A HELPING HAND WHY BUSINESS LEADERS NEED TO ASK FOR HELP
This struggle often comes from pride, the idea that if you admit you can’t do it all, then you can’t do anything. But this mindset often leads to ruin. In a survey by 99 Design, most entrepreneurs claimed the worst mistake they ever made wasn’t a poor financial decision or bad planning — it was simply not asking for help early in their careers. Having to ask for help isn’t a sign that you’re unable to achieve what you set out to do. In fact, when you ask for help in business, you may find you’re able to achieve more . This is because asking for help is a form of networking. You’re actively reaching out to experts, learning
“Can you give me a hand?”
Asking for help is a simple request. Most people do it every day, whether to get a second opinion on a paint color or ask a stranger to hold the elevator. Asking for help is important; the ability to work as a team is one of mankind’s greatest strengths. But if the act of asking for help is so essential in our lives, why do entrepreneurs have such a hard time with it?
EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT Very little would get done here at Pye-Barker if it weren’t for our shipping and receiving clerk, Patrick Percival. An army veteran who served in Vietnam, the former Buck Sergeant joined our team back in 1985, putting his discipline and eye for organization to work. “I’ve been organized my whole life,” Patrick reflects. “I went to Catholic school and had a teacher who really instilled that quality. The army reinforced it.” to his men but was able to win them over by pitching in and working shoulder-to-shoulder with them.
PATRICK PERCIVAL GETS THE JOB DONE RIGHT
We know how important it is
Thinking back on his 33 years at Pye-Barker, Patrick reminisces about the man who taught him the ropes in those early days. “When I came to the company, there was a young guy named Dennis, brilliant guy. I was told if I needed anything to talk to him. On my first day, I told Dennis, ‘Don’t be surprised if I’m asking you this afternoon what you told me this morning.’” As one of our longest team members, Patrick’s knowledge and experience is unparalleled, or as he puts it, “Now I’ve become the Dennis.” Knowledge and experience are crucial to make sure our shipments, both ingoing and outgoing, stay on track. But on top of these skills, Patrick is an absolute workhorse. “I don’t take breaks,” he explained, pausing our interview to sign for a package, then picking back up his train of thought without missing a beat. “The army taught me that.” Patrick has a lot of laughs recalling his army days and what the recruits he was in charge of training used to call him. (Hint: It rhymes with rad- bass buck sergeant.) Patrick is the first to admit he was a strict officer
to save your downtime by getting your tasks done in a timely fashion. Patrick’s unparalleled work ethic is part of what lets us do that so effectively. We’ve been lucky to have him on our team these last three decades. When
asked what’s kept him here all this time, Patrick’s answer is about — what else — the work! “I enjoy doing things right … I’d go crazy without work. [Pye-Barker] is a wonderful place to be.”
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Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.NewsletterPro.com
Pye-Barker Supply Co. • www.pyebarker.com
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