There are few things as gratifying as taking on something in need of repair—a leaky faucet, a lawnmower that won’t start, a computer that’s operating slowly…even a baseball hitter who is pulling off the ball—and making it work properly again. That sense of accomplishment for a job well done is highly satisfying and fulfilling.
You won’t find a plumber’s wrench or a screwdriver in Jim Kahrs’ professional tool belt, but you will find that same drive and motivation to effect repairs on an ill-performing business and get it humming along better than it was previously. His shirt won’t be covered with grease, but Kahrs does gain that same level of satisfaction in a job well done.
“Helping someone navigate the turnaround of a company that has been struggling or helping set up and execute an exit strategy makes a real impact on the lives the owners, employees and families of the business,” said Kahrs, a 2019 ENX Magazine Difference Maker. “Having this type of long lasting impact is quite rewarding.”
As president of Prosperity Plus Management Consulting, he has helped more than 350 dealers through one-on-one consulting, marketing programs and M&A negotiations. He founded the firm in 2001, backed by extensive experience with companies including Monroe Systems for Business, Mita (KYOCERA) and Carr Business Systems (Global Imaging Systems).
Guide to Success
In fact, Kahrs entered the industry shortly after graduating from the University of Maine, seeking a sales position because he was intrigued by the potential that the copier world had to offer him. Thirty-plus years later, Kahrs still has a passion for the industry and helping its members chart the direction that is most suited for them.
“The willingness to roll up my sleeves and get in the trenches with the dealer owners and managers makes a big impact,” he noted. “Beyond that, I try to step back and look at the big picture at all times. Finally, I strive to take complicated issues and resolve them with simple, straight forward strategies.”
While Kahrs can’t point to any one major career influencer, he has had the benefit of receiving sage advice from a number of individuals at various junctures in his career. He has studied the high-performing dealers within the industry to examine the scaffolding behind how they differentiate themselves from the pack to develop his own set of best practices. In doing so, Kahrs believes it has helped him grow and improve as a consultant, coach and person.
“Life is all about balance, and you don’t get to turn back the clock for a do-over,” he added.
Industry in Transition
One of the more recent highlights for Kahrs was seeing Prosperity Plus achieve recognition as a Certified Value Builder. He points out that given the sheer volume of baby boomers in the industry that will continue to trek down the path toward transition, having the tools to help them create and execute successful exit strategies will become more and more important going forward.
It doesn’t hurt that Kahrs maintains a high level of visibility throughout the industry as a frequent conference speaker whose thoughts have also appeared in various trade publications. Another attribute that keeps Kahrs fresh and relevant is his desire for continuous improvement and learning.
“I strive to learn something new every day,” he said. “I see future improvements coming in the form of our exit strategy planning and business sales programs. The M&A world is evolving quickly. Staying on top of this evolution will be an important part of our future and what we can offer dealers going forward.”
Kahrs and his wife, Mary, have been married for 30 years. They have two adult children and two grandchildren. The Kahrs enjoy traveling, and one of their goals is to visit every major league baseball park (they’re two-thirds of the way toward their quest). In his free time, Kahrs enjoys playing and watching all sports.
