Appleton, Wisconsin Aug 16, 2025 (Issuewire.com) - Entrepreneur and CEO Brandon Erickson is speaking out about a widespread issue in modern business: the overreliance on technology and infrastructure, and the underinvestment in leadership development.
Drawing on nearly two decades of experience building and scaling companiesfrom online commerce to precision manufacturingErickson believes the most important asset in any company isnt hardware or software. Its people.
We spent thousands upgrading equipment, said Erickson, founder of North Valley Precision. We expected performance to improve. But what we got was higher error rates and missed deadlines. The real problem wasnt our machinesit was our teams ability to lead through complexity.
North Valley Precision, which has helped safeguard more than $5 billion in manufacturing assets, faced an inflection point when it secured multiple high-stakes defence contracts. Despite advanced tech upgrades, the company struggled with communication and quality outputuntil it shifted focus to developing leadership at every level.
A Data-Backed Wake-Up Call
According to a recent study by the UK-based Chartered Management Institute (CMI), 82% of managers in small businesses have never received any formal training. And yet, companies with strong leadership cultures are 1.8 times more likely to be high-performing.
Most businesses think they have a people problem or a productivity problem, Erickson said. But what they actually have is a leadership gap. Thats what holds them back.
Real Change Begins on the Floor
At North Valley Precision, Erickson implemented a grassroots leadership programmenot for executives, but for line workers, inspectors, and coordinators.
We looked for the people others naturally listened to, he said. Then we gave them coaching, support, and responsibility. We didnt wait for job titles to changewe empowered them to lead right where they were.
The results were immediate. A frontline supervisor cut rework by 30% by implementing a proactive checkpoint process. Another team reduced changeover times by mapping out inefficiencies on the floor.
Leadership in High-Stakes Environments
Erickson says the importance of leadership is magnified in sectors where quality is non-negotiablelike aerospace, defence, and biotech.
In these industries, the cost of a single mistake can be catastrophic. Thats why we need leadership at every levelnot just to hit numbers, but to protect lives and reputations, he said.
Leadership, in this context, is not about control or hierarchy. Its about operational clarity, peer accountability, and an unshakable focus on purpose.
A Call to Action for Business Owners
Rather than advocating for more tech investment, Erickson is calling on founders, managers, and team leaders to look inward.
You dont need a six-figure budget to start building leadership, he said. Start with one question: Who do people already trust on my team? Then give that person a chance to grow.
He recommends businesses begin with small steps:
About Brandon Erickson
Brandon Erickson is the founder of 7 Innovations LLC and CEO of North Valley Precision, a quality assurance company based in Appleton, Wisconsin. He is also a published author, investor, and volunteer youth sports coach. His leadership philosophy blends operational discipline with long-term human development.
Source :Brandon Erickson
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