Drive innovation
A big reason that Ouellette and American Textile have been successful is because they stuck to what they were good at, but they have also been innovative in how they improved upon their core competencies. Having people who can foster innovation is important to be able to continue to grow your company.
“Innovation plays a significant part in our company,” Ouellette says. “We were once told by a major retailer in this country that ‘new’ sells, and it does, provided that ‘new’ makes sense to the customer. Having a group of people responsible for product development is a major ingredient in being able to grow. If you come out with a product that’s just the same as everybody else’s, it becomes a commodity and a price war. When you come out with a product that is new and different, that’s what the retailers are looking for and that’s what the consumers are looking for. Have a group of people who are trying to develop ideas based upon where trends are going, what the consumer is doing, how people live today and how that differs from how they lived last year. If you can find products that can solve their problems or fit their newer lifestyle, that’s a way you have an opportunity to grow more rapidly.”
It’s very difficult to just create innovation out of thin air. You have to work at it and create a culture that will support innovation within your organization.
“You really need to create and invest in developing an innovative culture,” Ouellette says. “When most people think of Pittsburgh, they think of steel. We tried to get people from Pittsburgh who knew the textile industry, but unfortunately, most of the people who know textiles are located in the southeastern part of the country. You can either try to move the talent to where you are, or you can move where you are the talent. The latter has really worked for us. The major catalyst is getting the experienced people in the industry.”
Having people that understand your industry in and out is crucial for growth. If you are unable to properly understand your market you will lose to the competition. You have to be willing to do what it takes to get the right people.
“The first dollar spent on the right talent is so critical,” Ouellette says. “If you don’t have the right people who are charged with the responsibility and know how to execute the plan, not just have the desire but the know-how, that makes all the difference in the world. You’ve got to get the right talent and you’ve got to pay for that talent. They have to have all the right experience and background, not just 80 percent of it. You’ve got to have the whole thing in our opinion.”
HOW TO REACH: American Textile Co., (412) 948-1020 or www.americantextile.com
