Ron Kranz Beyond The Benchmark Success and Fulfillment Comes From The Passion Within Us Group Chair – Seattle Vistage The World’s Largest CEO Membership Organization

What is a Benchmark?

benchmark (‘bench × märk): an established point defining your current position from which future progress can be measured based on performance, desired outcomes, goals, and specific results

At any given time and place we can recognize our ability, or inability, to fulfill the organizational and team expectations others have of us - and for that matter- the expectations we have of ourselves. Based on our current status to accomplish organizational missions, to achieve success on projects, and to fulfill individual dreams, a reference point can be established. A reference point that is relative to where we have been, where we are, and where we are going. This reference point is the benchmark from which progress is measured.

We all have enjoyed and celebrated the success of exceeding a goal - a goal that becomes our new benchmark. We then challenge ourselves by setting a new goal to move us to the next level. Moving beyond the benchmark may be as simple as trying something new, or as difficult as facing our roadblocks, obstacles, or re-occurring nemeses. Our benchmark is where we are here and now - there is always the opportunity to improve.

What’s keeping you from moving to the next level?

We are living in a changing economic world where banks are failing, credit markets are freezing, and consumers are retrenching. You are wondering what your clients, investors, or employer will do. Your vendors and employees are wondering what you are going to do. Even families are wondering what will happen to their dreams and their future. There is fear, anxiety, and a high level of concern. What’s keeping you from moving forward?

Too busy...fighting fires...chasing opportunities...constricted budgets...lacking resources...not the right people...no equipment...no cash flow...poor sales...lacking clarity of what you want...unfocused on the plan to get there...lacking discipline to do the daily tasks...hesitation...fear...lack of motivation...distracted...no desire...

What are you going to do today to move forward with your goals, aspirations, and dreams? When do we achieve success, happiness, and fulfillment?

Moving beyond the benchmark to the next level

The CEOs and top executives that work with Ron Kranz tell him that he makes them think. As a thought provoker, Ron does not just share his talents, experiences and enthusiasm, he also asks good questions - one’s that make you think. He is an idea generator who stimulates people to think outside the box.

Ron is a teacher, executive coach, trainer, consultant, and facilitator. He works with individuals, teams, and organizations to move them to the next level. Whether it is strategic planning, business development and marketing, operational efficiencies, fiscal performance, or human resource development, Ron identifies and removes roadblocks allowing you and your organization to excel. He has a particular expertise and passion for developing business leaders - those already at the top and those who will be future leaders.

As a Vistage Group Chair, Ron Kranz leads and facilitates think tanks and advisory boards for CEOs, small business owners, key executives, and professional service providers. Having been a Vistage member (formerly TEC International), Ron knows first hand what it is like to sit in the executive chair and benefit from a Vistage peer group of advisors. As a Vistage member he experienced the power of a group - who not only provided fresher ideas and a broader perspective, but also shared a level of support and accountability for the tough decisions he was making.

Ron experienced significant results as a member – for his organization, his executive team, and for himself. In 2004, he realized his passion for teaching and coaching would be best fulfilled as a Vistage group chair. Through his strategic alliance with Vistage, he has an extensive resource base of expert resource speakers and proprietary best practice papers, book reviews, and podcasts to further your business education.

As president of Beyond The Benchmark, Ron is supported by his 25 years in the Architecture/Engineering/Construction (A/E/C) industry. Hired as the first biologist with a national design and consulting firm, Ron built the firm’s natural resources discipline from scratch into a multi-million dollar, multiple office profitable consulting practice. Ron played a direct role in this firm being recognized as one of the top 50 engineering firms in the country and growing its revenue to $100 million annually.

Ron is experienced with turn-arounds. As a senior vice president with this leading engineering firm he accepted the challenge of turning around a poor performing office of 80 people who were generating $10 million in revenue at breakeven profitability. His efforts resulted in increasing the staff size to 120, growing revenue to $18 million, raising morale from low to high. Profits exceeded 20%. This achievement is a result of applying his expertise and experience by teaching other professionals how to serve their clients, produce quality products, and how to earn a profit in the process.

Today, he contributes this success to learning first to lead himself, teaching talented design professionals the fiscal responsibility of running projects, and coaching them to learn their own leadership styles.

Ron’s talents were also employed as a member of the corporate executive management team, where he applied his leadership skills and business talents to the success of the firm overall. He participated in setting national strategic directives, monitored the performance of new initiatives, developed corporate wide training programs, set policy, and tracked the performance of firm’s 20 national offices. Mentoring other profit center directors re-enforced Ron’s passion for teaching and coaching.

Ron lives with his wife, two teenage boys, black lab, feisty terrier, and three cats in a rural setting in the Seattle area. He enjoys gourmet cooking, working out, gardening, sports, and is an avid birdwatcher. He is a continuous learner, reads, and is moved by the emotion of human experiences.

His philosophy is best captured by his statement that:

Success and fulfillment comes from the passion within us.

Whether through Beyond The Benchmark or Vistage Executive Groups , Ron Kranz can put his talents, experience, and enthusiasm to work for you. He will move you beyond your benchmark to the next level.

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