Business

<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Mike Benbow, Business Editor benbow@heraldnet.com   Published: Monday, July 7, 2008 Elders' wisdom is good advice By Pat Sisneros and Lynne Munoz Herald Columnists What is the best piece of advice you have ever received? For many entrepreneurs, the answer to that question becomes the basis both for the culture that defines their organization and what drives their life philosophy. Fortune Magazine recently ran a cover story asking this question of business leaders from across the country. The story contained many thoughtful and insightful words of wisdom helpful to all organizational leaders. So we asked the same question of four local business leaders and entrepreneurs. Tom Lane, chief executive of Dwayne Lane's Automobiles in Everett: "The best advice I ever received was from my grandpa, Roy Lane, through my father. My grandpa was a hard-working Teamster who drove hog fuel (wood chip) trucks in and around Everett. It probably came from my great-grandfather or even farther up the line. Simply put, his advice was: 'He who works the hardest, keeps his job the longest.' "I quote it probably all too often to my kids and my co-workers. To me, it showed the obvious basic need to work hard, but also that work is a competition. We will always be compared to someone else in our work world. Whether we already have a job and are just looking to keep it, or we are looking to move up or out and need a springboard to get there. "After reflecting on it for many years, it also came to mean something else. "That a job is a privilege and it could so very easily be gone. If companies need to downsize or reorganize, they need a core group of employees to keep the doors open. I realize that if someone adheres to my grandpa's advice, they can survive market downturns. Seemingly very appropriate in today's economic climate." Pete Kinch, owner, Kinch and Associates, Everett: "The best business and life advice came from my father, Ivan Kinch. I had started my own commercial photography business in 1969 at the age of 25. "That doesn't sound like a big deal now but at the time, we could not find anybody else between the Canadian border and Seattle who had their own business and was that young. (They were probably out there but we hadn't heard of them.) "Having your own business at that age meant you were constantly working with people your father's age, and since I needed to go into factories and tell workers what to do, it was a bit challenging at times. "I don't even remember what the issue was that I was struggling with, but I remember my Dad's response as if he were by my side today. I told him what the problem was and as we walked along he put his arm around me and said, 'Son, you are just going to have to be smarter than the problem.' "That advice has helped me through many life struggles because it is so true. "We get all bottled up about the problem, but in reality, we need to rise above the problem and look at solutions. They are always there but we often spend our energy dwelling on the problem." Caldie Rogers, president and chief executive, Marysville Tulalip Chamber of Commerce: "I've been lucky. I have received more than one great piece of advice. "My grandfather was president of the University of Connecticut at the time I was worried about my studies at the University of Washington and about the announcement that by the time I graduated, my field of study would be overcrowded. He told me, 'Never worry about the competition or how crowded the field.' "When I asked why, he told me, 'Because none of it matters if you are the best.' "For me, that has meant skills and knowledge. "My father, a military leader noted in our history books, told me, 'Courage is not acting in the absence of fear, it is acting in the face of fear.' "For me that has helped me on every path I've traveled -- not letting fear stop you. "Business mentors as I moved up the ladder in business leadership told me, 'Live outside the box.' "This inspired me to allow brand new ideas, directions and concepts to flow from me and to the groups I've led to do what has never been done, building new partnerships and programs that better serve those I've been responsible for serving." Peter Harvey, owner and financial adviser, Edward Jones, Everett: "The best business advice I've received actually came from another Edward Jones financial adviser. Dutch Bauman was my financial adviser before I became one myself. "One day, as he was bringing me into the business, he said, 'Peter, always do what is right for your clients no matter what, and treat everyone the same. That means being a good listener and understanding your clients' needs.' "I've used that advice every day when I'm meeting face to face with my clients. I listen as they explain their goals and work with them to find the proper portfolio to meet their financial needs. The impact of this advice has been tremendous. I have developed great long lasting relationships with very loyal clients." Pat Sisneros is the associate vice president of administration at Everett Community College. Lynne Munoz is the interim dean of EvCC's Business and Applied Technology division. Send comments to economy@heraldnet.com.

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