He’s a man who has realized the only way to know where you are is to struggle to the top and then cut a clear path back so you can be a good guide for others. That way, he’s been able to build a team of the hardworking and deserving, no matter what the business has been, is now, or will be in the future.
It may sound simple, sure, but one of Dolph Santorine’s favorite words in this world is “up” because it only implies a single solution without rubbing in all the winning.
Now, yes, his politics attracts attention, be he does not care. Not usually anyway. He’s conservative and doesn’t hide it, but his views have been demonized by others who refuse the American tradition of getting what you pay for.
Santorine sometimes has been cast as unforgiving, unkind, and unrelenting when it comes to his ways of doing business, but that’s only because the critics refuse the details because they are fearful friends of the devil. The man knows, though, there’s balance and compromise and a place referred to as the “happy medium” where no one is supposed to get hurt.
Except him. That seems ok to some. But it’s not. And damn him for protecting himself, his family, and their future. Right?
No. Seriously. No, it’s not OK.
What makes you actually laugh out loud?
Just about anything, and just about everything. Often, I’m too loud (according to my wife, our children, and granddaughter), but I really believe that it’s all about fun. Seriously! Levity is truly the stuff of life.
I never worked a single day in my life, but I spent far too many hours doing cool projects and chasing lofty goals. You had to build humor into all of it or you could easily lose your grip on reality. I’m not saying that I have a grip on reality now, but I build laughter into nearly everything I do.
As a tweenager, I discovered “National Lampoon”, and took away a combination of “that’s not funny, that’s sick”, and short bursts of satire. It’s stuck with me since. I enjoy “Babylon Bee” and the “Onion”.
Humor has rippled throughout every organization I’ve run, and I firmly believe that’s how it should be. “User Error. Strike User. Press any key” was an error message that few if any of our users caught, and our team had far too much fun with it.
We worked hard, we played hard, broke bread often and laughed when we were not focused on at the task at hand.
Some of the things I find funny are a little off-color, and on at least one occasion my sense of humor was used against me politically. Of course, I suggested the opponent do something anatomically impossible.
LOL. A sense of humor. Don’t go off without it!
Is the customer still “always right”?
Was, is, and will always be “right”. This is a business absolute.
Every time a service business decides they know better, it’s an impending doom.
“THE CUSTOMER IS ALWAYS RIGHT”. I can’t stress that enough. You need to know who your customer is, and listen carefully. The message can be subtle. Then you need to craft a solution and deliver 110% of what was promised.
I suggest the following commandments:
I. Know thy customer as thyself.
II. Respect the customer as thyself.
III. Thy customer is always right. (Well, correct. I know a lot of folks on the left whom never wish to be right. Generally, they aren’t right or correct, but I respect their wishes).
IV. Sales is the cornerstone of everything you do. Learn to do it well and respect it as a required skill.
One of my favorite cliches (I like cliches. A lot.), is “You’re in the people business” (it’s one of those other business absolutes), and while there are rarely customers who will never be satisfied, a truly great leader with make the customer “right”, and they will depart a satisfied convert.
We live in a time where one dissatisfied customer can affect numerous others on social media, so keeping your customer (who is, in effect, your boss) happy is hyper-critical.
Yes, your customer is ALWAYS right.
What professions do you believe are safe from Artificial Intelligence?
None of them.
The old joke that “Artificial Intelligence is what you get when you can’t afford the real thing” is no longer true.
In the past quarter century, there have been at least two studies where Electrocardiograms were read by top cardiologists and by machines. The machines markedly outperformed the cardiologists every time.
No, I don’t want the machine providing a diagnosis, or doing surgery. I do want it to assist skilled, caring professionals. People will always be more adaptable and flexible than machines.
What’s not safe is most middle management jobs. If you’re shuffling paper around, there will be fewer of you.
What’s safe? Fixing AI would be a great place to start. Trades, but at a high level. The service industry. Health care (lots of Boomers who are getting old and need help out there), but get a BSN. The tide is rising, and you need to stay above it. Get as far up the knowledge tree in your chosen field as possible.
AI will impact everything. Go where it’s not yet.
Why do you choose to live in the Wheeling area?
Lots to do, a warm river to play on, located close to so much of the East Coast, and great educational opportunities at all levels. No traffic. We have so many cultural activities that other communities our size are lacking. We love it here. We have been here for 32 years and are staying for the foreseeable future. It appears that possibly two of our four children will be back to live here, as well. It’s home.
Which cartoon character is your favorite and why?
What’s up, Doc? Bugs Bunny. Resilient. Smart. Funny. Always gets the last laugh. My kind of rascal!
