For more than three decades, Jay Winkler has worked with many smart and talented people and served as a leader at family-owned, privately held, and private equity-backed companies in manufacturing, non-profit, communications, consulting, consumer products, education, technology, business services, and globalization. He has started factories around the world, launched businesses, succeeded in turning around distressed ones, and helped others prosper, transition, or sell.
Jay spent nearly 20 years of his career leading and expanding the family manufacturing business where he went from working on the shop floor to becoming CEO with stops along the way overseeing the finances and operations of the company.
Jay is now a “business wingman” for company leaders and owners. Through his advisory firm, Brave Lion Group, he combines his network of highly accomplished and thoughtful professionals with his own skills and experience to help develop businesses, offer great insights to clients, collaborate, build relationships, and solve problems.
In this episode, we discuss:
- The Power of Networking
- Embracing Failure and Building Resilience
- Exploring Near-Shoring Opportunities
- Optimizing Business Operations and Fundraising
Lightbulb Moments:
- Networking is a superpower that offers valuable resources and solutions to business challenges. Building a strong, selfless network is essential, as shared experiences can create instant trust and rapport. Successful leaders know the value of curiosity and asking great questions, rather than having all the answers.
- Failures and setbacks provide valuable lessons and growth opportunities when approached with the right mindset. Resilience is crucial for business leaders to bounce back from tough situations. Learning from others who have overcome challenges can help build resilience and avoid repeating mistakes.
- Near-shoring, or moving production closer to the target market, offers benefits like cost savings, risk reduction, and revenue growth. Assessing near-shoring in Mexico needs a boots-on-the-ground approach and a strong local network. The evolving landscape, with companies like China setting up operations in Mexico, underscores the importance of staying informed about global trends.
- Allocating time to “work on the business,” not just “in the business,” is crucial for long-term growth. Leveraging your network and expertise is valuable when seeking capital from private equity or other sources. A clear strategy and value proposition are key for raising funds and making operational improvements.
Quote to Remember
“If you’re a leader that is trying to collect all the information that you possibly can, to make a decision – the best way to get information is to listen and ask questions and distill that information out.” – Jay Winkler
Connect with Jay Winkler:
Website: https://www.braveliongrp.com/