Unlocked Podcast

Episode 79: Keeping Your Culture Consistent Across Multiple Branches

As physical security companies scale, regional expansion is often the ultimate growth engine—and the ultimate culture killer. In Episode 79, the Unlocked trio—Lars Johnston (Calgary Lock & Safe [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://calgarylockandsafe.ca/]), Tony Hokanson (Assured Security [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.assuredsecurity.com/]), and Chad Lingafelt (Loc-Doc Security [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.locdoc.com/])—tackle the tactical friction of geographic scale . Fresh off a cross-border training event, Tony puts the guys in the hot seat to discuss how to project foundational beliefs across branches that sit hundreds of miles away . Lars shares his real-world "acquisition scars" from absorbing an existing team in Edmonton, outlining why leaders must prepare for cultural turnover when standardizing a local operation . Chad details his high-tech "virtualized conference room" framework that forces satellite locations to actively engage rather than passively observe corporate huddles . From sensory branding hacks to empowering branch managers to carry the operational torch, this episode outlines how to build a unified footprint without diluting your signature standards

Vision over Ambiguity: The Unlocked 2026 Mid-Year Check-In (Episode 78)

We are officially a quarter into 2026, and it’s time for the Unlocked trio to stop talking and start walking. In Episode 78, Lars Johnston (Calgary Lock & Safe [https://calgarylockandsafe.ca/]), Tony Hawkenson (Assured Security [https://www.assuredsecurity.com/]), and Chad Lingafelt (Loc-Doc Security [https://www.locdoc.com/]) revisit the ambitious goals they set in January to see what’s actually sticking. The conversation gets real as Chad describes the "brain transplant" of rolling out a proprietary software across 50+ employees and the leadership diplomacy required when systems break. Tony reveals his "North Star" goal of scaling to 100 technicians and how that single metric has completely changed his decision-making process for Q2. Meanwhile, Lars explores the tension between building rigid routines and maintaining the innovative creativity that drives growth. From targeted email marketing to the "screen test" for deleting inefficient processes, this episode is a blueprint for mid-year course correction.

How to Process Map Your Business for Growth (Episode 77)

Fresh off a sales training in North Carolina, Chad (Loc-Doc Security [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.locdoc.com/]), Tony (Assured Security [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.assuredsecurity.com/]), and Lars (Calgary Lock & Safe [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://calgarylockandsafe.ca/]) tackle their most technical "homework" assignment yet: Process Mapping. Inspired by Elon Musk’s "Five-Step Process" and the realization that many security businesses are "built around the edge case," the trio discusses how to visualize the invisible workflows that are draining their profitability. From Lars’s "horrifying" discovery of a loose email-quote process to Chad’s radical use of Meta smart glasses and AI to time-code technician efficiency, this episode is a masterclass in operational hygiene. Learn why "everyone being responsible" means nobody is responsible, and how to stop optimizing processes that shouldn't even exist.

Applying Lessons from Iconic Brands to Your Business (Episode 76)

In Episode 76, Tony (Assured Security [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.assuredsecurity.com/]), Lars (Calgary Lock & Safe [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://calgarylockandsafe.ca/]), and Chad (Loc-Doc Security [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.locdoc.com/]) step outside the security industry to examine what the world’s most successful brands can teach us about growth and operations. From the rigid, fat-marbling precision of The Keg’s steak-grilling process to Raising Cane’s relentless focus on the "chicken finger specialist" model, the trio discusses how to turn complex services into repeatable habits. The conversation dives deep into Uber’s frictionless payment model, Elevation Church’s multi-campus brand consistency, and the rural market dominance of Casey’s General Store. If you've ever wondered how to make your locksmith company feel less like a "break-fix" chore and more like a high-end experience, this episode provides the blueprint for borrowing brilliance from other industries.

The Structure of Scaling: Designing an Organization for Growth (Episode 75)

In Episode 75, the Unlocked trio—Lars Johnston from Calgary Lock & Safe [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://calgarylockandsafe.ca/], Tony Hokanson from Assured Security [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.assuredsecurity.com/], and Chad Lingafelt from Loc-Doc Security [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.locdoc.com/]—break down the literal architecture of their businesses. Moving past high-level philosophy, they dive into the tactical "how-to" of departmental structure, reporting lines, and the common pitfalls of scaling past 25 employees. Lars challenges the group to discuss why "gross revenue is vanity, but structure is what keeps it". They explore the evolution from a "comb" structure where everyone reports to the owner, to creating specialized micro-teams with mid-level managers. Whether you are deciding if your electronics techs should cut their own strikes or figuring out why you have high turnover in a "unicorn" dispatch role, this episode provides a blueprint for building a business that regresses to a solid structure rather than falling into chaos.