Jason Gazaway

CK Business Framework | PPE Product Update | The Versatile Rackmount Kit | News to Start Your Day

---

Happy Friday…the 13th!

(November 13th is National Hug a Musician Day and World Kindness Day. Obviously this holiday was created before covid…no hugging…and we could all use a little more kindness in our lives after this year!)

---

It’s Friday, y’all! Any fun weekend plans for you? I am looking forward to being home and having little to no plans at all. 

I wanted to continue walking through some of the framework we use to run CK and our corporate center functions. Remember yesterday we talked about the Plan > Build > Run model. Within the Plan role, we have a framework we call our Strategy Cascade. Each of our leaders who sit in a role that falls within the Plan function will be a part of meetings where we decide the current strategy for the business unit. 

Sitting at the top of the cascade is Objectives, then Initiatives, next is Rocks, and finally Tasks. Objectives are aspirational goals that fit in the 3-5 year time frame. Under that is Initiatives which are themes or goals that fall within a 1 year time frame. Each functional area of the business unit (Product, Marketing and Channel) will have Rocks that connect to these themes. Rocks are 1-3 month long projects and are either cross-functional or multi-tasked by nature. Lastly we have tasks which are 1-4 week to-do items. This structure came out of a desire to adopt a framework. We considered the Harnish method from Mastering the Rockefeller Habits, but we’d attempted it before and it still felt too heavy for our organization. We ended up adapting some things from Traction EOS and plan to implement more of the ideas there as it makes sense for us.  

If you’re part of a larger organization a framework like this is likely familiar to you. Small businesses and start-ups may feel overwhelmed by this sort of structure. We used to feel that way too! If you’re in a spot where you feel overwhelmed by a system like this, I want to encourage you that it is worth the investment of time. Having your people aligned, speaking the same language, planning and executing the same way, and working with clear accountabilities is so vital. I believe thinking about implementing a system is harder than just putting one foot in front of the other and walking it. Pick a system, move forward with it as far as you can/it makes sense, and know that it is okay to pick and choose what works best for you, your people, and your business.  

[Read more…] about CEO Daily Update – 11.13.2020

Plan, Build, Run | 3-ply Masks | Keystone Surface Mount Box | Important Shipping Announcement | News to Start Your Day

---

Happy Thursday!

Hey there, friends. It is now just two weeks until Thanksgiving. Can you smell the turkey cooking in the oven? I’m looking forward to some warm, delicious comfort food very soon. 

Since we’re working on our year-end planning and these things are top of mind, I thought it might be interesting to walk through some of the ideas that we use as guides in our business. I’ve mentioned before that at the center of our Core Values sits “Be a Model.” We want to be a model in everything we do, and that includes sharing some of our business practices with you all in hopes that it helps you in some way. 

First up: what we call the Value Creation Cycle. In each area of our business, we break down the roles into functions that align with the Plan > Build > Run model. The Plan function is responsible for developing strategies and (you guessed it) plans. The Build function takes those plans and converts them into products and/or recurring processes. Lastly you have the Run functions, that’s the repetitive operational things that actually get the work done. Each of these functions is vital, and the better each area can work together, the more efficient we become. Value is created by us being able to purposefully decide a direction, build out the products or processes needed, and then do the ongoing activities with excellence.  

I’m pretty sure I mentioned to you all that we use a marketing agency whom provides us with a fractional CMO and Marketing Manager. One of the reasons we were able to quickly hire and onboard the marketing agency was because of their organizational structure being aligned with our own. The marketing team is now one of my favorite examples of this Plan, Build, Run idea happening in our business. The CMO is Plan, the MM is Build, and the Technicians (graphic designers, email marketing agency, social media specialist) who do the work are Run. 

[Read more…] about CEO Daily Update – 11.12.2020

Weekend Update | PPE Deals Continue | USB-C Multi-Function Hub | Grace and Truth | News to Start Your Day

---

Happy Monday! It’s a new week and a fresh start!

Happy Monday, you guys. I hope you all had a good weekend. I am appreciative of Jason and Chris for stepping in to connect with you all at the end of last week. A couple of days away was definitely needed for me. We went on our second trip in our RV, and I have to say North Georgia is beautiful this time of year! The kids spent a ton of time outside playing with friends, riding bikes and playing basketball mostly. I love seeing them outside, connecting with others (that’s not an everyday thing when you’re a homeschool kid) and learning to navigate the world.  

On the way home we stopped at a cute little toy store and let the girls each pick something. I love giving gifts, so it is a treat for me to see them so happy about a new toy. We walked around the entire store, touching and trying things, considering this and that, and when we let them know it was time to go, both girls knew exactly which item they wanted. Our no frills, adventure seeking, very literal oldest child picked a bow and arrow set. She even came home and made herself a holder for her arrows. (The kid will make anything out of cardboard.) Our more sensitive, playful, and inquisitive youngest child picked a bag full of baby gear for her baby doll. Within minutes of being home, arrows were being launched across the green grass while little sister sat by watching and rocking her baby. It was a picture of childhood for sure, fleeting and beautiful. 

We ended our weekend by playing a new game I picked up at another store. It is a butterfly memory game … with a twist. You have to match the open butterfly picture to a picture of the same one closed. Eek, maybe I should’ve read a little closer. We admittedly struggled at first (“are there any matches in these cards!?”), then our little rule follower noted that no one had read the instructions (oops), and we finally figured out what we were supposed to be matching. Nothing says family memories like losing by a landslide to your 4 year old.  

[Read more…] about CEO Daily Update – 11.9.2020

Finding The Deals | Face Mask Update | Surge Suppressing PDU | Antidote to Pride? | News to Start Your Day

---

Happy Friday! What a week!

(November 6th is National Nachos Day! It’s always a good day for nachos!)

---

It’s been a weird year, to say the least, but we are heading into the final few weeks of 2020…that means Thanksgiving time and Christmas! I am a Christmas fanatic and I love this time of year. I always have. This year will look and feel a lot bit different but that doesn’t mean it has to dampen our holiday spirit. 

Speaking of the holidays and Christmas, I am an absolute deal nut. I love trying to find great deals on all kinds of items. I mean, who doesn’t love saving money on stuff?!? Sometimes I feel like I come across phenomenal deals for things I would never buy but end up getting it because the price/deal is so good. I’m always on the lookout for Christmas gifts (well, and possibly a thing or two for myself). This year with Black Friday deals already starting, the deal hunting is in full swing. Amazon, Walmart & Target have already started rolling out their Black Friday / Cyber Monday / Year-end deals, along with tons of other smaller stores. I am sure the deals will get even crazier as the holidays get closer and stores try to continue to make up for the weak retail year that has occurred. 

Of course, Amazon has cornered the online market with its daily deals (now they are calling them “Epic” Daily Deals) and they do make it easy to find gifts and specials. There are several other places I like to check out for any crazy good deals including Facebook groups (easy to find, just do a search for deals – most are private groups you have to join but are worth it) and deal apps. Some of the apps/sites I use are:

• DealNews
• Brad’s Deals
• SlickDeals
• GottaDeal
• RetailMeNot
• ClarkDeals

None of these are endorsed by CK, but they are “Jason Approved”. I am always on the lookout for new sites or apps. What are some of the places you go to find deals or apps you use? Or, do you prefer to shop the deals in person in stores the day of? With all of that being said, I am sure we are in store for some amazing deals and specials this year for big-ticket items or even stocking stuffers. I know I will be on the lookout for both.

I hope all of you have a great Friday and an amazing weekend. Christin will be back on Monday, so thanks for letting me share with you and hopefully entertain you yesterday and today.

Until next time,
Jason

PS. You can always put some face masks (we have some new pink & gray camo and American flag ones!) and hand sanitizers in stockings this year…we will all need them for a while. haha!

[Read more…] about CEO Daily Update – 11.6.2020

Times of Uncertainty | Update on PPE | Tech Product Update | 5 Critical Behaviors of Leaders in a Crisis | News to Start Your Day

---

Happy Thursday!

(November 5th is National Redhead Day, National Hot Sauce Day, and National Bonfire Day – So, if you have red hair go find a bonfire to enjoy this evening and eat something with hot sauce on it.)

---

Christin is taking a couple of days off and going camping, so I am sure she will have some fun updates next week after the weekend. 

If you are like me, you have some days that are completely planned out with meetings from the minute you start work (of course after you have a large coffee) till you call it quits for the day. Today is one of those days for me. I have 7.5 hours of meetings today. But, I am looking forward to them (I know, I am crazy!) Today we have our first official CK Monthly planning session with our new President, Chris. These meetings give us a chance to recap last month, but also discuss and plan for this month and the next. Heading into the end of the year can be crazy for any business, but probably more so this year with so much uncertainty with COVID and the Presidential election. In times like this I reminded of two quotes and my life verse:

“Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow, it only saps today of its joy.” – Leo Buscaglia

“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.”

“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” – Deuteronomy 31:8

Even when things seem uncertain, we have to focus on that there is a higher plan in place and trust our paths to the One who leads and guides us. We must press forward to continue to do our part to make our life and the lives of others better in the way that we know how to.

This morning, I asked Chris, our new CK President, if he would share a short intro about himself for all of you. We will hear more from Chris very soon in this email.

—

Hi there! I’m Chris McCoy and I like candlelit dinners…wait, wrong intro! I’ve been with CK now for almost 12 years. I learned at a young age that I had a gift for understanding technology.  So when I met Craig & Christin (while I was working at a computer store), we immediately found that we shared a passion for technology.

[Read more…] about CEO Daily Update – 11.5.2020

America | PPE Solutions for Offices & Stores | USB to RJ45 Console Cable | Stop Doing > Return to Being | News to Start Your Day

---

Happy Wednesday!

(November 4th is National Common Sense Day…enough said with that one.)

---

I was brought to tears as I read a simple children’s book about America becoming a country to my girls yesterday. I believe I’ve mentioned before that the curriculum I chose for us this year is an elementary level introduction to US History. They’re learning about the Declaration of Independence and the men who wrote and signed it, about the Liberty Bell, and what we know about the origins of our flag. I don’t consider myself overly patriotic, but I do get emotional when I hear certain patriotic songs – or surprisingly, today, when we read about the British surrendering to General George Washington at the Battle of Yorktown. I think it’s the passion and grit associated with the stories from our history that gets me.  

Why did these people, settlers here in America, leave England and other countries in Europe to travel to a new, unknown, unfamiliar land? What drove them to choose a hard season of life for hopes of an ultimately better one? Did they ever regret the decision to come over?  

Where did the passion displayed by people like Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, and Thomas Jefferson come from? Were they all passionate people by nature — or did they long for something different enough to do whatever it took to make it happen? How did it feel to lead an army for 8 years against another more well equipped and trained group of soldiers? Surely the thought of being defeated crossed General Washington’s mind, yet he pressed on.  

Gumption. Passion. Grit. I admire these traits.  

I hope that I am known to have gumption, to be passionate and have grit in the things I set out to do. But there’s more for me. More than these things that I admire and can bring me to tears, more than the things that helped create the start of a whole new country. For me – I hope that I am known for my enduring faith, a faith that brings about righteousness that only God can give. And it’s for this reason that I press on.   

“…forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 3:13-14 

[Read more…] about CEO Daily Update – 11.4.2020