Rebel Talent – Croixstone

Croixstone Consulting Turns “6”

The Croixstone Consulting team is celebrating its sixth business anniversary this month! Patti Weber and Mark Weber launched Croixstone as a boutique management consultancy in 2016. Their vision was to offer the world a highly differentiated business model in management consulting that would transform careers and businesses. The two entrepreneurs powered their vision by using their superpowers in strategic networking and relationship-building to connect the brightest minds.

In honor of the firm’s sixth business anniversary, here are six fun facts about Croixstone Consulting.

#1) Our name. Rivers are a hugely important part of life that connect humans in so many ways. The inspiration for Croixstone’s name is the St. Croix River (French: Holy Cross), a tributary of the Mississippi River that forms a border between the states of Wisconsin (the home state of Patti and Mark) and Minnesota (where the firm’s founders each began their careers).

#2) One more thing about our name. The correct way to pronounce the company’s name is “kroy-stone.”

#3) Our garage was a loft. Many of the world’s best known start-up companies were launched in garages. Croixstone launched its business in 2016 in Loft 309 of the former Lance Crackers building on South Boulevard in Charlotte’s booming South End Neighborhood. Not a garage, but a very cool loft to build a very unusual company.

#4) We LOVE constructive nonconformists. Business mavericks. Rebel talent. Call them what you will. One of our core beliefs is that these are the people who drive innovation in companies.

#5) We also LOVE portfolio professionals. We believe portfolio careers are the future of work. And so do many other thought leaders and futurists.

#6) Curiosity. One of our core values. We practice intelligent exploration and intellectual humility. We apply the best of our professional life experience, but always stay focused on what’s left to learn. From space exploration companies to solar farm developers to fintech unicorns, our curiosity has fueled Croixstone’s ability to build a truly unique client portfolio over the past 6 years.

2018’s Most Inspiring Books

We are eternal optimists at Croixstone Consulting and, therefore, love Inc. Magazine’s list of “The 10 Most Inspiring Books of 2018.” Faithful readers of this blog and Croixstone’s social media channels know that we adore “Rebel Talent” by Harvard Business School professor Francesca Gino. It speaks to the benefits of constructive nonconformity and our fondness for business mavericks. And we plan to read Bill Gates’ favorite book of all time, “The Better Angels of Our Nature”, that came out in January. Read the list of 2018’s most inspiring books here.

#RebelTalent

Going against the grain is something many of the greatest minds really like to do. Francesca Gino (Harvard Business School professor and author) was interviewed by BBC recently and shared her perspectives on rebels and how they break the rules to thrive in both business and their personal lives. Learn the benefits of showing your true colors to the world here.

Rebels At Work

Nobody likes a troublemaker at work. But there are people who know how to turn rule breaking into valuable contributions. Read this story about two kids at a three-Michelin star restaurant in Italy who simply wanted to order a pizza – a meal that wasn’t on the menu.

Seven Business Rebel Beliefs

Croixstone is proud to represent an exclusive group of highly-experienced business mavericks who enjoy tackling industry challenges. Our group of rebel talent, also known as “constructive non-conformists,” understands the importance of questioning the status quo and has the people skills to work with others to advance ideas for change. Recently, Inc. ran an article titled “7 Beliefs Business Rebels Hold That Disrupts Their Competition.” S.C. Gwynne, New York Times bestselling author of The Perfect Pass, explained the seven beliefs as follows:

Play Simple. A winning team doesn’t necessarily rely on complicated “plays” or on the quantity of them. Instead, insist on keeping your playbook simple. Simplicity is memorable.
Redefine Boundaries. Don’t accept the conditions in which you work as a given. If you need to move the lines on the playing field, then do it.
Redefine Expectations. Evaluate the “rules” that everyone follows and find leverage points to pivot away from tradition and create new expectations.
Believe in Greatness. No matter your track record or the obstacles in your way believe that great outcomes are possible. People perform to the expectation levels you set.
Look to the Past to Change the Future. While rebels defy conventional wisdom, they also study the past to learn trends and patterns that can change the future.
Be Persistent. Steadfast in their resolve, rebels internalize their purpose. This helps them to stay persistent despite the temptation to back down or dial back their ambition.
Believe in People. A business is nothing without the commitment and resolve of its people. Invest heavily in your talent.

Do you hold these same beliefs? If yes, reach out to Patti Weber, our Chief Experience Officer, at pweber@www.croixstone.consulting!