I was going through choppy waters when Uncharted Waters 'Boat to Boardroom: Lessons I've Learned' by Anthony Zolezzi landed in my mailbox. My patience, negotiating skills and good judgment had been put to the test.
Getting these slices of life on that Monday restored my sense of perspective.
After all I was not on the deck of a fishing boat in the middle of the ocean at risk of being swept away by the waves or injured by flying hooks.
I caught up with Anthony in a phone conversation a few days later.
Q: Anthony, many ideas expressed in your book are relevant to personal as well as business decisions, let me start with 'Fill the wells' that your father always insisted on?
A: With 'Fill the wells' my father wanted to instill in us the idea that
things often take longer than we expect and while being positive we need to plan for that.
Q: Would you say that 'filling the wells' applies as much to a great idea like your Eco Terra than it does to someone buying a fixer upper and not having the funds to fix it?
A: With Eco Terra, we did not have enough 'fuel' to keep going. In any situation, you need a dose of realism just in case the ride gets bumpy. What I describe as having 'Enough fuel to change route' in my book.
Q: From the fisherman's perspective, does it mean that you need to be quick on your feet and in your thinking?
A: Definitely, flexibility and quick reactions are important and above all keep moving. When you are in choppy waters, at times you need to move 'full speed ahead' to prevent a disaster.
Q: What do you mean by follow the birds to find fish?
A: On Terra Firma, you need to combine the ability to read signs (like the weather and the birds at sea) with the confidence to trust your instincts.
Q: I see a common thread in many of your endeavors from Family Farms (trimming fat for Pet Promise) to fishing (burlap clothes) to recycling (glass bottle dress), does it come mostly from your upbringing?
A: Very simple, if you observe, waste is not part of Mother nature.
Q: Does your exposure to risk at sea makes you look at other challenges in a different way?
A: Definitely? Some of my ventures failed. It was painful, made me loose sleep at night but all that was lost was money not lives.
Q: Bold moves, should they just take place when everything is on the line?
A: No, you need to be innovative, try ideas and you won't do that by staying in your office. Some of my best ideas came from unexpected places, a glimpse of a conversation, chance encounters.
Q: Should we all have a group of trusted people as a sounding board like a chef has a test kitchen?
A: Of course, they can be mentors, partners and when things get patchy they might even be life guards of sorts.
Q: Which of your recent projects, excites you most?
A: I would say, Greenopolis the community site which combines green concerns with rewards, innovative ideas, social networking.
It also allow us to build awareness for our Greenopolis Recycling Stations.
Q: Any last thought you would like to share?
A: Stay positive. Don't give up at the 11th hour as you're about to succeed
Thanks to Anthony for giving us a slice of his time and Amy for sending me a copy of 'Uncharted Waters' and making sure things happened.