Presidents Message - It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves

by Benjamin Rand

I've got good news and bad news.

The good news: you control your own business destiny! That may seem obvious, but, in challenging times like these, many of us feel like our businesses are just tiny corks being tossed about in a stormy, macroeconomic sea. We are reduced to helpless passengers on our way to some unknown destination. I suspect that there is actually something comforting about this for many. After all, if circumstances are not under our control, then we are not responsible for the outcome. However, you need only look around to see that that argument does not hold water. There are many examples of companies all over Western New York that are doing well-big companies and small companies, manufacturing companies and service companies, privately held companies and public companies-despite these difficult times.

"We can't afford to rest on our laurels," says Dr. James Hengst, President & CEO of Zeptometrix, which is headquartered in downtown Buffalo and serves the diagnostic and pharmaceutical research products industries. "We're growing, in part, because we're constantly introducing new products."

At Ring Precision Components, a Jamestown manufacturer of precision tooling components for the metal stamping & forming, plastic injection molding and rubber molding industries, "we've changed everything we can change" on the way to record August shipments, says Dale Gier, Vice President and General Manager. "We've actually had to turn away orders this summer because we're so busy."

Logistic Dynamics of Amherst has quite a track record, having been named #1 WNY Fast Track 50 Logistics Provider 2010 and #12 Inc. 500 Fastest Growing Logistics Provider 2009, among many other awards and distinctions. Dennis Brown, Founder, CEO & President of Logistic Dynamics, created a unique value proposition by leveraging technology and the internet. Despite this success, the company continues to evolve, most recently changing its practices for recruiting new agents. What has not changed are the results: record Q1 and Q2 so far this year.

Now for the bad news: you control your own business destiny!

If companies like Zeptometrix, Ring, Logistic Dynamics and many others throughout Western New York are doing well in spite of the current environment, then it follows that we are NOT at the mercy of the economy either. In fact, we are in control. So if your company is not doing well, then you, as the leader of that business, are responsible for your results. That may seem like a tough pill to swallow when your customers are cutting their budgets or demanding lower prices or even shutting down completely. The only question is: what are you prepared to do about it?

For our three spotlight companies, the answer has been change. Each of them, no matter how great there previous successes, are continuing to change – introducing new products or revamping their recruiting processes. They have recognized that change and evolution are essential, no matter their previous results, to improve and grow the business. If successful companies like these are willing, even eager, to change in a never ending effort to get better, what should you be doing?

To quote that famous businessman William Shakespeare, "It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves."