by Thomas E. Knauff … We all love our propane tanks, bobtails and other “hard” assets. But we also know, if we’ve been in the industry a while, that the No. 1 determinant of long-term success is people. The human factor affects near-term performance — sales of propane and services are influenced by each interaction your drivers, service technicians, and other employees have with customers. And for the years to come, managing the “soft” side of operations also greatly influences the value of your business. This is important to understand if you are considering potential exit strategies. You need to pay attention to the people you hire and develop, their attitudes and collective culture, and the way they communicate among themselves and with your customers. Owners who…