Carl Iberger

Mr. Iberger currently manages the consulting firm Wright Leeds, LLC. Wright Leeds specializes in assisting healthcare entrepreneurs and private entities in establishing and growing their companies. Enabling businesses and CEO’s to deliver on their business mission is the cornerstone of Mr. Iberger’s experience. Mr. Iberger partners with senior management, brings focus to the business strategy, builds the pathway for investment capital and develops cross-functional department workflows that yield the necessary operational efficiencies and output instrumental to a company’s success.

Where did the idea for Wright Leeds come from?

Wright Leeds – just a play on words…..

Wright – Wright (“right” as in the right direction matters)
Leeds – Leads (lead through experience and know-how)

What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?

I compartmentalize my daily work effort and strive to maintain a balanced structure. Doing this allows me the opportunity to manage unplanned customer issues or topics of concern that often arise.

Early morning: Stay focused on the events at hand.
First, let’s start at the end of the day. I end each day by creating a “to-do” list of activities and problems related to each customer that need attention for the next day. I make it a priority to read this list before going to bed each evening. Often, I find the items on the “to do” list easier to manage in the morning.

Mid-morning: It’s all about communication.
Second, communication is important to consulting and assisting management as a company grows. Effective communication combined with structured routines helps to keep everyone on the same page. To this end, I have separate daily 30 minute scheduled calls at (or in office meetings) with key departments. The meeting allow for issues and problems to be raised and uncovered. Most problems center around internal issues and cross functional activities/concerns. Follow-up on key items are then scheduled as needed.

Afternoon – evening: Big Picture Activities
Third, focus on the big picture with the C-Team. Coming events over the next 30 to 45 days – what needs to be prepared, researched and what decisions need to be made. In addition management meetings, activity reports, external initiatives, FP&A, employee issues, legal, strategy, system improvements

How do you bring ideas to life?

Listen to each and every employee as if they were the CEO. It is important to foster a working relationship built on respect and trust. Be honest and upfront with everyone. If I can accomplish that, then ideas can be raised and I can build consensus with all concerned parties. With any idea, it is critical to moderate the speed of incorporating change to maximize success. Measured steps can be more important than giant leap. Build on that success to continue with related follow-on changes. Basically, don’t bite off more than the organization can chew and always, always consider the impact to the customer.

What’s one trend that excites you?

Making any plan. For example: Sales plan; Cash Flow breakeven; System integrations.

In a new company, as it surely is in a growing company, find successes throughout the organization. After finding the “trend” communicate that achievement.

What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?

I can compartmentalize my work effort. I do not let nonrelated issues interfere with the task at hand.

What advice would you give your younger self?

Pick your battles. You don’t have to win every discussion. Concentrate on winning the war. The long game is where success is the sweetest.

Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.

Hire your replacement as soon as you can.

Two good things come from this: One: Initiatives can be accelerated which will greatly impact the overall success of the company. Two: you can expand your personal impact on strategic projects which will set strategic direction.

As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?

Be armed with the facts. You are entitled to your opinion, but not your own facts.

What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?

It’s the long game that matters. Don’t turn yourself into a pretzel by compromising your integrity over a near term issue. Simply put: “When is doubt, do what’s right”.

What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?

Trusting and not verifying. Business is business. If my internal radar is buzzing, I verify.

What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?

Businesses struggle with effective communication. This encompasses their customers, their investors and most often to their ever changing employees. In each industry there are communication gaps and lapses that hold companies back and tend to create turmoil. Whatever your chosen field may be, the mousetrap to build is “communication”. Be that person; be that driving force and you will be indispensable.

What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?

I recently sent a card and an Amazon gift certificate (actually $500, not $100) to our contact person in India. The person I sent the gift to is subcontracted by our healthcare billing contractor. He goes by “Roger”. I don’t know his Indian name, but I did get his personal email so I could send the “thank you note and certificate”. It was important to me to personally thank him. I simply told him how much his efforts on the project meant to my client’s Reimbursement team. Roger, on his own time went above and beyond in supporting my team and the company. I know it’s only $500, but his reaction was very moving. Best $500 spent in 25 years.

What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive?

Excel. (yes…Excel) I use it to develop reporting and analytics that eventually migrates it way onto customers platforms.

What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?

Good to Great. The author provides disciplined thought. Straightforward discussion of how to grow a company.

What is your favorite quote?

“Work to live…..do not live to work”
I think I work hard…I enjoy what I do….but I work to live and always put family first….especially the grand kids