Some things I learned at Wiesner.

• Author: Wiesner, Pat

I have given this space this month to Eliza Castaneda, a senior vice president at Wiesner Publishing who recently retired after 16 years of outstanding service.

I could write a lot about the contribution Eliza has made to all of us, but above all she has been the heart of this company for all the time she has been with us.

We wish her Godspeed in her new ventures. You will be able to tell from this editorial why she meant so much to our company.

Pat Wiesner, ColoradoBiz columnist and chief executive officer, Wiesner Publishing

Eliza Castaneda

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, WIESNER PUBLISHING

COMMUNICATION

Listening is more important than talking.

ATTITUDE VS. KNOWLEDGE

Attitude is the most important attribute. You can train good people about the products and the market.

WRITING

Write like you talk. Keep it brief and to the point.

DECISION-MAKING

Don't make important decisions in a vacuum. Seek input from those around you and communicate about the big stuff so there are no surprises.

NEGOTIATING

Don't make deals. We charge a fair price and we don't discount our rates, and in the long run this works out better for everyone.

ACCESSIBILITY

Be available. Don't sit in your office all day. Tom Peters coined the phrase "Management By Walking Around," or "M.B.W.A." Instead of sending a memo or an e-mail when you need something important, why not just talk face to face? Simple.

PRINCIPLES

Stick to your principles. We practiced this during a meeting with a customer who offered us a big ad schedule in return for our dummying some co-op invoices for him. We declined, and later said, "The devil offered us $100,000 today, and we looked him in the eye and said, 'No, thanks.'"

WORK VS. FAMILY

Balance work and family. Family comes first.

PROCRASTINATION

Face it now, and sleep better tonight.

SHARE THE WEALTH.

During times of prosperity, share the wealth with the people around you, and they will repay you with loyalty.

HUMOR

Don't take it all too seriously; have a good sense of humor.

THE VALUE OF SHOWING UP

If you don't show up, nothing can happen. But if you do show up...