“Relationships are the cornerstone of success in this business. If we don’t have a sound relationship with our clients, understanding their philosophies and tastes, then we don’t have a successful project.” Robert Amendolara, owner Robert Amendolara Associates, interior design. February 5 For manufacturers, energy is more than just another operating expense. It plays a critical role… _________________________ “Enthusiasm for baseball in Boston means enthusiasm for baseball here.” Mike Tamburro, president of Pawtucket Red Sox baseball club. February 12 _________________________ “Natural light affects our mood and hence our productivity. We all know how we feel when we walk outside on a beautiful spring day, versus how we feel outside on a November day.” Nicholas Harmon, president of Verilux, natural spectrum lighting company headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, comments on the importance of lighting in the work environment, February 19 _________________________ “It’s just a little bump.” Ron Smith, vice president of sales and marketing for Picerne Homes, acknowledging that home sales had peaked and were on a slight downward slide. March 5 _________________________ “Anyone who goes to the mall is going to park at the mall and leave from the mall.” Louis Scotti, owner of the Subway sandwich shop on Weybossett Street explaining why Providence Place has had no impact on his business. March 12 _________________________ “We’ve made a lot of progress in this city. It has not been because we’ve been running a criminal enterprise out of this office for the past 10 years.” Mayor Vincent A. Cianci, Jr. April 9 _________________________ “This is a very tricky time. Small businesses should spend more time thinking and planning than doing. And less time on the golf course. Golf is the enemy of small businessmen.” George Cloutier of American Management Service of Washington, D.C., a consulting firm. April 16 _________________________ “I see this as a phenomenal opportunityThe arts are an important part of society, but they are unable to function without business. Creativity is the most important part of business.” Ralph Coppola of Quick & Reilly investors, and a member of the Northern Rhode Island Council for the Arts, addresses a meeting as a representative of the Business Volunteers for the Arts, and speaks on behalf the proposed BEACON Charter School in Woonsocket. April 30 _________________________ “The demand is outrageous. Everybody’s screaming for help. I get from five to 10 calls a week from people who need workers. There just aren’t enough bodies out there to satisfy the need.” Felix Carlone, associate professor and chairperson of the Department of Building Construction and Cabinet Making at New England Institute of Technology. May 21 _________________________ “One of the biggest hurdles for girls is to understand ‘I can do it.’ There are many meaningful, well-paying jobs in technology for women.” Peter Woodberry, Dean of Business and Technology at CCRI, comments at ‘Grrl Tech’ career day at Knight Campus of CCRI. May 28 _________________________ “We need a master plan. If we stay the course, gradually things will happen. But do we want to wait for gradually?” URI Economics Professor Len Lardaro, speaks about his vision for the future of Rhode Island at Providence Business News-sponsored forum at Bryant College. June 4 _________________________ “The fact that the company [Tiffany & Co.] chose Rhode Island speaks well of the talent we have. It reaffirms the fact Rhode Island is still the jewelry capital of the world.” Thomas J. Rossi, general manager of the Manufacturing Jewelers and Suppliers of Rhode Island. June 11 _________________________ “They say a rising tide lifts all boats, but if you’re not in the water to begin with, you could be left behind.” Sharon Steele, founder of the Providence real estate firm Sharon Steele Group, discussing the status of the Rhode Island real estate market where the number of houses for sale is the lowest since the Multiple Listing Service began keeping records in 1980. July 9 “We’re just seeking suitors. These buildings are dinosaurs and to get them occupied is extremely difficult for any community.” Leo Perrotta, town planner for North Providence, expressing his hope that the incentives offered by the new Mill Building Revitalization Act will help the town find buyers or users of its four old mill buildings. July 23 _________________________ “I believe that customer service is the strongest thread that binds a business–it’s the reason I have my business. I want to have what my customers want when they come here. It’s that simple.” Amy G. Custis, owner Trinity Stained Glass and Windmill Studio. August 27 _________________________ “We have an obligation – those of us who have reached varying degrees of success–to reach out to help others in this community. We all breathe the same air, we all walk the same streets–and share the same community.” Dennis Murphy, president of United Way of Southeastern New England, comments on the slogan in the lobby of the United Way: “People need each other, and that’s the bottom line.” September 3 _________________________ “This is unprecedented. There’s no history book or MBA program to study how to respond to something like this.” Dale Venturini, president and CEO of Rhode Island Hospitality & Tourism Associates, comments on the effect of the recent terrorists attack on New York and Washington. September 24 _________________________ “Everything just became a whole lot more serious. We’ve got to be thoughtful because there are people hurting out there, and we’re a people business, and it’s just made us reevaluate everything.” Steve Rosa, president of Advertising Ventures, discussing how public relations agencies have shifted their order of business since the events of Sept. 11. October 1 _________________________ “I’m satisfied. I’m very happy that the fans have taken us to heart and supported us trem-endouslyBut I’m tired.” Ben Mondor, owner and chairman of the Paw-tucket Red Sox, contemplates easing up a bit as his 80th birthday is less than three years away. October 1 _________________________ “Aggressiveness is not the term that people use when a woman goes overboard. And it’s not that she’s nice. There are other terms that are put on that. It’s extremely challenging. You have to work harder.” Cheryl Merchant, president and chief executive officer of Hope Global, a division of NFA of Massachusetts, asked what it is like being a woman in her business. October 8 _________________________ “As the horror stories mount, that’s when you’re going to see change The system–not the nursing homes alone–is causing neglect, abuse, malnutritionbecause it is not providing what it needs to provide.” Roberta Hawkins, executive director of the Alliance for Better Long Term Care, asked what would have to happen to change conditions in the long-term care system. November 5 _________________________ “There is plenty of merchandise, plenty of in-store personnel. Nobody wants to look at this with pessimism. We want to keep people upbeat and in the stores.” Paul De Roche, executive director of the Rhode Island Retail Federation, speaking optimistically about the retail prospects for the Christmas shopping season as the economy slides toward recession. November 19 _________________________ “I think we overreacted to September 11” Henry Willmore, senior U.S. economist for Barclays Capital Group comments on the reaction of business to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. December 10
Seifert Systems Invests in Energy Efficiency to Strengthen Operations
Quotable quotes from a difficult year
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