22 QUESTIONS
1 If you could pick anyone, who would you pick as a business mentor?
I was the luckiest guy in the world to have Ross Craig, the late vice-chairman of Dofasco as a mentor, and my lawyer Paul Dixon.
2 What business or leadership book would you most recommend?
All books by James Collins. “The Legends Club” by John Feinstein.
3 What advice have you received that has helped you the most?
Hire people smarter than me. Have courage to make the tough calls. Never lose your sense of humour. Be involved in the community. Practise saying “thank you.” Prepare, prepare, prepare. Expect the unexpected. Never get too high emotionally or never get too low.
4 What would you do if you felt no fear?
When you’re an entrepreneur, you have a fear of failure every day because it’s personal. If you work for somebody and your company fails, it’s not you. But here, in my businesses, it is me. I’m responsible. If my truck runs over a school bus, I’m responsible.
5 What makes you laugh?
Being with people that have a sense of fun, including the Queen.
6 Where have you visited that you would like to return?
Pinehurst (Resort) with my wife and family. We’re members of a golf course where Michael Jordan’s a member.
7 What is your favourite spot in Hamilton?
Tim Hortons Field. I’m a Tiger-Cats freak.
8 What is your guilty pleasure?
Fast food. I can’t drive by Hutch’s without turning in.
9 What was your first job and what did you learn from it?
Lawn cutting. Learn to love your customers and manage cash flow. I actually, at 17, got the contract to cut the lawn at Dairy Queen’s head office in Burlington. And then I went in the office and got all the executives’ homes. The next year they paved over their lawn at the head office. I didn’t know whether it was because my lawn cutting was rotten or if they just needed more parking, and they never, ever told me.
10 What makes you nervous?
I always worry about health and safety of family and friends. The “C” word is too prominent these days.
11 How do you motivate people?
That I do well. I lead by example. First in, last to leave. Show compassion. Be positive. Above all else, you have two ears and one mouth — use proportionately. Listen to your people, listen to your customers.
“Above all else, you have two ears and one mouth — use proportionately. Listen to your people, listen to your customers.”
12 What is your biggest pet peeve?
People being late. Going through somebody to make an appointment. On call display, unidentified callers. It’s usually somebody looking for a sponsorship or donation. I don’t answer them. If there’s call display and a name comes up, I answer it every time.
13 What are you good at?
Seeing the positive, not the negative. Easiest thing in the world is to be a critic. Harder is to be positive and find the good in something.
14 What do you want to work on?
I need practice in saying “no.” We receive 30 calls a day for donations and sponsorships. Twenty-nine start with “I am an old friend of Fox.” I am very easy to reach — answer own emails, answer own phone calls and reply to every email. Get many calls per day from friends wanting me to mentor their kids who need a job, from entrepreneurs that need guidance, from charities that want me to chair a fundraising campaign or community organizations that want me to serve on their board.
15 Do you have any career regrets?
Yes. I wanted to be a gym teacher, a football and basketball coach, but I couldn’t get out of Grade 12.
16 What is Hamilton’s most valuable asset?
The people, obviously the geographic position, and the cost of living. People say we’re on the cusp of great potential — I disagree, we’re already living it. I’m a lifer. Been here my entire life. In the last five years, I’ve never seen more positive, more buzz, more great opportunities in Hamilton.
17 What is the city’s biggest liability?
Up until five years ago, we had an inferiority complex and a negative attitude.
18 If you were to describe your organization’s mission in one sentence, what would it be?
We are in the business of providing quality customer service to our customers.
19 What is the biggest challenge for small to medium-sized businesses today?
Cash flow and government red tape. Government red tape in a small business — I still consider my business small — is a pain in the ass. I would say we have the equivalent of three person working hours a week working on government red tape.
20 How do you balance your life?
I carry my day-timer everywhere except to a Tiger-Cats game. I don’t have it electronically. I do everything in pencil, a year in advance. Family time goes in there first. It’s actually quite easy because my day-timer is in seconds, not minutes. I’m really busy.
21 Who is the leader you look up to the most?
Walt Disney. Never give up. I’ve seen every movie. Gone to Disney World.
22 What makes a good employee?
Honesty. Integrity. Passion. You’ve got to do what you love to do, and if you don’t, you should leave. Commitment. Work ethic.