About

TelevisionWeek's new blog by World Poker Tour boss Steven Lipscomb marks this publication's second blog by a member of the television industry. As the founder of WPT, Steve often is credited with starting the televised poker boom. He's also known to say a controversial thing or two.

Just as Rich Goldfarb, senior VP of sales for National Geographic Channel, offered candid insight into the upfront advertising selling period, Steve plans to pull no punches in discussing the people, practices and pitfalls of the television business.

And remember: TVWeek.com encourages you to respond to what you read here. So feel free to post comments on Steve's blog.

Previous Months

World Poker Tour

People Are Business

September 22, 2006 5:14 PM

The best and the worst moments of running a business stem from the people we hire and fire. One of the things I am most proud about is the personal environment we have created at our company. I have lost count of the number of people who have spontaneously walked into my office and told me that this is the best job they have ever had (from PAs to producers to accountants).

The only way to create that kind of environment is to be willing to fire people who will poison that environment – no matter how difficult it is. And, no matter how nice you try to be about it . . . that makes you the bad guy to some people – and is likely to make you some enemies. But, I am a firm believer that we are better judged by the people who do not like us, than by the people who do. And, this is one form of collateral damage that I believe is well worth the pain and suffering.