Many visionary leaders believe that the strength of a business lies in its relationships—with customers, employees, and partners. These connections form the foundation for trust, collaboration, and long-term success. Tim Shein, Principal at King Business Services Corp., is one such leader who has built a business legacy rooted in trust, innovation, and the pursuit of excellence—focusing on respect, collaboration, and a commitment to continuous improvement.
As King Business Services moves forward, Tim remains dedicated to empowering small and medium-sized businesses with cutting-edge solutions that drive operational efficiency and growth, all while fostering a culture of partnership and respect that sets the company apart in the competitive retail technology landscape—emerging as one of the Most Pioneering Business Leader In Retail Sector To Follow.
Journey Rooted in Customer Service and Business Insight
Tim Shein’s professional journey began with a role at Henry Birks and Sons, a highly respected jewelry chain in Canada. Here, Tim participated in a management training program, which instilled a profound appreciation for the importance of stellar customer service—a cornerstone for success in any industry.
Building on this foundation, Tim transitioned to Imperial Oil, a division of Exxon, where the focus shifted to business-to-business relationships in the technical and industrial sectors. Over 5 years, this role provided valuable insights into the dynamics of B2B interactions.
Next, Tim Shein took on the role of franchise manager for Pepsi Cola Canada Corp. in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. This position proved to be one of the most enriching experiences, offering exposure to diverse facets of business operations—from working with owners and managers to engaging with marketing and media. At Pepsi Cola Corp., Tim honed his ability to anticipate business trends and navigate the complexities of strategic planning.
The journey then led to the electrical manufacturing industry first with Westinghouse, Hubbell and the last 18 years with Legrand, headquartered in France. This role refined Tim’s expertise in customer service and sales management—collaborating with engineers, project managers, and general managers. A key takeaway from this chapter was the importance of balancing stakeholder needs and fostering mutually beneficial relationships to achieve shared goals like profitability, market share, and business growth.
Bundling years of diverse experience, Tim has now stepped into an ownership role at King Business Services, a value-added reseller specializing in point-of-sale solutions for the retail sector. As President, Managing Director, Tim Shein has successfully leveraged a career’s worth of lessons—especially from Pepsi Cola Corp. and Legrand—to drive the company’s success.
“At King Business, the collective experiences from various industries have been instrumental in creating a customer-centric approach that prioritizes both innovation and exceptional service.”
Mission, Vision, and Leadership Philosophy
The mission at King Business Services is simple: to help customers thrive. The company views its clients as partners, understanding that the solutions provided are essential for success. This partnership-driven approach shapes every aspect of the business.
“Our leadership is focused on finding solutions, innovating, and advancing our clients’ performance and profitability.”
Tim Shein’s personal leadership philosophy emphasizes relationship-building, respect, and growth. “Helping people—whether it’s my family, employees, or customers—is the foundation of fulfillment.” This people-first philosophy extends to employees, fostering a supportive workplace where staff are valued, empowered, and motivated to drive the company’s success.
Continuous improvement, inspired by lessons from the electrical manufacturing sector, is central to staying at the forefront of innovation and service excellence. “The desire to learn and embrace new concepts fuels our success and the growth of our clients and employees.”
“We’re always looking for what’s new and great, staying proactive in bringing solutions that enhance our customers’ operations. Our vision is to empower businesses to thrive in a competitive and ever-evolving retail landscape.”
Overcoming Challenges
Every business journey comes with its unique set of challenges, and King Business Services is no exception. From cash flow management to talent acquisition, the company has navigated obstacles by employing strategic and adaptive solutions.
Challenge 1: Cash Flow Management
One of the most common challenges for businesses across industries is managing cash flow, and King Business Services experienced this firsthand.
“Cash flow has always been a critical issue, especially in the type of business we’re in. We’ve faced situations where we needed to ‘go to the well’—essentially requiring additional investments from the owners to stabilize our finances.”
Solution: Strategic Growth Initiatives
To address these challenges, the company pursued growth opportunities by:
1. Launching a New Division:
Recognizing untapped market potential, King Business Services introduced a commercial division focused on small and medium-sized businesses in logistics, material handling, and distribution.
“We expanded from serving retail and small warehousing clients to providing solutions for wholesalers and distributors, such as portable computers and label printers. This division is now thriving and has become a significant contributor to our profitability.”
2. Acquiring Books of Business:
By acquiring other businesses and their customer bases, the company broadened its market scope and strengthened its revenue streams.
“Strategic acquisitions have proven to be a great move, enabling us to expand our field and enhance profitability.”
Challenge 2: Talent Acquisition and Retention
As with many organizations, people remain a central challenge. While King Business Services has been fortunate to have a dedicated and skilled team, the natural cycle of retirement has created gaps that require proactive talent management.
Solution: Investing in Talent Development
The leadership team focuses on creating an environment where employees feel valued and supported. This approach helps attract new talent while retaining experienced professionals.
“It’s about finding the right people who can ‘feed the machine’ and ensuring we create opportunities for their growth and success within the organization.”
Challenge 3: Competitive Market Dynamics
Operating in a competitive field requires constant innovation and adaptation. While competition can be fierce, it also drives the company to deliver superior solutions and services.
Solution: Building Trust and Relationships
Rather than viewing competition as a threat, the company has embraced collaboration and positioned itself as a trusted advisor to its clients. This focus on building long-term relationships has been pivotal in sustaining growth.
“At the end of the day, it’s about staying adaptable, continuously improving, and ensuring that both our customers and employees feel valued. That’s how we’ve built resilience and continued to grow.”
Embracing Innovation Through Networking and Collaboration
To stay ahead, King Business Services emphasizes the importance of belonging to industry associations and participating in networking opportunities such as trade shows and conferences.
“Being part of associations like the RSPA has been transformative for our business, helping us stay informed about new technologies, share best practices, and foster innovation.”
One example of this innovative approach emerged from a customer suggestion:
“A client proposed an idea to scan wine bottles in-store for recipes, tasting notes, and food pairings. At a trade show, I found a solution that perfectly matched their vision. Within weeks, we launched it in 10 stores, and the response was phenomenal.”
Bringing Big Retail Innovations to Smaller Businesses
King Business Services has a unique approach to helping smaller, independent businesses thrive in a competitive marketplace. Drawing on insights from larger retail giants, the company tailors cutting-edge solutions that are typically out of reach for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
As Tim Shein explains, “Big retailers invest heavily in identifying future trends. We encapsulate those innovations and scale them down for our small and medium-sized customers, making cutting-edge solutions accessible within our scope of influence.”
This strategic approach empowers smaller businesses to stay competitive by adopting advanced technologies and best practices. By enhancing customer experiences and streamlining operational efficiency, King Business Services ensures that these businesses can not only survive but excel in the fast-paced retail environment.
Future Plans To Stay Ahead in Retail
To navigate the constantly changing retail space, King Business Services focuses on three key strategies:
1. Continuous Learning and Adaptation:
Staying engaged with industry advancements and fostering a culture of lifelong learning among staff ensures the company remains agile.
“We learn from others best practices, adapt and enhance what works best for our business, ensuring we’re always offering relevant and innovative solutions.”
2. Customer-Centric Innovation:
By actively listening to customer needs and identifying trends, King Business Services develops tailored solutions that deliver real value.
“Our customers’ ideas inspire us, and we strive to turn their visions into reality with practical and innovative solutions.”
3. Expanding Partnerships and Collaborations:
Partnering with like-minded companies and technology providers enables the business to offer diverse and cutting-edge solutions to its clients.
Driving Sustainability
King Business Services, while not directly involved in environmental conservation, plays a crucial role in promoting sustainability through its core business—providing the options of refurbished(repurposed) and enhanced hardware and technology solutions that enhance efficiency for its clients in the retail and logistics sectors.
By optimizing warehousing and logistics processes, the company helps clients reduce waste, minimize fuel consumption, and lower their carbon footprint. This is achieved through advanced software and hardware that streamline order fulfillment, improve shipment scheduling, and consolidate deliveries.
Beyond customer solutions, King Business Services is committed to sustainability within its own operations as well. The company emphasizes resource optimization and actively educates clients on sustainable practices, empowering them to make environmentally conscious choices.
“While our direct influence on sustainability is limited, we strive to create efficiencies that reduce waste and carbon footprints, helping both our customers and the environment.”
Tim Shein advises leaders to focus on creating sustainable relationships with customers, employees, and partners.
“We’re not out to make a gazillion dollars on one sale; we aim to be a consistent, stable and trusted provider to our customers.”
Moreover, he highlights the importance of balancing competitive pricing with a commitment to quality and long-term value for customers, even when it’s challenging to articulate intangibles like operational efficiency and growth potential.
Tim’s Advice to Aspiring Leaders in the Retail Industry
Tim’s core piece of advice for aspiring leaders and entrepreneurs in the retail industry is rooted in a timeless principle:
“Treat people the way you would like to be treated.”
He emphasizes that staying true to this philosophy, no matter the challenges, will pave the way for long-term success:
- Authenticity Matters: Success isn’t just about profits; it’s about maintaining integrity and staying aligned with the mission and vision of your company.
- Navigating Challenges: While some people may not share the same philosophy and may act unfairly, staying consistent in your values will ultimately yield respect and trust.
Another critical takeaway from Tim’s leadership is the importance of deeply understanding customer pain points and offering tailored solutions: “We always ask, how will this help the customer? How will it improve their operations?”
- Listening and Learning: Understanding the customer’s unique challenges and goals helps build trust.
- Proposing Value-Driven Investments: By presenting innovative solutions, businesses can help customers improve efficiencies, reduce costs, or save time.
5 Key Takeaways from Tim Shein’s Journey
- Empowering Small Businesses: Tim Shein has dedicated his career to helping small businesses succeed, equipping them with the tools and strategies they need to compete in a dynamic retail industry.
- Innovation at the Core: His journey highlights the importance of staying ahead of trends and embracing innovation to drive growth and create new opportunities.
- Resilience in the Face of Challenges: Tim’s story is a testament to overcoming obstacles, navigating market shifts, and adapting to the ever-changing demands of the retail landscape.
- Collaboration is Key: By fostering partnerships and creating a community-centric approach, Tim has built a foundation for mutual success, showing the power of working together.
- Inspiring Leadership: Tim’s leadership reflects a vision that goes beyond business—he’s focused on creating sustainable growth and leaving a lasting impact on the industry.
A Legacy of Respect and Partnership
Tim’s vision for the legacy he aims to leave at King Business Services Corp. is grounded in the core values of respect and partnership. As he puts it, “Good guys can finish first.” This proverb reflects his commitment to creating an environment where respect is central to every interaction.
- Respect for Staff: Tim Shein believes in treating employees as partners, valuing their contributions, and fostering a collaborative work environment.
- Respect for Customers: The company’s approach centers around building long-lasting relationships based on trust and partnership, always prioritizing the needs of its customers.
- Respect for Vendors: Recognizing the importance of strong vendor relationships, King Business Services works together with its vendors toward shared goals.
Tim aspires to nurture a company culture where these values define every decision and action. “We treat our customers, vendors, and staff like partners, all moving toward the same goal.”
At its core, Tim’s legacy is about creating a lasting positive impact—not just within King Business Services Corporation but across the entire retail sector. His leadership philosophy centers around building enduring partnerships, driving efficiencies, and enabling retailers to thrive.
As he concludes, “Let us do what we do best, so that you can do what you do best.”
About The Leader
| Name: | Tim Shein |
| Designation: | Principal |
| Company Name: | King Business Services |
| Headquarters: | Burnaby, British Columbia |
| Founded: | 1969 |
| Company Website: | https://kingcorp.ca/ |
Key Achievements and Contributions of King Business Services Corporation to Retail
Under Tim Shein’s leadership, King Business Services has emerged as a leader in retail, known for its customer-centric approach and innovative solutions.
Key Achievements:
- Fostering Meaningful Customer Connections: Deeply understanding client needs and addressing their pain points (staffing, pricing, technology, theft) driving impactful solutions.
- Delivering Customized and Efficient Solutions: Developing tailored software and hardware solutions that maximize efficiency and respect client business needs.
- Navigating Industry Challenges: Successfully overcoming challenges like COVID-19, staffing shortages, and retail theft through adaptive solutions and strategies.
- Building a Reputation for Service Excellence: Prioritizing client needs and offering competitive pricing has established a strong reputation for top-tier customer service.
Long-Term Influence on the Retail Sector:
- Improving Operational Efficiencies: Streamlining technical and operational aspects allows retailers to focus on core strengths like customer engagement and profitability.
- Providing strategic Support for Growth: Supporting retailers in achieving their goals, such as expanding operations and enhancing customer experiences.
- Empowering Retailers with Knowledge: Sharing decades of experience and insights to help clients navigate challenges and make informed decisions for sustainable growth.
