February 13, 2008
Biz. Leaders: Passion, Integrity Trump Economy
By Matthew L. Brown
Passion, integrity, love of change and good relationships with employees, customers and business associates are the keys to success in business, according to a panel of local business leaders assembled by the Worcester Business Journal.
The WBJ honored its Business Leaders of the Year Tuesday evening at the Beechwood Hotel. The leaders honored were: Douglas A. Starrett of the L.S. Starrett Co. of Athol; James Coghlin Sr. of Worcester's Coghlin Cos.; Christopher Sandusky and James Banks of Integrated Process Technologies in Devens; and Linda Cavaioli of the YWCA of Central Massachusetts.
Banks, who along with IPT co-founder Sandusky won the award for entrepreneur of the year, said finding and keeping skilled labor is a challenge for IPT.
Starrett, president and CEO of the WBJ's large business of the year, agreed with Banks. "It's always been a difficult task, and it continues to be moreso. We've always tried to train our own people," with a variety of training and education programs, he said.
Starrett also brings trainees to the Athol plant in a van for training, followed by an eight-week evaluation period. Starrett said the company has hired 26 people in the last year using that program.
All four panelists said their businesses have not taken any direct hits during the current economic slow-down.
Cavaioli, the YWCA's executive director and nonprofit business leader of the year, said the agency uses a number of different indicators to keep tabs on the economy. One of the most important, she said, is child care.
"Child care is our largest service," she said. Through enrollment in the child care program, Cavaioli said the agency can determine whether people are working, and currently enrollment is good.
Coghlin, corporate citizen of the year, said his company is somewhat insulated from the overall economy because it specializes in managing a wide mix of highly complex projects of moderate volume. All its eggs are not in one basket.
Asked for advice for fellow business-owners, the panel said businesses need passion, integrity and a little luck.
"Identify what (employees) are passionate about, and surround yourself with people who love to do the things you hate to do," Coghlin said.
"Have integrity and make sure you project integrity to your employees and customers," Banks said.
"Love change," Cavaioli said, "because if you don't, it's not going to work."
"I was fortunate to inherit a great team," Starrett said. "Dad was very high on bringing people on not for a skill set, but more importantly, someone who fits with the business culture."
The WBJ honored its Business Leaders of the Year Tuesday evening at the Beechwood Hotel. The leaders honored were: Douglas A. Starrett of the L.S. Starrett Co. of Athol; James Coghlin Sr. of Worcester's Coghlin Cos.; Christopher Sandusky and James Banks of Integrated Process Technologies in Devens; and Linda Cavaioli of the YWCA of Central Massachusetts.
Banks, who along with IPT co-founder Sandusky won the award for entrepreneur of the year, said finding and keeping skilled labor is a challenge for IPT.
Starrett, president and CEO of the WBJ's large business of the year, agreed with Banks. "It's always been a difficult task, and it continues to be moreso. We've always tried to train our own people," with a variety of training and education programs, he said.
Starrett also brings trainees to the Athol plant in a van for training, followed by an eight-week evaluation period. Starrett said the company has hired 26 people in the last year using that program.
All four panelists said their businesses have not taken any direct hits during the current economic slow-down.
Cavaioli, the YWCA's executive director and nonprofit business leader of the year, said the agency uses a number of different indicators to keep tabs on the economy. One of the most important, she said, is child care.
"Child care is our largest service," she said. Through enrollment in the child care program, Cavaioli said the agency can determine whether people are working, and currently enrollment is good.
Coghlin, corporate citizen of the year, said his company is somewhat insulated from the overall economy because it specializes in managing a wide mix of highly complex projects of moderate volume. All its eggs are not in one basket.
Asked for advice for fellow business-owners, the panel said businesses need passion, integrity and a little luck.
"Identify what (employees) are passionate about, and surround yourself with people who love to do the things you hate to do," Coghlin said.
"Have integrity and make sure you project integrity to your employees and customers," Banks said.
"Love change," Cavaioli said, "because if you don't, it's not going to work."
"I was fortunate to inherit a great team," Starrett said. "Dad was very high on bringing people on not for a skill set, but more importantly, someone who fits with the business culture."
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