In a recent episode of the Growing with Purpose Podcast, David Friedfeld, president and co-owner of ClearVision Optical, shared invaluable business lessons and personal anecdotes with Paul Spiegelman, host of the podcast and co-founder of the Small Giants Community, a group of leaders who share a vision of purpose-driven work.
Lessons in managing a family business
In the episode, taped at a National Sales Meeting in front of 100 sales professionals and leaders and titled “ClearVision, Full Hearts with David Friedfeld,” Spiegelman delved into David’s journey with ClearVision. At the start of the chat, David shared crucial lessons in balancing family relationships with professional responsibilities. He emphasized that trust is the foundation of a successful family business. Close personal relationships, Spiegelman noted, offer a chance to work with people you know are both reliable and enjoyable to be around. David also explained that involving the next generation requires ensuring that they are genuinely passionate and committed to the family legacy. These insights underscore the necessity of intentional leadership and careful planning to sustain a family-owned business like ClearVision.
Cultivating and scaling organizational culture
The conversation was a vulnerable, candid, and authentic one between two entrepreneurs who have a deep respect for each other and their leadership. A significant portion of the discussion centered around the importance of organizational culture and how to scale it effectively. David was candid about his past mistakes, such as hiring the wrong leaders and becoming too detached from the company’s culture.
“I kept people who weren’t in the culture for too long,” he said, underscoring the necessity of aligning team members with the company’s core values.
To rectify these issues, David implemented strategies including:
- Kudos System: Regularly recognizing and rewarding employees for their achievements to foster a positive work environment.
- Family Meetings: Meetings that, unlike traditional town halls, encourage open dialogue and deeper connection among team members.
- Employee Feedback: By actively seeking and valuing feedback, ClearVision's leadership ensures the culture remains dynamic and responsive to the team’s needs.
These strategies encapsulate his belief that a thriving culture is both intentional and measurable, requiring ongoing effort and dedication.
Sustaining a 75-year tradition at ClearVision
With a rich history spanning over seven decades, ClearVision stands as a testament to resilience and adaptability. David discussed the challenges posed by the current trend toward private equity (PE) consolidation, emphasizing the importance of preserving the company’s heritage.
His key strategies for maintaining relevance and protecting the company’s legacy include:
- Responsible Ownership: Ensuring that leadership is committed to the company’s long-term success rather than short-term gains.
- Nimbleness: Being willing to adapt and change business practices to stay relevant in a rapidly evolving market.
- Achievement-Driven Team: Encouraging employees to strive for excellence and take ownership of their roles within the company.
David is immensely proud of ClearVision and aims to be one of the few family-owned businesses thriving at 100 years old. He plans to get there by continuing to innovate, incorporating technology, and growing a team that is highly engaged by service excellence.
Thank you to the Small Giants Community and Growing with Purpose Podcast
ClearVision and the Small Giants Community have a long-standing relationship built on the shared belief that you don’t need to be a huge company to be a successful business. Rather, you just need to contribute to the community, lead with purpose, foster company values, and nurture meaningful careers.
ClearVision would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Growing with Purpose Podcast and Paul Spiegelman for facilitating such an enlightening conversation! Their dedication to fostering meaningful discussions among business leaders is truly commendable, and we encourage everyone to tune in for more insightful episodes.
Follow the link to learn more about the Growing with Purpose Podcast and the Small Giants Community!
