Entries Tagged 'Interviews' ↓

I’ve yet to meet Allan DeKaye, though I will be meeting him in about two weeks. I’ve known about him for a long time, though, as he’s a healthcare consultant whose forte is information and statistics. At least that’s the impression I’ve always had about him, as he used to write a newsletter years ago, plus he puts out a report that helps hospitals with their analyses by coming up with benchmark statistics that hospitals can aim for.

1. What is DeKaye Consulting, Inc??

DEKAYE Consulting, Inc. (www.dekaye.com) — Healthcare consulting firm focused on the revenue cycle for healthcare organizations, physician groups and corporate entities.

2. What made you decide to go into this business?

It provided a vehicle and opportunity for being able to bring creative solutions to organizations in the marketplace without all of the bureaucracy of large consulting organizations. When it’s your business, you can do that–although it does come with challenges!

3. What types of challenges have you had along the way?

When it’s your business, it can be a “24 x 7 x 365″ proposition, so finding time and a way to “turn” if off (or down) is necessary and requires a certain amount of discipline; and it is difficult to do.

4. Have the positives outweighed the negatives, and if so, how?

Definitely! There is an even greater level of satisfaction from successfully completing a client’s project than when working for a large company. In addition to doing it for the client, you do it for yourself, and this is personally rewarding. Of course, maintaining the consistently high level of energy and commitment is necessary to ensure achieving those types of results on a regular basis.

5. What would you recommend for anyone looking to go into business for themselves?

It is a not a commitment to be taken lightly. It will take a lot of effort and hard work to make it succeed. You should try to differentiate yourself from others offering the same or similar services. When you do it for others, you put their name on it; when you do it for yourself, it’s your name that goes on it. Do it with pride; these differences do matter, and can lead to success!

I’ve known Jill for close to 6 years now, as she’s one of the first people I directly met when I started trying to meet more people in the Syracuse area. The funny part about this story is that she knew my dad for much longer, having ridden on the bus with him into downtown Rochester for years when each used to do park and ride. I didn’t learn that until the day after my dad passed away, when I found her email address in his address book; talk about small worlds.

1. What is Hurst Associates?

Hurst Associates, Ltd. works with organizations to make them and their content accessible to the world. Many of the organizations I work with are cultural heritage organizations (e.g., libraries, museums, and archives), but I also work with for-profit organizations. For some, I help them plan and implement projects to digitize their materials for wider access, often on the Internet. With others, I help them implement social networking tools so they — and their organizations — are interacting more with their colleagues and users.

2. What made you decide to go into this business?

I decided to start my own business in 1998, after working in corporations for nearly 15 years. I wanted the challenge of working for myself and the ability to work on projects that interested me.

3. What types of challenges have you had along the way?

My ongoing challenge is marketing. Since the projects I work on are not projects that occur every day in an organization, how do I position myself so I come to mine when the need arises? Early in my business, I wrote articles for industry publications as well as book. More recently, I have used blogs and social networking tools to create name recognition in the information industry. Having name recognition has made marketing easier, but has not eliminated the need to do marketing. Marketing will always be a challenge.

4. Have the positives outweighed the negatives, and if so, how?

Yes, the positives have dramatically outweighed the negatives. My business has given me the income, flexibility and recognition that I need. It has open doors for me that I could not have opened as an employee in another business.

5. What would you recommend for anyone looking to go into business for themselves?

1. Talk to people who are already in business for themselves and ask them what they know now that they wish they had known when they started their business.

5. Plan….and then work your plan.

First, I’ve decided to only post one of these a day, so that each interviewee has the opportunity to make sure their interview is going to be seen. After all, one never knows what else I might write during the day.

Second, I met Don through Ryze, an online networking group that I’ve talked about in the past, many years ago. He ran a network on marketing, and he was always encouraging everyone to test their marketing on his network. I was the only one who ever took him up on it; not sure what that says about other people or about me. I also participated in a few interactive marketing sessions with Don and others; Don certainly doesn’t lack for energy. This is someone you definitely should check out:

1. What is Don L. Price Companies?

A). Price Publishing – consists of e-News, Training programs on CD’s and downloads on the Internet

D) Professional Speaker – Keynotes, Seminars, Workshops and Retreats.

2. What made you decide to go into this business?

Independence, Money and Life Style

3. What types of challenges have you had along the way?

Many – Changes in the market place - Staying up on current trends – Making the right decisions

4. Have the positives outweighed the negatives, and if so, how?

Absolutely the positives have always outweighed the negatives. My freedom to make as much money I’m capable of. Being able to pick and choose my destination in all area of life – Live where I want, travel when I want and it goes on and on

5. What would you recommend for anyone looking to go into business for themselves?

Depends – but for the entrepreneur type I would jump in front of the trends in business. The travel business is one – a 7 trillion dollar business world wide and growing.

I met Jeff Norensky many years ago when we were both on a committee at the Syracuse Chamber of Commerce that worked on educational seminars.

1. What is Microtech Computers?

MicroTECH Computer Center, we provide IT services to business clients.

2. What made you decide to go into this business?

We have been in the computer business for 25 years, and went into it in its infancy assuming that it would grow rapidly.

3. What types of challenges have you had along the way?

Our business has become extremely competitive in regard to selling computer products. Some of our customers want us to compete with mail-order and Internet pricing for computers, yet they also want us to be available if something doesn’t work properly. So, they would like to have an on-site warranty, and mail-order pricing, which really is not economically feasible.

4. Have the positives outweighed the negatives, and if so, how?

There have been many times that I questioned my decision to own my own company, and felt obligated to continue on for my staff. But, each year it has gotten better and I now have a stable and rewarding business, but it took many, many years to reach this point.

5. What would you recommend for anyone looking to go into business for themselves?

I would not recommend anybody go into a business selling a commodity product. And, only go into business if they have a somewhat unique product or special skill that they can market. If selling a product that is readily available through numerous sources, there will be someone that buys for less than you do, and sells at a ridiculous margin, which makes it hardly profitable if you choose to compete on price.

As an independent consultant, I have my own tales of woe and glory that I could talk about regularly. However, I can talk about myself any time I want to. I thought it might be more beneficial if I talked about others, or let them talk about themselves. Each interview will have the same 5 questions, and the responder can answer them any way they see fit. Every once in awhile I might add a little something beforehand, if I have anything, but overall, it will be their words.

The very first person in this new interview series is Jim Yarsinsky of Expeditive. I’ve known Jim for over six years, and he booked one of my first consulting assignments, a training session for a hospital system in New Jersey, and continues coming through for me with new contracts every once in awhile. Below are the questions, and Jim’s answers:

1. What is Expeditive?

Expeditive is an interim revenue cycle staffing firm.

2. What made you decide to go into this business?

Saw a need within the industry for professional and seasoned folks to work on short-term assignments/projects.

3. What types of challenges have you had along the way?

Filling the growing number of job orders.

4. Have the positives outweighed the negatives, and if so, how?

Absolutely. I love what I am doing. As you know, I spent years on the road as an independent revenue cycle consultant. This venture allows me to go home every night and affords me more time with my family.

5. What would you recommend for anyone looking to go into business for themselves?

Be passionate about it. Do not go into half hearted and be well capitalized.