Here’s our interview with Brian Carlton Byrd, President & CEO of New Breed W, about his rules for success.

New Breed w is a leading Talent Optimization and Retention company that helps organizations maximize employee performance through its exclusive action-oriented platform. The company’s system streamlines recognition with customized rewards, while providing a structured process to monitor activity, measure ROI, and enhance human capital strategies. By fostering respect, engagement, and long-term employee success, Brian Carlton Byrd and his team enable companies to unlock lasting value.

Brian holds a B.A. from Morehouse College and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Background of Brian Carlton Byrd

A passionate entrepreneur and business leader, Brian has long been committed to advancing innovation and entrepreneurship both in the U.S. and abroad. He founded the Angel Capital Conference in partnership with the Harvard Business School Club of New York, successfully connecting entrepreneurs with early-stage venture capital firms and angel investors. The program was one of HBSCNY’s most impactful initiatives, leading to numerous successful funding outcomes.

Brian Carlton Byrd’s career journey spans investment banking, strategy, and entrepreneurship. He began at Citicorp, where he trained in the Citibank Global Institute of Finance and worked in construction finance for major real estate developers. He went on to serve as an Associate at Bear Stearns, working across corporate finance, and as a Summer Associate at McKinsey & Company, advising a global client in the mobile phone industry.

Brian later managed the launch of an internet gaming business, achieving retail placement in Wal-Mart and New York City outlets.

Mindmap

Brian Carlton Byrd Questions and Discussions

Here’s a bullet-point summary of the questions and discussions from our interview with Brian Carlton Byrd:

1. Brian Carlton Byrd’s Introduction & Background

• Joseph welcomes Brian as a friend, leader, entrepreneur, and culture-builder.
• Brian is President & CEO of New Breed W, a talent optimization and retention company.
• Focus: maximizing employee performance through recognition and rewards.

2. Early Influences: Family, Sports, and Entrepreneurship

• Sports shaped his confidence and mindset, especially a pivotal basketball game at age 12.
• Parents instilled responsibility, saving, and independence.
• At age 10, started working (paper routes, shoveling snow).
• Launched first business at 13 selling donuts at school.
• Threw successful parties in college, which funded his expenses and even allowed him to buy his mom a mink coat.

3. Corporate Journey & Education

• Attended Morehouse College, then Harvard Business School.
• Worked at Citibank, McKinsey, and Bear Stearns.
• Viewed corporate roles as learning grounds to prepare for entrepreneurship.
• Studied leadership by intentionally becoming the best follower to top executives.

4. Entrepreneurial Path & Lessons from Walmart

• While still on Wall Street, began entrepreneurial ventures, including a trivia game.
• Took a pivotal trip to Walmart, meeting the senior VP of logistics (later CEO).
• Learned from Walmart’s culture of recognition and stock options, realizing employee inclusion was key to success.

5. Founding New Breed W

• Vision: systematic recognition and customized rewards that create behavioral change.
• Brian Carlton Byrd was inspired by personal experiences where recognition deeply impacted his motivation.
• Data-driven insight: only 3–10% of employees are consistently recognized, yet recognition is the main driver of engagement.
• Engaged companies grow revenue 19% vs. 6% for disengaged ones.

6. How New Breed W Works

• Conducts surveys to discover employees’ preferred products, services, and experiences.
• Builds a shopping portal (e.g., Yankees tickets, wine tastings, outdoor activities).
• Managers recognize employees quarterly with points/rewards tied to meaningful experiences.
• Everyone gets acknowledged, reinforcing team performance (sports analogy: Phil Jackson’s triangle offense).

7. Case Studies & ROI

• Pilot program: 60% of employees recognized in 6 months.
• Results: +61% sales growth, +129% appointments scheduled.
• Overall: higher engagement = higher profitability (22% more profitable on average).

8. Vision & Expansion Strategy

• Initially targeted Fortune 1000 companies, schools, and government.
• Partnered with Maxis Capital, integrating New Breed W into portfolio companies.
• Goal: become standard for private equity firms and mid-sized companies.
• Long-term: AI-driven personalization for employee recognition and retention.

9. Philosophy on Recognition & Experiences

• Experiences are more memorable and impactful than cash bonuses.
• Recognition must be continuous and personalized to build culture and loyalty.
• Everyone wants to know: (1) their work matters, (2) they have impact, (3) their boss values them.

10. Personal Habits & Rules for Success

• Weekly ritual: writing priorities, tracking accomplishments, and resetting goals.
• Brian Carlton Byrd’s 3 Rules for Success (PPR):
  • Persistence – never give up, keep going until success.
  • Preparation – learn from every opportunity, be ready for luck.
  • Respect – value everyone equally, from CEO to janitor, and learn from all.

In addition to his leadership at New Breed w, Brian serves as Operating Partner for Human Capital at Maxis Capital, sits on the Board of Advisers for the Richard Taittinger Gallery, is a Board Member and Co-Owner of Biovi Probiotics, LLC, and advises Chrysallis.

At the heart of Brian Carlton Byrd’s message is a powerful reminder: New Breed W delivers ROI unlike any other investment because it focuses on maximizing people. When employees feel seen and valued, recognition builds loyalty, strengthens morale, and drives measurable business outcomes that ripple across the entire organization.

~Joseph

💡 Quote of the Episode:

“Continuous recognition and reward is the key to engagement — and engagement drives growth.” – Brian Carlton Byrd