BUSINESS

C-Level: Jim Lindenberg shares insights as a serial entrepreneur

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Jim Lindenberg is a serial entrepreneur who wants to share his experiences to help other southeastern Wisconsin business leaders start and grow their companies.

Lindenberg started his own company, World Class Wire & Cable Inc., in Waukesha in 1994.

Over the next 14 years under Lindenberg's leadership, the company was in perpetual growth mode. Much of that growth was fueled by Lindenberg's progressive business model and personal style. He even built a first-class, on-site fitness center for his employees.

'At World Class Wire and Cable, we empowered the employees, and by doing that they took ownership, which allowed us to grow every year in sales, employees and profits,' Lindenberg said. 'Due to the tremendous success, we were able to give more benefits every year. We went from yearly bonuses to semiannual bonuses, to quarterly bonuses. We had a monthly commission plan for all employees.'

Lindenberg sold his company near the high point of the bull market for more than $60 million to Anixter International Inc. of Glenview, Ill., in September 2008. Shortly thereafter, the Great Recession hit full stride, and the valuations for companies such as World Class Wire & Cable plummeted.

But Lindenberg had already cashed in his chips and walked away from the table.

Too young and vital to retire, Lindenberg sought other ventures and challenges. He founded JML Holdings, a commercial and residential property management company, and he launched Lindy Enterprises Inc., a small business consulting company in Delafield.

Almost on a whim, Lindenberg purchased the then-troubled Milwaukee Wave professional indoor soccer team in 2009 and started an affiliated nonprofit organization, the Wave of Hope, which helped charities throughout southeastern Wisconsin. Lindenberg sold the Milwaukee Wave in 2013.

However, this entrepreneur was far from finished. He went on an acquisition spree. He acquired the Legends of the Field sports memorabilia business, B&B Bobbleheads in Wauwatosa, Master Z's dart and pool supply stores in Waukesha and Glendale's Bayshore Town Center and Danny Vegh's Home Entertainment in Glendale. He then combined all four of those businesses into Master Z's, Wisconsin's largest home leisure retailer, where customers can purchase the recreational equipment and the sports memorabilia for their fan caves in one store.

So, what can we learn about Lindenberg's active American entrepreneurial journey? I asked him to share 10 of the best insights he has accrued along the way for other leaders.

1) 'As a CEO, I always try to be a positive role model for all of my employees. I strive to be a leader they admire, respect, trust and hopefully they have a desire to emulate. I want my employees to believe in our product, the company, themselves, their fellow employees, management and myself.'

2) 'As a CEO, I involve the employees in the vision of the company by updating our business plan together. I also like to share the financials every month with the employees. This way they know where we have been, where we are and where we are going.'

3) 'As a CEO, I stress to everyone to never give up. I want everyone to have that attitude and create new ideas and provide creative solutions to problems. Be part of the solution and not part of the problem.'

4) 'As a CEO, I try to identify the employees' passion, strengths and talents and place them in the most appropriate position. This way, they will be more successful, which will make them more engaged. If an employee is assigned to a job that best matches their skills, they will experience more job satisfaction.'

5) 'As a CEO, I try to be fair to all employees. Fair treatment amongst employees will promote a better job performance, less turnover and absenteeism, trust in the company and me, job satisfaction and organizational commitment.'

6) 'As a CEO, I try to be a good communicator and share information with employees quickly and accurately. This increases their commitment to the company. I always want them to be trying to improve their performance and improve our customer service. I want them to focus on the details and do the job right the first time. I want them to have a sense of urgency and get back to customers, vendors and fellow employees ASAP.'

7) 'As a CEO, I like to show concern for my employees and their families. Care, help and respect others. Don't burn bridges. Make peace.'

8) 'As a CEO, I want our employees to set personal goals, employee goals and company goals. These goals will direct their behavior in a positive manner.'

9) 'As a CEO, I want to stress teamwork and create an environment of team cohesion. I want them to learn and keep learning.'

10) 'As a CEO, I try to be a good listener. There are no dumb questions or dumb comments. I want open communication, and I want to encourage their ideas and their feedback.'

As a bonus, he added one more tenet to his keys for successful business leadership: 'Work hard, but let's have fun.'

It's just easier that way.

Steve Jagler is the business editor of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Send C-Level ideas to him at steve.jagler@journalsentinel.com.

After hours with

Jim Lindenberg

Age: 57

Education:Bachelor's degree in business administration, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater; master's degree in business administration, Cardinal Stritch University

Residence:Milwaukee

Favorite memories: Sixteen years of coaching youth sports in New Berlin and the Lake Country area.

Best advice ever received:'From my father, who always said just do your best, give it your best, be the best you can be at whatever you are doing. I also learned strong work ethics from both of my parents, who both worked hard long hours, never were late and never missed work.'

Have you ever felt overwhelmed in your career?: 'I have felt overwhelmed at times. In those times, I like to draw on my network for help. Your network can do incredible things for you. In those times I also like to look at those who are less fortunate. Whenever someone feels sorry for themselves, there is always someone who has it a lot worse.'