Hire Smarter™ with Tony Misura
30 episodes - English - Latest episode: 27 days ago -Tony Misura, founder of Misura Group, a distinguished recruiting and consulting firm that goes beyond the conventional roles of executive recruiters and consultants. Our expertise extends beyond these traditional boundaries, as we are committed experts shaping the trajectory of the building materials industry. Central to our mission is the establishment of meaningful relationships and the creation of opportunities that fuel robust growth.
In each podcast episode, Tony engages in conversations with leaders in the building materials industry, exchanging stories and sharing best practices on how to Hire Smarter™ and make better career decisions.
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Episodes
Episode 29: Matt Wolf, Previous Director of Supply Chain at Agorus
April 10, 2024 17:04 - 59 minutes - 144 MB VideoThis episode of Hire Smarter dives into the questions to help listeners understand what the cutting edge supply chain tactics are and how first principles can challenge the status quo and help your organization move forward. The sharpest supply chain leaders start from a cultural perspective in creating a place where there is a more progressive think, challenging teams with best practices and innovation that impact the P&L. Our guest today is Matt Wolf, recently the director of S...
Episode 28: Scott Ericson, Owner at Wheelhouse 20/20
November 21, 2023 21:46 - 39 minutes - 96.9 MB VideoThe best step any company can take to become excellent at recruiting is to be excellent at marketing. At its roots, recruiting is a marketing problem. Scott Ericson, Owner of Wheelhouse 20/20, takes pride in having created a full-service marketing resource exclusively for the building supply channel. They specialize in developing and executing strategies that weave together the building industry, sales, and marketing. Listen in as Scott shares some of his most important takeaways when it ...
Episode 27: Garrett Moore, Co-Founder & CEO of Agorus
May 05, 2022 21:45 - 29 minutes - 40 MBThe greatest leaders take on the toughest challenges. Successfully driving cutting-edge innovation in the home building industry is an enormous challenge. Garrett Moore, the CEO of Agorus, has a mission of building homes from permits to keys in 30 days. How does a leader maintain the level of intensity and focus needed to tackle the boldest initiatives? Mantras help teams effectively maintain focus through the white noise and distractions life throws at them. Some of Garrett’s favorite...
Episode 26: Chalmers Brothers, Best-Selling Author & Master Creator of SOAR Leadership & Development Training
March 18, 2022 12:00 - 1 hour - 85.9 MBOur guest today is Chalmers Brothers, a best-selling author, certified executive coach, consultant, and speaker. In this episode, Chalmers shares that we don’t need to be psychologists to be effective leaders - but to be emotionally literate and capable of utilizing our most effective tool, “the power of language,” does require a dedicated effort. We all have heroes, people who have held themselves to a higher standard whose level of success and how they achieved that success earns our res...
Episode 25: Levi Smith, CEO & President of Franklin Building Supply
February 11, 2022 14:43 - 1 hour - 98.7 MBIn this episode, Tony speaks with Levi Smith, the CEO & President of Franklin Building Supply, a standout independent LBM dealer. A full line lumberyard in Idaho, they generate over $300m in sales, with 750 people, 17 locations, including door shops and truss plants. What is your best story to effectively attract bright young talent to your company? A great story has three components: A cast of characters that everyone cares about The desire to accomplish something for someone else ...
Episode 24: Craig Webb, President of Webb Analytics
January 14, 2022 14:49 - 48 minutes - 67.2 MBIn this episode, Tony speaks with Craig Webb, the decades-long editor of ProSales Magazine and current President of Webb Analytics, about the importance of excellent communication and how to hone in on your skills. Craig is easily one of the best speakers and communicators in the building materials and construction supply industry. Craig recommends we ask 3 simple questions: What combination of media selection is the best given the outcome objective? What is the clearest, simplest for...
Episode 23: Kendall Hoyd, CEO of the Sharpen Group
December 17, 2021 20:17 - 1 hour - 85.7 MBAre you interested in building a sustained business model that thrives whether you are there or not? Are you facing scaling or turnover challenges? Are you curious about what drives a building products business to sell for 6-8x EBITDA instead of 3x EBITDA? This episode’s guest is one of the building industry’s top operators, Kendall Hoyd, CEO of the Sharpen Group. His track record includes taking a $5m business that was red on the profit line to $25m with double-digit profi...
Episode 22: Mai-Tal Kennedy, Principal Consultant at Building Industry Partners (BIP)
October 22, 2021 12:00 - 1 hour - 89.9 MBThe #1 differentiating factor of great companies is simply the quality of their people. The quality of leadership determines the quality of people. Top talent does not want to report to mediocre leaders. It's the primary motive for most candidates we place. Our guest today is Mai-Tal Kennedy, Principal Consultant with Building Industry Partners’ Center of Excellence. Building Industry Partners (BIP), led by Matt Ogden, is an industry-focused private equity firm with a vision around pe...
Episode 21: Thea Dudley, Credit Overlord
September 03, 2021 15:33 - 57 minutes - 79.6 MBIn this episode, Thea Dudley teaches us her approach to establishing and maintaining a culture of accountability through the Art of Candor. Thea is respected in the industry as the credit and collections expert. Her career as a VP at Guardian Building Products and SRS Distribution pivoted to her consulting service, Thea Dudley LLC, where she guides the building industry on credit and collections practices and team building. Listen to her engaging and hard-hitting approach as she educate...
Episode 20: Stuart Kliman, Partner at Building Industry Partners
August 06, 2021 15:49 - 1 hour - 98.6 MBOur guest today is Stuart Kliman, Partner and Head of the newly formed Center of Excellence at Building Industry Partners. Stu’s previous experience with the Harvard Negotiation Project (think tank behind the book – Getting to Yes) and as a founding partner of Vantage Partners, a management consulting firm, has made him an expert at helping not only companies improve their performance but assisting industries to collaborate and grow together. In this episode, Stu provides insight into the...
Episode 19: Mike Wisnefski, Co-Founder & CEO of MaterialsXchange
June 25, 2021 14:00 - 1 hour - 92.6 MBOur guest today is Mike Wisnefski, the Co-Founder of MaterialsXchange. Mike is shaking up the LBM purchasing supply chain with a low-cost, real-time e-trading platform for the 2x dimensional lumber and 4x8 plywood and OSB markets. Anyone can access Gold, Silver, and Palladium trades in real-time, and whether you are buying $1,000 or $1,000,000 - everyone has equal access to the market. MaterialsXchange's vision is that buying and selling lumber should be no different.
Episode 18: Gary Poulos, President of Mill Creek Lumber
May 21, 2021 15:47 - 37 minutes - 51.5 MBIn this episode, we are joined by Gary Poulos, President of Mill Creek Lumber, a $250m LBM, Truss, and Millwork dealer serving the Tulsa, Oklahoma City, and Wichita markets. Despite the issues everyone in our industry is facing with accelerated material pricing and availability, Mill Creek is aggressively growing with booming sales to keep up with demand while retaining its top talent. Gary answers a few tough questions: What is your view on the current supply and demand challenges in our...
Episode 17: Dena Cordova-Jack, Sr Dir of Leadership & Talent Dev, Kodiak Building Partners
March 19, 2021 13:00 - 1 hour - 85.6 MBIn this episode, Tony speaks with longtime friend and mentor, Dena Cordova-Jack, Senior Director of Leadership & Talent Development at Kodiak Building Partners. Kodiak has over 5000 people and nearly $2B in sales annually. Central to their mission is developing leaders and inspiring people to grow. With 5000 people, Dena and Kodiak are taking on many challenges facing multi-generational teams. What are the best practices defining, benchmarking, and feeding leadership development? What ar...
Episode 16: Dr. Robert Hogan, Founder of Hogan Assessments
February 18, 2021 21:49 - 38 minutes - 53.1 MBIn this episode, Tony speaks with Dr. Robert Hogan, the founder of Hogan Assessments, the leading professional assessment tool in the world. Dr. Hogan, Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley, Past Professor of Psychology at Johns Hopkins University, Past Psychology Department Chair at the University of Tulsa, and author of several books, shares his wisdom on why companies struggle to make leadership hires. Suppose we know the top 3 traits that predict great leaders. Why do comp...
Episode 16: Robert Hogan, Founder of Hogan Assessments
February 18, 2021 21:49 - 38 minutes - 53.1 MBIn this episode, Tony speaks with Dr. Robert Hogan, the founder of Hogan Assessments, the leading professional assessment tool in the world. Dr. Hogan, Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley, Past Professor of Psychology at Johns Hopkins University, Past Psychology Department Chair at the University of Tulsa, and author of several books, shares his wisdom on why companies struggle to make leadership hires. Suppose we know the top 3 traits that predict great leaders. Why do comp...
Episode 15: Cybelle Lyon, Ph.D., Leadership Consultant
January 22, 2021 16:59 - 1 hour - 111 MBIn this episode, Tony is joined by Cybelle Lyon. Cybelle has a Ph.D. from Portland State University in Industrial/Organizational Psychology and has been doing leadership consulting for over 20 years. Cybelle delivers some crisp, precise answers around complex topics: - What are the two most critical traits of transformational leaders? - What are the top five most common areas of development for leaders? - Are you struggling with effectively implementing humility? We ...
Episode 14: Kendall Hoyd, President at Residential Design Services
December 22, 2020 19:59 - 1 hour - 100 MBIn this episode, Tony is joined by Kendall Hoyd, President at Residential Design Services, to discuss Hoshin Kanri. Kendall, previously the president of Idaho Truss and CFO of Trussway, has been effective at implementing Hoshin Kanri in multiple business models and cultures. Hoshin Kanri is a methodology used in strategic planning that creates alignment and ensures that goals drive action across the entire organization. Listen on as Kendall shares 5 best practices as well as some common...
Episode 13: Kyle Little, COO of Sherwood Lumber
November 13, 2020 16:49 - 1 hour - 102 MBIn this episode, Tony speaks with Kyle Little, COO of Sherwood Lumber, one of the largest privately-owned lumber distributors in the nation. 2020 has been a wild year and particularly explosive to the lumber market. Kyle has dedicated his life and profession to understanding the lumber commodity markets and has one message for everyone: the market volatility is here to stay for the next 5 years.
Episode 12: Jim Robisch, Senior Partner, the Farnsworth Group
October 02, 2020 15:25 - 1 hour - 102 MBIn this episode, our guest is Jim Robisch, Senior Partner at the Farnsworth Group. Jim has been a strategic consultant to the building materials industry for over 30 years, developing strategic plans for companies accelerating their growth through data and research, not anecdotal information. We dive into a topic that comes up for Misura Group often – strategy. A truly great strategy is a dynamic force that pulls cultural engagement and P&L performance to the highest goals.
Episode 11: Gary Poulos & Russ Kathrein, building materials industry executive leaders
September 04, 2020 16:04 - 41 minutes - 57.7 MBIn this follow-up episode on the colossal merger between Builders FirstSource and BMC, Tony meets up with his close friends and LBM dealer presidents, Gary Poulos and Russ Kathrein. Having first-hand experience with BFS and BMC, Gary and Russ deliver insights about what makes these companies unique, the opportunities ahead for the now $11B business, and how this event will permanently change how the manufacturers and lumber mills interact with the national production builders.
Episode 10: Jim Robisch, Senior Partner, the Farnsworth Group
August 28, 2020 14:41 - 36 minutes - 50.9 MBIn this episode, Jim and Tony discuss the merger of Builders FirstSource and BMC - two of the largest building materials dealers in the nation. Joining forces to create a company that is over $11B in annual sales, this also creates new challenges and opportunities for manufacturing suppliers, general contractors, and other dealer competitors. Jim and Tony also give some guidance to professionals who are measuring the potential changes in their career path.
Episode 09: Chris Kliefoth, Advisor and former CEO at Nationwide Industries
March 27, 2020 16:25 - 1 hour - 102 MBIn this episode, Tony speaks with Chris Kliefoth, current Advisor and former CEO of Nationwide Industries. They discuss how to lead during times of uncertainty, as we are currently facing the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and the importance of considering what is factual and what is probable. This is a longer episode with some important information we don't want you to miss - so we've outlined some key moments below. 0:45 - Introduction 2:05 - Chris shares how he got into...
Episode 08: Todd Drummond, Consultant to the Truss and Component Industry
March 12, 2020 15:57 - 47 minutes - 65.7 MBIn this episode, Todd shares with Tony some of the most common misconceptions and pitfalls of running a truss plant that many building materials dealers face.
Episode 07: Allan Breidenbach, President of Wick Buildings
February 13, 2020 22:20 - 52 minutes - 71.5 MBIn this episode, Tony meets up with one of his best friends and President of Wick Buildings, Allan Breidenbach. Allan is a great example of how taking career risks and embracing challenges leads to success. Allan shares the importance of making good hiring decisions and how to use Lean Six Sigma principles to simplify processes and make sure everyone is ready and willing to move in the same direction.
Episode 06: Lindsey Fox, Product & Marketing Manager at Nationwide Industries
January 31, 2020 17:34 - 36 minutes - 50.5 MBIn this episode, Tony is joined by Michele Burger, Vice President at Misura Group. Tony and Michele chat with Lindsey Fox, Product & Marketing Manager at Nationwide Industries, about what it takes to be a successful female in the building materials industry.
Episode 05: Hans Vonderhofen, President of Split Rail Fence & Supply
January 17, 2020 16:34 - 31 minutes - 43.8 MBThis episode is part two of Tony's conversation with Hans Vonderhofen, President of Split Rail Fence & Supply. Hans and Tony continue the discussion about what goes into a successful turnaround and the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people.
Episode 04: Hans Vonderhofen, President of Split Rail Fence & Supply
January 03, 2020 16:06 - 26 minutes - 36.9 MBIn this episode, Tony joins up with Hans Vonderhofen, President of Split Rail Fence & Supply, for part one of a two-part series. Hans shares how he happened upon the building materials industry and divulges his secrets for what makes a great turnaround leader.
Episode 03: Walter Foxworth, Chairman of Foxworth-Galbraith Lumber
December 20, 2019 17:31 - 34 minutes - 48.2 MBIn this episode, Tony had the opportunity to meet with Walter Foxworth, Chairman of Foxworth-Galbraith Lumber, at the inaugural Texas Unity Dinner where he was honored by the Lumbermen's Association of Texas (LAT). Walter shares his passion and purpose that drives his energy to stay engaged in the business and building materials industry.
Episode 02: Bradley Hartmann, President of Red Angle, Inc.
December 06, 2019 18:27 - 36 minutes - 49.9 MBIn this episode, Bradley and Tony discuss their mutual "why" of helping companies achieve their big goals, the importance of an inclusive culture and embracing diversity, and the value consultants bring to the building materials industry. Thanks for listening! Next Steps: Hire Smarter Make Better Career Decisions
Episode 01: Russ Kathrein, CEO of Alexander Lumber
November 21, 2019 20:54 - 55 minutes - 76.2 MBIn our inaugural episode, Russ and Tony met up at the LBM Strategies Conference and had a great time sharing stories and addressing the most significant obstacles that leaders face when mentoring the twenty-somethings and the best steps to develop great mentoring leaders. Thanks for listening! Next Steps: Hire Smarter Make Better Career Decisions