My TEC Journey Begins

By Rich Davis

I’m one of those guys who researches new office phone systems for weeks before deciding what model to purchase.  I’ve been known to interview job candidates 4-5 times before making a decision.  Admittedly, it’s going overboard but I really believe that extra homework ahead of time can prevent a lot of headaches later.  So I even surprised myself when I immediately jumped at the opportunity to join a TEC PF group.  (The PF stands for President’s Forum, if you’re unfamiliar.)   

Then came the morning of my first meeting.  I was second guessing.  “Can I even afford to spend this much time away from work?” I asked myself.  “I have so many things that need to be done at the office that only I can do.”  

Now, I’m not a big believer in fate, but something pretty darn coincidental was about to occur.

Every quarter TEC group sessions feature a guest expert, each with different area of expertise. Topics can range from increasing profitability to managing difficult people to becoming a more effective leader.  But it’s never just a speech.  It’s a true interactive forum to discuss, learn and share.  Donna Genett author of “If You Want Something Done Right, You Don’t Have To Do It Yourself!” was the guest expert for the quarter.  The topic was delegating.  (A subject I have wrestled with just about my entire professional life.)

After literally the first five minutes of her presentation, I was amazed.  This was a person I would never have access to if I hadn’t joined TEC.  I wasn’t just reading information from her book and figuring out how to apply it to my advertising agency.  In a small group setting, I was able to ask questions about my specific company and our actual situation.  Better still, I got back specific answers dealing with how and when I should delegate.

By the time the session ended, I had learned why delegating had never worked for me before.  I realized that, using the delegation system she taught me, I didn’t have to continually feel overwhelmed at work.  I realized that a lot of that stuff I worried about not being able to get to because I was at a TEC meeting or doing something else out of the office, I shouldn’t be doing anyway!!! Most importantly, I realized that I would soon have lots more time to spend working on the business instead of in the business.  

Based on experts advice and the input of my new fellow group members, I added a new key person to the staff (someone to whom I could delegate) and shared with my direct reports how they should be delegating.  

The results were instantly measurable.  We were able to focus more on the important things.  We finally had time to concentrate on growing the business instead of spending time putting out fires.  I actually had more time to spend with my wife and kids and saw profits go up.  It literally impacted my life.  

If I get nothing else from my TEC membership from here on out, (which is pretty darn unlikely) I would still say it was worth joining from that meeting alone.  Next up is my first one on-one session with my group Chairman.  I’m really excited.  Although part of me now says I should be delegating the meeting to someone else, there’s no way I’m going to miss that for the world.

Tune in next month to see what happens.