The phrase “You’re fired,” has become Donald Trump’s slogan for ruthless success in the business world. However, Steven Korman would argue that Trump is far from a paradigm of success.

Korman is the CEO of Korman Communities, chairman of the School of Tourism and Hospitality Management (STHM) Board of Visitors and a returning Executive in Residence for STHM. This successful hospitality professional, real estate developer and philanthropist spoke to over 70 STHM students on March 25, 2009, about the importance of compassion in business.

Over the past 45 years, Korman has played a significant, innovative role in his family’s hospitality and real estate business. Based out of Plymouth Meeting, Pa., Korman Communities was the first company to develop extended-stay lodging. “I love doing something unique. It’s a lot of fun to take the basic and make a change,” said Korman, of creating an environment unlike any other hotel. “And there’s no right or wrong way to do it.”

According to Korman, the hospitality industry is an important one because it involves interaction with others and making customers feel special away from home. “It makes a difference when you care about each other,” he said.

To illustrate his lesson, Korman told students about his recent ad campaign which was published in the New York Times and the Philadelphia Inquirer, and also sent to 17 major companies.

The full-page ads contained a plea to important executives of many companies to think about long-term goals and reconsider laying off employees just to gain larger profits and protect stock prices. Korman’s letter urged, “Please join me in reminding all CEOs that we are not just dealing with numbers and profit, but with real people and real families who need to keep their jobs.” He explained that, statistically, corporations do better with long-standing employees of 30 to 40 years.

Korman has not only become a role model of compassion in business, but in life as well. He is chairman of the advisory board for the Metropolitan Area Neighborhood Nutrition Alliance (MANNA), a non-profit organization that delivers three meals a day to area clients with life-threatening illnesses. “The world is round,” explained Korman. “I feel what people are feeling.” For almost 20 years, he also funded a four-person team that fed the homeless in Philadelphia. Korman personally joined the team two nights a week for three years.

Greg DeShields, senior director of corporate relations for STHM, thanked Korman for being part of the Executive in Residence program by presenting him with a certificate of appreciation, a gift bag and a poster of his event, signed by everyone in the class. “It is easy to see that Mr. Korman’s leadership of STHM’s Board of Visitors resonates throughout the local and national business community,” said DeShields.

Korman’s presentation was a refreshing look at a side of business that many people do not see. His ingenuity and commitment to others have positively impacted the Philadelphia community and beyond. “What we do in business truly reflects who we are,” he concluded. Perhaps Donald Trump could learn a thing or two about true success.