Recently, I came across a relatively small business established 98 years ago by an immigrant who came to this country from the Ukraine. When he arrived here he sold pots and pans from a horse and buggy. From this humble beginning he was able to establish a manufacturing business which is still operating. He retired in 1987 when he lost a leg to diabetes.
Through the years the business has provided for four generations of families and their descendants. There have been prosperous and lean years. Products have been changed to meet new trends and global competition. The CEO, a grandson who works with his father and grandfather, attributes the ability to survive by "Remaining small so we can move quickly. When the market changed we were able to meet our market's changing needs quickly."
As I listened to this family's story to build upon the skills and ethics of their ancestors, I thought of the many businesses and institutions which fail by loosing sight of both the skills and changes needed to survive in rapidly changing times.
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