The Importance of Generosity with Mike Borel

The Intentional Agribusiness Leader Podcast

Mike J. Borel is an accomplished business consultant, visionary and strategist who brings both client and direct success in improving competitive position, increasing sales and profit, and enhancing stockholder value. He has revitalized, streamlined and turned around organizations to generate positive cash flow, increase market share, improve productivity and reduce costs. During his executive career, Mr. Borel has applied common sense and business skills to lead teams in outperforming competitors in sales and profits in every position he has held (President & COO Valent Americas; Chairman & CEO Novazone; Business Manager DuPont Europe, Middle East, Africa; General Manager DuPont Australasia; etc.). Mr. Borel is now “enabling remarkable results” for clients by helping identify and implement winning strategy and enabling successful, high-impact critical decisions.

Mike Borel emphasizes the importance of being intentional in both personal and professional life. He believes that having a clear purpose and being focused on each activity is key to success. Mike also discusses talent retention in the agriculture industry and shares how Context Network attracts and retains employees through flexibility, exciting projects, clear metrics, and a safe environment for sharing ideas. He highlights the significance of building a culture where everyone feels comfortable expressing their thoughts and experiences. Mike also shares his personal achievements, including growing businesses and making a positive impact through volunteer work.

Key Takeaways:

• Being intentional means having a clear purpose and focus in both overall goals and daily activities.
• Flexibility, exciting projects, and clear metrics are important factors in attracting and retaining talent.
• Building a culture where everyone feels safe to share their thoughts and experiences is crucial for success.
• Personal achievements, such as growing businesses and making a positive impact through volunteer work, bring fulfillment and satisfaction.

Quotes:

• "Being intentional means having a purpose both overall and for each activity."
• "Making it safe for everyone to share their views, thoughts, and experiences is the most important element of culture." - Mike Borel
• "You can never expect better behavior from people reporting to you than you demonstrate yourself."
• "Having a plan and knowing what you want to accomplish is key to maximizing productivity."
• "Culture is like raising a newborn baby. You have to feed it and address issues when they arise." - Danny Meyer
• "Giving is the right thing to do. It's important to make a positive impact in the world."
• "Reading books on strategy and leadership helps in personal and professional development."

Book Recommendation:

Love and Profit: The Art of Caring Leadership by James A Autry