What’s Our Legacy for the Next Generation?

January 25, 2018

By Paul Eitmant

What are we leaving behind to the next generation?

The landscape in the electrical industry has changed in the last 35 years. To my point, we have numerous companies that have been family owned and operated for years. It’s been a pleasure to see companies continue the growth in which the first generation started.

Today through many acquisitions in the electrical distribution channel we have two out of four companies controlling the majority of our industry in Canada. It is interesting that neither of these companies were household words in 1970. In the same time period, similar acquisitions occurred in the manufacturing sector.

Throughout this change our industry is still growing in profitability.

A few weeks ago, I became aware of a book written by my friend Bill Robinson. The title is, “Better lives for Our Grandchildren.” After reading more than a few sections I became aware that we have a responsibility in our industry to make it better than it was when the first generation started their companies many years ago.

Appearing below is a brief background of Bill Robertson.

A retired marketing executive of a $40 billion oil and gas corporation, Bill Robertson has led an interesting life. Growing up in Niles, Michigan, he attended Harvard Business School, ran a marathon, scaled Mt. Rainier, played a round of golf with Neil Armstrong, met President Reagan, and made six holes in one. He also survived a devastating airline disaster aboard United Airlines Flight 232, which crashed in Sioux City, Iowa. The crash changed his priorities and his life. Spending time with a growing family became his top concern, and he worried for the future of his six grandkids. The future looked bleak. His grandkids’ generation might be the first to have a lower standard of living than their parents. This book, Better Lives for Our Grandchildren: A Plane Crash Survivor’s Perspective on Politics and Life, shows how he applied his extensive marketing experience to examine the direction of the country by taking the reader on the journey that led to the election of Donald J. Trump as president. The country wanted change, and Bill’s book identifies why there was so much angst and what the country is doing to change direction.

Sometimes I think we have lost connection with the first generation of our industry. I know we are bigger and profitable and are always adapting to new products and technologies. At the same time, I think we need to consider how we can leave behind a better workplace for the next generation.

Bill’s book also gives perspective on the political climate in the USA that does have an effect on the Canadian marketplace. These sections are important for all of us because I firmly believe most of the comments have not been heard enough within our industry.

I think it is important we step back and consider if we are givers or takers within our industry. Remember it up to us to act and change to leave a better industry for the next generation.

If you’re interested for additional ideas and viewpoints, the book is available on Amazon and in Barnes & Noble bookstores.

Paul Eitmant is President and CEO of IP Group International, which serves the needs of business-to-business enterprises in over 30 countries worldwide by adding specialized expertise to the business planning and implementation process; Tel: 480.488.5646; paulipgroup@cox.net.