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Family, Goble Properties, Junkyard Management,

Ernie Casseta

It was the late 1930’s when my Dad first came to San Jose, and one of the first friends he made was the legendary Ernie Casseta. They were part of the automotive business community that thrived along South First Street. My Dad sold parts to Mr. Casseta, who used them to fix up the inventory on his used car lot. They were lifelong friends.

I lost touch with Mr. Casseta when Dad passed ten years ago. But just recently Aimee at the Goble Properties office sent me a note saying Ernie Casseta called and he was looking for me. I …

Family, Junkyard Management,

Pop’s Pool Hall

For as long as I can remember a pool hall was somewhere nearby. Or at least a table. Whether in our home, our garage, one of the sheds at the Sunol Ranch, my Dad’s “secret” office at work, or even my Uncle’s private gambling palace in south San Jose, the cracking sound of billiards wasn’t far away.

In the late 40’s my father opened a sandwich shop in Manteca. According to my Mom, it didn’t take long for a pool table to show up and for my grandfather to start hustling people. Dad sold sandwiches and sodas, Grandpa played pool. …

Junkyard Management,

The Outsiders – NonProfit Management #4

This is the fourth and final post looking at how we can take the resource allocation checklist of The Outsiders by William Thorndike and translate it to the nonprofit world. The first three posts can be seen by clicking on the links at the bottom of the page.

8. Retain cash in the business only if you can generate returns above your goals.

A couple decades ago a large relief and development nonprofit invited leaders from smaller organizations to visit for a half day consultation. I was lucky enough to be invited. At one point the CEO said, “We’re fortunate …

Junkyard Management,

The Outsiders – NonProfit Management #3

This is the third post looking at how we can take the resource allocation checklist of The Outsiders by William Thorndike and translate it to the nonprofit world. Below are the next three on the list. Click here and here to see the other posts.

5. Focus on after-tax returns.

Obviously nonprofits do not have to pay taxes. So what can nonprofits learn from this advice?

Some corporations allocate resources toward investments that make a high profit but leaves them exposed to high taxes, which reduces their overall return on investment. So the wise corporations might take a slightly smaller …

Junkyard Management,

The Outsiders – NonProfit Management #2

This is the second post looking at how we can take the resource allocation checklist of The Outsiders by William Thorndike and translate it to the nonprofit world. Below are the next two on the list. Click here to see the first post.

3. Calculate what the return would be on all other opportunities and rank them according to the inherent risk.

Once you have defined what “profit” is for your nonprofit, then figured out a way to measure it, and finally decided what a minimal return on investment of your time, treasure and talent should be (all of which …

Junkyard Management,

The Outsiders – NonProfit Management #1

As I wrote last week, one of the things I appreciated about The Outsiders by William Thorndike was the checklist of ten things every CEO should follow when deciding where to allocate resources. But several people who read my blog — many in some kind of ministry work — said the corporate language doesn’t easily transfer to the nonprofit world. So what can a nonprofit leader learn from the list?

Below are the the first two on the list with my own perspective on how nonprofit leaders must handle resource allocation.

1. The allocation process should be CEO led.

Resource …

Book Reviews, Junkyard Management,

Resource Allocation – A Review of “The Outsiders” by William Thorndike

If you are in leadership then you probably spend time thinking about resource allocation. To simplify that phrase, you probably have had to decide where to focus your energy, talent, and capital. This is true whether you run a Fortune 500 company or coach a little league team.

It’s one of the most important things a leader has to do. Taking the time to do it isn’t always easy — there are so many things to do that seem urgent. But reflecting on our priorities is a necessary habit we all need to develop.

I recently read The Outsiders: Eight …

Goble Properties, Junkyard Management,

So you want to own your business?

Goble Properties has been leasing space to small businesses for seven decades. Over the years we’ve learned a few things about the owners of small businesses, including clues about whether the owner will be successful or not. Here are ten points that I’ve found to be consistently accurate in predicting success or failure in a small business.

1. Small business owners who succeed are borderline workaholics. It’s not about putting in 8-hours a day, it’s about doing what it takes to get the job done. These are hard working people.

2. Small business owners who succeed look for every cost …