Ethics should be at the core of human activity

Q: When you think about ethics and the trust deficit, what gives you the most angst?

A: When I hear the word ethics, I usually think of its meaning in a very broad sense – that is, the difference between right and wrong, moral issues, and so forth. The greed and dishonesty we see in the world is so unnecessary.
Today, most of the less fortunate live better than the wealthiest of only a few generations ago. We see around us very intelligent, highly educated and successful people at the pinnacle of their careers. They have amassed wealth, fame, and ample opportunities for pleasure, yet many of these same people are obsessed with an insatiable desire for more. Because they don’t appreciate what they already have, some of these people are willing to exploit others and violate laws to get what they want, even to the extent that they ultimately get to spend a fair amount of time in jail. What a way to live!

CEO oin the steel industry speaking about environmental issuesIs it possible for a steel company to be sustainable in terms of the environmental issue

Q:Is it possible for a steel company to be sustainable in terms of the environmental issues?
R:I think now steel and aluminum are probably the two most recyclable elements or products in the world. We do not get credit for being one of the most sustainable industries. Because we have to be competitive worldwide, we already are seeking and have been for years, lower-cost ways of doing business – a lot of that is reducing energy, trying to reduce the packaging, the throwaway. We try to do a lot more reusable, recyclable packaging, that sort of thing.
“Sustainable” is a word I am not sure I understand. There are still going to be costs associated, but our environmental impact is already greater than most industries and will get better and better, greater in terms of improving.

I was so relieved to know the truth about the steam versus what some other I know were saying about the metal industry!

CEO Speaks, Sage Advice During Turbulent Times

This holiday I have been busy preparing topics for CD's, DVD's, MP3 download from the CEO Speaks. Always determined to have something accomplished in too short a time frame I will forever be diluted by my own ambition. It will get done it may just take a tad bit longer then two weeks; in fact, the range of topics are those all people of higher education are interested in regarding our current business and ecomonic situations. Ethics, entrepreneurial spirit, vision, passion, leadership, best business practices, etc., to name a few. One of the interview in the fall of 2009 was with Bill Mullins, CEO of Mullins Rubber Products in Dayton, Ohio. I especially enjoyed a story Bill shared regarding his youth:

What is your biggest challenge?
I worry about our becoming a socialist state and I worry about government interference. This is not the same coun¬try it was when I was a kid. Here’s an example I like to tell. When I was a Boy Scout, the Parent-Teacher Association at the local school asked my troop to put on a demonstra¬tion. We were supposed to do a program about Indians. We decided we needed some drums, so I got on the bus and went downtown to the Natural History Museum. When I got there I asked to see the curator. I introduced myself and told him I was representing Boy Scout Troop 101 and the PTA had asked us to do a program for them about Indians. I asked him if the museum had any authentic Indian drums we might use in our program. The curator took me into one of the rooms and gave me three Indian drums and told me to just bring them back after the program. So, we put on our program and afterwards I got back on the bus and took the three drums back to the museum. That is something you could not do today.

CEO Speaks, Sage Advice During Turbulent Times

Emotional intelligence, that’s a huge practice out there right now.The Dan Goldman stuff is great. Goldman’s Emotional Intelligence started the ball rolling. There is also some work being done in spiritual intelligence and some other sort of concepts along those lines. There is definitely a popular consciousness around some of these concepts. People are kind of hoping that the world economic crisis will take people’s eye off just dollars and cents, and the bottom line, and the me generation and will maybe give people another focus instead of what’s in their pocketbook. That could be values, it could be connection, or it could be family.

This was part of the conversation/interview with Trae Williamson, Williamson Auto Group, Miami, Florida

Trae was one of my favorite people to interview and his candid responses were so intelligent. I guess we all have our favorites.

CEO Speaks, Sage Advice During Turbulent Times

When ethics is not part of the vision, mission and purpose something is amiss. We need to concentrate on the positive and with renewed hope the economy is turning again for the better.

Corporate America is not always an example of efficiency and ethics in action. In fact, a corporation can be a travesty if the wrong person is at the helm. Examples of greed and guilt have manifested to the breaking point on the economic front. If the word derivative is ever uttered again, many executives, as well as the inventors of charades should go to jail. No more mortgages maneuvers.

These words are part of the summary for the book. My total disgust in 2008 when so much surfaced about the ponzi scheme, the mortgage derivatives, and others causing human suffering. Together people can make a positive difference.

Things I learned...still making a list.

Writing, compiling CEO interviews in 2009 some of the points that came out are below:

CEO’s are willing but they need to be asked.
People concentrate on their passions, including CEO’s.
Regarding ethics: everyone takes a hit, the more humble the bigger the hit.
Benefits are the last thing that should be cut from the payroll.
People are important, little ones and big ones alike.
Education is critical. The more education the more you add value as a person.
Doing what is right when no one is looking is important. In Exodus when Moses thought no one was watching he killed a man. But someone was watching.
If you are the CEO the Board of Directors are should be watching.
Matrixes are critical to safety, sales, quality control, product quality, revenue and expenses, budgets, payroll, taxes…all aspects of business need monitoring.

CEO Speaks, Sage Advice During Turbulent Times

During the past year writing, compiling, being creative about format, collecting bio's, pictures there was little time to think about the implications. Having been released in June 2010 I now have time to analyze information, as well as, absorb information from the interviews. Now compiling DVD's on topics from the book and I am recalling other happenstances that were shared, confidences that were shared, a so on.

This book is a treasure to have done and the format is delightful. Never has a book had the intrigue of this one.

CEO Speaks, Sage Advice During Turbulent Times

Trae Williamson, President of the Williamson Auto Group in Miami, Florida

During our interview I asked Trae to talk with me about communication. This was part of his reply after setting the scene as a hospice chaplain, a friend..."at the end, everyone pretty much asks the same question: Did I make other people's lives a little bit better by being here, or did I make a little bit of a mark on the world?"

Leaving this world better is what most people would want to achieve. Hopefully most of us can accomplish that goal.

CEO Speaks, Sage Advice During Turbulent Times quotes

The Kaboom Company supports a national initiative to build playgrounds in low-income
communities. Out of the clear blue one day we got a call from them and they became one of our national funders becuase another partnership of theirs had fallen apart.

Suzanne Durham, CEO of YWCA in Birmingham, AL. Supporting those women in need with housing and jobs.

FarmLinks CEO, David Pursell

When David and I interviewed he had shared the creation concept of FarmLinks. From a fertilizer company to a vast and beautiful place in the heart of this state, the determination, vision, foresight, whatever you want to call it this is beautiful.

God gave us the earth and some people just know how to use their God given talent, their gifts, to make it worth sharing. FarmLinks is a place to share and enjoy the serenity of nature.

Another quote from CEO Speaks, Sage Advice During Turbulent Times

David Pursell, CEO of FarmLinks...discussing education..."Obviously, in today's job market, it is extremely difficult to get a job, a lot more so than about five years ago when a kid could come out and immediately walk into a relatively lucrative job with a bright future."

Students need all the help they can get with the current economic conditions. Staying in school, furthering their education (masters degrees), another discipline, any way to stand out glowing in this crazy time...hopefully this will soon be turning around.

CEO Speaks, Sage Advice During Turbulent Times quotes

Blogging about David Pursell, CEO of FarmLink in Alabama. A very misunderstood place. If people think Southerns are dumb, think again. Two of the nicest and smartest people I had the pleasure to work with are from this state. FarmLinks is a treasure to show the world and talk about intelligence. To take a vision and make it work, and work so beautifully.

David's comments during the interview in July last year I believe July, talking about some of the slums in Africa. "One of the things I found out is that joy has nothing to do with what you have and what you don't have".

Ethics, God, faith, hope, love are light years away from recent examples of broken people wanting to reek havic on the world.

Another CEO quote

Trae Williamson, President of The Williamson Auto Group, Miami, Florida in October 2009 interview while compiling the book, CEO Speaks, Sage Advice During Turbulent Times, released June 2010.

Trae & I were discussing enlightened experiences: "It is a form of Buddhism. I have not replaced the Christianity of my youth with Zen, But Sen is a practice or tradition that marries beautifully with other religious traditions. I consider myself a Zen Protestant. Even though, ironically, Zen is Buddhism. They really go well together."

CEO Speaks, Sage Advice During Turbulent Times

Many interesting opportunities came from compiling this book, one of which is the way those CEO's few the world. A favorite of mine is from David Pursell, CEO of FarmLinks...David's quote "My ethics come from my spiritual beliefs, Christianity. There was at one time more than 300 million laws created to govern man in the US alone. Yet God came up with ten basic laws about how of interact with your fellow man. If you think about those laws, they are very basic. The last one is "Thou shall not covet. I tend to think that this is because if you covet what your neighbor has, it tends to make you ungrateful and unhappy."

I think David is on to something...if there exist 300 million and the population of the US is 330 Million, that means there is a law for almost every man, woman and child...that's a lot of jabbering about stuff! I like God's method of short and simple...

More quotes from CEO Speaks, Sage Advice During Turbulent Times

The world has changed, economically, politically, structurally and socially also.
Ethics bared a negative name with CEO's going on trail, stocks sky rocketing under false pretenses, jail time being served...Madoff, making off with Ponzi scheme billions...and more...we all know the names. The book mentioned above was a creative moment from God for me to interview 40 CEO's. Through friends, family and an assortment of wonderful people 44 said yes. Four had to be removed due to 1) computer challenges 2) discomfort for one and that puts a "close rate" at 93% which is unhear of in the world of sales...no one has that high of close rate in sales.

Humble, you betta...grateful, indeed. Now on to more quotes from the book.

Interviewing David Pursell the founder and creative mind behind FarmLinks and David was talking about his father James T. Pursell and during Alabama state governor Guy Hunt, Mr. Pursell (Jimmy to his friends), he was called Mr. Ethics...people who do it right and that's what the book is all about.

CEO Speaks, Sage Advice During Turbulent Times

While marketing I ran across some ideas for others I know. Sharing knowledge, sharing resources, sharing experience are so needed. Re-reading the interviews so I can record some of the tidbits is a current project. Making a way to market more widely. Getting the information from the book into the hands of those who need direction, ideas, education or daily help at work are critical to me. The passion to help others, assist others, reaching out to others is important.

The quote for the day: "This is the type of turmoil community....were the beneficiaries of the changes"...Mike Washburn discussing all the acquisitions and mergers in the banking industry during our interview in August of 2009.

CEO Speaks, Sage Advice During Turbulent Times

Trae Williamson, President, Williamson Auto Group in Miami, Florida during our interview in October 2009 while discussing religion "People get bogged down in the dogma of the trees and lost the forest.

I had never heard it put quite like that but it made sense based on our conversation.
Trae is one of the most informed CEO's regarding his passion for knowledge, understanding on the world religions and understanding human needs. For his age Trae is exceedingly in touch with the way the world works.

CEO Speaks, Sage Advice During Turbulent Times

Nancy Dreicer in Florida regarding children and parenting:

Keep the children safe
If it is broke, fix it on the side of government
Nonprofit is a business and not so different from for profit
Self Esteem empowers others in ways beyond belief
Appreciate training form the for profit world
In child welfare the issues and life and death
Empower men and women to feel their worth

What would you like to see in your life?

"The Golden Rule in practice. If people would live by the Bible we would not have to have laws." Susie Kelley, CEO of Concept, Inc., Birmingham, Alabama

It is always amazing how good people can take it all down to basics. They do the same in business and in their personal lives. Another of Susie's quote was "honestly is number one." Oh how true!

Another one of the CEO mused at how people think they can get by and not get caught...eventually it all comes out, one way or the other.

CEO Speaks, Sage Advice During Turbulent Times

"Our whole thing really, and it is our mission as an organization, is about focusing on helping people." David Gray, CEO of DAXKO, Birmingham, Alabama

David and the team at DAXKO are focused on software to help YMCA across the country.
The passion to assist was the founder of DAXKO's mission. They continue to focus on helping and it is evident the passion is alive and well.

CE

Hi blogger readers

Sorry I was out of town for a few days...it has been a tiresome month or so...and the blogging stops or goes on....

"I am very proud of the success of the Access to Jobs program and the number of people (mostly women) who the program helped to get off of welfare"
Cindy Frene, Tranaction Associates, Waltham, Massachusette

CEO Speaks quotes from the book

Edie Varley said "Events are circular; life is circular - Looking outside your business adds depth - Academia provides resources and alternatives - Continued education adds depth to leaders - Be the best you can be - Ethics is rooted in courage and character - When we practice at being our best, our best keeps getting better - It is ok to test yourself".

Sage Advice from Edie

CEO Speaks, Sage Advice During Turbulent Times

"Being a Squirrel eating Southerner is just fine with me" Don Logan, CEO of Time Warren Cable until AOL acquired them and "then everything went to hell in the handbasket."

Don's humor came out and he was fun to interview as were most the CEO's in the book.

CEO Speaks, Sage Advice During Turbulent Times

"Our whole thing really, and it is our mission as an organization, is about focusing on helping people". David Gray, DAXKO CEO.

The passion to help others is so ubitquitous in the world. It only takes a few fruitcakes, and they are out there, to mess up peaceful living.
A peaceful life has so many rewards.

The Rogers Group, Nashville, Tennessee

Jerry Geragthy has a passion for making small business work. A seasonal business and the economy has taken a toll on employment and Jerry had two things to say about
best business practices.

1) hire intelligent people
2) hire people with the right attitude

Sounds good to me!

CEO Speaks, Sage Advice During Turbulent Times

"We wanted to be able to enjoy a good quality of life".

Interviewing Keith Barfield gave good insight into the world of CPA firms. Keith said basically the CPA firms were usually like sweat shops. Keith wanted a different type of firm. He insist people take time off, enjoy smelling the roses.
Keith is friendly, intelligent and cares about his employees.

Another quote from CEO Speak, Sage Advice During Turbulent Times

"People get bogged down in the dogma of the trees and lose the forest" Trae Willamson, President, Williamson Auto Group in Miami, Florida

Trae was one of the interviews I really enjoyed. He was also one of the smartest people I think I have ever met. Trae is getting a doctorate in three disciplines.
Not a light hearted approach to education!

CEO Speaks, Sage Advice During Turbulent Times quotes

Chairman Emeritus of Mayer Electric, Charles Collat

Charles sage advice list in part: (something very unique in today's world)

Make the company a family
(Have) complete customer satisfaction
Everyone needs to be on the same page (open communication top down)
Be a stake holder, be responsible
There are two kinds of success; personal and business, strive for both
Surround yourself with good people
If a person works with you, they deserve to be paid fairly

CEO Speaks, Sage Advice During Turbulent Times

Barry's sage advice:

Enjoy life and work, it quickly passes
It is ok to change your focus
Be kind, be ethical and be engaged
Lack of communication (from the CEO) will be filled with negativity (within a company)
Be conservative with company dollars
Be willing to walk away from money
Set the standard

CEO Speak, Sage Advice Quotes

Keith is a senior partner in a unique CPA firm. At Barfield,Murphy Shanks and Smith
the other workers are encouraged to take a Friday off even during tax season. The CPA sweat shop does not apply here. Keith's sage advice follows:


Be a life long learner
Develop strategic thinking
Be good to employees
Help others
Invest in other energy sources, GREEN matters
Enjoy a good quality of life/work
Match corporate culture with work/life balance

Quotes from CEO Speaks, Sage Advice During Turbulent Times

Becky Sykes was an extremely knowledgable Executive Director of women's issues across the US. Not only did she share many pertenient facts she was warm and friendly with a passion to help.

Give back
The world is changing (not necessarily in a good way)
Violence is bad
Help is needed
Elevate your thinking to generous giving
Education begets education
Stretch yourself beyond your own universe
Sharing eliminate social poverty and ignorance.

More quotes from CEO Speaks and more points of interest

Ed Williamson has an interesting history in the automobile industry. Ed was an engineer until his Dad point blank asked if he "was going to get on this train". The train was not at all a train but into the automotive business. Ed has a son which is also in the business. Their focus is geographically Miami and they do a great job there and a great deal of community work.

Take responsibility
Ethics ris important
Leaders should follow a higher standard
Contribute to others
Be involved (in business and in community)
It is all about relationships

More quotes from CE

CEO Speaks, Sage Advice During Turbulent Times

Annie Allen is a consultant and friend I interviewed for the book. Below are some of the Sage Advice from Annie.

Care about customers
Focus on helping others instead of self
Help others achieve their goals
The world is cruel
We are all dysfunctional
Set high expectations
Appreciate the good from your childhood
Love your family, love your children
Work Hard
Let people know when they are appreciated

CEO Speaks, Sage Advice During Turbulent Times QUOTES

Look at a person's heart not their superficial image
Treat others fairly
Work hard but enjoy life
Give back
Care about those you serve
There will always be a need for help
Appreciate your accomplishments
Any differences we make in the world is worth it

Sage Advice from another CEO in the book

A few quotes from CEO Speaks, Sage Advice During Turbulent Times

Have no fear
Be honest
Do your research
Plan your retirement early
Stretch yourself
Live by the Golden Rule and all God's laws
Look for partners even with clients
Focus on customer's needs first and build loyalty

Just to name a few...from CEO Susie Kelley

CEO Speaks Blog (Sage Advice During Turbulent Times

"Diversification is overrated". Pete Correll, CEO of Atlanta Equity and retired CEO of Georgia Pacific.

Not only was I late and very turned around trying to get to this interview I had parked just two blocks away. Finding an office in downtown Atlanta can be a challenge in itself. I was quite familiar with downtown Atlanta but not the office buildings! About 30 minutes late Pete was gracious enough continue with the interview. (I had gone to the wrong building the first time and the number on the building I was suppose to go to was not standing out exactly.)

CEO Speaks, Sage Advice During Turbulent Times quote

"Being a squirrel eating Southern is just fine". Don Logan former CEO Time Warner Cable, CEO Seek Publication, owner Baron Baseball Team and still going strong in business.

I find it rather fascinating how people are judged by where they live, are born, choose to develop a career, etc. Some of the nicest people and smartest people I know are here in the Bible Belt and Alabama is part of that belt I am referring too.

We have Huntsville which is unique with the space center. Birmingham is unique in that we have a local government that can not get it's act together. Montgomery has a boat load of lobbyist and Mobile is cut out of the 30's era.

Don's interview was sprinkled with humor, the dry humor that infects intelligent brains in a good way.

CEo Speaks, Sage Advice During Turbulent Times quote

"Even in your own business, you have to be a team player" Bill Jones, O'Neal Steel, Birmingham, Alabama.

I was surprised when I interviewed Bill the steel industry is more green then people realize.

CEO Speaks, Sage Advice During Turbulent Times Quote

FarmLinks is a heavenly site for golfers, nature lovers, hiking, skeet shooting, hunting, corporate meetings, resorting, or just getting away, this is 3500 acres of God's country 45 minutes southeast of Birmingham, Alabama. Just google it if in doubt.

"People will not necessarily remember what you said, but they will remember how you made them feel." David Pursell, CEO of FarmLinks, Sylacauga, Alabama.

I promise you will not be disappointed if you take the challenge to visit either on the web or in person.

CEO quotes from the book CEO Speaks, Sage Advice During Turbulent Times

"We're called to ask the big questions and take bold, but calculated risks." Daniel J. Curran, PhD, University of Dayton, Dayton, Ohio

Original planning for this publication was a desire to have 5 universities, 5 non-profits and the remaining for profit business. Even as the interviews unfolded that was not the way it would work out. At least their are a few educators within the 319 pages. There are definitely more non-profits but they are so strong I still think the book is well balanced.

Education is a passion of mine and obviously many others feel the same way about education.

CEO Speaks, Sage Advice During Turbulent Times quote

"Never structure you life so that, if God has other plans you cannot respond to him",
Andrew Westmorland, Ph.D. Samford University, Birmingham, Alabama.

Meeting for the interview Dr. Westmoreland shared some views on being the President of a college and concerns for the students, faculty, and staff. He is a humble man with a winning smile. He also has a darling wife who is also a Ph.D.

CEO Speaks, Sage Advice During Turbulent Times quote

"Washington's focus should be on business", Jerry Gerathy, President and CEO, The Rogers Group, Nashville, Tennessee.

Jerry's interview was arranged through a dear friends son. He works for Jerry in the field of communication. Learning about the gravel industry was insightful and Jerry has a passion about leaving Washington out of business and the ridiculous high taxes businesses have to pay to employee workers.

CEO Speaks, Sage Advice During Turbulent Times quote

"You want to hire someone who shares your same values" Susan Mason, B&A Warehouse, Birmingham, Alabama.

Susan's food is divine and delicious and it consistently remains one of my favorite places to be entertained, have business meeting, etc. because of the consistency in all ways. Susan has also become a good friend over the course of the years I have gone to B&A Warehouse.

CEO Speaks, Sage Advice Blogs

"We won the Better Business Bureau award for being the 'Most Ethical.' I'm proud of that." Barry LaBov, LaBov & Beyond Marketing and Communication, Inc., Ft. Wayne Indiana.

Trusting someone when you know their ethics is sound has brought so many rewards. My friend Tammy offered two CEO names for the book while I was compiling the interviews, the format, the Sage Advice part of the book. As I tell very audience I speak with or in front of God is good and He had a plan for my life. "I had a plan for your life before I knit you in the womb". Indeed! The power of true Greatest and speaking of a CEO, wow what vision.

CEO Speaks, Sage Advice During Turbulent Times quotes

"We essentially have taken on-line all the things we used to do face to face", John Cotton, BestBiz, Homewood, Alabama

John's business model is an example of the power the internet has in business, relationships, technology and the way we sustain ourselves and our business. As a colleague consultant said to me last week, location is no longer an issue. We can work anywhere, with anyone and still sustain our business.

CEO Speaks, Sage Advice During Turbulent Times

"The power struggle gridlock in state government prevents a lot of forward movement",
Keith Barfield, Barfield, Murray, Shanks and Smith.

It amazes me the number of CEO's that addressed government issues during the interviews. Topics ranged from Keith statement to taxation and problems with Washington. Why the entire world knows the problems but those in government seem oblivious to the solutions.

CEO Speaks, Sage Advice During Turbulent Times

"Each accomplishment makes me strive for yet another pinnacle". Kelly Todd, Senior Partner, Forensic Solutions, Birmingham, Alabama with offices in Los Angeles and Dallas

I have known Kelly for several years and she is a great speaker, knows her subject and a very good person. The firm hired a young friend from church after she finished her MBA in accounting.

CEO Speaks, Sage Advice During Turbulent Times

"Don't work so hard that you diminish and dimenison of your life." Art O'Hara R'Club
Childcare Inc. St. Petesburg, Florida

CEO Speaks, Sage Advice During Turbulent Times

"Success is not always measured in dollars and cents" Annie Allen, iSeek Solutions, Birmingham, Alabama.

Annie has been a friend for several years and when we interviewed I found out her company name came from the Bible. Annie has a passion for helping others and her business model is hiring others with the talent and knowledge she does not have.

How many times have we all heard "surround yourself with good talent". Annie has done exactly that.

CEO Speaks, Sage Advice During Turbulent Times book quote

"Id I need to get something done I will. I will go over it, around it or through it, but I will get it done". Charles Collat, Chairman Emeritus, Mayer Electric Supply, Birmingham, Alabama

Persistance pays dividends in so many ways: in sales, in relationships of all kinds, in love, in patience, in exercise, in eating something distasteful, in just about everything in our lives. Two CEO's in the book said this exact same quote. I love it.

CEO Speaks, Sage Advice During Turbulent Times

"Our products can be complicated, but our ethics are simple". Nancy Collat-Goedecke, Mayer Electric Company, Birmingham, Alabama

Nancy is a wonderful humble person as is her father. A huge company, multiple offices, many employees and she is as down to earth as any person can be.

CEO Speaks, Sage Advice During Turbulent Times quote

"The triple bottom line in non-profit is the holy trinity: organization capacity, capital structure and mission achievement". Mark ?Light, MBA, PhD, President First Light Group.

Mark teaches at Case Western and also consults. Mark was the Executive Director at The Victoria in Dayton, Ohio for a number of years.

CEO Speaks, Sage Advice During Turbulent Times quotes from interviews

"Social services in any arena are ripe for innovation", Nancy Dreicer, Regional Director for the Florida Department of Children and Families Northeast Region, Jacksonville, Florida.

Nancy's passion for her job responsibilities is so apparent. Coming from corporate America she said she now works harder than she ever has. She also said when she leave the office there are people still working trying to do something right to help a child or family.

Yet another example of leadership, ethics, compassion and passion for people.

CEO Speaks, Sage Advice During Turbulent Times

"We're moving to fast. We miss the point. We miss the relationship". Chris Vitek, Enterprise Telemetry Inc. Baltimore, Maryland

I first met Chris prior to this book becoming a reality at a professional conference in St. Louis, Missouri. The second time we met was again at the same conference in Baltimore during the project. When I asked Chris to interview for the book he first said no and then changed his mind.

Glad he did because I enjoyed our conversation that day. Chris is the 21st interview out of the 40 in the book, CEO Speaks, Sage Advice During During Times.

CEO Speaks, Sage Advice During Turbulent Times

"Personally, it is striking a balance between work and my family life" Cindy Frene, TransAction Associates, Waltham, Massachusetts

I first met Cindy in 2008 so when this book became an idea she was one of the candidiates I thought of almost immediately. Cindy has a passion for helping those without transportation. She also serves her community by providing transportation for those unable to afford an automobile. She serves in many ways including opening her home to friends and family.

CEO Speaks, Sage Advice During Turbulent Times

"My passion is to make their lives better". Gary Eduwards, Executive Director at United Cerebal Palsy of Greater Birmingham.

Understanding Gary's passion for this condition and his obvious joy during the Christmas Pageant while the audience is full of parents, grandparents and a few microphone hoggers it is a joy to obverse these little ones in action. One little guy stood in front of the microphone and belted his little lungs out during one performance. Truly a sight to see with heart warming moments.

Each age group is presented and each group is dressed for the songs they are singing.

I took a friend and we laughed the entire time. I think my cheeks were hurting when we left.

CEO Speaks, Sage Advice During Turbulent Times

"Whatever affects one person directly affects all people indirectly" Edith Varley
The Varley Group.

Edith teaches emotional intellegence at Washington University in St. Louis. Edith was first met over the telephone which was how I met her originally. We had coffee together on a trip to visit family. We met again this summer and now are connected through friends.

Having a master's degree, a consulting business, teaching and is the Director of Development at Wash U as I'm told is the local reference to the university.

CEO Speaks, Sage Advice During Turbulent Times

"This is not the same country it was when I was a kid". Bill Mullins, Mullins Rubber Products

While interviewing Bill he gave several examples of changes in our world that were not especially beneficial to society as a whole. Thoughts about change: It is ineviable, it will happen, good and bad change is a given, no one embraces change, government is getting better, the bigger is not good, we have steered away from the founding fathers 180 degrees, at least if not 360 degrees. Big is not always better in churches, in government or in business.

Personal growth is important, awareness is important and understanding the impact of change is important.

CEO Speaks, Sage Advice During Turbulent Times

"It's important to do things right, but it's more important to do the right things".
Suzanne Durham, YWCA, Birmingham, Alabama

CEO Speaks, Sage Advice During Turbulent Times

“Women Influence the next generation” Becky Sykes, Executive Director, Dallas Women’s Foundation

Becky has a passion for sharing quality information about the good work being done in Dallas by ordinary and not so ordinary people. I never cease to marvel at the amount of money, effort and work good people contribute to the world for the good of others. Be it in the community or a foreign country.

CEO Speaks, Sage Advice During Turbulent Times

“Honesty is number one” Susie Kelley, CEO, Concept, Inc.

Susie and I have known one another for about eight years now. She moved her company's location to accomodate more space and more employees in 2007. Due to a lack of knowledge on the process of telephone lines especially with new construction they experience an outage for 21 days. Stay Connected is another book I penned on the subject of telecommunication. No one should suffer nor should their revenue be at risk due to a lack of knowledge on a process that only someone with a certain type of experience understands.

Our world is so impacted by ethics, non-caring people and now this new book is an example for others to have hope and know some CEO's really do care.

Another quote

“Your emotions tell you whether you’re on the right track or not” Trae Williamson, President, Williamson Auto Group

CEO Speaks, Sage Advice During Turbulent Times

“Be sure the right guy is driving the bus” Ed Williamson, CEO Williamson Auto Group

Ed was fun to interview. He shared a great story about how he met his lovely wife Carol. Carol also works in the business side by side with Ed.

Daily quote from CEO Speaks, Sage Advice During Turbulent Times

This quote was taken from an interview with David Gray when he spoke regarding the management team at DAXKO. A software company with a passion for helping the YMCA organization.

“One is relentless focus and the other is disciplined growth”

CEO Speaks, Sage Advice During Turbulent Times

“You must use the power to persuade” Mike Warren, CEO, Children’s Health System

CEO Speaks, Sage Advice During Turbulent Times Ouote

“This is a unique battle” John Kemp, Principal, Powers, Pyles, Sutter and Verville, PC

Sorry about the redundant quote between 1 & 3

Quote from CEO Speaks, Sage Advice During Turbulent Times

“Be an individual” Dr. Sandral Hullett, CEO and Medical Director for Jefferson Health System and Cooper Green- Mercy Hospital.

CEO Speaks, Sage Advice During Turbulent Times

“Remember the news is not always accurate” Ivan Schon, CEO of SAS Telcom, Perth, Western Australia

CEO Speaks, Sage Advice During Turbulent Times

“Listen to learn, talk to teach” Shelly Stewart, Founder of O2 Ideas and the Mattie C. Stewart Foundation

Telecommunication Industry

“Remember the news is not always accurate” Ivan Schon, CEO of SAS Telcom, Perth, Western Australia