So, I am not sure how many of you know that besides leading my own company, I have the pleasure of working with myriad other firms, helping them grow their staff and capture opportunities. For at least one of them, I have direct reports among their staff.
Tag Archives: mentor
Thanks. Really. (Part 2)
I’ve written about my next mentor often. (Here’s but one example– with another great story about Cary.) He was but one half of the management team that took a chance to hire me. A soon-to-be 14 y old kid. And, let me basically take over their baby. (As you can see, Cary became a mentor about the time I was losing touch with Ms. Katzman. I’d been really lucky to have a continuous mentor relationship for nigh 16 years, by the time this one ends.)
Who are these strangers?
While I was publicizing my blog on Facebook yesterday, I was dumbstruck when I saw a note appear. Very short- very unsweet. “it was a pleasure knowing you u were a true inspiration to us all rip Elliot Richard Dorfman you will be missed“.
III is the charm
My company was 5 years old. We were still involved in health care, but this was the heyday for water and water treatment. So, that portion of our business skyrocketed.
HarryCary
I’ve written about my next mentor often. (Here’s but one example– with another great story about Cary.) He was but one half of the management team that took a chance to hire me. A 14 y old kid. And, let me basically take over their baby.
Three Years to Make a Difference
It was May when I got to meet (by reputation) one of the scariest teachers of my school. I had just about finished my 6th grade year with Ms. Kessler. One of the teachers who tried to push me just a little harder. She got me to write my first poem. (I had written an essay, but she showed me that it was written in perfect iambic pentameter.) And, a term paper about the USSR (83 pages written in very tiny letters)…And, now I was “requested” to appear in Miss Katzman’s office after lunch.
The first of many
Yesterday, I set the stage. For Thanksgiving- from me to my mentors, both alive and dead. Who shared their wisdom, their time, and their love to help me become who I am. But, not by making me a square box to fit a square hole. By helping me find the best (or at least pretty darned good) way to make my way.
Manager Material?
Most of you know I went to a small engineering school for my undergraduate degree. The goal of Brooklyn Poly was to graduate the best practical engineers anyone could find- anywhere. And, by and large, they did that job superbly. (Of course, some of those who didn’t finish the programs may not feel this to be the case, but, then again, they didn’t finish…)
Life Cycle…
I have been very lucky in that I had great associates and mentors to help me on my entrepreneurial journey. One of the best groups with which I was associated was the Association of Venture Founders (AVF), the brainchild of Arthur Lipper, III- a mentor and friend who taught me much.
Grow your people, grow your business
You have a hotshot employee. They are doing a great job- maybe even overseeing a small project. They seem to have management capabilities. But, before your promote them, you have some work to do.