www.propertiesmag.com/archives/2000-11/lighting.htm -
[Cached Version]
Published on: 11/1/2000
Last Visited: 9/8/2007
"I do not take the 20-year anniversary of ALLIED LIGHTING SERVICES as seriously as I do my wedding anniversary," explains Mark Wasserman, president of this company.His family serves as the inspiration for his dedication to his successful enterprise.
In what seems to be a family tradition, Wasserman shares credit for his success with his wife and partner, Leigh.Like his father before him, Wasserman works hand-in-hand with his wife.
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"My father was in the conventional commercial sign business," Wasserman explains.With a large amount of vision, chutzpah, and business acumen, he however, envisioned another dimension for signage.Computer technology made many of Wasserman's visions a reality.
Ironically, Wasserman sometimes chooses to rely on more traditional methods of conducting business."Technology is a great thing, but I do not agree with all of it," he explains.For example, he disparages "impersonal" voice mail, preferring human voices to take customer messages."I will never in a million years install voice mail in this company," he declares.
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In addition to good customer service, relationships are important to Mark Wasserman.Over the years, many of ALLIED customers seem like "friends" to him.He has spoken to one woman three or four times a week for the last 19 years and they have never met!
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Wasserman chooses not to micromanage, but provides room for employees to grow and contribute.Wasserman, a man of youthful appearance, recalls wistfully of his staff, "Once we were all young together, but now I feel like the elder statesman."
Mark Wasserman "loves" his business.When questioned about retirement, this self-proclaimed "workaholic" says he plans to continue exploring the "rewards and downsides" of his enterprise for "another 30 years."