In what ways are you an innovative leader, and how does your organization employ innovation to be on the leading edge?
Our people are all empowered to “Do what is right for the business.” When I worked for a large bakery manufacturer, we only sold what we could make, and this often was not what the customer wanted. With the Prairie City Bakery model of outsourcing of manufacturing, this is a huge advantage because we want to sell what the customer wants to buy. We do not have blinders on that say “This is the only way we can do it.” We look to solve problems and provide a solution, and then we get our reward of selling the right product that provides us with revenue.
Customers “vote” with their dollars every day and we are always looking for creative solutions that set us apart, add value and makes customers not only want to buy from us, but to recommend us and to be and advocate of Prairie City Bakery.
How do you make a significant impact on the community and regional economy?
We outsource all our cold storage frozen warehousing, shipping and delivery, which employs another 400 people in addition to the other jobs we impact. Our model is very lean and efficient. We do what we do best and outsource the rest, and coordinate everything along the way.
On the fun side of business, we also are the “Official Cookie of the Chicago Cubs” and Wrigley Field, along with the Chicago Wolves and many of the local minor league teams. We also are in eight major golf tournaments around the country.
From a community standpoint, Prairie City Bakery has many of their racks put together at Lambs Farm in Libertyville and supports District 128 schools, Prairie Pedal in Decatur, Youth and Family Counseling of Lake County.
How to reach: Prairie City Bakery, http://www.pcbakery.com/
In October 2010, Smart Business and U.S. Bank recognized nine business leaders for their commitment to business excellence and the impact their organizations make on the regional community. Treated to a keynote address by Middleby Corp. Chairman and CEO Selim Bassoul, these nine leaders composed the honor roll:
Nancy Ruscheinski
Bill Skeens
Dave Brittsan
Amanda Lannert
Scott Morey
Joel Fruendt
Jason Beans
Jim Signorelli
Larry Neibauer
