If you could spend a few hours with hundreds of different teams, you’d be able to see what the best ones are doing. Today’s guest, Russ Climie, has seen the good, the bad, and the ugly during his nearly 20 years as a professional business photographer.
In this episode of The Clarity Advisors Show, Russ shares his insights and observations with host Ken Trupke.
Episode highlights
- Professional photographs are more important than ever in the digital world.
- Making people comfortable is key to getting a good photo.
- Three indicators of a good work culture: Tenure, people inviting their friends to work there, and having someone to take care of team members’ needs.
Timestamps
(00:55): Overview of Russ’ business
(01:45): Importance of making people feel comfortable.
(04:55): Why people don’t like having their photo taken.
(08:35): First indicator of a strong culture – Have people been there a long time?
(09:40): Indicator 2 – Are people inviting their friends to work there?
(10:36): Indicator 3 – Is there a person or people whose job is to support the internal team?
(13:08): Bad things Russ has observed.
(16:32): Companies that have all three indicators.
(18:46): How Russ applies what he’s observed to his own team.
(20:48): How Russ takes care of his teammates.
(22:48): Impact of the pandemic on the photography industry.
(24:49) What Russ is reading and listening to.
(26:42) How to contact Russ.
Episode Quotes
- “In my opinion, the photo is the new handshake. People are looking at your profile online before they may be ever meet you in person.”
- “The world of team building is not simple. Or I should say it’s simple, but it’s not easy.”
- “How long have people been there? Miles on the car don’t necessarily indicate that it’s the best car to own, but it does show this could be a good place to work.”
- “What’s very indicative of a great culture is if you want your friends to come work there with you.”
- “Our first customers – our most important customers – are our team.”
- “I can tell the company culture by looking at the fridges of different places I go.”
- “At the end of the day, that’s Business 101. It’s all about relationships.”
Russ Climie’s Recommended Reading and Listening
- The Magic of Thinking Big, by David J. Schwartz
- Akimbo: A Podcast from Seth Godin
- The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe
Follow/Connect with Russ Climie
