John Christie

John Christie is the Owner and President of The Alternative Board (TAB) of Eastern Kansas, serving Topeka, Lawrence, Kansas City, KS, and surrounding areas. John works with Owners, CEOs, and Presidents of privately held companies to improve their business operations and regain control over their lives.

Utilizing his more than 30 years of diverse experience across multiple disciplines, John facilitates monthly peer advisory meetings (called boards) comprised of 6-8 non-competing business leaders. By encouraging open dialogue and out-of-the-box thinking, John helps put the power of collective wisdom, accountability, drive, creativity, and clarity of advice in the leaders’ hands to drive business and personal visions. Along with board meetings, John provides business coaching to help keep leaders focused, accountable, and on track to achieve their goals.

John has held top leadership positions in Fortune 500 companies in operations, business development, and marketing. Prior to owning his TAB business, John had operational responsibility for a $600M business unit in the Midwest. He is a proud native of Kansas, where he received his undergraduate degree in business from the University of Kansas and earned an MBA from the Keller Graduate School of Management. John and TAB Eastern Kansas are well-positioned to help business owners take their business to an entirely new level.

I find that the sharing of ideas and problem solving in others businesses helps me think creatively about my own business. Stepping outside of my day to day work helps me look at the bigger picture and focus on short and long term goals.

Bob Makofsky

Conformer Products, Inc MEMBER SINCE 2011

We have an excellent group of professional business owners. I learn something from them each month. Hearing and seeing what they are doing in their business is motivational for me. And they are not "yes" people. They tell me when I should be doing something differently.

Lynn Gastineau

Gastineau Log Homes, Inc.

As a TAB member, through the regular coaching sessions and monthly Board meetings, I gain invaluable mentor and peer support. The TAB ethos and coaching approach has helped me to plan personal and business goals and set direction. This is supported by the wealth of knowledge, skills, experience and support that is shared by the board who provide Impartial, informed and considered guidance and advice on all types of business issues, that enable me to gain fresh perspectives, identify blind spots and fill my skill gaps. Over the last twelve months TAB has effectively become my company’s non-executive board and its members my trusted colleagues.

Saul Goldfarb

Goldfarb & Associates

The Alternative Board is a place to learn and gather information. It is a group of people to bounce my solutions or ideas off before I try them. I gain valuable input for the decisions I have to make. Also it is very easy to see other’s mistakes, but not realize you have made the same mistake or are currently making the same mistake. Decisions, solutions & especially employee issues become obvious.

Scott McManus

Something Greek

My TAB coach has gotten me on track and kept me on track since 2005 toward the goals I’d originally stated," says Perlmeter. "I’m totally confident that we’ll continue to realize the vision that I have for the company in our second decade.

Stu Perlmeter

President – First Resource

With each meeting at my TAB board I have become more convinced of its merit to anyone really wishing to grow or change their business. You get in-depth evaluation or your problems and excellent suggestions of how to solve them. However, the most important part is you are held to account. It is not just your issue that adds value to your experience, those of others are just as useful. I have found the experience invaluable in my journey through the start-up process. Having seasoned business owners to bounce ideas off and give robust feedback has been crucial to my confidence in my plans.

Rob Shaw

The Cracking Egg Company

I have worked for AES for 20 years and I assumed full ownership and control of the business, following a 5 year management buy-out. I joined TAB with the expectation that it would provide me with an opportunity to discuss, implement and manage changes that would allow the business to grow, with the support and experience of other business owners. During the last 12 months that I have been a member, TAB has been a vital resource to challenge my ideas and enable me to make better decisions. Working on a Business Advisory Board with other like-minded business owners from various sectors has enabled me to access support, experience and knowledge to help me to run my company.

Lee Johnson

Advanced Electrical Services

TAB helped me to focus on the things that have made my business scalable. I was tempted to divert my attention to another endeavor, but TAB helped me determine that was not prudent. The economy, and specifically new building starts, have helped, but the degree of capitalization would not have been possible were it not for TAB. I compare my situation with another franchise owner who was in my shoes several years ago and I am way ahead, in fact we just bought him out. My revenues have doubled, and my capacity has increased four times from what it was three years ago. I have time to be with my girls, work on my hobbies and enjoy life.

Bill Armstrong

President – ProHome Colorado

I have found my investment in TAB to be one of the best things I have done. One of the benefits of joining TAB has been the Peer Board Member’s help in designing a sales program that works. It works because I took the time to help our sales people become better salespeople, not merely pressure them to do more of the same. By being around people who think differently who are going to ask me each meeting how I did, compels me to make the improvements that enable me to enjoy life, and boy, do I enjoy life. I recommend this amazing program without question.

Anson Thompson

The Thompson Group

Feedback from other business owners who understand the nature of entrepreneurs and their businesses, and can share their own experiences with proven solutions and creative conceptual thinking.

David Hirsch

Charles Leonard, Inc MEMBER SINCE 2011

The independent coaching sessions, the accountability to work on my business rather than in my business, the insights from my board members, the spark I get from helping my fellow board members.

Nelson Martins

DiPaolo Machine Tools

I have been a member of The Alternative Board for 10 years. My board knows me, holds me accountable and gives practical real world advice. My private coaching sessions are amazing.

Mark Rickard

Rickard List Marketing

There are numerous benefits. Certainly having a great coach is a huge asset. Secondly, having the opportunity to vet business opportunities, strategies and plans is a great help. Last, it is very gratifying to help fellow board members work through their issues as well.

Balon B.Bradley

Law Firm of Balon b. Bradley

Having insights from others as to how they solve business issues is helpful. Plus I am finding we have the same issues in common – staffing, cash flow, and business development. The diversity of the group is also valuable so for those of us starting out, it helps avoid pitfalls of which we are not aware. For those who have more experience, it allows them to realize how important getting back to basics can be.

Debra Lord

Job Ready Services, LLC

16 yrs. in business. Company was run like mom and pop shop for 14 years. Since joining TAB we have been able to identify our niche in the market and now the company is being run like a real company with focus and clarity as to where we are going and an actual plan on how we’re going to get there. Our company is poised to grow in size and wealth beyond my expectations and with TAB I will be able to sleep at night in the process.

Ted Curato

TLC Painting

The ability to leave my business and enter the world of being a CEO once a month was a fantasy to me. The friendships and learning experiences are life and business changers.

Neeshard Ahamad

The Orpheus Companies, Ltd

Our TAB Board members and facilitator have helped us deal with the on-going business issues we have faced over the years as a laser job shop. They have worked with us to plan strategically and helped ensure we are secure during the economic downturns and to capitalize on our strengths and grow in a controlled and targeted way. Our three partners now work together much more effectively as a team making all our working time more pleasurable. I am glad I found TAB.

Reto Hug

Maloya Laser MEMBER SINCE 2011

The best business decision that I’ve ever made (besides opening my store) was to join the TAB Board. It taught me how to structure and formulate basic fundamental policies and procedures; it has helped me sharpen my vision for future business and personal goals. The TAB Board provides a safe place to bounce around ideas and receive honest, creative solutions to important business challenges. Coaching sessions are professional, focused and very enlightening. They have helped me work on my business and not in my business. My recommendation – JOIN!"

Gina Snyder

Sunny Bridge Natural Foods

The TAB meetings bring together terrific expertise and creativity. Every meeting is a unique learning experience. My entire thinking about what I want my business to do has shifted. Sales are up 60% in two years. The support I need to make tough choices and start new initiatives may not be found within the company, but will be found in the TAB meetings and coaching sessions.

Don Rosenberg

Shorehaven Behavioral Health

There is no silver bullet to becoming successful, you just have to stay focused on your goals. TAB has helped my business grow significantly by encouraging me to take a step back and identify the basics I need.

Jo McCabe

Mr. Handyman

The guidance of The Alternative Board has helped me increase our revenue. The time I have saved and the return my firm has gotten has exceeded our financial and time investment. I am impressed with the organization.

Steven Kramer, Esq.

Feldman, Kramer & Monaco PC

Based on the input I got from my board on some specific things I should include in client proposals I was able to get two jobs valued at $1,300,000 that I feel I otherwise would not have gotten. And by working with one of my TAB board members, I’m saving $10,000 per year on my company’s medical insurance premiums – with better benefits. The savings drop directly to my bottom line – thank you TAB!

Joe Pacifico

Coastal Enterprises of NY Inc

I rely on my TAB board members to keep me focused on the positive ways to reach my goal.

Brent Mele

All Action Alarm

I receive feedback from other business owners who understand the nature of entrepreneurs and their businesses. They share their experiences with proven solutions and creative conceptual thinking.

David Hirsch

Charles Leonard, Inc.

When the Time Comes to Fire a Family Member

Terminating an employee isn’t something business owners and CEOs relish. When the situation demands some drastic action, however, it’s necessary to ...

17 Essential Traits of Successful Entrepreneurs - Part 2

In our last post, we began to review 17 Essential Traits of Successful Entrepreneurs. Here we will continue looking at additional great tips from the ...

17 Essential Traits of Successful Entrepreneurs - Part 1

While a great idea and some capital may be essential for a successful business, the most critical ingredient for a successful venture remains the ...

How to Sell During Times of Uncertainty

If your business is struggling right now, you may be wondering if there’s anything you can do to improve your sales. While there’s no guarantee that ...

Managing Family Business Conflicts

Small business owners and CEOs have plenty to contend with as part of their normal daily operations. When the business is family-owned, a different ...

Tips on Effective Business Succession Planning

With many family businesses, the time to think about succession planning starts on Day One. It’s a complicated subject, sometimes fraught with ...

6 Ways You Can Improve Communication in a Family-Owned Business

The golden rule for the success of any family-owned business is to be transparent and have an open, honest, and straightforward line of ...

6 Tips on Making a Family Business Partnership Work

We often hear stories about the difficulties of making a family business partnership successful. Yes, there are unique hurdles that differ from other ...

Tips on Achieving the Elusive Work-Life Balance

Among CEOs and business leaders, the search for the best work-life balance has been going on for years. Only recently has the crucial importance of ...

Time-Saving Tips for Hyper-Busy Business Leaders

There may be only 24 hours in a day, but with effective time management, business leaders can get a lot done within that limited timeframe. The key ...

TAB Eastern Kansas

KANSAS

“If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door.”

TAB Eastern Kansas

Member Success

Bob Makofsky

Lynn Gastineau

Saul Goldfarb

Scott McManus

Stu Perlmeter

Rob Shaw

Lee Johnson

Bill Armstrong

Anson Thompson

David Hirsch

Nelson Martins

Mark Rickard

Balon B.Bradley

Debra Lord

Ted Curato

Neeshard Ahamad

Reto Hug

Gina Snyder

Don Rosenberg

Jo McCabe

Steven Kramer, Esq.

Joe Pacifico

Brent Mele

David Hirsch

Blog

Quick Links

RESOURCES

keep in touch