Most of us are skeptical when it comes to fate, but upon hearing the backstory of Toshiba Business Solutions’ Steven Sauer, it just might flip the thinking of even the most hardened of non-believers.
Owning a most impressive educational resume that includes an MBA from Rochester Institute of Technology, a BS in finance from SUNY Geneseo and completion of Harvard Business School’s executive education program, Sauer did an accounting internship with Business Methods, a Lanier dealership out of Rochester, New York.
Sauer entered the banking world upon graduating, spending a year in Chase Bank’s professional development program before moving on to Fleet Bank (now Bank of America). He was a relationship manager in corporate banking, in charge of managing and expanding a portfolio of commercial loans to businesses. The recipient of the first corporate loan Sauer ever wrote?
Business Methods.
Fast forward 10 years after interning with Business Methods. Sauer receives a phone call from owner Alan Goldstein, who wasn’t involved in day-to-day operations, asking him to help run the company as chief operating officer.
“As it turns out, the person I replaced was cooking the books and the company was essentially bankrupt,” noted Sauer, a 2019 ENX Magazine Difference Maker. “With the help of a great team, I was able to turn the company around, then purchase and eventually sell it to Toshiba in 2004.”
Indeed, under Sauer’s guidance as president, Business Methods was able to triple its business. That core of 120 employees transitioned to Toshiba with Sauer, who continues to flourish in his role as regional president of the direct sales operation, which encompasses 650 employees. These past 16 years have been highly rewarding for Sauer, and he shares much of the success with his “teammates,” who have continued to excel with other great employees under the Toshiba flag.
“I think I’m able to make the impact that I do because I try to be the best leader I can be each day,” Sauer related. “And that is something my team and peers recognize.”
The Face of Good
Creating a sound foundation was made easier for Sauer because of the wealth of resources at his disposal. Understanding what “good looks like” financially from a dealership perspective was furnished through the renowned Tom Johnson. Meanwhile, top consultants John Hey and John Hanson provided the tools, blueprint and support to implement that financial model and reap the desired results. By the same token, Sauer has followed the belief that life and success are accompanied by many nuance, and there is no one true path to its realization.
The present and future offer sunny skies, however. Sauer notes the team continues to show growth in all critical areas, including managed print services and solutions. Daily improvement is a top priority, and Sauer strives to find the right balance of time.
Steven and Denise Sauer have three kids—Elizabeth, Brett and Hudson—and they enjoy stealing away to the family’s summer home on Keuka Lake, in the Finger Lakes region of central New York. Daily exercise is a priority (biking, hockey, snow and water skiing) for Sauer, though his activity list has one occasional stray.
“Playing as little golf as possible,” he added.
