Larry Namer: translating technical work for management
Larry Namer described an early career role that connected work under New York streets with the people managing the company. Richard asked how he came to manage a large team while still young.
Two kinds of knowledge in one employee
Namer recalled working in underground cable installation with an economics degree. When a publishing company acquired the cable business, he said managers needed to understand what the field crews did. His background let him explain the work across that divide.
The operating detail behind the promotion
The answer went beyond working hard. Namer described learning equipment by reading its instructions, then becoming useful to people who understood finance but needed help understanding the technical operation. His story places an ability to explain the work alongside an ability to do it.
In Larry Namer's words
"I had to know both sides the B school side and the tech side at the same time" (Larry Namer, Larry Namer's Family Office Club fireside chat with Richard C. Wilson)
How to use this
- Identify where field work becomes difficult for management to understand.
- Give operational explanations in terms the decision maker can use.
Questions and answers
What two areas did Namer connect?
Technical cable operations and the business side of the company.
Who asked about his early management responsibility?
Richard asked during their fireside chat.