Joe Zente of TAB Austin Talks about His Group
Where are you from originally?
I grew up in New Jersey, a short walk to the train station -- just 20 minutes from NYC. I lived in Baton Rouge for 4 years before moving to Austin in 1986.
What university did you go to?
I have a BS in Chemical Engineering from New Jersey Institute of Technology. I played two varsity sports at NJIT—baseball and basketball.
What brought you to Austin?
I traveled extensively with my first job out of college. I decided to move to Austin because I thought it would be a great place to raise my family. It had everything I was looking for—a vibrant business climate, fantastic weather, friendly people, awesome culture, sports, music, etc, etc.
What is your passion and strength?
Helping responsible people achieve their dreams. My company, Z3 Performance Development, Inc., has a simple principle that embodies our thinking—Freedom Through Results, Results Through Responsibility©
What need does it fulfill?
I run two companies. Z3 Performance Development and The Alternative Board (aka: TAB-Austin)
Z3 is a 12 year old Sales Development firm that helps CEOs of private companies build World Class Sales Organizations.
The Alternative Board® is a 20 year old international company that helps business owners Change Perspective, Improve Business and Enjoy Life. TAB’s proprietary process includes CEO peer advisory boards, leadership coaching, strategic planning, operational & financial assessment tools, business education and much more.
Our strength is in our amazing people and clients. Z3 and TAB have worked with many of the most successful private businesses in the Austin-metro area. We have assisted many CEOs through their entire business evolution—from concept to plan to growth to maturity to exit. How rewarding is that? I have the best job in the world.
What exactly do you bring to startups?
TAB provides a startup with all of the tools, guidance and resources necessary to build a sturdy foundation for effective, consistent, sustained growth in profit and valuation.
Z3 provide everything necessary to rapidly grow revenues and build a World Class Sales effort—scalable, visible, and predictable.
What type of startup would benefit from your strengths?
Any business with a CEO who is truly committed to improving their business or life.
What was the most challenging aspect of starting up a business?
I’ve run six successful businesses, started four and sold two. But I have a curse--I see opportunity EVERYWHERE. So the most challenging thing for me is usually deciding what to STOP doing so I don’t spread our resources too thin.
What advice do you have for entrepreneurs?
1. Don’t re-invent the wheel or try to go it alone. Learn from people who have been there before.
2. Don’t accept mediocrity in your Sales Force. Sales Management in most private companies is horrible. It doesn’t have to be.
What Austin-based resource have you found to be the most helpful and why?
The Alternative Board®. I was fortunate to discover TAB 10 years ago. It has changed my life.
I have since watched the profound effect it has had on thousands of businesses. It has had a 7+ figure effect on the bank accounts of many entrepreneurs who have been insightful enough to join.
Investigate The Alternative Board® to see if you qualify for membership. TAB is not for everyone, but if there is a fit and you commit to the TAB process, it will have a profound effect on your life. It is the best kept secret in Austin…
