The Birth of a Column

By Mark Fulton

When I was a bright-eyed young English major sitting in my freshman journalism class a few thousand years ago, I learned that the best place to start any story was by answering six questions: who, what, where, when, why and how. Since then, I’ve found this technique to be an excellent approach to take whenever I’m faced with a task, decision or problem. Those questions help me clarify, identify, sort, evaluate and plan before I act. Professor Ericson would be proud.

So here I am at the beginning of a story — the startup of a business column. Like any new venture, this enterprise will open its doors with high hopes that you will find its wares appealing and become a regular visitor. My goal is to combine opinion, information, human interest and humor to provide you with enlightening and entertaining reading that will prove valuable to your business and career. Now for those six questions.

Who? You, the reader. This column will tackle topics of interest to everyone from the corner bagel shop owner to the corporate CEO. You might be an entrepreneur having a love affair with the American Dream or an executive immersed in organizing, deputizing and supervising. Together we will explore the highways and byways that lead to success, significance and satisfaction in the world of business.

Who? Me, the writer. I am a business coach and free-lance writer by profession. My background encompasses more than 25 years in the fields of education, journalism, administration, marketing and public relations. That doesn’t necessarily make me an expert on anything. But I do know what it’s like to run a business and I am constantly on the lookout for useful information that will help me do it better.

What? Trends, issues, people. Henry David Thoreau made this observation about business: “What recommends commerce to me is its enterprise and bravery. It does not clasp its hands and pray to Jupiter.” Granted, you don’t see very many corporate officers invoking Roman gods when sales start to dip — but I bet some might try it if Stephen Covey proclaimed it a habit of highly effective CEOs. We’ll turn a critical eye on the latest icons of innovation and consider whether their ideas will really make you a corporate legend or tomorrow’s shark food.

There is a healthy inventory of issues that will shape business in the 21st century. Despite dire warnings about getting bitten by the Millennium Bug, that’s just one reason to care about Y2K. Beyond the threat of a few computer glitches (OK, maybe a lot of computer glitches), forward-thinking companies will have to plan on more merging, re-engineering, downsizing and outsourcing than ever before. Workers will discover new power through teamwork — and battle the same old problems with Neanderthal bosses. We can only imagine (and we’d better start now) how the challenges of the next century will affect our occupation.

Of course, the ultimate business of business is people. Workers and management. Buyers and sellers. Professionals and entrepreneurs. From national newsmakers to hometown heroes, there is a wellspring of inspiring stories bubbling within the walls of corporate America. This column will profile people whose jobs, methods, ideas and personalities not only make them interesting in their own right but also important to our understanding of larger issues.

Where and when? Right here, twice a month.

Why? Well, of course, there’s the money I get paid to write this. Beyond earning the big bucks, though, the reason I’m doing this column is to provide you with a resource for getting from where you are to where you want to go in your business or career. Malcolm Forbes once said, “Putting pen to paper lights more fires than matches ever will.” That’s not a bad reason for writing a newspaper column. My aim is to provide you with information, insights and a bit of amusement that will spark your thinking, kindle your opinion, brighten your day — and help you reach your goals.

How? With your help. I already have a bunch of topics that I think you’ll find interesting, but I really want your input. You can send ideas for this column to “Business Sense,” INSIDE BUSINESS, 150 W. Brambleton Ave., Norfolk, VA 23510; fax them to 627-6648; or send e-mail to insbus@norfolk.infi.net.

Copyright 1999 © Mark S. Fulton