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In the excellent movie, "The Lego Movie," Emmet would have you believe everything is Awesome. The movie even has a song about it. The chorus of the terrific song is: Everything is awesome Everything is cool when you're part of a team Everything is awesome When you're...

Recently, my two-and-a-half-year-old granddaughter, Amelia, looking out the front window of her house at the leafless trees along the street she lives on, said, “I’m waiting for the leaves to come back, and then it will be Easter.” Precious. It might be the cutest...

At Willmar Electric, we discuss our Foundational Principles (Core Values, Brand Promise, and Purpose Statement). In business parlance, these things are called culture. We think culture is essential. But don’t misunderstand our placing a high value on these things as...

Last week, my wife, Sue, wanted to look for a new backpack. So, we headed to REI. Our oldest daughter, Anne, and our granddaughter, Amelia, were with us, so we knew it would be fun. If you have never been to REI, check it out. It is a fun store with many unique items...

I recently completed the “Process!” by Mike Paton and Lisa Gonzalez, subtitled “How Discipline and Consistency Will Set You and Your Business Free.” The book is part of a series focusing on the six elements within EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System). I have always...

Most people who have talked to me in the last few months have neck problems. It is a cliché to call something a pain in the neck. If something is difficult or someone is bothersome, we call it a pain in the neck. Everybody who has had neck pain understands the origins...

At Willmar Electric, we like to have fun. So, we include a daily educational piece during the office's morning huddle. On Wednesday, the educational piece is typically an idiom. (An idiom is a group of words established by usage as having a meaning not deducible from...

I recently read the book “Mind Your Mindset” by Michael Hyatt and Megan Hyatt Miller. The book was interesting, especially in light of my conversation on the recent Chapin's Commute podcast with Mike Bennett about Safety ALWAYS. In the book, the authors point out how...

My wife, Sue, recently retired from her job as the Business Manager at Lincoln Christian School. We decided to celebrate with a road trip to four National Parks. Our research said if we drove 14 hours from our house, we could visit Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, Zion...

Recently my son, Mike, returned to work at Willmar Electric. He worked here part-time during high school and college. After he graduated from college, he worked here for about a year. He and his wife, Maddie, moved to Nashville, where he worked for a small General...