At The Resultants, we understand that transitioning a family business from one generation to the next takes more than putting a new leader in place.
It calls for a vision and strategy that honors the past while positioning the company for future growth. When Kristen DeMotts stepped into the role of CEO at Arrow Finishing, a business her father built from the ground up, she knew maintaining its strong culture and reputation for excellence would be key.
Over the past two years, Business Advisor Jerry Olson and Client Account Manager Glenda Coyer have supported the leadership transition at Arrow Finishing - coaching and guiding Kristen through the journey to build on Arrow's foundation.
We’ll let her tell you more.
The Backstory
When my father, Steve, founded Arrow Finishing over 40 years ago, he started in our garage, with the desire to make a difference in the parts finishing industry.
Growing up, I watched him build this company, bringing in customers across medical, defense, and many other industries. Eventually, I joined the company as a Payroll Specialist, systematically learning the intricacies of finance and administration, and ultimately grew into the CFO role, working closely with him and the exceptional team he had built.
When the time came for my father to step back and transition from CEO to chairman of the board, he placed his trust in me to take the helm.
I felt honored, but I also knew the challenges ahead.
Stepping into his shoes was about so much more than taking on a new title – it meant guiding a team with deep-rooted loyalties and many years of service.
I had to find my own path as a leader while protecting the family-like culture that defined Arrow Finishing.
The Challenges
One of my biggest challenges was shifting from a peer to a leader for many of our long-standing employees. Some members of the leadership team had been with the company almost as long as I had been alive! I knew they needed to see me in a different light.
Plus, Arrow Finishing had grown dramatically over the years, and our organizational structure needed to catch up. Leadership roles had blurred as we all wore multiple hats, and I saw the need for clarity to help our team be more effective and engaged.
I knew that our success depended on defining clear roles, empowering middle management, and creating opportunities for employees to grow while maintaining our family-oriented values. But knowing where to start – and how to execute these changes – was daunting.
Fortunately, we had The Resultants on our team!
Working with The Resultants played a huge role in helping me step confidently into my role as CEO – they came alongside me throughout the process, with the outside perspective, guidance, and structure I needed to lead the company forward.
The Solutions
Working with The Resultants has helped our organization transform its leadership approach in several ways…
Leadership Alignment
When we started this journey, we had talented people and did great work but there was no alignment across departments - we were operating as individual units, siloed in our own little areas without any shared goals, values or vision.
Developing and implementing a Business Operating System has been a gamechanger for us; bringing us together as a real team. This framework and tools provided the opportunity for us to focus on critical elements for success like people, structure and meeting management, and not only define where we want to go but how we are going to get there.
Now we have started to cascade this process down into the organization, creating the same kind of clarity and alignment at the department level.
Smart Restructuring
One big change we made was beginning to consolidate our production departments. Before, we had 11 departments, which made it hard for our leaders to really focus on strategic tasks.
Together with The Resultants, we’ve been working to streamline those departments into five divisions to create clearer accountability and help leaders focus on productivity and employee engagement.
Restructuring has allowed our managers to spend their time on actually managing their teams, without the constant pull of scattered responsibilities. It’s also created opportunities for employee advancement.
We’re lifting up new leaders and pushing problem-solving and decision-making to them – which allows some of our more experienced leaders to delegate.
Data-Driven Decisions
I knew that to make informed decisions and manage our growth, we needed data at our fingertips. The Resultants helped us implement more than 100 KPIs across different departments. This level of visibility into performance was revolutionary for us.
It’s helped us build a culture of accountability and empowered our managers to lead with confidence.
Strengthening Our Culture
Maintaining our family culture was non-negotiable for me. Arrow Finishing has always been more than just a business – it’s a community where people feel they belong.
With The Resultants’ guidance, we’ve stressed transparency, open communication, and alignment on values.
For example, I started “Listen, Learn and Lead” sessions.
These open forums have allowed employees to share their thoughts, concerns, and ideas for the company. It’s been incredible to hear directly from our team and to support an inclusive environment where everyone feels they have a voice. These sessions have become a strong foundation for maintaining the core values that define us as a company.
The Outcomes
Thanks to our structured approach and support from The Resultants, we’ve made it through the foundational steps in our leadership transition. Today, our team operates with more clarity and empowerment than ever before.
We have a strong organizational structure, and our managers are beginning to lead in focused roles where they can make the biggest impact.
We would not have been able to smoothly make this transition possible for my Dad – and for me – without going through this process.
I would say our work with The Resultants has allowed us to successfully pass the company to the next generation. As we look toward the future, I’m proud of the team we’ve built and the culture we continue to nurture.
The data-driven processes and open communication we’ve put in place keep us agile and prepared for growth. And maybe most importantly, our employees’ loyalty remains as strong as ever, with nearly half of them boasting more than a decade with us – a testament to the culture my father built and that I am dedicated to carrying forward.
I couldn’t be more grateful for The Resultants’ guidance and expertise throughout this journey. Their coaching helped me step into my own as a leader, with confidence and purpose. With their support, I’m excited to continue steering Arrow Finishing into a new era, rooted in the same values that brought us here and set us up for growth.
Partner With The Resultants to Take Your Business to the Next Level
At The Resultants, we pride ourselves in helping our clients take their businesses to the next level. Our team of experienced professionals brings a diverse range of skills and expertise to the table, allowing us to provide tailored solutions that address each client's unique situation.
Interested in talking to a Business Advisor about how you can make your business go further, faster? Contact us today to find out how The Resultants can help you.
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