Area Entrepreneurs Share Their Success Tips at Philadelphia Conference
By John McDevitt
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A local magazine is holding a TED-like conference today on the campus of Drexel University.
The third annual "Thinkfest," sponsored by Philadelphia magazine, is a daylong discussion of ideas, innovation, and the future of Philadelphia.
One of the speakers, entrepreneur Nick Bayer, is CEO of Saxby's Coffee, which moved to Philadelphia in 2008, when the economy wasn't the greatest.
He told the audience that hospitality is they key to making a business grow.
"Every single day, the 750 or 800 people that work for Saxby's show up every day knowing that their sole responsibility is to make life better," he told the attendees.
Bayer said that when hiring, they look for unique people who are outgoing, detail-oriented, and disciplined. And that energy, he says, spreads to all aspect of the business.
"And every way that you can measure this, our company has gotten significantly better," he said. "Retention of team members is through the roof right now. Applicants that put in for our company is through the roof, and, as our investors care about, comp (comparative) sales -- year over year sales -- are at an exceptional high in our business."
Other speakers included community leaders, educators, and heads of several Philadelphia hospitals.