What was the smartest thing your company did in the past year?
“To gain an increase in market share and expand internationally, we released a web-based, cloud computing, Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) version of its asset management software. This web-based version is much easier to deploy and is significantly lower in upfront costs, increasing a facility’s return on investment. Additional internationalized features in the web-based version allow us to expand our international presence.”
What’s new at your company?
“We’ve focused a great deal on expanding our market internationally with the help of new dealers and partners. We’ve recently appointed dealers in France, India, Singapore and the Middle East.”
Do you plan to hire any additional staff or make any significant capital investments in your company in the next year?
“Next year we are planning to add two to three additional salespeople to our staff. These salespeople should have knowledge of the facilities market, and if they have done business internationally, that is a plus.”
What will be your company’s main challenges in the next year?
“Our main challenge will be finding qualified salespeople to help us grow our business. An ongoing challenge is dealing with the world economy. We have seen many projects held up due to budgetary restraints in the past year, and expect it to continue into 2013.”
What’s the hottest trend in your industry?
“The hottest trends include asset maintenance software being cloud-based, or offered as a Software-as-a-Service; performing maintenance tasks in the field using smart phones and tablets; and the increased use of integrated facility management software solutions to make building smarter, greener, and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified.”
Do you have a business mantra?
“Our mantra is to treat customers with respect and deliver products to meet and exceed their needs and solve their business problems related to operation and maintenance of equipment in manufacturing and facilities. At Eagle, we believe that service means using all of our resources and expertise to solve our customers’ problems.”
From a business standpoint, who do you look up to?
“I admire John (Jack) Welch, the past chairman of General Electric. His business philosophy and the way he challenged and motivated his employees is very inspiring.”
What was the best advice you ever received?
“The best advice I ever received was from my father. He told me to treat everyone with respect, including employees, customers and shareholders.”
What’s the funniest thing that ever happened to you in your career?
“In 1969, I was employed as a project engineer at Honeywell in Waltham, Mass. At the time, I still smoked a few cigarettes a day. My boss smoked even more than me. One day, we decided to make a deal. Every time I caught him smoking, he’d owe me a quarter. Every time he caught me, I’d pay him a quarter. Since I don’t like to spend money frivolously (not even a few quarters), I decided to quit smoking on the spot. I never did pick up another cigarette, but I did make a couple bucks off my boss.”
What do you like to do in your free time?
“I enjoy traveling, playing bridge and playing tennis in my free time.”
