Issue link: http://www.insightdigital.biz/i/489016
w w w . i n s i g h t o n b u s i n e s s . c o m A p r i l 2 0 15 • I NSIGH T | 9 FROM THE EDITOR T H E W O R D " E X E C U T I O N " H A S two meanings. In business, it's about getting things done. e other definition is morbid. But when you're "killing it" at your business, that's a good thing. What's more, if you're not executing what's most important in your business, you will surely fail to innovate. Do … or die. at's the message Dan Barnett will share in his keynote "Make or Break Execution — the Core of Success" at Insight's annual THINC! event May 19. "If you are going to change something that will cause you to realize your vision, it's the way you go about doing it that determines your success," Barnett explained when I talked to him last month. "It gets down to your leadership, your ability to get your organization to believe in this new thing you're developing. e extent you can get them to believe in it, so they can stay focused" is what matters. Barnett's message is compelling. People who have heard him speak, in particular members of TEC (e Executive Committee), attest to his inspiring delivery as well. He has been named "U.S. Speaker of the Year" by TEC Canada, "Overseas Speaker of the Year" by TEC Australia, and "Fast Track" winner by the related organization Vistage International. He is currently CEO and owner of e Primavera Company, a real estate and natural gas company with operations in three states, and is the owner of the speaking and consulting company Make or Break Execution. Barnett has appeared on CNBC's "Squawk Box," and been published in Bloomberg and the Wall Street Journal discussing confidence and leadership. He has held leadership positions for some of the world's leading corporations, including Nestlé, Pillsbury, Weyerhaeuser and Constellation Brands. In my short phone conversation with him, it was clear he can spin a good story. He's big on sharing anecdotes about challenges he has helped several companies overcome on their journey to success. Check out our "Connections" story for a taste of what he plans to talk about at our fourth annual THINC! event next month. Meanwhile, we're pleased that so many companies applied for our second annual Insight Innovation Awards, which we'll announce at THINC! — Technology & Human Innovation Networking Conference. Our judges have their work cut out for them, once again. Let me tell you, it's exciting to have an inside scoop on all the cool things going on at companies throughout the New North. Our cover story subjects are oen masters of innovation, and this month's feature on Winsert, a Marinette-based company that specializes in developing alloys for industry, is no exception. Check out Nikki Kallio's story, "Polished to perfection," featuring CEO Trisha Lemery to learn how the company forges cohesion between science and business. At Insight, we're continually striving to improve what we do and how we do things. Recently, my co-owner and co-publisher, Brian Rasmussen, and I decided to focus our roles, as well of those of our Insight Publications team, in ways that harness each of our strengths as we work toward our goals. You may see Brian out and about more than ever in his role as director of development and events. Longtime sales representative Wendy Gilbert is taking on added responsibilities with her new title as sales director. We're pleased to announce she and Brian will be working with a new account representative, Diane Verhagen, who brings years of related experience and a whole lot of enthusiasm to our Insight team. In addition to executive editor, I have begun taking on relationships with many of our vendors as director of operations. I'll continue working with our senior associate editor, Sean Johnson, as we strive to bring you the best mix of content in every issue. Meanwhile, Nikki Kallio will continue overseeing content for Insight on Manufacturing, though as an independent contractor and freelancer for Insight. Our entire team will be on hand at THINC! next month. We hope to see you there. Innovate: Do or die