A longtime Carlisle, MA, resident, Douglas A. G. Stevenson is a construction executive with more than 30 years of experience. Currently serving as president of RBS Strategies, LLC., Doug Stevenson provides consulting services to residential and commercial clients. At RBS, he handles sales, marketing, customer relations, and oversight of personnel.
Earlier in his career, Doug Stevenson served as a design engineer for Panorama Products. He then worked as a project manager for Estabrook Holdings, where he managed construction of large custom residences, including supervising subcontractors. He also held multiple executive-level positions at another company prior to launching his current firm.
An active member of his community, Doug Stevenson spent six terms as chairman of the Board of Selectman in Carlisle and contributed his time to the Memorial Day Committee. He volunteers for the Central Food Ministry and spent one year as chairman of the Veterans Honor Roll Committee. Additionally, he belonged to the Volunteer Fire Department and was a charter member of the Carlisle Firefighter’s Relief Association.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
Every morning, I work out by either going for a run or going to the gym. I visit my 90-year-old mother most days. Some days, I have coffee with circle of friends, and we discuss world events. I have my breakfast after coffee and then I will shower up for the day. Check emails and communicate via phone and emails. Check my investments in the stock market, make trades and adjustments as necessary. Follow up on my consulting contract business – this could anywhere from a couple hours to most of the remainder of the day. After that, I will typically follow up on my volunteer local committee work pertaining to the 250th anniversary Start of the American Revolution. I’m also on the board of a Food Pantry non-profit. Some days I will run my errands to the bank, etc. and in the evenings, have dinner with my family.
How do you bring ideas to life?
Brainstorming while running and exercising, and sometimes I will run ideas past my workout partners for feedback. I also might have a stimulating dinner conversation with my family.
What’s one trend that excites you?
Politics – reading about and understanding current events and politics.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Starting my day with exercise and a healthy breakfast.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Be more outgoing and less introverted.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Eat a big and healthy breakfast.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
Exercise allows me to get focused again.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Keeping your word, treating other people with respect, and networking.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
Remaining open to others’ viewpoints and opinions. The lesson learned is don’t be afraid to reinvent oneself.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Microsoft Excel, and I use it to analyze, compare, and calculate data.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
A book called – What They Don’t Teach You at Harvard Business School. The author is Mark McCormack – This book contains a lot of good business information, personal relationships information, and anecdotes.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
Netflix documentary special on “We Are the World,” which is a music special on the unification of various music giants singing We Are the World.
Key learnings
- Be an honest person in all that one does.
- Take care of one’s health physically and mentally.
- Work hard and work smart.