There are two things I have always loved: writing and business. My writing has been a private and personal process. I was first published twenty years ago in a computer trade journal -- made $100 on that gig for 1200 words and 6 photographs. The same year I received an award at the Midwest Writer's Conference.

Throughout my "regular jobs",  I've always received comments and compliments on my technical and business prose.  Whenever someone in the office wrote any type of document, be it a proposal, sales letter or marketing effort, they always ran it past me for my approval. I guess you can call me an editor also. I've written hundreds of thousands of words in proposals, business documentation, technical manuals and presentations.

Through the years I have studied both the process of writing as well as technique, taking formal courses at the Writer's Institute in New York, entering writing contests, joining writer's associations and learning what it takes to get published: writing, revising and then writing some more.

Now as I publish in business and technology journals, write opinion/editorial pieces, copy write, and yes, dabble in creative non-fiction, I dig even deeper into my psyche to bring up experiences, thoughts, and words. I am driven by what Isaac Asimov had to say, "I write for the same reason I breathe; because if I didn't, I would die."

Years of studying and working in industries such as construction, real estate, manufacturing, retail, engineering and information technology has given me insight into management and administration policies and processes. With all that experience and knowledge, I founded Value Management Partners where I continue to consult and coach executives, managers and management teams in project and business management, technology processes and other interesting (and non-disclosable) assignments.

I caught the bug of public speaking when I needed to communicate to a group of adult students attending a continuing education course at the University of Akron. I was teaching WordPerfect and Lotus back then and nervous as hell. I've matured, growing in confidence, while providing entertaining and informative speeches, workshops and educational seminars. I joined Toastmasters to keep the juices flowing and the practice constant. From meeting facilitation and executive presentations to high end technology workshops and management training for small business, I provide businesses and organizations with a customized program specifically designed to meet their needs. Still get nervous though.

Life is hard work. But for me, the harder the better. Public speaking is the number one fear that most people have. For me, it is just verbalizing what I write. So I fear the writing more. Sitting at the keyboard, I procrastinate, worry and sometimes give up. But, once I have found the words, speaking them is easier. I call it "page-fright" versus "stage-fright."

Consulting is the most relaxing of these three passions. I surmise it's the 30 years of experience in various industries and differing economic cycles. I'm really in the "zone" when consulting to businesses.

Through it all, I have learned, and I want everyone to learn, that both success and failure have a value, in business, in writing, and in life. I'll get those words out one way or another. Or as the author Jack London put it, "You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club." And I'm swingin'.