Joe DeGenova is a highly accomplished sales professional with a strong track record in driving business growth and cultivating long-term client relationships. His career began at Ellwood Quality Steels in New Castle, PA, where he worked as a Technical Sales Representative from 2017 to 2022. During this period, he managed over 15 accounts and played a critical role in generating more than $50 million in revenue in 2021, with expectations of hitting $90 million in 2022. Joe DeGenova excelled in facilitating communication across all levels of the company, negotiating long-term agreements, and setting up customer credit by conducting detailed financial assessments.
Before his role as a Technical Sales Representative, Joe DeGenova was part of Ellwood Group Inc.’s Loop Program, where he honed his skills as a Metallurgist while supporting seven different business units. In this program, he led various projects aimed at improving sales support, quality, and production processes, further enhancing his leadership and technical capabilities.
Joe DeGenova’s academic background is equally impressive. He earned an MBA with a Certificate in Organizational Leadership from the University of Pittsburgh’s Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business, where he demonstrated his strategic acumen by leading his team to a top 1.5% finish in an international business competition. He also holds a Bachelor of Science in Materials Science and Engineering, with a minor in Business Management, from Case Western Reserve University.
Currently, Joe DeGenova serves as the acting General Manager of Big D Print & Logistics LLC in Denton, Texas. He is responsible for overseeing daily operations and driving business success.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
My typical day starts early with a review of key metrics and priorities for Big D Print & Logistics LLC. I focus on strategic planning, team coordination, and customer outreach. I use my sales background to optimize operations, ensuring we’re meeting the community’s needs efficiently. To stay productive, I prioritize tasks that align with our long-term goals. This approach keeps me focused on what matters most for growth and customer satisfaction.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I bring ideas to life through a data-driven approach. I thoroughly understand customer needs, and operational metrics, and team dynamics to form a solid plan. From there, I collaborate with my team to develop a step-by-step strategy, ensuring we have the right resources and expertise in place. For our UPS Store expansion, this meant identifying logistical challenges and building community relationships to ensure a successful launch.
What’s one trend that excites you?
The rise of local businesses leveraging digital platforms for logistics and print services excites me. As more companies embrace e-commerce and digital marketing, the demand for efficient shipping and printing solutions grows. This trend provides us with an opportunity to be a key partner for businesses in Denton, offering tailored services that meet their evolving needs.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Regularly reviewing key performance indicators (KPIs) is crucial. By keeping a close eye on metrics like sales, customer surveys, and operational efficiency, I can quickly identify areas for improvement. This habit allows me to make informed decisions and implement changes that drive business growth.
What advice would you give your younger self?
I would tell my younger self to embrace challenges and view them as opportunities for growth. The road to success isn’t always smooth, but each obstacle teaches valuable lessons that build resilience. Don’t be afraid to take risks; they often lead to the most significant rewards.
Tell us something you believe that almost nobody agrees with you on?
I believe that you can be both data-driven and people-focused in business. Many think you must choose one, but I’ve found that understanding the numbers while fostering genuine relationships with clients and the community is the key to long-term success.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
I continuously invest in professional development, both for myself and my team. Staying updated with industry trends, learning new skills, and networking with other professionals helps us stay ahead of the curve. I recommend everyone make time for learning; it’s an investment that always pays off. Great advice I was given young was “Leaders are readers”.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
When I feel overwhelmed, I step back and revisit my priorities, usually on a long run. I break down complex tasks into smaller, manageable steps and tackle them one at a time. It helps to remind myself of our long-term vision and how each task contributes to that goal. This approach refocuses my energy and keeps me on track.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Building strong, long-lasting relationships has been a cornerstone of my career. By engaging with customers, partners, and the community, I’ve been able to create trust and loyalty. For our UPS Store expansion, actively participating in local events and understanding the needs of Denton businesses have helped us establish a solid foundation for growth.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
One failure was not initially allocating enough resources to marketing efforts. I quickly learned that building brand recognition is crucial, especially when entering a new market. I overcame this by shifting our strategy to include digital marketing, SEO, and community engagement. The lesson was clear: never underestimate the power of marketing in business expansion.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Creating a local business networking group focused on logistics and print services could be a great way to foster collaboration. By bringing together local businesses to discuss challenges and share solutions, you can build a community that supports each other while driving business growth.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
I rely heavily on Microsoft Excel to take data and transform it, gleaning useful insights. Using data to determine product mix, productivity, and operational constraints helps guide my day-to-day. Not only can I see and meet customers’ needs, our team can be better educated and rapidly adjust in a dynamic environment.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
One of my favorite books is “The Way of the Seal” by Mark Dvine. It emphasizes the importance of continuous innovation and learning to improve your business. Mindset and decision making processes are heavily discussed and it contains many useful insights. My learnings are crucial in our approach to expanding and optimizing our operations at Big D Print & Logistics LLC.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
I recently enjoyed “The Founder,” which chronicles the story of McDonald’s rise. It’s a great example of the importance of vision, persistence, and strategic partnerships in business growth. It serves as a reminder of how innovative thinking can turn small ventures into large-scale successes.
Key learnings
- Regularly review key metrics to make data-driven decisions that align with long-term goals.
- Building strong community relationships is crucial for successful business expansion.
- Continuous professional development for yourself and your team is key to staying competitive.