Billy Wilkinson is the CEO of Threshold. Billy Wilkinson is a thought leader, influencer, and risk taker, and provides the vision and energy that has inspired the creation of Threshold. Billy Wilkinson joins other leading CEOs and Founders taking part in our Leader Roundtable Interview Series. The DotCom Magazine editorial team has awarded Threshold as an Impact Company of 2019, and we are delighted to have Billy join us for our Leader Round Table Interview. The Threshold story is very interesting, and we are very excited to not only interview Billy about his very successful business and entrepreneurial spirit, but also put Billy through our popular speed round as well.
Billy, thank so much for taking the time out of your busy day for this interview, and answering some questions about leadership, your vision, and your passion.
1. Can you describe what the “elevator pitch” for Threshold is?
We are a results based real estate marketing company connecting future owners, renters, and buyers with their future communities. Our marketing services, from creative to digital, are built to help ensure our clients succeed. This success goes back to our very first client in October of 2013 and remains one of our largest clients today.
2. Many of our readers are just starting to build a company. What advice can you give CEO’s just starting out regarding keeping a company moving forward, and please tell us the key to your company’s success?
In the beginning you have to live like every day is your last and your decisions should support that mindset.
3. For other entrepreneurs seeking to build a business as successful as Threshold, what advice can you give them when times get a little challenging?
That it’s always going to be challenging. No matter what company and what stage the company is in, you get brought the problems. Most of what your job
will entail will be dealing with those problems – you solve them as a smaller company and then you delegate and teach others to solve as you grow.
4. How important is the commitment to client satisfaction at Threshold, and how do you make sure your customers will become raving fans of your company?
Absolutely – in the end, we are service business so if we are not keeping our clients happy then they fire us.
5. What is the one overriding belief that Threshold has about what it is doing?
This goes back to our tagline. Even though we are in marketing, our job is to help our clients achieve results. If we are not doing that, we are not doing our job.
6. In today’s fast changing business environment, what do you do to keep up with the changes? What do you read to stay abreast of things?
I do a lot of reading which helps me keep up on the overall economic or industry related issues. But the best way to stay on top of things is by regularly connecting with our amazing customers to better understand their successes and their challenges.
7. What is your “Why”? Why do you get up in the morning, and how do you keep yourself at peak performance to lead Threshold?
Several things contribute to my why. I love seeing our people propel themselves to new heights and succeed, but I’m also fulfilled by winning. So growing our company, solving problems, and then looking backwards and forwards to see the amazing thing(s) we built reward me. To stay in peak performance, I enjoy competitive tennis. It’s one of the few times I can really check out and it’s something that demands my full attention both mentally and physically.
8. Can you recommend a book that has had an influence in your career? How did it influence you?
The autobiography of Jamie Dimon.
9. In one sentence, can you tell us what the most important thing about being a leader is?
There’s a couple things I would say here. First, is know the different between being a leader and being a manager. We manage with our minds and lead with our hearts. It’s an important distinction. Second, don’t ever think that’s it’s your job to have all the answers. Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerburg didn’t go to school to run billion dollar organizations. What they do is surround themselves with smart people and ask a lot of questions to find the the best answer.
Billy, we would like to have some fun and do our famous “First Reaction” round with you! We will ask you ten more questions that we want you to answer in just one to three words only.
Here you go!
1. In three words or less, What makes a successful CEO?
Metrics, communication, determination
2. Describe Threshold in one word?
Burgeoning
3. Describe Threshold customers in one word?
Passionate
4. What one attribute do you look for when hiring an employee for Threshold?
Adaptability
5. What is the one word you want your customers to say about Threshold?
Game-changers
6. In three words or less, describe your passion?
My family
7. In three words or less, describe what it takes to be successful?
Master successful communication
8. In three words or less, describe your first year in business at Threshold?
I worked elsewhere
9. In three words or less, describe how running a successful company has changed you?
Get less sleep
10. What is the one word that you believe has the most power in the English Language?
Please
Billy Wilkinson, thank you so much for sitting down with us at our DotCom Magazine Impact Player Round Table. We very much appreciate the time you spent helping others to learn more about your company and what it takes to be a leader. We we wish you, your family, and of course Threshold, nothing but the best. Thanks again!
The Billy Wilkinson Roundtable Interview brought to you by DotCom Magazine.
