Technology
FINALIST
Demian Sellfors has always been ahead of his time. That aspect led the self-taught IT professional and graphic design artist to branch off from an established special effects studio and begin his own web-hosting company in the humble confines of his apartment.
He focused on offering the best in both quality and customer service, and the public took notice. Soon, Sellfors’ company was acquired by one of his customers, Media Temple, which recognized his ability to lead and appointed him CEO 12 years ago. The company grew as Sellfors took a hands-on approach working directly with employees to coach, mentor and nurture the skills within each.
If you ask Sellfors his greatest contribution to the company’s success, he would dismiss his role as an innovator and instead point to his ability to inspire greatness in others.
One of the challenges he faced was determining how to position his company among its competitors, many of which were caught in a downward spiraling price war. It prompted Sellfors to follow a new strategy — Why not offer the best quality for the highest price?
Media Temple maintained its product positioning with great success, boasting the industry’s lowest churn rate of 1.3 percent compared to the industry average of 3 to 7 percent.
In the workplace, Sellfors is all about success, but he wants the pursuit of that success to be filled with fun and personal fulfillment. There is yoga and CrossFit at lunch and a catered meal every other Friday.
Children and pets are welcome at the office, and there’s even a nap area employees can use to re-energize.
Sellfors wants his employees to be at the top of their game, and if they need to take a little time off to recharge, they can do it. Each employee gets a paid, one-month sabbatical every three years. It all adds up to the last of the company’s five core values, which is simply, “Enjoy the Journey.”
How to reach: Media Temple, www.mediatemple.net
