August 25, 2022
Published by 
Chris Cruger on August 25, 2022
Chris Cruger on August 25, 2022Top challenges facing those who lead the team and how to deal with them. One thing nobody impressed upon you when you were chosen for a position of leadership is the importance of simply showing up – to be there to handle situations with integrity, confidence and a balanced head; to be the guiding light; to be present; to be there when you’re needed, whenever that might be. Another thing no one told you was that you are supposed to have all the answers. Actually, that’s not true, but it isn’t far off. As the profession moves into this post-pandemic era, there is greater need for quality leaders today than ever before, which also means there is tremendous opportunity for young professionals today. Whether that journey leads to working for someone else or for yourself, success will likely require you […]
May 30, 2022
Published by Chris Cruger on May 30, 2022
Chris Cruger on May 30, 2022Many of us think of leadership and management as being synonymous, but they really are not. Moreover, leaders and managers potentially possess very different skill sets. While management and leadership often have overlapping functions, they should not be used interchangeably. Peter Drucker said, “Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things.” A very subtle, yet profound difference. The good news, bad news – You do not necessarily need management skills to lead, and vice versa, you do not need leadership skills to manage. What you do need is a clear direction and plan to execute on. Management is the how and when, while leadership is the what and why. Now, the interesting thing about these two functions is that they play a role in every organization. Whether you are a team of two or have 200 employees […]
May 29, 2022
Published by Chris Cruger on May 29, 2022
Chris Cruger on May 29, 2022Things in your business have changed, and owners may need to refocus their plans. The last couple of years have been quite the wild ride as the world as we knew it was turned upside down. The ways we’ve done things for decades have changed and so must our thinking when it comes to reinvesting in our business. What we reinvest in our business is a combination of capital (money) and your most valuable resource, time. There is only so much of each, and the way we use them is vitally important in securing the future of our business. We have been filled with revelations about consumers and their propensity for convenience, transparency and preneed. Their wants and needs are different now, so we must adapt. We are plagued by staffing challenges and many of the same factors impacting the […]
January 26, 2022
Published by Chris Cruger on January 26, 2022
Chris Cruger on January 26, 2022Each year, American Funeral Director Magazine publishes a yearly forecast article where experts and innovators in the funeral and cemetery profession share their predictions for the year ahead. For 2022, they share their visions of the future of cremation, memorialization, technology, what a post-pandemic world looks like, and more. Chris Cruger had the honor this year to be part of this insightful article. This article originally appeared in the January 2022 issue of American Funeral Director, published by Kates-Boylston Publications, and is being shared with permission. We have included his excerpt below. You can also download the entire article Chris Cruger on his vision of 2022 I think we’re going to see quite a bit of the same in 2022 that we saw in 2021. Consumer attitudes and behaviors have changed so dramatically through COVID that it has completely shakin’ […]
December 20, 2021
Published by Chris Cruger on December 20, 2021
Chris Cruger on December 20, 2021“If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.”– Benjamin Franklin When we gather for the holiday this year, I suggest we take a moment to be thankful. This has been a very long, hard past couple of years. The death care profession has gained new levels of recognition in the media and society. The emergence of the profession as the “last responders” has propelled it to new heights. However, this recognition does not come without a price. Many are worn out, stressed and on their last nerve. The past couple of years have been difficult for most, but extraordinarily so for our profession. To continue to do the incredible work that you do, you must be at the top of your game. Make sure that you are taking care of your –and your staff’s – mental health. There […]