T H E M O N T H LY B U S I N E S S S E C T I O N F O R L I N N A N D B E N T O N C O U N T I E S A N D T H E M I D - W I L L A M E T T E VA L L E Y
www.democratherald.com/business • www.gazettetimes.com/business
September 2011
Owner Jack Knudsen shows one of the decorative swords he sells at Diverse Things on Main Street in Lebanon. DAVID PATTON | ALBANY DEMOCRAT-HERALD
Retailers keep purse strings tight As owners watch expenses, group marketing efforts get the word out By MARIA L. KIRKPATRICK
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id-valley retailers are prepping for the holiday season and the shopping that comes with it but they are doing so with little celebration or fanfare. It’s been a rough year thus far for many small retail businesses. Owners are looking forward to the holiday shopping season and then the new year to bring change. In Lebanon, Jack Knudsen, owner of Diverse Things, said retail is the worst it’s been in five years. “People who come in don’t have money to buy anything,” Knudsen said. “If it doesn’t shape up for the holidays, we’ll have to do something.” Knudsen keeps informed in Lebanon by being involved. He is active with the city, chamber and merchants’ association. His store participates in local events, including chili cook-offs and street fairs, but he has no plans for extra events and as for sales, his prices already are “bare bones.” “We can’t force people to buy,” he said.“And we get disappointed when we don’t see improvements. But if everyone can hold out until next year, I anticipate great things.” Plans for new businesses in the area and the opening of the medical college in Lebanon suggest a bright horizon, but it was a recent conversation with a real-estate agent that really enforced Knudsen’s positive attitude about the future. “He said homes for sale priced under $250,000 have sold out,” Knudsen said. “Just hold on.” Marla Bontreger at Marla’s Decor & More in Lebanon is holding tight. Bontreger has been in business for 30 years, and she said 2011 has been the worst year ever for her shop. However, Bontreger has hope for the holidays. September sales did pick up a little bit, she said. Her “wonderful long-time customers” have kept her in business, and she hopes they will shop local for gifts this season. “People just don’t have as much extra money to buy luxury gifts,” Bontreger said. “They are looking more for necessity gifts.” But with Lebanon poised to grow, Bontreger is counting on the future population to shop local.
Watching expenses Just as shoppers are watching expenses, so are business owners. Sales will be scarce as prices already are marked low and holiday events will piggyback on those planned by larger causes.
Lisa Lake, owner of Lisa’s Tea Room & Gift Shop in Philomath, says low overhead and family traditions have helped keep her business a success. ANDY CRIPE | CORVALLIS GAZETTE-TIMES Downtown Albany businesses count on the city’s downtown association for events and celebrations to help bring in shoppers. Owners said they don’t have the money for marketing and advertising for special events of their own without the promise of profit. At Emma Downtown in Albany, owner Peggy Udolf wishes for a crystal ball to predict the future. “We don’t know what to expect,” Udolf said of the holidays. “We have to be very mindful of what we do.” Udolf said things haven’t been bad at her retail boutique but she’s noticed a different attitude among shoppers. “People are being more careful, more thoughtful about what they buy,” she said. Orders for this year’s holiday shopping season were placed in January and are making their way to shelves. It’s up to Udolf, her daughter, Amanda; and staff to present and market the merchandise to sell. Emma’s biggest event is the holiday open house,
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which coincides with the Albany Downtown Association’s holiday event kickoff Nov. 3-5. “There are always events going on at Emma’s,” Udolf said. “We are already planning for next year and are in a constant state of making things happen.” Mitch Smith at Two Rivers Fly Shop also wishes that he had a good crystal ball; he has little idea what to expect this holiday season. His business is at the mercy of weather and river levels as well as customers. “When fishing is good, business is good,” Smith said. Smith said this year has been down a bit from last year, but he’s had worse. “Overall it’s been reasonably steady,” he said of the year. He expects to see the spouses of customers coming in with Christmas wish lists and making purchases. “Things are not as grim as they have been,” he said. “We just have to be careful.” SEE RETAIL BUSINESS | A6
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MID-VALLEY InBusiness
Artisans learn to earn from their creations By ROGER PHELPS The rich round of fall art shows in the mid-valley shows that the holiday season is just as important to artisans as it is to other retailers. Salem quilter Carol Curtis believes that as far as supplying holiday gifts, an artist might have an advantage over other retailers. She said she’s already sold out of Halloween-themed quilted goods with Halloween more than a month away. “People want to give handmade,” Curtis said. “They say to me, ‘I can’t make, but I want to give handmade.’” But it’s not easy. Mid-valley artists who manage to earn from their arts know they’re in business in a tightmoney era. They know the gift-giving season is approaching. But, artisanship is a funny kind of business to be in. Where do you sell? From your home, from a street corner, from a studio, or over the web, or what? Mid-valley artists have adopted a range of solutions. Many of these are, well, creative — and not necessarily copied in the retail world at large. Lebanon silk-screener Maryann Ewing said she favors what is known as “the trunk show.” A “trunk show” is a special sale at which vendors present merchandise directly to select customers at some unique venue. “There have been trunk shows, for example, in a person’s home, where you have them invite friends, and serve a tea,” Ewing said. “This can generate other trunk shows.” Corvallis painter Cherrill Boissonou favors what is known
as a “juried” show, at which an expert has pre-screened contributing artists’ works down to a single work each. Boissonou and Sweet Home potter Rich Little have decided that a solo-gallery approach won’t work for them, and possibly not for artists in general, in tight times. Correspondingly, a theme of collaboration, cooperation, and community springs up readily when talking with mid-valley artists. “(Art) promotes a sense of belonging and community,” Little said. “With a couple of friends of mine, a painter and a wood-burner, we’re looking at purchasing a building together — we’re looking to have a go at it as a cooperative.” Corvallis’ long-established “Art in the Valley” cooperative on Second Street is working fairly well for local artists, Boissonou said. “We make enough to keep the doors open,” she said. The solo gallery is not dead, but in the case of solo-studio Corvallis photographer Don Ferguson, it’s not as solo as one might think. Ferguson said teaming up with his customers is rewarding artistically and financially. In Ferguson’s “photo-restoration” art form, a customer typically brings in an ancient photo or negative, sometimes of historical value, that Ferguson characterizes as “lost” to decades of ultraviolet rays, pollutants and incidental damage. The customer enlists Ferguson to help him or her reclaim the image using ultra-modern electronic techniques. “I bring the lost images back,” Ferguson said. “I love the collaborative process.”
September 2011
MOVERS&SHAKERS News & Notes
MARK YLEN | ALBANY DEMOCRAT-HERALD
Marlene Nehl will open Blackberry Junction for a holiday show every day between Nov. 11-19 at 635 Water St. in Albany.
A Bigger Blackberry
Artisans fill expanded display home at Blackberry Junction By ROGER PHELPS Dozens of artists, hundreds of art aficionados and thousands of handmade potential presents created a merry mix in recent days at new quarters for Albany art-sales venue Blackberry Junction. Thanks to a facelift on a former Borden rail-terminal building on Water Avenue, since Sept. 15, mid-valley artists have been able to do some solid selling of their works. Long lines formed and remained steady at three cash registers on opening day. As works sold, display space was refilled, said primitive-and-rustic decorative artist Missy Lee of Sweet Home, who estimated that the nine-day event would draw 400 visitors just by quitting time on opening day. “After sales, vendors try to bring in new stuff,” Lee said. “It has been very successful.” The regular art-sales venue, which next will be repeated in November, formerly operated out of the
Fairmount Grange building in North Albany. “We outgrew the grange,” said Marlene Nehl, business owner. Cavernous display space was filled partly with artworks strung from the high ceiling, including a life-size mock-up of a man paddling a canoe. An esoteric Nissan Ladyfinger convertible, bright red and complete with mock driver, sat among displays of crafted dolls, sunflowers, gingerbread men, jewelry, cloth aprons, quilts, candles, patternedcloth pears, and motto signs. In fact, there was more — painted baskets, ornamental mirrors, restored stools and chairs, clocks, old telephones, pottery. Veteran quilter Carol Curtis of Salem said she follows her inspiration and some money tends to follow her effort. “My best sellers are the things I like the most — some people might follow trends, but I follow what I like,” Curtis said.
Dance Corvallis has opened a second location, this one at 1898 S.W. Third St. Dance Corvallis is starting its sixth year of providing dance education to Corvallis and surrounding communities. Dance Corvallis offers beginning to advanced classes for dancers as young as 2 years old through teen and adult age groups. Dance programs are performance-based, rather than competition-based. Local dancers and their families can try classes for free this week, today though Friday. Registration is required, and is available at 541-556-2470 or dancecorvallis.com. Partnering with the Corvallis School District, Dance Corvallis is offering a new Dance After School program. Children ages 5 to 11 can dance and stretch to their favorite music, make new friends, and play games on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and on early-release Fridays. Pick-up from Lincoln and Mountain View elementary schools is available. Dance Corvallis’ primary North Studio is north of Corvallis in the Lewisburg Center, at 5240A N.W. Highway 99.
Officers & Directors Da Vinci Days welcomed two new board members this fall. Joining the board are Bill York, former city councilor, and Danielle Gabriel of Oregon State University. Da Vinci Days also has announced its 2011-12 officers. Michael Dalton is this year’s president, with Michael Laport as vice president, Bonnie Humphrey-Anderson as treasurer and Laurie Russell as secretary. Da Vinci Days is an arts and science festival that showcases innovative artists, engineers, teachers, community organizations and individuals. The 24th annual da Vinci Days will take place July 20-22.
Old Mill Center for Children and Families has announced its new board of directors. Chairperson is Janet Gambatese of Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center. Other officers are secretary Karen Misfeldt, attorney, Heilig, Misfeldt, and Armstrong, LLP; treasurer Gambatese Chairwoman Dale Ramsay, retired, Ramsay Construction; and chair-elect Alissa Craft, also of the hospital. Continued from page A5 Old Mill also has added three new members to its governing Designs said jewelry continues to be out-of-town givers. board: Tammy Thompson, operations manager of her familypopular among gift givers. “We’ve held up pretty well,” Lake owned business, Campbell’s Olufson said his store just experisaid of recent business. enced its best August with sales up While she has watched her compe- Cleaners; Meredith Baughman, agent for Town & Country Realty; nearly 50 percent from his next best tition falter in the area, Lake said her month last year. shop continues because employees are and Dale Ramsay, retired from Ramsay Gerding Construction. The jewelry industry has reported family and the overhead is low. Old Mill Center for Children and improving sales. Tea is a tradition that mothers tend Families helps children and famiOlufson said he has been lucky and to pass down from generation to gen- lies thrive through a variety of his strategizing has paid off. For nearly eration and while the tea room takes a services for children/youth, ages 12 years, his business has grown 10 hit when area employment is cut, it birth to 18.
Retail business Corvallis optimism Corvallis area retailers are looking forward to the holiday season.Many businesses count on Winter’s Eve Corvallis, sponsored by the Assistance League,to kick off the holidays in Corvallis.Shops stay open late and offer exclusive discounts to Winter’s Eve participants. Participating in local events is key to success at Burst’s Chocolates. Owner Patrick Magee said Winter’s Eve is an example of how small business owners are working every day to be successful and keep in touch with customers. “It’s all about staying connected and active,” Magee said. He looks forward to fundraisers, celebrations and selling tickets to the local production of “The Nutcracker.” Debra Hixson, co-owner of Modern Avenue Boutique in downtown Corvallis, said she feels positive about the economy. “In Corvallis,” Hixson said, “we are holding our own. I think the holidays will be wonderful.” Not everyone has to count on the holidays to make sales. In spite of the economy, Sean Olufson of Olufson
percent annually. Part of his strategy for growth includes community involvement.Olufson participates in special events,including Winter’s Eve,in addition to after-hour private shows for frequent customers.He doesn’t plan to do anything extra this year simply because he doesn’t need to. Cozy is the tea business in Philomath. Lisa’s Tea Room has parties booked for the holidays beginning with autumn teas clear through Christmas. The shelves are stocked with teas and related gift items, which owner Lisa Lake said are popular for gift baskets. Also popular are gift certificates, which she fills as gifts to local from
has managed to hold its own. Lake doesn’t anticipate to see an improvement anytime soon but greatly appreciates her clientele. Overall, businesses feel if they can just see the year through, promise lines the horizon. Customer loyalty, inventory control and a reduction in expenses will help them make it. Buying on a budget is not only sage advice for customers, said Hixson of the Modern Avenue Boutique: Keeping an eye on stock and carefully monitoring inventory has helped her keep an eye on her money. And a big dose of optimism helps as well: “I think 2012 will be wonderful,” she said.
People on the Move The Corvallis Clinic has promoted Information Technology Director Rod Aust to Chief Operations Officer of the mid-Valley’s largest independent medical group. With a management background in health care, information Aust technology and Chief officer operations,Aust brings a strategic vision and resources for improving patient care in his new role.
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Aust joined The Corvallis Clinic as director of Information Technology in 2008. Previously, he was chief information officer at Willamette Education Service District and at the Corvallis School District. Before his work in education, Aust led a development team from the Nike golf division. Aust received a bachelor’s degree in education from George Fox University, graduating Magna Cum Laude. He served in the U.S. Air Force for six years, and was a distinguished graduate of the NCO Leadership Academy. Rod Porsche has joined the Albany Visitors Association as group marketing and media relations manager. Porsche will work with tour operators to bring tour groups to the region. He will also work to bring in conferences, trade shows, reunions and other events. Porsche will work with travel writPorsche ers and travel Manager publications to place stories regarding Albany, attractions and events in the area. Porsche has lived in Albany for nearly 10 years, and has been active in events involving Albany’s historic community. He and his wife have restored two historic Albany homes that have been featured in the annual Historic Interior Home Tours. Prior to restoring historic homes, Porsche worked in sales and media, and was press secretary for a U.S. congressman. Most recently, he was a waiter for a locally-owned downtown Albany restaurant. Porsche graduated from Oregon State University in 1992 with a Bachelor of Science degree in broadcast media communication. The Corvallis Youth Symphony Association has announced the hiring of Naomi Hartman and Ashley Nation as elementary strings instructors for the 2011-12 school year. They join the elementary strings staff, which includes Anne Ridlington, instructor, and Julie Davis, assistant. The association holds beginning violin, viola and cello classes in District 509J elementary schools. The association is a nonprofit organization that includes the Corvallis Youth Symphony, the Willamette Valley Junior Honors Symphony, and Elementary Strings.
Training & Development Registered and licensed dietitian Sandy R. Wyers recently passed the exam to become a board Certified Nutrition Support Clinician through the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition. Wyers joined Wyers the medical nuCertified trition therapy team at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center last year as an inpatient clinical dietitian,after moving to Corvallis from Santa Fe,N.M.,where she worked as a clinical dietitian at a 268-bed Level III trauma center. As an inpatient clinical dietitian, Wyers provides medical nutrition therapy to hospitalized patients. Wyers is an honorary faculty member of the Oregon State University College of Public Health and Human Sciences School of Biological and Population Health, serving as a preceptor for dietetic interns. She is also a preceptor for Good Sam’s medical resident nutrition rotations.
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MID-VALLEY InBusiness
September 2011
F I V E Q U EST I O N S
B US I N ES S DATA July 2011
Aug. 2010
Aug. 2011
325 300 275 250 225 200 175 150 125
13.4 9.6 9.1 9.1
10.7
11.8 11.9 9.5 9.6 7.2 6.5 6.5
U.S.
Oregon
Benton Co.
Thousands
16% 14% 12% 10% 8% 6% 4% 2% 0
Linn Co
Source: Oregon Employment Department Note: Data are seasonally adjusted.
Units sold past year
Units sold past year
Average sales prices
Average ales price
Aug. 2011
Aug. 2010
Aug. 2011
Aug. 2010
429 116 21 463
524 155 25 530
149,608 236,664 146,726 268,395
166,085 248,558 211,900 277,973
Howard Behar
306,557 255,950 Benton County Linn County
194,920
143,037
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
Source: Willamette Valley Multiple Listing Service
Mid-Valley Residential Report
Albany N. Albany Brownsville Corvallis
WITH
Residential Average Sales Price by Area
Unemployment Rate
Independence Jefferson Lebanon Philomath Sweet Home
Units sold past year
Units sold past year
Average sales prices
Average ales price
Aug. 2011
Aug. 2010
Aug. 2011
Aug. 2010
50 60 285 81 136
74 41 326 71 140
221,111 203,193 135,211 248,114 114,165
174,956 212,278 153,449 233,909 128,603
Source: Willamette Valley Multiple Listing Service
Corvallis MSA (Benton County) Nonfarm Payroll Employment Source: Oregon Employment Department Natural resources, mining and construction Manufacturing Trade, transportation and utilities Information Financial activities Professional and business services Educational and health services Leisure and hospitality Other services Federal government State government Local government
Aug. ’11 1,250 3,350 4,260 790 1,380 3,760 5,570 3,380 1,160 640 8,370 2,550
July ’11 1,240 3,350 4,310 800 1,400 3,770 5,640 3,420 1,140 630 8,030 2,500
Aug. ’10 1,190 3,350 4,210 820 1,380 3,700 5,530 3,340 1,180 640 8,050 2,830
Total nonfarm payroll employment
34,420
36,220
36,200
Change from July ’11 Aug ’10 10 60 0 0 -50 50 -10 -30 -20 0 -10 60 -70 40 -40 40 20 -20 10 0 340 320 50 -280 200
220
Linn County Nonfarm Payroll Employment Source: Oregon Employment Department Natural resources, mining and construction Manufacturing Trade, transportation and utilities Information Financial activities Professional and business services Educational and health services Leisure and hospitality Other services Federal government State government Local government Total nonfarm payroll employment
Aug. ’11
July ’11
Aug. ’10
Change from July ’11 Aug ’10
2,530 6,990 8,420 390 1,270 2,950 4,520 2,990 1,340 330 1,190 4,630
2,420 6,990 8,440 390 1,270 3,010 4,490 2,980 1,320 340 1,190 4,580
2,320 6,720 8,640 390 1,310 3,050 4,600 3,040 1,350 350 1,230 5,110
110 0 -20 0 0 -60 30 10 20 -10 0 50
210 270 -220 0 -40 -100 -80 -50 -10 -20 -40 -480
37,550
37,420
38,110
130
-560
U O I N D E X O F EC O N O M I C I N D I CATO RS The numbers: The UniversiIndex, 1997 = 100 ty of Oregon Index of Economic Indicators fell 0.5 percent to 92 90.2 in July (1997=100), com91 pared to a revised June number of 90.7. It’s the fourth 90 straight monthly decline. What was up: Initial unem89 ployment claims were better in July, improving to 9,030 88 from a June mark of 9,281. What was down: Every oth87 er component in the index was either flat or weaker during 86 the month. Employment services payrolls (mostly tempoFeb.-11 Mar.-11 April-11 rary unemployment) fell. Oregon weight distance revenue, a New orders for nondefense, measure of trucking activity, fell. Consumer confidence fell. nonaircraft capital goods
May-11
June-11
July-11
slipped during July. What stayed steady: Resi-
dential building permits remained steady. The interest rate spread was unchanged. The upshot: The report’s author,Timothy A. Duy of the UO Department of Economics, wrote: “The recovery that began in the second half of 2009 slowed to a crawl in the first half of this year, leaving both Oregon and the nation with historically high unemployment. ... While incoming data remain consistent with disappointingly slow growth rather than recession, the expansion is clearly fragile at this juncture.” To learn more: Check out the full report at http://pages. uoregon.edu/oefweb/.
DAT E B O O K Today: Free week of dance classes, Dance Corvallis South Studio, 1898 S.W. Third St. Registration: 541-556-2470 or dancecorvallis.com. Today: Free veterinary assistant program pre-application information session, 9 to 11 a.m., Room CC-212, Calapooia Center, Linn-Benton Community College, 6500 Pacific Blvd. S.W., Albany. Attendance at the orientation is mandatory in order to take the program, which will run from Jan. 9 to April 27. No need to register for the orientation. Information: LBCC Business, Healthcare and Workforce Division, 541917-4923. Today: Lunch and Learn, noon to 1 p.m., Corvallis Chamber of Commerce, 420 N.W. Second St. Wendy Kincade of Blue Sky Morning will present “The Art of Delegating.” Free to chamber members, $10 for the general public. Registration: 541-7571505; walk-ins accepted, but may have to stand. Tuesday, Sept. 27: Corvallis Chamber of Commerce Greeters, 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., D & D etc., 113 S.W. Third St. Information: 541-757-1505. Tuesday, Sept. 27: Corvallis Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting, 9:45 to 10:15 a.m., D & D etc., 113 S.W. Third St. Information: 541-757-1505. Tuesday, Sept. 27: Brown-bag event, noon to 1:30 p.m., Business Enterprise Center, 460 S.W. Madison Ave., Suite No. 1, Corvallis. Dave Persohn, an entrepre-
neur, business consultant and instructor specializing in accounting, finance, business planning and market research, will present “Evaluating Your Business Idea.” Informal discussion of evaluating ideas for personal fit, market size, target customers, competition and competitive advantage, and financial viability. Registration: 541-758-4009 or thebec@thebec.com. Wednesday, Sept. 28: Albany Umpqua Bank free class: “How to Read Your Credit Report.” Presented by Kim Freeman, professional credit counselor. 1 p.m., Umpqua Bank, 333 Ellsworth St. S.W., Albany. Free to public but reservations encouraged. Info: Call 541-967-4214. Wednesday, Sept. 28: Women in Business, noon to 2 p.m., Cloud 9, 126 S.W. First St. Pat Sardell of Country Vitamins will present “It’s All About Customer Service.” Cost: $15 for Corvallis Chamber of Commerce members, $20 for the general public; price includes lunch. Information: 541-757-1505. Wednesday, Sept. 28: FirstTime homebuyers seminar, 6 p.m., administrative office, Central Willamette Community Credit Union, 7101 Supra Drive S.W., Albany. Jessica Pankratz, broker/Realtor for Town & Country Realtor, will explain property options, and take the group on an off-site tour to see three types of houses: historic, fixer-upper and new construction. A light dinner
will be provided. Registration: Jenn Zeller, 541-704-4724. Friday, Sept. 30: Lebanon Area Chamber of Commerce Forum Lunch: “The State of the Economy”. Speaker: State Sen. Frank Morse. Time: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital Career Training Center, 525 Santiam Highway, Lebanon. Cost: $13. Info: Call 541-258-7164. Friday, Sept. 30: Lunch and Learn, noon to 1 p.m., Corvallis Chamber of Commerce, 420 N.W. Second St. Loyan Roylance and Janelle Iverson of ProWorks will present “Introduction to Facebook Business Pages.” Free to chamber members, $10 for the general public. Registration: 541757-1505; walk-ins accepted, but might have to stand. Saturday, Oct. 1: Lebanon Main Street Business Faire & Chili Cookoff: Noon to 4 p.m., Main Street, Lebanon. Free to the public. Info: Call Michelle Morford at 541-760-9392 or Brian Vandetta at 541-451-5125. Tuesday, Oct. 4: “Go Green ‘11,” 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Gerding Theater at the Armory, 128 N.W. 11th Ave., Portland. Sustainability conference for business. Cost: $150, or $125 with purchase of two or more passes. Registration: portland.gogreenconference.net. Tuesday, Oct. 11: Bureau of Labor and Industries Seminar: “Oregon Leave Laws (OFLA/FMLA)”. Speaker: Jennifer Germundson, BOLI. Time: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Central Willamette
Community Credit Union, 7101 Supra Drive S.W., Albany. Cost: $70 for chamber members; $80 nonmembers. Info: Greg Ivers, 541-812-8668, or greg.e.ivers@state.or.us.
Howard Behar, the founding president of Starbucks, is scheduled to speak at the LaSells Stewart Center at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 5.
H
oward Behar was the founding president of Starbucks and helped the company grow from 28 stores to some 15,000 worldwide — and also helped to shape the Starbucks culture. He is scheduled to speak at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 5, in the Austin Auditorium at LaSells Stewart Center on the Oregon State University campus. His free presentation is part of the OSU College of Business’ Dean’s Distinguished Lecture Series and is open to the public. Before he left on a trip overseas, Mid-Valley InBusiness caught up with Behar for this month’s edition of Five Questions. Mid-Valley InBusiness: You’ve been working with students at colleges and universities for a while now. How are the questions they ask, the issues they’re concerned about, how are those different than they were, say, 10 years ago? Howard Behar: They’re a lot more worried about careers today because of the economic situation, no question.The questions that come up today are, OK, how do I find my way in this rough world.Ten years ago, the question was how do I get into these Internet startups so I can make my fortune. … Now, they’re just worried about getting a job.There’s also another thing: I think there’s more inclination among this age of students now to ask the question, not only do I get a position in an organization or get a job or how do I start an organization, but also how do I contribute to society and the world in which I live and also contribute to myself and my potential family. There’s a lot more focus on serving communities than there ever was. InBusiness: By extension, do they expect the companies they work for to be increasingly involved in giving back to their communities as well? Behar: Yes, I think they ask those questions.There’s no question they want to be part of an organization that does that.They have a countervailing issue of,“Please, please, let me get a job.” … I always try to encourage them to not worry so much about getting a job.They can always find a part-time job someplace to help them eat. They’re better off to make sure that wherever they go to work, it aligns with who they are, what their values are, what they’re trying to accomplish, what their goals are in life, and not be so afraid about not getting a job. Now, it’s easy to say. It’s hard to do.You’ve just spent all this money and time on getting an education and somebody comes and offers you a position, even though it may not exactly fit your values, there’s this inclination to take it. I try to encourage them to take the time. InBusiness: But that’s got to be particularly difficult for students who are graduating, saddled with thousands upon thousands of dollars of debt. That’s got to a hard test to live up to, especially for a student who’s graduating without a job.
Behar: There’s a lot of fear and trepidation: “Will I find a job?” But they’ve got a lot more control than they think they have, in terms of getting an organization that fits them. Now, they’re young, they’re learning, so you have to be a little looser about that. But values, you know, if you don’t mind working or enjoy working where you’ve got autocratic leadership, fine, that’s fine. But just make sure that fits who you are. If you don’t like autocratic leadership, you’re going to be very unhappy very quickly in (that) organization. So try to find leadership styles in organizations that at least fit something that’s a part of you. Of course, we all learn wherever we go. We find places we like, places we don’t. Usually, it has to do with the person you’re going to report to more than the company, so you need to do that work and find out who that person is. InBusiness: On the flip side, what do businesses today have to learn from these students that you’re working with? Behar: I think it’s the reverse of that.The goal, at the end of the day, can’t be profit. Profit is the outcome of the things that you do right to serve the people you’re serving. Organizations and forprofit organizations have to have a better understanding of how they contribute to the betterment of the world, and that has to be part of it, otherwise, all of this is worthless.Just making money, that’s not the answer. Now, you’ve got to do that because if you don’t, you don’t get to carry on with your business. But it can’t be the driving force.The driving force has to be to serve people in some way or another. I don’t care what you do or what kind of company you work for, whether it’s making widgets or serving coffee, somewhere down the line you’re going to be of service to another human being. Organizations need to focus on that if they want to attract the best and brightest who are coming out of college today. InBusiness: The key message in your book, and I imagine in your speeches as well, is people over profits. That seems obvious. No one would disagree with that. But why is it so hard sometimes to put that into practice? Behar: Well, we see them in the “or”situation,“people or profits.” If I’m good to people, if I spend money developing people, then that takes away from my profits. And the truth of the matter is, it’s not one or the other. It’s both.The genius of all of this stuff is how we put it together, right? It’s like a marriage or a family.You’re raising kids, and as they grow up, there’s a certain amount of guidance and discipline and all those things and it causes conflict inside your family, right? It does. It’s just the way of the world. But that doesn’t mean that you don’t love each other.The genius of all this kind of stuff is in the “and.” So it’s people “and” profits.They go together.They’re not opposites of each other.
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