As owner and Chief Executive Guru of a COUPLE of GURUS, Keith Schoolcraft is responsible for the overall operations of the company and overseeing all of the work performed by the Gurus. Keith has over 20 years’ experience in the field of IT, consulting and designing networks for small to mid-sized companies, many in the manufacturing industry. His ongoing involvement with the international peer group HTG has given him extensive knowledge of the I.T. industry and its best practices. Keith is a visionary with practical sensibilities, making him a natural at his work in a CIO consulting capacity. His latest achievement is becoming a CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) Registered Practitioner.
Keith encourages his passion for knowledge of anything high-tech by reading every book, article and blog he can get his hands on and he has added to the conversation with columns in Minnesota Business Magazine and TwinWest Directions. Keith sits on the advisory council for the Dakota County Technical College helping align academic curricula with current real world business needs and is proud to support world-changing organizations.
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Give us a COUPLE of GURUS’ elevator pitch.
We help world-changing organizations scale by aligning their technology to the vision of their organization to solve today’s problems and meet tomorrow’s goals. Along with technology planning, a COUPLE of GURUS offers managed IT services and managed security solutions to its clients.
We distinguish ourselves from other providers by utilizing a more personal and fun touch. Our team puts a strong emphasis on clear and open communication so we can best get to know our clients and their needs. Strong relationships lead to successful partnerships, and we love nothing more than growing and having fun alongside our clients.
What is one thing the Medical Alley community might be unaware of about a COUPLE of GURUS that you think would be good to know?
We co-developed a SaaS-based business intelligence tool called ERPFuze targeted towards the medical device and manufacturing industries. Being able to look at your data in a dynamic graphical way without the need for a data analyst on staff. To learn more, go to ERPFuze.com.
How have the last few years changed a COUPLE of GURUS for the long term?
We are becoming a more data-driven company, focused on scalable and repeatable processes. Having implemented a hybrid work environment strategy which has forced us to become more data driven to quantify, analyze, and make adjustments in service areas to meet the needs of our customers.
What are the big milestones to come in the next few years for a COUPLE of GURUS?
I believe true milestones are mindset driven. The goals that come out of mindset shifts are really the fruits of those things. For example, collaborating on unique solutions for the industry, such as ERPFuze, which was born out of a need and collaboration with one of our Med-Device customers.
What does leadership look like to you?
We continue to train and empower the leadership team to grow personally and professionally, and to be able to make decisions from a proven “Guru-specific” process and approach. So for me, leadership looks like giving people opportunities to succeed. Leadership is also the process of letting go at the right time.
What is the best advice you have received in your career? What is the worst?
In my previous interview, I mentioned my best advice received was to pursue your passion. So for another best advice received, focus and resist the temptation to be everything to all people.
Another worst advice I received was to not listen to advice that I should have listened to. It wasn’t that the advice was bad, it was the fact that I didn’t listen to it when I should have.
What have been the most rewarding moments in your career?
To watch a young engineer who’s really hungry to learn and understand, and to be able to interact with them and see that breakthrough in their understanding come to light.
What is one personal goal for the upcoming year?
Learning to fly has always been a passion of mine. Since my last interview, I have completed my private pilot certification. This year, my goal is to work towards my Instrument Rating (IFR) certification for my private pilots certificate.
How do you relax/decompress?
Flying 7,000 feet in the air!
What do you enjoy most about the Medical Alley community?
The passionate pursuit of innovation is one of the things I enjoy the most about this community. We truly are world-changers!
