For the Love of Crain’s (and Family Business!)
Back in March, in honor of Women’s History Month, we announced that Swift is now majority women-owned with the addition of Jessica Gutowski-Slaydon added to the leadership team. Later that month, we received a phone call from Mark Sanchez, a reporter from Crain’s Business Journal. He had a desire to discuss our family business and our transition from G2 to G3 (that’s second generation to third generation!).
After a lively phone conversation, Mark published an article about our family business and the leadership transition. As if an online feature wasn’t enough, Mark is a talented writer and landed our story on the cover of the business journal, too. Thank you, Mark!
In April, we heard from another member of the Business Journal! This time, it was their special projects editor Tim Gortsema. He reached out to request that Jes be part of a panel of family-owned businesses at the Crain’s Business Power Breakfast on June 20.
The Crain's Business Journal Power Breakfast is an event that brings together influential business leaders, executives, entrepreneurs and professionals from different industries. The event aims to provide a platform for networking, exchanging ideas and discussing relevant topics that impact the local business community. It often features keynote speakers, panel discussions and Q&A sessions focused on current business trends, challenges and opportunities.
It was a swift “yes!” from Jes. She enjoys public speaking (and singing!) and even though she wouldn’t say it, we can: she’s a very talented public speaker! Even more enticing than participation was the opportunity to learn from others on the panel that also work within and lead a family-owned business. At the event, she would be aside:
Carrie Wilson, CEO and owner of Freedom Construction
Todd Custer, president and CEO of Custer Inc.
Bruce Young, family business attorney at Warner Norcross + Judd LLP and a shareholder at Behler-Young Co.
The event was moderated by Robin Burns from the Family Business Alliance, and you can read more about the breakfast here: West Michigan family business leaders discuss transitions, values, culture.
FROM THE DESK OF JES: POWER BREAKFAST KEY LEARNINGS
I’ll take any opportunity to learn from others in my industry, but the chance to sit with a group of others that serve in leadership at their family business took learnings to a whole new level! There are many pros and cons to working with your family, and we’re always working on being better, stronger and more efficient. In all businesses, great communication is key – and I’d argue that’s even more important in family-owned businesses! It can feel like the longer you work together the harder communication can become.
Here are some of the key takeaways I had from the panel:
In family businesses, creating, enforcing and respecting boundaries and not letting the business become your life is a hard thing to avoid. Just like anything worthwhile, it takes practice and systems.
Roles need to be clearly defined. Picking leadership lanes establishes trust and activates accountability – two very important pieces to the puzzle of family business!
“Each generation has its own path to get to the same destination.” – Jessica Gutowski Slaydon
Different generations have all similar goals, but the paths to get there are very different. As part of the younger generation (currently!), I've experienced this firsthand. My style is different from that of my dad, yet we both want the same things: employees that are well cared for, roots deeply planted in our West Michigan and Grand Rapids’ community, and to play the long game for Swift Printing while keeping sustainability and quality at the very, very top.
Family-owned businesses can reach out to the Family Business Alliance for a variety of valuable resources.
EVENT PRINTING SERVICES
At any event, you know we’re looking at the little details. First of all, a big shout out to the Business Journal because the event was so well organized. From the online registration and check-in to way-finding and event signage, it was all top notch. (Do you think they read our blog about gala and event signage?)
The event took place at Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park in the northeast side of Grand Rapids. With a 7am arrival time for guests, simple entry and way finding signage was appreciated.
At their check-in table, they had an incredible set up of name badges displayed in a reusable and small footprint wooden organizer.
The event planning team did an awesome job blending traditional communication with new age communication. On the large screen, they had a QR code to scan and type in a question. In real time, everyone could see it on the monitor and the moderator worked the questions into the conversation.
Need help with Printing? At Swift Printing, the best printing in Grand Rapids, Michigan, we would love to print your business materials including business cards, envelopes, letterhead and brochures. We enjoy working with small businesses, nonprofits and everyday people that just want great customer service, quality printing and want to feel good about where they spend their money. Please give us a call or send us an email at thankyou@swiftprinting.com today to start your print journey with Swift Printing.
Want more inspiration? Check out our Gala Guide to Printing!
