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| Debbie and Leslie Busfield This video can be found on the Student DVD.Summary: The original video on your Student DVD introduces Debbie and Leslie Busfield, the wife and husband owners of Strongfield Trimco, Inc. The company provides framing for "high-end" homes in the Phoenix area. Prior to Debbie's involvement, the company provided the whole range of building services without a focus on a market niche. However, they could not sustain a high level of quality with such a diversified approach. The Busfields bought the business and focused its product/service so that it only does one thing but does it with the best quality--framing houses. Their sustainability for the business and business growth has been primarily through word of mouth. Debbie notes that communication is at the heart of a successful business. To be successful, the entrepreneur must be unafraid to make mistakes. Success demands that you make a decision, even if it is not the "best" one. In that case, you adjust. You have to have the ability to be flexible and innovative by trying new ideas. Maintaining flexibility is critical. Both Debbie and Les emphasize the importance of motivating their workforce by keeping them involved. They see their responsibility as owners and managers to create a place where people want to come to work. To that end, their management style is oriented toward encouraging and developing their employees. They take the perspective that problems are challenges. They recognize that people come to work for more than just a paycheck. They solicit ideas from employees and, more importantly, provide feedback to employees on the status of their ideas. They also recognize the need to be flexible in making changes in the work environment that are consistent with employees' needs. They are quite successful in this arena; they have a highly motivated workforce with very low turnover.Discussion Questions
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