1. The 25 Biggest Things
I Have Learned
as a CEO
for 25 Years
By Gina Danner, Jan. 17, 2013

2. Why this presentation
In January 2013, Gina M. Danner, CEO of Mail Print gave a
series of presentations to Kansas City Chambers of
Commerce and entrepreneurial groups of individuals. The
following slides represent general concepts of the lessons
learned during the last 25 years of leading Mail Print.
For more information feel free to contact Gina at
www.MailPrint.com.
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3. About Gina Danner
• Gina Danner, Owner/CEO
As CEO and visionary leader of Mail Print,
Gina Danner combines a unique blend of
business insight and the practical experience
of having spearheaded the development of
integrated direct marketing systems for companies
nationwide. As a consultant, mentor and awarded
entrepreneur, Gina thrives on helping clients and partners
hone marketing and sales processes to work smarter, quicker
and more profitably. A University of Missouri graduate, Gina
is active in local and national entrepreneurial, networking and
charitable organizations.
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4. Who, What, and WHY???
• Mail Print, founded in 1988
• Celebrating 25 years of
year over year growth
• Declining industry
• Supporting our community
• Supporting Entrepreneurship
• Providing great jobs
• Continuing to grow and evolve
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5. “Per sever ance doesn’t r un on air but on
desir e. You can handle any hell only if
you have a bur ning bigger -than-life
heaven in your chest, which must expr ess
itself, no matter what — even if it costs
you your smaller so-called life.”
Charles
Bukowski
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6. It’s your job to create that point in the distance
and lead your team there. The biggest
challenge for entrepreneurs is to realize it is not
about them – it is about the achievement of that
vision.

7. Hire to fit YOUR culture. As a
leader you must create it, nurture
it, know it and protect it. Be able
to state it with conviction in a
single sentence.

8. Don’t create a
lifestyle that
outpaces your
checkbook.
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9. Don’t ever bet the
company.
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10. The greatest cost that very few
people consider
is the lost opportunity cost.
Time Kills Companies 10

11. Say hello to everyone.
Honor the time they are giving you.
Care about them.
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12. Know the financial metrics for
your business, your industry, and
for your customers
Invoice every day. Cash is king.
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13. Prepare for the six figure mistake.
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14. Make aggressive moves
in a down economy.
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15. The CEO must be the
best
sales person in the
company.
Become a student of
selling.
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16. Be a subject matter expert.
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17. Sell to the pain. People will
move away faster from pain,
before they move to gain.
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18. Failing to grow is like
failing to breathe. You
must grow the company
so your employees can
move up.
You are either going
forward or you are going
backwards.
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19. Successful delegation is the key to big things.
Pinpoint it. Feedback (how do I need reporting).
Measure it. Recognize it.
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20. Self Actualize -- Look in the mirror.
See your warts.
Own all of your mistakes and failing
Never blame anyone else. 20

21. Know your
weaknesses and
hire those skills
out.
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22. Your job is to make
everyone successful;
otherwise you have
failed.
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23. Give your employees
wings...
and the freedom to
fly.
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24. Don’t make your employees read your
mind.
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25. All failings point back to process.
Be a process engineer. Fall in love with
process.
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26. Public, Private, Outside
Investors- Unless you
have HUGE idea with
massive potential – stay
private and cash flow your
growth. It is better to
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have bank debt than to

27. You keep fighting the same fights
you did when you were 12 years
old.
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28. Find a niche and get rich.
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29. No matter what, the animals must be fe
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30. BONUS!!!
Give freely of your heart,
your talents and your
money. Giving vs. Giving
Back
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31. Questions:
Gina M. Danner
Twitter: @ginadanner
ginad@mailpr int.com
816-459-8404