Entrepreneur Of The Year
Instilled ownership
How James Zedella connects with employees at Innovative Process Administration
Smart Business Akron/Canton | July 2009
Winner
Health Care and Medical
When James Zedella bought Innovative Process Administration with his group in 2002, he knew he’d have to make sacrifices to keep IPA running, as it was not viable and had just six employees. So to save and expand IPA, Zedella worked unpaid for the first year to meet payroll and other expense obligations. Because of Zedella’s sacrifice as the company’s president and CEO, IPA now employs 55 people, and Zedella hopes to grow the company to 100 employees by 2011.
The increase in the number employees will be needed for the boost in the number of clients IPA works with. The target customers for IPA are the human resources departments of companies with self-insured benefit plans. Clients use IPA’s services to automate tactical portions of their benefits delivery process so that the department can focus on the strategic components.
IPA competes in both the direct and private label businesses and also invests to stay at the forefront of technology. In addition, it has built a direct-buy model to accompany its private-labeled license model. Zedella operates his company successfully by offering the most advanced product for his clients while also being a low-cost provider.
However, IPA’s achievements are not solely a result of the quality and price of the product it offers. Zedella has instilled a great sense of pride in his employees as he treats them with respect and credits them for having ownership in the company. All of IPA’s employees are familiar with the company’s business plan, and many of them are involved in helping to create the annual strategy.
In addition, every employee participates in a revenue-based bonus plan. Because of Zedella’s outstanding management, employees have high morale, resulting in outstanding performance and intelligent decision-making, and the company also experiences low turnover.
Going forward, IPA’s strategic product development has set the company up to thrive as the technology industry evolves. Zedella plans to keep IPA as a domestic company but seeks to continue adding clients as existing clients spread the word.
How to reach: Innovative Process Administration, (440) 717-3240 or www.innproc.com
