The TomCast

Frontline Hiring Tactics with Fletcher Wimbush

Tom Adams — Thu, 12 Oct 2023 08:00:00 -0400

In this timely episode of the Shred Coach podcast, I sit down with Fletcher Wimbush, an expert in talent acquisition and frontline hiring. Dive into the mind of a man who, from a young age, has dedicated his life to understanding and perfecting the art of bringing the right people together to form an unstoppable team. From being the captain of his football team at 16 to leading major organizations, Wimbush's journey is filled with insights on how to build greatness through strategic hiring.

Fletcher underscores the significance of having the right individuals on board, emphasizing that the magic truly begins when the perfect synergy of talent aligns. His approach is holistic, considering both the technical skills and cultural fit when selecting candidates. Through the episode, listeners will gain a deeper understanding of the dynamics of talent acquisition, strategies for effective frontline hiring, and the subtle nuances that often make all the difference.

Fletcher and I delve into some of the common pitfalls companies face in the hiring process and discuss transformative solutions to overcome them. We also touch upon the evolving landscape of talent acquisition in the digital age and how organizations can stay ahead of the curve with really practical advice. Don't miss the section on how to do effective and illuminating reference checks. That alone is worth the price of admission.

Here are the exclusive giveaways Fletcher mentioned in the episode!

Download Fletcher's e-book here, How to Find Out if Your Perfect Candidate Leaves the Toilet Seat Up
Take the Hiring Effectiveness Audit Fletcher mentioned on the show

Learn more about Fletcher’s company and his Discovered Performance Hiring Software.
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Fletcher Wimbush
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fletcher-wimbush/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/WimbushFletcher
Website: DiscoveredATS

Mastering Marketing, Events, and Delivering 'Wow' Moments with Gina Lentine

Tom Adams — Thu, 14 Sep 2023 08:00:00 -0400

On this episode of The Shred Coach podcast, we get to know Gina Lentine, who serves as the Director of Marketing and Events at Legal Shred and MedXwaste franchise,

Gina's career is a tapestry of diverse experiences and challenges. We review Gina's early days in the hospitality sector, working with LXR Luxury Resorts in the Florida Keys. Gina recounts her time with a company offering concierge services tailored for the NASCAR community.

A major highlight of the episode is Gina's recounting of her entrepreneurial journey with "Assure Shred," a shredding business she co-founded with her mother. Gina touches upon the unique challenges they faced in the growth and development of the company. She also shares the importance of being involved in NAID and her leadership now in i-SIGMA as President-Elect.

Throughout the discussion, Gina's passion for delivering top-notch customer service and her commitment to the shredding industry shine through.
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Gina Lentine
Director of Strategic Projects
Legal Shred & MedXwaste
President-Elect
i-SIGMA
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginalentine/

Transportation Security Innovation with Greg Haber

Tom Adams — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 08:00:00 -0400

Ever wondered how security intersects with every facet of modern transportation? I'm excited to introduce you to the mastermind steering the ship at Babaco Alarm Systems, Greg Haber.

Babaco is an innovator in the realm of transportation security. Greg delves into the challenges faced across multiple industries, emphasizing the importance of driver-focused solutions and security trends. With Babaco's in-house designs and a notable patent portfolio, they're at the forefront of addressing these challenges head-on.

The conversation steers towards the safeguarding of assets being transported by your business. With a wealth of knowledge at his disposal, Greg unveils the significance of process enablement and system security. He shares his wisdom on the role of a self-locking mechanism, the essentiality of conducting regular spot checks, and the steps to take when the field process deviates from the expected plan.

Ever heard of GPS jammers or AI detecting potential threats on the road? Gear up as we navigate through these innovative topics, going into details about how these cutting-edge technologies are transforming vehicle security. Learn about the 'WAIRE Program" in Southern California and the revolutionary impact this carbon footprint recording initiative could have on the industry. As we wrap up, we discuss the importance of continually developing new strategies to stay at the forefront of this ever-evolving industry. Tune in for a knowledge-packed journey!
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Greg Haber
President
Babaco Alarm Systems Inc
BabacoFulfillment
LinkedIn

From Record Center Temporary Hire to i-SIGMA VP with Jennie Gift

Tom Adams — Thu, 17 Aug 2023 08:00:00 -0400

Ever wondered what it takes to rise from a front desk role to becoming the VP of an industry-leading organization? Get ready to be inspired by the remarkable journey of Jennie Gift, the newly hired VP of Member Services at i-SIGMA.

Jennie's story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the magic that happens when you seize every opportunity that comes your way. Jennie shares her experiences from her humble beginnings of answering phones at a RIM service provider Paxton Records as a temp worker, learning the ropes including industry software, understanding certification to managing the entire division for Paxton.

More recently she moved to the vendor side and worked with industry heavyweights, Shred Nations/Records Nations as well as CSR Privacy Solutions. She shares some of the insights she learned as she grew to work with many industry companies. Jennie also shares the lessons from both her role as the elected Corporate Partner representative on the new i-SIGMA Board of Directors to the wealth of experience from her involvement and local chapter leadership with ARMA.

Jennie's commitment to fostering a positive culture, building meaningful relationships, and staying receptive to new possibilities is very inspiring. As she embarks on her new role and journey with i-SIGMA, she aims to make a significant contribution to the Association while helping members grow their businesses.

We not only celebrate Jennie's accomplishments but cheer her on in her ambitions to help create a better future for the RIM industry through her new role in it.
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Jennie Gift
Vice President of Member Services
Email: jgift@isigmaonline.org
I-SIGMA : https://isigmaonline.org/

Exploring Entry Level Labor Hiring Strategies with Tony Ommani

Tom Adams — Thu, 03 Aug 2023 08:00:00 -0400

The world of recruiting and hiring entry level labor staff in today's market is extraordinarily challenging for shredding and destruction operators. Tony Ommani, the recruiting manager for a large consortium of companies that hires a lot of entry level labor employees for the consortium companies joins us to share his perspectives and experience.

Listen as Tony shares his wealth of knowledge on the unique dynamics of white-collar and entry-level labor, the impact of the gig economy, and the minimum wage becoming a thing of the past. In our conversation, Tony discusses the nuanced and competitive field of entry-level labor where value propositions have become as significant as paychecks.

In the post-COVID era, retaining employee interest and balancing work-life dynamics have never been more crucial. Tony digs into the grit of these challenges, sharing successful strategies and enlightening us on the necessity of maintaining a continuous recruitment process. We also tackle the debate of traditional versus energized job ads and how to attract the right candidates by sustaining their attention with your mission statement.

Lots of valuable insights from Tony Ommani on the episode today.
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Tony Ommani
Human Resources Executive,
Employment Services Inc. (ESI)

Special thanks to Katie Macintosh from Ameri-Shred for the connection to Tony.

From Rickshaw to Recycling to Shredding Success with Kristjan Backman

Tom Adams — Thu, 22 Jun 2023 08:00:00 -0400

Get ready to explore the fascinating journey of Kristjan Backman, a recycling entrepreneur who started with a bicycle rickshaw business at 17 years old and went on to build Phoenix Recycling in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

In our conversation, we uncover the stages Kristjan took to create a incredibly successful, full-service recycling, shredding and records storage business. We'll discover how Christian differentiated his service with an additional layer of security, smaller particle size, and lower price point, and the impetus behind eventually selling the business.

Kristjan reflects on the lessons learned from the startup phase to the sale of the business, touching on the importance of ignoring negative opinions, being aware of market volatility, and utilizing data to build relationships. We also explore the potential of purchasing and green-fielding a shredding business, the fluctuating multiples within the industry, and the advantages of the Entrepreneurs Organization.

Join us to hear Kristjan's inspiring story and great insights.
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Kristjan Backman
Entrepreneur

Rising Above Adversity: Reesy Neff's Inspiring Entrepreneurial Journey

Tom Adams — Thu, 08 Jun 2023 08:00:00 -0400

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Reesy Neff, CEO and Founder of Omega ECycles, as she shares her journey from a career in banking to running a successful e-cycling business. Listen in as she gives us an inside look into her startup story for end-of-life IT assets and how her small but mighty team is making an impact in the York, PA area.
Reesy discusses the challenges she's faced in transitioning from banking to entrepreneurship and how her financial background has helped her navigate the shifting landscape. Learn about the importance of building strong relationships in the industry, how Reesy's practical approach to connecting with others has shaped her success, and the valuable lessons she's learned along the way. Hear about her personal experiences growing up in poverty and how these experiences have shaped her life and business approach.
Finally, discover the powerful impact of vulnerability and authenticity in business, and how Reesy has learned to embrace her true self in order to create meaningful connections. Reesy also tells us more about her book, Stripping Off The Labels.
This episode is packed with valuable insights and inspiring stories, so don't miss out on the chance to learn from Reesy Neff's incredible journey in the world of records and information management!
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Reesy Neff
Business Owner
Omega ECycles LLC (https://omegaecycles.com/)
Stripping Off The Labels book link
https://amzn.to/3qyikX6

Web Marketing for Shredders with Janelle Gilbert & Daryl Woytowicz

Tom Adams — Tue, 23 May 2023 08:00:00 -0400

Discover the secrets of successful web marketing in your shredding business with Janelle Gilbert of WebVitality and Daryl Woytowicz of NetGain. Learn why shred-focused digital marketing is crucial for generating leads and growing your business. We cover everything from understanding the buyer's journey to creating a holistic digital marketing strategy, so don't miss out on this enlightening conversation!
We take a deep dive into the importance of the customer experience of your website, the differences in web marketing between shredding services and closely related services like medical waste or ITAD, and the number one mistake made by independent shredding operators. Janelle and Daryl also share their wisdom on the three major search avenues for shredders, the place of social media, the significance of tracking results and ROI, and how to create a website that not only looks great but also generates leads.
With the help of Janelle and Daryl's expert guidance, you'll be armed with the knowledge and tools necessary to excel in web marketing for the shredding industry. Tune in for a fascinating discussion with two of the top web marketing experts in the shredding industry.
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Janelle Gilbert
Client Services Manager
WebVitality (https://webvitality.net/)
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Daryl Woytowicz
Sales Manager
NetGain (https://www.netgainseo.com/)

Building a Lasting Legacy with Margaret Meier

Tom Adams — Tue, 09 May 2023 08:00:00 -0400

Discover how UltraShred Technologies began as a brainchild of Margaret Meier's husband, Walt, and grew into a successful mobile on-site shredding business. Margaret shares their journey of starting back in 2000 with just a truck, a call center, and an outside salesperson knocking on doors, and how they've adapted and evolved along with the growing industry.
Creating a thriving business environment is essential for retaining top talent and fostering long-lasting relationships. Margaret opens up about the importance of connecting with like-minded individuals, such as other women-owned shred businesses, and how she and Walt have grown into their respective roles within the company. Listen in as we uncover their secret to employee retention with the story of their long-time truck driver, Jesus, who has been with Ultra Shred Technologies for more than fifteen years.
Finally, Margaret shares her insights on employee management best practices and networking within the industry. We discuss the benefits of getting involved, joining groups like masterminds, and taking the opportunity to learn as much as possible. Margaret's journey and advice provide valuable insights for anyone interested in starting and growing a successful information destruction business. Don't miss this engaging and informative conversation!
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Margaret Meier, CSDS
President & CEO
UltraShred Technologies, Inc.
https://ultrashredtechnologies.com/

M&A and the Future of Information Destruction with Vlad Vasak

Tom Adams — Tue, 25 Apr 2023 08:00:00 -0400

In this episode, I have the pleasure of discussing mergers and acquisitions in the shredding and information destruction industry with Vlad Vasak, a partner at K-2 Partners. We explore his journey in the industry, starting with his early days at Brambles in Australia and his move to the US to join Iron Mountain. With his extensive background in the industry, Vlad shares how his unique expertise in operational efficiencies and understanding buyers' needs led him to join K2 Partners, where he continues to provide mergers and acquisitions support to the shredding industry.
We delve into the impact of the past few years, particularly the COVID pandemic, on mergers and acquisitions in the industry. As the shredding industry begins to recover, we examine the lasting impacts of the pandemic, such as the accelerated shift towards a paperless office and the influence of high paper prices on business valuations.
We further examine the influence of higher interest rates and warehouse costs on the valuation of businesses in the industry, as well as the potential for smaller, local independent companies to acquire even smaller operations. Additionally, we discuss the differences between smaller and larger shredding companies in the M&A process, touching on factors like market fit, due diligence, and risk. Finally, we explore the importance of being "sale ready" when considering selling a shredding or information destruction business.
Join us for this exploration of M&A in the shredding and information destruction industry!
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Vlad Vasak
Partner
K-2 Partners, LLC
https://www.k-2partners.com/about/our-team/vladimir-vasak/

Navigating Legal Pitfalls in Your Businesses with Attorney James Reid IV

Tom Adams — Tue, 18 Apr 2023 08:00:00 -0400

In this episode, we delve into the complex world of employee law in shredding companies with attorney James Reid, who shares his expertise on navigating unconscious bias, employee relations, and legal pitfalls he's observed in small businesses.

We discuss the importance of understanding protected classes, documenting performance issues, and having clear and transparent policies in place to minimize liability and maintain a positive work culture. Additionally, we explore the common mistakes related to exempt and non-exempt employees and the legal implications this can have on your business.

We delve into the importance of treating all employees equally and having clear, transparent policies in place to avoid perceptions of favoritism or discrimination. We also discuss the importance of consulting with external advisors when making decisions about employee structure and policies.

Join us as we unpack these challenging issues and provide valuable insights and advice on building a strong legal foundation for your business.

James M. Reid, IV
Partner
HONIGMAN LLP
https://www.honigman.com/professionals-james-m-reid

Transitions with Bob Johnson

Tom Adams — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 08:00:00 -0400

In this episode, I interview Bob Johnson, the former CEO of NAID and i-SIGMA about his journey in the information destruction industry. As a pioneer in the field and founder of the National Association for Information Destruction (NAID), Bob shares his story which began with his grandfather's insulation business, to working as a security guard and then the founding of Certified Document Destruction in Toledo. Bob talks about why he made the transition from being a shredding operator to founding NAID as an industry association and how it helped professionalize information disposition and certification. He also talks about the reality of consolidation the marketplace and his recent decision to transition from managing i-SIGMA to launching his new consulting firm. Throughout the interview, Bob emphasizes how certification has become increasingly important as it is imposed by large government entities as well as other national and international players becoming certified through this process. You'll hear Bob acknowledge that starting a new consulting practice comes with risks especially since he is close to retirement but he explains that he is in the best shape of his life since his retirement in preparation for launching his new business. Enjoy this interview I have with the shredding industry long-time leader, Bob Johnson.
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Bob Johnson, CSDS
Principal Advocate
Privata Vox, LLC
https://privatavox.com/

Small Market Success with Patrick DeVries

Tom Adams — Tue, 21 Mar 2023 08:00:00 -0400

In this episode I'm joined by Patrick DeVries, Owner & Founder of DeVries, Inc based in Spokane, Washington. He describes how he started with a records storage service and then grew steadily with the addition of courier and delivery services, then shredding services, and then the warehouse services have grown his business over the years.

Our conversation focuses on the lessons Patrick learned along the way and he touches on topics including pricing, courage, confidence, salespeople, and equipment. Patrick discloses one of the most helpful insights for owners related to selling services and pricing. That alone is worth the listen.Patrick discloses the importance of the deep relationships and connections he's made in the industry through NAID, PRISM and now iSIGMA where he recently served as Board President. He also shares his love for skiing and mountain biking and how it has helped him as a CEO and leader.
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Patrick DeVries
DeVries, Inc
https://www.devriesinc.com/

Maximizing Sales and Client Success with Brinn Johnston

Tom Adams — Tue, 07 Mar 2023 08:00:00 -0500

On this episode Tom chats with Brinn Johnston, the Manager of Client Success and Fulfillment with All Points Shredding & Medical Waste, based in Stuart FL. In this episode, Brinn talks about inside sales for shredding, the different sales tactics for winning more deals, and specific ways she's found to improve the process. We spend some time discussing how sales and operations work together instead of adversarially to create better results. This is a highly practical episode and should be required listening for any shredding operator and their inside sales or customer service teams.
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Brinn Johnston
CEO
Manager of Client Success and Fulfillment
https://allpointsprotects.com/

The Veteran Driver Mashup

Tom Adams — Tue, 21 Feb 2023 08:00:00 -0500

In this episode of the Shred Coach podcast, veteran shred truck drivers Jesus Rivera of UltraShred Technologies in Jacksonville FL and Pat Lashley of Crown Shredding of Orlando, FL share the secrets to their success. They discuss the challenges of driving shredding trucks, such as navigating tight spaces and dealing with customer requests, as well lessons learned, such as listening to customers, taking extra materials when requested, and driving safely. We focus on the importance of safety checks and security, as well as advice for rookie drivers, including the importance of reading tickets, always saying yes to customers, and following the rules.
We also discuss how owners and managers should treat their drivers in a way that ensures they stay as long as Jesus and Pat. Enjoy this driver conversation mashup.
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Jesus Rivera
UltraShred Technologies
https://ultrashredtechnologies.com/
&
Pat Lashley
Crown Shredding
https://www.crownshredding.com/

A Veteran Driver with Johnie Williams

Tom Adams — Tue, 14 Feb 2023 08:00:00 -0500

Join us as we sit down with Johnie Williams, a seasoned shred truck driver with 17 years of experience at Time Shred in New York City. Johnie's journey began in 2006 when he was asked to drive Time Moving's first shred truck, a challenge as the truck was much larger than the straight trucks he was used to.
In this episode, we delve into the critical aspects of Johnie's job, such as punctuality, dependability, and diligence. Johnie shares his secret to success - having a strong spiritual foundation and a drive to go the extra mile. He also sheds light on the significance of driver training and shares insights on how shredding businesses can motivate their drivers.
So if you're interested in learning from a rockstar shred truck driver, this episode is for you! Tune in to hear Johnie's experiences and advice on the unique and essential role of shred truck drivers.
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Senior Driver
Time Shred
https://www.timeshred.com

Data & Cyber Security with Angie Singer Keating

Tom Adams — Tue, 31 Jan 2023 08:00:00 -0500

On this episode Tom chats with Angie Singer Keating, CEO and co-founder of Reclamere, a cyber security and data destruction company. Angie outlines the distinctions and alignment between the various data security service offerings they provide as well as how those services evolved. She shares how she thinks about marketing and the role of being a subject matter expert. She also discusses how vendors in the data and information security industries need to be ready for data security requirements we will all be required to face very soon. Finally, Angie discusses the impact of a horse on her role as a CEO.
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Angie Singer Keating
CEO
Reclamere
https://reclamere.com/

Nathan Cambell on All Things i-SIGMA

Tom Adams — Tue, 10 Jan 2023 08:00:00 -0500

On this initial episode of 2023, Tom chats with Nate Campbell, i-SIGMA's CEO about current happenings and directions in the association. Nate became CEO of the association in August of 2022. He shares the story of his early start in the information management industry, and the road from then till present. In the conversation, Nate tells about his entry into the role of CEO and then explores some of the changes that are happening in the day-today and future of the organization, with a particular focus on the upcoming conference in the spring in Las Vegas. Along with an Exclusive Executives-Only Luncheon, you'll learn more about the TopGolf event held during the conference. You'll also get a chance to learn more about more personal things about Nate and his life.
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Nathan Campbell
Chief Executive Officer
I-SIGMA

Shred Plant Optimization with Jeff Beaudoin

Tom Adams — Tue, 13 Dec 2022 08:00:00 -0500

On this episode Tom chats with Jeff Beaudoin, Operations Manager at Ameri-Shred, Corp. Jeff is an Engineer by training, but has been involved in manufacturing, sales, design and layout of shredding plants for shred operators for many years. Jeff provides valuable insight about the thinking and planning required for a new, plant-based operation. He also weighs in on how existing operators should think about optimizing and ensuring the long-term success of the machinery they have. If you’re thinking about building a plant-based shredding system, or already have one, this 30 minute episode is for you.
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Jeff Beaudoin
Operations Manager
Ameri-Shred, Corp
https://ameri-shred.com/

Shred Truck Insider with Guy Wakutz

Tom Adams — Tue, 29 Nov 2022 08:00:00 -0500

Guy Wakutz, President of Alpine Shredders, a shed truck manufacturer based in Kitchener, Ontario joins Tom on this episode. Guy shares the current state of the shred truck industry as it relates to supply chain issues, costs and implications. He also recommends how business owners need to think about acquiring a new truck in the current market. He discloses an interesting statistic about how many trucks are being made that are for Non-CDL vs CDL drivers. Tom and Guy also discuss the differences between being a new shred operator versus a seasoned shredding business owner as it relates to their truck buying needs. Finally, Guy shares the biggest challenges he sees once companies have their trucks.
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Guy Wakutz
President
Alpine Shredders

An Innovators Perspective with David Moses

Tom Adams — Tue, 15 Nov 2022 08:00:00 -0500

David Moses, founder of XpresspaX, Inc and Express Business Forms & Systems joins Tom on this episode. David shares his story of helping Iron Mountain with their first mass produced and printed barcodes for their emerging records storage business. He then shares how a conversation with a VP led to massive innovation for the Iron Mountain media vault business that dramatically changed the game for the company. Out of these stories, David then shares the secrets underlying innovation and the creative process. This show provides some great insights into three elements of innovation, the distinction between product and process, and the critical importance of a transparent relationship to ensure innovation and success.
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David Moses
Innovator & Advisor
https://davidmoses.solutions/

A Collection Container Deep Dive with Cory Layes

Tom Adams — Tue, 01 Nov 2022 08:00:00 -0400

On this episode Tom chats with Cory Layes of Bins4Shredding based in Barrie, Ontario. As a long-time vendor in the industry, Cory removes his sales hat and shares his deep knowledge about all things collection containers.
Cory discusses the mistakes he sees a lot of shredding companies make with buying bins not using Just-in-Time programs, bin selection and client container placement programs. He provides advice on collection container diversity and recommendations for an ongoing awareness of what's currently available to support a full range of client collection options. He also explores container maintenance and emerging innovations in the space. There's something in this show for every operator.

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Cory Layes, General Manager
Bins4Shredding
https://bins4shredding.com/

Should You Implement The Entrepreneurial Operating System in Your Shred Business?

Tom Adams — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 08:00:00 -0400

The Entrepreneurial Operating System - or EOS for short - is the hottest business operating system in the world today, especially for service companies. Developed by Gino Wickman and fully outlined in his book, Traction: Get A Grip on Your Business, EOS is a complete set of simple concepts and practical tools that has helped thousands of entrepreneurs around the world get what they want from their businesses.

In this solo episode, Tom Adams review the elements of EOS, as well as some of the history of other operating systems that preceded it. From there, Tom outlines the basic components of EOS, as well as lessons learned in assisting companies with it over the years and some recommendations about implementation depending on the size and scope of your shredding business.

Ride the Day with Renee Keener

Tom Adams — Tue, 04 Oct 2022 08:00:00 -0400

Renee Keener, the Founder and CEO of American Document Securities - the company she sold at the end of 2021 - based in Carrolton, Georgia shares her incredible story of starting the business, growing the business and eventually exiting the business. She describes the critical changes she needed to make upon the win of a huge State contract, as well as the lessons gained through the massive growth that accompanied it. She shares insights learned through the sale of her business and then looks back on her big secrets of success. Learn what “Riding the Day” means and how it could help you in your business.
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Renee Keener
Retired & Loving It

Rising Tides with Stacey Lombardo

Tom Adams — Tue, 20 Sep 2022 08:00:00 -0400

On this episode Tom chats with Stacey Lombardo of Infoshred based in East Windsor, Connecticut.

Stacey shares her entrepreneurial story of buying the shredding business 25 years ago and her amazing journey till now. Stacey was one of the earliest NAID members when it was first established. She shares her philosophy of “rising the tide” in the company and how that influences their perpetual focus on people and profit. You’ll hear how she manages by wandering around and using heart-based leadership to lift everyone on her team, self-described as the team's Momma Bear. Stacey discusses some tactics she’s used recently, including her Open Forum and ones she’s employed for a long time, turkey’s for everyone on the team at Thanksgiving.
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Stacey Lombardo
President and Founder

You can find Infoshred here: https://infoshred.com/

An F-250 and a Trailer with Muff London

Tom Adams — Tue, 06 Sep 2022 08:00:00 -0400

Muff London, the Founder and President of Document Shredding & Storage (DSS) based in Amarillo, Texas joins Tom on this episode. Muff shares the early story of starting the shredding business in a most unusual way, leveraging other people's empty trucks and warehouse space before graduating to a F-250 and a trailer. She also shares two of her favorite "subtle" marketing tactics that created a lot of positive momentum and name recognition for DSS. Don't miss her deep dive explanation on how she trusts her instincts and how she handles difficult people. There are so many great insights in this episode.
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Muff London
Co-Founder & President

Leveraging A Coach with Jay Burns

Tom Adams — Tue, 23 Aug 2022 08:00:00 -0400

On this episode Tom chats with Jay Burns of Crown Information Management based in Winter Haven, Florida.

Jay shares how his own personal growth and development as well as the evolution of the business has been deeply impacted by an external coach. Jay talks about the early benefits and the evolving evidence of the impact of his coach on him personally, especially as it relates to his emotional intelligence. Pay special attention to the discussion about the focus groups Jay wanted to implement with his team and how his coach really changed the outcome because she led it and not Jay. If you've considered hiring a coach, Jay shares his experience and some recommendations for you in this episode.
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Jay Burns
Owner
You can find Crown Information Management here: https://www.crownshredding.com/

Losing Scott with Jill Fasken

Tom Adams — Tue, 02 Aug 2022 08:00:00 -0400

Jill Fasken, the former owner of Colorado Document Security located in Grand Junction, Colorado joins Tom on this episode. Jill describes how she and her husband Scott started the company in 2003, and the growth and development of it over the years. But, the focus of the conversation is how Jill responded and dealt with Scott's unexpected death in 2019, and the immediate and ongoing actions she took to lead the business forward. Learn how she transitioned from her administrative and financial roles in the business to fully running it despite the profound emotional loss she was experiencing. Jill also shares some of the lessons learned and insights gained from the last few years now that she's fully exited the business.
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Jill Fasken
Superhero

Hard Drive Destruction Sales with Jim Beran

Tom Adams — Tue, 19 Jul 2022 08:00:00 -0400

On this week's episode, Tom meets with Jim Beran, Director of Sales at Gilmore based in Pensacola, FL. Jim is a long time sales leader in the shredding industry. He discusses the history of selling in the industry and some of the differences he sees between the early selling and today. Jim also shares some of his phone needs assessment process which can be really helpful to company positioning. The big takeaway in this episode is the way they sell hard drive destruction to existing clients with small numbers of hard drives to shred in a targeted city or area.
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Jim Beran
Director of Sales
Gilmore

You can find Gilmore here: GilmoreServices.com

Hiring Staff with Developmental Disorders with Liz Metts

Tom Adams — Tue, 12 Jul 2022 08:00:00 -0400

Liz Metts, Senior Director of Business Operations at Secure Shred & Opportunity Enterprises located in Valparaiso, Indiana joins Tom on this episode. Liz describes how they employ individuals with disabilities in the shredding and recycling operation. She shares the benefits the individual employees gain as result of their employment, but also the incredible business benefits that come from hiring them. She discusses the important training and business structures that ensure optimal success for the team and how a shredding company like yours could hire someone with a disability to be an incredible part of your team.
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Liz Metts
Senior Director of Business Operations
Opportunity Enterprises & Secure Shred

You can find Opportunity Enterprises here: OppEnt.org
You can find Secure Shred here: SecureShred.org

The SPEAR with Jonas Rice

Tom Adams — Tue, 05 Jul 2022 08:00:00 -0400

Jonas Rice, Owner of ShredPro Secure of Lenoir City, Tennessee explores the elements of the S.P.E.A.R. acronym that guides his shredding business. This framework gives his team a memorable and specific way to define and live their values every day in the business. Jonas gives us a deep dive into each element in order to understand how powerful this tool is in his business.
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Jonas Rice
Owner
ShredPro Secure

You can find ShredPro Secure here: shredprosecure.com

Bank the Box with Gary Wright

Tom Adams — Tue, 28 Jun 2022 08:00:00 -0400

On this week's episode, Tom meets with Gary Wright, Vice President of Operations at Williams Data Management & ShredMyFiles.com based in Los Angeles, California. Three months ago Gary implemented a program called Bank the Box, which rewards drivers on purge jobs for the number of boxes they shred over and above the work-order expectation. Learn about how Gary has implemented this program with his driver team and the really cool benefits he's seen in the process. Plus, Gary shares other significant ways the company has bucked the industry and national trend of high driver turnover such that they have an average 14 year retention rate.
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Gary Wright
Vice President of Operations
Williams Data Management & ShredMyFiles.com

You can find Williams Data Management here: https://williamsdatamanagement.com/

Annual Fee with Heather Fitzanko

Tom Adams — Tue, 21 Jun 2022 08:00:00 -0400

Heather Fitzanko, Vice President of AAA Certified Confidential Security Corp of Peoria, Illinois shares their unique small business service program with Tom on this episode. About four years ago, Heather launched the ShredSmart program, an annual billing program for select small business clients. Learn how she implemented the program, the benefits and challenges she's uncovered along the way, and the advice she has for you if you choose to do something similar in your business.
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Heather Fitzanko
Vice President
AAA Certified Confidential Security Corp

You can find AAA Certified Confidential Security Corp here: www.confidentialsecurity.com

True, Fast & Sharp with Chris Isabell

Tom Adams — Tue, 14 Jun 2022 08:00:00 -0400

On this week's episode, Tom converses with Chris Isabell of iSecure located in Grants Pass, Oregon. Chris shares how a core set of values he adopted from his years in the military have been integral to leading and running his shredding business. Chris also shares a simple model of "process" and "performance" which helps him to improve the business on a regular basis. There's a great story about a baler too.
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Chris Isabell
President
iSecure Inc.

You can find iSecure here: theshredcompany.com

Dynamic Purge Pricing with Grant DiGioia

Tom Adams — Tue, 07 Jun 2022 08:00:00 -0400

On this episode Tom chats with Grant DiGioia of Patriot Shredding based in Rockville, Maryland. Grant shares how he used the early COVID crisis to dive deep into all the data they had about stops, time spent, factors on those stops, revenue and profitability. As a result, they built and continue to use a dynamic purge pricing calculator that came out of the data they uncovered. You'll hear all the elements and factors that define the new pricing model, but you'll also learn how the model allowed them to price the right jobs lower and still improve their critical result, revenue per truck per day.
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Grant DiGioia
Owner
Patriot Shredding

You can find Patriot Shredding here: https://patriotshredding.com/

Internal Communication with Jay Barwick

Tom Adams — Tue, 31 May 2022 08:00:00 -0400

On this episode, Tom converses with Jay Barwick, VP of Operations for River Mill Data Management, located in Columbus, Georgia. Jay discusses practical ways they’ve implemented internal communication for improved team connection within the organization. Jay shares about his regular driver meetings and how that’s given River Mill some of the best return on that investment. He also shares about a cool vehicle inspection mobile app they use with drivers to ensure better communication on truck-related issues.
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Jay Barwick
Vice President
River Mill Data Management, LLC

You can find River Mill Data Management here: https://www.rivermill.net/

You can find Whip Around here: https://whiparound.com/

Crisis Response Projects with Greg Miller

Tom Adams — Tue, 24 May 2022 08:00:00 -0400

Greg Miller, President of Altitude DocuShred located in the Denver, Colorado area joins Tom on this episode. Greg shares how 20% of his revenue comes from re-orienting large or complex service requests into high value projects to ultimately resolve the client's bigger problem. He shares his approach and examples of these types of projects. He also provides the unique type of thinking and perspective required to upsell the these projects.
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Greg Miller
President
Altitude DocuShred

You can find Altitude DocuShred here: https://www.altitudedocushred.com/

Solving the Sales Problem with Christopher Jones

Tom Adams — Tue, 17 May 2022 08:00:00 -0400

On this round of the podcast Tom chats with Christopher Jones, Chief Problem Solver of Secure Records Solutions located in Thomasville, Georgia. Christopher outlines five critical approaches he’s taken to respond to a sales problem he uncovered in the company, along with the implications and outcomes of that response. That’s at least two major $10,000 insights in this episode that you won’t want to miss. If you’re struggling with sales in your shredding company, this one's for you.
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Christopher Jones
Chief Problem Solver
Secure Records Solutions

You can find Secure Records Solutions here: https://securerecordssolutions.com/

Changing Software with Lucy Shipley

Tom Adams — Tue, 10 May 2022 08:00:00 -0400

On this episode of the podcast, Tom has a conversation with Lucy Shipley, Group Director of Shredall SDS Group based in Nottingham, England. Lucy shares the reasons for their recent big software change decision, the process they went through before the implementation and the lessons learned along the way. If you are considering a software change in your destruction business, do not miss what Lucy has to say in this episode.
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Lucy Shipley
Group Director
Shredall SDS Group

You can find Shredall SDS Group here: https://www.shredall.co.uk/

Keeping the Customer with Nate Segall

Tom Adams — Tue, 03 May 2022 08:00:00 -0400

On this episode of the show Tom talks with Nate Segall of AccuShred based in Toledo, Ohio. Nate shares how he employs a lot of little things in his business to ensure customer retention. You'll hear about the famous AccuShred cookie, GPS and Susan G Komen fundraising. There's so much good stuff on the podcast today, so keep listening.
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Nate Segall
Founder & President
AccuShred

You can find AccuShred here: https://accushred.net/
You can find Susan G Komen here: https://www.komen.org/

Over-Communication with Cory Tomczyk

Tom Adams — Tue, 26 Apr 2022 08:00:00 -0400

On this episode of the show Tom talks with Cory Tomczyk of IROW. Cory discusses how he prioritizes and hires to ensure his team over communicates with customers which is critical to success in the rural culture where he provides services. You'll also hear how Cory has leveraged his role on boards over the years to support him and the business.
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Cory Tomczyk
Owner
IROW

You can find IROW here: https://www.irow.bz

Direct Mail with Jim Dowse

Tom Adams — Tue, 19 Apr 2022 08:00:00 -0400

On this episode Tom talks with Jim Dowse of Time Shred Services. Jim shares with Tom his very specific approach to direct mail marketing, including the steps in his process. If you want to learn how Jim gets lists for free and some of his best vendors, you're not going to want to miss this episode.
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Jim Dowse
COO
Time Shred Services

You can find Time Shred here: https://www.timeshred.com/

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:
PostcardMania - https://www.postcardmania.com/
Avery Design & Print - https://www.avery.com/software/design-and-print/
Avery 5136 - https://www.avery.com/templates/5136
975Supply - for labels https://975supply.com/labels/

The Shred Specialist with John Alford & Will Fountain

Tom Adams — Tue, 12 Apr 2022 08:00:00 -0400

On this episode Tom chats with John Alford & Will Fountain of GreenServ. John and Will share with Tom how they created a Shred Sales Specialist position in their business and the profound impact it had on shredding-related sales. You've got to hear this because you will definitely get a return on your listening investment today.
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John Alford & Will Fountain
Principals
GreenServ

You can find GreenServ here: https://www.greenservinc.com/

Stop & No with Brock Miller

Tom Adams — Tue, 05 Apr 2022 08:00:00 -0400

On this episode, Tom welcomes Brock Miller of Shred Northwest. Brock is going to talk about implementing a "stop and no" approach in his life and business. Intrigued by what that even means and how it may help you? Settle in for some great insights on the show today.
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Brock Miller
President
Shred Northwest

You can find Shred Northwest here: https://shrednorthwest.com/

Hyper Local Shredding with Dave Bixler

Tom Adams — Tue, 29 Mar 2022 08:00:00 -0400

On this episode, Tom talks with Dave Bixler of Veteran Shredding. Dave shares with Tom how from the very beginning he focused on local shredding in his immediate backyard and has maintained that approach for the last 11 years. Keep listening, and you'll hear why his local approach has provided an incredibly strong return on that strategy.
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Dave Bixler
Owner
Veteran Shredding

You can find Veteran Shredding here: https://veteranshredding.net/

Policies & Procedures with Josh Hartwell

Tom Adams — Tue, 22 Mar 2022 08:00:00 -0400

On this episode, Tom's special guest is Josh Hartwell of Shred Boss. Josh will discuss how he's implemented and evolved the development of process and procedures into internal policies for his team and his business. If you're struggling with process and procedure documentation in your business, there's some amazing wisdom on the show today.
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Josh Hartwell
CEO
Shred Boss

Find Shred Boss at https://www.shredboss.com/