What I Learned From a Consumer Product Background

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How do you balance the fine line between athletic performance as well as looking good, being fashionable? That's a good question. In our business, in both apparel and footwear, product has to perform, and we always put that first. Kids today want they want to work well and feel but they also wanted to look good. And i didn't have a great understanding of how important design was. So it becomeias. Youre still some i'm learning, i deftly kdon't have it masterd, but i certainly respect it more because i understand how important it is.

Episode 042: Rob DeMartini – CEO of New Balance: The Leader Behind Their Explosive Growth

Rob DeMartini is a great leader and an even better human being. I’m very fortunate to now call him a friend. He truly understands the value of the culture and the key ingredient to a successful business is the people that work so hard to provide great products and services to their customers. We are extremely fortunate to have Rob share his knowledge with US, the loyal listeners of The Learning Leader Show.

Rob joined New Balance as CEO in 2007, moving to the company from Tyson Foods, where he oversaw all aspects of the company's $6 billion consumer products business. Prior to Tyson's, he was with Procter & Gamble for 18 years. Since joining New Balance, he’s grown it from a $1.5B business to now a $4 Billion business.

Rob DeMartini was named the country's Most Playful CEO (in 2011) in a nationwide search for inventive leaders who incorporate play and innovation into the work environment to encourage collaboration and teamwork.

Episode 042: Rob DeMartini – CEO of New Balance: The Leader Behind Their Explosive Growth

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The Learning Leader Show

“Successful people have a natural curiosity, energy, and optimism.” – Rob DeMartini

Some Questions I Ask:

What one common characteristic do all successful leaders share?
How did you get to this point? What’s your story behind the success?
Why were you chosen to be the CEO of New Balance?
What has been the key to the massive growth at New Balance?
What are the benefits from being a private company? Why can’t public companies take the long view?
What were the biggest challenges taking over at New Balance?
What is your hiring process? How do you make those decisions?
What are some great habits you learned at Proctor & Gamble that you’ve implemented at New Balance?
What is the biggest mistake young leaders make?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

The importance of your relationships and who you have them with
The importance of culture in a business
Why people with a very high sense of personal awareness achieve success
The 5 year plan he has implemented at New Balance
The reason for high turnover after he took the role at New Balance
Why everyone should read Good to Great by Jim Collins
Why it’s important to balance both performance and a good look with your products
The importance of taking a complicated message and making it clear

“The innovation of our teams, combined with our values, is the reason we have grown.” – Rob DeMartini

Continue Learning:

· Go To: http://www.newbalance.com/

· Watch Video of Rob Names Most Playful CEO: Rob DeMartini

· Follow New Balance on Twitter: @newbalance