Episode #32 – Lessons from an ESOP Convert: Shawn Burcham

Today’s special guest is Shawn Burcham, Founder & CEO of Pro Food Systems, Inc. and the author of the Amazon Bestselling book Keeping Score with GRITT: Straight Talk Strategies for Success. SAFFIRE LEGAL PC’s founder and principal attorney Teresa McQueen talks with Shawn about the challenges in creating & operating a 100% employee owned business. This is an exciting episode with a dynamic entrepreneur who believes empowering employees to think and act like owners is a recipe for success.  


“The main job of a CEO or President is to share the vision.”

– Shawn Burcham

Highlights From This Week’s Workplace Perspective:

  • One of the biggest challenges in creating an ESOP is overcoming the mental hurdle of recognizing that creating an ESOP requires a loss of owner control.
  • Creating an ESOP won’t change the company culture if you don’t communicate the reasons behind the decision and why its good for the employees. 
  • ESOP’s give everyone a stake in the success of the business and provides a great opportunity to make a commitment to the employees and the local community. 

Shawn’s  Tips for Employers and Employees:

  • Understand how your business – or the business you work for – operates. 
  • Make an effort to become financially literate to help understand how your actions impact the business. 
  • Become laser-focused on being self-aware of your strengths and weaknesses and focus on utilizing those strengths to become more successful. 
  • Focus on those around you – what are their strengths and motivators – focus on what drives these individuals to help you operate better as part of a team and to increase your overall chances for success.    
Hosted by
Teresa

Teresa McQueen, Esq.
Founder, Host and Executive Producer
Teresa is a skilled trial attorney (a recovering litigator!), Corporate Counsel for Western Growers Family of Companies, a published author and frequent speaker on a wide range of topics including harassment, discrimination and retaliation in the workplace. She is a Certified Business Etiquette Trainer and hosts the Workplace Perspective podcast to help organizations of all sizes develop and maintain successful employer/employee relationships.*

*The views expressed by Teresa McQueen are her own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Western Growers Family of Companies, its officers, directors, board members, employees, or members.

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