Did you know encouraging great ideas in the workplace is essential to foster a culture of creativity and innovation? When employees feel empowered to share their ideas, they are more likely to be engaged and motivated in their work. Jim Kastner, CEO of Unisource Solutionsbelieves that encouraging great ideas in the workplace is crucial for the growth and success of any organization. He encourages the employees of Unisource Solutions to share their ideas and create a space for diversity of thought and inclusion of ideas, leading to a more innovative and productive work environment. “When employees feel heard and valued, they are more likely to be engaged and motivated to contribute to the company’s goals,” he states. “By being open to new ideas and methods of achieving results, we can help their employees grow and develop their skills. In our company, great ideas can come from anywhere and anyone. We foster a culture that encourages and embraces creative thinking.”

According to the pioneering leader, innovation can stem from diverse perspectives and experiences, so he actively seeks input from employees at all levels and departments. Jim has regular brainstorming sessions that allow team members to share their thoughts and ideas. Additionally, he has incorporated a culture that highly values continuous learning. Team members are encouraged to explore new concepts, take calculated risks, and learn from failures. Jim strives to create an environment where creativity thrives by recognizing, celebrating, and rewarding innovative ideas.

“One of the ideas recently generated is our new Workplace Performance Platform. Unisource Solutions Workplace Performance Platform is a customized combination of design, field services, technology and custom product solutions that enable the workplace of the future,” explains Jim. “This is an all-in-one solution that can be dialed up or down based on business requirements, supports every manufacturer, and is scalable nationally.”

Transforming Into a Role Model

Having a diverse set of role models has tremendously influenced the development of Jim’s leadershipskills, it has provided him with a multifaceted perspective on effective leadership throughout everylevel of the organization. Each role model has contributed unique insights and approaches, enabling him to assimilate a rich tapestry of emotional intelligence. From one role model, Jim learned aboutempathy and the power of active listening, while another emphasized the importance ofdecisiveness and strategic thinking. Overall, his diverse set of role models have included hisfather,brother, customers, team members andYPO, all having significantly enriched Jim’s leadershipcapabilities, equipping him with a versatile skill set that is adapted to evolving situations andcontexts. This positive influence has molded Jim into one of the most admired leaders.

Another exciting aspect of Jim’s mindset is taking calculated risks, which are crucial for organizations to foster growth, innovation, and long-term success. He considers that by carefully assessing potential risks and rewards, companies can identify opportunities that have the potential to yield significant benefits. Calculated risks push organizations out of their comfort zones, encouraging them to explore new markets, develop novel products or services, or adopt innovative strategies. These risks can lead to competitive advantages, increased market share, and improved financial performance. Moreover, organizations that embrace calculated risks demonstrate a culture of adaptability and agility, positioning themselves as industry leaders willing to explore uncharted territories. While not all risks may pay off, taking calculated risks fosters a culture of learning and resilience, allowing organizations to respond effectively to challenges and capitalize on opportunities in an ever-evolving business landscape.

With this brilliant strategy, Jim is taking the company to new heights. “Our mission as an organization is to create, outfit, manage, and measure inspiring hybrid workplaces,” he says. “To uncover the path toward and provide a roadmap to creating and maintaining the most supportive, adaptable, healthy, sustainable, and cost-effective spaces for individuals and teams to collaborate and innovate.”

Unisource Solutions has always prided itself on being at the forefront of innovation, anticipating clients’ needs, and delivering exceptional services. “Now is the time to take this commitment to the next level. As we catch the wave of change, we must ride it with unwavering determination, adaptability, and a forward-thinking mindset. One person never does great things in business. A team of people does them; we have that here at Unisource,” says Jim.

Building A Great Company

Unisource Solutions, Inc.’s primary differentiator in the market was an early focus exclusively on workplace services that encompassed a comprehensive offering of services, including but not limited to moving, installation, asset management, on- and off-site furniture inventory management, design, order branded product solutions, and fully web-enabled management applications.

By offering a truly holistic solution, the company demonstrated its commitment to meeting the diverse needs of its clients while ensuring seamless and efficient services. Furthermore, its ability to support every furniture manufacturer shows its capacity to accommodate many client preferences and requirements.

These qualities resonated with the market, positioning the company as a versatile and reliable partner for workplace services, propelling its transformation, and fostering sustained success. Today, Unisource Solutions is the go-to company to perform workplace services on time and budget with little or no oversight required. “We are an organization driven by curiosity about work, workers, and the workplace. We are passionate about understanding the relationship between employment engagement, productivity, and the workplace,” explains Jim. “I have asked our people to imagine the opportunities ahead of us. As we embark on this journey, I ask them to remember that change and opportunity go hand in hand. Embrace change with open arms, for it is the catalyst that propels us towards remarkable heights. Approach every challenge as an opportunity to learn, grow, and innovate.”

Unisource Solutions is the single source solution for understanding, creating, managing, outfitting, and measuring the workplace of the future. They combine objectives-based design, workplace technology, tactical services, and made-to-order product solutions to create and maintain inspiring workplaces nationally. The company takes a holistic approach and incorporates an ecosystem of high-value partners to deliver and sustain the workplace of the future. Jim acknowledges that a business should be seen as an infinite game because it does not have a fixed endpoint or clear winners or losers. Unlike finite games with defined rules and a specific goal to achieve success, business is an ongoing process with evolving rules, players, and objectives. In an infinite game, the primary objective is to stay in the game and continue playing rather than focusing on short-term wins.

“Companies must constantly innovate, improve their products and services, and navigate challenges to stay relevant and meet customer needs. The goal is not to “win” by eliminating all competition but to thrive by developing long term trusted relationships with customers over time,” elucidates Jim. “Today, Unisource Solutions stands as an exemplar in delivering exceptional workplace services. With a relentless commitment to understanding the dynamic relationship between employment engagement, productivity, and the workplace, Unisource Solutions ensures that its clients not only receive best-in-class services but also benefit from an environment that fosters innovation, collaboration, and employee growth. By providing holistic solutions that increasingly include technology and workplace strategy alongside a diverse array of offerings, Unisource Solutions consistently propels its clients forward, delivering workplace solutions with unparalleled efficiency.”