August 7, 2012

I’m Copying This One from Lyle Hill

By Paul Bieber

Lyle does a great job with his “quote of the day.” I was in an office the other day and saw this nicely carved sign in their conference room. I have had this in the back of my mind, and today, since my thoughts for writing a blog are empty, I’m using this sign. Here it is:

MY FATHER DUG THE HOLE

I DUG THE TUNNEL

MY SONS WILL SEE THE LIGHT

Read this again. Isn’t it beautiful? It’s a vision for three generations … and not necessarily for business. This phrase could pertain to an immigrant who doesn’t speak English, as my grandfather didn’t in the 1900s. It can be about education, for the lady who didn’t get a high school education and her grandchildren all graduated from college. And for our industry, it can be about the one-man glass shop that grows, brings in the family and then the grandchildren.

Change the thought slightly and you are the manager of a glass company, and you make it better for the next manager, and he for the next. It is about helping your organization grow. Look to the future in making decisions. Sometimes the short-term positive answer has long-term negative effects. Which is most important?

I can’t mention the name of the office where I saw this, but you know who you are. Thanks.