Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1262525
"Best Ideas & Key Philosophies" from 2019 Business Leaders of the Year cont. employees feel invested in your business – a happy, invested team is a great team! 9. Understand the importance and value of your community, and how your business fits into that community. Worcester Business Journal Hall of Fame SANDY DUNN, General Manager, DCU Center 1. Balance is great but family is first – for me and for you. 2. Learn something new every day, experience a new place every year. 3. Embrace change but don't compromise your values. 4. Honesty and integrity endures – you only have one reputation. 5. Never lose sight of the person, everyone is going through something. 6. Fairness counts, make sure to hear both sides. 7. Everyone needs help, ask for it and give it. 8. Always make sure to say thank you and I'm sorry. 9. Passion matters – do it all with enthusiasm and commitment. 10. Attitude matters – enjoy the moment, celebrate successes. 11. Mistakes, we all make them – encourage the risk and use them to learn. 12. Build relationships then tend to them so they are life long. 13. Perspective isn't learned, it's lived. 14. Smile and don't forget to laugh. Worcester Business Journal Hall of Fame JAMES HARVEY, CEO E. L. Harvey & Sons, Inc. Things I learned from my Father I am probably one of the oldest recipients of this award. I work on a computer, I use a cell phone and we rely on reports that help us to strategize for profitable growth. We use all the tools available in this fast paced business climate. BUT – the truths my father taught me are still the foundation of our company. 1. Nobody is born knowing everything – whenever I would make a mistake that cost me money, my father would say, Jim, it costs money to go to college. I learned early on to make each step in life a 'learning experience' and I certainly had a lot to learn. 2. Growing up on a farm and working with family taught me of the value of each member of the 'team'. We all had our job to do and we had better be there to do it, or it created more work for the rest of the team. This instilled a very strong work ethic in me and in my family. Our employees are all people who possess that same strong work ethic. 3. Your reputation is your most important asset. My father lived by that motto. First and foremost, he always said, 'if you give someone your word, you must always do what you committed to do'. Your word represents who you are, and if your word is no good, that is a reflection of your true character. 4. Honesty is the best policy. I always told my customers, 'I won't be the cheapest vendor you have, but I will always give you the best service I can provide'. In our company, we all believe in an honest day's work for an honest day's pay. There is nothing that would make any of us try to cheat a customer, or give him less than what he has us to do. 5. Our employees are our company. A service company is only as good as the people who work there. All of the people who have worked with us over the years are like part of our family. They have played a key role in the success of our company. I always wanted them to feel that it was as much their company as it is ours. Our employees take great pride in who we are, and what we do. We are all in it together! 6. The opportunity to give back to our community plays an important role in our society. We all live in our community and we rely on each other in many ways. It is important to support as many charities and community events as you can when you are in business. These are the people who help you to be successful and it is important that we all do our share. 7. Last and very important is our relationship with our vendors. We have always tried to treat our vendors with appreciation and respect. They provide the resources that keep us going. When a truck breaks down or equipment in one of our buildings stops working, we need a quick response. Once again, as my father would say, 'if you treat them right, they will be there for you when you need them'. We have always enjoyed great vendor relationships within our industry. Worcester Business Journal Hall of Fame TONI MCGUIRE, President & CEO, Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center 1. Don't stress over the little things. Meditate. Sometimes you just need to be with yourself. 2. Show up! Be present. Fully present. 3. Use your voice for the greater good. And speak for the voices of the silent. 4. Be proud of your work. Be an ambassador. 5. Respect all generations, ages and cultures and the perspective they bring into the workplace. 6. Each will carry on the vision and mission with the values they have learned. And we learn so much from each other. 7. Be a role model. Be a mentor. Each one, reach one. 8. Laugh. It is always good for the soul! And it spreads joy. 9. Have a strong moral compass. Do the right thing. 10. Keep going even in the face of fear (it creates a higher tolerance for risk!) 11. When your parents are not rich, but give you a beautiful life appreciate their sacrifices, and dream BIG! Worcester Business Journal Hall of Fame DR. SATYA B. MITRA, President & CEO, The Guru Tax & Financial Services, Inc. 1. Connect: Relationships are built and nurtured through connection. Connection is a powerful tool to grow your business. Don't let another day pass without tapping into that power. 2. Communicate: Timely communication generates a sense of reassurance and confidence in your clients or customers and helps you retain them. Communicate with your employees and involve them in the business; take their opinions and suggestions. It results in employees feeling invested in the company, and they feel a sense of ownership. Honor, recognize and reward them for their good work. Orient them to communicate properly with your clients. Poor communication with clients and with employees is a losing proposition—period. 3. Create: Creativity can awe your clients and customers. Your personalized and unique innovations will stun people and make you memorable to them. They'll become loyal to your brand and tell others about the one-of-a-kind services or products you offer. By exercising creativity, you will make your business extraordinary and outstanding. 4. Confidence: Knowledge is the key source of confidence. As an entrepreneur, it's essential for you to make time to learn everything you can about your field. Lack of knowledge leads to insecurity, poor business practices and losing clients. When you are a true expert, your clients will see that confidence and feel that they must consult with you. Learn well and feel confident like an expert. 5. Contribute: Though giving should be motivated by your values and not in expectation of a reward, contributing to the community does build a positive reputation for your business. People will see you not only as a business owner but also as a person who cares. Make giving an integral part of your business and life. 6. Leadership: Be a leader and part of the process in the community. Every day, tell yourself, "I can do it!" Inspire and challenge yourself first to put yourself in a position to inspire and motivate others. Win the hearts of your team by being concerned about them, sacrificing for them, setting a firm goal for them and walking together with them towards that goal. 7. Ownership: Whether you are leader or entrepreneur, in every assignment you undertake, take the ownership. Think it is yours, and you will do your best. And by doing your best, you will always bring the best result. 8. Family Support: You must have a spouse who understands and supports you as a diehard fan and as a true cheerleader. Your children must inspire you to go for it. 9. Dream: Dream high! Dream is the precursor of reality. Respect your values, be fearless, and express yourself. Have faith, and don't let yourself get down. In all negative happenings there is an element of positivity, look for that. This is America, where your talent is respected and you are encouraged to achieve the best. President Ronald Reagan gave us the American slogan, "It can be done!" I am certain you can also make your dream come true. 10. The Essence: The true essence of successful entrepreneurship is giving back to the community and touching another life.