Rick Bastinelli of Centric Business Systems
Yes, Rick Bastinelli’s first job after graduating from college was a ski instructor. Although he concedes it was a great job, he says he realized – to his chagrin – that he needed to pursue a professional career. After what he describes as a comprehensive job search, he accepted a position as an entry-level sales representative for CopyWorld, a Savin dealership in southeastern Pennsylvania. “Technically it was my first real job after college,” says Bastinelli. “I stayed there for 17 years and progressed to VP of Sales for five branches prior to buying my own dealership.”
Today, as president of Centric Business Systems, Bastinelli manages a company of over 200 employees that operates out of five locations. He says he’s fortunate to have an outstanding senior management team which allows him to spend most of his day supporting the team and focusing on the company’s future vision and direction. “Our industry demands that a dealership must constantly evolve to compete effectively and meet the customer demands,” he explains. “I concentrate on providing our team the resources, training and tools required to stay relevant.”
Bastinelli described being recognized by his peers as an ENX Magazine Difference Maker as an honor. He points out that the industry has several terrific dealerships and he has learned a tremendous amount from his peers. “They are all worthy of this recognition,” he says. “I sincerely appreciate the recognition and I am proud to be a part of a great industry.”
Bastinelli cites his father as the primary figure who helped shape his personal and profession life. While still in high school and even through college he worked for his father’s manufacturing company, and it was there that he learned the importance of integrity and treating all employees with respect and appreciation. “His people skills were the key to his success in business and I try to emulate his talents,” he says.
He also credits Ben Simone, the president and founder of CopyWorld. “Ben promoted me to VP of Sales when I was 27 years old,” he says. “He was a terrific mentor and hard driver who taught me a lot about sales and management. He had the confidence in me to manage five offices and I appreciate the opportunity he gave me at a young age.”
Asked his thoughts on the current state of the office technology industry, Bastinelli notes that it is exciting, opportunistic and constantly evolving. “The industry is loaded with great, talented people,” he says. “Despite the rapid speed of changes we always adapt and find a way to succeed.”
Bastinelli’s goal for 2016 was to register over $50 million in revenue. He says that Centric Business Systems is excited about breaking that glass ceiling and achieving that long awaited goal.
What is the best advice he ever received? Bastinelli says it was to focus on hiring great people who are a team fit with the will-do and can-do to be effective. This has certainly provided the framework for what he enjoys most about his job: interacting with employees, customers and vendors. “Those relationships motivate me to work hard and provide support,” he says.
