After 5: 2009 Revealing Resolutions: Executives bring back business basics

A recent survey by Stephen Shapiro, author of "Goal-Free Living," finds that only about 45 percent of Americans make New Year's resolutions, and of those, a staggering 8 percent continually find success with their resolutions. However, many CEOs, business owners and leaders in Springfield are skipping cynicism over the economy and approaching the New Year with goals that take a positive look at getting back to the basics and focusing on customers and employees.

How do we know? Springfield Business Journal asked area executives, and here's what they said:

"In just about every area of my life, 'back to the basics' will be the catch phrase for 2009," says Tim Rosenbury, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Butler, Rosenbury & Partners Inc., an architectural and design firm.

Mark Cook, president and sales manager of Central States Industrial, reiterates Rosenbury's theme. "We are continuing our focus on the basics of business; preparing for the upturn," he says. "We are training, working on process improvements and how to better take care of our customers each day."

Damon Holland, owner of Spherion, an employee staffing and recruiting firm, angles toward flexibility. "My team will adjust our approach," he says, "to meet the needs and budgets of our clients."

Bill Redman, owner of the Springfield Merry Maids franchise, views his 25th year as not much different than other tough years. "Our 2009 emphasis will continue to be on (our customers and employees)," Redman says.

Creative spin

Those who approach the coming year with innovation, creativity and perseverance are likely to rise to the top during this inevitable period of refining.

Jerry Hackleman, president of DeWitt & Associates, plans to increase the company's market share in the construction community with new services and methods, keep projects affordable and increase work with those building green. "We all need to make better use of our resources - do what we can now to improve the world for the future generations," he says.

At consulting firm TrustPoint Management Group, Managing Partner Brett Baker will target behaviors that take his clients out of their comfort zone. "The most profound focus I'm hearing from clients is the act of identifying the high-impact behaviors it takes to be successful on a daily and weekly basis." Getting those specific actions on the calendar and enacting (the client) moves one toward stated goals. "Identify, plug in and live by your calendar," he recommends.

Hope for the future

In the nonprofit sector, there is an acute awareness that belts and purse strings are tightening. However, needs are even greater during times of struggle.

Judith Nelson, director of development for The Family Violence Center, acknowledges the demand for her organization's services is likely to increase in 2009. Her goal is to further raise awareness of domestic violence in the community, teach methods of intervention and raise funds for the services the center provides.

Jim Oman of The Rainbow Network battles the devastating effects the world economy is having on the poorest of the poor in Nicaragua. "For the first time," he says, "we are seeing an increasing rate of malnutrition and health problems due to a poor diet and terrible living conditions." Oman, development director at the Springfield headquarters, views current conditions as a challenge to work toward change - one person, one heart and one gift at a time, he notes.

Always work to be done

Bryan Morris, finance manager of security company American Detection Specialists, resolves to become better at managing his time. "Around here, we have found that there is never a lack of things to do, but getting the right thing done at the right time is always a challenge," he says.

Springfield City Manager Greg Burris would like a quiet 2009. Given the likelihood that isn't going to happen, he says, "I would also like to achieve a level of financial stability within the city such that everyone in Springfield wants my job."

In perspective

Walt Disney started with a dream and a mouse and in 1937 released the first American animated feature film in movie history - in the midst of the Great Depression.

"If you can dream it, you can do it."