Business Is Not About Business

“Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, benevolence, were all my business. The dealings of my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my business!” Charles Dickens 

Prior to becoming a pedorthist, I studied business and computer science. I had a DJ company in high school, even had a paper route as a kid. I always had an entrepreneurial way. Then I started work at the Forzanis Group in the mid 1980s and immediately was hooked on becoming a pedorthist. It was at the Tech Shop location that had small orthotic shop within the shoe store. During my studies and training, I was blessed to have worked a few of times with owner John Forzani on different projects. He was a mentor to me on a number of occasions. One of those mentoring occasions happened at one of shoe trade shows in Toronto he said "Eldon, hang with me for the day I will show you how its done". As we went through the trade show, rarely did he talk business with any of the vendors though he was doing million dollar deals. I was hoping to see first hand what my prior business training meant. John knew all the owners of the majors and minor vendors, their family and kids and had genuine personal conversations with those vendors. He just look at me said its not about business its about connection. Wow. I learn the most that day in all my business education. So my first clinical models and business plans was biased on BUSINESS IS NOT ABOUT BUSINESS. Keeping in mind that management of a clinic is very important. I had my first personal affirmation of this after about a year working hard to develop my own clinic. I was Chair at a national symposium in Lake Louise and during the break, one of the key note speakers who I worked with closely, was been hounded for referrals from a few individuals at once. I decided to come to the rescue. The speaker was an avid skier and we previously talked about the new skis he was excited to try. I quietly went up to him and loudly asked how did the new skis work out. We had a great chat while the others just walk away. During my career I have studied business in school and I am currently working toward a MBA. So I believe in learning as much as possible. However, I always leave the business out of my patient contact. Been a health care service. I will always keep the CARE first and foremost.