In this issue
	Kutztown SBDC News American Ramp Systems: A Unique Niche - By Dawn Wivell Right Attitude Leadership: Not just a company slogan. It's a way of life - By Dan Goldberg A Fond Farewell Insights to Success

American Ramp Systems: A Unique Niche - By Dawn Wivell

Sometimes it's all about timing. At least that's what Domenic Demenna, President of American Ramp Systems in West Chester, discovered. A series of events - a life-long dream, his father-in-law suffering a stroke, being laid off, and finally a little ad in the classified section of the newspaper - led Demenna to start his own business. Demenna says the desire to become an entrepreneur was always in him. But whether it was the timing or lack of confidence - he had never followed through on that dream. When Demenna's father-in-law was discharged from the hospital after suffering a stroke, the discharge planner advised the family of the special needs the newly disabled patient would require. With very short notice, Demenna scrambled around making his father-in- laws home accessible for him. What he found was that while it's possible to find a pizza shop on nearly every corner, finding services to accommodate the disabled was not so easy. Click here for the complete article about Demenna. »

Right Attitude Leadership: Not just a company slogan. It's a way of life - By Dan Goldberg

A few months ago I had the privilege of giving the keynote speech at the annual meeting of a company that has been in business since the late 1960's. The founders, two men now in their seventies, still run the show but they seem to have built an organization that can pretty much run on its own. They have their children and others firmly in place to enable the company to continue growing and a staff that hasn't had a turnover of more than ten people, not including part-timers and factory personnel, in over thirty years of existence. The organization has well over three hundred people, many of whom have been with the company "forever." Click here for the complete story and info about Goldberg. »

A Fond Farewell

We bid a fond farewell to Tom Skiba, the Success Connection's editor for the past two years. As he graduates from Kutztown University's MBA program and moves into the corporate world, we wish him luck and thank him for his dedication and innovations in taking the e-newsletter to the next level. As the new editor of the Success Connection, I'd like to offer a special thanks to Tom for his patience as he trained me to fill his very big shoes (not that he has big feet) and hope that I can continue the quality our readers have come to expect from the newsletter. My plan is to build on what Tom has already accomplished and offer some new and fun features. I welcome your comments and recommendations and any information you think may be relevant to other entrepreneurs. I hope to hear from you as I settle into my new position and look forward to delivering information that is timely for your entrepreneurial needs. - Dawn Wivell

Insights to Success

Insights to Success is a monthly article sharing challenges/learning opportunities encountered by our clients every month relative to their day-to-day business activities. All Insights to Success articles come from our clients' submittals. The format for the piece consists of a brief introduction, the respective challenge, and the solution. Earning Leadership - By Larry Keating For the past month I have sat in a cubicle working with an executive search firm. While executing my daily responsibilities I have observed peoples' leadership behaviors. Everyday I see innumerable opportunities for leadership at all levels, in all interactions, in all situations. As expected, I have witnessed both good and bad. The only difference between good and bad leadership is the way it looks and feels. Good leadership looks and feels flawless and results in much success and happiness. It is replete with capability, integrity, and dependability, is in the best interest of the other person (i.e., the four pillars of trust), and aligned with the firm's vision. In all cases, the leader delineates clear objectives, demands total participation, inspires creativity, and encourages behavior aligned toward the objectives. Click here for the complete insight. A New Feature In this new "Knowledge Worker Age" we've moved away from the Industrial Age thinking. Today, success is all about communication. With this in mind, we're adding a new feature to the Success Connection that will inform you about new or tried and true books about business. Our first book is Stephen Covey's The 8th Habit: From Effectiveness to Greatness. Click here for more information. > Click here for the complete insight. Please Email your Insight to Success articles to the Success Connection Editor Dawn Wivell at wive0634@kutztown.edu.