by David Chapman
Staff Writer
It’s better to be lucky than good.
M.G. Orender said he believes that, but his success as the president and CEO of Hampton Golf and the former president of The PGA of America indicates there’s more than just luck involved.
Orender shared his story and advice with about 25 second-stage business owners Wednesday as part of the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce’s latest CEO Nexus Forum.
The quarterly forums are part of the chamber’s Second Stage Business Development Initiative and bring together owners of growing businesses with accomplished Northeast Florida leaders.
Second-stage businesses are defined as established, homegrown businesses with about $1 million to $50 million in annual revenues and the desire and potential to grow.
In the last several years, Hampton Golf has grown from eight golf courses to 21 in the Southeast and employs 1,000 people.
While Orender claimed luck was a factor, he also offered more advice.
“I’ve never told somebody I couldn’t do anything,” he said. “You can always find out, always find a way. You can hire the right people to find out.”
Orender began his career as a shop assistant while in college and “never looked back,” he said.
“I can’t wait to get to the office,” he said.
It hasn’t always been easy. Orender said he can identify with the endeavors of other business owners.
“We’ve all got problems,” he said.
Sometimes, though, he suggests “hitting the reset button.” He advises business owners to stop and identify all of their assets, goods and services and evaluate how to better capitalize on them.
“Try and find another way of using them,” he said.
For his business, with the sluggish economy affecting golf, he said additional assets like spa services are ways to diversify.
At the same time, determining and establishing a value for a good or service is important without offering promotions that ultimately hurt business, he said.
For example, private golf clubs can lower fees, but that attracts new clients at the expense of weakening the value for loyal paying members. Unless the new clients join, the club can suffer.
It’s about finding a balance, said Orender.
Attendee Jackie Perry, executive director of the Beaver Street Enterprise Center, said Orender’s advice was useful, especially for newer business owners still attempting to find their footing.
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