Behind The Headlines: Client Profile

This month's feature is a client of Meadia Productions, Teresa M Young, president and CEO of Sign Biz, Inc. Her corporation is the largest of its kind in support of entrepreneurs entering the visual communications industry digital arena. 

The Sign Biz chain of digital sign businesses covers 42 states and is found in 6 foreign markets. The development of the Sign Biz Network is driven by partnerships-- a decade before business gurus had coined the term “client driven." Young has never lived her life by conventional definitions. As a client of Meadia Productions, we wanted to hear what drives the passion to succeed in the world of graphics. We found that she reinvented her career as a business owner almost daily.

What is your perspective now compared to 15 years ago with respect to business ownership? 

“Unlike school, where training is measured at most in years, a career can be measured in decades. There is no equivalent to a college catalog listing required, recommended, and elective courses. Most people aren't assigned a mentor, the working world equivalent of a college advisor. Very few people have a mentor who will promote and package their work for them. Just to survive ­ let alone to advance ­ you must be able to clearly explain the importance of your work and the contribution of the work.

Can you define for us what motivates you in your work? 

I seek a combination of critical elements that must be present in order for a company to grow and thrive. A company that provides a viable product, using agile systems of delivery, with committed people involved in the interface providing added value, can command a return that supports their own processes. 

“I do think of business in terms of healthy and unhealthy organisms. Balance and imbalance; I would look more to Chinese philosophers, let's say, than to Western medicine to correct imbalance. 

Speaking of philosophy, do you worry that critics may take aim at your forays into cultural analysis or philosophy? 

“Well, I don't see that. First of all, as far as philosophy is concerned, it's always been one of my abiding interests. I had two majors in college: Philosophy, as well as Broadcast Journalism. Any derogatory remarks would only reflect poorly on the critic --it might be a social-sciences prejudice against anything that appears idealistic or softer. Indeed, all business best sellers have proposed theorems or philosophies to bring our thinking to a new and better place. Where our thoughts go, so do our actions. The question of ‘softer’ doesn't really come in here very much, because entrepreneurship requires quite an exacting philosophy. Business ownership demands a startling amount of commitment, but yields a great reward for each challenge overcome.    

Now turning to another topic altogether, what are the most important factors that a business must take into consideration today, in your estimation? 

There are two factors to contend with:  The changing fundamental philosophy of business operation,  and the  technology revolution. Together, these are making globalization the most important challenge facing companies today. Consequently, the transformation from a collection of isolated, state-dominated economies to an integrated, market-driven global economy is proceeding at a relentless pace in all corners of the world. 

Developments in information and communications technologies are also making the real-time coordination of far-flung activities not just efficient, but also increasingly imperative.  At the same time, however, customers are getting more demanding, forcing greater local responsiveness.  CEOs must increasingly learn to manage these competing demands and establish their companies as industry leaders. 

How do you see globalization affecting business operations? 

The heightened pace of globalization has resulted in a competitive arena in which every player has the ability to imitate its rivals' products, services, systems and even processes. There are several "competitors" imitating our product at every turn. But they say mimicry is the highest form of flattery…. 

Sustaining a differentiated position is no longer as simple as improving quality, reducing costs and delivering the product to customers.  Traditional growth strategies no longer prevail. We believe that new customer relationship practices that lavish attention on customer's needs can be a source of competitive advantage. 

What might you say today to someone who is considering entrepreneurship for the first time? 

"Corporations no longer offer lifetime employment in return for loyalty. The myth of a secure corporate umbrella that will protect you has been shattered by layoffs and outsourcing. In the old system, many people mistakenly assumed their company would look out for them. But no one cares as much about your career as you do. No one else has as much information about your preferences and priorities. The mantra is "you are responsible for your own life." If you accept that responsibility, your future will be bright. Taking responsibility means asking yourself, “What is the quality of my time right now? What constitutes a quality existence for me?  Am I challenged as a human, or simply marking time as a human? Life stretches out before you, but not forever.

"If you find that you experience no sense of fulfillment – even despair in your current work world, then you need to commence due diligence as if your life depends upon it. In a way, it does. 

How does one reconcile quality of life with the inevitable demands on time and energy that a new business requires? 

It’s all about balancing your emotional portfolio. We are told that Americans are working longer, harder and faster, creating a "time famine," documented in such bestsellers as Juliet Schor's The Overworked  American.  However, we all need to recognize that there is a drain of the battery for some people, because they cannot find a commensurate reward for their psyche. No amount of money or benefits can heal that. But now, take those people, and let them put the hours in on a creative enterprise. 

The act of creation is extremely rewarding to humans, and here lies the key to balancing the emotional portfolio. You see, it wasn’t the demands of work, it was the demands of work that could not fulfill the budding entrepreneur's vision and energy. 

You are a success story, and have the power to influence people right here - Any closing remarks for our readers? 

Each of us faces perhaps the same challenges, only in different venues. There is no right path to choose, but I do believe there is a right way to be.  We need to be our best, and hold ourselves to a higher standard, to remain accountable for our actions, and the quality of our life and the lives of those we touch.  There is no guarantee of success in business, but you can always live a life that allows you to be a success in life.  Be true to yourself. Be upfront and honest with others, and don’t let ego or the almighty dollar ride roughshod over your dignity, or your integrity. And if someone can’t support your vision, then don’t share your vision with them. Share what you can, and move on. 

As for power, like  Margaret Thatcher says, "Being powerful is like being a lady. If you have to tell people you are, you aren't." 

Thank you.

Comments? Questions? Contact scott@meadiaproductions.com