To make it all the funnier, about every fifth word out of the guy's mouth was "beeed-ness." Everything was business with this guy. "How's beeed-ness?", "Now that's what I call beeed-ness!", "Who's doing the beeed-ness?", "Hustle up now, we've got beeed-ness to do." I was curious as to how this guy had gotten so hung up on the word business, so I asked him about it one day.
He informed me that back home in Texas (which certainly explained the drawl!) on the oil fields all that anyone talked about was the "oil beeed-ness." This was during the oil boom and he told me that everyone connected with the business, from oil field owners to the managers of the drilling units, to the drillers themselves, talked about nothing other than "the beeed-ness."
It was a very exciting time, it was the Super Bowl every day and everyone was a Packer fan (so to speak). It didn't matter where you went, everyone was working toward one result - oil and more oil. And when they brought the oil home, everyone got rewarded. From the owner being able to expand and buy more oil fields and being able to upgrade with newer and more efficient technology, to the manager being able to finally buy that dream home, to the driller being able to buy some new furniture and send his kids to college - everyone's dreams were coming true. Those dreams were coming true because the vehicle that delivered the success was business, specifically the oil business.
As I contemplated the enthusiasm, the teamwork, the incredible synergy that must have existed in the Texas oil fields at the time, the quote from George Bernard Shaw brought all of my thoughts together. "Some men see things as they are and say, ‘Why?' Others dream of things that never were and say, ‘Why not?'" All the oil people, the owners, managers and employees, all in unison viewed an old patch of dried up Texas dirt and dreamed, "Why not here? Why not us? Why not now?!" It was their goal, their dream, their passion. It was business.
In this very first issue of On the Shore Business, we have attempted to take some of the hard edges off the business world, to give it some flair, beauty and style. Too often the business community gets an undeserved bad rap as being completely self-centered, uncaring, arrogant and 100% profit driven. We have endeavored to add some very human touches back into a seemingly (from the outside looking in) uncaring and profit driven environment.
The business community is about dream makers. A business at its best is a personal and professional fulfillment center of its people's goals, dreams and passions. The business world is where lifelong friendships are formed, where teamwork is learned and valued and where accomplishments are met and exceeded by perspiration, inspiration and innovation.
I recently saw an interview with G.W. Haworth, the founder of Haworth in Holland, a large manufacturer of office furniture. He told of his vision in the formative days and of the trials and disappointments in the early years of his company. G.W. related the story of going to his local banker and asking for a loan to fund his dream. The answer was a resounding, "No." But, fortunately, G.W. had parents who believed in their son and his big dream and gave their life savings to a man with a vision.
G.W. went on with his story talking much more about people than office furniture. This is a man who clearly values his employees. He started with a patch of ground, a good idea, a few trusted employees, a lot of heart and a huge dream. This combination usually spells success and it certainly has for G.W. and his company.
I wonder how many dreams have come true over the years for the thousands of Haworth employees because of G.W.'s initial dream? How many homes and cars purchased? How many retirements funded? How many college educations paid for (thereby perpetuating more dreams)?
I would like to challenge you to ask yourself a question - why do I work where I do? Whether you are an owner, manager or employee, if the only answer you come up with is "for the paycheck" then I would like to encourage you to update that old resume and find a new place to meet your goals. Find a place to work that really lights your fire, where your creative juices can flow, where you are a team player, at a business that challenges you to be your best and guides you along that path. A place where your dreams can come true. A third of your life is going to be invested at work - life is far too short to be miserable the entire time.
In closing, if business is the engine and profit is the fuel and personal and professional fulfillment is the ultimate goal for all parties concerned, then working together as a team we will make all our dreams come true.
It is with a special sense of pride that we at On the Shore have worked to prepare this initial business issue of your community magazine. As the years go by, it will be a pleasure to acknowledge and applaud the many fine companies and their employees that have been dream makers for so many of us.
From all of us at On the Shore - good business!
During July evenings, Saturn is found low in the west, as darkness falls after sunset. The planet is near the blue second magnitude star Denebola of Leo. The waxing moon will be just south of Saturn the nights of the 16th and 17th.
Lower in the west northwest is brilliant Venus. This month Venus moves from Cancer into the constellation of Leo. Venus is just north of the bright star Regulus of Leo the night of July 9. The waxing crescent moon is very close to Venus the night of July 14.
Mars resides among the stars of Leo the Lion, beginning the month just east of the bright star Regulus and Venus. Look for a very bright orange-red "star" west of Saturn closer to the horizon. The waxing moon will be very near Mars the night of July 15.
During the first week of August the planets Mars, Mercury, Saturn, and Venus will mass together in a tight grouping, low in the west among the stars of Leo.
The nights of July 17 and 18, the first quarter moon can be seen very near the bright star Spica of Virgo the Virgin. The nearly waxing gibbous moon will be near the bright red supergiant star Antares of Scorpius the nights of July 20 and 21.
Sky watchers can locate brilliant Jupiter rising in the east about four hours after sunset. By dawn the planet is high in the west. The waning gibbous moon is very close to Jupiter the nights of July 30 and 31.
As darkness falls after sunset this month, high in the northwest, locate the "Big Dipper" formed by the stars of Ursa Major. High in the western sky nearly overhead, locate Arcturus of Bootes, the brightest star of summer. Low in the southwest, just west of Spica, look for a trapezoid-shaped pattern of stars forming Corvus the Crow. Rising high in the Eastern sky locate three bright stars all blue or white in color, forming the "Summer Triangle." Low and to the northeast is Deneb, of Cygnus the Swan. Higher in the east is Vega, of Lyra the Harp. Furthest south of the trio is Altair, of Aquila the Eagle. By dawn the "Summer Triangle" can be found just west of overhead. Low in the southeast, locate the constellation Scorpius the Scorpion, marked by the bright star Antares.
This month after sunset, the summer Milky Way stretches from low in the south, through the eastern sky, down to the northeast horizon. For the best views of the Milky Way, observe away from city lights, and on the nights between July 1 and the 15, when the moon is not very bright.