Tugboat Institute

This October, we are celebrating five years since Bo Burlingham wrote his story for Inc Magazine on the Evergreen movement and Tugboat Institute, which so eloquently captured our nascent start. Since then, our community of Purpose-driven CEOs has grown and deepened in connection, our programs and content have expanded to support those leaders and their teams, and our understanding of the importance of their companies to our society as well as their inherent competitive advantages are even more clear. We can say confidently that Evergreen companies represent capitalism at its best. As a team, we look forward to serving Evergreen leaders and companies long into the bright future. https://lnkd.in/gscjkii

Tugboat Institute® recently awarded O.C. Tanner with our very first Evergreen Company of the Year™ award. 🎉 This honor highlights their commitment to embodying all Evergreen 7Ps® principles. Founded by Obert Clark Tanner in 1927, this company evolved from making seminary graduation pins to leading the world in employee recognition software and services. Their commitment to innovation and purpose has driven this transformation. What makes O.C. Tanner truly remarkable? - A commitment to Pragmatic Innovation that keeps them relevant and pioneering. - A steadfast dedication to remaining Private, ensuring their culture and values endure. - An authentic Purpose: “We help people thrive at work,” infused in every aspect of their operations. - A People First approach that fosters a supportive and thriving workplace. O.C. Tanner’s journey is a testament to the power of these principles, guided by a visionary Transition Document crafted by Obert Tanner himself. Curious about their incredible story and what makes them deserving of this honor? Click the link in the comments to read the full article and be inspired by O.C. Tanner’s journey. 👇 #TugboatInstitute #EvergreenCEO #EvergreenJournal #CertifiedEvergreen

At Tugboat Institute®, we celebrate Private, Purpose driven companies that prioritize their people and long-term success. This week we’re shining the spotlight on Awesome (SmugMug & Flickr)! Founded with a Purpose of capturing a better world through the power of photography. Awesome aims to become the most trusted brand in photography. In 2021, Awesome achieved Certified Evergreen® status from Tugboat Institute. This recognition highlights their use of a people first approach and leveraging innovation, in support of their Purpose. Awesome's impact extends beyond just business: - Providing a home for creators and storytellers - Preserving billions of photos at risk of disappearing - Serving as a dynamic networking ecosystem for photographers They exemplify how an Evergreen Purpose-driven company can adapt and thrive for the long-term. Want to learn more about Awesome's journey? Check out their website (link in the comments). P.S. Awesome was also recently honored as one of our Best Evergreen Companies™. #DigitalPhotography #CreativeIndustry #TugboatInstitute #EvergreenCEO #EvergreenJournal #CertifiedEvergreen

We were honored to have Scott White, CEO of IGS Energy, speak at Tugboat Institute® Summit 2024. Scott’s talk offered a front-row seat to the complexities of the energy industry and how businesses can navigate the challenges of a shifting landscape. Growing up with a parent in the energy sector, Scott has witnessed firsthand the impact of energy shortages and the crucial need for innovative solutions. His presentation highlighted: → Reducing Carbon Emissions: Sustainable growth strategies. → Future Energy Demands: Addressing increased electricity needs from reshoring, AI, and data centers. → Actionable Steps: Protecting businesses from energy shortages and price volatility. Scott’s talk is a must-watch for Evergreen® business leaders looking to navigate the shifting energy landscape and who aim to be in business for the long term. 👉 Click the link in the comments to watch Scott’s full presentation! #TugboatInstitute #EvergreenCEO #EvergreenJournal #CertifiedEvergreen #EnergyIndustry #Sustainability #BusinessLeadership

Circles are powerful. For Joe Motz, this 3,000-mile Circle is especially powerful… The founder of The Motz Group, Joe will embark on a circular canoe trip this summer. Leaving from his home in Cincinnati, he will travel across 3 major rivers and 3 Great Lakes before returning home. The best part?... He built the canoe by hand. Joe's adventure mirrors that of an Evergreen® business — relying on community support and shared purpose. It's a reminder that in business and life, we often come full circle. And that the journey is more meaningful than any end goal. Want to explore how Joe Motz's 3,000-mile journey embodies the Evergreen business philosophy? Read the full Tugboat Institute® article now (link below in the comments). #TugboatInstitute #EvergreenCEO #EvergreenJournal #CertifiedEvergreen #MotzMoves

Evergreen businesses are positioned to grow profitably for 100+ years. This week we’d like to shine the spotlight on the following Certified Evergreen® Company... Supportworks, Inc. 🎉 Founded in 2008, Supportworks has redefined the foundation repair industry. Their Purpose-driven mission is clear… — helping home-service contractors build successful businesses. In 2020, they achieved Certified Evergreen status from Tugboat Institute. This certification recognizes their long-term vision, financial strength, and people first culture. And while Supportworks' commitment to their contractors is outstanding… Their impact extends beyond business. Supportworks creates: - Fulfilling careers for employees - Elevate homeowner experiences industry-wide - Strengthen communities through engaged families They are a perfect example of how a Purpose-driven company can adapt and grow profitably for 100 years and more. Want to learn more about Supportworks? Check out their website (link in comments). #Supportworks #HomeServiceIndustry #TugboatInstitute #EvergreenCEO #certifiedevergreen

We were honored to have Steve Doerfler, Chairman of Metalcraft Inc, share his inspiring journey at the Tugboat Institute® Summit 2024. His presentation is a testament to resilience and authentic leadership. Steve has faced many immense challenges, including a historic flood, an economic recession, and multiple sclerosis. Through these adversities, he embraced servant leadership, fostering trust and deeper connections within his team. Steve’s story is a powerful reminder of the impact of authentic leadership and dedication to employee well-being. His insights provide valuable lessons for any leader navigating through tough times. Click the link in the comments to watch Steve’s full presentation and gain more insights! 👇 #idmadebetter #livingourvalues

A strong CEO needs an unwavering "North Star" — … a clear sense of purpose and values that guide their leadership through any challenge. Without this, organizations lose sight of their mission and long-term goals. Leaders without a strong vision inevitably lead to: - Erosion of trust within the company (and with clients) - Inconsistent decision-making - Cultural misalignment In contrast, CEOs with a solid "North Star" can achieve long-term success by making decisions aligned with the company's mission. Like the North Star guiding a ship’s captain… Leaders need guidance too. Want to become a "North Star" leader? Roderick Jones, Executive Chairman of Concentric, shares his firsthand experience with this crucial leadership quality in the latest Tugboat Institute article. Read the full piece now (link below in the comments). #Leadership #TugboatInstitute #EvergreenCEO #EvergreenJournal

There are hidden costs of a wrong CEO hire. Luckily, it's possible to avoid it… Sometimes an employee's strength in one role… — can be a weakness after promotion. It's especially noticeable (and damaging) if they become CEO. Roderick Jones, former CEO and current Executive Chairman of Concentric, faced this challenge in 2017 when he promoted a trusted employee to CEO. Despite success at his previous position, the new leader struggled to adapt. He surrounded himself with “Yes–men” and lacked a clear vision. For Concentric, this lead to: - Lost clients - Eroded trust - Declining revenue After 14 months, Roderick stepped back in as CEO to rebuild client relationships and reset the company culture. The experience taught him that skills excelling in one position don't always translate to top leadership. Roderick’s advice? Look for curiosity and vision in CEO candidates — but heed early warning signs. The best leaders have a strong "North Star" guiding their decisions. Want to learn how Concentric overcame this setback and thrived? Read the full Tugboat Institute article now (link in the comments). #LeadershipLessons #TugboatInstitute #EvergreenCEO #EvergreenJournal

We had the immense pleasure of having Kris Maynard, Executive Chairman of Essential Ingredients, Inc. and Cathedral Holdings, share his wisdom at Tugboat Institute® Summit 2024. Kris offered profound lessons on leadership transitions and maintaining company culture. Here were some of our favorite takeaways: Embrace Change Gradually: Treat major changes as a dial, not a binary switch, to ease the transition for everyone involved. Custom Approach: Every leadership transition is unique and requires a tailored strategy. Mentorship Matters: Focus on mentoring the next generation of leaders to ensure continuity and growth. Expect to Feel Left Out: Adjusting to a new role might make you feel excluded initially, but it's a natural part of the transition. Productive New Roles: Find new ways to be productive, such as volunteering or mentoring, to continue making an impact. Kris’ transition from CEO to Executive Chairman at Essential Ingredients exemplifies the power of thoughtful succession planning and an Evergreen® approach. His insights provide valuable tools for any leader navigating change. Click the link in the comments to watch Kris' full presentation and gain more insights! 👇