Browsing Tag

Business

Junkyard Management, Leadership,

Please, Shut Up and Listen

The little voice in the back of my head kept whispering, “Tell this guy to shut up and listen!” It was yet another business meeting, late in the day, and the self-righteous leader condescendingly lectured me and my team about all the foolish things we were doing. He was partially right, largely wrong, but so convinced of his correct position he didn’t even take the time to hear my perspective. Thankfully I had the sense to keep my mouth shut. But boy was I tempted to unload on the guy.

One reason I didn’t go ballistic is because, honestly, what …

Junkyard Management, Leadership,

Ownership Matters

Hopefully we can all agree that ownership matters to the success or failure of an endeavor. But I think we still undervalue the importance of ownership.

You may have heard the old maxim, “Leadership casts a long shadow.” Indeed it does. Anyone who has worked under wise and responsible leadership knows how it can permeate an organization with healthy values. Alternatively, anyone who has worked under foolish and irresponsible leadership knows how corrupting it can become.

So yes, leadership casts a long shadow. But ownership might cast an even longer one. Certainly this is true in business — who owns …

Goble Properties,

Integrity Matters

Here’s an important business lesson I learned from my father about business integrity. It happened on a hot summer afternoon in the mid-1970’s. I was with my dad as he was negotiating a deal with a contractor. Let’s call the contractor John. The negotiations were bumpy but still civil and respectful.

Suddenly my father let out a deep sigh, leaned back in his chair, and said, “Well, John, it doesn’t look like we can make a deal today.” Without another word, my father stood up, shook John’s hand, and turned toward the door. It was sudden, almost abrupt, and a …

Goble Properties, Junkyard Management,

What’s the Worst Business Decision You Ever Made?

What’s the worst business or job related decision you ever made?

If you hesitate and can’t think of the answer right away, then here’s some advice: figure it out fast. Be completely honest with yourself.

Not understanding your poor decisions results in repeating them. You might repeat them even if you fully understand them, but you’ll at least have a chance of avoiding them if you are honest with yourself.

I like using the who, what, where, when, and why process. The who is obvious (it’s you, because you made the mistake). The what is a little tougher because, if …

Goble Properties,

Every Business Owner Has a Story

Every business owner has a story. This came to light recently when Suana Hamulic sent me an email about her life. A few years ago Suana and her husband Regis leased retail space in the Hopyard Village Shopping Center, just below my office in Pleasanton, and opened a pizza shop.

Suana was born in Bosnia. Because of the horrific war, and for her own safety, she was forced to leave her home, friends, and family at age 17. She was alone with no connections. Over the next three years she managed to cross the borders of Slovenia, Austria, and eventually …