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They have developed customized leasing programs specific to the needs of our industry. Clune has taken away many of the inherent dangers associated with presenting a lease that eventually end up holding our customers hostage. The beauty of Clune is that they have taken away the pain of the past and packaged a solution that will offer overall long-term value for our customers and us. We are also better protected against losing a customer's future business.

James O'Keefe, R.S. Knapp Co Inc

The Five Characteristics of a World Class Company

By Kevin Clune, CLP

At a recent Equipment Lease & Finance Association Conference, all in attendance were intrigued to hear the keynote motivational speaker, Jason Jennings, disclose "the Five Characteristics of a World Class Company." In today's sluggish economy, business owners of all stripes are anxious to glean even one kernel of advice to enable them to achieve more success.

Surprisingly, all five characteristics concerned internal management. I would classify the observations as a "Five Step Tough-Love Program," encouraging business owners to make some honest assessments. Since the principles are universally applicable, I wanted to share them with you.

1. Build Culture by Communicating a "Cause"
2. Let Go
3. Strategy Awareness
4. All Should Think as Owners
5. Stewardship

What is the non-financial reason that gives meaning to your job? A company can create a culture of cooperation and strong relationships if this can be defined. A review of companies such as JM Smucker and Staples revealed that employees took great satisfaction from delivering a quality product.

"Let Go" is code for managers to listen to their employees who are working in the trenches with their customers. These members of the organization should be empowered to represent their company. A good employer will delegate and trust their staff to act on his/her behalf and serve the best interest of the company.

The best way for an employer to achieve the confidence he/she can trust to delegate is to communicate the strategy. The McDonald's restaurants strategy is to deliver consistent products at lightning speed. The Quik Trip Store clerks always say "Hello" when a customer arrives and "Have a nice day," when they leave. These are simple but powerful components of a strategy that everyone can understand and implement.

Internal retreats have become a proven method of dialogue between business owners and employees. One of the tactics of these sessions is role play - where everyone is asked to imagine they had assumed the role of Owner. Being in someone else's shoes is very revealing.

The charge of being a good steward of one's company strikes at the heart of every business owner. All in attendance were asked to scrutinize their actions by answering the following questions:

• Are you humble?
• Do you share information?
• Do you get your hands dirty?
• Do you stand for something?
• Are you a good coach and mentor?
• Do you answer the call to serve?

A healthy relationship between an employer and employee and between a firm and its clients is a delicate one to be respected by both groups and is integral to the success of a company. By sharing this synopsis with you, it is my hope that you can find a lesson that would provide you with a cause in your job, a culture in your company, a sense of empowerment, ownership in your business, a desire to be a good steward and above all, continued success.

To learn more, read Hit The Ground Running by Jason Jennings, or visit http://www.jennings-solutions.com.

Kevin F. Clune, CLP, is the second generation owner of Clune & Company, a 50 year-old capital equipment leasing firm located at 5950 Roe Avenue, Mission, KS 66205. Visit them on the web and sign up for their bi-monthly newsletter at www.clune.net.