Editor
Being good in business is the most fascinating kind of art. Making money is an art and working is an art and good business is the best art. Business is about making money. It’s about the bottom line. The sooner you realise that, the sooner you’ll get a grasp about what business is. I’m very often surprised like my name, by the people who think business is something else.
They come in with lofty ideas and philanthropic purposes that have absolutely no place in a business meeting. It’s a waste of everyone’s time. I remember when a group of businessmen wanted to build an atrium on the ground floor of 320 West Street. It was a beautiful idea for them. They wanted to make 320 West Street the downtown equivalent of Holiday Inn, except they forgot about something.
What would they do with the steel columns that support a 35 storey building? That rather major structural component never entered their minds. I hope they didn’t take it personally when I pointed out their oversight 20 years ago.
Business is business. For example, if you get fired, there’s usually a reason behind it and that can take the personal affront right out of it.
Businesses have to watch out for their bottom line or they won’t be in business for very long. Don’t get worked up. If you do, you might be taking it the wrong way. It isn’t always easy, but try to be objective. I learned in the early years that business could be completely impersonal even when you’re dealing with human beings. One banker I was dealing with was so indifferent that he was literally like a machine. When a machine says no, it’s very tough. There are no negotiations. I remember writing that you’d be better off dealing with a killer with real passion that with an institutional type who has no emotion and just wanted to go home at 4pm. Sometimes we run into brick walls like that. Our only resource is to find another way around it, which I did.
But I got a good insight into how impersonal business can be. I am also a bit of a teacher, I’ve always been this way, but it was never seen before, except by my visitors, school learners, holiday makers and including some of my colleagues in my institution. I’m personable, but I can be all business, believe me it is a formidable combination.
I have to be careful not to blow people off, because if you cross me personally and professionally, I’ll have a double whammy waiting for you. I don’t enjoy being vicious, but sometimes in self-defence it becomes necessary.
I don’t like the double standard, as in, whatever I do is okay and whatever you do isn’t okay or vice versa.
If you treat me a certain way, then I can treat you that way too. Some people call that the old ‘eye for an eye’ approach, but I call it playing fair. Sometimes the only way to deal with a bully is to punch him back. Let them know who they’re dealing with. Fair play is fair play and once again, don’t take it personally.
It’s wise to be circumspect and some people just say ‘get yourself out of the picture’ first in order to see the big picture. Don’t take personally what is not meant personally. A lot of time people misdirect their anger and if you take it personally, you’ll become a punching bag for angry darts. I’ve had people say totally off the wall things to me, which I can now deflect, knowing that about 95 percent of the time, their comments have next to nothing to do with me. You have to develop a thick skin and keep your own positive wavelength going at all times. Be tough, be smart, be personable but don’t take things personally, that’s good business.
Surprise Elvin Basson
Weenen
