Episode 51 contains audio from the Founders Award Presentation that took place at the River Spirit Casino in Tulsa, OK on April 25th, 2018. The Founders Award is an award we give out annually to the General Manager that went above and beyond the call of duty.  This award is about more than hitting numbers or financial targets.  This is about the spirit, the heart and soul of US Beef.  These men and women represent the very best of US Beef and each one is a true Compass Champion. You'll hear each Director introduce their nominee and tell stories about their accomplishments.  Pay close attention to the level of Commitment, Humility, and Respect that each of the nominees showcased not only in 2017, but throughout their career. Truly an amazing accomplishment to be nominated and a very special moment for our overall winner. I hope you enjoy this episode of CompassCast! Call To Action: Use our SpeakPipe link to record a message of congratulations for our winner!  I'll make sure they receive it.   www.speakpipe.com/USBeef Links: CompassCast@gmail.com - E-mail http://compasscast.libsyn.com/ - Website and E-mail Signup US Beef Employee Facebook Page - Employees Only www.arbysswag.com - Arby's Swag

CompassCast

051- 2017 Founders Award Presentation

Another great US Beef success story...Josh Spotz (newly promoted Area Director) started as a team member and now he finds himself working side by side with his mentor and current Regional Director of Operations, Karen Lynch.  This dynamic duo has a challenging road ahead.  In a market that has had its share of struggles, we now look to Karen and Josh to get us back on track in Kansas City.   In this episode, Josh walks us through his plans for the turnaround effort that is already underway.  He describes his early struggles as a District Manager and how a few chance encounters have shaped the way he leads today.   Also, Finish This Sentence makes its triumphant return to CompassCast.  Hope you enjoy! Links: CompassCast@gmail.com - E-mail http://compasscast.libsyn.com/ - Website and E-mail Signup www.speakpipe.com/USBeef- Leave me a voice message! www.usbcprimechoice.com/ - Prime Choice Website US Beef Employee Facebook Page - Employees Only www.arbysswag.com - Arby's Swag

050- Tie Your Shoes and Hold On- Josh Spotz

Part 2 with Lekeia Tutt and April Pepiot.  We get some more details on their Washington project.  We discuss how Compass and Prime Choice have impacted their leadership journey at US Beef.  April tells us what it felt like to see Keia receive the Founders Award Nomination for R4 and Keia has some advice for US Beef leadership which leaves Bo speechless.  :) Hope you enjoy Part 2!   Cheers! #Cornbread&Rice Links: CompassCast@gmail.com - E-mail http://compasscast.libsyn.com/ - Website and E-mail Signup www.speakpipe.com/USBeef- Leave me a voice message! www.usbcprimechoice.com/ - Prime Choice Website US Beef Employee Facebook Page - Employees Only www.arbysswag.com - Arby's Swag

049- The Little Rock Stars (Part 2)- April Pepiot and Lekeia Tutt

There is nothing little about the year these 2 ladies from Little Rock had in 2017.  In Part 1 of my interview with April Pepiot (District Manager) and Lekeia Tutt (General Manager), they walk us through the special projects they took on in 2017.  These ladies have a very tough job, so for them to volunteer and agree to take on more gives you a glimpse into the heart of these 2 Compass Champions.  From Washington (state), to Tulsa, and all over the state of Arkansas, these 2 have impacted so many employees and it's the effort and results from folks like Lekeia and April, that make US Beef what it is today.   Hope you enjoy Part 1!   Cheers! #Cornbread&Rice Links: CompassCast@gmail.com - E-mail http://compasscast.libsyn.com/ - Website and E-mail Signup www.speakpipe.com/USBeef- Leave me a voice message! US Beef Employee Facebook Page - Employees Only www.arbysswag.com - Arby's Swag

048- The Little Rock Stars- April Pepiot & Lekeia Tutt

Join us on I-40 East as Tim Bouma and I make our way to Little Rock. On the way we talk about our 2018 strategy. We discuss our new management model, the new hour,y manager positions, and our strong push toward improving our labor percent.  Tim also provides some great advice for staying locked in for March. Historically, sales go up in March but we’ve seen our hospitality scores go down. He tells us why that is and how we can avoid that in 2018. We wrap it up by discussing the regional General Managers meetings/awards, and, specifically, he shares his thoughts on the Founder’s Award.  Hope you enjoy! Links: CompassCast@gmail.com Leave me a voice message: www.speakpipe.com/usbeef The Coolest Swag: www.arbysswag.com US Beef Employee Facebook Page- Employees Only

047- 2018 Strategy with Tim Bouma

Hello there friends!  I missed you! We are back with a preview of what you can expect from CompassCast this year.  Short and sweet. Call to Action: Ask me a question that you would like answered on a future episode of CompassCast by going to: www.speakpipe.com/USBeef Simply record your message, preview it (if you want), then submit it.   First person to send me a message via Speak Pipe gets a gift code for some sweet Arby's Swag!     Links: CompassCast@gmail.com - E-mail http://compasscast.libsyn.com/ - Website and E-mail Signup US Beef Employee Facebook Page - Employees Only www.arbysswag.com - Arby's Swag

046- CompassCast Returns!

On episode 45, we get back to our roots with a good ol' fashion interview with Regional Director, Tom Johnson.  Tom describes his leadership style as "direct".  He discusses the pros and cons of deploying such a style and how he's adapted his style over the years.   As a student of VPO Syed Mansoor, Tom discusses Syed's influence on him throughout his career.  What's it like working in STL aka the 314?  Tom shares a few quirks of the city he knows so well.  He also provides some practical advice on how to get to know your people better and we wrap it all up with a riveting round of, "Finish This Sentence..." Hope you enjoy!  Cheers! BD Links: CompassCast Website and E-Mail Sign-Up CompassCast@gmail.com  Arby's Swag  

045- The Benefits of Being a Regional DIRECTor- Tom Johnson

Here are the 5 podcasts that I've found to bring the most value to me, as a leader.  Click the links below to go to the website for each show or search for each podcast in your preferred podcast platform.  I hope you enjoy! 1.  The ONE Thing Podcast Episode Recommendations:  #74 and #91 2.  Hacking Your Leadership Episode Recommendations:  #8 and #17 3.  Radical Candor Episode Recommendations:  #14 and #17 4.  EntreLeadership Episode Recommendations:  #101 and #222 5.  oGoInsider Leadership Podcast Episode Recommendations:  #1 and #3 Cheers! BD Check out the website: www.compasscast.libsyn.com E-mail CompassCast: CompassCast@gmail.com Call to Action: 1.  E-mail CompassCast@gmail.com and tell me what podcasts you have found most beneficial.  Sharing is caring! 2.  What kind of episode would you prefer to hear to close out the year?  E-mail me and let me know.  Here are the options: A.  CompassCast 2017- Highlight Show Send me your favorite episode(s) and your favorite segments, questions, and responses.  Time stamps are greatly appreciated!  (Example: Episode 14 @ 15:23- This really helped me reengage in...)  B.  2018 Goal Setting- Best Practices How to take a look back at the previous year and chart a course for 2018.  Give me your best practices or the processes you use to set goals.   Email me with your vote and provide the supporting details!  

044- Top 5 Podcasts To Help You Become a Better Leader

Episode 43 features John Davis' kickoff speech from our 2017 DM Conference.   Focus on the guest, focus on the basics, and "think like owners" are a few of the themes that John drives home.   Our investment in training and development has been significant.  We're lucky to have owners that support our employees through T&D efforts.  Even in tough years, the investment in your training and development has not once been cut.   He also discusses new stores and remodels in 2017 and our plan for 2018!  Buckle up US Beef!  We aren't slowing down! Have a fantastic week everyone! Cheers! BD Check out the website: www.compasscast.libsyn.com E-mail CompassCast: CompassCast@gmail.com Call to Action: 1.  E-mail CompassCast@gmail.com and tell me about your experience sharing bad (or unpopular) news with an individual or a group.  What's worked for you?  What hasn't?  What have you learned? 2.  What kind of episode would you prefer to hear to close out the year?  E-mail me and let me know.  Here are the options: A.  CompassCast 2017- Highlight Show Send me your favorite episode(s) and your favorite segments, questions, and responses.  Time stamps are greatly appreciated!  (Example: Episode 14 @ 15:23- This really helped me reengage in...)  B.  2018 Goal Setting- Best Practices How to take a look back at the previous year and chart a course for 2018.  Give me your best practices or the processes you use to set goals.   Email me with your vote and provide the supporting details!

043- DM Conference Opening Keynote- john Davis

Episode 42 is all about building a maintaining a strong bench.  Hear Izorah Tallent, Sr. Director of Operations, take you through his breakout presentation from the 2017 DM Conference in Tulsa, OK.   Call to Action: Email Izorah Tallent (itallent@usbeefcorp.com) and let him know what your key takeaways were from his breakout.  I want him to feel the CompassCast love!   Cheers! BD  

042- Focus on Bench Strength

Happy Thanksgiving CompassCast Listeners!   Mixing it up a little this week...Episode 41 is all about making your life easier.  I'm sharing the 5 smartphone applications that I am most thankful for.  Most of these are my faves because they improve productivity or save time.  Check them out below (links to Google Play Store and Apple App Store for each app available below: Microsoft Outlook (Free) Microsoft Excel (Free) Audible (Free App with Subscription Service) Pocket Casts ($3.99) Pocket (Free- In-App Purchases available) App Links : 1. Microsoft Outlook (Android)  Microsoft Outlook (iOS) 2. Microsoft Excel (Android)  Microsoft Excel (iOS) 3. Audible (Android)  Audible (iOS) Audible Subscription Plans 4. Pocket Casts (Android)  Pocket Casts (iOS) 5. Pocket (Android)  Pocket (iOS)  Sharing to Pocket (General) Sharing to Pocket (Android) Sharing to Pocket (iOS) I hope you have a fantastic Thanksgiving!  No air biscuits during Thanksgiving Dinner! Cheers everybody! BD

041- 5 Smartphone Apps That I'm Thankful For

Hello friends! Episode 40 is all about priorities.  Take a journey with me inside Tim Bouma's breakout from our 2017 DM Conference.  Tim takes you through Stephen Covey's 4-Quadrant Model to help you focus on the things that will add the most value to your life and to your teams.   He also provides thoughtful insight on getting to the root cause.  The EARS acronym is one that Tim has used for years...or should I say, yEARS!  LOL at myself.  Tim is relentless when it comes to uncovering truth, so buckle up and get ready to engage in more meaningful dialogue with your teams.   Here are the links to the videos I referenced in the episode: Stephen Covey- Big Rocks - Long Version Litmos Heroes- Big Rocks - Short Version Thanks for sticking with me for 40 episodes!  My 2017 goal has been achieved, but we're not done yet.  I'll be releasing the other breakouts over the next few weeks.    

040- Focus on Priorities

Welcome to Movember!   Our DM Conference is taking place in Tulsa on November 7th and 8th and Episode 39 gets you primed and ready for what's to come.  I sit down with Tim Bouma, Izorah Tallent, and Rick Morris to talk about what you can expect at this year's event.   Also, I've grown a mustache.  November is now Movember, No Shave November, etc. and has become the one month out of the year that I grow facial hair.  This is a national campaign with men all over the country participating.  Most facial hair growth is connected to raising funds or awareness for men's health.  I think that is awesome!  I however, grow my stache to promote fun and ridiculousness in the workplace.  My mustache is absurd, but lovely at the same time.  It has a way of becoming a topic of conversation in several of the interviews, so I apologize for that...sorta.  My goal is to gain access into Tim and Syed's Mustache Club.  It's an elite group of facial hair aficionados and they are super stingy with membership requirements.  Fingers crossed! I hope you enjoy a very light-hearted and, at times, a downright silly episode of CompassCast.  Cheers! BD    

039- 2017 DM Conference Primer and Mustache Madness

Jeff Turner, VP of IT for US Beef, stops by episode 38 of CompassCast to chat technology.  We talk about how a mistake on the part of a headhunter actually led to Jeff's hiring.  (What ever happened to Scott???!!!) Jeff tells us how he and his department take ownership of Compass and live out the core values in the work that they do.  We hop in Jeff's make-believe time machine and he gives us a glimpse of what the future holds for our industry.  With the ever increasing risk of identity theft and data breaches, what can you do to protect yourself?  Jeff Turner offers his advice.   Lastly, Jeff talks us through his system for being a great project manager.  This is worthy of note-taking my friends.   And it wouldn't be a true CompassCast without Finish This Sentence, so if you want to know if unplugging it and plugging it back in ACTUALLY works, check it out! Great insights from Jeff Turner, a true Compass Champion. Cheers! BD Links: CompassCast@gmail.com - E-mail http://compasscast.libsyn.com/ - Website US Beef Employee Facebook Page - Employees Only www.arbysswag.com - Arby's Swag Call to Action: Send in your questions for Jeff Davis, Chairman of US Beef, to CompassCast@gmail.com! Rate and review CompassCast on your preferred podcast app.  Take a screenshot of your review written after 10/30/17 and send it to CompassCast@gmail.com.  The first 5 listeners that do so will get a $20 gift code for some Arby's Swag!  Boom!  

038- Living Compass and Staying Safe with Today's Technology- Jeff Turner

Lindsey Cadle, DM Region 7, brings major heat on episode 37.  We talk about her journey to District Manager, what it was like winning the Founder's Award, and what she does to stay positive in this incredibly stressful role.   Lindsey shocks the world by revealing that the DM role can actually be fun!  We talk all about that, plus, how she drives Compass through recognition, a few of the struggles she had as a new DM, and we wrap it up with another round of Finish This Sentence. What is the craziest thing Lindsey has seen in a restaurant?  What is the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to her at work?  How can you tell if someone doesn't fit our Compass culture?  You'll have to listen to find out!   Thanks for listening and for all you do each and every day! BD Call to Action: E-mail me (compasscast@gmail.com) your tips for staying positive when you are under stress.  The first 5 people I hear from will receive a $20 gift code from our good friends at ArbysSwag.com aka The IceBox. Links: CompassCast Website and E-Mail Sign-Up CompassCast@gmail.com  Arby's Swag

037- Heck Yeah Being a District Manager Can Be Fun! - Lindsey Cadle

United States Beef Corporation, a "family of restaurants", is based out of Tulsa, OK. We have over 7,500 employees and we operate over 350 restaurants. CompassCast is a podcast centered around the US Beef culture...or as we call it, our Compass. Hear employees across all departments share stories and advice on how they try to "live Compass" each and everyday. We hope you enjoy.