Hey there, I’m Chris.
Servant leader, coach, entrepreneur, mountain man, and owner of Placers, one of Delaware’s 50 fastest growing businesses with a mission of igniting the spark between businesses and next-level talent.
I’m a firm believer that everyone we come into contact with has lessons to share – from strategies for successful entrepreneurship, to how to live a balanced life – mind, body, and soul.
As a business owner, I encourage my team to operate under one simple yet extremely powerful idea: that the best results come when you push the limits. Last year, I trekked up the glacial landscape of Mt. Rainier – a bucket-list climb. It wasn’t easy. When a blizzard hit at 11,500 feet, we spent a tough night in frigid temperatures with tents blowing and a mix of freezing rain and snow billowing into my tent. While nature ultimately decided it was time for us to descend, we were left with a life-changing experience reserved only for those who dare to step outside of their comfort zones.
Epic journeys wait on the other side of comfort zones. Outside Insights will give you the inspiration, tools, and aha moments you need to get there.
How often do you wonder if you’re truly living the life you want or should be? For years, I’ve been passionate about helping people—job seekers, college students, aspiring entrepreneurs, midlife career changers, and even recent retirees—pursue an earned life they feel proud of at any stage. Today, I’m excited to introduce a new resource: […]
I’m blessed to have many people in my circle that inspire me and push me to become a better version of myself every day just through their example. Some of these people are close to me, like my wife or my father. Others, I’ve met throughout the seasons of life and am honored to have […]
Yes, there is a “right way” to think…that “right way” just depends on the individual. In Outside Insights, we often talk about defining your guiding values and understanding what your personal culture is. Society has guidelines for how we should act, the workplace has rules that we abide by to get paid, etc. But your […]
There is a balance shift between employers who are used to being in control of the workplace dynamic and employees who gained control of it during the pandemic. It’s headlining news and it’s the through-line of this week’s episode of Outside Insights between Placers’ President Chris Burkhard and Placers’ Founder and serial entrepreneur Alan Burkhard. […]
Recently, I read one of my Outside Insights articles from two years ago where I wrote about the importance of appreciating the small stuff around you. Reflexively I thought, who was that guy? And how did he get to a place where he had time to actually appreciate the small things in life? Two years […]
Over the last 50 years, Placers and the Burkhards have coached, interviewed, and listened to thousands of job seekers who want to make a change. They want to follow a new career path or just want something to change in their day to day. Yet, when it comes time to say yes to a […]
For the past few years, a significant focus of mine has been working with my dad to write and publish our first book. In the process, we started a podcast that would turn into our cumulative life lessons, finally recorded. As we started to record, we began to think through what we would […]
Think about your biggest win from last year. What made it memorable? Was it the goal itself—or the journey that got you there? Chances are, it’s not the metrics or deadlines you recall most vividly, but the moments that brought those goals to life: the stories, struggles, and small victories along the way. At […]
“Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home; that wildness is a necessity; and that mountain parks and reservations are useful not only as fountains of timber and irrigating rivers, but as fountains of life. Awakening from the stupefying effects of the vice of […]
The election feels like the exclamation point on the end of a long run-on sentence (otherwise known as the year 2020). We have been through a range of emotions and sticky situations this year. Many of us have gone from fear to frustration, to now what feels like a general sense of anxiety. With so much […]
I am not sure how you’re choosing to distract yourself these days – lately the world seems to be oh so serious all of the time. If you listen to or read Outside Insights content, you’re familiar with my journey and my recipe for living your best life. I read, meditate, do yoga, work out […]
How you conduct yourself along your life journey, determines how your story will unfold. This is a basic law of the universe—we get what we give and, ultimately, we are what we believe. It’s a self fulfilling prophecy. If we think negatively, we open ourselves up to negative experiences. If we lead from a place […]
To be clear, most people have heard of the 80/20 Rule, yet most are not sure what it is or how to use it in their life. The 80/20 Rule, also known as the Pareto Principle, is the way to save time and to improve personally and professionally. In the late 19th century, Italian economist, […]
This visualization represents my work/life story over the past 30 years. I imagine many of you can relate. To me work equaled independence. I started work early. From the age of nine, I had a paper route which I had until I was sixteen. It was hard work; I got up before school to deliver […]
I am frequently asked about what gives me sustainable motivation and energy. How do I continuously keep my long-term goals top of mind and how do I recover from life’s setbacks and get back on track? When it comes to reaching our goals, all of us have setbacks – we get sick, we lose steam, […]
In 2009, many businesses ground to a halt – almost a complete stop. Corporate customers stopped buying. Consumer sentiment was down, and people stopped spending. In the U.S., this was our entire economy. Most leaders found themselves navigating uncharted business waters, and leadership became narrowly focused on one thing: survival. I am proud to […]
Whether you’re celebrating a year of big wins or feeling like 2024 didn’t quite hit the mark, there’s one simple thing you can do to set yourself up for success in 2025: practice intentional reflection. Here’s the exercise I do every year, and I promise it’s easier—and more satisfying—than you might think. 1. […]
Are you where you want to be in your life? Did you cross all the items off your bucket list? Have all of your dreams been chased? If the answer is yes, yes and yes – congratulations! You can proceed with the rest of your day. But, if you’re like me, you probably answered no […]
If you’ve been part of the Outside Insights community for a while, you know how important I view goal setting and developing actionable steps to make them a reality. We set our sights on outcomes that we want to reach and then act with intention, every day, to achieve them – knocking tasks out one […]
I’d like to start this week’s email out with a question for you. If someone offered you a pill that could decrease your chances of cancer and heart disease by more than half, increase your memory and intelligence, decrease anxiety and stress and make you happier with no negative side effects – would you take […]
When asked about Apple’s “overnight success”, Steve Jobs explained that it was 18 years in the making. Sometimes we make success look too easy and the real gold is in the lessons learned and the many mistakes we make on our way to reaching success. A decade and a half ago Rob Gilfillan and I […]
The world of business is fast-changing. Fickle, almost. Climates evolve rapidly, markets come and go, consumer demand is continually in flux. Any company that navigates these inherent trials and tribulations with grace isn’t doing so because of sheer dumb luck. They have a secret sauce: Their employees. The lifeblood of any company is […]
In this insightful chapter of Opposite the Crowd, I had the pleasure of engaging in a rewarding conversation with my dad, Alan Burkhard, on the concept of “right-thinking” and its impact on personal and professional development. Our discussion revolved around the power of aligning one’s thoughts and actions with a clear purpose and set of […]
Imagine you could simply “keep score” of every relationship in life and business. And, for example, if after every interaction your “score” would change depending on how much value you brought to the person you were speaking with.. While for some this idea may be anxiety inducing, it doesn’t have to be! I […]
The “power of knowledge,” the focus of chapter five in “Opposite the Crowd,” zeroes in on a see, think, act mindset and strategy that my father Alan and I advocate. Many years ago, he was introduced as a futurist at a staffing conference. “He always sees what’s coming,” they said during his intro. […]
Group brainstorming sessions are usually the birthplace of a spark of an idea that turns into something big. Whether you’re discussing the next roll out with colleagues or deciding what to name the new family puppy while trying not to shut down the name “cupcake”. While brainstorming, the first wave of responses are often narrow […]
What if the key to success isn’t about what you achieve, but how much you give back? In this week’s episode of Outside Insights, I sat down with Mike Smith, a public servant whose inspiring journey proves that leadership is rooted in service. Currently serving in Delaware’s House of Representatives for the 22nd district, […]
In business, there are assets, things that add or increase in value, and there are liabilities, things that must be paid for or are a cost to the business. All employees have the opportunity to be real assets – but not all employees are working to their full potential. Be an asset. Grow yourself, be […]
Yesterday I read a meme that referenced the never-ending pandemic. “The new normal” had gone on so long that I had time to get in shape once…and then get out of shape again. I know this is how many of us feel right now. It’s like the pandemic 15 (which is a real thing), not […]
The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year (For Me) My all-time favorite holiday is New Year’s Day – it offers the opportunity to reset. I set a new tone in the new year by journaling. It clarifies what I’ve done, what I didn’t do, what I want, and how to get there. I highly recommend […]
“Recently, I was meeting with our recruitment consultant, Freddy, over lunch and I shared this story. Back in the early days of Placers 1.0 and the CBI Group, we set out to propel one of the key tenants of our culture: employee empowerment. We asked ourselves how self-directed our teams could really be. Would they […]
In a world of self-service portals and customer service lines that proudly announce “that your call is important to us. There are just 48 callers in front of you, and your wait time 1 hour and 6 minutes” there has to be another way. You know real service when you see it. But how can […]
Why Trust, Relationships, and Real Value Still Take Time in an On-Demand World These days, we want everything now. Technology has stripped away what we used to call friction—those natural pauses that gave us space to think, learn, and grow. Need dog food? It’s delivered to your doorstep before you’re home from your commute. […]
Ditch the excuses, track real progress, and start making things happen—one step at a time. Ever feel like there’s a gap between the life you want and the one you’re actually living? You’re not alone. Maybe you want to get in shape, start a side hustle, finally write that article, or switch careers—but somehow, […]
Hello, This next Outside Insights podcast is one that I am very excited for our community to listen and learn from. For this episode, I sat down with Todd Bavol, CEO of Integrity Staffing, a firm that has won Clearly Rated’s Best of Staffing Award for five consecutive years. I am proud to call Todd […]
Where does our confidence come from? How do I “fake it till I make it”? How do I know I am doing the right things with my life? I spend a lot of time with good people, customers, employees, friends, family and outside-inners that find value in our words and podcasts. The questions above are […]
The Greatest Holiday Gifts To Yourself: Time And Space Many of us spend all day on the go. If we’re not busy at work, we’re working for our families with domestic activities. The list is never-ending. Sometimes it feels challenging to fit “living” into the constant rush. It’s contrived of me to even mention that […]
All businesses share a fundamental goal: finding buyers for their products and services. In today’s dynamic marketplace, where competition is fierce and noise is abundant, it’s crucial to differentiate yourself and connect with prospects on a deeper level. This is where consultative selling comes into play—a powerful approach that goes beyond traditional sales techniques. […]
In life, we encounter a diverse cast of characters. Among the cast that surrounds us, there are characters that particularly stand out, such as energy vampires – individuals who, knowingly or unknowingly, sap our vitality and leave us feeling drained. These individuals aren’t confined to our social circles; they can also reside within us, […]
Summer time is about fun, travel (finally) and spending time outside with friends and family. The season also presents an opportune time for self reflection, to learn and to grow. A favorite Outside Insights topic, I have often asked you all: How much time do you set aside to work on and get to know […]
Here’s the thing – quitting shouldn’t be a bad word. But why does it often feel like it is? At Placers, we champion values like results-driven performance and relentless hustle, epitomized by Winston Churchill’s wartime call to “never, ever, ever give up.” This motto resonated so deeply with me that it found its […]
Only in 2020 would we run out of Christmas trees! Yes, 12 foot pines are going for more than a grand if you can find one. We are all so desperate for some normalcy many started bringing in the holiday cheer a little early this year. We are all looking to lift our spirits, have […]
Ten Ways To Empower People In chapter four of the book my father and I co-authored, “Opposite the Crowd,” my dad, Alan, chronicles his early years — from his first memory to his first “grown-up job.” Alan was only 15 when he lost his dad, Carol, to cancer. The family-owned business, Burkhard Hardware, burned […]
As we step into 2024, it’s a time for reflection and planning as we work to consider the endless possibilities of the new year. Many New Year’s Resolutions involve honing our skills, new and old, advancing our careers, and nurturing our dreams. Self-improvement is crucial for getting to know ourselves. Understanding our desires and aligning […]
Have fun listening to Dave Raymond, the original Phillie Phanatic mascot and author of “The Power of Fun,” and Placers President Chris Burkhard as they remove the stigma from fun in the workplace. Sharing positivity in life and in the workplace “turns off negative brain biases,” explained Dave during this hour-long podcast that takes a […]
I don’t know about you, but I spend a lot of time thinking about how I can live my best life: Do I have good habits? In what areas can I improve? Is my morning routine optimized? Did I meditate three times this week? Did I go through my ten-point morning checklist? Is it […]
In the world of social entrepreneurship, few stories are as compelling and full of teachable moments as Scott Beale’s story. Recently, we had the pleasure of hosting Scott on our Outside Insights podcast, where he shared his personal journey from an aspiring changemaker to a global leader in fostering youth leadership and international volunteerism. […]
Let’s face it, the general concept of “selling” has developed a bad rap over the years. We all hate to be sold to. If I asked you to picture a salesperson right now, what image would come to mind? Most people likely have the same exaggerated caricature pop up. In recent years, the selling landscape […]
At many points in our lifetime, we’re put into positions where others depend on us to be a good teammate. You’re a teammate to your colleague at the office, your partner on a college partner, your roommate, and your significant other. These people depend on you. How do you know that you’re upholding your end […]
Join host Chris Burkhard in an exciting conversation with Steven Pivnik, who is both a successful entrepreneur and an athlete. They will take you on a fascinating journey that combines adventure, business, and financial freedom. Get ready to be inspired as Steven shares his amazing stories of challenging races, business achievements, and valuable life lessons. […]
In this episode Outside Insights, I sat down with Nick Wilkinson, Founder and CEO of Wilkinson Advisory services. Prior to launching his own consulting firm, Wilkinson built a successful career spanning various industries and has collected multiple hats over the years, including CEO, entrepreneur, author, and filmmaker – more on that later. Nick and […]
Leading Delaware staffing and recruiting agency launches Outside Insights podcast Newark, Delaware – For the past two years, Placers President and Founder Chris Burkhard has shared his thoughts from more than 20 years in the staffing industry to help people do the work necessary to achieve the life they’ve been dreaming of. Using his […]
When I was 19, I was the assistant manager of a late-night sub shop on the beach. I served customers, managed employees, and reconciled any issues. At 21 I was the manager at a sporting goods store. With this position, I was tasked with managing a team of ten people, running the budget for a […]
As a member of the Scaling Up community, a strategic coach, and a business owner of a growth-oriented mid-market company, I have had the pleasure of learning life lessons from some of the best leaders and entrepreneurs on the planet. I discuss one of my favorites below – and how I’ve used it to better my life […]
Recently, I connected with a dear friend and my first business mentor over breakfast – former radio executive, Cynthia Morgan. Cynthia was the first business leader I met that “took me seriously” and set a high standard for the type of leader that I wanted to be. We met in a Dale Carnegie class […]
Steve Jobs once said, “If you really look closely, most overnight successes took a long time.” Man, am I familiar with this phrase. Many years ago, I decided to become an entrepreneur – my first company, the CBI Group, was born. At that time, I believed that every hour I worked would equate to future value. […]
Every year at Placers we pick a theme that’s more than just a word – it’s our rally cry and our shared vision. Choosing our theme is a team sport that we all participate in by throwing different ideas into the mix. To help us brainstorm we consider key questions like: What do we need […]
Culture driven is the philosophy of a planned way of thinking that guides your professional and personal life, according to Alan and Chris Burkhard, authors of “Opposite The Crowd.” In their new book, the Burkhards deep dive into creating the culture-driven life you want, with no limitations, where risk is rewarded and where the results […]
Back in the early days of Placers 1.0 and the CBI Group, we asked ourselves a bold question: What happens when you stop managing people like employees—and start treating them like internal entrepreneurs? I remember having lunch with our recruitment consultant, Freddy, and telling him this story—how we leaned all the way into a […]
“It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.” – Charles Darwin In this episode of Outside Insights, I sit down with Raymond Lee, founder of Careerminds, to explore his inspiring journey from HR professional to building a global virtual outplacement company. […]
For the last few weeks, I have been in Wyoming on my sabbatical (all Placers team members take one every 10 years). I’m accompanied by my wife, Kim, and two Aussie Shepherds, Ziggy and Gracie, in a small cabin-style rental. Nature has welcomed us into its embrace as short-term guests in a place where […]
Our Outside Insights community often discusses the importance of taking the time to reflect on where you’re at in life, the work that it took to get there, and how you feel about the journey. The next time you’re taking the time to reflect or journal, consider starting out with this prompt: “My life would […]
I had a recent flashback that I’d like to share with you all. Ten years ago I was finishing up my first year as the head coach for the local high school team. We were in the locker room debriefing on the season. We didn’t win many games that season, but we had made progress. […]
I have been open about my health journey and have discussed candidly in my self care blog. This year I have been, not so simply, learning to breathe. I found that I was kind of stuck in that fight or flight mode, where your nervous system is stuck in a constant state of stress. […]
December is a season of reflection. Amid the holiday rush and year-end deadlines, it’s a good time to pause and ask: Are you living in alignment with your personal values? Let’s dive into the importance of identifying and applying your core values—the guiding principles that serve as your North Star. What Are Core […]
Live The Life You Want – Not The One You Have Many of us live our lives “two-faced.” There is the life we want to live, and there’s the life we have. A discrepancy exists between how we are in life and how we want to be. We can’t be our authentic selves all of […]
As most of you know, a key tenet of the Outside Insights way is breaking away from the grind to take care of one’s physical and mental wellbeing. I was very honored to have the opportunity to talk with Dr. Tricia Thompson for the latest episode of Outside Insights learn about her journey in […]
I was 32 and had just left my big corporate job to start my first business, the CBI Group. My kids were 3 and 5 years old and with a growing family, there were many more conventional options than risking it all on a dream. But Kim, my wife, knew I would never really be […]
We all have a gap in our life that we are working to close personally and perhaps professionally. In fact, Outside Insights is dedicated to helping people understand and do the work necessary to achieve the life that they’ve been yearning for. The biggest hesitation I hear from people who want more out of life […]
In this episode of Outside Insights, I chat with Pat Callihan, CEO of the national nonprofit Tech Impact. During our discussion, Pat shares how his organization is creating meaningful change through technology and workforce development programs. I’m inspired by Pat’s commitment to leveraging technology for greater social impact through workforce development and nonprofit empowerment. Many of you know about […]
