Built to Last
Many of you might be surprised that Madison+Main was not the first company that I started. I partnered with a couple of other guys many years ago when I started my first agency and it lasted almost 5 years. We did some amazing work and got some big national clients and we made money.
After all that hard work, sweat, toil and tears, we sold out to a bigger, better, badder competitor. After that debacle, I drifted. I didn’t really have a goal and I felt empty, because didn’t accomplish the mission. (But hey, it was California and I lived next to the beach and became a beach bum for a few years, so it wasn’t all bad.)
In 2005 I started Madison+Main and I tried to learn from the lessons from the first go round. First off, I started it myself. No partners. #1 key to success.
The best lessons were from Jim Collins, author of many great biz books, including Good To Great. However, Built To Last: Successful Habits of Highly Visionary Companies was the one book that helped me frame how I wanted to do business.
Collins, and co-author Jerry Porras, conducted a detailed analysis of 18 companies over a six year study. They wanted to know why companies like 3M, American Express, Boeing, Citibank, Ford, General Electric, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Johnson & Johnson, Marriott, Merck, Motorola, Nordstrom, Philip Morris, Procter & Gamble, Sony, Wal-Mart, and Walt Disney succeed.
The book shows hundreds of examples of how these companies, many that were founded over 100 years ago, managed to not just survive, but thrive.
A few of the core ideas I found useful:
- Start with people and build a culture where they thrive, personally and professionally.
- Stay true to your goals and values, but be willing to embrace change.
- Set BHAGs (big hairy audacious goals)
- Build leaders from within, so the company survives without you.
- Strive for continuous improvement. Every day. Every week. Every month.
20 years later and I’m starting to think we got it right at Madison+Main. Next week is Texas Inn’s 90th Birthday, by the way.
Hope you’ll join us in celebrating that milestone, too!
#BoldBrandsWin
MONDAY:
DRIVING CHANGE
We were proud to serve as the drink cart sponsor at last week’s Teeing Off on Cancer golf tournament at Magnolia Green Golf Club. Our very own Leanne Pillow, VP, and Anne Bowers, Account Executive, joined the crew on the course, raising a glass—and a swing—to support efforts to prevent and fight colorectal cancer. #shots
TUESDAY:
HOG WILD AT THE STATE FAIR!
This week, the Madison+Main team made our 19th annual trip to the Virginia State Fair—and as always, it didn’t disappoint. From fat pigs racing (sow fast, sow furious) to deep-fried everything (and we mean everything), we soaked up the sights, sounds, and tastes that make the fair such a beloved tradition. It was the perfect mix of team bonding and good old-fashioned out-of-office fun.
WEDNESDAY:
FIRED UP ABOUT ZORCH!
Crust us when we say that we’re thrilled to officially welcome Zorch Pizza to the Madison+Main roster of clients! Known for their bold flavors and out-of-this-world pies, Zorch has quickly become one of RVA’s slice obsessions since first opening as a food truck in 2018. Now with brick-and-mortar locations in Carytown and Forest Hill, we can’t wait to help spread the word and sneak in some slices along the way.
THURSDAY:
WINS ON TOP OF WINS
Over a few well-earned beers at Penny Lane Pub, Madison+Main celebrated big victories for Ceasefire Virginia and One Pill Can Kill with Mark Fero (Programs Administration Manager) and Morgan Abbate (Statewide Ceasefire Coordinator) of the Virginia OAG. Crime rates are down, fentanyl deaths are dropping, and while it’s far more trivial, the crew even took first place in bar trivia while they were at it. Cheers to multitasking!
FRIDAY:
DAVE’S ON THE (AIR)WAVES
This morning, I joined Rich Herrera, at 9:05 am this morning on Richmond’s Morning News to chat about the State Fair and much more happening this weekend in RVA. ICYMI, here’s the link.
A FEW OF OUR FAVORITE EVENTS
Outdoor Yoga at RVA Big Market
Date: Saturday, October 4
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Tickets: FREE
Location: Bryan Park
Bring your own mat and join us for a FREE all-levels class at RVA Big Market at Bryan Park!
Date: Saturday, October 4
Time: 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $54
Location: Shop Made in VA (3348 Moore St.)
Get in the Halloween spirit in this beginner-friendly ceramics class with Wolf Cat Ceramics!
Date: Friday, October 3, through Sunday, October 5
Time: Varies depending on locatoin
Location: See link above for participating restaurants
This week-long event is designed to showcase the world class oysters grown locally in Virginia and to benefit the Chesapeake Bay foundation by donating 15% of all sales.
“Without you, it would just be me working in a sad little office with very few accomplishments. These past 20 years have proven that Madison+Main is more than an idea, but a company that’s built to last. Here’s to making trouble, making ads that matter, making life-long friendships and making this company bigger and better!“ – My memo to staff this morning