When I stepped in as the new chairman and CEO of Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr on Jan. 1, I realized that I had much to learn if I hoped to be effective in leading this $50 million enterprise.

Fortunately, I had the example and guidance of my predecessor, Jim Jordan, to help with the transition. I also sought the counsel of trusted friends and proven business management resources, such as Jim Collin’s excellent book, “Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap … and Others Don’t.”