171. Lessons From Breakthrough Academy’s 2023 Leader of the Year - Matt Parks
Jul 31, 2024
auto_awesome
In this engaging discussion, Matt Parks, VP of Business Development at Five Points Roofing and Breakthrough Academy’s 2023 Leader of the Year, shares his unique, human-centered leadership philosophy. He dives into the unconventional sales strategies that foster team unity and drive performance. Matt also opens up about navigating personal loss and how it shaped his approach to leadership. Discover his insights on innovative hiring practices and the value of collaboration that can elevate any contracting business.
Matt Parks emphasizes a human-centered leadership approach that fosters team accountability and collaboration within Five Points Roofing's sales strategy.
His personal journey through grief has shaped his empathetic leadership style, highlighting the importance of supporting team members during crises.
Deep dives
Unconventional Path to Leadership
Matt Parks describes his unique journey to becoming a key figure at Five Points Roofing, which started with a decade-long consulting relationship. Initially focused on digital marketing, he was invited by a former consulting client to join the company after an injury limited the owner’s ability to operate. Although he hesitated at first due to his background, he was intrigued by the company’s unusual model of functioning like a marketing firm rather than a typical contractor. This transition marked a significant shift in his career, as he moved from consulting to managing a team, requiring him to adapt his skills to a new role.
Innovative Sales Structure
Five Points Roofing employs an innovative approach to keeping their sales team motivated and engaged in lead generation. Each sales representative is required to generate a percentage of the leads they receive from the company, fostering a sense of accountability and hunger within the team. This approach is supported by a non-competitive culture that encourages collaboration among team members rather than rivalry. By emphasizing family values, the organization cultivates a supportive environment where sales representatives work together towards common goals.
Purpose-Driven Marketing
The company's marketing communications are anchored around a clearly defined 'why,' emphasizing a commitment to helping the community and supporting customers in need. This philosophy resonates deeply within the organization and significantly impacts customer loyalty, as those who share the same values are more likely to engage with the brand. Matt has instituted initiatives to ensure that every touchpoint with customers—from marketing materials to social media—reflects this core belief in family and community. This strategic approach not only differentiates Five Points Roofing from competitors but also fosters lasting relationships with clients.
Resilience Through Personal Tragedy
Matt Parks candidly shares the personal challenges he faced after the loss of his wife to cancer, which profoundly shaped his perspective on life and leadership. This experience taught him the significance of time and the importance of prioritizing people, noting that time given to others is invaluable and irreplaceable. He stresses the necessity for business leaders to build systems that support team members during personal crises, underscoring the need for a resilient organization. Ultimately, his journey through grief has reinforced his commitment to leading with empathy and a deep understanding of the human experience.
We talk a lot on the show about leadership. But today, we’re approaching it a bit differently.
Our guest today is Matt Parks, VP of Business Development at Five Points Roofing and the winner of Breakthrough Academy’s Leader of the Year Award in 2023. He knows a lot about leadership. Not because he wrote a book on it—but because he has worked tirelessly over the years to develop and adopt a holistic, human-centered leadership philosophy. And it paid off.
Matt is known in the Breakthrough Academy community as a strong implementer of systems and processes. In other words, he gets sh*t done. And he gets his team wanting to get sh*t done too.
Listen to the full episode to learn how you can use Matt’s approach to become a leader who is both more effective and more compassionate. You’ll hear about how this approach influenced Five Points’ unconventional sales and marketing strategy, created a united team, and helped Matt overcome personal tragedy.