Phillip Lin relies on Google Calendar to keep himself on track; he even schedules personal time. “I get so busy sometimes that I forget to focus on my personal care and family activities. So it’s common for me to add ‘family dinner’ or ‘attend school event’ to my calendar. Family comes first, but sometimes it’s nice to be reminded.”
Phillip Lin, owner of Catering By Design, Best Caterer
This is the year you’re going to get organized. (Yes, really.) And if anyone knows organization it’s Phillip Lin, owner of Catering by Design. One of his professed hobbies? Planning out the next 20 years of his life. “Being prepared is to create a plan that’s flexible and has a backup,” he said. “There are three benefits to this approach: One, if things go wrong, you have a contingency so you don’t make up tasks on the fly. Two, you’re able to direct employees (Or family!) in a calm manner so that a project can be completed without distractions. And three, 64
JANUARY 2016
when tasks are well-planned, time and money are used most efficiently.” Here’s how to create a plan that works: “In the beginning, I spend time thinking critically about what creates a win for our staff, customers and business as a whole. (Again: Or family!) You can’t expect to succeed if you don’t plan,” Lin said. “The biggest thing is making sure you know what worstcase scenarios are. If you set up your staff to win, then they’ll take care of your customers. The business will grow as a result. “You can’t plan for the unknown, but a high-quality team can handle it. It’s similar to building a house. You need to have a firm foundation to build or grow.”
ON THE UNEXPECTED
“The biggest thing to remember is not to panic. When your emotions are high, there is a greater chance that you will not make the right decision. Take time to lower your heart rate, and then deal with last-minute changes.” – Phillip Lin