PFFC - November 2008 - (Page 64)

EXPERIENCE SPEAKS uWhat is the key to retaining good employees? Good employees are difficult to find but easier to keep. The single key is to challenge and reward them. uIs there one association that is particularly helpful to your business? UMASS Family Business Center. uWhat do you know now that you wish you had known when you started out? That I’d have more fun as a professor. I originally started in the education field before pursuing a computer science degree. There’s a lot more to running a business than making money. The more your business A successful leader should be decisive & honest, occasionally humble. uWhat keeps you up at night with regard to your business? Keeping a healthy balance in your life is important; I sleep well. I try to keep business at work as best as I can. I’ve learned I am a bigger asset to my company when I’m not exhausted. uWhat sustainability efforts has your company made? We installed energy-efficient lighting, and more than 90% of our waste is transformed into energy pellets that burn much cleaner than coal. We use water-based inks and offer water-based adhesives and biodegradable film. Being able to print digital labels cuts back our waste tremendously. uJohn Dion uOwner of Dion Label Printing Inc. uManagement Style | Collegial uHobbies | Kayaking and roller blading with my wife uHow did you get into grows, the more paperwork, responsibility, and precautions that need to be made in order to be successful. Running a business is both risky and rewarding but not necessarily fun. uWhat advice would you give to someone just starting out? It’s important to diversify your customers and your product offerings. uDo you have a personal hero? My dad. He taught me a lot and set a very good example of how to be a leader and how to live life. uDo you have a personal motto? Our business is not life or death. We needn’t be too serious about it. the converting business? My father founded the company in his basement with two printing presses, but the company grew so large, he had to move it into the garage! In 1981, my brother and co-owner Dave joined the business, and the company moved to a 5,000-sq-ft facility. Two years later, when I joined the company, the family-owned and operated business was officially complete. uHave any management books influenced you? Yes, lots, for about a half-hour. Their philosophies are excellent, and it’s important to take key points and apply them to your business model. But, one size does not fit all; you can’t try to fit your business structure into something that worked for others but may not work for you. uWhat is the biggest threat to the converting industry right now? Energy prices. About Dion Label Printing Inc. u539 North Rd., Westfield, MA 01085 uwww.dionlabel.com uFounded 1969; 1 plant; 70+ employees uSpecialization | Pressure-sensitive labels, tags, and tickets What management books have influenced you? Share your perspective. Write to yolanda.simonsis@penton.com. 64 | NOVEMBER 2008 WWW.PFFC-ONLINE.COM http://www.dionlabel.com http://WWW.PFFC-ONLINE.COM

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of PFFC - November 2008

PFFC - November 2008 Contents First Glance Calendar of Events From the Editor Web Lines Process Management News Clips Narrow Web & Label Reporter Narrow Web & Label: What’s New Products TLMI Awards Card Making Web Coating Ink Dispensing Lab/Pilot/Technical Facilities Directory Testing & Measuring Products What’s New Products Services Directory Classified Marketplace Advertisers Index Experience Speaks

PFFC - November 2008

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