John Laughlin: career and conversation guide

About the guest

John Laughlin is the owner, president and CEO of CTI, as described in this conversation. He entered the audiovisual industry through accounting and became an owner through sweat equity. His discussion with Simon draws on acquisitions, leadership, employee development and the relationships behind an integration business.

The conversation

John expected his accounting job at Conference Technologies to be a stepping stone. Instead, AV became his career. He and Simon discuss growing CTI, keeping good people after an acquisition and changing a strategy without losing the culture that makes it work.

Ideas to take away

Buying the business does not buy its relationships.

John describes the work of keeping the people who deliver for customers after an acquisition.

Performance is also a leadership question.

Someone with the right attitude may need a different role, better training or clearer expectations.

Change the strategy as you learn.

Clear expectations around trust and effort give people a stable basis for adapting the plan.

Return to the conversation

Edited companion notes based on the interview. Roles reflect the recording, rather than a current employment claim.