More than a Machine

In a compelling episode of 'More Than a Machine,' Monte Erritt engages with Joey Coleman, the acclaimed author of 'Never Lose a Customer Again' and 'Never Lose an Employee Again.' The discussion delves into Coleman's methodologies for fostering loyalty and enhancing employee retention. Joey emphasizes the importance of leaders showing genuine care for their employees, both in words and actions, to...

In the More Than a Machine podcast, Monte Erritt interviews Scott Jeffrey Miller about his book 'Career on Course'. They discuss the importance of individuals taking ownership of their career paths, emphasizing that many careers unfold accidentally. Scott stresses that one is seldom present when career decisions are made, highlighting the need for professionals to prepare and influence such decisi...

In this episode of the More Than A Machine podcast, Monte Erritt introduces Lighthill Solutions, an affiliate of Vermeer Southeast, which offers IT managed services and cybersecurity solutions. Nick Santiago, VP of Operations at Lighthill Solutions, explains how the company emerged from Vermeer Southeast's own IT challenges. They aim to help businesses transition from a reactive to a proactive IT...

In this episode, Monte Erritt, Chief People Officer of Vermeer Southeast, discusses the importance of employee engagement and shares the company's strategies for improving it. Through consistent efforts over the past three to four years, Vermeer Southeast achieved 95% employee participation and significantly improved engagement scores by focusing on leadership commitment, effective feedback, and e...

In this podcast episode, Monte Erritt speaks with Steven Rubado, the President and CEO of Lead Like Jesus. They explore the organization’s mission to integrate Christ-centered leadership principles into modern workplaces and ministries. Steve shares the unique journey of co-founder Ken Blanchard, a renowned business author who discovered the parallels between his leadership model in 'The One Minut...

In this episode of 'More Than a Machine,' Monte Erritt and Joey Coleman embark on a journey to dissect customer experience dynamics. The episode focuses on understanding genuine customer feedback, specifically questioning the validity of phrases like 'I'm fine' as indicators of satisfaction. They dive into practical ways businesses can enhance onboarding experiences, shifting the emphasis from unw...

In this episode of More Than Machine, Monte Erritt interviews Joey Coleman, an expert in customer and employee retention. Coleman, author of 'Never Lose a Customer Again' and 'Never Lose an Employee Again', shares his insights on turning temporary clients into loyal followers through impactful experiences. He emphasizes the importance of the first 100 days in a customer's journey, a period where m...

In this compelling podcast episode, Monte Erritt interviews Dr. Travis Bradberry, a leading voice in emotional intelligence and author of the best selling book, The New Emotional Intelligence. They discuss the profound impact of EQ on personal and professional success, highlighting how it drives 61% of performance. Listeners will learn about the four key EQ skills: self-awareness, self-management,...

In this episode of 'More Than a Machine,' Monte Erritt interviews DJ Bleisath about his extraordinary journey from high school football to the NFL, and finally to success in the business world. DJ shares insights into developing an elite mindset, detailing how hard work and a commitment to outworking others helped him overcome challenges and setbacks. He credits his achievements, including a world...

In this episode of the More Than a Machine podcast, host Monte Erritt continues his conversation with Tyler Summitt, son of the legendary Pat Summitt. They explore the life of Pat beyond her renowned career as the Tennessee Lady Vols basketball coach. Tyler shares intimate stories about his mom's loving nature at home and how she juggled the demands of coaching with being a devoted mother. They de...

In this podcast, Monte interviews Tyler Summitt, son of legendary Tennessee Vols women's basketball coach Pat Summitt, to uncover the leadership philosophies passed down from his mother. Tyler shares personal stories, like when Pat was relentless in recruiting despite being in labor, underscoring her tenacity. He highlights the 'Definite Dozen,' principles his mother lived by, instilling values li...

In this episode of the More Than a Machine podcast, host Monte Erritt speaks with Roy Heintz, a former college basketball coach and current business leader at Reliable Roofing. The discussion centers on Heintz's book, 'Lead Like a Coach,' and explores how sports coaching principles can stimulate employee engagement and productivity in the workplace.

Monte Erritt discusses the idea that some employees are more open to change and feedback than others, being more willing to alter their own practices. This session aims to address why some people may be resistant to coaching and learning and to understand what makes them 'uncoachable'.

In this episode, Monte Erritt and Nick Santiago dive deep into the transformative power of AI in today's business world. Nick, the Director of IT at Vermeer Southeast, elaborates on the profound shifts brought by large language models (LLMs) and the transition from narrow to general AI. He also demystifies common AI terms and explains the innovative impact of Chat GPT, the product that saw the hig...

Self awareness is a crucial quality for leaders, enabling them to understand their strengths, weaknesses, and habits that affect their interactions with others. Reflecting on a conversation about self awareness between Monte Erritt, VP of employee development, and CEO Scott Coley at Vermeer Southeast, this podcast transcript explores the definition of self awareness and its importance. Self awaren...

In this fascinating podcast episode, Bryan Jewell, the number one sales rep for Vermeer Southeast in 2023, shares the secrets to his success. From building solid relationships to consistently investing in self-improvement, Brian provides valuable insights into his 18-year journey in sales. He emphasizes the importance of being coachable, maintaining a positive attitude, and striving for excellence...

Vermeer Southeast, a company founded in 1967, underwent a major transition of ownership when it decided to convert to an ESOP. In this podcast episode, the previous owners, Kris DenBesten and Todd Versteeg, discuss their journey and why they chose an ESOP. They share their experiences and insights, emphasizing the importance of preserving the company's culture and rewarding the hard work of employ...

In this podcast episode, Monte Erritt, VP of Employee Development, interviews Nick Santiago, Director of IT, about the importance of having good cyber hygiene in today's digital landscape. They discuss the prevalence of cybercrime, the high cost of cyberattacks, and the significant role played by the human element in security breaches. The conversation highlights the need for organizations to prio...

In this episode of the More Than a Machine podcast, Kris and Scott, former and current CEOs of Vermeer Southeast, discuss the valuable lessons they learned from navigating downturns. They emphasize the importance of focusing on what truly matters during tough times, such as prioritizing relationships, maintaining a positive yet honest outlook, and investing in employee training. They also discuss...

In this podcast episode, Kris DenBesten and Scott Coley, past and present CEOs of VSE, share insights on their personal journeys to leadership. They discuss their backgrounds, family life, and hobbies. Both CEOs emphasize the importance of hard work, doing the right thing, and caring for their people. Kris highlights the value of his father and Mel Bokhoven, the original founders of VSE, and how t...

In this episode, we dive into the origins and purpose behind the More Than a Machine podcast with Scott Coley, CEO of Vermeer Southeast. They discuss the power of podcasts as an efficient way of sharing valuable content and communication, especially for busy individuals who prefer listening over reading. Scott shares his vision of the podcast as a platform to bring leadership insights to the entir...