Surviving the Shift

A positive attitude, the ability to adapt to change, and the willingness to learn from failure . . . these are all good markers of a successful person. But what does it take to become a successful entrepreneur—someone who can create something out of nothing? Someone who can start from the bottom and work their way to the top? 

In Dr. William Pickard’s new book Surviving the Shift, this is exactly what he provides. As one of the country’s most successful Black entrepreneurs, Dr. Pickard knows a thing or two about overcoming failure and mistakes to become an extraordinary entrepreneur. In this book, he details the highs and lows of his entrepreneurial evolution and offers seven proven principles for embracing change and building wealth. Surviving the Shift will teach you how to: 

· Develop positive vision and attitude. 

· Prepare for opportunities. 

· Understand that financing is not that difficult. 

· Build good relationships. 

· Choose a team with the right talent and skill set. 

· Learn from failure. 

· Cultivate strong faith. 

Successful entrepreneurship requires a shift in thinking, planning, and doing. It requires avoiding the many pitfalls people often face in business. Whether you are a new college graduate ready to make your mark on the world, someone who is trying to figure out the next step for their career, an aspiring entrepreneur, or you want to explore new ways to grow your business, you have the power to become the person you were meant to be. This book is your road map, and Dr. Pickard has equipped you with everything you need for your journey.

Dr. William F. Pickard, PhD is Chairman of Global Automotive Alliance, Co-Managing Partner, MGM Grand Detroit Casino, CEO, Bearwood Management Company and co-owner of five black-owned newspapers.

Pickard's forty-five-year entrepreneurial career began as a McDonald's franchisee in Detroit, Michigan. In 1989, he founded an Automotive Manufacturing Company and grew it into Global Automotive Alliance, Logistics and Manufacturing companies with more than one half billion dollars in sales and eight plants in the U.S. and Canada. GAA services corporations such as Boeing, Mercedes Benz, Ford, General Motors, Chrysler, Delphi, Johnson Controls, Starbucks, Home Depot and Merck Pharmaceutical.

He has served on numerous business and non-profit boards including Asset Acceptance Capital Corporation, Michigan National Bank, LaSalle Bank, Business Leaders for Michigan, National Urban League, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Detroit Black Chamber of Commerce and is a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. In 2001, Pickard was awarded Michiganian of the Year for his business success, civic leadership and philanthropy. Pickard was the first chairman of the African Development Foundation in 1982, appointed by President Ronald Reagan, and under President George Bush he was appointed to The National Advisory Committee on Trade Policy Negotiations (1990) the Federal Home Loan Bank Board-Indianapolis Bank in Indiana (1991).

Dr. Pickard is also creating a new generation of entrepreneurs with Millionaire Moves - Seven Proven Principles of Entrepreneurship, vision/attitude, opportunity, relationships, talent/skillset, financial, failure and faith. Dr. Pickard will share his undeniable principles anyone can use to become a successful entrepreneur.

Dr. Pickard holds a Bachelor's Degree from Western Michigan University, a Master's Degree from the University of Michigan and a Ph.D. from The Ohio State University. In honor of Dr. Pickard, The William F. Pickard Living Center is named in his honor at Grand Valley State University.