Jennifer Davis is the Chief Marketing Officer and President of Central States Manufacturing, a 100% employee-owned nationwide manufacturer of metal roofing, siding, and building components. She is the first to hold the CMO position at the company, overseeing marketing, strategy, and innovation, while also leading Central Storage Works. With a career that includes leadership roles at companies like LEARFIELD, Amazon Web Services, Honeywell, Planar, and Intel, Jennifer brings extensive experience in executive marketing, operations, and general management. She is also the author of Well Made Decisions, a book on organizational decision-making and strategy. Jennifer holds a bachelor’s degree from Warner Pacific University and a MBA from Pepperdine University.
Here’s a Glimpse of What You’ll Learn:
- [0:51] Introduction to Jennifer Davis’s career and her new role at Central States Manufacturing.
- [7:23] The importance of a 90-day plan for new executives and Jennifer’s approach to creating one.
- [10:24] Jennifer shares her professional journey and key experiences that shaped her leadership style.
- [17:09] How Jennifer and Corinne met and connected over a pair of yellow shoes at a conference.
- [21:02] The significance of Central States Manufacturing being 100% employee-owned and its impact on the company culture.
- [26:19] Jennifer’s structured approach to her first 90 days: pre-boarding, assessing the current situation, and achieving quick wins.
- [29:45] How to identify goals and manage the overwhelming flow of information in a new role.
- [34:13] Pre-boarding: building relationships and understanding the organization before day one.
- [39:02] How Jennifer prioritizes her goals and identifies quick wins during her 90-day plan.
- [46:26] The importance of “quick wins” in building momentum and gaining trust in a new leadership role.
- [51:50] How to measure success within the first 90 days, even if some wins come later.
- [1:00:29] Key takeaways from Jennifer’s 90-day plan: ownership, personal branding, and intentionality.
In This Episode…
Have you ever wondered what it takes to effectively navigate the crucial first 90 days in a new leadership role? What strategies can transform these initial days from a period of adjustment to a launching pad for long-term success? Could there be a blueprint for setting the pace for triumphant leadership from the onset?
With her wealth of experience in numerous industries, Jennifer Davis asserts that the key to thriving in the initial 90 days of leadership lies in a nuanced approach. It involves understanding the unique environment of the new role, setting concrete yet adaptable goals, and swiftly identifying and capitalizing on early victories. Her methodology goes beyond conventional onboarding, blending deep organizational insights with a proactive stance toward challenges and opportunities.
In this episode of WRK & WIN, Corinne Milien sits down with Jennifer Davis, Chief Market Officer and President of Central States Manufacturing, to explore the essentials of successful leadership transitions. They discuss Jennifer’s effective strategies for the first 90 days, discussing the critical role of pre-boarding, effective goal setting, and the motivational power of early wins. This insightful conversation offers practical tips for both emerging and seasoned leaders to excel from day one.
Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
- Corinne Milien on LinkedIn
- WRK
- Jennifer Davis on LinkedIn
- Central States Manufacturing
- Well Made Decisions by Jennifer Davis
- Hashtag Sports
- LEARFIELD
- The First 90 Days: Proven Strategies for Getting Up to Speed Faster and Smarter, Updated and Expanded by Michael Watkins
- The New Leader’s 100-Day Action Plan: How to Take Charge, Build Your Team, and Get Immediate Results by George Bradt
- PrimeGenesis
- Cole Gahagan on LinkedIn
Sponsor for this episode…
This episode is brought to you by WRK.
Managing a successful business is about more than just the bottom line — it’s about the people who make it happen.
WRK is your go-to partner for people-powered HR and strategic partnerships, designed to overcome your toughest workforce challenges.
From fostering employee engagement through positive employee relations to developing future leaders with their Leadership Development programs, WRK‘s services are designed to maximize the performance of your team and ensure a vibrant, inclusive work culture.
This isn’t just HR — it’s HR reimagined.
Go to www.letsdowrk.com to learn more.