PP: What is your greatest business accomplishment and disappointment?
MH: My greatest business accomplishment and disappointment are one in the same. From 1998 through 2002, I ran a business that specialized in training software developers [on] how to put together highly interactive training programs. We had scheduled a large conference for the fall of 2001 when 9/11 happened. Due to the FAA curtailment of flights and the overall business decision not to travel, show attendance was decimated. Poor risk planning on my part left us overexposed and eventually led to the bankruptcy of the company. While I was greatly disappointed by the failure of the business, my father-in-law's advice helped me come through the event, identify what I had done wrong and formulate a plan to move forward. Six months later I was back in business, and within two years I had tripled my original margins, while managing risk much more effectively.
- People:
- Mark Henry
- Places:
- Bangor, Maine