Don Adams, CEO of Dale Carnegie - Chicago
Q: Describe the company.
A: Our organization is the Chicago location of Dale Carnegie Training, a global professional development training company that supports its clients in transforming their potential into getting results. Our clients get results because of the practical tools that can be applied immediately to their real-world challenges. With our highly relevant and customized coaching, we support our clients in bringing out the best in themselves.
Q: What is one fact about you or your company that most people may not know?
A: While the Dale Carnegie organization has been around for over 100 years, few people realize that it is located in over 90 countries and its programs are delivered in more than 25 different languages.
Q: What's new at your company?
A: Our team is engaged and energized with our initiative to "streamline and simplify" so that we can focus on what we do best, i.e., transform an individual's potential into performance so that he or she, in turn, transform their organizations.
Q: What's the hottest trend in your industry?
A: With the economy improving there is a war for talent. Organizations are scrambling to engage and retain their top people. There is a leadership gap where succession planning is critical. There are more leaders retiring than there are people to replace them. There is also a generational gap - understanding and appreciating the differences in how the generations think and process information will be critical to the growth and success of organizations moving forward. Both of these gaps create a huge opportunity for us.
Q: Do you plan to hire any additional staff or make any significant capital investments in your company in the next year?
A: We added three new staff members at the beginning of the year. We anticipate adding three to four additional new team members in the coming year. We recently invested in our computer systems and are looking to ramp up additional infrastructure, e.g., phone systems and updated Customer Relationship Management this year.
Q: What will your company's main challenges be in the next year?
A: Connecting with more organizations in Chicagoland that are optimistic about the future, have pretty good people in place … and that realize that their future growth is directly dependent upon their ability to develop their people and their upcoming leaders.
Q: If you had one tip to give a rookie CEO, what would it be?
A: Relentlessly communicate the organization's vision, mission, and values and make certain every team member understands how his or her role connects and contributes to its success.
Q: Do you have a business mantra?
A: Model first, teach second.
Q: From a business outlook, who do you look up to?
A: I am very fortunate to have several mentors who have provided much valuable advice over the years. For example, I have one former business owner I meet with regularly who is consistently encouraging (and challenging) me to grow the business and not be satisfied with the status quo. He inspires me.
Q: What do you like to do in your free time?
A: I enjoy golfing with friends and fishing with my family. Both of which are great "getaways" as they cause me to be fully present in the activity.
Q: What book is on your nightstand?
A: The two most used books in my iPad right now are the Bible and "Essentialism, the Disciplined Pursuit of Less" by Greg McKeown.
Q: What keeps you up at night?
A: Making certain that we are doing everything we can to support our team members in being successful so that they can share that success and attitude with their prospects and clients.
Q: What was your first paying job?
A: When I was 13, I worked for my uncle in his meat market in Highland, Indiana. He taught me from an early age the importance of a strong work ethic.
Q: If you could put your company name on a sports venue, which one would you choose?
A: I love the passion and energy of the Blackhawks' fans so I would love to be associated with the home games at the United Center.
- Kim Mikus
Don Adams
<b>CEO, Dale Carnegie - Chicago</b>1333 Butterfield Road, Downers Grove, IL
Industry: Training
Number of employees: 25+
Website: www.chicago.dalecarnegie.com
Family information: Married, two sons
Hometown: Highland, Indiana