In this episode of Optics in Action, host Ryan Weiss sits down with Chris Murphy, owner of Blue Bear Plumbing, Heating, and Air, to dive deep into his entrepreneurial journey. Chris shares insights from his rapid growth in the trades industry, the importance of balancing people and processes, and the evolution of leadership values. From creating core company values to managing change within a growing team, Chris offers advice for business owners and young professionals entering the trades. Tune in for actionable leadership insights that bridge the gap between customer service and technical expertise.

Chris emphasizes the importance of creating structured processes but ensuring they are backed by the right people. Without proper buy-in and consistent execution, even the best processes can fail.

Blue Bear’s core values were crafted from identifying the most common frustrations among team members. Chris highlights how defining values based on employee experiences creates a stronger, more unified team.

Chris encourages young professionals entering the trades to prioritize work ethic and discipline. These foundational qualities can accelerate success in an industry that still holds incredible opportunities for growth and stability.

Join Ryan Weiss on Optics in Action as he sits down with Ryan Pollyniak, a cloud transformation executive at Western Computers. Together, they dive into the challenges and opportunities businesses face during ERP and CRM system implementations. The conversation highlights the balance between technological solutions and effective change management, helping teams adopt new systems without resistance. Discover key strategies for driving successful digital transformation by focusing on people, processes, and long-term growth.

Episode Highlights:

Effective Change Management: Proactive communication and transparency are vital to ensure smooth transitions and prevent internal resistance during system implementations.

User Adoption and Process Integration: Aligning ERP/CRM solutions with user needs and avoiding overly complex customizations helps increase adoption and overall system effectiveness.

Selecting the Right Technology: When choosing new systems, it's essential to look beyond features and focus on long-term supportability, security, and scalability.

In this episode of Optics in Action, we sit down with Forrest Durr, COO and integrator at Sexton Lawn and Landscape, to dive deep into the critical role of an integrator in the success of businesses. Forrest shares insights from his personal journey as a "closet integrator" and explains how the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) and its key components—people, process, and structure—allow leaders to implement visions effectively across industries. Tune in for valuable lessons on change management, optimizing processes, and finding the right balance between visionary ideas and grounded execution.