Publisher’s Letter

It is not planned, but it seems that every year many Business Excellence Awards winners follow a common theme. Last year, for instance, the theme was transformation, something required of any prospering business today.
If there is such a theme in 2014, it is customer focus. Our winner for business leadership, Amica Mutual Insurance Co. Chairman, President and CEO Robert A. DiMuccio, leads a company that is recognized yearly for its outstanding customer service. The accolades are not an accident. Amica hires people who are “empathetic, service-oriented and relate well to others,” DiMuccio said, and then creates an atmosphere that respects their contributions.
Of course, the winners for corporate citizenship – Bank of America Corp.’s Oliver Bennett – and community involvement – Ocean State Job Lot – are defined by service, in this case to the community writ large. The time, insight and resources they commit to helping others outside their business operations is something all of us can cheer.
Two of the winners of general excellence, The Washington Trust Co. and Rhode Island Primary Care Physicians Corp. are driven by service – to clients/customers, to patients. Without that approach, neither of them would have been able to stake out their standing in the region.
And finally, both the nonprofit winners make their marks on the community by helping others make theirs. Social Enterprise Greenhouse supports entrepreneurs turning service ideas into functioning enterprises while City Year Rhode Island help guide at-risk children back into the mainstream, where they have a better chance to flourish.
The Business