Leadership | The Barefoot Spirit

The 7 Hallmarks of Leadership

Michael Houlihan & Bonnie Harvey — Fri, 24 May 2019 16:38:02 +0000

What does it take to be a leader? It’s such a broad term and encompasses so many skills, it’s hard to answer with just the one thing that’s required.

Then there are the differing meanings of leadership. Are we talking thought leader, political leader, or the leader of the band?

For us who teach entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial culture, leadership is taking an enterprise from concept to cash. In other words, it’s creating a business and becoming an acquisition target, and setting a good example for your team to help you get there.

Here’s our short list on what it takes for that kind of leadership:

1. Sensitivity – The ability to see beyond the present. The ability to recognize opportunities. And the ability to imagine solutions to problems and look for answers.

Leaders recognize the limitations of their own skill set and allow others to take the lead to solve the technical and marketing problems. They have the humility to be open to the input of others who have more experience in the space they will be venturing into.

To read the complete article, please visit The Business Journals

Who We Are

Michael Houlihan and Bonnie Harvey co-authored the New York Times bestselling business book, The Barefoot Spirit: How Hardship, Hustle, and Heart Built America’s #1 Wine Brand. The book has been selected as recommended reading in the CEO Library for CEO Forum, the C-Suite Book Club, and numerous university classes on business and entrepreneurship. It chronicles their humble beginnings from the laundry room of a rented Sonoma County farmhouse to the board room of E&J Gallo, who ultimately acquired their brand and engaged them as brand consultants. Barefoot is now the world’s largest wine brand.

Beginning with virtually no money and no wine industry experience, they employed innovative ideas to overcome obstacles, create new markets and forge strategic alliances. They pioneered Worthy Cause Marketing and performance-based compensation. They built an internationally bestselling brand and received their industry’s “Hot Brand” award for several consecutive years.

They offer their Guiding Principles for Success (GPS) to help entrepreneurs become successful. Their book, The Entrepreneurial Culture: 23 Ways To Engage and Empower Your People, helps corporations maximize the value of their human resources.

Currently they travel the world leading workshops, trainings, & keynoting at business schools, corporations, conferences. They are regular media guests and contributors to international publications and professional journals. They are C-Suite Network Advisors & Contributing Editors. Visit their popular brand building site at www.consumerbrandbuilders.com.

To make inquiries for keynote speaking, trainings or consulting, please contact sales@thebarefootspirit.com.

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The 7 Hallmarks of Leadership

Michael Houlihan & Bonnie Harvey — Thu, 21 Feb 2019 18:00:58 +0000

What does it take to be a leader? It’s such a broad term and encompasses so many skills, it’s hard to answer with “just the one thing” that’s required. Then there’s the differing meanings of leadership. Are we talking thought leader, political leader, or the leader of the band?

Here’s our short list on what it takes for that kind of leadership:

1. Sensitivity

The ability to see beyond the present. The ability to recognize opportunities. And the ability to imagine solutions to problems and look for answers.

2. Innovation

The ability to look at a problem and create a solution. The willingness to test your solution in the real world and start over if necessary.

Leaders know that innovation doesn’t end with the product, but continues on to solve all the constant challenges necessary to get the product to, and keep it on, the market.

3. Tenacity

The ability to keep going even when it takes twice as long and costs twice as much. The wisdom to surround themselves with optimistic people who believe in their solution and give them the encouragement to stick to it.

Leaders must also provide the encouragement, recognition, and validation their own people need to keep going and improve. They must issue clear directions and set a standard for improvement so everyone on their team believes that progress is being made.

4. Empathy

The ability to look for and understand what every different person wants in every different relationship, whether it’s employees, vendors, or customers. The ability to understand and satisfy the various levels of customers between them and their eventual consumer or end-user.

Leaders communicate the needs of others to their people in a way they can understand and relate to. Leaders focus on sales and what is necessary to make them happen as a result of satisfying their customers’ needs.

5. Hustle

The ability to move quickly on opportunities. The ability to look for and hire only those people who demonstrate hustle.

Leaders must have a certain sense of urgency to get things done to meet their deadlines and those of their customers. They must have a keen sense of priority and execute the tasks that must be completed first.

6. Decisiveness

The ability not only to make decisions, but to make the hard decisions. The ability to realize that it’s better to make a decision on time with 75% of the data than to miss the opportunity by waiting for 100%. With this comes the ability to admit to poor decisions and correct and learn from them.

Good leaders must give their people permission to make mistakes – as long as they do so in a way that results in improving the company’s policies and procedures… permanently!

7. Sharing

The ability to share the wealth. The ability to look for strategic allies who can benefit from their success. And the desire to implement a profit- and equity-sharing agreement with key team members to secure their long-term buy-in, encouraging them to make sacrifices necessary to achieve success.

Leaders also share their challenges with their people, respecting their suggestions and encouraging participation in the problem-solving process.

There have been tons of books written on this subject, but from our real-world experience in our own business and in working with other entrepreneurs, these are the essentials!

Leaders lead. They lead the market and they lead their own people. Some put leaders on a pedestal and see them as glorified. It’s tough being a leader. There’s a lot of anxiety, delayed gratification, and just plain fatigue.

Some of us tend to only remember the ones who succeeded. But every leader failed their way to success. Every leader had doubts and had to bite the bullet.

But thanks to the leaders, we have jobs, a high standard of living, and some level of security. Leaders can take it from ideation to monetization. And they set a good example for all of us who follow them.

Who We Are

To make inquiries for keynote speaking, trainings or consulting, please contact sales@thebarefootspirit.com.

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The More You Talk, the Less They Listen

Michael Houlihan & Bonnie Harvey — Mon, 13 Aug 2018 16:18:36 +0000

What is the best way to communicate an idea in today’s noisy climate? We had heard about Ryan Foland’s “3-1-3® Method” and interviewed him about this thoughtful, simple and effective communications tool. We recently caught up with Ryan at his office at UC Irvine. He is not only the founder of the 3-1-3 Method, but also a top communications specialist at UCI, three-time TEDx Talk speaker and the cofounder of Influence Tree which helps people grow their influence.

Ryan describes himself as a proud ginger whose past was “sparkled” with that being the one thing that people held against him. He was classically bullied as a kid because he was the only one with red hair and freckles. That soon got him interested in non-verbal communication. Specifically, he turned to the martial arts and learned how to use his body, his eyes, his eyebrows, his shoulders and his posture to communicate confidence — even when what he was feeling inside was the exact opposite.

It was the first time he used the innate force we all have to communicate strength and confidence in a way that is sometimes more powerful than words. He went from being bullied to becoming a proud ginger and took on many leadership roles thereafter.

To read the complete article, please visit Entrepreneur

Who We Are

To make inquiries for keynote speaking, trainings or consulting, please contact sales@thebarefootspirit.com.

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The 7 Tenets of The Barefoot Startup

Michael Houlihan & Bonnie Harvey — Thu, 31 Aug 2017 17:00:24 +0000

According to Forbes, 90% of all new businesses fail. Why is the rate so high with so many great ideas? Is something missing? Something basic? According to the Small Business Administration, businesses that survive over 5 years tend to survive over 10 years. Do they finally learn something that saved them? What if they knew those things right from the beginning?

We are often accused of being Monday morning quarterbacks with 20-20 vision. Well, guilty as charged! And lucky for you! Having been through it from ideation to monetization, we are in a unique position to offer help. After years of wrong assumptions, and actions based on those wrong assumptions, it ultimately became clear to us what we were doing right and what we were doing wrong. Our experience and success in the real world can save you a ton of time, money, and anxiety.

Like the man says, “If you had it to do all over again, what would you do differently?” Well, some things we would do just the same, but others, we would have started doing a whole lot sooner. Starting with no money and no knowledge of our industry, you can bet we had a lot to learn. You can bet we made plenty of mistakes.

These are the same challenges startups face today, like being undercapitalized, finding and keeping the right people, providing effective leadership, and getting the word out, just to name a few. But the biggest mistakes startups make may be in their own heads! They tend to accept popular assumptions about business that are just, well, wrong! We want to change all that.

There’s a new movement afoot. We call it “The Barefoot Startup.” Why “Barefoot”? Because it’s a great analogy for a feet-on-the-ground, step-by-step approach to starting and growing your business. It’s beyond “bootstrap” because it’s sensitive to the terrain, its well-grounded in principle, and clears the path for success.

The Barefoot Startup incorporates the proven strategies we used successfully and the lessons we learned over 20 years building the Barefoot Wine brand. These key tenets made the biggest difference in our success. They can work well for any business. The tenets of The Barefoot Startup (#BarefootStartup) will give you a big head start, mitigate your risk, and reduce your need for capital.

It’s not another set of tactics. It’s not another cut-and-paste process for 6 figures in 6 months. But it is a fundamental understand, and application, of the basic principles of long-term business success. Think of it as an insurance policy for your start-up.

The 7 tenets of The Barefoot Startup spell S-U-C-C-E-S-S:

Strategic Alliances. Who wins if you win? How can you help them win? How can you work with your community to get the word out?
Understandings. How does your distribution system work? What are the challenges you face gaining acceptance in your market?
Customer. Who are your customers? What does each of them really want? How should your company be structured to gain their loyalty? How do you turn your customers into advocates?
Compassion. What does everyone who touches your product want? How can you show empathy for their needs? How do you gain their respect and cooperation?
Empowerment. How can you get the most out of your people, your suppliers, and your buyers? What do they need from you to do their job better for you?
Sales. What is the fastest way to create a positive cash flow? Where is your low-hanging fruit? What is the quickest way to gain a “Hot Mover” reputation?
Slow Down! How can you reduce your need for capital by being more resourceful? How can starting small show you the true cost of sales? How can you get your act together before you take your show on the road?

The Barefoot Startup offers detailed answers with real world examples. How do you spell success? Join the movement at www.thebarefootstartup.com!

Who We Are

To make inquiries for keynote speaking, trainings or consulting, please contact sales@thebarefootspirit.com.

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CSULB Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni

Michael Houlihan & Bonnie Harvey — Wed, 15 Apr 2015 17:15:02 +0000

Michael will be honored by CSULB’s Alumni Association as a Distinguished Alumni.

CSULB’s highest alumni honor, the Distinguished Alumni Award is bestowed annually in each College by the CSULB Alumni Association. In addition to demonstrated pride and positive affinity for CSULB, awardees have achieved a record of distinction, recognition and accomplishment in their fields and a proven record of leadership and service to their communities and society at large.

Who We Are

To make inquiries for keynote speaking, trainings or consulting, please contact sales@thebarefootspirit.com.

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What it Takes to be a “Good” Boss

Michael Houlihan & Bonnie Harvey — Sat, 18 Oct 2014 18:30:43 +0000

October 16^th was Boss’s Day. Traditionally it was established to show appreciation to your boss for being kind and fair throughout the year. Of course there are differing opinions about the appropriateness of the celebration based on people’s experiences with their current and former bosses.

Nevertheless, the holiday has been gaining in popularity since it was first registered with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in 1958. In 1979 Hallmark produced its first Boss’s Day cards but in 2007 increased its offerings by 28%. Boss’s day was originally established in an attempt to promote positive relationships between managers and their employees. The thought was to recognize bosses for the hard work, dedication, and challenges they face on a daily basis.

We think it is something more. We think Boss’s Day should also serve as a reminder to bosses at every level that to be deserving of that recognition they must practice certain policies that promote the respect and admiration of their people. Remember, everybody is some sort of a boss at some time. Whether it’s asking an outside vendor or customer for something you need in order to do your job, or whether it’s training a new employee, you are the “boss.” Here then is the short list of what it takes to be a “good” boss when you are the one in charge:

1. Clarity. You know what you want but can you explain it in no uncertain terms to a third party? A good boss will explain it several different ways with examples. They will put it in the larger context of “why” it is necessary, not just what is necessary. Then they will ask the person from whom they are requesting the action to repeat it back to them so they can clear up any misunderstandings.

2. Respect. Your employee, or the party from whom you are requesting action, has a brain. They can help you achieve your goals. So share your challenges with them and they will surprise you with out-of-the-box solutions. We practiced know-the-need, rather than need-to-know. When you do employ their workable solutions, they feel more engaged and empowered, resulting in a greater desire to help solve more problems

3. Appreciation. When you are the boss, you are in the role of surrogate parent. The people you depend upon look to you as an authority figure not unlike a parent. They want and need acknowledgement and validation. Don’t be afraid to give recognition for a job well done in writing. When you do, you will receive more of what you have shown appreciation for.

4. Encouragement. Again like parenting, bosses must tell their people “You can do it!” Show them how far they have come. Tell them that you have confidence in their ability to improve their skill set, achieve the deadline, or produce the deliverables. And again, when they do, be sure to thank them and acknowledge them for their achievements

5. Permission. Give your people permission to experiment, have fun, and make mistakes. Permission is probably the most important ingredient in employee engagement. When you look at mistakes as building blocks and not as blame centers, the people you are depending on will get the message and endeavor to learn from every mistake.

These are just a few of the best practices of “good” bosses, but feel free to add to this list. If it sounds a little parental, it is. Showing concern for the people you rely on and their needs is the basis for a positive company culture. By the way, Patricia Haroski, who founded Boss’s Day? Her boss was her dad!

Who We Are

To make inquiries for keynote speaking, trainings or consulting, please contact sales@thebarefootspirit.com.

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John F. Kennedy was Assassinated 50 Years Ago

Michael Houlihan & Bonnie Harvey — Sun, 17 Nov 2013 02:10:26 +0000

This week we remember the assassination of John F. Kennedy, one of our most popular presidents and one of our youngest presidents. He was elected by a razor thin margin of the popular vote, but quickly united a divided nation. Kennedy’s dashing image, eloquent speaking style, and international popularity couldn’t help but gain the respect of the most ardent critics of the time. Elected in 1960 and assassinated in 1963, he spent only 1000 days in the White House, yet he demonstrated a timeless strength so sorely in demand today – Leadership ! Leadership is commonly defined as “a process of social influence in which one person can enlist the aid and support of others in the accomplishment of a common task.” That was one quality for which JFK was known and admired.

Today, with the international space station, commercial space vehicles, and our almost total dependence on satellite communication, it’s hard to believe there was ever a time when our country could not even get one satellite into orbit; a time when Americans had to watch in embarrassment as our rockets blew up on their launch pads or veered off course and had to be destroyed; a time when the Russians (then the Soviet Union), were boasting about having the first and only successful satellite in orbit. Such was the landscape of national humiliation when John Kennedy took office.

In 1961, shortly after becoming president, he called a joint session of Congress in which he declared that the United States was going to land a man on the moon and bring him safely back to earth before the end of the decade. Imagine the courage, vision and downright boldness that must have taken at that particular time. He went on to say that achieving this goal may in many ways held the key to our future on earth. How right he was.

Kennedy gave all Americans hope and a goal at a time when they needed it. Even though he was not there to see the first man step on the lunar surface, the country he inspired accomplished it – and even beat the timetable! His leadership returned purpose, confidence and pride to the American people.

Given the circumstances, many would argue that he had no business stating such a steamily unreachable goal – but it was just that, the difficulty of the goal, that sparked the country’s imagination, united the nation, and challenged them to show their stuff. This was true leadership. As Dr. Martin Luther King put it, “A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus.”

“Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” When John Kennedy made this statement, he knew he was uniting the American people and challenging them at the same time.

His appeal was based on lofty goals, bold moves, and his ability to communicate his confidence in the country’s capacity to overcome big challenges. When a leader says, “I believe you can do this,” he’s enlisting the pride of his followers and demonstrating his faith in their abilities. We could all do well to remember what made him a such great president and apply his style of leadership in our government, on Wall Street and on Main Street today.

This week let’s not focus so much on those dire events in Dallas on November 22^nd 1962, but on what Kennedy had to offer the country and the world: A valiant, charismatic leader who improved our lives with bold challenges and faith in our abilities.

Who We Are

To make inquiries for keynote speaking, trainings or consulting, please contact sales@thebarefootspirit.com.

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Does Your Company Culture Give Rise to Great Ideas?

Michael Houlihan & Bonnie Harvey — Tue, 24 May 2011 16:32:06 +0000

Some people think “culture” is what you get in your yogurt. So called “company culture” starts from the top and permeates throughout your organization. The attitudes, principles, philosophies and values of owners like you and your managers shape the decisions, actions, and motivation of your employees.

The morale of your people and the impressions of your vendors and customers are greatly impacted by your company’s culture. If your staff treats information as a jealously guarded currency, if the division of labor is creating turf battles, if good ideas are being suppressed, or if job preservation is taking precedence over customer service, you can expect to lose your best and most creative people. Your company will be upstaged in the marketplace by competitors who allow and encourage creative ideas.

Each of the following concepts helps you build a positive company culture, and will receive more attention in later posts. Here is a brief summary:

Create Two Divisions. Your employees are either in Sales or Sales Support. Ultimately, everyone in your company gets paid from sales. No matter what their job or profession, make sure each of your people know how he/she affects sales. Emphasize the point by finding ways to link their compensation to sales. When you keep them up to date on your sales and get their feedback, you will be surprised at the improved team spirit.
Give Your Staff Permission to experiment, take chances and even make mistakes, so long as they document the changes needed to prevent them from occurring again. In the process, they will improve the company’s policies and procedures while coming up with out-of-the-box solutions and innovative improvements.
Improve the Planet. Your people want to make a difference. Show them how your product, sales program, and groups you support are making the world a better place. When they know that they are part of a higher value than just selling a product, they will approach their job with the added enthusiasm, knowing they are making a difference.
Give Congratulations. Your people are motivated by goal achievement, but also by public recognition. It not only validates their creativity, but it sends a message to the rest of the troops that this type of behavior is identified, appreciated and celebrated. Appreciation builds loyalty, encourages achievement, and builds a productive environment.

Everyone in your company is playing by a set of rules. Instead of letting those rules evolve by divisions of labor, hierarchy, and apathy, take charge of your company culture and build it in a positive and nurturing direction. Culture is not just found in yogurt!

Who We Are

To make inquiries for keynote speaking, trainings or consulting, please contact sales@thebarefootspirit.com.

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