Welcome:  Moving Forward

Bonnie Del Conte
President & CEO, CONNSTEP

After the winter we endured here in the northeast, spring is certainly a warm welcome and I can't help but see it as a metaphor for positive change in our economic environment. Through conversations with fellow business leaders, I hear their desire to have the fresh air banish the last vestiges of our "winter" fi scal state, bringing with it optimism and certainty for industry here in Connecticut.

There's a saying that a recession is a terrible opportunity to miss, so it only seems fitting that our focus for this issue of Advantage is on future opportunities. While not immune from the effects of the economic downturn, both of the featured companies in this issue - Hologic (page 14) and Dymotek (page 18) - are poised for future growth thanks to their strategic implementation of Lean, investments in new technology and successful shifts in company culture.

And like our clients in the manufacturing, healthcare and government industries, CONNSTEP is moving forward - continuing with our mission to be your total business improvement resource, delivering real value for your investment through strategic approaches. We have confidence that the value streams for our core products and services are essential components for accelerating top line growth, operational
effi ciencies and long-term sustainability.

Spring is also an opportune time to introduce our newly redesigned publication, CONNSTEP Advantage. After an in-depth solicitation from our marketplace, extreme consideration was given to all aspects, including content, design and features. From this, we have developed a revamped and reenergized magazine that, we believe, reflects the needs of our readership. This quarterly periodical will showcase client successes, technical articles and leadership profiles.

It is our hope that you find substance in our content and it is of value to you as leader in Connecticut business industry. But of course, you have the fi nal say - we're anxious to know what you think! Please send your feedback to the magazine's editor, Rebecca Mead at rmead@connstep.org. Comments and suggestions on our regular features and quarterly articles will be taken into consideration as our magazine continues to evolve.