Episode 15: Bob Chapman explains how treating employees like family is key to business success

Breakthroughs: Smart Strategies for Career/Business Growth

In this episode I interview Bob Chapman, CEO of St. Louis based, Barry-Wehmiller, a $3 billion global, capital equipment business with more than 12,000 plus employees. Bob is committed to building a better world through business. When the financial crisis hit in 2008, Bob Chapman was faced with an impossible choice: layoff thousands of his workers, or go out of business. A few years prior, Barry Weymiller – had publicly committed to “measure success by how they touch the lives of people”. Determined to not break that promise, Chapman came up with a third seemingly impossible option that would allow his companies to survive the recession without laying off any of his 12,000+ employees. By finding creative ways to avoid letting people go, his business emerged on the other side of the recession stronger, with a workforce not only intact, but energized. Bob shares his leadership journey as CEO of Barry-Wehmiller and explains how a “simple Accountant with an unremarkable education” achieved remarkable success in business by staying committed to his core values, caring for employees like family. He says, “It’s not a cliche, it really works”. Even more, Bob emphasizes it’s the key to having a sustainable. thriving business that can ride the storm during difficult times and emerge successful. He gives specific strategies for building a loyal culture where people are excited to come to work & want to contribute their talents to benefit the organization. Bob’s story is incredibly inspiring and his practical advice can be applied to for profits and non-profits of all sizes and in any industry.