An interview with Jane Burke

Company: The Normandy Group
Location: Cincinnati/Ohio, USA
Position: Accountant Executive

Where did you learn the basics of running a business?
Business is too dynamic to learn all the aspects at one time. I come from a family of entrepreneurs (so, it’s in my blood). While at university, I studied Business Administration and learned the basics.

Whom did you work with before becoming a Consultant?
I sold shoes to work my way through university. Once I graduated, I worked in Product Management for a Greeting Card & Gift Wrapping Paper Manufacturer (Cincinnati, OH). It was there that I learned the basics of Inventory control, Manufacturing, Product Development and working with Sales & Marketing Departments. From there I sold IT equipment (Switches, Routers and Hubs) and learned the basics of Business Development.

What will you do in ten years?
I wish to be writing more and travel less (unless for leisure). I also wish to volunteer more for Humanitarian Efforts.

What kind of people do you like to work with?
My favourite kind of person with whom I best like to work:
- knows what they know
- acknowledges what they don’t know
- has identified what they wish to know
This type of person typically has a great deal of: knowledge, reliability, character, honesty, courage, humility, perspective, flexibility, mixed-in with a good sense of humour. It is rare to find such a person. I strive to be such a person.

Is there someone whom you would describe as intelligent?
Chuck Burke is the most intelligent person I’ve ever met. He has a gift for predicting trends and has a great business sense.

After working many years as a consultant you managed many projects. Are there real special ones among them?
Each project I’ve had the pleasure to work on has caused me to stretch and grow. My absolutely favourites are the ones in which I nurtured the Business Development activity, stayed in contact with and then watched as the project was executed how it had a favourable impact on the client’s business (bottom line).

The Normandy Group is a member of IMCN because we wish to learn more about other cultures and ideologies overseas. And as a bi-product, we are enjoying building strong business relationships/friendships as well as share, business networking opportunities and best practices.