Michael Burdette - The Fox The Pig and The Owl

THE FOX

THE PIG

and

THE OWL

MICHAEL BURDETTE

THE FOX THE PIG and THE OWL

First published in Australia in 2012 by Michael Burdette.

Copyright 2012, Michael Burdette

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of Michael Burdette, nor be otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that of which it was published and without a similar condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

National Library of Australia

Cataloguing-in-Publication Entry

Burdette, Michael, 1954-.

The Fox the Pig and the Owl.

22736

ISBN: 978-0-9775626-3-3

I have dedicated this Book to men who I have had as clients and later as loyal friends for the best part of fifteen years. These men all have the same attributes in common, that of Focus, Vision, Determination and Passion. Our relationship was not one of calm, subservient, and polite behavior. It was often fiery, heated, and explosive; however, these men never took anything personally. They were never too precious to accept criticism, to listen, to debate issues and to accept the difficult decisions that were necessary to make. These men are the very fabric of the kind of business people we need in the world. I not only respect these men immensely, but also love them like my own family. I have been blessed and privileged to work with each one of these men over the years and hope to continue our special friendship.

A very special thank you to these wonderful men:

Arthur Ioannou

Brian Wildman

Gary Down

THE FOX a second hand mobile phone salesman and is one of those business people who knows it all and does not believe in seeking professional help.

THE PIG on the other hand has a manufacturing business and embraces all the help offered. Pig employs the help of a consultant, called PHSYCO CHOOK.

AND

THE OWL is the wise deliverer of business wisdom, however, Owl speaks in academic speak which pig does not fully understand. That is where Psycho Chook comes in..

PHSYCO CHOOK

Thank you Lesley for creating the Owl, The Pig, and Psycho Chook characters and to all your patience while I finished this book. Resurrecting this book from 2006 has been a task far larger than creating it in the first place.

To my mother Livia for teaching me the value of reading, writing and for the determination of acquiring knowledge. I am sure my late father Taffy would have been very proud particularly as they both made personal sacrifices to ensure I had a decent education.

To all those hundreds of companies I have dealt with over the years, as without you, I would never have had this strong desire to change the way we deliver education and training.

Accomplished Business Advisor and Educator with over 30 years experience in turning around underperforming operations and guiding businesses to greater success, both in executive leadership roles and as an external consultant. Commercially savvy, with an impressive record of accomplishment in start-up, high growth, and business turn-around scenarios. The key to Michaels success is his unique ability of teaching others, at all levels.

Strategic, visionary thinker with organizational agility and an intuitive sense for innovative problem solving, focused on delivering results. Able to build shared vision, source talent and unify individuals with diverse agendas.

Adept change agent and commercial strategist with the ability to identify enhancement opportunities propel new business programs and anchor change.

Skilled business advisor able to identify key issues to drive positive change and business momentum. Frequently interviewed on radio and heavily involved in business mentoring program for ABC television program, 8 Days a Week.

Highly developed communication and negotiation skills, enabling achievement within Senior Executive assignments to deliver outstanding results for the most demanding boards. Powerful and engaging speaker with extensive experience lecturing at Universities and as keynote speaker for business groups and industry bodies.

With over 30 years in business and being involved with companies from the large corporate to small businesses, it is no surprise that so many small businesses rarely go on to big and better things. In fact, in the first 5 years most small businesses go into liquidation. Why is it that most small businesses always struggle and the owners never rewarded adequately for their efforts or investment?

From a small business perspective, they would think, the whole world sux. Governments do not care, the tax departments are slugs, the banks are wankers, and big businesses are immoral manipulators!

Most people entering into the small business arena go into business within an industry they fully understand and where they have relevant experience. Overnight they also think they have become experts in accounting, marketing, managing people, occupational health & safety and financial management. This means that they do not need any external help because like our lovely teenagers they know it all!

Sometime later, cash flow dries up, the banks refuse to help, and suppliers are tired of the excuses for non-payment. Miraculously, the light bulbs come on (Fluoro of course) and they finally seek help.

In modern times, there is plenty of government and professional help available. The problem is none of this help involves a cash injection! Instead, business owners are offered subsidized training programs, consultants, or special business workshops, all of whom cost money rather than injecting money into the business.

Now what do they do? They close the doors, borrow from friends and family, or if it is not already, mortgage the family home.

Do Small Businesses have a point? No, they do not have a point at all! Small businesses are their own worst enemy. This book is a blunt frank and an amusing account of what the problems are.

In most cases, people starting a small business have no idea how much start up capital they need and even less of how much working capital they will need in the first twelve months. The basic sums are done on the back of a nice clean envelope, by the very people who have no experience at all. The up shod is they believe a few thousand dollars will do the trick and off they go. They are delighted because after only a few weeks they have their first order.

A few months later they run out of money, because, firstly there were a lot more expenses involved, than what they first thought. Secondly getting an order is only the first part of the process. Remunerated for it is a completely different issue. Then to compound issues the first tax installment is due and their suppliers cut off supply until the account is up to date. If that is not bad enough, the customer has just returned the first order they got for credit!

So far, having your own business is so much fun and definitely a bundle of laughs!