| "We started pursuing the idea of
forming a division of our search firm that would recruit foreign-trained
physical therapists. And we worked 11 months in 1989
and pumped about $77,000 down a rat hole, with no placements, trying to figure
out how to get people through immigration. We finally had a break
through.
|
Tulsa, Oklahoma: In this segment, called the Sliver of Genius, we study people who have broken through and grown quickly and solidly. Sue and Jack Maxwell built their company into a national placement service for occupational and physical therapists that recruited people from all over the world.
They created such a strong foundation that they were acquired by Staffmark Inc. since we first met them.
They were told they would fail in the personnel business; and although they certainly faced an expensive and tough first-phase startup, they emerged as leaders in a niche that they helped to define.
There is so much to learn from them, but we only have time to explore just a few points.
Big Ideas.
- Don't let other people destroy your dreams.
- You may have to modify your plans as you go along.
- To work successfully with a partner, respect each other's abilities, divide the responsibilities based on skill, and stay out of each other's way.
- In telemarketing, state a benefit in the first 20 seconds.
EXPLORE FURTHER:
- READ THE TRANSCRIPT: All the words of this show are part of Small Business School but this transcript is available as part of our free site. Click here.
- GO TO SCHOOL: If you enroll in
Small Business School, you can
watch this show as well as learn from over 130 other entrepreneurs. It is all
online. It requires DSL or cable connection with no firewalls. If you answer
the questions in the teaching notes and study guide, you may qualify:
- to get listed within your business type and within your state's listings,
- to be profiled on a show (local or national),
- to generate automatically a business plan for debt financing and/or a SCOR for equity financing,
- to be listed within a Small Business Index, and
- to qualify to be listed on the daily Small Business Index best of businesses within a business category.
- AT YOUR LOCAL COLLEGE: Check this list of schools (partial). Also, check for classes with your local Small Business Development Center, Chamber of Commerce, and Economic Development Commission.
- LOOK AT STEPS 1-8. Think about where you are and where you want to be.
- STUDY BUSINESSES BY TYPE.
- WATCH TV!To find out what is airing in your market, usually on your local PBS-member station, click here.
- CONTACT: http://www.staffmark.com/
Other segments in this show:
- IN THE TRENCHES. In this segment of In the Trenches you meet Donald Cassel. You will find him skateboarding along the boardwalks of Venice Beach and even in his office. Although it will be obvious that he is enjoying himself, he is also doing a little product testing. He manufactures a special skateboard bolt for high flyers and performers. He also sells the clothing worn by 14 million skateboarders in the USA, yet half of his customers are in Europe and Japan. Read more right here.
- Integrity Selling. Ron Willingham, author of Integrity Selling and several other books -- When Good isn't Good Enough, The Best Seller, and Hey, I'm the customer talks about the heart of business.
- Do the right thing. Professor Dr. Laura Nash of Harvard University and Boston University is the author of Good Intentions Aside and talks here about business ethics.
- StreetFighter Marketing. Jeff Slutsky takes us into the creative mind and the enterprising, rather bold, spirit . . . great market tips for the viewing!
- Law Talk. John Dolan talks about the home office deduction and cautions viewers to be sure it is your principal place of business
We invite your questions or comments.