If you haven't figured it out by now, ADG is laser focused on the human element inside each of our portfolio companies. Every day we explore better methods of drawing out the highest and best use of each individual, working to align their job responsibilities to their God given gifts. We are being purposeful in observation of character, calculation of potential chemistry, evaluation of competency and measurement of capacity, both for immediate effectiveness and for future gro

If you have had a chance to peruse the ADG website, you may have come across our Mission Statement, “To operate a portfolio of highly profitable companies that honor God and impact people.” The Vision further seeks to clarify “impact” by stating its intent “To radically impact the lives of those we serve.” As we continue on this journey of portfolio expansion, we are challenged daily with implementing these core philosophies in a way that is both visible and meaningful. This

In part 2 of this series we recognized the need for Consistency in driving Core Values, Agreement, and Coordination and Integration. And, while this area of predictability is critical to our cultural health and performance, there are also areas where we need to be ready, willing, and able to turn on a dime. John Wooden, legendary head coach of the UCLA basketball team, led the Bruins on a three-year winning streak that is unlikely to ever be surpassed in men’s basketball. He

Why does it seem like projects, or work in general, sometimes become like an episode of Mission: Impossible? Plenty of action and drama on a seemingly convoluted and painful road. For Ethan Hunt and his IMF team, that looks like death and destruction. For the rest of us it looks like people not working together. Things aren’t getting done at the right time or in quite the right way. Deadlines or goals are being missed. While Ethan Hunt’s circumstances may be somewhat more dra

It isn’t unusual for companies to define values along with their Mission, Vision, Description, Purpose… etc. But do those “values” represent

With Jack Welch’s final corporate initiative as CEO at GE, people in all parts of the organization, in all parts of the world, were brought together to identify creative and effective ways to improve their processes and the way they cooperated with other segments of the organization. To be successful, everyone needed to understand what was expected of them and why it was valuable. But even with that clarity of purpose and value, the initiative would never have succeeded witho

A quick Google search for an understanding of organizational culture will quickly identify that…there’s no such thing as a quick Google search for an understanding of organizational culture. Too many people espouse too many varied ideas and opinions. That doesn’t mean, however, that culture can’t be well defined or strategically addressed to impact the performance of an organization. Even with somewhat inconsistent views and opinions on the subject, we can at least find some

Sales growth, profitability, customer loyalty… just a short list of things that live in the front of business leader’s minds. And while the word culture may also be moving through that list, it is rarely near the top even though it’s now widely recognized as the one thing that impacts and contributes to everything else. Think of it this way. Consider all the things that impact your company’s brand. When you get past marketing, sales, and customer service, you realize that it