The common wisdom is that technology is best understood by boy- and girl-wonders and leaves the more mature professional puzzled.

Anyone who thinks that doesn’t know Lyle Steeber, general manager of Native Tele-Data Solutions, 4443 N. Flowing Wells Road.

Steeber started to work in 1957 at Mountain State Telephone & Telegraph Co., better known as Mountain Bell. Before retiring he worked for AT&T.

He has the distinction of working in Safford, the last town in Arizona to get the dial tone. Yes, just like on the reruns of "Andy Griffith," there was a time when people picked up the telephone and talked to an operator, instead of getting a dial tone. Sometimes, instead of an operator, you heard a neighbor because you shared a party line.

Steeber was there for it all.

After working for AT&T for five years, Steeber retired but it wasn’t for long. He worked for several different companies and in 1996, he and wife M.J. Steeber started Native Tele-Data Solutions. She is the president of the company.

Thinking back on technological changes over the last half century, one has to conclude Steeber is an expert in the telecom industry. From telephones - with no dial tone - to large area networks between buildings and wide area networks between towns and buildings, it has been, and continues to be, quite a journey.

Two of the Steeber’s family are in the business and Lyle Steeber credits their presence as well as a loyal, competent staff, as important ingredients to their success.

"We’ve had our ups and downs but our regular clients keep us going when times are slow," said Steeber.

Like most technology companies, times are not slow for Steeber’s firm now. They are, like almost all businesses, affected by energy costs. Native Tele-Data runs 17 company vehicles and energy costs take their toll. Also, when copper is high it increases costs because several of their markets require copper lines.

Among the Best Practices at Native Tele-Data Solutions is the ability to keep up with technological innovations, and anticipate technology and market changes.

For example, as the market moves more to wireless, the company has increased its ability to secure government contracts. Native Tele-Data’s strategy was to hire experts who could open that market.

The firm serves a variety of market segments from general construction contracts, area network installations, telephone systems and selling complete equipment, government contracts.

The Best practices Native Tele-Data Solutions uses can be used by any firm:

1. Keep up with your markets — know where they’ve been and where they are going.

2. Be willing to switch markets if your market becomes mature or obsolete.

3. Pay close attention to your customer’s deadlines and schedules; do your best to meet them.

4. Do whatever it takes to get the job done.

5. Plan ahead on schedules and for your business.

6. Know that you will have ups and downs and ride easy with the pressure.

It doesn’t hurt to have 51 years’ experience, lots of contacts and children who are active in the business. The company that gets its name from their Native American heritage is planning ahead for many more years of excellence.

Contact Sharon Youngblood at say@youngbloodconsulting.com or call (520) 795-7498. Youngblood is a management consultant, corporate coach and speaker specializing in helping leaders improve performance and profitability of firms. Her website is www.youngbloodconsulting.com. Best Practices appears the first Monday of each month in Inside Tucson Business.