Storm & Security

18 STORM & SECURITY PROTECTION / IBS PREVIEW 2015 Five Building Blocks Witty talks about what it takes to get that hum every CEO wants, both in the office and in one's respective industry. 1 Staff your team with A-players—They're worth the wait. An A-player is someone who brings all of the necessary qualifications to the table – perhaps more than you were expecting – and that something extra as a human being. Of course, that isn't always readily apparent during a 45-minute interview; it can take time to see the true colors of a talented individual to come through. This speaks to the importance of having an intuitive hiring manager, "which may be a small business's CEO," Witty adds. Also, it's important to have A-players who put the team first, such as those who have helped Advantage Media Group earn a spot on the Best Places to Work in South Carolina list for 2013 and 2014. Egomaniacs who cannot collaborate can grind productivity to a screeching halt. 'Of course, you need folks with the right qualifications … but there are also character traits to look for.' Essential Building Blocks for a Thriving Work Culture 5 things to work on, all premised on having the right players. What makes a successful business thrive? That's what eight out of 10 new entrepreneurs would like to know, because their businesses fail within the first 18 months, according to Bloomberg. Adam Witty, who has managed to turn plenty of heads in the business community as founder and CEO of Advantage Media Group, an international publisher of business, self-improvement, and professional development books and online learning, says creating the right environment is crucial for success. "You don't have to be a business guru to recognize when a business is firing on all cylinders, that everyone is putting their skills to maximum use, working together, and actually having a good time. How to create that chemistry … that's the question," says Witty, the author of five books and an in-demand speaker and consultant on marketing, business development, media and publishing, and entrepreneurship topics. "Of course, you need folks with the right qualifications who are willing to bring their A-game every day. That's crucial. But there are also character traits to look for: a positive, can-do attitude, for instance. If a person doesn't fit in the mix, not only will he or she be less likely to bring their best, they can also compromise everyone else's game."

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