The last five years have seen an ever-tightening talent pool and, therefore, increased competition for great employees. It seemed that it was a pandemic-related phenomenon at first, but demographics tell us that in fact, this is here to stay for many years. Coupled with this tight labor market, employees have become more particular about what they are looking for in their work, and they have become more apt to move on if their situation is not just right. The great resignation and quiet quitting, were, it turns out, just the start. In this era where it has become so challenging to hire great employees and even more so to keep them, Michael Horn invites us to understand why, and how to combat this trend.

Michael is a longtime friend of Tugboat Institute®’s and Co-Founder of the Clayton Christensen Institute for Disruptive Innovation. In his recent book, Job Moves, he explores what drives employees to quit so readily and offers them advice about what factors to consider when considering taking this step. In this Tugboat Institute talk, he flips his perspective and offers company leaders a look into the factors that drive employees to quit - and to stay – in order to be more intentional about improving recruitment and reducing turnover. It turns out that many of the things he recommends go hand in hand with being an Evergreen® company.

Watch and consider how you might improve your employees’ experience and keep your best players for the long term.

On May 6, 2025, Another Way: Building Companies That Last...and Last...and Last, by Dave Whorton with Bo Burlingham was released to the public. Their book tells the story of Dave’s journey from Venture Capital’s epicenter in Silicon Valley to founding Tugboat Institute®, an organization dedicated to bringing together, supporting, and championing Evergreen® leaders and their Purpose-driven, Private, enduring companies.

In this conversation moderated by Tugboat Institute member Mel Gravely, Executive Chair of Triversity Construction, Dave and Bo share their experiences conceiving of this project, their working relationship and the process of writing it, and what they hope it will accomplish in society. Mel deftly leads the two friends and co-authors through topics that will touch and inspire you, and that will help you better understand the foundation and the aspirations of the Evergreen movement.

Watch and be inspired to read this book and support this important movement.

Tugboat Institute® member Ford Mennel is the fifth generation leader of his family company, The Mennel Milling Company. In their 139 years, the company has been through many phases, some marked by prosperity and expansion, and some by stagnation and risk. Through it all, the series of family leaders who have shepherded Mennel have succeeded in building an Evergreen® company that is strong, continually expanding, diverse, and surprisingly innovative, given that their industry is one of the oldest in human society.

In this talk, Ford not only shares his family’s and company’s history, the risks they faced, and the strategies that allowed them to survive and thrive over time. He also demonstrates creativity in his approach to Pragmatic Innovation, not just in Mennel Milling’s products and services, but also in his strategic approach to accessing capital for acquisitions while safeguarding the company’s Evergreen® independence.

Watch and be inspired to be innovative in all areas of your company, and to build something that will last.