Business is About People

OUTdrive Episode 73 with Bob Wolf

“Business is not about business, it’s about people.” Those of us who have stayed loyal to a company based on their customer service know this to be true. In this episode of OUTdrive, I reconnect with an old friend and former business partner Bob Wolf to discuss building trusting relationships. Raised in an entrepreneurial environment, Bob developed a strong worth ethic, a respect for independence, and a passion for serving people that shaped the way he did business.

Bob is a successful business owner, salesman, and manager in the construction and development business. Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, he attended Iowa State’s College of Business. He made his way to Missouri after accepting a job with Butler Manufacturing in Kansas City. Bob then ventured out in business with his partner Tom Davis, putting together several construction companies over the years to create Septagon Construction Company in Sedalia. After 30 years with Septagon, Bob moved back to the Kansas City area to help create another construction conglomerate and, 17 years later, he is still involved in the business today.

Tune in to this episode to hear words of wisdom from someone with nearly 50 years of business experience. You’ll learn all about building successful relationships and hear several of Bob’s “Wolfisms,” phrases that he often used with associates, friends and family.

SHOW NOTES

• 5:00 – Bob reflects on his childhood and growing up in a time where children were to be seen and not heard.
• 7:30 – What led Bob to the construction business, from his first big step to join Butler Manufacturing in Kansas City to pursuing industry entrepreneurship in Sedalia.
• 11:30 – Developing the entrepreneurial mindset and taking responsibility for failures and successes
• 14:45 – Bob’s perspective on rural America and the overriding characteristic of loyalty
• 17:00 – Bob describes his style of interacting with customers and what business is really about.
• 24:50 – Bob considers the pros and cons of using technology to connect with customers versus face-to-face interactions.
• 27:30 – Bob shares the advice he instills on his grandchildren and his response to excuses.
• 30:40 – Bob’s closing thoughts on consistent effort and “giving a darn” about what you do.