Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1518149
"Best Ideas & Key Philosophies" from 2017 Business Leaders of the Year Business Leader of the Year (Small business) JENNIE LEE COLOSI President, E.T.& L. Corp. Safety of all comes first We want employees to go home in the same condition they came to work in the morning or better. Satisfaction for "a job well done" Seeing a drawing of a structure such as a bridge or roadway and then constructing it is very satisfying especially when we do it with pride. Retain loyal, hardworking employees and hire the best people We are a family of long time, loyal employees who know our culture and can mentor new people. Be professional in all your endeavors It's important to be professional in all aspects of the business. Watch the monies Pay vendors and subcontractors timely just as you want your clients to do and chase your receivables. "Cash Flow is Queen." Share the profits of the company with employees who help earn them Thank employees for "a job well done". Apply new technologies in the industry to be more competitive Global Positioning Systems put us in the forefront of contractors when it was new and continues to enhance our construction. Plan your day the best you can Prioritize tasks based on their importance and deadlines but be flexible to change. Treat people as you wish to be treated Be respectful of people, whether they are clients, employees or vendors you never know what they are going thru. Persistence yet Patience Dedication to one's company and family is very important yet sometimes you have to be patient for changes to occur. Business Leader of the Year (Large business) STEVE HOWARD President & CEO, Bemis Associates Getting on a plane to China in 1990 and having to fight vs. flight and follow the customers and the markets to explore Asia • Bemis would not be in business today had I not and those who thought our government should protect them are gone; Bemis is much stronger today because of it. Developing and implementing "The Bemis Way" • People first • Our cultural values • We have amazing people and a uniquely positive culture Succession planning and the realization that my ultimate success is positioning the company to succeed without me • The responsibility of having a succession plan of building a livelihood for 400 plus employees and 2,000 dependents Business Leader of the Year (Nonprofit) VINCENT STRULLY, JR. Founder and CEO, The New England Center for Children Financial health "I know you're not in it for the money, but you better be. If you can't survive, you can't serve." Even nonprofits need to be looking to develop other sources of income. Funding is not guaranteed. If there is no money, you won't be able to accomplish your mission. Employee talent "Always be recruiting." Seek out the best and brightest people, people who can communicate well, and then take care of them. Invest in your staff. Opportunities for professional development create engaged employees who grow within the company. Be transparent "Always be transparent." Be transparent about every detail and transaction that occurs. When there's nothing to hide, there's nothing to fear. Strive to improve, always "If you don't have enough time to think things through, you are either poorly organized or improperly staffed." Consider the shortfalls in your organization and determine if a process is poorly managed or non-existent, if a project doesn't have merit, or if you are simply under staffed. Vision "A vision is a delusion if you can't make it happen." Have a plan. Update your strategic plan every 5 years, survey staff and constituents every year. Visit colleagues and competitors. Plan what you want to do and grow accordingly. Be present "Don't hide! Manage by wandering around." Show your staff you are interested in them by stopping in to their office and asking how they're doing, professionally and personally. Listen. Follow up. Patience "It only took 40 years!" You can start out strong, but know that sustainable growth often takes place slowly, over many years. Be a community partner Create strong and positive relationships not only with the community you serve but also with the community in which you reside. Support community events and organizations. Be yourself "Know what you don't know." Don't pretend to know everything. Ask good questions and bring in the experts.