Welcome to the May 2014 issue of BIC Magazine.
Internally at BIC Alliance, we just finished annual performance evaluations. I can say it was a very pleasant process because we have such a committed staff. We have great, caring people who have really embraced our mission and values.
We had a record year in 2013 at both BIC Magazine and BIC Recruiting, and we have set our goals even higher for 2014. Of course, in setting expectations high, we had specific goals and plans to reach those new heights. As I have said before, a goal without a plan is just a dream. Much of next year’s success in reaching goals will begin with planning today.
With our lean staff and ambitious goals and plans, we are all incredibly busy. There is always more work and opportunity than hours in the day. We have a running joke at BIC — “we are a company where you only have to work half a day and you get flex-time. Pick whichever 12 hours you like.” Seriously though, like the environment many of you work in, the day-to-day business seems unrelenting at times. In any given day, there are meetings to schedule, planes to catch, conferences to attend, clients to visit, calls to make, an article to write, proofreading on deadline, photos to ID, etc. There is so much to do, we often spend much time reprioritizing and hustling to get it done. Fortunately, we have the best staff we have ever had at BIC and the teamwork we have goes a tremendous way toward making the work smoother and more enjoyable.
Here is my point: the issue of what we have to do is what most managers focus upon. Still, knowing what to do is not the major challenge we often face — finding who to do it is. If you have the right “who,” the “what” will usually take care of itself. If a company has employees who really work hard and not just do the job but fill needs when they find them, that company will succeed. Further, people of this kind will always advance.
With a strong, enthusiastic and well-trained staff in place, it is not a surprise we have enjoyed some record successes. With three managers in our production department all with more than 12 years at BIC, we have had both a wonderful year for our magazine and launched a very vibrant new website, which we have entrusted to our longtime BICster Brady Porche. With our partner John Zapalac’s deal making and financial skill set, and Jeremy Osterberger, IVS Investment Banking is closing our biggest deal ever this month and we are on track for our best year ever for this business as well.
Perhaps the biggest leap forward made recently has been with our executive headhunting division, BIC Recruiting. We have been blessed to have Hazel Kassu as our director of recruiting and with the collective efforts of our recruiting staff, we have grown the business 100 percent year over year placing primarily executive management, sales management, operations and safety management.
I have been with BIC 15 years now, and though I have poured my best efforts and ideas into the company, a super-majority of the credit for our success lies with others. Indeed, God has blessed our business and many people have had a hand in building our company. As you hold this issue in your hands, I’d like to thank our incredible staff, financial partners, suppliers, our BIC Alliance members and you, our readers. We celebrate 30 years this year, and without the ongoing contributions of our member companies and our readers over the years, that milestone would not have been possible. You are the important “who” that makes our success.
If you are interested in planning the “who” for your business success, please contact me or Hazel and we will be happy to help with your needs. I also have a suggested reading: “Who” by Geoff Smart and Randy Street.
In this issue of BIC, we include comments from Chevron Corp. Chairman and CEO John Watson and interviews with AFPM President Charles Drevna, Huntsman Port Neches Performance Products Director of Manufacturing Dan Kemp and PacTec Vice President of International Business Development Mike Sanchez.
We also include the latest information on the industrial outlook for Louisiana and Texas, LNG export application approvals, crude-by-rail transport safety and more.
Above all, I challenge you, dear reader, to consider the “who” from a larger perspective. Remember no success at work will mitigate failures in your personal relationships, be it with your relationship with God, your family or friends. A proper relationship with these “who’s” will bring you real success, happiness and joy. I have a wonderful suggested reading if you are interested working on the “who” from a larger perspective: “The Man Code: Keys to Unlocking a Balanced Life” by Dr. Dennis Swanberg.
In closing, I hope you will join us for a hospitality event co-hosted by several BIC Alliance members on Tuesday, May 20 held in conjunction with the AFPM Reliability & Maintenance Conference and Exhibition in San Antonio. This is a world-class networking event and you are sure to see old friends and who’s who in the industry.
