraging digital tools can streamline workflows, help businesses reach new customers, and set their service apart in a crowded market. From automated quoting systems to intuitive customer communication platforms, technology is empowering teams to spend less time on paperwork and more time delivering value.Neil adds another dimension to the discussion, stressing the importance of training and upskilling sales teams. He points out that, while technology can open doors, human relationships remain at the core of successful trades sales. Building trust and rapport with clients can't be replaced by software, but tools can enhance these efforts by making sales professio

SummaryIn the latest episode of Service Evolution, host Jim Robinson and his guests, Neil McQuiston and Skyler Coffey, explore one of the most crucial facets of facility maintenance sales: building genuine, lasting partnerships through trust. The conversation unveils actionable strategies that elevate relationships beyond transactions, exploring how authentic rapport ultimately leads to long-term business success.The episode kicks off with a discussion on the significance of honesty in every interaction. Jim, Neil, and Skyler share personal experiences where transparent communication was the difference maker, not just for closing deals, but for setting the stage for enduring collaboration. They stress that honesty, especially about limitations or challenges, actually strengthens credibility in the eyes of clients.Another highlight centers around understanding client needs by actively listening. The team emphasizes moving away from script-driven sales conversations and taking the time to learn what clients tru

SummaryIn the latest episode of Service Evolution, Jim Robinson, Neil McQuiston, and Skyler Coffey, come together to tackle one of the most critical and often overlooked elements of sales success: building a winning sales culture.The conversation kicks off with each speaker sharing what sales culture means to them. Neil emphasizes that it’s about more than just numbers—it’s the foundation of teamwork, motivation, and trust. Skyler adds that a healthy sales culture creates an environment where people feel supported, challenged, and empowered to improve. Jim, drawing from his experiences in team leadership, highlights the importance of transparent communication and recognizing every win, no matter how small.The trio dig into practical steps for cultivating this culture. They discuss everything from hiring for cultural fit to ongoing coaching, and the value of setting shared goals. One standout point: sales leaders should model the attitudes and work ethics they want to see. This sets the tone for the rest of th

SummaryIn the latest episode of Service Evolution, Jim Robinson pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to be a leader in the trades, a topic rarely explored with such honesty and depth. With more than forty years of industry experience, Jim goes beyond the typical leadership advice to address the hard truths and subtle nuances that define effective leadership on the job site.Jim emphasizes that titles and positions aren’t what make someone a true leader. He shares candid stories about how simply giving someone a fancy title, like “VP,” won’t automatically earn them respect. Instead, leadership is about influence, inspiration, and genuinely making a difference in people’s lives. New leaders often need to unlearn the misconception that authority comes with a job title. Respect and trust are earned through consistent, significant actions, not handed out with a promotion.One of the most insightful takeaways? Leadership advice often fails to translate from the conference room to the field. It’s all about p

SummaryIn the latest episode of Service Evolution, host Jim Robinson sits down for a second session with leadership expert Josh Foliart to dive deep into what it truly takes to lead under pressure. Their conversation is a masterclass in practical leadership, offering both seasoned executives and emerging leaders invaluable tools for self-awareness, time management, and people development.Josh kicks off by addressing the "fog of war" that leaders experienced during the Covid era, and how uncertainty, rather than order, is the birthplace of real leadership. He makes the compelling case that management handles what’s certain whereas leadership thrives where things are uncertain. Additionally, Josh explains that leaders can’t use the “not enough time” excuse, emphasizing the importance of owning your calendar and guarding the hours when you’re at your best.The discussion then shifts to the art of leading people who are different or even difficult to understand. Josh encourages leaders to seek common ground, echoi

SummaryIn the latest episode of Service Evolution, host Jim Robinson sits down with Josh Foliart, founder of Multiply Global, to discuss the real foundation of leadership and what it takes to be a truly influential leader. From humble beginnings and a desire to be a football coach, Josh shares how mentorship, faith, and pivotal life experiences shaped his journey to launching a global initiative that now supports leaders across eight countries.Josh emphasizes that leadership isn’t just about titles or positions, it’s about developing trust, having the courage to say yes, and being open to coaching. He notes that many leaders around the world have the drive but lack essential resources and relationships. Multiply Global aims to bridge this gap, journeying long-term with individuals defined by their willingness to be coached and their courage to lead.A key takeaway from the episode is Josh’s deep dive into the importance of trust in leadership. He highlights the four Cs—character, chemistry, competency, and cre

SummaryIn the latest episode of Service Evolution, host Jim Robinson sits down with former NFL long snapper and Super Bowl champion Brett Goode for a powerful conversation about life after football, transitioning to entrepreneurship, and the importance of building a winning culture—on and off the field.Brett’s story is one of perseverance and adaptability. After years of rigorous discipline as a professional athlete, Brett faced the daunting task of reinventing himself once his football career ended. He describes how, after dealing with injuries and the unique challenges of that transition, he spent time focusing on self-discovery before launching himself into new ventures. Guided by the same drive and work ethic that took him to the NFL, Brett entered the insurance industry, became a licensed real estate agent, and eventually founded a pest control franchise, Mosquito Squad, in Northwest Arkansas.What stands out in this episode is Brett’s commitment to continuous improvement and his belief in doing the littl

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 y

SummaryIn the latest episode of Service Evolution, host Jim Robinson sits down with James Hatfield, the chief revenue officer at LiveSwitch, to explore innovative solutions that are simplifying operations for service businesses. Whether you’re in contracting, facility management, or leading large teams across multiple locations, this episode is packed with practical tech insights you can’t afford to miss.James shares his journey from running a painting and power washing company to launching groundbreaking technology aimed at streamlining project documentation and communication. Frustrated by the inefficiencies he faced as a contractor, James partnered up to create tools that transform how contractors interpret their finances and manage their work. Their tech journey led them to LiveSwitch, a powerful platform that’s now setting new standards for real-time, remote video assistance and documentation.LiveSwitch stands out for its effortless user experience, requiring nothing more than sending a text message to s

SummaryIn the latest episode of Service Evolution, host Jim Robinson sits down with powerhouse marketer and marketing director of IDIQ, Sarah Williams, to unravel the unique challenges and strategies for marketing in the trades. With decades of industry experience and a proven track record, Sarah delivers a goldmine of actionable insights for business owners looking to level up their marketing game.One central theme is the gap that trade professionals often face when bridging hands-on expertise with modern marketing best practices. As Sarah points out, knowing your craft inside and out doesn’t automatically translate into knowing how to run meta ads, execute effective email campaigns, or navigate the ever-evolving digital landscape. She emphasizes the importance of targeting marketing efforts locally, since most trade businesses serve specific geographic areas where word-of-mouth and community relationships still reign supreme.Additionally, Sarah and Jim dive deep into how the trades differ from other industr

SummaryIn the latest episode of Service Evolution, host Jim Robinson dives into the evolving world of fire protection with JC Mosquera, President and CEO of National Fire Protection. This insightful conversation uncovers how cutting-edge technology and AI are poised to transform fire safety as we know it.JC, a seasoned expert with humble beginnings as a technician, shares how his hands-on experience shaped his customer-first approach. His company isn’t just focused on compliance; they’re at the forefront of innovation, working directly with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to develop AI-driven solutions. Imagine a future where AI-powered cameras can detect smoke at the vapor stage, preventing disasters before sprinklers are even triggered. This isn’t science fiction; JC reveals his team is preparing to beta test these systems in retail environments later this year.Beyond the technology, the conversation highlights JC’s commitment to leadership and empowering others. He’s building more than just

SummaryIn part two of this episode of Service Evolution, Jim Robinson continues his deep-dive conversation with Nathan Whittacre, CEO of Stimulus Technologies. If you missed part one, it’s worth circling back! This follow-up builds on their discussion and delivers even more actionable insight for leaders trying to make sense of today’s rapidly changing tech landscape.Nathan and Jim tackle the common challenge of technology overwhelm. Many business owners chase the latest software or gadgets, only to find they don’t solve real problems. Nathan stresses the importance of starting with clear business objectives, then finding the right and necessary tech solutions that serve your goals. It’s about working smarter, not harder, and not letting flashy trends distract from core business needs.A major highlight of the episode is Nathan’s pragmatic approach to cybersecurity. He simplifies what can often feel like an overwhelming topic, explaining that most breaches start with compromised emails. As a result, businesses

SummaryIn this episode of Service Evolution, Jim Robinson is joined by Nathan Whittacre, CEO of Stimulus Technologies, to explore the journey of building a tech-driven company from the ground up, the evolving landscape of AI, and the importance of authentic leadership.Nathan shares how his passion for technology, ignited as a teenager, became the launching pad for Stimulus Technologies—now celebrating thirty years in business. He emphasizes the seismic shifts in how businesses use technology, recalling a time when email and internet access were rare in daily operations. Nathan’s story is a testament to adaptability and learning by doing; much of his business acumen, he admits, was acquired outside the classroom.Tech leadership, Nathan asserts, is about authenticity, continuous learning, and fostering a strong company culture. He candidly discusses pitfalls, like chasing every new opportunity at the expense of focus, and reveals that saying “no” can be as vital as innovation. AI, the current “white rabbit,” is

SummaryIn this episode of Service Evolution, Jim Robinson sits down again with Matt Hackett, Director of Operations at CGP, to peel back the curtain on what it means to keep projects—and people—moving in the world of service and construction. This isn’t just about fixing problems; it’s about reassuring, communicating, and building trust with clients when they need it most.Matt brings his years of operations experience to the table, sharing how his team at CGP approaches the whirlwind of client pain points. From major plumbing disasters to everyday maintenance issues, his philosophy stays the same: meet clients where they’re at, validate their concerns, and over-communicate every step of the way. The result is clarity, confidence, and a feeling among clients that they’re truly being cared for.A highlight of the episode is the story of a monumental rescue at a prominent restaurant, where CGP turned around what was forecasted as a four-month shutdown to get the business back up in just seven weeks. Matt and Jim