On Belay Consulting
Before founding On Belay Consulting Russ Shumaker worked at a media agency in Los Angeles, consulting businesses and nonprofits and writing and producing several award-winning radio programs and podcasts.
After seeing several of clients struggle to generate revenue, he realized that in today's crowded marketplace long-term, sustainable growth requires more than a quality product.
In pursuit of answers, he earned an MBA from Pepperdine University, studying strategy, marketing, innovation and entrepreneurship, and organizational development.
Combining education and experience led him to five realizations about successful businesses:
1) Successful businesses, including nonprofits, must have a clear, simple vision.
Businesses with a clear vision are able to navigate the present to arrive at a desired future. When this vision permeates an organization, it creates synchronicity, and the organization becomes a beautiful thing to observe, like a team of Olympic rowers moving in graceful rhythm.
2) Successful businesses have a strategy that is unique.
Strategy is what brings your vision to life. It is the blueprint that guides every decision for your organization. As such, your strategy can't be generic or just a copy of someone else's. Having a unique strategy means you have access to unique customers and markets that your competitors can't reach.
3) Successful businesses are serious about organizational health.
In healthy organizations, people enjoy being challenged and don't mind putting in long hours when it's beneficial for the company. More importantly, employee turnover rate decreases, saving time and money. When organizational culture is toxic, it can cost talent, market share, and your own well-being.
4) Successful businesses are intentional about innovation.
Innovation is the source of competitiveness and growth in every industry, it's not just the realm of tech giants and silicon valley startups. When costs are too high and are cutting away your profit margins, innovation in supply chain or production can mean the difference between survival and going under. When marketing isn't working, an innovative campaign can put you front and center in your target demographic's thinking. When you are facing challenges with a potential new product line, and are having trouble getting it off the ground, being intentional about innovation (through a creative problem solving session) can lead to a breakthrough.
5) Successful companies care about shareholder value.
Money isn't everything, even for corporations. Businesses that survive in the long run focus on shareholder value, making decisions that are socially, ethically, and environmentally responsible (S.E.E.R.).
Russ started On Belay to help companies and individuals discover and communicate their vision, set a powerful and unique strategy, create a healthy organizational culture, and innovate to success. An avid listener, he is an energizer and catalyst in any group, skilled in the art of persuasion, and able to negotiate peaceable conflict resolution through rational and creative vision casting. He has coached startups into advanced stages of growth and works with mature clients to manage broad portfolios.
In addition to his MBA, Russ holds an MA in theology (magna cum laude) from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. His research focused on the intersection of religion, culture, and public life. From 2008-2009, he was a Heartland Fellow in Indianapolis, Indiana, where he studied work-life integration. Prior to this, he earned a BA in ancient Greek and Hebrew.
Russ is a proud military spouse. He and his wife live by the serene waters of Puget Sound just outside Tacoma, Washington with their two Australian Shepherds.
After seeing several of clients struggle to generate revenue, he realized that in today's crowded marketplace long-term, sustainable growth requires more than a quality product.
In pursuit of answers, he earned an MBA from Pepperdine University, studying strategy, marketing, innovation and entrepreneurship, and organizational development.
Combining education and experience led him to five realizations about successful businesses:
1) Successful businesses, including nonprofits, must have a clear, simple vision.
Businesses with a clear vision are able to navigate the present to arrive at a desired future. When this vision permeates an organization, it creates synchronicity, and the organization becomes a beautiful thing to observe, like a team of Olympic rowers moving in graceful rhythm.
2) Successful businesses have a strategy that is unique.
Strategy is what brings your vision to life. It is the blueprint that guides every decision for your organization. As such, your strategy can't be generic or just a copy of someone else's. Having a unique strategy means you have access to unique customers and markets that your competitors can't reach.
3) Successful businesses are serious about organizational health.
In healthy organizations, people enjoy being challenged and don't mind putting in long hours when it's beneficial for the company. More importantly, employee turnover rate decreases, saving time and money. When organizational culture is toxic, it can cost talent, market share, and your own well-being.
4) Successful businesses are intentional about innovation.
Innovation is the source of competitiveness and growth in every industry, it's not just the realm of tech giants and silicon valley startups. When costs are too high and are cutting away your profit margins, innovation in supply chain or production can mean the difference between survival and going under. When marketing isn't working, an innovative campaign can put you front and center in your target demographic's thinking. When you are facing challenges with a potential new product line, and are having trouble getting it off the ground, being intentional about innovation (through a creative problem solving session) can lead to a breakthrough.
5) Successful companies care about shareholder value.
Money isn't everything, even for corporations. Businesses that survive in the long run focus on shareholder value, making decisions that are socially, ethically, and environmentally responsible (S.E.E.R.).
Russ started On Belay to help companies and individuals discover and communicate their vision, set a powerful and unique strategy, create a healthy organizational culture, and innovate to success. An avid listener, he is an energizer and catalyst in any group, skilled in the art of persuasion, and able to negotiate peaceable conflict resolution through rational and creative vision casting. He has coached startups into advanced stages of growth and works with mature clients to manage broad portfolios.
In addition to his MBA, Russ holds an MA in theology (magna cum laude) from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. His research focused on the intersection of religion, culture, and public life. From 2008-2009, he was a Heartland Fellow in Indianapolis, Indiana, where he studied work-life integration. Prior to this, he earned a BA in ancient Greek and Hebrew.
Russ is a proud military spouse. He and his wife live by the serene waters of Puget Sound just outside Tacoma, Washington with their two Australian Shepherds.
Why "On Belay?"
"On belay" is a phrase used in rock climbing to signify that the climber is tied in to the safety rope. When the reply "Belay on" is heard, it means that the climber can begin her ascent without fear of falling or making a mistake.
Business is like Rock Climbing
There are many ways to climb a rock face, and many ways to succeed in business. The route a climber chooses is based upon ambition, skill, knowledge, and support structure. While there are techniques that make climbing easier, there is no single "right way" to get to the top. Similarly, in business there are universal best practices, but the right strategy is the one that leverages your strengths to reach your unique vision. Achieving your goal requires focus, discipline, and healthy risk-taking.
The Advantage of Being On Belay
Being on belay means that when you are stuck in a difficult spot and wondering what your next move should be, someone has your back. You have permission to stop, take a breath, and look around. Your belay partner has access to a different perspective and can help you discover solutions you could never find on your own.
Get on belay today and take charge of your ascent.
"On belay" is a phrase used in rock climbing to signify that the climber is tied in to the safety rope. When the reply "Belay on" is heard, it means that the climber can begin her ascent without fear of falling or making a mistake.
Business is like Rock Climbing
There are many ways to climb a rock face, and many ways to succeed in business. The route a climber chooses is based upon ambition, skill, knowledge, and support structure. While there are techniques that make climbing easier, there is no single "right way" to get to the top. Similarly, in business there are universal best practices, but the right strategy is the one that leverages your strengths to reach your unique vision. Achieving your goal requires focus, discipline, and healthy risk-taking.
The Advantage of Being On Belay
Being on belay means that when you are stuck in a difficult spot and wondering what your next move should be, someone has your back. You have permission to stop, take a breath, and look around. Your belay partner has access to a different perspective and can help you discover solutions you could never find on your own.
Get on belay today and take charge of your ascent.