Entrepreneur advises, `Hire good people'

What does it take to be a successful entrepreneur? I think we can sum it up in three words. "Hire good people." This story will prove our point.

My brother, David, and I've been business partners for 32 years and we've experienced many challenges. We converted from a furniture business to a national collection agency, survived a flood, a fire, even termites, and a life-threatening computer conversion. But nothing could have prepared us for June 17, 2004.

I was on my way to the Gulf Coast with my wife, Debbie, and my oldest daughter, Emily, when I received a call from Greg Hocutt, our chief operations officer. He told me a City of Birmingham building inspector was requiring an immediate evacuation of our building because of fire safety issues. I made a quick U-turn and headed back to the office. I knew how much our clients depend on the cash flow we generate, and knew it would be devastating to our clients if we had to suspend operations.

We phoned the chief building inspector and appealed for leniency. He agreed to come by the next day to review our situation.

The next day, Friday, the chief building inspector came, but concurred with the original building inspector that we would have to evacuate. Most of our employees were located on the second floor and he gave us permission to move them to the first floor. We determined that it would not be practical to operate on the first floor long term and we would need to relocate. However, we would have to move to the first floor temporarily until we could find a permanent location.

We found an alternative site that afternoon and began a "double move." Our employees worked all weekend, ran phone and cable lines to the first floor of our building, and set up picnic tables for our collectors.

On Monday morning we began our move. Many of our employees worked nonstop and didn't leave until the following Thursday night. Employees slept on the floor or on desks. Collectors moved furniture and PC's in the middle of the night, technology guys assembled cubicles, and administrative staff pulled phone cable.

Within six days of our eviction notice we had moved twice, once to the first floor, and then to our new location. We never missed a beat and did not compromise for one second our normal collection activity. This experience was a testament to the dedication and Herculean efforts of our staff.

The success of this emergency move is all about the power of a committed team of employees in a small business. Our staff was unbelievable. They were willing to do whatever it took to make a successful move. Not only did they work nonstop, but they were optimistic and supportive. I can't tell you how many times employees came to me or David and put their arms around our shoulders and told us everything was going to be OK. The most amazing thing was David and I did not have to utter a word of instruction. Everyone knew what needed to be done, and everyone executed. Martin Sher is co-CEO of AmSher Receivables Management, along with his brother David. The two this month shared an award as the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce's "Entrepreneur of the Year."

© 2006 The Birmingham News