Crushing on "The Profit"

Just For Fun

Time for true confessions..... I have a crush on the profit. Not the profit my company makes though I hope to have a crush on it soon but I'm talking Marcus Lemonis on CNBC's show, The Profit. I thought I had outgrown crushes but apparently not. I'm just glad it's not for the Bachelor type shows.  But really how much ("She's not here for the right reasons but I can absolutely assure you I am here for the right reasons") can you take.

If you don't know the show, the premise is that Marcus (aka the Profit) goes into businesses that have requested that he help bail them out for a piece of the business. He reviews their books and makes an offer. Over the course of a week or so either side seems to have the ability to walk out. But by that point serious money and sweat equity have been invested.

In doing some introspection on why I'd be nervous and giddy to meet him, I came up with "leadership" as the reason that I hope justifies my infatuation.  Here's how I arrived at leadership.

❤️ Vision/Mission- in every episode there is always a point where Marcus (we're on a first name basis now) lays out a plan to sell x amount of product for x amount of margin resulting in x amount of profit. He says it so quickly and even with the graphics sometimes I need to rewind. Maybe you wouldn't call this a mission but it's so clear you understand the direction and path ahead. So often this is missing and employees flounder.

❤️ Focus- Along with the goal he narrows focus to people, process and product. In his playbook you have to have a great version of all three to succeed. Maybe it is oversimplified but seeing it in action makes sense. Stay on track and avoid shiny object syndrome. I sell jewelry to raise money for charity so shiny objects tend to grab my attention quite literally.

❤️ Communication- This one I love!  When the decision is made to do the deal, everyone in that location is assembled to announce the details of the deal, to let them know who is in charge and how much skin they have in the game. If employees don't know the goals, can you fault them if they fail? As a sole proprietor I don't think I have a problem with talking to myself too much, but relationships are a huge deal to me. You can't have a great one without communication. Too bad Marcus’ and mine is one sided. ;)

❤️ Decisive- From what I can tell Marcus is a man with a plan and he gets on with it.  If an owner is not there to help make decisions, they better just get out of the way. Personally I labor too long over a decision.  Whether it's right or wrong I've lost the time spent and any lost sales from my over analysis. I don't think I'm alone in this either before you cast the first stone.

❤️ Involved at all levels of the organization- Marcus does not sit in the ivory tower and watch the masses pull their weight. He busts his tail moving bad inventory, clearing tables and displays from crowded rooms and tries his hand at doing the employee's work.  We found out he would make a terrible welder (nice to know he has a fault). The camaraderie and respect he gains from getting in there with the employees is immeasurable. Know anyone that is nervous and fears when their boss or bosses boss shows up?  Healthy respect is good. Straight up fear and you can't do your job well.

❤️ The Human Factor- Nobody is perfect and everybody has potential. Marcus will be quick to tell you what you don't know but should. While that's not always comfortable it does seem that he has your best in mind. He laughs. He cries. He swears (I do not condone this) right along with the business owners. Life is real and sometimes, it's REALLY hard. Though I did vehemently disagree with him (kind of like we had our first fight) when he demoted a young woman on the flower shop episode. While I agree she probably didn't know what she should know, the person at fault was her boss. She worked for him for more than 10 years and probably got to where she was by sheer determination. Perhaps a better alternative would have been to recommend some on the job training. She would've caught on. By the end of the episode he was praising her for being a good leader.  (He came around.)  If owners and employees are willing to be guided he guides them; if not he walks away. 

Side note. He insists he's not Oprah but he seems to be able to bring reconciliation to long divided family members.

Bottom line: In total, these qualities represent to me great leadership.  They are desirable qualities in anyone both in business and personal life.  And hey, I don't think it would hurt any of us to be considered more desirable. 

If you stuck around to the end of this post, congratulations!  You have what it takes to be a millionaire. Watch the profit on CNBC and he'll help you get there. All my love. ❤️❤️❤️ ~ Leslie

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