Maurilio Amorim

Month: June 2012

The Problem With Potential

I decided years ago not to hire on potential. It was one of the better business decisions I have made.

Everyone in our team has potential. Lots of it. But that’s not the reason they work here. They have a place in this team because they were able to harness their potential and produce, create, develop and ultimately perform the the task needed by the organization.

I meet people on a regular basis that amaze me on how much raw talent and potential they have to succeed in their professional careers. However, some of them never do. They don’t have

discipline,

self confidence,

inner motivation,

focus,

goals,

that allow them to harness the raw talent into something useful. After all it’s not fair to the rest of the team to deal with a member who has the ability but for whatever reason might perform to their potential.

Do you think I’m being unreasonable?

June 29, 2012
Resentment and the Choice of Forgiviness

“Burn me once shame on you, burn me twice, shame on me,” and so goes the old saying. Most would say it’s a wise saying. But as I reflect on it, I don’t think it is what God expects from us.

Those words came to mind recently as someone asked me for a second chance. Immediately my mind went to “burn me once . . . .” I was ready to give him a piece of my mind, but I realized that if God dealt with me the way I was intending to deal with this man, I’d be dead by now. Way dead.

Then I thought of the words of Peter, the Apostle, as he asked Jesus a poignant question:

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”

Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.^{(Matt 18:21,22)}

While it might feel better to hold people accountable for their actions and to make them feel the weight of their transgressions by withholding your love or friendship, it’s not the right thing to do. And not just because it’s a principle in scripture. As I released my grip on my righteous indignation, I let go of the resentment I felt justified to carry along with me. Forgiveness, then, became more liberating to me than to its intended recipient.

I have walked with people who hold close in their hearts a lifetime filled with resentment and bitterness toward those who have wronged them. Some of whom have been dead for decades. Their conversation is filled with stories and memories of the painful price of the human condition.

I don’t want to live like that.

So what will I say or do if I get burned twice by the same person? It’s shame on me, I guess. But I’d rather live with the culturally-imposed, artificial shame, than the corrosive bitterness that unforgiving produces.

When was the last time you chose to forgive someone?

June 27, 2012
3 Questions You Should Ask Before Jumping into a New Business

I have made a lot of mistakes in my business career. Thankfully, I have made some good choices that have paid big dividends and today I’m blessed to work with some amazing people as a part of a growing, dynamic company. But some mistakes still haunt me and I often like to share them with friends who are embarking in new, entrepreneurial waters. Recently I was talking with a friend who is assessing the possibility of buying an existing business or folding it into something he wants to do. I asked him to answer these 3 questions:

1. Is this something I enjoy and have the aptitude to do? If it’s just about the money, you’ll eventually tire of the long hours and hard work it takes to make something successful. Also sometimes after a couple of very strong margaritas you might be tempted to start a business with your drinking buddy. Don’t do it. That seldom works. Not that I would know from personal experience, of course. Remember, every day you are doing something you don’t like is a day you give up in pursuing your dreams.

2. Is this a business that can be managed better and produce more profit, or is this a fading business model that no matter how well it runs, it will never be profitable again? I would not want to run a newspaper even if you gave me one. It’s a difficult business. 75% of all newspapers in the country lost money last year. Those who didn’t have smaller margins than ever before and are staying afloat by shrinking their workforce and overhead. So don’t be lured by the idea of “getting in” cheap. Because the “getting out” might just do you in.

3. Do I really understand the risk?. No one starts or takes over a business with the intention of failing in it. Statistically most will not make it. Understand your “walk away” point and its total costs is an important exercise before jumping into any new venture. You must realize that your total cost is more than just your initial cash and/or work equity. Walking away from a failed business can be crippling, including personal bankruptcy if you are a personal guarantor for the business debts. If failure means losing everything you have built, make sure you are willing to start over from scratch.

What else would you add to this list?

June 26, 2012
What a Nomination to the Nashville Business Journal’s “Small Business Award” Means to Me
Awards can be a sign of a job well done. They can become a distraction when they become an end instead of a pure recognition. I have never chased awards for The A Group in our ten years in business. We have won several over the years, however. We have been chosen to be one of the latest finalists for the Nashville Business Journal Small Business of the Year Award. I must say, I’m very proud of our entire team for this one.

From the NBJ’s own website:

“We solicited nominations from profitable businesses with 75 or fewer employees. From there, we let the numbers do the talking, recognizing the companies with the greatest revenue growth over the last three years.The company with the greatest growth in each of five categories will be recognized during an Aug. 16 awards luncheon.”

The A Group was chosen a finalist in the 20-29 employee category in the Middle Tennessee area. I’m proud of this recognition for several reasons:
- We are profitable. We have been from day one. I know a lot of businesses take years to turn a profit. I’m not smart enough to run a business like that. I figured if we were profitable right away, then I wouldn’t have to worry about how to get there later.
- We are growing. Our team has almost doubled over the past 3 years. We continue to provide an innovative, positive, and fun atmosphere for our team members. I look forward going to work.
- The numbers tell us more than just the bottom line. Strong financial growth represents the work we have done on behalf of the many organizations we partner along and serve. We hope to serve them well, and strong financials help us to reinvest into people and resources that, in turn, allow us to serve our clients even better.
What award or recognition that you’ve received means the most to you? Why?
June 25, 2012
Are Facebook’s Days Numbered?
Facebook is facing trouble ahead. IPO issues aside, Facebook seems to be losing one of its primary and most indicative of all demographics: teenagers.

According to an article on USAtoday.com, teens are making a slow exit from the giant social network that claims over 900 million users. Think about it. It makes a lot of sense that teens are looking for another social network to call home:
- Mom and dad are there
- Grandmother just sent me a friend invitation
- My teachers are watching me
- My boss reads and comments on my posts
According to the USAtoday article:

More than eight years after Facebook’s inception, its mass appeal has drawn older crowds who add their kids as Facebook friends. That development could be tarnishing the site’s “cool factor” in the eyes of teens, said Jake Katz, chief architect at YPulse.

Forget the teenagers, I’m ready to find another place to hang out myself. Too many moving parts, timelines, events, networks, blah, blah, blah.

What do you think is the next evolution of social networks? What will the social network of tomorrow look like?
June 20, 2012
Leadership Lesson 1: Fight Arrogance. Know What You Don’t know
Arrogance is a downfall of many talented leaders who start believing in their own PR and fail to ask for help. I just got off the phone with a young entrepreneur who has started what I call a “socially redemptive business”: proceeds from the business fund not-for-profit organizations. I love the energy, vision, passion, and commitment I heard during our phone conversation. But no amount of enthusiasm or sheer determination will help my new friend out when he makes a critical marketing or business mistake. Unlike what we have experienced from our parents or our favorite teacher, life does not grade us on intentions, but on execution. That’s when the voice of wisdom and experience can be critical to a leader. No matter your age, a wise leader knows when to ask for help before it’s too late.

I count as a privilege to be able to advise some pretty amazing people. They are pastors, business owners, executives, and ministry heads. I take this role seriously because I know what’s at stake for them. As I think of the value that competent professionals have had in my life, I thank God for the good counsel I’ve received over the years. But I also have the scars from the landmines I’ve walked on due to ignorance, or worse, bad advice.

Whether you need a lawyer, accountant, marketing strategist, or an IT engineer, a good adviser will help you:
- See the opportunities you might not see from your vantage point
- Avoid the the land mines only experience can uncover
- Ask the questions you don’t even know you should be asking
- Connect the seemingly random “dots” of your pursuit
- Say “no” to something good so you can say “yes” to something great
- Be intentional
- Take calculated risks
- Figure out what only you can and should be doing for the organization
- Protect you from yourself
- Protect your business or ministry from a bad deal that can put an end to it
I usually trust my instincts, but sometimes they are not enough. Good counsel has stopped me from making big, costly, and even disastrous mistakes. I work with large churches. I used to lead one. There’s a prevailing “we are smarter than anyone and we can do everything in-house,” attitude that often plagues these organizations. No one knows everything and you cannot be an expert in every area of your business or ministry. It’s foolish to think you can do it.

Sometimes the best thing you can do as a leader is to ask for help before you screw everything up.

What professional advice has had a great impact in your business or career?
June 19, 2012
More Bad Church Signs

I’m sure whoever created these church signs had good intentions. But as you and I know, intentions aren’t the only thing that count. Instead of something profound and inspiring, why not start the week with the mindless and fun instead? I present to you really, really bad church signs. If one of these happens to be your church, thank you for the smiles and call my office.

Methinks I’ve heard him preach. And they’re not kidding!

So much wrong here. I don't even know what to say about this one.

I’m confused. I’m seeking God at the eleventh hour but I died at 10:30. So the eleventh hour is really 10:15? Is this a plot from the movie “Inception?”

Our Pastor is really boring, but check our communion wine! Score.

Church people can kill you way faster than worry. Trust me, I know.

At least they didn’t call people some other kind of bag.

What’s the worst church sign you’ve ever seen?

June 18, 2012
Socks 101: Bringing Soxy Back

Socks have been for a long time one of the most utilitarian of all male wardrobe options. If you open most guys’ sock drawers you will find black, brown, and perhaps a white pair left from the 80’s if he was around then. But that has changed. Colorful fun socks are making a big comeback. But it’s not only in casual settings. Fun and colorful socks are being paired up with traditional gray and navy suits to add a splash of color and energy to the old stable of men’s business wardrobe.

The colorful socks are reaching beyond the trendy, like the Biebster. Jenna Bush Hagen interviewed her grandfather, George H. Bush, on his 88th birthday and talked about his love of colorful socks. “I’ve always been a sock man,” he said. You can watch the segment here.

What is your take on pairing bright socks with business suits?

June 15, 2012
Advice to Young Entrepreneurs

I started the A Group a decade ago with an idea, but no capital and no investors. Thankfully it worked. It is still working and growing into a vibrant and profitable business that currently employs nearly 30 people. While the growth has not been exponential, it has been steady. We were profitable from day one and continue to be so. We have grown even during the toughest days of the recent recession. There are a lot of lessons we are still learning but a few foundational ones we have gotten right. I’m sharing some of these lessons in this series on entrepreneurship.

A good idea. Nothing is more important than your new venture’s premise for existence. Is this a good idea? That’s sometimes an elusive question. Intuitively I think so, but how can I quantify it? Ask. Ask the right people, however. I know your mom and husband might think your idea is just the best thing ever since sliced bread, but the opinion that truly matters is that of those whom you are going to impact. Often a little money, a good idea, and a lot of hard work will get you going. The opposite is also true: a bad idea with a lot of money behind it will just take longer to die.

Focus. Understand the space you’re going to play well and your target audience. The more comfortable you are with your business, the more likely you are to succeed. What you don’t know will often hurt you. Years ago, an entrepreneurial friend wanted to develop a medical building where multiple doctors would lease space. He asked advice from a veteran developer who immediately told him it was a bad idea. “Too risky. I wouldn’t do it today. And I have a lot more money and experience,” said the mentor. My friend disregarded the advice and went on to build the facility and file for bankruptcy not long afterwards.

Flexibility. Opportunity might shift the scope of your new venture. But it needs to be the right opportunity with the right payoff. Early on at The A Group., we worked on a project that did not fit perfectly in a business model. But we knew that it had the potential of using what we had learned to date and helping develop a new, more profitable business opportunity. It worked and we now have a successful new product line for our technology division.

What best business advice you have received or offered?

June 13, 2012
A Historical Day For The A Group with Dr. Meg Meeker

Yesterday was a historical day for all of us at The A Group. One of our authors, Dr. Meg Meeker, just released Strong Fathers, Stronger Daughters the 30-Day Challenge. The follow up to her best-selling book, “Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters.” ‘The book released under The A Group label, since we helped develop, edit, design, and market it. But that’s not what made history. This morning Dr. Meeker was interviewed on the Today show where they showcased the book.

Dr. Meg Meeker with Kathy Lee Gifford and Hoda on the Today Show set

This is the first time one of our authors on a project we represent makes a live appearance on the Today show. And, to our knowledge, the first time the program features a self-published book. Even though the Today Show has had a long standing policy on not featuring self-published titles, they made an exception this time because the content was compelling and one of the hosts, Kathy Lee Gifford, had read it and became compelled to promote it.

The book is a great tool for dads who need a easy-to-follow plan to capture their daughter’s heart. Like most guys, I appreciate getting the bottom line. “Just tell me what and how to do it.” The 30-Day Challenge does just that. It’s a great book. But it’s a book Meg believed in and that our team helped bring to fruition.

As of yesterday the book was #124 on Amazon! And it also boosted the sales of its predecessor who is currently #17 after being out for almost 6 years. Congratulations Meg!

When was the last time you believe in something so much that you just had to get it done no matter the cost?

June 12, 2012