Document Type
Article
Publication Date
4-1-1998
Abstract
While touring the Frascati vineyards outside ofRome with a business associate and as we learned the basic techniques of winemaking, our in-between conversation was focused on the difficulties and change our industry and his country were facing. We pondered and discussed our positions and responsibilities for our organization. during this time. We were well aware of the many industry challenges facing us and our board ofdirectors. It was upon reflection ofthat conversation and the memory of that beautiful scenario of those luscious vineyards that it struck me how similar the management ofthe fruit·ofthe grapevine is to the management of organizations. For example, during the first three to four years in the life of a young vine, it is so busy creating a root system and building a strong woody stalk that it will not bear more than a few grapes. This is similar to a business which is new or just recovering from a financial setback before it becomes profitable. In its continuous growth the grapevine, if left untouched, invests much of its energy on making new shoots and putting out long wnadering branches until it covers a lot of ground, but still does not produce any fruit. Businesses, if left to grow in an uncontrolled manner, like the grapevine, will require investments in many areas of the organization and may still not produce profits for the long term.
Keywords
leadership
Rights
© The Author(s). Kelvin Smith Library provides access for non-commercial, personal, or research use only. All other use, including but not limited to commercial or scholarly reproductions, redistribution, publication or transmission, whether by electronic means or otherwise, without prior written permission is strictly prohibited.
Department/Center
Design & Innovation
Recommended Citation
Johnson, Shawana P., "Straight to the Heart: Cleveland Leaders Shaping the Next Millennium" (1998). Student Scholarship. 403.
https://commons.case.edu/studentworks/403