A new Philosophy and Approach to Business

1. 1

2. “The DNA of Business”
by Dr. Ralph L. R. Bietz, PhD / MBA
Table of Contents:
Thank you & Acknowledgements
Dedication
Introduction
Chapter #1.
Vision & Purpose:
“The Beginning”
Chapter #2.
Passion & Heart:
“The Fire Deep Within”
Chapter #3.
People & Culture:
“Your Greatest Asset”
Chapter #4.
Trust:
“It Makes Everything Easier”
Chapter #5.
Leadership &
Stewardship:
“Service, Products, Finance”
Strategy, Planning, &
Execution:
“Manifest the Vision”
Perseverance &
Tenacity:
“The Final Depth of Commitment
Chapter #6.
Chapter #7.
Summary
Integrating it all: “The Longest Journey Begins with the First Step”
Appendix, Workbook, and Other References
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Copyright 2012 by Ralph L. R. Bietz, All Rights Reserved
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3. Thank you &
Acknowledgements
To my Parents, Grandparents, and Parents that adopted me:
Emery & Laura Bietz, Ralph Emerson & Melba Cora Bietz, LeRoy &
Inez Borgert, and Robert & Dorthea Robbins
To my children: Aaron, Adam, Daniel, Gabriel, Joshua-Paul, and
Tyler-Michael who are pursuing their dreams.
To the Mentors that have kindly & generously spent a part of their life
instructing me, and at times, firmly challenged me along my journey:
Mr. Paul James, Mr. Jack Ptyleski, Dr. Porter, Dr. Daniel Fuller, Dr.
Northrup, Mr. Per Andersen, Mr. Gert Svanholm, Dr. Colin West, Dr.
Dieter Sukatsch, Dr. Richard Armentrout, Dr. Roderick Gilkey, Dr.
Jeffery Rosensweig, Dr. Joseph McCann, Mr. Robert Shapiro, Mr.
Timothy Haas, Dr. Daniel Dennison, Mr. George Gourley, Dr. Anton
Amon, Mr. William Bloxom, Dr. Bob Burgess, Mr. HY Sung, and to
the many other colleagues that I have had the pleasure of working
with along the journey.
Thank you and God Bless!
11/23/2013 1:00:24 AM
Copyright 2012 by Ralph L. R. Bietz, All
Rights Reserved
3

4. Introduction
Business operation and management is more complex today than ever. There is a constant and significant pressure, in addition to a high
demand for our time. Then, there is the sheer number of things in competition for that time; between family, friends, events, business, health
maintenance, community service, and hopefully some personal time. In a digital era, it makes our lives nothing short of chaotic.
We are faced with reacting, often when we should be actively managing both our lives, personal and professional. Sometimes this is due to
changes in the business environment, sometimes to poor management planning and execution, and sometimes to both.
The “speed” of information and media in this digital era realistically means anything can become “globally” known, or even a global event, in
seconds through internet and satellite communication.
The complexity of today’s business with the added dimensions of information overload, domestic and international multicultural challenges,
competition at home and away, increased regulatory complexity, the chaos of war, multiple governmental institutions to handle abroad,
currency fluctuations, and e-commerce stand to make us stray from the traditional business fundamentals that act as the foundation to any
type of business we are in. Foundations that we often lose sight of due to the frenzied and chaotic world we live in.
Thus, the application of management fundamentals is more important than ever in our professional lives. I’ve found these fundamentals to
hold true regardless of the industry orientation, be it a service industry or a business with durable goods and specific products.
These principles have in 40 years helped me with the management of businesses, factories, start-ups, corporation rebuilds, and even musical
groups…. I hope these principles provoke thought and help you. This is a book about taking a look at your business, and yourself in a parallel
process, and asking if your foundations are set right for the future.
Are you going in the direction that you want to? Is your firm?
Or are you just reacting, wondering where your day went?
The approach I’ve taken for this book is an emphasis on fundamentals.
I hope this book provides discovery, but at least some food for thought.
I also sincerely hope it benefits both you and your business.
If this book helps you in any way by provoking some thoughts that translate into value for your firm, business environment, or your life, then
this book has accomplished its mission.
Thank you and God Bless!
Dr. Ralph L. R. Bietz, Ph.D.
Ph.D., M.S., MBA, BS Chem. Eng.
11/23/2013 1:00:24 AM
Copyright 2012 by Ralph L. R. Bietz, All
Rights Reserved
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5. “If we did all
the things we
are capable
of, we would
literally
astound
ourselves.”
Thomas Edison
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6. “The glory of
friendship is not in
the outstretched
hand, not the
kindly smile, nor
the joy of
companionship; it
is in the spiritual
inspiration that
comes to one when
you discover that
someone else
believes in you and
is willing to trust
you with a
friendship.”
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Copyright 2012 by Ralph L. R. Bietz, All
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Ralph Waldo Emerson
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8. “Our Passions
are the true
Phoenixes,
when the old
one is burnt
out, a new
one rises
from its
ashes.”
Johann Wolfgang
Von Goethe
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9. “A nation’s
culture
resides in
the hearts
and souls
of its
people.”
Mahatma
Gandhi
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10. “Your people
are your
greatest assets.
You nurture,
grow, guide,
and protect
them, and they
will honor you
with amazing
achievements
and immense
growth.”
Ralph L. R. Bietz
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11. “Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life
of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases
from being shared.”
Buddha

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13. “Only a life
lived in service
to others is
worth living.”
Albert Einstein
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