{"id":1340,"date":"2013-12-13T17:29:39","date_gmt":"2013-12-13T17:29:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/chadstutzman.net\/?p=1340"},"modified":"2013-12-13T17:29:39","modified_gmt":"2013-12-13T17:29:39","slug":"keys-to-excellence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chadstutzman.com\/?p=1340","title":{"rendered":"Keys to Excellence"},"content":{"rendered":"

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My first job was pumping gas, servicing cars and repairing tires at a local gas station.\u00a0 That’s were I learned how to make change without a cash register and how to fix a flat tire.\u00a0 My second job was at a local meat packing company.\u00a0 I was the clean up guy and had to dismantle and clean all the machines they used to process meat.\u00a0 That is where I learned how to have a system and follow a process in cleaning the plant.\u00a0 I also learned how to work alone and to not cut corners.\u00a0 I learned that people were counting on me to do my job so that they can do their job when they showed up in the morning.<\/p>\n

My next job was at a local cheese manufacturing and retail business.\u00a0 I learned a lot working there, things like retail sales strategies, inventory control and customer service.\u00a0 I learned how to cut cheese samples and set up displays.\u00a0 I even got into some construction by helping to remodel an apartment for one of the children of the owner.\u00a0 During that time I got to interact with subcontractors and did work like drywall, floor tile, and general construction.\u00a0 I learned about working hard and doing it right the first time.<\/p>\n

Soon after that I went to college and then started my career in banking.\u00a0 I started as an internal auditor for a Savings & Loan in Wooster Ohio.\u00a0 That was my first exposure to corporate America.\u00a0 I learned to pay attention to detail as I had to audit every area of the company and make sure everything added up.\u00a0 I also learned how to set goals and work on projects and be a team player.\u00a0 I learned how to manage my time and finish what I started.\u00a0 I also learned how to cut costs and work within a budget.\u00a0 I learned how to show respect to my boss and follow direction.<\/p>\n

My next job was at a local community bank as a loan officer.\u00a0 I was in my early 20’s and this was my first job where I got to directly interact with customers.\u00a0 I learned a lot about finances, balance sheets, financial statements and tax returns.\u00a0 I learned about risk and how to manage that.\u00a0 I learned how to read people and their character.\u00a0 I learned about customer service and how to win over potential new customers.\u00a0 I learned how to serve customers and make them want to continue to do business with us.\u00a0 I was promoted quickly to a branch manager and did all kinds of lending.\u00a0 I continued to learn about management, customer service, lending, community service and economic development.\u00a0 I developed a passion for developing leadership skills in myself and others.<\/p>\n

After 12 years in the banking industry I transitioned into the accounting world with a regional accounting firm.\u00a0 They created a new department for me to run which focused on enhancing profits and adding value to their clients.\u00a0 I did a lot of training in customer service, leadership, management and strategic planning.\u00a0 I learned how to interact with business owners and CEO’s.\u00a0 I learned how to win friends and influence people.\u00a0 I learned how to lead groups of business people and do public speaking and presentations.\u00a0 I got even more involved in community organizations and public relations.\u00a0 I learned about marketing and sales and what it takes to run a business.<\/p>\n

Then I took all that I had had learned in all of those jobs and went to work at a local church.\u00a0 Those experiences have helped to shape me into the leader I am today.\u00a0 The things I learned in the workplace have helped me to lead the local church and continue to influence people and impact our community.\u00a0 Here are some of the things I believe are vital to leading with excellence no matter where you are:<\/p>\n