A diverse group of business owners from North Salem to Kingston recently attended a roundtable discussion to share strategies in fighting off the recession”™s deadly grip.
With businesses ranging from franchise owners to a nonprofit, participants included: Darlene Pfeiffer, CEO of two Kentucky Fried Chicken franchises in Dutchess and Ulster; Jeanna Lacoutte, being groomed to take over her father”™s business, New York Communications Co, with offices throughout the Hudson  Valley. She was  accompanied by Michelle Pisanelli, the company”™s executive vice president; Joy Traille, Comfort Keepers franchisee in Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess; Gladys Cardenas, founder of East Coast Pain Management in Westchester and Dutchess; Emanuel “Manny” Cauchi, owner of Basec Corp., a regional construction contractor; and Judith Factor, executive director of Friends of Karen, based in Westchester.
Held Sept. 13 at Key Bank”™s district headquarters in Poughkeepsie, the meeting was presided over by Ruth Mahoney, celebrating her first year as Key Bank”™s New York Metro District president.
Each had a story to tell about their business and its challenges.
Factor said for Friends of Karen, which works with parents of a terminally or catastrophically ill child by giving financial and emotional help, she needed to keep the public aware of its presence and engage financial angels to help it continue to serve.
Pfeiffer, a 45-year veteran of the KFC franchise, said the name change from Kentucky Fried Chicken to KFC left the public confused about its heritage.
Joy Traille said she got involved with Comfort Keepers after caring for her own mother and realizing the need for compassionate caregivers for families.
Everyone at the table may have had a different business, but needed the same information: how business peers were coping and to exchange ideas and best practices and pitfalls.
For Cardenas, a medical doctor, outsourcing East Coast Pain Management”™s IT department was “scary, because you are giving up a dedicated IT person to a ”˜cloud,”™ but the cost savings were tremendous and it actually helped us grow our technology base.”
For Pisanellli, rather than fight a competitor, she banded together with Motorola, opening doors that had been shut tight. “As a result of broadening our product line, we sold over $1 million in Motorola products in 2010 ”“ an affiliation has made us much more competitive and been a mutually beneficial arrangement.”
Factor overcame the hesitation companies have with donating now that keeping a tight grasp on the bottom line has become paramount.
“We”™ve learned to use social media to get the word out about Friends of Karen … people who never heard of us were amazed to find out what we offered. The result for the organization has been very positive. Families with children from birth to age 21 who are facing life-threatening illnesses find a complete support system from our group. And we”™ve been able to make our presence known through making the best use of Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and other social networking sites and upgrading our own website, the best investment we”™ve made to heighten awareness and attract donors ”“ and for families in crisis to find us.”
Pfeiffer said Kentucky Fried Chicken”™s name and logo change to KFC ”“ done to encourage people not to think of “fried” as a cholesterol calamity ”“has slowed her business down, but she”™s putting the emphasis on the fact that KFC is pressure-cooked and that a family can have an affordable and healthy dinner for $20. She said making an effort to be a good employer has paid off by saving her from having a revolving door of employees. “That is a huge cost and time-saver. If you have a happy staff, it”™s half the battle. They are willing to work to make us successful; and they do care.”
Cauchi is in the construction industry, but is looking to branch out into the “green” sector and turn over his current operation to his daughter, Bianca. “We have been very fortunate to have a good reputation and rapport with the bank,” said Cauchi, who is planning to build the first solar-powered glass office building. “These are very tough times for builders … so it”™s good to have a bank that has confidence in you and willing to help you in new projects.”
The business landscape has taken a beating ”“ not just from the lack of business but of the fear of investing in new ventures ”“ but each participant walked away from the roundtable feeling like they had been buoyed by the “can do” attitude they heard from fellow business owners.
“It”™s tough out there,” said Cardenas, “but when you meet with other business owners and learn how they are handling their ups and downs ”“ how they”™ve learned to partner and to keep their staff cohesive ”“ it”™s inspiring and gives you the boost you need to continue having confidence in yourself.”
Her peers agreed, as did Mahoney. “We have worked to make our bank business friendly ”“ and it is a challenge, because so many are faltering … but if there is any way to help them stay viable, we find it. That”™s the challenge of the banking industry.”
