Summary: James Yamada Jr. has turned his family-run business from a 25-personnel firm in the 1970s to a 150-man workforce today; the company earning $40 million per annum.<br> After his father’s death in 1979, Yamada began to apply the principles he learned from Peter Drucker on employee and customer relations, and involvement in social giving. Today, A-1 A-lectrician is an active donor to a number of foundations and charities including Youth for Christ, Salvation Army, and University of Hawaii Foundation.<br> <br> Yamada believes that businesses have an obligation to the community wherein they operate.<br> “Anyone that is going to be involved in business, I think has a social obligation to go and touch and change lives,” he said. “I think business and social responsibility are interwoven and joined at the hip.”<br> But their success didn’t come overnight. Financial difficulties hounded the company in the 70s and 80s<br> “We had our ups and downs in the late 70s, a couple of years before my father died,” Yamada said. “I almost threw the company to bankruptcy. It was doing well until I thought I knew everything.”<br> Greater Good Radio chats with James Yamada Jr. about his business principles and his belief in helping the community.<br> In the aftershow, Yamada talks about financial failures as an essential character builder and prerequisite to success.<br> BIO:<br> Links:<br> Listen on Youtube:<br> <br> <br> <br> <br>
